The Orioles have begun reaching agreements with much of their coaching staff after offering deals to all of them. Bench coach John Russell inked a two-year deal last month, Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com reports (all links to Twitter). Hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh, third base coach Bobby Dickerson, and bullpen coach Dom Chiti are all now under contract for next year, Kubatko adds.
Here’s the latest out of the game’s eastern divisions:
- Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia says that his hamstring injury was somewhat more serious than had been known during the season, as WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford reports. The 32-year-old explains that he tried to come back too quickly after suffering a grade 2.5 tear of the biceps femoris — the lower part of the hamstring where it attaches to the knee. Fortunately, Pedroia does not seem to have done any long-term damage and ought to be ready to go for a normal spring. Though he only made 425 plate appearances, Pedroia slashed a healthy .291/.356/.441.
- Though the Red Sox had one of the league’s more notable backlogs of outfielders heading into 2015, the team now looks in need of an addition, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald explains. It’s not entirely clear what route the club will go, and it does have Brock Holt on hand as a super-utility option to go with presumptive starters Mookie Betts, Jackie Bradley Jr., and Rusney Castillo. Mastrodonato suggests that a lefty masher might make sense.
- Hector Olivera is a key to the Braves’ plans, writes MLB.com’s Mark Bowman. President of baseball operations John Hart said that the club took the risk, after “multiple looks,” in order to take a rare chance to add “a nice five- or six-hole hitter that we’re going to control affordably.” That will, in theory, enable the club to “add other pieces” along with him.
I’m not sure I agree that the Red Sox may be in need of another OF. The Sox have far more pressing issues they need to address before worrying whether or not they need an OF.
I would expect Hanley and Pablo to be better which alone will improve the offense. They should be focusing on pitching.
Hanley has proven to be a cancer, and is probably the only player who shows more lack of effort than Rondon of the Tigers. Pablo’s hitting has been on a downward swing for years. What have you seen that indicates that they will be better? Wiser to assume you will get the same out of them and be prepared for that to happen.
Well it’s not the number one priority, but starting the season with Betts, JBJ, Castillo, Holt and no 5th outfielder isn’t exactly a good idea either.
Holt is so valuable.. He can be the 4th OF, *count* on the 3 kids to be the regulars, the Shaw back up LF and they still have Rutledge to play 2b-SS-3b, along with Marrero, whom they can stash at AAA. 5thOF isn’t a position they really need to think about, since they should be able to have Castillo, Betts, Bradley, Holt, Shaw all the time. 4 have experience at all 3 OF positions.
They can find some 4A castoff to stash at Pawtucket during the season if they feel like it. Not anything to worry about.
I think the RS should be in the market for a good 4th OFer. Someone like Rajai Davis can be insurance on the bench just in case of one Castillo/JBJ don’t work out. Its always good to have depth. Signing him for say 1/5mil shouldnt hurt.
Raja made 8 MM last year. Why would he take a pay cut to play for the sox? He should have more value after showing that he can play a decent CF.
I think Davis makes some sense, but maybe isn’t the best option. His speed is what makes him valuable, and we have that already. Chris Young makes more sense to me but he might be in line for a bigger contract like 2/15MM.
No one disputes that they have more pressing needs, but I would think ANY front office would try to fill ALL their off-season needs. Boston doesn’t have the financial limitations of some teams, so they have no excuse. As long as all are addressed, what difference does it make if they acquire the extra OF before they get a pitcher? I would think getting a pitcher might take longer as even trades might be delayed by the drawn out FA negotiations. Oakland, for instance, might decide Sony Gray will have more value after all the top arms have signed. A platoon OF, like Daniel Murphy, may be willing to sign quickly.
Let’s bring back Josh Reddick back to Boston as 5th outfielder. He had some decent years in Oakland and will be a free agent after 2016. A’s might trade him for right prospects.
Josh Reddick should be a candidate for RS outfield in 2016. He could be had from A’s due to his pending free agent status at end of 2016 in a trade.
This is where Ben Cherington’s panic-induced signings of Hanley and Pablo have come back to haunt Boston. Chris Davis or Joey Votto could be huge in Boston, but even if the Red Sox could move Hanley, they’ll have to eat more than half of his salary, so it can’t happen. My guess is that they’ll roll the dice with Travis Shaw and hope for the best.
How about bringing back De Aza as a realistic signing?