Rays owner Stuart Sternberg weighed in on the MLBPA’s grievance against the Rays and three other clubs regarding concerns over the reallocation of revenue-sharing funds, as Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times writes. The Rays, according to Sternberg, are “beyond” compliant with the rules. “We’re very judicious in how we spend our money, but it’s spent in a lot of forms, and payroll is one of them,” said Sternberg, going on to point out that the Rays’ Opening Day payroll in 2018 will be higher than it was in 2017. Of course, the Rays still rank near the bottom of the league in that regard, as they do every year. Chris Archer, the Rays’ union representative, also spoke with Topkin on the matter. “I have no clue what it costs to run the Dominican academy,” said Archer. “I know just from my perspective, not a whole lot has changed with the spring training facility, not a whole lot has changed at the Trop, and our payroll has not increased significantly.”
- Veteran Red Sox star Dustin Pedroia had a bit more done to his knee than had previous been known, Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe reports on Twitter. In addition to cartilage restoration work, Pedroia underwent a microfracture procedure to his tibia. Regardless, it seems that the hard-nosed veteran is progressing well given that he has now advanced to taking batting practice. Meanwhile, fellow infielder Marco Hernandez is still six weeks away from resuming baseball activities, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com tweets. Hernandez underwent shoulder surgery last May and only just had screws removed, but at least he now seems to be in sight of returning to the field.
- In other Red Sox coverage, Bradford discusses new signee J.D. Martinez’s unique relationship with his personal hitting coach. As it turns out, new Boston hitting coach Tim Hyers is well acquainted with Martinez’s guru Robert Van Scoyoc, who’ll be allowed to continue consulting with Martinez even though he has been hired by the Diamondbacks. It’s a deep and interesting look at how Martinez’s unique approach will fit with the organization.
- Orioles hurler Chris Lee will miss at least a month with an oblique injury, Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com was among those to tweet. The southpaw had been viewed as one of a variety of hurlers competing for one rotation spot, a long-relief role in the pen, and/or a place in the organizational depth chart. Instead, he’ll have to work back to health before he’s able to begin pressing for his first MLB opportunity. The 25-year-old reached Triple-A for the first time last year, pitching to a 5.11 ERA with 6.4 K/9 and 4.2 BB/9 over 116 1/3 innings.
Angels are done alright,
Yeah. Seven starters going for six positions. The one out goes to bullpen. Yeah, they’ve done.
Yea a group of 4 and 5 starters who won’t stay healthy and a leaky BP.
Not a lot of people would classify Ohtahni or Richards as a “4 or 5 guy.”.
Richards could be a two if healthy. You can’t anoint Ohtani anything till he proves himself against MLB hitters.
You cannot say anything about ohtahni. He isn’t proven what so ever. Until then he is just him, nothing more.
Could be a star just as easy as he could be a bust
They actually have 9 guys for the 6 spots. Richards, Ohtani, Heaney, Shoemaker, Skaggs, Bridwell, Tropeano, Ramirez, and Barria
No one cares about the Angels crappy depth options, which is their worst enemy like it is every year. Worst depth in the league annually, that’s the singular reason why they haven’t won while having God Trout.
If they stay healthy they’re a postseason contender, if Trout or any of their pitchers go down (which they always do because the Angels pitching coaches and conditioning team are total garbage) then the basement potentially looms.
so..
returning from injury
slight UCL tear
returning him injury
Matt Shoemaker
returning from injury
garbage perpherials
returning from injury
Bad
and a prospect who’s probably a year away.
Cool
JD Martinez’s personal hitting coach will destroy the chemistry of this team. The Redsox are shaping up to be 25 guys who only care about their personal stats and not winning ball games. It will be a long year in Boston as Cora is going to be doing his best Bobby Valentine impression. The Redsox will be a big disappointment in 2018.
What in the world are you even talking about?
I agree with you that this is overly doom and gloom, but there is an odd, individual atmosphere permeating around the Sox. Maybe not fair to say they’ll be disappointing outright; they’re a talented squad. But something feels amiss.
“Something feels amiss” said literally in February, after like 2 ST games, lol
Can I have what you’re smoking???
You do not DARE (dun dun dunnnnnn ) question the (said in dramatic voice) ALLLLL….KNOWING….ONNNNNNNNE. (moo ha ha ha).
You’re the reason I hate people.
Personal stats win ballgames, stupid.
25 players, 25 taxis… isn’t that the Red Sox way?
at least it is when they’re not in the clubhouse eating chicken and poppin’ cold ones
If I were The Nationals, I would go after Lance Lynn, or Alex Cobb, instead of Jake Arrieta. Lynn is a very consistent starter, and Cobb could bounce back more, since last year was his first full season since coming back from TJ surgery (and so could Lynn). And both would be a lot less than Arrieta, who is on the decline.
If I were the Nationals I would check with the Royals and see what it would take to get Salvador Perez. That would make for a win-win deal.
It would likely take either Robles or Soto as the headliner. Would be tough for Nats since Harper staying far from assured. Those youngsters + Eaton (or Taylor) formidable.
The Royals would value Perez more than any other player. Cost would be too high. That and the shear length of Perez’ contract should scare the Nats away.
Perez is dirt-cheap (he signed a very team-friendly contract) and he’s the face of the Royals, for what that’s worth. He’s not going anywhere.
I think the Nats would be much better off with signing Lucroy
and Holland! It would complete this team for sure !
The Rangers and Mets are doing the right thing with stockpiling arms to have depth behind an injury-prone rotation. Why the Angels aren’t doing the same is baffling.
Angels have Ohtani, Richards, Skaggs, Tropeano, Heaney, JC Ramirez, Matt Shoemaker, and Parker Bridwell
But that’s been the case for years now, but look what happens, they can’t stay healthy.
Almost all of them are massive injury risks. Try again.
If Bartolo Colon, Tim Lincecum and/or Jon Niese make the team the Rangers have more problems than they’re solving.
Texas signed Lincecum To a major league deal, so, basically he already make the team
Just bc you got a major league deal doesn’t say you’ll make the team, more so that his base salary is 1 mil
Texas signed Lincecum To a major league deal, so, basically he already made the team
I disagree. These guys were signed for nothing and if they produce they will make for valuable chips at the trading deadline. If Lincecum can be a productive middle relief arm he might be one of the most desirable players at the deadline. Think of buying something for $5 at a tag sale then putting it on eBay and getting $100. These moves were not about winning, they were about buying low with the hope of selling for a higher price later on.
Why aren’t the Rangers in sell mode though? They need to be.
Assuming all goes exceptionally well and he turns into a great middle reliever (big assumption), what do you realistically think they can get for him? He’d still be just a middle reliever, and he’d be a 1/2 year rental. You really think that would be one of the most desirable chips on the market?
Cards should be doing this as well. And yet…
The Cards have a bunch of quality arms in their minor systems
and several who can contribute this year if needed. They won’t pay for overpriced mediocre , aging
and injury prone pitching!
They have depth. They could use more quality. Adding Cobb or Arrieta makes that rotation look a lot better.
Come on Twins! If you’re going to go this far then get that final piece! Or why even bother with the mediocre moves? Well5be in the Wild Card race if things go right, oh yay.
So true twinsguy. We should swipe Lynn before opening day. Our 4 and 5 spot in the rotation aren’t lookin so hot and another addition would put us in the same tier, if not above the Indians
They’ll be fine once Santana is back. I’d rather not overpay for 2 guys that look like #4 type starters. Cobb was a 2 pitch pitcher when he showed that his changeup wasnt effective at all. Asking for a lot from a guy to get solid production when you don’t strikeout anyone anymore.
3 teams in the Central tanking and Cleveland isn’t going to win 20 in a row again. Strike now! Anything can happen in the playoffs.
Arrieta just signed with the Joliet Jackhammers for 7 years 200k per, way to go Boras, “YOU THE MAN”
Jake Arrieta to the Nationals?
That’s a first.
Yeah
The Twins are the same as they were with the old regime. Add a bunch of mediocre to middling pieces and hope something sticks on a bargain price. It’s the sort of thing you’d expect from a very small market team (which the Twins have not been since Target Field). MSP is the 13th largest metropolitan area in the United States. The money and revenue opportunities are there.
The Twins have been spending money necessary for an elite arm and a mid rotation arm for years now, but on all middle to back end arms. In regard to major signings of free agents or trades (Odorizzi)
2014 – $31M Correia, Pelfrey, Hughes, Nolasco
2015 – $35M Hughes, Nolasco, Santana
2016 – $35M Hughes, Nolasco, Santana
2017 – $39M Hughes, Nolasco(Santiago), Santana
2018 – $37M Hughes, Santana, Pineda, Odorizzi
“The Twins are the same as they were with the old regime.””
Same owner.
Ran a whole lot better than when the griffith family owned them, so enjoy the last few decades. They have had some winning seasons and pay bills on time.
Damn, the Twins sure are terrible at picking what FA’s to sign. Seeing all that salary, then finding better bargains or slightly more expensive performers with ease really sticks out.
Angels must be taking a glass half full approach to their bullpen.
Cobb might be interesting for the Nats. Lynn’s underlying numbers and Arrieta’s price tag are scary.
Was hoping the Nats would swing a deal for Grandal, for his ability against RHP and framing, and platoon him with Weiters. The Dodgers apparently plan to still play him a lot so that’s out. I guess that leaves Lucroy.
Doolittle’s an injury risk. Holland would be huge for the pen. Not at Davis money though.
the Angels need a closer. Without a closer, they will be lucky to win 80 games.
Yeah, Parker was really good for them last year but he’s older and came out of nowhere. Expecting a repeat might be a stretch. Petit was huge and will be missed. Bedrosian’s an injury risk and the less said about Johnson the better. I like the Angels chances but their bullpen could be the downfall.
We won’t be having a set closer role. Scioscia has said that. Parker, Bedrosian, Middleton, Johnson, etc. could all step in and close.
And that never works out. Unless it’s a team not expecting to compete.
That worked extremely well last year.
Nats should really finish the job by signing Jake Arrieta and Jonathan Lucroy. They’re so close to capturing a World Series title. The window is closing, so go for it while you can!
Arrieta to the Nats? It doesn’t really make a lot of sense. Maybe Lynn or Cobb at a good price, but not Arrieta. Why commit for that much money/years when the team’s core makeup might be changing?
A Boras client and the Nats linked? Well I’ll be damned! This is literally the first time this has ever happened. It’s definitely not like the Nats and Boras have some weird relationship where he forces them to overpay for all his clients like every single offseason. Nope, never heard that before, ever! Team fit? LOL doesn’t matter, it’s Boras over common sense yet again.
If memory serves, the Nationals will shortly be attempting to negotiate an extension with their best player. That player is represented by Boras and the fact that this day would eventually arrive has guided the National’s dealings with Boras since the player was drafted. If Harper signs an extension with the Nationals any money spent on Wieters, etc. will be seen as a good investment. Common sense, indeed.
You have to wonder whether this lackluster offseason for mid to high range free agents might lead to several in the future foregoing the open market for an extension with their original teams. I am not talking about the Bryce Harpers or Manny Machados of the world. I am thinking of someone like Charlie Blackmon or a Garrett Richards or a Patrick Corbin. A player that is either older (Blackmon) or has injury concerns (Richards) or has less of a track record, but is still young (Corbin).
JD has his own Alex Guerrero
How in the world is the Rays 2018 opening day payroll higher than 2017? I don’t see how that is even remotely possible.
What is it for athletes in Boston keeping their own personal coaches to undermine the organization?
How is it a bad thing that JDM has a great rapport with a hitting instructor and he gets to keep working with him? What’s the downside to this?
I tell ya, the commentariat of this blog can find something wrong w anything.
I agree.
What kind of trade package gets you a walk year of 32 year old Gio Gonzalez? 1 top 100 prospect and a couple lesser ones? Or would the Nats rather look for a MLB-ready return?
Nats trading a good starter isnt happenin with the current status of their rotation
Why would the Nats weaken their major league rotation when they are trying to win a World Series? That top 100 prospect does nothing for them this year.
Very disturbing news on Pedroia.
A micro-fracture procedure to his tibia is terrible news.
We saw this with Grady Sizemore.
Hope for the best.