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The Rangers’ Managerial Search

By Jeff Todd and Steve Adams | October 15, 2018 at 8:15am CDT

After parting ways with Jeff Banister late in the season, the Rangers are working to decide who’ll lead their dugout in 2019. Interim manager Don Wakamatsu is expected to be one of the candidates, though he had only a brief window in which to impress GM Jon Daniels and company.

As we have done with other openings of this kind, we’ll use this post to track the most recent developments in the hiring process in Texas.

Latest Update — Oct. 15

Mark DeRosa has declined the opportunity to interview for the Rangers’ managerial post, tweets Jon Morosi of MLB.com. DeRosa, 43, is happy in his current position at MLB Network, according to Morosi. That would seem to rule him out from other vacancies — he’s reportedly been of interest to the Twins and was also speculatively linked to the Blue Jays — though this morning’s report only specifically mentions the Rangers organization.

Candidates Who Have Interviewed

Don Wakamatsu, interim manager, Rangers. GM Jon Daniels announced that Wakamatsu would receive consideration for the post.
Jayce Tingler, assistant GM, Rangers. Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram identified Tingler as a candidate; Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News tweeted that he has interviewed.
Brandon Hyde, bench coach, Cubs. Recently became one of the earliest outside candidates to interview, per Grant.
Joe Espada, bench coach, Astros. Interviewed via phone due to current duties, per Grant. First identified by Wilson as a candidate, Espada is in his first year as bench coach after taking over the post from current Red Sox manager Alex Cora.
Joe Girardi, former manager, Yankees & Marlins. Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reported that Girardi was interviewed on Oct. 12. The 53-year-old Girardi also spent a year as the Marlins’ manager in 2006 and has an overall record of 988-794 as a Major League manager.

Candidates Expected to Interview

Dusty Wathan, third base coach, Phillies: He’ll sit down with the Texas brass, Bob Brookover of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Wathan, a former Triple-A manager, was considered a leading candidate for the Phillies’ managerial post last winter and ended up joining the staff of Gabe Kapler.

Other Candidates

Grant writes that the Rangers have done background work on Giants farm director David Bell and on Rays Major League field coordinator Rocco Baldelli. Bell has already interviewed for the Reds’ managerial vacancy, while Baldelli has been linked to the Twins’ ongoing search for a new skipper.
Sandy Alomar Jr., first base coach, Indians: The long-time MLB backstop, who has come up frequently in past managerial searches, is also expected to get a look, according to Wilson.
Grant lists Dodgers third base coach Chris Woodward and Padres Triple-A manager (and former Rangers catcher) Rod Barajas as other possible candidates. The Rangers “have done significant due diligence” on each of Alomar, Espada, Woodward, Barajas and DeRosa, per Grant, though it’s not yet clear which of that bunch will sit down with the organization for a formal interview.
Having started with around forty potential candidates, per MLB.com’s TR Sullivan, the Texas organization evidently still has some paring to do. He names a host of other new possibilities, though it’s unclear whether any are going to receive an opportunity to interview. Rangers third base coach Tony Beasley is a possibility, as others have mentioned previously, as is Triple-A skipper Jason Wood. Other names of note include Omar Vizquel (White Sox minor-league manager), who is said to have “received initial consideration,” along with Gary DiSarcina (Mets third base coach), Jay Bell (Yankees minor-league manager), and Hensley Meulens (Giants bench coach).
Prior indications are that long-time Rangers second bagger Michael Young would be a strong candidate if he had interest in the position. To this point, though, there’s no indication that he does. As noted in that link and in another recent MLBTR post, a whole host of other names have been floated as possibilities. To this point, though, only those listed above have emerged as clear candidates. (And for those who are wondering, MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan wrote in a recent Rangers Inbox column that Adrian Beltre “has expressed zero interest in managing.”)

Not Under Consideration

The Rangers had interest in former big leaguer and current MLB Network analyst Mark DeRosa, per Grant, but MLB.com’s Jon Morosi reports that DeRosa is enjoying his current position and has declined the opportunity to interview (Twitter link).

NL West Notes: Dodgers, Braun, Rockies, Padres

By Mark Polishuk | October 14, 2018 at 10:01pm CDT

With the Dodgers and Brewers facing off in the NLCS, MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy looks back to 2016 at the potential blockbuster deal between the two clubs that would’ve sent Ryan Braun to Los Angeles. The rebuilding Brew Crew were exploring ways to get Braun’s big contract off the books, and the Dodgers were a natural trade partner, given their large payroll and the fact that they were one of six teams that Braun (a Southern California native) didn’t have on his no-trade list. The most oft-cited version of the trade would’ve been Braun dealt to L.A. with Yasiel Puig, Brandon McCarthy, and two prospects going to the Brewers. According to multiple sources, McCalvy reports that the Dodgers walked away from talks within the last half-hour before the August 31st deadline.

Imagining Braun as a Dodger (and, not to be overlooked, Puig as a Brewer) makes for a very interesting alternate-reality scenario, especially given the domino effect that that trade would’ve created on the Brewers’ and Dodgers’ subsequent moves over the last two seasons. The deal will particularly loom large should either Braun or Puig end up being a deciding factor in the final three-plus games of the NLCS.

Some more from the NL West…

The Rockies head into the offseason with a lot of position player questions, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post writes, perhaps most notably at second base and in the outfield, as DJ LeMahieu, Gerardo Parra, and Carlos Gonzalez are all free agents. The Rockies might want to move on to younger outfield options than Parra or Gonzalez, while “there’s no indication Colorado will attempt to re-sign” LeMahieu, which could open the door for prospects Garrett Hampson or Brendan Rodgers at the keystone. The team needs to upgrade its middling offense in general, with catcher being another position of need in that regard. Due to Jake McGee’s struggles, Saunders also predicts the Rockies will have to add another left-handed reliever to the bullpen.
With the Padres facing some tough decisions about 40-man roster placements in advance of December’s Rule 5 draft, Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune breaks down the current players on the roster and the several minor league candidates to see who is likeliest to make the eventual 40-man slate. Quite a bit of this conjecture is up in the air, of course, as Acee notes that “there is almost no player the Padres wouldn’t at least consider in trade offerings,” so even the Major League roster could look quite different by the time the Rule 5 draft rolls around.
If you feel like weighing in on a question about one of the NL West’s biggest stars, vote in this MLBTR Poll about whether or not the Diamondbacks will trade Paul Goldschmidt this offseason.

NL East Notes: Marlins, Callaway, Twins, Braves

By Mark Polishuk | October 14, 2018 at 8:13pm CDT

Some rumblings from around the NL East…

In the latest Marlins organizational news, the team hired Adrian Lorenzo as a special assistant in scouting and baseball operations, the Boston Globe’s Alex Speier reports (via Twitter). Lorenzo had previously been working as assistant director of international scouting for the Red Sox. The Marlins also let go of pro scouting director Jim Cuthbert earlier this week, according to the Miami Herald’s Clark Spencer (Twitter link), ending Cuthbert’s three-year tenure with the franchise.
These changes and the recent overhaul of the Marlins’ coaching staff are just the latest in an extensive front office reshuffle since Derek Jeter and Bruce Sherman took over the team, and since Jeter hired Gary Denbo as Miami’s VP of player development and scouting. While it isn’t unusual for new owners to put their personal stamp on a team, “people in baseball are just mystified by Denbo’s actions,” according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, and “morale in that organization, I’m told, is at an all-time low.”
Cafardo also discusses the Twins’ managerial search in his column, writing that Mets manager Mickey Callaway “would have been high on the Twins’ list if he were available.” Callaway and Minnesota chief baseball officer Derek Falvey are familiar with each other from their shared time with the Indians, when Callaway was pitching coach and Falvey was working in the front office. Of course, the chance still exists that Callaway could become available, as the next Mets GM will reportedly have the authority to make a managerial change. Since the Twins’ search for a manager is already well under way, however, one would think the club wouldn’t wait under the Mets have made a hire and decided on Callaway’s fate. Callaway’s first season with the Mets was a rocky one, though he is still under contract for two more years (plus a club option for the 2021 season).
Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos is scheduled to meet with the media on Monday morning, with The Athletic’s David O’Brien (Twitter link) expecting that the team will announce a new contract for manager Brian Snitker and possibly some coaching changes. Snitker’s previous deal is up after the World Series is over, though the team was expected to offer him another contract and it wouldn’t be surprising if negotiations went rather quickly. After all, Snitker did just lead the Braves to a somewhat surprising NL East title, and Snitker is a Braves lifer with over 40 years of experience in Atlanta’s organization.
Also from O’Brien (Twitter links), he thinks the Braves will probably have somewhere in the range of $30MM-$35MM to spend this winter. The team has just over $90.8MM on the books for 2019 for current contracts, projected arbitration salaries, and minimum salaries for pre-arb players, give or take a few million less if Atlanta parts ways with any players on the non-tender bubble. The Braves have never had an Opening Day payroll higher than their $122.6MM figure from 2017 since Liberty Media has owned the team, so one would figure they wouldn’t go too far beyond that number. The club could also save some cash for midseason additions or, as O’Brien notes, use some money to sign in-house players to extensions. Regardless, the Braves’ offseason promises to be a very interesting one, as the team makes it next step towards long-term contention now that the rebuild phase seems to be over.

Cardinals Notes: Wainwright, Clapp, Pitching

By Mark Polishuk | October 14, 2018 at 6:28pm CDT

It was on this day in 1985 that Jack Buck asked Cardinals fans to “Go crazy, folks! Go crazy!” in the wake of Ozzie Smith’s walkoff homer to win Game Five of the NLCS. The Wizard Of Oz wasn’t known for his power, of course, though the defensive legend’s only career postseason home run (and, remarkably, the switch-hitting Smith’s first career homer as a left-handed batter) could hardly have come at a better time. The victory gave the Cards a 3-2 lead in the series, and they clinched the National League pennant two days later at Dodger Stadium.

Here’s some modern-day buzz out of St. Louis…

The official details of Adam Wainwright’s new contract with the Cardinals won’t be known until after the World Series, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes. Wainwright will have to officially file for free agency before the deal is finalized, as league rules stipulate that a player currently on a team’s roster cannot re-sign for less than a 20% pay cut from their previous salary, and Wainwright’s new deal will obviously be far less than the $19.5MM he earned last year, in the final season of his five-year, $97.5MM contract. His new deal is just a one-year pact, as Wainwright tells Goold that “I’m going to treat every year from here like it’s my last and go year to year. I’m going to have a great time and maybe a year from now we’re having the same conversation or we’re having a retirement conversation.” After being greatly limited by injuries in three of the last four seasons, Wainwright was greatly encouraged by how his elbow felt in some late-season appearances, and now feels ready for whatever role the team wants him to fill in 2019. It’s clear that Wainwright is hoping to spend his entire baseball career in a Cardinals uniform, telling Goold “I wanted to do all I could to keep the door open with St. Louis. I was trying not to think about the possibility of going somewhere else. I didn’t want to go anywhere else.”
Stubby Clapp, manager of the Cardinals’ Triple-A affiliate in Memphis, has widely been mentioned as a possible candidate to be the next Blue Jays manager, though Clapp tells Sportsnet.ca’s Shi Davidi, “I haven’t heard anything from Toronto. It’s been all rumors.” Before taking over in Memphis in the 2016-17 offseason, Clapp spent the previous four seasons as a hitting coach in the Jays’ minor league system, so he has some ties to the organization. The Windsor, Ontario native would also be the Jays’ first Canadian-born manager. Even Clapp’s current duties carry some Blue Jays connections, as star prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is playing on the team Clapp is managing in the Arizona Fall League. “If there’s an opportunity to get an interview or something like that, great, I’d be excited to do something like that,” Clapp said. “Right now, I’m a Cardinal, that’s my focus and that’s where my mind is, and on taking care of these guys in Arizona.”
While the Cards have some uncertainty about their 2019 rotation, Ben Frederickson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch doesn’t consider starting pitching to be a top priority for the offseason. Miles Mikolas, Jack Flaherty, and Carlos Martinez look to have rotation jobs locked up for next year, while Wainwright, Michael Wacha, Luke Weaver, Austin Gomber, Daniel Poncedeleon, and John Gant are all in the mix for the final two slots. While this group carries a lot of injury and experience questions, Frederickson figures there’s enough depth on hand that the Cardinals don’t need to add another arm unless a clear top-of-the-rotation pitcher like Patrick Corbin or Dallas Keuchel can be had at a reasonable price. The team’s more pressing needs are a left-handed bat for the lineup and more bullpen depth, the latter being particularly important given how successful teams around baseball are increasingly relying on strong bullpens to carry them into (and through) the postseason.

The Mets’ GM Search

By Steve Adams | October 14, 2018 at 6:11pm CDT

Not long after longtime general manager Sandy Alderson stepped down from his post with the Mets earlier this summer, it became clear that the organization would conduct an extensive search to tab a new head of baseball operations. Assistant GM John Ricco and special assistants J.P. Ricciardi and Omar Minaya have been overseeing the team’s baseball operations department on an interim basis, but the Mets are now formally in search of a new department leader. There have been multiple reports that owner Fred Wilpon is eyeing a more traditional general manager with scouting-based acumen (an “old school” type of executive, to use a broad description), while his son, COO Jeff Wilpon, is more focused on hiring an analytically-inclined executive that more closely aligns with recent industry trends. As we’ve done with some recent managerial searches, we’ll track the majority of the updates in the Mets’ GM search here as they navigate the early phases of the process.

Latest Update — 10/14

Indians GM Mike Chernoff had been expected to interview, but that won’t happen, Mike Puma of the New York Post hears. Dodgers executive Josh Byrnes also will not interview, Joel Sherman of the Post tweets.

Earlier Updates — 10/11

Per Jon Heyman of Fancred, the Mets are leaving some candidates with the sense that the new hire won’t quite enjoy a full slate of baseball ops power. As he puts it, the impression is that Omar Minaya or one of the other existing assistant GMs could retain control over player development functions. Team sources that spoke with Heyman denied that was the case, however.
Those interested in further chatter on the topic will want to tune in today’s podcast from SNY.tv’s Doug Williams and Andy Martino. The club is said to have held initial chats today with Bloom, Melvin, and Watson — representing an initial spread of possibilities.
The Mets could still add some candidates to their list from teams that are still alive in the playoffs, with Brewers assistant GM Matt Arnold being one possibility, he adds. The first wave of interviews is expected to be largely wrapped up this week, though certainly if the Mets have substantial interest in Arnold or any other exec whose team is still in the running for the World Series, that interview wouldn’t align with the rest of the field.

Have Interviewed/Will Interview

The Mets interviewed Rays senior vice president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom, reports Mike Puma of the New York Post (Twitter link). He’s been with the Rays since breaking in as a 21-year-old intern and has steadily risen through the ranks, ascending to his current role not long after the departure of Andrew Friedman (who left to become the president of baseball ops for the Dodgers). Bloom would represent a radical shift atop the baseball ops department, bringing a more data-driven approach to the organization. At 35 years old, he’s half the age of his would-be predecessor, Alderson, and has been a frequent target in previous GM searches.
Meanwhile, MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo tweets that the Mets have sat down with Cardinals director of player development Gary LaRocque as well. The 65-year-old LaRocque is a widely respected veteran executive who previously served as a scouting director, director of player development and assistant GM with the Mets in the late 90s and early 2000s. LaRocque has been reported as a likely candidate for weeks.
The same is true of former Brewers GM (and current special adviser) Doug Melvin, according to Puma. He’s slated to receive an interview and, like LaRocque, would bring a more “old school” background to the table as the new general manager in Queens. Fancred’s Jon Heyman linked the two sides back in August.
Recently, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported that De Jon Watson, who previously served as the senior VP of baseball operations under D-backs GM Dave Stewart and as an assistant GM with the Dodgers, will receive an interview. He’s currently working as a special assistant to Nationals GM Mike Rizzo. Puma tweets that Watson’s interview took place today.
Puma has previously reported that Major League executive Kim Ng is also expected to receive an interview. She’s been floated as a potential GM candidate for more than a half decade and has interviewed with a number of clubs in the past (including the D-backs, Phillies and Angels) and would be the first female general manager in league history.

Other Possible Candidates

DiComo tweets that the Mets have talked to Indians general manager Mike Chernoff, though it’s not clear if that constitutes a formal interview. Chernoff holds the title of GM in Cleveland, but he’s second in the baseball operations hierarchy behind president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti.
Gordon Wittemyer of the Chicago Sun-Times has previously suggested that Cubs senior vice president of player development and amateur scouting Jason McLeod could have his interest piqued by the possibility of landing a GM spot in a major market. McLeod, a longtime associate of Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer dating back to the trio’s days in the Red Sox organization, has been touted as a future general manager for years. It’s not yet clear if he’ll have a formal sit-down with the Mets, however.
There’s been a surprising amount of speculation that the Mets could go extremely out of the box and interview high-profile player agents Brodie Van Wagenen (head of CAA Baseball) and Casey Close (head of Excel Sports Management). Joel Sherman of the New York Post and Andy Martino of SNY.tv have both discussed the possibility of hiring a prominent agent, with Martino indicating that the Mets have talked about both Close and Van Wagenen internally. However, there’s yet to be any indication that either representative will sit down with the team.

Not Under Consideration

The Mets reached out to Twins general manager Thad Levine in hopes of interviewing him, per MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand (Twitter link), but Levine declined to pursue the opportunity. Depending on the title the Mets bestow on their new head of baseball ops, it’s possible that Levine wouldn’t have technically have received a promotion; he already holds the general manager title, though Derek Falvey holds the top title in the Minnesota front office (chief baseball officer). Regardless, Levine won’t be leaving Minnesota — at least not for the Mets.
Similarly, former Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington won’t be receiving an interview after removing his name from consideration, per Martino. Currently the Blue Jays vice president of baseball ops, Cherington is open to new GM possibilities but would prefer to build an organization from the ground up, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal recently tweeted. A third veteran executive, former Padres and D-backs GM Josh Byrnes, is also “uninterested” in the position, according to Martino. Byrnes is currently the senior vice president of baseball operations with the Dodgers.
Though there were initial reports that the Mets would interview recently dismissed Orioles general manager Dan Duquette, both DiComo and Martino have both since reported that Duquette will not receive an interview and is not a candidate (Twitter links).
If there was any doubt that the Mets would make an outside hire at the GM post, the Wilpons have plainly told the media that none of Ricco, Minaya or Ricciardi are considered to be candidates for the vacancy (Twitter link via Puma).

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Rockies, Phillies, Braves, Angels, Rays

By Connor Byrne | October 14, 2018 at 4:41pm CDT

This week in baseball blogs…

Rox Pile talks with Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich.
Phillies Nation wonders if the club will try to acquire Nolan Arenado in the offseason.
When Sid Slid shares an offseason plan for the Braves.
Armchair All-Americans previews the Angels’ offseason.
Know Hitter lauds the Rays for the trades they made in 2018.
Reviewing the Brew says Brewers GM David Stearns deserves an extension.
Rotisserie Duck names the 11 biggest surprise players of the season in terms of WAR.
Chin Music Baseball breaks down six pitchers who must rebound next season from rough second halves in 2018.
The Point of Pittsburgh would like to see the Pirates dip into the market for a second baseman, even though Adam Frazier is the incumbent.
Jays From the Couch takes a deep dive into the potential of Julian Merryweather, whom Toronto acquired for Josh Donaldson.
Motor City Bengals lists three relievers the Tigers could go after in free agency.
Call to the Pen (links: 1, 2) looks at the competition the Phillies could face as they seek a game-changing bat in the offseason, and names seven starting pitchers the Yankees could pursue.
Angels Avenue examines how the Angels’ infield performed in 2018 and where it stands heading into 2019.
MLB & Fantasy Baseball Analyzed asks what the Yankees should do with Giancarlo Stanton, while Foul Territory argues the Yanks made a mistake trading for him.
The Giants Cove focuses on the worst teams in the National League.
The K Zone interviews Orioles pitching prospect Zach Pop, who was part of the package they received for Manny Machado.
Everything Bluebirds lists three under-the-radar Blue Jays prospects worth watching in 2019.
Ladodgerreport details the reasons behind Matt Kemp’s diminished playing time.
Mets Critic opines that a president/GM setup would be a win for the franchise.
Baseball Rabbi (podcast) investigates a claim Max Scherzer made about Matt Wieters’ ability to catch foul tips, discusses pitching in and out of the zone, and talks about memorable games.
The Runner Sports previews the ALCS and examines the Twins’ bullpen struggles.
The Sports Tank recaps the Red Sox’s ALDS-clinching win over the Yankees.
Rising Apple asks when it’s OK for a Mets fan to root for the Yankees.
Pinstriped Prospects recaps the performances of several young Yankees thus far in the Arizona Fall League.

Submissions: ZachBBWI @gmail.com

Poll: Paul Goldschmidt’s Future

By Connor Byrne | October 14, 2018 at 2:01pm CDT

Even though he still has another year of team control remaining, superstar first baseman Paul Goldschmidt – a Diamondback since they chose him in the eighth round of the 2009 draft – may be in his final days with the club. While the path the Diamondbacks will take during the offseason is uncertain, general manager Mike Hazen hasn’t ruled out a full rebuild. Arizona’s in a bind in terms of payroll, as MLBTR’s Steve Adams explained earlier this week, and set to lose two of its best players to free agency in left-hander Patrick Corbin and center fielder A.J. Pollock.

In the event those factors do lead to a teardown in the desert, the logical move may be to at least gauge interest in the 31-year-old Goldschmidt. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported earlier this week Arizona will indeed “listen on” Goldschmidt, as dealing him would help restock a barren farm system which Baseball America (subscription required) ranks as the game’s fourth worst.

Between the free-agent and trade markets, Goldschmidt would easily be the premier first base option available. As MLBTR’s Jeff Todd wrote Wednesday, there don’t seem to be any starting-caliber first basemen set to reach free agency, while all of Goldschmidt’s fellow trade candidates at the position pale in comparison to the six-time All-Star. Those factors – not to mention Goldschmdt’s affordable salary (he’ll play 2019 on a $14.5MM club option) – would likely lead to widespread interest.

2019 will be the final season of the six-year, $46.5MM extension (including the option) he inked with the D-backs entering 2013. The decision to lock up Goldschmidt before he turned into an elite player will go down as one of the best in franchise history, given that the pact has been a steal from the get-go. He broke out in earnest during the first year of it, turning in a 6.0-fWAR campaign, and hasn’t really slowed down since. Now coming off a 5.1-fWAR season (the fifth year of at least 5.0 fWAR in his career), Goldschmidt’s facing an uncertain future for the first time since signing his team-friendly contract.

The D-backs may well keep Goldschmidt through the winter and try to extend one of their all-time greats, regardless of whether they expect to bounce back from an 82-win season in 2019. But if the team doesn’t think it’s going to contend in the near future, or if it’s simply unable to come to terms with Goldschmidt, we may have seen the last of him in a Diamondbacks uniform.

(poll link for app users)

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Beltway Notes: Nationals, Orioles, Mesas

By Connor Byrne | October 14, 2018 at 12:12pm CDT

The Nationals may not have as much financial flexibility as it seems this offseason, Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post observes. The Nationals have $112MM committed to 23 players for next season, Janes estimates, adding that MLBTR’s projected salaries for their seven arbitration-eligible players push the number to $152MM. However, for competitive balance tax purposes, that figure would be closer to $140MM, per Janes, who writes that Washington does “not want to come close” to the CBT in 2019. In the end, Janes expects the Nationals to spend around $180MM, which could include their top free agent – superstar outfielder Bryce Harper – whom they want to re-sign. Regardless of whether Harper stays in D.C., the club will still need help in several other areas, Janes points out. However, thanks to the money that’s already on the Nats’ books, Janes cautions that it’s going to be difficult for them to spend freely this winter.

Now the latest from Baltimore:

Even though the Orioles don’t have a true general manager at the moment, they “remain open to moving anyone in the right trade,” Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com writes. Front office questions aside, it’s unclear how many valuable trade chips Baltimore even has, given that it’s wrapping up a 47-win season in which it dealt a slew of established veterans. Reliever Mychal Givens would likely be in demand, and Kubatko cited him as a possible trade piece earlier this week. Speculatively, middle infielder Jonathan Villar and right-hander Dylan Bundy are also among O’s who may find themselves in trade rumors this offseason.
The Orioles, who have more international money available than any other team, are known to be battling with the Marlins for Cuban prospects Victor Victor Mesa, Victor Mesa Jr. and Sandy Gaston. While it has been suggested that the Mesa brothers will sign with the same team, they’re not necessarily a package deal, Kubatko reports, writing that the two “aren’t joined at the hip.”
The Orioles made an eyebrow-raising move in August when they traded $750K in international money to the Phillies for minor league first baseman Jack Zoellner. It turns out the Phillies may have released Zoellner had they not found a taker for him, according to Kubatko. Per Kubatko, Philly was “far less enthusiastic about Zoellner” than Baltimore’s front office, which was then led by since-fired GM Dan Duquette. Zoellner doesn’t rank among Baltimore’s top 30 prospects at MLB.com, and, as Kubatko notes, didn’t stand out in Rookie ball from 2017-18 despite being old for the level.

Statcast Standouts: Pending FA Hitters

By Connor Byrne | October 14, 2018 at 10:01am CDT

Major League Baseball’s postseason has shrunk to four teams, meaning we’re only a few weeks away from the opening of free agency. As always, some pending free-agent hitters are coming off excellent seasons in terms of bottom-line results, while others posted uninspiring production in platform years. Thanks to the introduction of Statcast (via Baseball Savant) a few years ago, we now have a better idea of which players deserved their results from this past regular season. With that in mind, using two Statcast metrics – expected weighted on-base average and average exit velocity on line drives and fly balls – we’ll take a look at the top pending FA hitters at each position. These numbers don’t factor in a batter’s age, handedness, his defense or his expected asking price, of course, but they give a better idea of what kind of season he’s coming off as a hitter as he heads to free agency.

(Note: We’re going with exit velo on liners/fly balls as a way to take grounders out of the equation, as they’re simply less valuable than air balls.)

Catchers: