The Mariners signed Chris Iannetta to be the team’s primary backstop, GM Jerry Dipoto told reporters, including Bob Dutton of the Tacoma News Tribune (story link). Dipoto said that he sees Iannetta as a likely candidate to return to his prior levels of offensive performance. Meanwhile, the new GM explained that incumbent catcher Mike Zunino will have opportunities to earn time in a part-time role. “Mike comes in with an opportunity to win playing time,” Dipoto said. “A primary catcher is different from what I would consider an everyday player. There is no catcher who is going to go out and catch 162 games. Whether it be a time-share or a backup catcher, Mike is going to be in position to win some of that playing time. He’s still a young guy, and we need to get him back on track.”
Here’s more from the American League:
- The Angels and Yankees make for a good match on outfielder Brett Gardner, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times opines (Twitter links). Though Los Angeles would rather add a slugger in left, the team also needs an OBP threat at the top of the lineup and has the asset (starting pitching) that the Yanks are after. It probably doesn’t hurt that new Halos GM Billy Eppler just came over from New York. Of course, it remains to be see what kind of pitching asset New York GM Brian Cashman hopes to find, and what kind of value Eppler places on Gardner.
- Meanwhile, the Angels could still dabble at the top of the free agent market, says Jon Morosi of FOX Sports, who writes that the Halos “aren’t ruling out a pursuit” of Jason Heyward. That match makes sense on paper, of course, given the need and the club’s large budget. Of course, as MLB.com’s Alden Gonzalez explained to me on last week’s MLBTR Podcast, the club’s ability to land a player of that magnitude will depend on the payroll levels approved by owner Arte Moreno.
- With so many needs, the Orioles are giving serious consideration to utilizing Trey Mancini at first base next year (assuming that Chris Davis departs in free agency), ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick writes (links to Twitter). The 23-year-old had a huge year at the High-A and Double-A levels last year. Though he feasted on opposing southpaws, he was quite good against right-handed pitching as well. Of course, leaping into the majors could be a big ask. But as Crasnick notes, there are limits to the teams other options. It lacks top-level system depth to trade from and is understandably uninterested in swapping young, MLB-level players such as Kevin Gausman and Jonathan Schoop, he says.
- The Orioles have interest in a new deal with free agent outfielder Gerardo Parra, Crasnick also tweets. But Baltimore isn’t looking to go past two years with Parra, who was a trade deadline acquisition. From my perspective, that stance makes a reunion unlikely.
I don’t know if Heyward would thrive in a big market like LA, or NY. I know a player should be able to perform anywhere he plays, but in those markets, especially NY, they are ruthless if you don’t perform well. Some fans may only hear of the big deal they signed Heyward to and then when he only hits 15 HRs with a .280 BA they may get mad, or want more.
I feel like that’s partially why he had a better year in STL. Fans from STL, Pittsburg, K.C are a bit more forgiving on errors or lack of production. Not saying they have better fans than NY or LA, or that all of their fans are like that, but fans in smaller market cities are more realistic about their expectations. I remember when Pujols underperformed his first couple of years in LAA, he was booed for his lack of HRs. I don’t think that would have happened in a city with a smaller market. After watching Heyward this last year, I just don’t feel like he wants to be a ‘Franchise Player’ like a Mike Trout. If you put pressure on him to perform he may not live up to it.
I don’t know, he’s only 26, so wherever he goes, he’ll have room to improve. But I just don’t know how well he’d perform in a bigger market city v.s a smaller market city.
Fans who can’t appreciate the nuances of a 6 WAR player don’t deserve to have him on their team.
Preach
I think you are overgeneralizing and stereotyping. Players who disappoint are booed everywhere–it’s just a question of what fan expectations are. New York (and LA) fans are sophisticated enough to read a player’s stats before he puts on the uniform. Heyward isn’t Mike Trout–everyone knows it. But, along with results, both effort and attitude count, and maybe the tolerance level in NY and LA is lower. Few players were more reviled in New York than Carl Pavano. Heyward doesn’t strike me as that type of man–he’s going to make the effort, and he will be appreciated.
Not sure I agree with the premise, but if I did, I’d think that one of the best ways to avoid the pressure of the spotlight would be to play right alongside Mike Trout.
Zunino has really struggled these past two years, but that really isn’t much to say about a now 24 year old who has 38 hr in 295games.
The guy has a power swing, and hopefully with the right hitting coach or change in hitting, he can become a .230 hitter with 25 hr a year average guy.
But until he grows, being a backup, or change in clubhouse, should suit him well.
The guy has a ton of potential.
I think Zunino was significantly rushed. He is an elite defender. I’d bet on him being an everyday guy, but he may need two years in the minors.
I’ve been campaigning for Heyward from the start of the offseason. I think he’d fit well at the top of the lineup and would help make the Angels defense as elite as they come. Also, his line drive approach fits the stadium well, as power hitters struggle with the transition. The best Angels teams always were built around defense, pitching and manufacturing runs. Heyward would signal a transition back to their roots.
If they can move CJ Wilson, maybe in a deal for Gardner Heyward would make sense. Move Calhoun to first base. And use Cron in a trade to get a third baseman.
If they got Gardner, Heyward is off the table. They’d sign one of the aces or Chris Davis if that scenario played out imo. A major part of Calhoun’s value is his glove work in the OF.
I’m not sure why you’d think that CJ Wilson could pull in Gardner anyways
that would imply cron has any trade value, which he really does not. league average hitter first base types just aren’t hard to find without giving up a starting caliber 3b at that lol. cj wilson doesn’t have any value himself really other than a bad contract swap.
Cron isn’t a major piece, but he definitely has some trade value with his improved second half. At every level of the minors, he needed a little time to get acclimated and he has always hit. With the suppression of offense league wide, bats are always in demand.
The Angels farm is decimated. Unless they sacrifice Heaney….. Which is not a smart move. They don’t match up well with anyone for a trade. I’m sure they would love Brett Gardner but the prospect currency has run dry.
A player like Gardner, with age and his injury struggled in 2015, is more likely to cost major league talent than prospects. The Rockies are reportedly asking the Indians for Carrasco, Salazar, or Bauer, which is about the equivalent of asking for Garrett Richards, Hector Santiago, or Matt Shoemaker. If a deal were to happen I could actually see it being the one where the Angels swap CJ Wilson.
lol richards is the only one on any level similar to the indians guys. santiago and shoemaker are just meh. wilson is coming off surgery and is overpaid so they have to include something just to trade him unless its a bad contract swap.
Unless Yankees are willing to take CJ Wilson, Shoemaker, or Weaver, I do not see Gardner going to the Angels.
I saw the rumor of the yankees trading Gardner for Heaney, I wouldn’t do that trade, Heaney has the most upside of any young pitcher the angels have.
Perhaps the O’s would trade foe Mark Trumbo–who is said to be available.
kubitza and cowart platooning at third and Jonny Giavotella at second scares me when simba and Trouts gold standard defense will ultimately have to carry the Angels not to mention Trout needs more protection at the plate and I’m all for Jason Hayward but most likely will lead off or bat second and resigning Freeze won’t protect Trout. Quite a quagmire with a depleted farm system even with a surplus of quality #3 at best SP’s that are young enough (maybe ace material with Richards while he’d take one step forward and two steps back last season compared to 2014 before the knee injury) to trade and fill in holes of need 3B,2B,LF, bullpen and a true ace or a solid #2 starter, it’s either a mix of signing top tier FA’s meaning paying the luxury for(LF&SP) and trade pitching i.e. Santiago/Heany/Skaggs for a slight up grade at 2B or 3B not to mention Cron/Pujols at 1B defensively which isn’t pretty at times. Trying to be optimistic but hey Trout deserves better period. Eppler has to be better then Reagins. Damn you Arte.