Friday at 8pm EST marks the deadline for teams to tender contracts for the 2018 season, meaning that we’ll see a few difficult calls made on arbitration-eligible players. MLBTR recently compiled a list of the players we feel are most at risk to be non-tendered (with the proviso that many of the names on the list likely will not end up being set free). As ever, anticipated cost is a major factor, so you’ll want to reference the arbitration projections of MLBTR and contributor Matt Swartz for a sense of where the salaries could be headed.
Here’s the latest chatter as the decision time draws near …
- Some readers were surprised to see Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer tabbed as a possible non-tender on MLBTR’s list. In our view, his hefty salary (projected at $6.5MM) and the possibility of finding cheaper alternatives combine to create some vulnerability — at least, that is, from an outside examination. The expectation of MLB.com’s Adam Berry, though, is that Pittsburgh will continue to rely on Mercer in his final season of arb eligibility. Berry cites Mercer’s steadiness and the fact that the team’s middle infield prospects aren’t quite ready yet to take over at short.
- The Rays face a number of interesting arbitration decisions even after resolving one by trading Brad Boxberger; Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times runs through the list. The most recent report suggests that Tampa Bay will tender Brad Miller if they don’t trade him on Friday, and Topkin generally concurs with that assessment. While MLBTR feels there’s a chance that shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria and catcher Jesus Sucre could be at risk, Topkin says the expectation is they’ll be retained. Rather, he feels the focus could remain on the relief corps, with pitchers Xavier Cedeno, Dan Jennings, and Chase Whitley all being candidates for something other than a straight tender. That could mean a trade, a pre-deadline deal to lock in their salary at a favorable rate, or perhaps a non-tender.
- Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel similarly examines the choices facing the Brewers. Two players that MLBTR identified as plausible non-tender candidates, reliever Jeremy Jeffress and catcher Stephen Vogt, receive similar billing from Haudricourt, as does righty Jared Hughes. Per the article, Milwaukee has “probably been trying to do pre-deadline deals” with the two pen pieces, while Vogt could simply be sent onto the open market.
- For the Cubs, too, the toughest calls may come in the relief department. As Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Times writes, and as MLBTR’s analysis has suggested, Hector Rondon ($6.2MM projection) and Justin Grimm ($2.4MM) may be entering their final day with the Chicago organization. Rondon, especially, could receive trade consideration from other teams if the Cubs decide it’s time to move on.
- Speaking of pen pieces at risk, the Tigers landed two players on our list: righties Bruce Rondon ($1.2MM projection) and Alex Wilson ($2.1MM). Evan Woodberry of MLive.com tweets that both are indeed potential non-tender candidates for Detroit, but both are not necessarily going to be cut loose. In Woodberry’s estimation, the volatile Rondon is somewhat likely to be cut loose after allowing 19 earned runs in his 15 2/3 MLB innings in 2017. Though he continued to show swing-and-miss stuff, and posted a 2.70 ERA in his 36 2/3 frames at Triple-A, Rondon struggled to limit the free passes. As for the 31-year-old Wilson, it’s something of the opposite scenario for Woodberry. He says that he expects Wilson will be tendered despite a middling 4.50 ERA in his most recent season. The veteran did post similar K/BB figures to those that allowed him to generate better results in prior campaigns.
- We drew some ire for suggesting that the Yankees could pass a chance at retaining catcher Austin Romine for his projected $1.2MM salary, but MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch suggests there’s some possibility that could occur. Even if he is not kept on the 40-man roster, says Hoch, Romine could be targeted to return on a minors pact. Of course, he’d also then have a chance to see if he could score a MLB slot with another organization. Romine limped to a .218/.272/.293 slash line in 252 plate appearances last year, but is generally regarded as a solid defender. It seems likely that the decision will come down to a question of whether the Yanks simply think they can do better with youngster Kyle Higashioka or another open-market option to complement regular Gary Sanchez.
Dan Jennings or Xavier Cedeno to the Halos. Calling it. We need lefty pieces in the bullpen
Somebody complained that Romine could possibly not be tendered? What were they, Red Sox fans? Yankees cannot return Austin Romine back. Please, no more. It’s time to upgrade BUC.
Agreed.. Although I like Romine’s work ethic he is a nothing more than an AAAA player that would probably do well in Japan.. I wonder if the Yankees are regretting not protecting Luis Torrens yet.. He didn’t have much worse of a season with the Padres and he went from Single A ball straight to the majors as a 20 year old.. I was shocked to see the Yankees leave him unprotected for the Rule 5 draft last year..
To think only 2 short years ago the Yankees were seen as having an abundance of wealth at the catcher position.. McCann was the starter and had a solid season winning the Silver Slugger. Murphy was a terrific backup as a rookie.. Sanchez was finally almost ready.. Romine was there if needed and Torrens was only a few years away..
I wonder if the Yankees don’t sign someone like Avila, if they would be open to bringing Murphy back to see if they can fix him.. He had 2 solid years in New York before he was traded and went downhill.. That is 2 more than Romine has had and Murphy is the better defender of the two.. The Astros should think about Murphy as well.. McCann could be the key to unlocking his potential again.. Either way I am sure Arizona would probably be willing to let him go for a middling prospect..
I like the Murphy idea
You must have missed the debate during the playoffs over whether Sanchez or Romine should start.
I was one of them. I’m a Yankee fan. My position was that Romine was “good enough” and they wouldn’t want to inch that much closer to the luxury tax.
I personally would like to see two Brewers tender Hughes and Jeffress and then non-tender Vogt then if they can’t get something done with the other two they can always let him go before arbitration if they sign better options I think that keeps you covered
I think Chase Whitley could be this year’s Chase Anderson that would be an intriguing pick up for someone
Whitney’s a full-time reliever, though, so I’m not sure I understand the comparison
Chase Whitley did start for the Yankees a couple years ago and then people have put him in bullpen I think his stuff is comparable to Chase Anderson and if gotten the right coach he could be going back to being a pretty decent starter
Is that because they share the same first name?
Hector Rondon should have been run out of town two years ago.
Rondon is probably a coin flip to be tendered, but I think Grimm is gone.
No he shou-nevermind. Troll.
Hahaha any criticism of anything Cubs automatically makes you a troll lol.
I don’t know. I hear he was actually a good neighbor.
There’s Hector Rondon and there’s Bruce Rondon. I expect both to be non-tendered.
The Cubs will try to retain Hector at a reasonable salary and the Tigers will let the unprofessional Bruce try his luck elsewhere.
The Yanks have a tough pitching staff to catch, especially if their control isn’t on the mark. Romine has done a good job, but the Yanks might look for an upgrade. I don’t see them letting him go.
I think Ronnie handles the pitching staff very well. And with Sanchez’s defense sometimes suspect, it’s nice to have him around
I didn’t look at his defensive ratings, but Mercer was nothing special offensively.
The pirates could use a Cory Spangenberg type player on their team.
“We drew some ire for suggesting that the Yankees could pass a chance at retaining catcher Austin Romine for his projected $1.2MM salary, but MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch suggests there’s some possibility that could occur. ”
I’m guilty of giving you said ire … This will be telling. If they non tender Romine then I love your Avila pick otherwise I’ll stand by my initial gut reaction that they won’t want to spend money on a backup …. even if he is a good lefty hitting while still playing good defensive catcher who not more than a couple days ago indicated he’d accept a backup role on a good team.
Y’all might be right after all.
Vogt just signed a one year deal with the Brewers.
I would like to see us grab a good defensive catcher, Sanchez was decent here and there throwing guys out, but he is awful blocking all in the dirt, and occasionally catching the ball. If we grab a defensive catcher we could platoon our catching situation, and when the back up is in we could move Sanchez to DH. The Yanks should experiment more at DH
It’s hard to imagine Hector Rondon being non-tendered by a Cub team that already went into the offseason with some serious bullpen issues. They should tender him and at worst, then trade him if a deal can’t be worked out prior to tonight’s deadline. If he were to be let go today, I’m guessing he would command a deal among suitors at least as valuable as his projected arbitration cost as he concludes his final season in the process before potentially becoming a “true” free agent following the 2018 season.
Originally I felt the same way, but the more I think about that 6.2mil projection, it seems to become more and more likely to me that he won’t be tendered. I like Rondon, but with his injuries and overall inconsistency, it’s hard to imagine the Cubs paying him that much. I would definitely like him to return, it would just have to be at a smaller cost. However, the real excitement is going to stem from getting rid of Grimm!
Do either of you watch baseball? Rondon throws hard, with no movement, which usually result in laser shots out of the ballpark—straight batting practice with him on the mound. He’s a big part of the problem with their bullpen.
He simply cannot be counted on to get outs, especially in pressure situations. Too many walks, too many home runs, and his expressions and body language indicate he gives no f**** since losing the closer role to Chapman.
Of course you failed to mention that Rondon also posted 29 saves with the Cubs under current White Sox manager Rick Renteria in 2014 and followed that with 30 in 2015 under Joe Maddon. His WHIP numbers were excellent from 2014-2016 when his health was better and he didn’t officially lose the closer job in 2016 until the Cubs acquired Aroldis Chapman that summer. His HR/9 increased the last two season but he also missed more bats with a better SO/9 ratio.
Bottom line: If Rondon does in fact get non-tendered by the Cubs by tonight’s deadline, the White Sox will be among the first to contact his agent where they have the added advantage of being able to offer him the closer job in 2018.
Are you serious? Rondon is the sole reason the Cubs gave up top prospects for a half season rental of Chapman.
I have not read that Welington Castillo has signed with the White Sox on the site.