Page 3 of 52 FirstFirst 123456789101113 ... LastLast
Results 51 to 75 of 1287
  1. #51
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    left of center
    Posts
    20,590
    10 MLB umpires retire in historic exodus

    Ten Major League Baseball umpires, including seven crew chiefs, retired at the end of December — the largest turnover for the position since 1999, ESPN reports.

    Why it matters: The 10 umps have worked over 200 combined MLB seasons and 16 World Series — professional experience that won't be easily replaced. MLB will promote their replacements from the minors this month.

    The retiring crew chiefs:


    • Tom Hallion (29 years of MLB service time): He's been on the field in some capacity for seven no-hitters, which was the most among active umpires.
    • Ted Barrett (25 years): Worked five World Series, most among the group retiring. He was behind the plate for David Cone's perfect game in 1999 and Greg Maddux's 300th win in 2004.
    • Jerry Meals (24 years): He was behind the plate for Kerry Wood's 20-strikeout game in 1998.
    • Greg Gibson (23 years): He was behind the plate for Randy Johnson's perfect game in 2004; owns a Kentucky-based insurance company.
    • Jim Reynolds (22.5 years): There are costs to being an ump: In the last six years alone, he's had seven concussions because of foul tips.
    • Bill Welke (22.5 years): He and his brother Tim were paired on the same crew in 2005 and again from 2008 to 2010.
    • Sam Holbrook (21.5 years): He was the home plate umpire for Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, the day the Cubs broke their 108-year curse.


    The backdrop: The coming seasons will be a challenge for umpires, as MLB continues to experiment with rule changes and robo-umps inch closer to calling big league games.


    • MLB will use a pitch timer in 2023 and it will be on home plate umpires to enforce it.
    • Meanwhile, base umpires will have to make sure the new shift rules are being followed.
    Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

  2. #52
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    left of center
    Posts
    20,590
    Yankees appoint Brian Sabean as executive advisor to GM

    Yankees appoint Brian Sabean as executive advisor to the general manager

    The New York Yankees today announced that they have appointed Brian Sabean as Executive Advisor to Senior Vice President and General Manager Brian Cashman.

    Sabean, 66, re-joins the Yankees after spending the previous 30 seasons with the San Francisco Giants. He spent the last four seasons as an Executive Vice President for San Francisco, working on strategic initiatives as a senior advisor and evaluator. Prior to that, Sabean served as the Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations from 2015-18 and as the Giants Senior Vice President and General Manager from 1996-2015. Under Sabean’s leadership from 1996-2018, San Francisco earned eight postseason births, claiming five division titles, four National League pennants and three World Series Championships.

    During Sabean’s tenure as GM, the Giants were named the Topps “Organization of the Year” in both 2009 and 2011 and the Baseball America “Organization of the Year” in 2010. He was also named Major League Baseball’s “Executive of the Year” by the Sporting News in 2003 and by Baseball America in 2003 and 2012_._

    Sabean began his tenure in San Francisco in 1993 as Assistant to the General Manager and Vice President of Scouting Player Personnel. He spent the 1995 season as the Senior Vice President of Player Personnel before being promoted to General Manager in 1996.

    Prior to joining the Giants, Sabean spent eight seasons with the Yankees. He joined the Yankees in 1985 as a scout before serving as the Director of Scouting from 1986-90 and the Vice President of Player Development and Scouting from 1990-92.

  3. #53
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    left of center
    Posts
    20,590
    Yankees eyeing Bryan Reynolds, but Pirates' ask still 'unrealistic'

    The Yankees remain among the teams with consistent interest in Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds, reports the New York Post. The asking price is said to be "unrealistic," however. The Yankees have a glaring need in left field and have remained an obvious fit for Reynolds, a switch-hitter with all-around ability and three years of team control remaining.

    Reynolds, 28 later this month, requested a trade earlier this offseason, though the Pirates are under no obligation to trade him. He has been an in-demand trade target for several years now and Pittsburgh has maintained a high asking price throughout. At this point it feels like the Yankees (and other teams) are simply waiting until that asking price drops. New York's in-house left field options are Aaron Hicks and super utility man Oswaldo Cabrera.

  4. #54
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    left of center
    Posts
    20,590
    Dodgers release Trevor Bauer after pitcher's reinstatement from MLB suspension

    Dodgers designate Trevor Bauer for assignment after pitcher's reinstatement from MLB suspension

    Trevor Bauer is free to pitch in MLB again, but it won't be with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

    The Dodgers announced Friday that the former NL Cy Young Award winner will no longer be part of their organization after his reinstatement from a suspension that was shortened from 324 games to 194 games on Dec. 22.

    The official roster move will be Los Angeles designating Bauer for assignment. That means the team has until next Thursday to trade him, at which point he must be placed on unconditional waivers. If no team wants to cover Bauer's 2023 salary, he will become a free agent and be able to sign with any team for the MLB minimum salary of $720,000.

    Whether or not Bauer signs elsewhere, the Dodgers will have to cover the remainder of the $22.5 million in salary it still owes the right-hander.

  5. #55
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    left of center
    Posts
    20,590
    Gregory Soto trade to Phillies

    Phillies acquire Soto (30 saves) from Detroit

    The Phillies continued to bolster their bullpen on Saturday, acquiring two-time All-Star Gregory Soto from the Tigers in a five-player deal.

    In addition to Soto, Philadelphia will receive infielder Kody Clemens in exchange for outfielder Matt Vierling, utility player Nick Maton and catcher Donny Sands (the Phillies' No. 21 prospect per MLB Pipeline).

    TRADE DETAILS

    Phillies get: LHP Gregory Soto, INF Kody Clemens
    Tigers get: UTIL Nick Maton, OF Matt Vierling, C Donny Sands (Phillies' No. 21 prospect)

  6. #56
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    left of center
    Posts
    20,590
    White Sox pitcher Liam Hendriks diagnosed with cancer

    Australian MLB star Liam Hendriks has been diagnosed with cancer, revealing on his Instagram account that he is beginning treatment for Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

    “Recently, I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma,” Hendriks said.

    “Hearing the word ‘cancer’ came as a shock to my wife and I, as it does to millions of families each year.”

    Hendriks begins his treatment on January 9, and says he is “confident (of making) a full recovery and (will) be back on the mound as soon as possible”.

    The Perth native racked up his third All-Star selection in 2022, a year after joining the White Sox on a three-year deal worth a mammoth $70 million, making him one of Australia’s highest paid athletes.

  7. #57
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    left of center
    Posts
    20,590
    Brandon Belt signs with Blue Jays

    Belt, Blue Jays finalize 1-year, $9.3M deal

    Consider the Blue Jays’ lineup officially remodeled, with the club finalizing a one-year, $9.3 million deal with veteran Brandon Belt on Tuesday.

    Belt has been a fixture with the Giants for 12 seasons, winning World Series rings in 2012 and ’14. Belt played some outfield when he was younger, but comes to the Blue Jays as a first baseman and DH option, giving manager John Schneider a major upgrade as a bench bat on days he’s not in the lineup.

    The 34-year-old is coming off a down year, though, with his .213 average and .676 OPS both outliers compared to his career numbers. Belt was dealing with right knee issues that had followed him for years, stretching back to a right meniscus surgery in 2015. He underwent another surgery in ’18, then required arthroscopic surgery in September of ’22, ending his season early.

  8. #58
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    left of center
    Posts
    20,590
    Carlos Correa agrees to new deal with Twins

    Correa, Twins reach 6-year deal, pending physical

    Not once, but twice this offseason, it looked like the Twins were out of the Carlos Correa sweepstakes for good.

    But somehow, the craziest free-agency saga in recent memory has come full circle, all the way back to Minnesota.

    For the second offseason in a row, the Twins have stunned the baseball world by reportedly agreeing to terms with Correa, this time on a long-term deal guaranteeing six years and $200 million, a source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. The contract also includes four additional vesting seasons that can be worth up to an additional $70 million. Either way, it represents the largest free-agent commitment in Twins history, both by years and dollars.

    But still, the deal, which the team has not confirmed, is still pending completion of a physical -- and those words have done a lot of work throughout the nearly month-long process involving Correa and agreements with three different teams.

  9. #59
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    left of center
    Posts
    20,590
    Miguel Rojas trade: Marlins send shortstop to Dodgers for infield prospect, per reports

    The Los Angeles Dodgers have traded for veteran shortstop Miguel Rojas, sending infield prospect Jacob Amaya back to the Miami Marlins, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman. The Athletic first reported that the teams were deep in trade negotiations.

    Rojas, who turns 34 in February, is coming off a 2022 season with the Marlins in which he slashed .236/.283/.323 with six home runs and nine stolen bases in 140 games. For his career, Rojas an OPS+ of 85 with more than 5,500 defensive innings at the shortstop position. Per Statcast estimates, Rojas remains a plus fielder at the position.

    Rojas, who was initially signed by the Reds as an amateur out of Venezuela, made his major-league debut with the Dodgers in 2014 as a 25-year-old. The following offseason, however, he went to Miami as part of a seven-player trade that also involved notable names like Enrique Hernández, Dan Haren, Dee Strange-Gordon, Andrew Heaney, and Austin Barnes. In his return to Los Angeles, Rojas figures to help fill the middle-infield void left by the departure of shortstop Trea Turner, who signed a free-agent contract with the Phillies earlier this winter. Rojas could form a platoon at short with the left-handed-hitting Gavin Lux while also being an occasional option at second and third.

  10. #60
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    left of center
    Posts
    20,590
    Padres agree to terms with Nelson Cruz on one-year contract, per reports

    The San Diego Padres have agreed in principle to a one-year contract with veteran slugger Nelson Cruz, Héctor Gómez reports. Cruz will make $1 million for his services, according to ESPN.

    Cruz, 42, is coming off a season of struggles with the Nationals. In 124 games as Washington's DH, he slashed .234/.313/.337 with 10 home runs. That said, Cruz's batted-ball profile remained strong, and he's not far removed from an age-defying run that saw him hit 292 home runs from 2014 through 2021 -- a figure that would've been higher if not for the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign. Cruz enters 2023 with a career OPS+ of 131 and 459 home runs.

    With the Padres, the right-handed Cruz figures to be the lighter half of a DH platoon with Matt Carpenter. In keeping with expectations and his career trends, Cruz last season was significantly more effective against opposite-side pitching.

  11. #61
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    left of center
    Posts
    20,590
    Carlos Correa gets 'A' for Twins; Mets still have strong winter; Dodgers disappoint

    Rangers a serious suitor for Bryan Reynolds trade; Mets interested in Andrew McCutchen.

    In roughly five weeks pitchers and catchers will report to spring training camps in Arizona and Florida. Six weeks after that, it will be Opening Day for the 2023 season.

    In their search for left field help, the Rangers remain among the most serious suitors for Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds, reports MLB.com's Jon Morosi. "I am told the Rangers are among the most serious suitors right now," Morosi said, adding Pittsburgh is seeking arms and the Rangers have several high-end pitching prospects who could entice them (Jack Leiter, Owen White, etc.).

    Reynolds requested a trade earlier this offseason, though the Pirates are under no obligation to meet his request. That said, it has created an awkward situation that will only grow more awkward once spring training begins, and the questions are asked daily. The Dodgers and Yankees are also rumored to be in the mix for Reynolds. If the Pirates are dead set on getting pitching for Reynolds, the Yankees figure to be at a disadvantage in trade talks because their top prospects are all position players.

    Mets have interest in McCutchen

    After losing out on Carlos Correa, the Mets are showing interest in Andrew McCutchen as a spare outfielder and DH option, reports the New York Post. The 2013 NL MVP is a league-average hitter and not much of a defender these days, though he's hit left-handers hard in recent years, and he still puts together long, grinding, quality at-bats. Plus he's a Grade-A clubhouse presence.

    Unless the Mets swing an unexpected trade, a big move to replace Correa isn't out there right now, so any further offseason moves figure to only tinker with the margins of the roster. The club needs a better fourth outfielder than Khalil Lee and a better righty platoon bat than Darin Ruf. McCutchen would check both boxes. He did not rank among our top 50 free agents (here's why).

    Giants interested in Sánchez

    The Giants are showing interest in free agent catcher Gary Sánchez, according to Z101 Digital. Joey Bart and Blake Sabol, a Rule 5 Draft pick with no MLB experience, are the only catchers on San Francisco's 40-man roster. Sánchez offers power, something the Giants are short on at the moment, and league average framing behind the plate. Plus Sabol has outfield experience, so the Giants would be able to easily carry him and Sánchez on the roster. It wouldn't necessarily be a true three-catcher setup.

  12. #62
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    left of center
    Posts
    20,590
    Andrew McCutchen returns to Pirates; Marlins shopping starters; Twins extend Chris Paddack

    Pirates, McCutchen forge reunion

    The Pirates and outfielder/franchise legend Andrew McCutchen have agreed to a one-year contract that's pending a physical, Jason Mackey reports. Mackey adds that the deal will be worth $5 million if finalized.

    McCutchen, 36, is coming off a 2022 season with the Brewers in which he slashed .237/.316/.384 with 17 home runs in 134 games as the primary DH. Over the last three seasons, McCutchen has put up an OPS+ of 104 in 335 total games.

    Marlins looking to trade starting pitchers

    It's no secret that the Marlins are looking to address their chronically weak offense by trading from their impressive rotation depth. While reigning Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara is almost certainly off limits, other Miami starters may be on the block. As Jon Heyman reports, Pablo Lopez, Jesus Luzardo, Taylor Rogers, and Edward Cabrera are all viable targets for teams looking to deal for rotation help. The 26-year-ol López in particular is an appealing target, and Heyman notes that the Twins have already had discussions with the Marlins about him. Miami's recent signing of veteran starter Johnny Cueto makes the trade of one of their incumbent rotation pieces even more likely.

    Twins extend Paddack

    The Twins have signed righty Chris Paddack to a three-year contract extension, reports The Athletic. The deal is worth $12.5 million with another $2.5 million in incentives, per the New York Post, and buys out Paddack's final two arbitration years plus one free agent year. The 27-year-old had his second career Tommy John surgery last May and is expected to miss most of 2023. He made five starts with a 4.03 ERA before the injury. Minnesota acquired Paddack from the Padres shortly before Opening Day.

  13. #63
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    left of center
    Posts
    20,590
    Juan Soto nets $23M contract

    The Padres and star slugger Juan Soto have agreed to a $23 million contract for 2023, ESPN reports. Soto was the prize of last season's trade deadline, and in 153 combined games for the Padres and Nationals he tallied 27 home runs and an MLB-leading 135 walks. For his career, the 24-year-old has a sky-scraping OPS+ of 157. Soto is slated for free agency after the 2024 season, which means one more year of arbitration eligibility. The big question remains whether the Padres will be able to sign him to a (likely record-breaking) long-term extension before he reaches free agency. What we do know is that no long-term deal came out of Friday's deadline.

  14. #64
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    left of center
    Posts
    20,590
    Trey Mancini Cubs deal

    Trey Mancini headed to Cubs

    The Cubs are set to sign free agent first baseman/DH Trey Mancini to a two-year contract, a source tells MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. The club has not confirmed the deal.

    Mancini has overcome tremendous adversity in his life and career. In 2019, at age 27, he authored a breakout season for the Orioles, bashing 35 home runs with an .899 OPS. But the following spring, he was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer. While Mancini would miss the entirety of the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, that was hardly the biggest concern. Rather, it was a fight for his life, involving six months of chemotherapy treatments, which finally wrapped up in September 2020.

    Amazingly, Mancini not only recovered but returned to action the following spring. He went on to play a full season for Baltimore, appearing in 147 games and hitting 21 homers, after which he was named the AL Comeback Player of the Year.

  15. #65
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    left of center
    Posts
    20,590
    Angels avoid arbitration with five of eight players

    The Angels avoided arbitration with five of their eight eligible players ahead of Friday’s deadline to exchange arbitration figures, the club announced.

    Los Angeles could not reach agreements with outfielder Hunter Renfroe and infielders Luis Rengifo and Gio Urshela. Renfroe and Urshela were both acquired in trades this offseason and will be eligible to become free agents after the 2023 season. Rengifo is coming off a career year and is eligible for arbitration for the first time.

    Renfroe was projected to make roughly $11 million via arbitration, while Urshela was due to earn roughly $9 million. A source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand that Renfroe is asking for $11.9 million and the Angels countered with $11.25 million, and Urshela filed at $10 million while the team filed at $8.4 million.

    The Angels could be heading for arbitration hearings with those players, but there’s also nothing officially precluding them from reaching an agreement before a hearing.

    The club hasn't had an arbitration hearing with a player since 2020, when Brian Goodwin won his case against the Angels. He was awarded $2.2 million that year, up from the $1.85 million Los Angeles offered. The last time before that was in '11 with ace Jered Weaver, when the Angels won the case.

    Left-hander Patrick Sandoval and outfielder Taylor Ward will both make $2.75 million in their first year of arbitration in 2023, while first baseman Jared Walsh will earn $2.65 million in his first year. Long reliever Jaime Barría will make $1.05 million, while right-hander Griffin Canning will earn $850,000 after he missed all of last season with a back injury.

    The Angels avoided arbitration with superstar Shohei Ohtani on Oct. 1, as they signed him to a one-year deal worth $30 million. Ohtani is set to be a free agent after the 2023 season.

  16. #66
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    left of center
    Posts
    20,590
    Dodgers 2023 international prospects signings

    Dodgers to add pair of talented Dominican prospects

    The Dodgers’ history on the international market dates back to the 1970s with the creation of an academy in the Dominican Republic.

    The commitment to scouring Latin America and the Caribbean to find top prospects remains as strong as ever.

    According to industry sources, the club has agreed to deals with shortstop Joendry Vargas, the No. 3 overall prospect on the top 50 international list, and outfielder Arnaldo Lantigua, who ranks No. 23.

    The Dodgers, who have a base signing pool of $4,144,000, have not confirmed the agreements. The deals are pending physicals. Last year, the Dodgers surpassed the luxury tax threshold and had to forfeit $1,000,000 for signing Freddie Freeman.

  17. #67
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    left of center
    Posts
    20,590
    Padres sign top international prospect Ethan Salas

    MLB's amateur international free agent market opened on Sunday. The Padres made the biggest splash of the day by inking catcher Ethan Salas for $5.6 million. Here's what our Mike Axisa wrote about Salas:

    Salas has baseball bloodlines. His older brother, Jose Salas, is a highly regarded infield prospect with the Marlins. Baseball America recently ranked the elder Salas the No. 4 prospect in Miami's system and said his "offensive skills will make him a valuable player." The younger Salas has all the tools to be an impact player at the game's most demanding position.

    The Padres' signing bonus pool was just over $5.8 million, meaning they used almost all of it to nab Salas.

  18. #68
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    left of center
    Posts
    20,590
    Mets 2023 international prospects signings

    Mets agree to terms with trio of top int'l prospects

    The Mets are excited about their class of international prospects and it could go down as one of the most athletic groups in recent history.

    The club announced Monday it has agreed to terms with 27 players, including catcher Daiverson Gutierrez, the No. 27-ranked prospect on the top 50 international list. They also agreed to deals with outfielder Anthony Baptist, who ranks No. 29, and No. 43 Cristopher Larez.

    The club also has agreements with left-handed pitcher Daviel Hurtado (Cuba), center fielder Heriberto Rincon (Dominican Republic), left-handed pitcher Wilmer Lugo (Venezuela), outfielder Enderson Asencio (Dominican Republic) and shortstop Keiver Garcia (Venezuela).

    The Mets have a base signing pool of $5,284,000.

  19. #69
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    left of center
    Posts
    20,590
    Cards among teams with interest in Marlins’ López (report)

    It's no secret that the Marlins have plenty of pitching depth from which to deal. Their recent agreement with veteran right-hander Johnny Cueto (per a source) only adds to Miami's stockpile and ostensibly makes it more likely that the team will trade at least one of its young starters in exchange for lineup help.

    Right-hander Pablo López's name has been in the trade rumor mill for a while, and he could be a fit for many teams, with the Cardinals among the top suitors.

    According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal (subscription required), St. Louis and Miami have engaged in “preliminary” talks about a trade involving López. Considering he’s controllable through 2024, López makes sense as a target for a Cardinals team that has four starting pitchers -- Adam Wainwright (set to retire), Miles Mikolas, Jack Flaherty and Jordan Montgomery -- who are eligible for free agency after 2023. The Cardinals’ surfeit of controllable outfielders makes them a solid trade partner for the Marlins.

    There also could be a potential match made with the Padres, with shortstop Ha-Seong Kim going back to Miami. That's what one rival evaluator speculated to ESPN's Buster Olney. Both players are under contract for two more seasons. Kim has a mutual option for 2025.

  20. #70
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    left of center
    Posts
    20,590
    Twins could trade Luis Arraez for pitching help; Mets sign Tommy Pham

    Twins could trade Luis Arraez for pitching help; Mets sign Tommy Pham

    Twins looking to make trade

    The Twins continue to push for a better roster here in the short term, "including further exploration of trading" Luis Arraez in order to land starting pitching help, The Athletic reports. Pablo López of the Marlins is mentioned as a possible target, though nothing is reported as being close to a deal.

    López, 26, was 10-10 with a 3.75 ERA (108 ERA+), 1.17 WHIP and 174 strikeouts against 52 unintentional walks in 180 innings -- 32 starts -- last season.

    Mets sign Pham

    The Mets have agreed to a one-year, $6 million deal with free agent outfielder Tommy Pham, reports Jon Heyman. Pham is heading toward his age-35 season. In 144 games last year for the Reds and Red Sox, he hit .236/.312/.374 (87 OPS+) with 23 doubles, 17 homers, 63 RBI, 89 runs, eight steals and 0.4 WAR.

    The expectation here is Pham will be a fourth outfielder for the Mets behind Brandon Nimmo (CF), Starling Marte (RF) and Mark Canha (LF), though there's always a chance everyday playing time opens up. There are also DH at-bats and Pham could figure there (or play left field with Canha at DH against lefties, as left-handed swinging Daniel Vogelbach figures to be the primary DH).

  21. #71
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    left of center
    Posts
    20,590
    Red Sox add veteran outfielder Raimel Tapia; Mariners pick up Tommy La Stella

    Raimel Tapia, a veteran of parts of seven big-league seasons, is joining the Red Sox on a minor-league deal, according to WEEI. Tapia had originally announced his signing on his personal Instagram account.

    Tapia, who will turn 29 years old in early February, spent last season with the Blue Jays. He'd previously played his entire career with the Rockies. Overall he's batted .277/.318/.392 (83 OPS+) with 26 home runs and 53 stolen bases. Tapia's contributions have been worth an estimated 0.8 Wins Above Replacement, according to the calculations housed at Baseball-Reference.

    A's not considering Laureano trade

    The Athletics do not appear open to moving veteran outfielder Ramón Laureano, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic.

    Laureano, 28, has posted a career 113 OPS+ over parts of five big-league seasons. He's coming off the worst offensive showing of his career, as judged by OPS+, and he's no longer viewed as an everyday center-field option. Still, the A's reluctance to move Laureano qualifies as a surprise given how much of their veteran core they've dealt away since MLB's owner-imposed lockout was lifted.

  22. #72
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    left of center
    Posts
    20,590
    Aroldis Chapman, Royals agree to deal

    Royals agree to deal with closer Aroldis Chapman

    The Royals have agreed to a one-year deal with hard-throwing reliever Aroldis Chapman, sources told MLB.com on Thursday. The club has not confirmed the deal, which is pending a physical that should happen in the coming days.

    MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reported the deal is expected to be worth $3.75 million with performance bonuses. Kansas City will be banking on a turnaround from Chapman, who was known for his consistent triple-digit velocity earlier in his career.

    But the 2022 season was a miserable one for the seven-time All-Star. Chapman, who will be 35 on Opening Day, recorded some of the worst stats of his 13-year career and was blemished by multiple injured-list stints as well as questions regarding his willingness to be a team player.

  23. #73
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    left of center
    Posts
    20,590
    Tommy La Stella Mariners deal
    Mariners add La Stella on 1-year deal

    The Mariners added some infield depth Thursday when they signed veteran Tommy La Stella to a one-year deal, the club announced. To make room for La Stella on the 40-man roster, left-hander Justus Sheffield was designated for assignment.

    La Stella, who turns 34 on Jan. 31, spent the last two seasons with the Giants, battling injuries along the way. He played in only 76 games in 2021 and was held to 60 games last year, slashing .239/.282/.350. He finished the year on the injured list with neck spasms. Seattle will put La Stella in the mix in the middle of the infield as a left-handed-hitting option who can play second base behind Kolten Wong and third base behind Eugenio Suárez.
    Last edited by S Landreth; 21-01-2023 at 12:15 PM.

  24. #74
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    left of center
    Posts
    20,590
    Luis Arraez Marlins trade

    Batting champ Arraez traded to Marlins for López, more

    The Marlins on Friday acquired reigning American League batting champion and All-Star infielder Luis Arraez from the Twins for right-hander Pablo López and two prospects, infielder Jose Salas (No. 5 in the Marlins’ system) and outfielder Byron Chourio.

    The 25-year-old Arraez, who is under team control through 2025, has a .314 average through 389 career games. In '22, he drew a career-high 50 walks to lead the Twins while striking out just 43 times, making him the only Major League player to strike out fewer than 50 times in at least 500 plate appearances.

    TRADE DETAILS

    Marlins receive: INF Luis Arraez
    Twins receive: RHP Pablo López, INF José Salas (Marlins’ No. 5 prospect), OF Byron Chourio

  25. #75
    Guest Member S Landreth's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    left of center
    Posts
    20,590
    Marlins closing in on deal with Gurriel

    The Miami Marlins are close to signing veteran first baseman Yuli Gurriel to a free-agent contract, Mark Feinsand reports.

    Gurriel is coming off a disappointing 2022 season for the world-champion Astros. In 146 games, he slashed .242/.288/.360 (84 OPS+) with eight home runs, and those numbers were reinforced by very poor quality-of-contact measures. Given that Gurriel is going into his age-39 season, the prospects for improvement aren't exactly encouraging. The crowded Miami infield may mean that Gurriel is headed for a limited role with his new team, and frankly that's probably what his expected level of production merits at this stage of his career.

Page 3 of 52 FirstFirst 123456789101113 ... LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •