Now that the Yankees have designated Vernon Wells for assignment, they're more likely to keep Ichiro Suzuki, NJ.com's Brendan Kuty writes. If Ichiro stays, it will be in a bench role, with Brett Gardner, Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran holding the starting outfield roles and Alfonso Soriano mostly playing DH. There had been some whispers that the Yankees could trade Ichiro, although, as Kuty points out, it was unclear who the Yankees might trade him to. Here are more notes from the East divisions.
- The recent re-signing of Alexi Casilla to a minor-league deal gives the Orioles another backup plan if Manny Machado is unable to completely recover from his knee injury by the beginning of the season, Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun writes. If Machado isn't ready to go, the Orioles could move Ryan Flaherty to third and start either Casilla or Jemile Weeks at second. Jonathan Schoop might also be a possibility there, but Encina notes that the O's would like to give Schoop more time at Triple-A.
- The Marlins are unlikely to re-sign outfielder Chris Coghlan, says MLB.com's Joe Frisaro. They non-tendered him last month, and have since added Brian Bogusevic, who looks likely to occupy an outfield bench role. The Marlins could have a starting outfield of Christian Yelich, Marcell Ozuna and Giancarlo Stanton.
- Adam Lind is glad the Blue Jays exercised his $7MM option this offseason, Shi Davidi of SportsNet.ca reports. "I was really hoping I was going to be back, but for some reason you never find out until the last minute, and I’m really excited and pumped to be able to stay here for another season," Lind says. There have also been trade rumors about Lind this offseason, but Davidi writes that the Blue Jays never really wanted to trade him.
I hope they keep Ichiro now.
He is a pretty good backup option, can cover all the positions, knows how to give regular ab if an injury occurs. He shouldn’t be a starter, and to think I wanted Nate Schierholtz…
True is Ellsbury or Gardner get injured which is very possible. They would certainly need him.
Marlins have a pretty good OF even though it’s mostly unproven.
Coghlin should be given a shot to play the IF. It’s clear that he’s no OF.
Also what of the Blue Jays were to do a Lennerton and Perez from the Tigers for a pitching prospect?
I’d rather give Zoilo Almonte another chance as a 5th outfielder.
I hope Chris “Joe Charboneau” Coghlan isn’t waiting around for an MLB deal, he already had 4 seasons too many to prove that 2009 was a fluke.
Casilla at 3rd? I liked him at 2nd base!
I am going to use another Star Wars Analogy again.
Duquette is a lot like Yoda in this sense! When Luke Skywalker first met Yoda, Yoda was picking through his things. Oh an Old Chicken Leg, that could be valuable! Some old tissue paper, I could use that too! I mean Duquette is ridiculous! Is there someone else that this Orioles fan can talk to? Angelos should sell the team and he can take both Duquette and Showalter with him!
You mean to tell me that Cashman couldn’t pawn Ichiro off on Rube Amaro? The only difference between Ichiro and most of the over-the-hill players Rube lavishes multiple years on, is that most of those guys are Latino and Ichiro is Asian.
Other than that, declining players in their final years are Amaro’s wheel-house.
Especially Michael Young. That guy is as hispanic as they come…
Adam had a nice comeback year (although much clearer looking at his lefty righty splits) but the last few media pieces incorporating quotes from him seem to have tongue-in-cheek jabs at the Jays establishment..
Cant get to 3k hits as a back up.