A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR the last seven days:
- On Wednesday, MLBTR sat down with Johnny Cueto’s agent for an exclusive interview at the Winter Meetings in Nashville, Tennessee. In the chat, Bryce Dixon made the case for Cueto as a strong fit for the Cardinals and also touched on his client’s involvement in a 2010 brawl against St. Louis. “I can’t speak to how the Cardinals feel. ..Obviously [Johnny] regrets how the fight went down,” Dixon said. “He’s expressed regret over it in the past. He loves pitching in the NL Central. He’s the best pitcher of our era in the NL Central. It would be a good marriage [between] Johnny and the Cardinals. I think once the fans got past the fight and they saw what a gamer Johnny is and what he could bring to the team, I think they would be able to embrace him now, though I don’t think that they’ll do that overnight.”
- Giants GM Bobby Evans also sat down with MLBTR for a one-on-one chat. Evans discussed his pursuit of a left fielder and explained that there is still significant spending room to work with, even after the addition of Jeff Samardzija. “There’s flexibility, yes,” Evans told MLBTR. “I think [last year] we didn’t go as far on multi-year deals and we did shorter term deals. It does give you some flexibility this time around.”
- MLBTR’s Jeff Todd profiled slugger Yoenis Cespedes as he searches for his big payday.
- On the most recent edition of the MLBTR podcast, I joined Jeff to discuss all of the happenings from the Winter Meetings. A new episode of the MLB Trade Rumors Podcast is released every Thursday and can be accessed on iTunes, SoundCloud, and Stitcher.
- Joe Torre spoke to reporters in Nashville about the Aroldis Chapman situation.
- MLBTR learned that the Mets and Diamondbacks were among the teams with interest in Joakim Soria before he signed with the Royals.
- Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia drew interest from six or seven teams before landing with the Tigers, a source told MLBTR.
- MLBTR was on hand for Scott Boras’ annual address to the media at the Winter Meetings.
I can just hear the fit the Reds fans will pitch if Cueto signs with the Cardinals.
I can just hear the fit the Cardinals fans will pitch if Cueto signs with the Cardinals…
Let’s go Cardinals let’s sign Cueto
He’s not signing there!
I have an interesting idea about Cueto. What if he were to sign a 1 year deal with the Reds? It would give him a chance to prove his health in a familiar environment and make him the probable #1 target in next year’s relatively weak FA class. For the Reds, it would give them a chance to maybe surprise some people. And barring that unlikely scenario it would give them a chance to garner some more prospects at the deadline. If Cueto puts in a no trade clause unless the team is within x number of games of first place in the league, then perhaps he could virtually guarantee pitching in the postseason, thereby giving himself even more money next off season. Of course there is risk if he gets hurt, but there is always risk and the potential payoff here for him is very nice.
the reds don’t want him, the cardinals sure don’t want him
I have no idea why you bring up the Cardinals, because I didn’t say a word about them. You might as well say he isn’t going to the Yomiuri Giants also because I didn’t mention them either.
Too many factors working against him. If he signs for one year and has a bad year, it doesn’t matter that it would be a weak starting pitcher market. However, if he signs now for what he probably could make ($18-$22 AAV) its a sure thing.
Well if he has another great year, which he is capable of, he could get around $30 AAV. Taking less seems like not having confidence in yourself and your abilities and selling yourself short.
I think Johnny Cueto will end up in the free agency when spring training starts. For how bad he did, and his issue with his elbow… Who would sign him if he is gonna reject an offer from 120M/20M annually for how bad he did and his issue?
Why does the league give Boris respect by letting him address the media on there dime he is the reason tickets price is out of control .Yes the player do there part (greed) but Boris the bully should get a clapping hand
Lol, Cueto’s agent needs to slow his roll about Cueto being the best NL Central starting pitcher of this era.
Cueto said he wants to go to the red sox if cueto isnt getting the deal he wants the longer this spans out the more likely he takes a 1 or1 yar deal from the sox and boost his name