Headlines

  • Red Sox Likely To Activate Alex Bregman Tomorrow
  • Astros To Promote Brice Matthews
  • Phillies Reportedly Targeting Controllable Relievers
  • Yankees Prioritizing Pitching, Also Searching For Infield Help
  • Orioles Trade Bryan Baker To Rays
  • Yankees Release DJ LeMahieu
  • 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: Marrero, Holt, Swihart, Machado, Morales

By Mark Polishuk and Jeff Todd | March 20, 2018 at 10:28pm CDT

Alex Cobb’s agreement with the Orioles is the day’s biggest news out of the AL East, but here are some more notable items from around the division…

  • The Red Sox seem to be inclined to carry the out-of-options Blake Swihart on the active roster to open the season, Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston reports.  While the club obviously feels it doesn’t want to lose out on his upside, that decision would also create some constraints elsewhere — perhaps forcing the Sox to make a move instead with one of their utility infielders.  Indeed, as Sean McAdam of the Boston Sports Journal writes (subscription link), the Sox have begun putting out feelers with other organizations regarding Deven Marrero (who is also out of option) and Brock Holt. While it’s not clear that either has drawn significant interest, it seems the team is preparing to move one of them or another similar player as part of its roster-maintenance efforts at the tail end of camp.
  • Manny Machado’s move back to shortstop was inspired by his love for the position, the Orioles star tells ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick, not as a way to better position himself for free agency next winter.  “I think a lot of people are saying, ’He’s going over there because he wants more money or more value.’  It doesn’t come down to money or more value,” Machado said.  “I’ve already established myself as a player.  I’m worth what I’m worth already.  It doesn’t matter if I’m at short or third.  The transition over there is because that’s where my heart is.  That’s what I do.”  Machado’s preparation for the position switch included changes to his diet and offseason training regimen, and scouts have given promising early reviews about Machado’s defensive prowess at shortstop.
  • Kendrys Morales lost weight in the offseason and is hoping to adjust his swing so that he hits fewer grounders in 2018, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca writes.  Due to his lack of speed and opposing fielders playing the shift, Morales grounded into 22 double plays last season, which helped contributed to his below-average 97 wRC+ despite 28 homers and lots of hard contact.  The subpar offensive performance and Morales’ lack of defensive contributions made him a sub-replacement level (-0.6 fWAR) player in his first year with the Blue Jays.
Share 0 Retweet 7 Send via email0

Baltimore Orioles Boston Red Sox Toronto Blue Jays Blake Swihart Brock Holt Deven Marrero Kendrys Morales Manny Machado

Yankees Notes: Salazar, Darvish, Wade, Ellsbury, Machado
Main
White Sox Notes: Castillo, Abreu, Smith, Santiago, Davidson
View Comments (25)
Post a Comment

25 Comments

  1. Bravesbutt

    7 years ago

    Swihart had over 200 abs in the minors last year and hit below the Mendoza line. So why worry about sending him down?

    Reply
    • wrigleywannabe

      7 years ago

      He would have to clear waivers first. He’d likely be claimed by another team.

      1
      Reply
    • Bald Vinny

      7 years ago

      He is out of options. Can’t send him to the minors without putting him on waivers.

      1
      Reply
      • deweybelongsinthehall

        7 years ago

        He’d never make it through waivers. With Lin available, my guess is they’ll find a takes for Marrero. Holt has an option but I doubt they’ll send him down.

        Reply
        • Jbigz12

          7 years ago

          Marrero can’t hit his way out of a paper bag. What are you going to get back? I know he has a nice glove but it comes with no offense. I can see him getting claimed but I can’t imagine a team giving up anything that has a sliver of potential.

          2
          Reply
        • dvail1979

          7 years ago

          Iglesias couldn’t hit his way out of a paper bag either but the Red Sox were able to get a very helpful Jake Peavy back … Now I know Merrero isn’t as good as Iglesias but value always lies in the eyes of the beholder

          2
          Reply
        • natesp4

          7 years ago

          Yeah it’ll be cash considerations if him.

          1
          Reply
        • butch779988

          7 years ago

          Holt is the guy to get rid of. He has 5 below average tools. At least Marrero can play defense.

          2
          Reply
        • Bert17

          7 years ago

          Iglesias had that flukey unsustainable high batting average at the beginning of that season that made it look like he might be learning how to hit. Then Peralta got suspended and Detroit was desperate for a shortstop in the middle of the season, so the Sox got lucky to be able to get Peavy for him. Unfortunately, that’s not likely to happen again.

          Reply
      • thegreatcerealfamine

        7 years ago

        Just let him be a bench coach #futureSoxmgr

        1
        Reply
    • mstrchef13

      7 years ago

      To answer your question that no one else did, the Red Sox would worry about sending him down because they don’t want to lose him (which they likely would on a waiver claim given his minimal salary) and they still believe he can play. If they didn’t think he can still be a useful (if not good) major league baseball player, then they would not worry about sending him down because it would not be a big deal to lose him on a waiver claim.

      Reply
      • Priggs89

        7 years ago

        The first 3 people that responded said he’d have to make it through waivers…

        Reply
  2. LF16

    7 years ago

    Swihart’s bat was valued as a prospect because he was a catcher – those days are gone. Swihart is simply the last to linger from that over-hyped grouping of Henry Owens, Will Middlebrooks, and company. Sox missed their window to move Swihart.

    3
    Reply
    • bosox2004

      7 years ago

      Totally agree, classic case of holding on for a year too long. Instead of trading a year too soon.

      2
      Reply
    • jakem59

      7 years ago

      The Sox moved him to catcher because of his bat and athleticism. His offensive potential is good enough to carry at any position

      Reply
      • Priggs89

        7 years ago

        Sure, if by any position you mean catcher, shortstop, center field, or pitcher, his bat has a ton of potential.

        1
        Reply
  3. badco44

    7 years ago

    Report earlier this spring said the Sox were already fielding offers on Sweihart, probable low ball offers, but the kid is a switch hitter… can hit MLB pitching and spent last year in recovery from a very bad ankle injury from 2016, this kid lacks a little maturity gentlemen but do not short change his talent!

    2
    Reply
  4. dlevin11

    7 years ago

    Indians or D-Backs seem like potential landing spots for Marrero or Swihart. Cubs might get involved also.

    Reply
    • Bert17

      7 years ago

      D-backs have four middle infielders who aren’t good hitters. Why in the world would they want a fifth one?

      Reply
  5. baseball365

    7 years ago

    Really strange offseason for the Red Sox. That is all. Few could disagree. They should have retooled with some players. Traded Jackie Bradley (not because they needed too, but because it made sense), now putting feelers out to trade their starting 3rd baseman. Don’t really have a good option at 2nd with Pedroia down. Jd to that massive contract. I don’t know folks. Or rather what I do know, is the Red Sox better win this year, because if they don’t this is the my total tear down candidate for next offseason. And I see that happening already.

    1
    Reply
    • mookiessnarl

      7 years ago

      Devers is their starting third baseman.

      2
      Reply
    • Fenway North

      7 years ago

      Starting 3rd base is Devers, which I have not heard one single report of them putting out feelers for. Nunez can handle 2nd while Pedroia is out, not the same D but serviceable. I don’t see much reason for it to make sense to trade JBJ other than people wanted him. Honestly, the only thing I find weird about this offseason is the Red Sox didn’t add an LHRP.

      2
      Reply
    • Bozrippa

      7 years ago

      Why trade JBJ after a down year? They are not trading Devers, who is their starting 3rd baseman. Nunez not a decent stand in at 2nd for a month?

      1
      Reply
  6. Bozrippa

    7 years ago

    Why trade JBJ after a down year? They are not trading Devers, who is their starting 3rd baseman. Nunez not a decent stand in at 2nd for a month?

    Reply
  7. ChiSoxCity

    7 years ago

    Machado’s gonna be a beast at Short for the White Sox.

    1
    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

    Top Stories

    Red Sox Likely To Activate Alex Bregman Tomorrow

    Astros To Promote Brice Matthews

    Phillies Reportedly Targeting Controllable Relievers

    Yankees Prioritizing Pitching, Also Searching For Infield Help

    Orioles Trade Bryan Baker To Rays

    Yankees Release DJ LeMahieu

    Trevor Williams To Undergo UCL Surgery

    Nationals Fire PBO Mike Rizzo, Manager Dave Martinez

    Brewers Activate Brandon Woodruff

    Clarke Schmidt Expected To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Bobby Jenks Passes Away

    Braves Release Alex Verdugo

    Top 40 Trade Candidates For The 2025 Deadline

    Rays Reinstate Ha-Seong Kim

    Yankees Have Shown Interest In Ryan McMahon

    Royals Interested In Bryan Reynolds

    Rangers Option Josh Jung

    Kevin Pillar Announces Retirement

    Braves Place Spencer Schwellenbach On IL With Elbow Fracture

    Giants Exercise 2026 Option On Manager Bob Melvin

    Recent

    Trade Deadline Outlook: New York Yankees

    Trade Deadline Outlook: Atlanta Braves

    Which Other Relievers Might The Orioles Shop?

    Lee Elia Passes Away

    Red Sox Likely To Activate Alex Bregman Tomorrow

    Poll: Which Teams Should Make The Biggest Push For Jarren Duran?

    MLB Finalizes Home Run Derby Field

    Astros To Promote Brice Matthews

    Giants Outright Sergio Alcántara

    Joe Coleman Passes Away

    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