Yesterday, we heard about several Cubs free agent signees who took less money to play in Chicago. Jon Heyman of MLB Network (via Twitter) illuminates a few of the teams that missed out. We know the Orioles were in on Dexter Fowler as well as the Nationals and Cardinals interest in Jason Heyward. Ben Zobrist turned down better offers from the Nationals and Mets while Trevor Cahill declined to join the Pirates on a stronger offer. Of course, the details of those hypothetical deals are unknown. For example, the Nationals probably made heavy use of deferred money in their offers, reducing the present day value of their proposals. Heyman also has some contract details for reserve clause signees (on Twitter).
Here’s more from around the league:
- The Pirates offer to Cahill was to pitch as a starter, writes Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun Times. However, rumors of a two-year offer may have been exaggerated. Cahill himself claims to be unaware of any two-year proposals. In my opinion, Cahill was smart to remain in Chicago as a reliever. His skill set plays particularly well out of the bullpen and could set up a strong multi-year offer in free agency next winter.
- New Athletics outfielder Khris Davis is happy with his new ball club, writes Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. The former Brewer saw the writing on the wall when Milwaukee dealt away several veterans in the last calendar year. Davis, originally picked in the 2009 draft, was the second-to-last player from that draft class with the club. The Brewers still have Scooter Gennett penciled in to play second base.
- When Yankees prospects Aaron Judge and Jorge Mateo homered earlier today, they offered a glimpse of the future, writes Wallace Matthews of ESPN. The pair rank first and second in the Yankees farm system. Judge, 23, has a shot to contribute to the club in 2016 while Mateo, 20, is a little way off. Judge is a power hitting outfielder who hit 20 home runs in 540 plate appearances last season. Mateo is a speedy shortstop with 82 stolen bases in 2015 (500 plate appearances).
Not very often we can see 2 future hall of famers hit home runs in the same spring training game.
Have to give ESPN a break they think it is a two team league.
Right Niekro, that’s why they gave the Braves the #1 farm in baseball. Because they only care about the Yankees and Red Sox farms.
Way off from projecting that. Hahaha not even good enough for the bigs yet and their already hall of famers? Joke
I could be wrong – but I think there there was sarcasm in his comment.
Yankees also have McCann because Christian Bethancourt was the Braves catcher of the future. All prospects turn out like projected.
Yep,e specially facing a team with a lineup full of hall of famers
FIRST BALLOT future hall of famers*
Your username fits you
Like the time seeing Offerman and Jeffries baseball America top prospects getting hits for their hall of fame careers.
Cabs fans are jokes. I love that they think they are a shoe in to win the WS. You have the toughest league so talk about when you get there
Its so sad to a victim of the media hype. Most Cubs fans know better than to take anything for granted… The media does not speak for them. But is interesting to see how threatened people like you are of the Cubs.
Man, I love the Cabs!
The Cubs NEED to resign Cahill to a 2-3 year deal. He was one of our strongest pitchers and can even make a few starts and give quality innings