In updating the Rangers’ pursuit of starters, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram writes that there has recently been “more activity between” other teams and free agent right-hander Yu Darvish. However, having spent nearly all of his career in Texas, Darvish is waiting for the Rangers to court him more aggressively, Wilson suggests. The Rangers expect him to land better offers elsewhere, though, per two club officials who spoke with Wilson, who adds that they continue to view Alex Cobb more favorably than Lance Lynn when it comes to available second-tier starters. Regardless, a significant free agent investment doesn’t seem likely for the Rangers, general manager Jon Daniels indicated.
Regarding free agents in general and Texas’ reported interest in center fielder Lorenzo Cain, Daniels said: “We want to play Delino (DeShields) in center field. Obviously, Cain’s a very good player. I would figure that if we have another big expenditure it would be on the pitching side. I’ve said all along I think it’s unlikely either way.”
More on a couple other AL franchises:
- The Twins, who have been among Darvish’s pursuers this offseason, don’t have a “budget limitation” when it comes to addressing their rotation, chief baseball officer Derek Falvey told Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. Falvey wouldn’t comment on any single player, but he did note that he sees “5-10 pitchers out there who could impact us.” Beyond the top available options, the Twins are also looking at “value adds that could help us,” Falvey revealed. Owner Jim Pohlad was willing to discuss Darvish, on the other hand, stating he’s “on board” with signing him. Pohlad added that he’s “as intrigued by [Darvish] as anybody and attracted to [signing him] as anybody” (via Bollinger).
- Although Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel is entering a contract year, he and the club have not discussed an extension. The 29-year-old Kimbrel is open to staying with the Sox for the long haul, though, as Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald relays. While Kimbrel has been an elite closer for most of his career, including during an otherworldly 2017 in which he logged a 1.43 ERA with 16.43 K/9 and 1.83 BB/9 over 69 innings, new manager Alex Cora may use him earlier in games this year if the situation calls for it. Kimbrel addressed that, saying: “There will definitely have to be a plan in place, and it’s going to come from both sides, mine and his side. I’m sure we’ll be able to talk something out and it’s going to be based off workload and things like that. It’s just the way the game is going.” Mastrodonato posits that fewer saves in 2018 could mean fewer dollars for Kimbrel on his next contract, though I’d argue that teams already know what he’s capable of in the ninth inning. Thriving in a slightly different role could make him all the more attractive as a free agent, then.
- A reunion with free agent left-hander Francisco Liriano is not high on the Twins’ list of priorities, according to Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press (Twitter link). Liriano began his career in Minnesota and flourished at times as a starter with the club from 2005-12, but he’s now coming off a pair of less-than-stellar seasons in which he pitched for a combined three times (Pittsburgh, Toronto and Houston). After finishing last year as a reliever with the World Series-winning Astros, it’s unclear whether the 34-year-old will continue in that role or move back to the rotation with his next employer – which apparently won’t be the Twins.
I definitely see the Twins waiting until possibly as long as March and then signing Darvish or Arrieta to a shorter deal with higher AAV. It’ll come as a discount anyway given how late in the off-season it’ll be. With the way FA is going, I doubt those two pitchers are off the board anytime soon.
Tyler Chatwood got $38 million over 3 years, a much higher AAV than expected. If any of these pitchers decides to take a shorter deal with higher AAV they’ll have their choice of teams. I think the hold up is that teams don’t want to sign these guys for 5-7 years. They want to do 3, although I’m sure some teams will do 4.
The first big free agent that takes a 3 year deal is going to set the market. If Alex Cobb does, then teams will hold the line with Arrieta and Darvish.
Cobb already turned down a 3 year deal with the Cubs.
Here we go again with the Redsox not keeping what is valuable!!!! They don’t sign a bat, more pitching, n they haven’t sewed up Kimberly when they can. I can tell you where he’ll go if not signed n they low ball him…….to the evil empire. DD please do something!!!!!
“Kimberly”
Darn autocorrect!
Typo
Don’t think yankees would be in unless Chapman opts out. If Chapman does, I see Miller coming back instead.
Coming back to the Red Sox?
To the Marlins..duh
And Chapman’s opt-out isn’t for another two years.
Nope, it will be Kimberl
Kimberly
Sorry to break your bubble pasha…Trader Dave is out of $$$. He pissed away too much for PRICE and so his allowance was taken away.
Geez, I wonder if any teams are looking after Lance Lynn or Alex Cobb.
I mean, it’s only been going on for four months. You think someone would have signed one of them by now.
I know the hot stove is barely warm, but come on man. Sign a pitcher. Have a pitcher of beer, even, while you do it.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the market for Cobb and Lynn is being impacted because both Arrieta and Darvish haven’t signed. By that I mean that if the team is going to have to give up a draft pick anyway then they might as well wait until someone sets the market. I firmly believe that once the first chip falls it won’t take too long for the other top pitchers to sign.
I know you’re right. It’s a logical thing. It’s just frustrating. I’m ready to see moves.
Kimbrel had 126 strikeouts to 14 walks in 69IP. I know W-L don’t mean anything, but he went 5-0. I think if he has any season close to this one, Kimbrel will break Chapman’s record for most money guaranteed to RP.
In 69.0 IP, Kimbrel had 1.43 ERA, 1.42 FIP, 1.50 xFIP, 0.68 WHIP and 35 Saves.
fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=6655&posit…
He needs $14M more than Chapman, to hit that $100M
I don’t know if he’ll quite break it with his age but he will come close for sure.
29 isn’t that old, and considering his track record, it is entirely within reach.
He’s signing with the Yankees. After Trader Dave and John Henry screw around without a four hole hitter and facing a 3rd place finish; it’s the place he wants to be to win a championship.
Kimbrel could end up with the best stats for a reliever ever. And could get the biggest contract ever. That makes it tough on the Red Sox to just let him go. But I wonder if the thinking on relievers isn’t going to take yet another turn–away from the “proven closer’ meme. If it does, it could bring down the price of all closers. even one’s as remarkable as Kimbrel
Liriano needs to turn into a lefty specialist out of the pen and stay around for a while
The Stros already tried that with him and he still couldn’t get anyone out..
Darvish is going to the Yankees. He wants a ring, he will get at least 4-5 with them.
Say no to crack
Not really NY sports media pushing it too. They think Yankees can ‘steal’ him for 5 years at $80M-$90M or creative 6 year $120M deal.
nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/yankees-re… (5 years $80-90M)
nj.com/yankees/index.ssf/2018/01/mlb_free_agency_r…
nypost.com/2018/01/17/is-this-the-contract-that-ma…
Its definitely got legs however unlikely (and speculative) it may be.
It’s not the Darvish to the Yankees that he said put down the crack, it’s the he could win 4-5 rings with the Yanks
I predicted six years $150M with player opt-out after year 2 or 3.
Mlbtr predicted six years $160M for Darvish.
Maybe it’s time to lower our expectations?
I still think it’s funny when Daily News predicts five years $80-90M to be in Yankees’ and Darvish’s range
While I’d love to have him…I’m not arrogant as to say, “if he wants to win, this is only place”
Baseball has the most parity, because when (if) you make the playoffs, anything goes. That 2nd Wild card only added more to the parity.
Yeah, I didn’t read that. I thought it was because the Yankees are a major underdog in the Darvish Sweepstakes, unless the peice drops considerably because of the “luxury tax”
4-5 rings? Lol. Now I understand why.
Be happy with one. 5 rings would be more than the late 90’s Yankees dynasty that won 4. 96, 98, 99, 00.
unless the price* drops considerably.
Agents are thinking much higher for their FA starting pitchers, let’s say north of 25 mil per year. Wether they get that or not is another question. The conflict in numbers is reason there’s no activity in signing
Wow I guess the Cubs, Dodgers, Astros, Indians and Nationals should just pack it in. Didn’t realize the next 5 years had already been decided.
We all know the White Sox are the mystery team for both Darvish and Arietta. Their window is wide open for a run until 2025…
Will he get at least 5 even if he takes a 4 year deal?
4 year deal with a 5th option or he will resign for 1 millions dollars just to fill his whole hand like the Patriots. Sox are three years away they will only have 1 good year with him.
Liriano “pitched for a combined three times (Pittsburgh, Toronto and Houston)” so he only pitched once per team? :p
They wish.
The Yankees will mail it to him
Yeah, Choo is like, right there, no way they get burned on a 31 year old guy about to quickly leave his prime twice. Cain makes no sense for them.
I love Choo’s output:
Cleveland: 21.7 WAR in 685 games. Was paid $10M
Texas: 4.9 WAR in 469 games. Has been paid $68M so far, and will make $62M more over the next 3 years.
Zack Greinke and Patrick Corbin for Cole Hamels +?
Greinke and Corbin have relatively neutral value because of their contracts, but Hamels (assuming he comes with his whole contract) has very negative value. Including Hamels would probably require Texas to at least double the value of the other younger players they’d send back with him.
i’d say, although he posted outstanding numbers the past few seasons, greinke has slight negative value due to his age and his massive contract
Let’s be real, no one is going to look at the best closer of all time on a rate basis, see that he added the versatility to work in different innings depending on leverage, and then decide to pay him less because of his save total. Maybe in 2002.
Come back to Atlanta Craig! 2019 and beyond is perfect timing for a return here.
Darvish will end up in Tex. He’s too comfortable there and bigger markets aren’t his thing. He can pitch in Tex with lights not quite so bright. He’s just waiting for them to come with something reasonable. If they could shed the Choo contract it’d be done soon
Doubtful. The Rangers know Darvish obviously and know that he’s not really an ace…so they won’t pay him the ace money and 5-7 year contract he wants. I think other teams are hesitant too or he’d have offers by now.
I believe that you mean teams, not times. 3 teams over the past 2 years.