Now with the Angels, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports wonders if shortstop Andrelton Simmons can develop into a better hitter. Simmons is working hard on the offensive side of his game, but he is also appreciative of the fact that the Halos value him highly for what he does in the field.
“It feels great, man. It helps you build that confidence,” Simmons said. “I don’t have to go up there and be that big-name hitter. I just have to play my part — hit-and-run, bunt the guy over. That might take a little pressure off me and make it easier. I’m still trying to be a better hitter. Everybody is. You try to pick up from guys like Mike Trout and Albert Pujols. Hopefully by the end of the year, I learn a lot from them.”
Here’s a look at some of the highlights from Rosenthal’s column:
- A major league source tells Rosenthal that the Blue Jays might only be open to giving Jose Bautista a deal similar to what Yoenis Cespedes signed with the Mets this offseason. Last week, it was reported that the 35-year-old is seeking at least five years on a new deal that would pay him upwards of $30MM per year on average. Cespedes, meanwhile, re-upped with the Mets this winter on a three-year, $75MM pact with an opt-out. Clearly, there is a significant gap for the two sides to bridge, though Joey Bats indicated in February that he was not interested in negotiating after naming his asking price. Bautista earned his sixth-straight All-Star nod in 2015 as he slashed .250/.377/.536 with 40 homers.
- “At least one Diamondbacks official” believes that the team should use Jean Segura at short and Chris Owings at second base, relegating Nick Ahmed to either a utility role or perhaps making him a trade candidate. Ahmed, 26 on Tuesday, slashed just .226/.275/.359 with nine homers in 459 plate appearances last season, though much of his value comes from his defense. In 2015, Ahmed had a strong 16.1 UZR/150 rating.
- The Padres’ next move might be to trade a catcher, Rosenthal writes. San Diego has three capable catchers in Derek Norris, Austin Hedges, and Christian Bethancourt, and there isn’t really room for all three players to make the roster. Of course, a trade isn’t mandatory either, as Hedges could be demoted. Bethancourt, on the other hand, is out of options. In December, the Padres were said to be shopping Norris and Hedges. In February, the team was still said to be having conversations involving Norris, though nothing came of those discussions.
Interesing spring training clarity for dbacks. If ahmed gets traded, who are the utility infielders on the bench?
Gosselin and Hermann if they keep him
Gosselin plays 2nd and Owings is the backup.
Joaquin Arias can play all infield positions well.
I agree, having three catchers on the roster is a little much. I wonder what Norris would be worth in a trade.
I have thought Norris to Nats for Voth and Difo worked for both sides.
Nats already have ramos who they think had a down year last year
Hedges has an option year, and they’re working on hitting mechanics and timing right now with some significant changes from new hitting coach Allen Zinter. I see Hedges in AAA to start the season.
Norris needs to prove that a) he’s a better defensive catcher in 2016 than he was in 2015 and b) 2014 wasn’t a fluke at the plate. If he can do that, he’s a prime trade candidate with Hedges waiting in the wings. Bethancourt is a project that needs development to have any value.
Yeah I think if they just rest Norris more, then he won’t get so burned out at the plate as the season progresses. Maybe he has a good season and they flip him at the Deadline?
If Norris or Bethancourt show value at the deadline, either can be a target. That said, starting catchers (Norris) don’t get moved to contenders mid-season very often. With team control on all three, it’s more likely that they try to develop them all and make a move next offseason.
Andre seems to have a good attitude. It’s just too bad this team has an awful roster to go with Trout. Starters are a mess, 3B instead of Freese they go cheap with Escobar who should be playing 2B, and their 2B is a joke. And what about LF and C?
Yunel is a good bat with great OBP with solid defense. An upgrade over Freese last year. Johnny G has proved this spring that his defense has greatly improved and the offense will be there. Nava feels healthy and one can tell, he is working count, hitting the ball hard, getting on base and getting hits. Soto and Perez are great defenders with a good enough bat, all a team wants from the catchers is to play defense and the offense is a plus and its a good thing both catchers can provide that.
The only joke here is you.
The Rays should jump in on one of the Pads catchers
Interesting. I didn’t think of the Rays. I’m not too familiar with their farm system, but I could see them asking about Hedges.
This seems like a real head scratcher for the Dbacks, in terms of OPS+ Ahmed was actually better than Segura and in terms of defense it isn’t even close, Segura at SS absolutely makes them weaker.
Hedges to the twins for Danny Santana and J.T. chargois
Lol no
Jays should just resign themselves to letting Bautista go at the end of the year. Qualify him and collect the draft pick, use the money to resign Encarnacion.
Yup, that’s the ticket!