Here are the biggest stories from the past week at MLBTR…
Longoria goes west: The Rays shook up their franchise by dealing longtime cornerstone Evan Longoria (plus $14.5MM to cover his salary) to the Giants for a four-player package of Denard Span, Christian Arroyo, and pitching prospects Matt Krook and Stephen Woods. The move gives San Francisco a sorely-needed hitting upgrade at third base, while the inclusion of Span’s contract and the salary offset also allows the Giants to continue to look for outfield help while sticking to their goal of staying under the luxury tax threshold. For the Rays, the trade moves $60.5MM in future salary commitments off their books, though it is the surest indicator yet that the club is looking to rebuild rather than fully aim to contend in 2018.
Alonso goes to Cleveland: With Carlos Santana now in a Phillies uniform, the Indians filled their hole at first base by signing Yonder Alonso to a two-year, $16MM deal with a $9MM vesting option for 2020. Alonso is coming off a career year with the A’s and Mariners, though he struck out more than usual and still didn’t produce much against left-handed pitching. Still, for less than a third of Santana’s deal with the Phillies, Alonso looks like a good value signing for the Tribe.
Red Sox bring Moreland back: Speaking of first base signings, the Red Sox surprised many by re-signing Mitch Moreland to a two-year, $13MM deal. Boston had been rumored to be looking at much more high-profile first base additions (such as signing Eric Hosmer or trading for Jose Abreu) but will now stick with a familiar face. Moreland hit .246/.326/.443 with 22 homers over 576 PA for the Sox last season, though that middling offensive impact was overshadowed by outstanding glovework (5.8 UZR/150, 10 Defensive Runs Saved) at first base. The door isn’t closed on the Sox added to their lineup, however, as rumors continue to swirl that the team is considering signing J.D. Martinez, though no deal seems close.
Britton undergoes Achilles surgery: Orioles closer Zach Britton will miss 4-6 months after undergoing surgery to fix a ruptured right Achilles tendon, which he suffered during offseason workouts. The former All-Star closer had been mentioned as a possible trade chip, and his absence will now impact the Orioles in whatever direction they take, whether it was keeping Britton to keep their bullpen strong, beginning a rebuild, or dealing Britton for players that could help them win in 2018. The O’s have already agreed to tender Britton a contract for next season, which MLBTR projects at $12.2MM, so there has already been speculation that Baltimore might approach Britton with a one-year extension offer to keep him at Camden Yards through the 2019 season.
Mets extend Alderson: Though Sandy Alderson’s contract was up after the 2017 season, it was widely expected that he would stay on as the Mets’ general manager, and the announcement of a new deal was indeed made this past week. Though seven seasons as New York’s GM, Alderson has overseen a rebuild that led to the NL pennant in 2015 and another postseason appearance in 2016, though an injury-riddled 2017 campaign has left the team facing a number of question marks going into next season. While Alderson’s extension was expected, the Mets also made a considerably more eyebrow-raising front office move this week by re-hiring former GM Omar Minaya as a special assistant to Alderson.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
1) The Ray’s being the Ray’s, trying not to be outdone by the Marlins. The Giants get older and even more irrelevant.
2) The Indians lose one overrated player and sign another. The Phillies take on a big contract with zero chance of getting to .500
3) The Red Sox sign a bench player to be their 1B, fail to match the Yankees
4) Another bad decision blows up in the Orioles face as they get left holding the bag on Britton… Five minutes later they decide they’d rather get nothing for Machado than do a trade.
5) The Mets celebrate their own culture of failure by signing up for years more.
accurate
6) Another anonymous poster trying to pretend they a Baseball genius.
I have much to learn from you Sensei
everything you said is scary accurate
moreland isnt bad, 2WAR last season
And Santana had a 3 WAR last season and .350 OBP since 2011. 26 hr average per season since then as well.
Just for one frame of reference Fangraphs considers a 2 WAR player to be “role player.” 3 would be “solid starter.” Both are at the bottom of their scale. Santana has been between 2-3 last several years, Moreland was a 2 in 2015 and throughout the rest of his career has never broken 1.
Then you’re saying he’s a solid starter because he averaged a 3.0 since 2011 when he became a starter lol. I’m not saying he was worth the 60 mil but def not overrated.
If anything, Santana has been underrated for years. But he still got way overpaid, so it was smart for the Indians to let him walk. Maybe Alonso is overrated and maybe he isn’t, but they also spent significantly less money on him than they would have on Santana, so I don’t really get the criticism.
I think you’re splitting hairs. If that contract in a saturated 1B market isn’t a sign of how overrated he is then idk what is.
On July 1st. After
Atl 39-41 Mia 42-41
Ny 38-42. Phi 40-43
Mia 35-44 Atl 33-49
Phi 26-53 Ny 32-50
With a young roster, there’s really no reason the Phillies can’t continue to develop and improve off of that 2nd half, especially if they can add a sp.
I don’t disagree with you. I do think they are quite a ways from being able to justify a big contract for a 32 year old first baseman
Phillies could have 4 players in their lineup playing their 1st full season. Santana’s veteran presence and calm approach at the plate could be very helpful. Hopefully that can rub off on Williams and Alfaro.
He improves us defensively at 1st,while also making the bench stronger,if we don’t trade 1 of the of’s. If we trade 1, we likely become stronger in the rotation.
If him and Hernandez are both hitting in the top 3, 1-2-3 1st innings will be limited. And if Hoskins is 4th, we could have pitchers over 20 pitches before the 2nd inning in alot of games.
Ofcourse there’s also a part of me that thinks Kapler is gonna end up being a bad hire.
Got a minor league coaching job with the Dodgers for a year. Players had issues with some things he did,Dodgers bump him up to the front office and call around recommending him as a manager. Something about that makes me suspicious and nervous.
Merry Christmas to you.
1) The Rays have always operated like this. Trading Evan Longoria while he had value was a smart move.
3) The BoSox IF is developing and they need a good defensive target just as much as .they need a LH bat. If Rafael Devers doesn’t improve, I’ll look for him to move to 1B after next year.
Wish it wasn’t true lol
MERRY CHRISTMAS GUYS!!!!! Hope all have a great Christmas.