Here are the biggest stories from the past week at MLBTR …
Rockies complete trio of high-priced relief additions: After committing $27MM apiece to two top setup men, the Rockies went for broke by signing top free agent closer Wade Davis to a three-year, $52MM deal. Davis can lock in yet more money if he’s healthy and holds onto the closer’s role for the third season of the contract, via a vesting player option. All told, it’s a significant commitment — indeed, the deal includes the highest average annual value ever given to a reliever — that confirms the Rox believe they are primed to contend.
Twins star Sano accused of assault: Earlier this week, a photographer made some troubling accusations of assault against young Twins third baseman Miguel Sano. At this point, it is not clear whether legal or league disciplinary action will occur. The incident is being investigated under MLB’s domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse policy, which gives the commissioner authority to investigate and punish players regardless of arrest or prosecution.
Reds building out bullpen: After two seasons of mostly miserable output from the Cincinnati pitching staff, the Reds entered the offseason in search of a few arms to help turn the tide. While the club does not seem to be gearing up for any major spending, it can probably hope for significant improvements merely by replacing sub-replacement-level output with solid hurlers. That’s likely an element of the thought process in the team’s signing of righty Jared Hughes to a two-year pact. Giving him a multi-year guarantee likely tamped down the annual cost (he’s promised just $4.5MM) and helped draw the veteran to town. It remains to be seen whether further relief upgrades will be pursued, though if so it’s likely they’ll be similarly low-cost acquisitions.
Twins ink bounceback relief candidate: Much like the Rockies, the Twins were a somewhat surprising postseason team in 2017. Both organizations have solid young cores in place but also still admit of a few holes. But while the Rox spend big on premium relief arms, the Minny brass has adopted a somewhat more conservative strategy. Most recently, the club signed veteran southpaw Zach Duke to join aging closer Fernando Rodney in the late-inning mix. More significant additions could also be pursued, but it seems the Twins intend to be a bit more protective of their future balance sheets while still trying to add veterans to the 2018 roster.
Old favorites seek redemption in San Diego: It has been an interesting offseason thus far for the Padres, mostly owing to a surprise pursuit of top free agent first baseman Eric Hosmer (status: unresolved). Perhaps it’s mostly a curiosity at this point, but the organization has also landed a few former stars. After agreeing to take over the contract of third baseman Chase Headley, the Friars went out and struck minor-league pacts with former right-handers Chris Young and Tyson Ross (see here and here). Both of the hurlers will need to pitch their way onto the roster in camp, and Headley could well end up being traded, but it’s still fun to see such notable alums filtering back. As MLBTR’s Jason Martinez noted on Twitter, the Pads could really make things interesting if they found a way to bring back current free agents such as Andrew Cashner, Jake Peavy, and Mat Latos.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
You know what really grinds my gears? When people say the Padres (or any team for that matter) should sign Hosmer so that they can “flip him at the deadline.” Idk who will sign Hosmer, but whoever it is, I guarantee it will not be at a price that they would be able to “flip him at the deadline.”
yes that’s me that irks me as well you can’t flip free agent contracts if people wanted those contracts and they would have signed them
I agree. The players and agents are probably hip to that so maybe a no trade clause could fix that. If they can get one.
He doesn’t need a NTC to not get traded. No one is going to trade for a big contract they weren’t interested in giving out 6 months prior.
The idea would be to eat some money in the trade to get prospects back. Essentially buying prospects. I agree Hosmer does not seem like a good candidate though
The prospects they get back would be worth less than the money they are sending back in the trade so what would be the point in doing that?
You know what grinds my gears? When someone doesn’t understand how prospect value works
Also, a player traded in the first year of a long-term contract can become a free agent at the end of that season anyway, so there’s always that risk too.
That’s a thing?
Yes. I can’t recall it happening, but a player traded during a multi-year contract has the right to request a trade or can become a free-agent in the offseason after the trade. The player has to have 5 years of service time. .
Um huh? The only way a first year player can become a free agent is if they non-tendered.
“A player with five years or more major-league service who is traded in the middle of a multi-year contract can, during the offseason, require his new team to either trade him or let him become a free agent.”
That’s the rule as written. There may be some exceptions? But I can’t find any.
I’m pretty sure that’s not a thing.
It’s in the free-agency rules. A player with more than 5 years of service time traded during a multi-year contract can request a trade or become a free agent in the offseason following the trade. You can google it and it will lead you to a very long Pdf that explains this, but it’s been mentioned on this site before.
Has any writer actually said that?? Nobody is going to sign Hosmer to the type of contract he is looking for (asking for $200 million) just to flip him a few months later.. I have heard that being mentioned about Adrian Gonzalez, and other veterans who will probably sign minor league or small MLB contracts but I have never seen it mentioned or advocated for in any articles.. I don’t think any player has ever signed a multi-year $100+ million dollar contract and been flipped 6 months later.. Those contracts are never seen as having excess value from the get go..
Please ignore my comment if my sarcasm alarm is being faulty today but it seems like a genuine statement..
No writers but I have seen commenters say that on this site more than once.
Lol…
This time it’s actually funny the second time
It’s New Year’s Eve go drink, ryan
I think cashner and Peavy could be some inning eating veterans!
I’m pretty sure in Peavy’s last year in SF he didn’t average 5.0 innings a start. He looked done to me.
Yeah he did but he’s had a year off. Maybe recharges the batteries a little. Be really cool if he could come back and do well. Really like that guy.
Reds building out bullpen? I mean they signed one guy.
OK Mr. Todd, have you started your New Years Eve partying a little early? Chris Young, and Tyson Ross, are former Right Handers? Are they converting to Left Handers? Happy New Year to you. LOL.
Lets just add to the list of Padres looking for redemption, and sign Adrian Gonzalez to a cheap deal. If he does good, trade him at the deadline for some minor leaguers. If he does bad, they could release him, without worrying about a big salary to pay him.
Should not compare Rox effort to that of the Twins… here in Twins Territory all we hear are crickets and those little birdies that go CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP
Count the twins/senators World Series titles vs the rox
1,2,3 Twins
0,0,0 rox
Since the Twins/Senators, I guess you are going back to their inception, have never met the Rockies in the World Series, do you have a point?
Wtf are you talking about
Re re
Wow! And the Twins only have a 92 year head start!
Twins need Darvish to make a decision… that’s why they’ve been frugal so far. I’m sure they might get in on Holland if they can’t get Darvish. I’d be happy with Rodney in a set up role, but as closer it seems risky given his age and you never know which Rodney you’ll get.
I doubt they’ll go after arrieta, but if Darvish signs elsewhere they might look at Cobb or Lynn.
It’d be nice to see a archer/colome or cole/Rivero blockbuster, but that’s a pipe dream.
Hosmer should try and go to Colorado. They are the only team that I think can challenge L.A in the West anytime soon. There’s a clear need for him, plus Blackmon is probably gone after this season. Wouldn’t be too hard to justify the signing and move Desmond to Center next season.
They will loose Charlie Blackmon in free agency in 2018… so…
His numbers are inflated playing in Colorado. He is average defensively. Who cares.
They should tighten him instead of “loosing” him. Otherwise, they might “lose” him.
LA a threat in the West? A threat to what? It’s been 30 years, multiple GMs, multiple Owners, multiple Coaches, multiple Players, huge Contracts, and the same results.
Desmond has been a bust. Blake Street needs a decent defensive Center Fielder.
center fielder