Extension talks between the Twins and Brian Dozier are “dead,” reports ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, who notes that the slugging second baseman has no intention of discussing a long-term deal during the season and will hit the open market next offseason (Twitter link). That much has looked apparent for much of the spring, as Dozier has reportedly been disheartened by Minnesota’s lack of engagement in extension negotiations despite a vocal desire on his behalf to remain in the Twin Cities for the long haul. A lack of an extension, of course, doesn’t mean Dozier’s days in Minnesota are numbered; he’ll assuredly receive a qualifying offer if he has a characteristically strong season in 2018, and the Twins will likely keep up with his market in free agency next winter. It seems probable that Dozier will remain with the Twins for the bulk of the season, as the AL Central features three rebuilding clubs — the Royals, Tigers and White Sox — and looks to be largely a two-horse race between Cleveland and Minnesota even before the season begins in earnest.
More from the American League…
- The Rays were already planning on a four-man rotation with a somewhat regular “bullpen day” before getting news of Nate Eovaldi’s need for surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow, and Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports that they’ll now deploy an even more radical strategy. Tampa Bay will lean on Chris Archer, Blake Snell and Jake Faria as its top three starters, and there’s no current plan to replace Eovaldi with another starter. The Rays’ early reaction, per Topkin, is to stick to their plan and see how things go; there are enough off-days early in the year that they can get by with only one required bullpen day for the first several turns through the rotation. It’s tough to imagine that they won’t eventually need to put Matt Andriese back in the rotation or turn to youngsters like Ryan Yarbrough or Yonny Chirinos, however. Tampa Bay’s depth is being tested to extreme levels, as they’ve lost both Brent Honeywell and Jose De Leon to Tommy John surgery after already having traded Jake Odorizzi to the Twins.
- Jake Kaplan of The Athletic tweets that Astros top prospect Kyle Tucker will open the season in Triple-A despite possessing only a half season’s worth of experience at the Double-A level. The former No. 5 overall draft pick looks to be on the fast track to the big leagues, having slashed .265/.325/.512 in 72 Double-A games as a 20-year-old last year in addition to a robust .409/.438/.818 slash in 48 spring plate appearances with the ’Stros this year. Tucker entered the year as a consensus top 20 overall prospect and is considered to be a key long-term cog for an already youthful Astros organization.
- Tim Lincecum has been slowed by a blister on his middle finger but will play catch tomorrow, tweets Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The two-time NL Cy Young winner, hoping for a career renaissance in the Rangers’ bullpen, didn’t pitch in a game this spring and believes that May 1 is a realistic target for his Texas debut. It’s been a half-decade since “The Freak” was a substantial big league contributor, but this, of course, will be his first season as a full-time reliever — a role that could lead to greater success for the former ace.
- With Salvador Perez sidelined for four to six weeks due to an MCL tear, Cam Gallagher will pair with veteran Drew Butera to comprise the Royals’ primary catching tandem, writes MLB.com’s Jeffrey Flanagan. But the Royals won’t announce their Opening Day roster until tomorrow morning as they make the final deliberations regarding their bullpen. Non-roster invitee Blaine Boyer looks to have a spot locked up behind Kelvin Herrera, Brandon Maurer, Justin Grimm and Rule 5 pick Brad Keller, per Flanagan, who also notes that Ryan Goins will likely make the team as a utility infielder. With Goins and Boyer both in camp as non-roster players, the Royals will need to clear at least a pair of 40-man roster spots, though further moves could certainly be made.
As a baseball fan, I really do hope Tim Lincecum excels as a reliever. He’s a phenomenal talent and more importantly, a genuine individual with a great work ethic.
it would be a great story for the Freak but then again a failure or injury could mean the end of the story…
Fingers crossed he can make a good return to MLB form. Unless your name is Jamie Moyer, a change-up just doesn’t have much effect when the fastball tops out at 87 mph. To be healthy and have a fastball back hitting 91-92 mph is a good start. If he can’t make a good comeback, then he at least can have a mentor type role for the rest of the pitching staff.
I don’t think a three man rotation is going to help unless they pitch more than at least 6-7 innings a game, so your relievers arms won’t fall off. If I was Kevin crash and burn my bullpen, I’d have a 5-6 man rotation and have a regular bullpen.
Yeah, sticking with a 3 man rotation is gonna put stress on the starters and the bullpen all at once. I was anxious to see how the 4 man rotation was gonna work out, but this is a stretch.
It’s kind of amazing how Brian Dozier isn’t in the top group of free agents next year when he would’ve pretty easily been the top position player in this years group
He’s still a top 10 guy in the coming market
I’d have him behind JDM but I get your point
Dodgers will finally get their man next winter if not at the deadline this year.
Are there any starters still on the market that the Rays could pick up for cheap? I can’t imagine them going with just that group of guys
The Padres just released Chris Young… they could have him
Anyone that they would sign would need to spend time in extended spring training/AAA in order to pitch during the regular season.
Why? You do know that these guys can throw baseballs during the offseason, right?
I’m aware of that but look at what the O’s are doing with Cobb or the Mats are doing with Hellickson.
Nats*
That doesn’t mean that it’s necessary…
It sure does mean it’s necessary. You’re not going from throwing on your own to facing live mlb hitters. No way you sign a guy who hasn’t been in camp without sending him on a minor league assignment. Throwing a baseball and facing the best hitters in the mlb are far far different.
Scott Kazmir would probably sign for cheap.
As far as pitchers that have been in camp it’s pretty much Kazmir and Travis Wood. Lackey, Dickey and Jimenez would need extended Spring Training.
I hear Jamie Moyer just sent his second kid to college. He’s probably bored.
John Lackey could eat some innings in the 4 slot. I’m really surprised I haven’t heard his name connected to any of the teams who still have shaky rotations. Same for Scott Feldman. Granted these guys aren’t world beaters any more, but they can at least be a bridge for this season.
It’s possible that the Rays have absolutely no desire to be remotely competitive this year if they can save even a few dollars by not signing an another arm even to the MLB minimum. I understand the need to conserve resources, but question the wisdom of telling your players and your fans-and the taxpayer who you want help from–that budget will be the only imperative. And, a three man rotation could conceivably end up in damaged arms. At the very least, there have to be some older pitchers who can at least lob the ball up there?
There are plenty of free agents ready and willing, but they aren’t willing to work for food which is all TB would offer. I’m guessing the Rays braintrust met earlier this week and convinced themselves that a 3 man rotation made sense.
The Rays must really like someone in next year’s draft.
Can’t let the Pointy fish have all the fun!!
Coming into this offseason the Rays had an abundance of pitching depth. Archer, odo, Snell de Leon, Faria, Honeywell, andriese, Eovaldi. Other AAA options like Yarbrough or Chirinos too. Would’ve thought that team had a surplus of guys to make it through the year. Crazy.
“doesn’t mean Dozier’s days in Minnesota are numbered; he’ll assuredly receive a qualifying offer”
Ohhhhhh…..I don’t know…….
What would that be? $18 million-ish? Why not take that and test free agency in 2020? Will he get more than that annually next offseason?
No. But he is getting old. The risk of a bad year only increases. If he can get a 3/40 next offseason I’m inclined to believe he’d lean that way.
They’d have to get stretched out but both Yarbrough and Chirinos pitched well in the rotation in AAA last season.
I would love to see the Orioles sign Dozier. We know that Machado is gone so sign Dozier and lock up Schoop. Move Schoop to 3rd and put Beckham back at SS. I know it would never happen but it wouldn’t be a bad move for them.
Depends on how we play this year and how much of that is from guys still on the team next year. With machado, Britton, and jones’ salaries off the books they’ll be money for a Brian Dozier. If bundy and Gausman take that next step and Cobb and cashner pitch well then maybe we could do that. I don’t see us being good in 2019 though. Take Britton and brach out of our pen and Id be a little concerned about that too. Dozier is a better player but I can really see us looking at Moose next year. TB should be a SS for no other reason than he’s a capable defender. His bat looks a whole lot better at SS than 3rd. But let’s hope for the best in 2018.
Losing Perez is going to be tough in KC. Already the team is going to be in rough shape. Losing the face is going to be brutal. Salvy is extremely important on defense, with the staff and in the lineup.
Kyle sure did a good Tuckin job at Astros Spring Training.