Dave Cameron of Fangraphs provides his ten favorite transactions of the winter thus far, with the Braves’ haul in the Shelby Miller trade topping the list. For an additional look back at the market action that’s already in the books, Steve Adams and I discussed a few under-the-radar acquisitions that we liked in the most recent edition of the MLBTR Podcast.
Here are a few more notes as camp approaches:
- Upon arriving at Spring Training today, Mets outfielder Curtis Granderson told reporters, including ESPN New York’s Adam Rubin, that team doctors have told him that his surgically repaired thumb is “all good to go.” Granderson went under the knife in November to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb and spent about a month and a half in a brace, but he appears to be mostly back up to speed now. As Rubin notes, Granderson is again projected to be the Mets’ primary leadoff hitter, though his struggles against left-handed pitching would seem to create a reasonable opportunity to get Juan Lagares into the lineup.
- Likewise, Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina has had his cast removed and is beginning to strengthen his own thumb, MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch writes. The veteran’s importance to his club is hard to overstate, and he says he’s going to try to be ready by Opening Day. He was delayed when the injured digit required a second surgery, so a full recovery by the start of the season may be a big ask.
- The Brewers are weighing a move of Ryan Braun back to left field, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel writes. It seems as if the organization will weigh several options, but getting Domingo Santana and his live arm into right field would appear to have some appeal.
- Right-handed reliever Matt Capps is preparing a comeback bid, agent Paul Kinzer tells Jon Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter). The former Pirates, Nationals, and Twins closer hasn’t worked in the bigs since 2012 while struggling with health issues. He did not appear in the regular season at all last year after spending camp with the Braves.
Just asking this with regards to the Cardinals..
Exactly who is going to be the catcher if he isn’t able? That seems awfully quick of a time table is what am getting at and really would not like to see the guy hurt further by rushing it. It’s just a month and a half. Example is pedroia.. He had the same surgery.. Was it last season in October? Year before? Forget exactly, but remember it was a slight delay in him during ST and he’s of course not even a catcher.
Why not go ahead and pick up solid defensive MiLB veterans and stash them at AAA on MiLB deals? I know Boston has Dan Butler and Sandy Leon like that. Guys who can’t hit period, but can throw and call great games.
St Louis has done this, right?
If he isn’t ready it looks as though Bryan Pena will be the catcher but I think they could go and see if Tampa will part with any of their catchers, Another team they could try to get Romine from the Yankees since they seem to be set on Having Sanchez play if he has a good spring.
Hanigan wouldn’t be a bad pick-up either, if their logjam in Boston forces him out of the rotation.
Although, for now, I think the Cardinals are ready to go and happy with Pena.
Hanigans availability will depend on vasquez’s readiness after TJS
I thought Tampa was a little light in the catching department. How about the Padres? They seem to have a surplus.
Whats wrong with Pena? Doesn’t light the world on fire but hes solid behind the dish.
I agree. Situations like this are exactly why they signed him, so why not use him for a couple weeks?
Cardinals have Eric Fryer on a minor league deal. He would split time with Brayan Pena if Molina isn’t ready.
I love the Mad Capper, but his success was due to his remarkable ability to locate his fastball flawlessly. However, his fastball has ZERO movement on it. The ball comes in straight as an arrow. So, once the league finally started making adjustments to him and smacking around his slightly misplaced fastballs, he lost his confidence and started trying to throw the perfect pitch every single time the ball left his hand. That caused him to lose his control and fall behind in counts more often then not. And what happens when you fall behind major league hitters 3-0 or 3-1? You either walk the guy or get forced to groove a fastball right down the dish (especially when you have little to no confidence to throw your secondary pitches for strikes without hanging them out there), and what happens when you throw a lifeless fastball with ZERO movement right down the pike to a major league hitter that KNOWS he has to throw it to stay in the count? That’s right kids… BAD THINGS!!! LOL!!! BAD FREAKING THINGS HAPPEN!
I truly wish Matt the best during his comeback, and wouldn’t mind one bit if the Pirates brought him back on a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training, but he will not have success unless he can throw 2-3 pitches consistently for strikes AND has regained his confidence to locate that flat motionless fastball again. Due to his very well known scouting report, I cannot imagine any team being able to place him in high leverage situations like the 8th and 9th innings; however, if the old Mad Capper can find himself and re-emerge, then I think he could be an effective 7th inning guy.