Headlines

  • Astros Place Jeremy Peña On Injured List With Fractured Rib
  • Tucker Barnhart To Retire
  • Tyler Mahle To Be Sidelined Beyond Trade Deadline
  • Reds Release Jeimer Candelario
  • Dave Parker Passes Away
  • Griffin Canning Diagnosed With Ruptured Achilles
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2025 Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

AL East Notes: Bautista, Rays, Orioles, Red Sox

By Connor Byrne | February 24, 2018 at 6:29pm CDT

Although the Rays have picked up a pair of right-handed hitters in Carlos Gomez and C.J. Cron since last weekend, they could add another outfield-capable righty-swinger, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. One free agent who might draw their attention is Jose Bautista, who’s “keenly interested in playing for the Rays, presumably knowing it would be for a low salary,” Topkin writes. The 37-year-old Tampa Bay resident has long been a rival of the Rays, having played with the Blue Jays from 2009-17. While Bautista was a terror for opposing pitchers for the majority of that run, he’s now coming off his worst year in nearly a decade, which helps explain why he remains on the market. Bautista took 686 trips to the plate in 2017 and batted a subpar .203/.308/.366, albeit with 23 home runs.

More on Tampa Bay and two of its AL East rivals:

  • The Rays have recently parted with several notable veterans, including Evan Longoria, Steven Souza Jr., Corey Dickerson and Jake Odorizzi, but their front office insists they’re not tanking and never have, as Topkin details in a separate piece. Rather, according to general manager Erik Neander: “This is a season, as things stand now, where on paper we’re somewhere in that middle territory yet again. But what’s been building underneath is getting awfully close to colliding with what’s a middle-of-the-pack team. And when those things come together, you’ve got a chance for something special.” And even though the Rays finished under .500 in each season from 2014-17, Neander believes there was serious progress behind the scenes. “As our teams have been kind of treading water, there’s been that wave that’s really building, really coming together, probably even better than I think we expect it,” Neander said. “It’s about there.”
  • In-house issues prevented the Orioles from signing free agent infielders Ryan Flaherty and Ryan Goins during the offseason, Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun reports. Flaherty was with the Orioles from 2012-17 and wanted to re-sign with the club, even showing a willingness to take less money than he did to join the Phillies. Philadelphia made Flaherty an offer with a three-week deadline to accept it, but he wanted to hear from the Orioles before taking it. The O’s then submitted a counteroffer, though it “didn’t get club-wide approval in time to meet the Phillies’ deadline,” Encina writes. As a result, he said yes to the Phillies’ minor league proposal. Given that Flaherty has a late-March opt-out in his deal, it’s possible he’ll hit the market again and rejoin the Orioles before the season, Encina notes. Like Flaherty, Goins also settled for a minor league pact (with the Royals). However, he actually was set to sign a major league contract with the Orioles beforehand, according to Encina. Orioles ownership didn’t approve it in time, though, leading the former Toronto utilityman to head to Kansas City.
  • Red Sox reliever Robby Scott has changed representation and is now a client of Meister Sports Management, Rob Bradford of WEEI tweets. The 28-year-old, who’s currently vying to open the season as Boston’s top left-handed bullpen option, tossed 35 innings of 3.79 ERA ball and notched 7.82 K/9, 3.28 BB/9 and a 42.6 percent groundball rate in 2017. He won’t be eligible for arbitration until after the 2019 campaign.
Share 0 Retweet 37 Send via email0

Baltimore Orioles Boston Red Sox Tampa Bay Rays Jose Bautista Robby Scott Ryan Flaherty Ryan Goins

AL Central Notes: Santiago, Merritt, Liriano, Aybar
Main
West Notes: Mariners, Dodgers, Rangers, A’s
View Comments (69)
Post a Comment

69 Comments

  1. tonypro7

    7 years ago

    And that’s why the Orioles ownership is the very worst in MLB. Maybe all of the 4 major sports. What a joke.

    6
    Reply
    • mstrchef13

      7 years ago

      Definitely not the worst in all four major sports. I don’t even think it’s the worst in baseball. However, it is what happens when you have too many people in the front office who have input on decisions and *that* is the true failing of ownership.

      6
      Reply
      • dimitriinla

        7 years ago

        Both of you are wrong. Neither makes any sense. In the top one, you seem to be saying that because they didn’t get two deals done it makes them the worst run organization in all of baseball. In the second comment, You seem to be claiming that because they have “too many people in the front office” the deals somehow went bad. What is your evidence that their front office is more busy/crowded/peopled than other ones?

        1
        Reply
        • elscorchot

          7 years ago

          You only rebutted a me of their arguments, and not that well. If you want to call them out, at least present why.

          Reply
        • elscorchot

          7 years ago

          *one. Not “a me”.

          Reply
        • outinleftfield

          7 years ago

          Maybe because the article says so?

          3
          Reply
      • mehs

        7 years ago

        You are talking about a non-deal falling through with Flaherty since it was a counter-offer that hadn’t been approved in time for an overpriced replacement level player. Perhaps there were people in the front office that would rather spend that 1.9 million or whatever slightly lower price Flaherty would have taken elsewhere.

        Then you have Goins who is so great that he took a minor league deal. These replacement level guys are a dime a dozen. Maybe some in the front office want to give the utility role to Engelb Vielma who is a min-salary rookie who has played 2B, SS and 3B in the minors.

        Reply
        • brooksnumber5is1

          7 years ago

          The perfect utility guy. Played every position except for catcher and only averaged 3 errors per season. No, not a great hitter, but how many utility guys are-they are there to fill in positions, not be a high average pinch hitter. High average utility guys are called starters.

          Reply
        • mehs

          7 years ago

          Flaherty is way below average fielding for LF and SS for Rdrs/yr. One would have to assume he’d be just as bad in CF as LF but he has never played there in the majors. Average errors per season is pointless for a guy who is barely playing and further switching positions. Rdrs/yr career LF -42, SS -24, 1B -8, 2B +6, RF +7, 3B +9. So you are looking at an ever so slightly average utility 2B, 3B, RF at nearly 4 times league minimum. Something that is not hard to replace with a rookie.

          Reply
    • southbeachbully

      7 years ago

      The Reds management looks pretty bad too. They have a potent line-up, a huge need for pitching and yet they haven’t been associated with a single FA starter,

      1
      Reply
      • stymeedone

        7 years ago

        You are confusing good management, and willingness to spend. Good management is maximizing talent within the budget one is given.

        5
        Reply
    • layventsky

      7 years ago

      Something tells me Marlins fans would beg to differ. Nobody is as bad as Jeffrey Loria was. Hopefully the new management can turn it around (fire sale aside).

      2
      Reply
    • warren r.

      7 years ago

      As long as the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks and Ottawa Senators exist, the crown for “worst ownership in big 4 sports” is getting nowhere near the Orioles.

      1
      Reply
      • Bocephus

        7 years ago

        Please go into some detail why the Mavericks have the worst ownership:
        Mark Cuban is considered by fans,FO,and especially players to be one of the most admired owners in the NBA. By the way Cuban deserves an MLB franchise ownership!!!
        The Cowboys: I’d love to to see your reasons for that.

        4
        Reply
        • outinleftfield

          7 years ago

          Jerry Jones sucks. If he got out of his team’s way they would have won a Super Bowl with the talent they have. His constant meddling is what has kept them also rans in recent years.

          Reply
        • thegreatcerealfamine

          7 years ago

          Three rings under Jerry!! Brotatochip!

          Reply
    • AC_Slater123 2

      7 years ago

      Flaherty was terrible for 5 seasons. Hopefully they have someone who can hit better than .200 in a utility role

      1
      Reply
      • brooksnumber5is1

        7 years ago

        But they wanted him. Just someone in the chain could not decide.

        Reply
        • Jbigz12

          7 years ago

          They obviously didn’t really want him. He’s popular in the clubhouse but he’s not very good. Our utility infielder typically doesn’t see much time anyway.

          1
          Reply
        • mehs

          7 years ago

          Someone wanted him but obviously some didn’t care or he wasn’t a priority. A replacement level guy north of 30 so likely to start diminishing.

          1
          Reply
        • brooksnumber5is1

          7 years ago

          Quote drom the article: “In-house issues prevented the Orioles from signing free agent infielders Ryan Flaherty and Ryan Goins during the offseason”. It does not say they wanted to get someone better, they screwed up internally.

          Reply
    • brucewayne

      7 years ago

      Don’t forget about the Cleveland Browns!

      1
      Reply
  2. jimmertee

    7 years ago

    I hope Bautista lands somewhere with a MLB level deal. Granted he is done or almost done but I enjoyed his play over the years, last years not withstanding. He would be a decent DH and a good clubhouse influence to younger players.

    3
    Reply
    • bbird216

      7 years ago

      I doubt he would be a good clubhouse influence. He’s a pen is

      4
      Reply
    • mafiabass

      7 years ago

      The Roungers would be a good fit

      2
      Reply
      • RyanR

        7 years ago

        Not so much…

        3
        Reply
    • CursedRangers

      7 years ago

      Exactly 2 years ago today, Joey Bats stated he was seeking a 5-year, $150M contract. My have times changed…,

      1
      Reply
      • outinleftfield

        7 years ago

        Joey Bats never said that and the Jays GM said that was not what he was asking for either.

        2
        Reply
        • johnnywalker

          7 years ago

          Right … he wanted $140M over 4 years. Who knows, who cares. He got what he got last year as a thanks for earlier contributions to make up for the years he was underpaid. Considering what he did to earn it, he was well compensated.
          As far as being good in the club house and with young players, that was hype put out by the club. He is an unlikable jerk and everyone in baseball outside of Toronto knows it. Good riddens!

          1
          Reply
        • BSPORT

          7 years ago

          Red Sox may be looking for a DH

          Reply
  3. xabial

    7 years ago

    I respect Orioles ownership.

    They have history of success. Just very stubborn in their ways. My biggest pet peeve, as an unbiased NYY fan, is they never spend on $1 on IFA, but burn $161M on Chris Davis.

    #2 would be getting outspent by the Mets, on Starting Pitching.

    6
    Reply
    • dimitriinla

      7 years ago

      As an O’s fan, I respect the Yanks’ leadership—and have for the last 20 years.

      4
      Reply
    • majorflaw

      7 years ago

      “I respect Orioles ownership. . . . They have a history of success.”

      Depends on what you mean by ‘success’, xabial. Since Angelos purchased the team prior to the ‘94 season, the O’s have played in three LCS, one LDS and one WC game, each of which they lost. Overall, Peter Angelos has been a very successful man. Just not at baseball.

      1
      Reply
      • chris redsox69

        7 years ago

        Why don’t you guys get a room. Sounds like ya sucking on each other.

        2
        Reply
      • mehs

        7 years ago

        So 5 playoff appearances and 2 division titles since 1994. Lets compare that to other teams not named the Yankees or Red Sox in that division since 1994.

        Blue Jays: 1 division title, 2 playoff appearances. No titles.
        Rays: 2 division titles, 4 playoff appearances. No titles.

        So what exactly are you talking about stating they have no success. When competing with 2 division foes with virtually unlimited resources winning is hard.

        You can find many other teams with 5 or less playoff appearances since 1994 and no titles either. Don’t have to look very far. Nationals/Expos 4 playoff appearances and lost in the first round every time.

        Other Example Teams: Appearances/Titles

        Brewers:2/0, Mariners:4/0, Mets:5/0, Pirates:3/0, Padres:4/0, Reds:5/0, Rockies:4/0, Tigers:5/0

        So they fit in a group of 12 teams that have 5 or less playoff appearances since 1994 with no titles, the horror. So they are in the bottom 40%.

        2
        Reply
    • Bocephus

      7 years ago

      xabial what happened to your post about banning redsox69?

      4
      Reply
      • xabial

        7 years ago

        I removed it. I’m not trying to get hated more on here, than I already am.

        Although I really do appreciate you bringing attention to my comment. The comment said:

        “Remember when MLBTR was about intelligent(ish) baseball banter. If it was up to me, I’d ban chris redsox69’s account than just removing his comment”

        4
        Reply
  4. sheff86

    7 years ago

    No way. James Dolan.

    1
    Reply
    • Sheldon Bowen

      7 years ago

      Browns anyone?

      6
      Reply
      • Bocephus

        7 years ago

        Now that’s a post everyone should get behind.

        5
        Reply
  5. Tiger_diesel92

    7 years ago

    The o’s front office is terrible , yeah they gotten hitters for cheap but they are missing out on IFA like come on, instead of trading that money for mediocre players go get a player who have a better upside. Actually bring quality pitchers.

    2
    Reply
    • BlueJayFan1515

      7 years ago

      I just don’t understand why they won’t spend international money. Is Angelos racist?

      2
      Reply
      • outinleftfield

        7 years ago

        Just the opposite. Both Angelos and his son have been at the forefront of race relations in Baltimore. Their statement after the riots there was fantastic. Why they won’t sign IFA players is a mystery.

        1
        Reply
    • pasha2k

      7 years ago

      That is how there GM works. He gets players off the scrap heap n does it through the yr going they can stay ahead of the scouts.

      2
      Reply
      • outinleftfield

        7 years ago

        Duke makes no decisions. He makes recommendations and then Angelos or his son makes the final decisions. Every single signing and trade.

        That is what the article is saying too. Duke said let’s sign these guys but couldn’t get Angelos to sign off on even a minor signing like these two quick enough.

        2
        Reply
  6. GeorgieR

    7 years ago

    Would love to see Jose continue to play in the AL East.

    3
    Reply
  7. deweybelongsinthehall

    7 years ago

    Message to MLBTR: Please stop with the teasers. At least u expect more from the app, which I otherwise would probably rate five stars. I saw the Sox in the heading but do lost of us really care that a non superstar player changed agents?

    1
    Reply
    • deweybelongsinthehall

      7 years ago

      *I

      3
      Reply
    • deweybelongsinthehall

      7 years ago

      *most (sorry for the late corrections).

      3
      Reply
  8. GoldenJabs

    7 years ago

    Flaherty is a great guy on and off the field. It’s to bad these “in house issues” prevented his resigning, but it sounds like they may have another chance.

    2
    Reply
    • mgrap84

      7 years ago

      Yea he was a good guy and one of those super utility players. Hope we find a way to get him back

      2
      Reply
    • dimitriinla

      7 years ago

      Yes, and Buck Showalter seems not yet fully impressed with the Orioles utility options in spring training.

      2
      Reply
      • dimitriinla

        7 years ago

        And let’s keep in mind, it is potentially reasonable for the Orioles to want to head in a different direction from Ryan Flaherty. This spring gives them a chance to do that, and they still seem to have an option to pick him up if things fall through with the current candidates.

        1
        Reply
  9. Sideline Redwine

    7 years ago

    They left out the part of the interview when Neander says he will dump all those young players when things get special…and they actually have to pay them more than the minimum. Dont insult our intelligence, dude; no one in their right mind feels you have improved this team for either the short or long term.

    1
    Reply
  10. bonquisha

    7 years ago

    Orioles fan are so ungrateful it makes me sick
    Acting like the Os have the worst record in baseball in the past decade or last 5 yrs or sum ishh. Like there’s the marlins and pirates and padres

    Get a grip orioles fans

    5
    Reply
    • mgrap84

      7 years ago

      Im a die hard orioles fan and in no way do i think we have a bad team. For 4 years until last year we were competitive. The only thing that makes me mad is lack of spending money on players that could help us win. We aren’t mad at the team, we are mad at the front office.

      3
      Reply
    • 66TheNumberOfTheBest

      7 years ago

      I agree with your point that the O’s relative success in recent years gets overlooked because of their antiquated methods….but FWIW, Pirates have the 5th most wins in MLB over the past 5 years even with the past two down years.

      twitter.com/BenBadler/status/905139288949628929?re…

      Reply
  11. spudchukar

    7 years ago

    Do the O’s communicate by Passenger Pigeon? Pony Express? Smoke Signals?

    6
    Reply
  12. 66TheNumberOfTheBest

    7 years ago

    “Neander believes there was serious progress behind the scenes. “As our teams have been kind of treading water, there’s been that wave that’s really building, really coming together, probably even better than I think we expect it,” Neander said. “It’s about there.”

    The Pirates have done the same thing. They have some good young MLB players already in Bell, Taillon, Rivero, Kuhl, Williams, maybe Moran and Musgrove (we’ll see). They also have Meadows, Newman and Glasnow in AAA

    But behind them they have a young core that won a championship at A in 2016 and won another one in AA last year. Guys like Keller, Tucker, Hayes, Kramer.

    1
    Reply
  13. mt in baltimore

    7 years ago

    This is a very stinging example of how dysfunctional the Orioles Warehouse truly is…

    Goins is a gamer, a hustler. I feel badly for Duquette…way too many pundits (Showalter, Anderson (a true poser and rat fink of the highest order) and the Angelos’ sons have to weigh in on every decision point throughout the year…this is disgraceful…

    He will skip out as soon as the 2018 season ends to a better place.

    Mr. Angelos is a good man who has done many things to help many people, but he is a uniquely unsuccessful MLB owner from a fan’s standpoint…

    He’s pissed away a generation+ of fans….

    What a shame.

    2
    Reply
  14. sportsfan101

    7 years ago

    Joey bats your garbage take whatever contract is offered to you dude, see if you can rebound if not don’t expect much after last year. Much better players who are younger are signing for less then expected don’t over estimate your value in this market or watch MLB on tv.

    2
    Reply
  15. athingortwo

    7 years ago

    Angelos failed to keep Cruz and it’s been downhill from there.

    1
    Reply
  16. Austin0723

    7 years ago

    I like Robbie Scott but I find it hard to believe we don’t have a better lefty capable of the same duties within the system

    Reply
  17. canajay12

    7 years ago

    Could do worse than Joey bats. I’m not convinced that he’s as bad as last season says. He can play passable RF, 3B in a pinch and I’m sure 1b and he can likely still hit .240 with 30 bombs if he’s kept healthy for a season. Given that he’s going to be cheap there are far worse deals out there for a team with those certain needs.

    3
    Reply
  18. walls17

    7 years ago

    the only collusion that should happen in the mlb is keeping bautista out of the league

    4
    Reply
    • jdgoat

      7 years ago

      That would be dumb

      Reply
  19. royals092011

    7 years ago

    Bautista needs to be on a farm team. He’s through.

    3
    Reply
    • canajay12

      7 years ago

      Through in comparison to what he was. I would definitely say there are worse players on MLB rosters come opening day though.

      Reply
  20. BSPORT

    7 years ago

    Red Sox or Mets

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Astros Place Jeremy Peña On Injured List With Fractured Rib

    Tucker Barnhart To Retire

    Tyler Mahle To Be Sidelined Beyond Trade Deadline

    Reds Release Jeimer Candelario

    Dave Parker Passes Away

    Griffin Canning Diagnosed With Ruptured Achilles

    Pirates Reportedly Have Very Few Untouchable Players At Trade Deadline

    Griffin Canning Believed To Have Suffered Achilles Injury

    Mariners Looking For Corner Infield Bats; Ownership Willing To Bump Payroll

    Wander Franco Found Guilty Of Sexual Abuse

    Mariners Place Rowdy Tellez On Release Waivers

    Max Meyer To Undergo Season-Ending Hip Surgery

    Whit Merrifield Announces Retirement

    White Sox Sign Noah Syndergaard To Minor League Deal

    Corbin Carroll Placed On IL With Wrist Fracture

    Hoops Rumors Has The Latest On NBA Draft, Free Agency

    Mets Option Francisco Alvarez

    Reds To Promote Chase Burns For MLB Debut

    A.J. Puk Undergoes Elbow Surgery; Gabriel Moreno Diagnosed With Fractured Finger

    Braves To Select Didier Fuentes

    Recent

    The Opener: Orioles, Milestones, MLBTR Chat

    Astros Place Jeremy Peña On Injured List With Fractured Rib

    Ross Atkins Discusses Deadline Needs, Santander

    Yankees Select Geoff Hartlieb, Place Fernando Cruz On 15-Day IL

    Tucker Barnhart To Retire

    Tyler Mahle To Be Sidelined Beyond Trade Deadline

    Trade Deadline Outlook: Chicago White Sox

    Orioles Place Zach Eflin On Injured List

    Rockies Expected To Promote Yanquiel Fernandez

    Trade Rumors Front Office Subscriber Chat Transcript

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Sandy Alcantara Rumors
    • Luis Robert Rumors
    • Alex Bregman Rumors

     

    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
    • Front Office Originals
    • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
    • MLBTR Podcast
    • Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

    hide arrows scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version