Red Sox lefty Drew Pomeranz could attempt to throw two innings of live batting practice next week, writes Scott Lauber of ESPN. That would be a notable progression in his rehab back from a flexor strain, though it’s not yet clear whether he’ll be ready to take the mound for his first start of the season (Lauber notes that this would be either April 1st or April 2nd). Pomeranz is set to become a free agent following this season, and he’ll certainly want to avoid any injury-related question marks as he hits free agency amidst a free agent pitching class that could potentially include Clayton Kershaw and fellow Red Sox left-hander David Price.
Elsewhere along the Atlantic shoreline…
- There’s no timetable for Koda Glover to begin throwing again, Jamal Collier writes in his latest inbox column for MLB.com. Collier adds that all signs point to Glover being out of the bullpen mix to start the 2018 season. The 24-year-old right-hander was expected by many to emerge as a closer option for the Nationals last season, but injuries cut his season short, and his 5.12 ERA across 19 1/3 innings doesn’t look pretty. However, his 4.25 K/BB ratio stands out as excellent; the Nats are surely hoping he can return soon to deliver on his potential.
- Frecier Perez, the Yankees’ No. 9 prospect, is now represented by The Legacy Agency, Robert Murray of FanRag Sports tweets. The towering 6’8″ right-hander has risen rapidly across the Bombers’ prospect list thanks to his projectable frame and ability to consistently throw 100 MPH. Perez is 21 years old and was signed in 2014 out of the Dominican Republic for just $10K. Current Yankees scout Dan Giese spoke highly of Perez earlier this winter, citing his ability to throw strikes and feel for his change-up as reasons for optimism. He spent most of last season at Low-A Charleston.
There is zero chance the Dodgers let Kershaw go, and zero chance Price opts out (would anybody pay him more than the $30MM he’s getting at age 33?)
Lol
The Phillies and Yankees can easily out bid the doyuers
The Dodgers don’t care about their payroll…. have you seen how high they run it. Whatever dollar amount Kershaw wants they will willingly give him. They are eating Kempis $25 mil this year and not really caring.
Yeah, exactly… this is the ownership group that took on Beckett and Crawford’s contract to get A Gon. They also have far an away the highest payroll.
Phillies have the riches owners in baseball and no where near the taxed area
The Dodgers were $60MM above the tax last year, that’s obviously not stopping them… and if the Phillies didn’t care about money, why aren’t they spending any, and why did they have the #21 payroll in MLB?
Because they were waiting for their young guys to come up. Now they’re up and the Phillies are going to spend
Fine, but they’re no going to go from $85MM to $250MM like the Dodgers have.
Of course they care about payroll that’s how they acquired Kemp this time… to save payroll.
It’s not about out bidding anyone. Many players have stayed with their teams just because they are comfortably with the team they been with. It’s not always about money. CK would have no reason at 33 to go to Philly a rebuilding team when he’s already set and already a franchise player. He would never go to NY and NY not getting CK if they have their eye on Macho. Those days are over we’re NY buys everyone. Only big ego NYers are in denial. So yeah he be a Dodger for life. Next
Price is going nowhere. He was an over rated over paid player simple as that. He will never get another contract like that. He’s been garbage ever since he went FA n signed with Boston. He be an idiot to opt out. Saving all his wins for the playoffs. Psssfff. Ok still waiting it’s been 3 years now.
I completely agree… he’s an institution there, and he knows that. I’m pretty sure he genuinely loves it in LA too. Plus, they’re going to pay him whatever it takes, even if money was his motivation.
Yankees fans always think everybody wants to play for their team…
Hate to do this to you but there’s zero chance you know.
Regarding Price, if this off-season was any indication, he’d be look at a 1 year deal next year. He’d be smart to stay put, take a page out of Tanaka’s book
No question. He’ll be 33, he’s not getting a better deal.
The Dodgers have had the highest payroll, by far for the last few years… it was $27MM higher than the Yankees last year. He’s the face of their franchise, and he’s not going anywhere.
If he does what will happen?
Agreed that he’s not going anywhere but unless he’s offered something he simply can’t turn down, the MLBPA will pressure him to to test the market to try to restore financial momentum. With his recent injury history, I anticipate a yearly average record for pitchers and possibly overall but less years than previously anticipated. He could outdo Harper and Machado yearly but not in total dollars.
I don’t think anybody would offer more than the Dodgers
Phillies can
Kershaw is the face of that franchise, and they have the money to make sure he stays. I also doubt he wants to leave.
Price isn’t going to get a better contract than he has now, especially with how the last couple years have gone — unless he just doesn’t want to play in Boston anymore, and takes a big pay but.
How many times can you say it before you think it comes true? Kershaw is from Texas and could be drawn to the Rangers.
The Rangers aren’t going to pay the $40MM he’s going to want.
First of all, kersucks will not opts out because of his back problem and price?? Even worse
Kersucks? Wow
Yeah, there has been a pretty obvious influx of ~12-14 yr olds on this website
Thanks for clarifying. I thought his contract was expiring. It expires in 2021. They could get creative, he opts out, the team takes a one time adjustment hit and they then extend to like 2024 but for less dollars the last three years that reduce the average luxury tax hit until 2022.
You mean kershaw with three cy youngs sucks? Stop trolling
0% chance Price opts out