MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro tweeted today that the Marlins have announced a press conference for Monday at Marlins Park. No news yet as to the specifics, but with Derek Jeter and President of Baseball Ops Michael Hill planned to be in attendance, speculation is there will be news regarding the Mesa brothers. Still, it’s only speculation as of now, and we’ll have to wait for tomorrow’s press conference to confirm the specifics. Stay tuned.
In the meantime, a couple of other notes…
- Fancred’s Jon Heyman talks to executives around the league about Manny Machado’s upcoming free agency and whether or not his recent antics will adversely affect his earning potential. Machado’s recent character issues trouble many around the league, but his on-field talent continues to speak for itself. One executive suggests the Phillies may be the only team willing to give Machado the monster payday many have expected, but at this stage any specific prediction remains speculative. People close to Machado have suggested he wants to return to the East Coast – specifically the Yankees – but it remains to be seen how exactly the market will shape up for the talented infielder.
- Kyle Newman of the Denver Post suggests the Rockies could push right-handers Yency Almonte and DJ Johnson into bigger roles next season. Newman presuppose the departures of Seunghwan Oh, back to Korea, and Adam Ottavino to free agency, but they’re interesting names to dig into regardless. Baseball America listed the 6’3” Almonte as the 8th best prospect in the Rockies system last season prior to his debut in June, while Johnson is an undrafted 29-year-old rookie having spent time in four organizations. Almonte was a starter in the minors, but a 97-98 mph fastball and power slider certainly play well late in games if that’s how the Rockies choose to deploy him. Johnson’s stuff isn’t as overpowering, but he nevertheless produced a gaudy 13.66 K/9 while pitching in Triple-A this season. That nearly doubles his strikeout rate of the previous two seasons, but he kept it up across 6.1 innings as a September callup (12.79 K/9). Neither Almonte nor Johnson are locks to take on major roles in the Rockies bullpen, but especially in a bullpen with quite a few overpriced, underperforming veterans already on the books, they represent valuable low-cost options that manager Bud Black may turn to in 2019.
Ok so the Rockies spend an excess of money on average bullpen guys last off-season but won’t even attempt to resign one of the best relievers in the game and one of few pitchers who actually pitches well in Coors? Wtf?
Just realized that the guy reporting this isn’t anyone in the FO. Seriously thought this was somebody from their inner circle talking. My bad.
Antics Schmantics…Manny is gonna get paid well by some team.
Yes, but I’d be willing to bet his stock is slightly lower.
I don’t particularly like Manny as a person, nor do I respect his “style” of playing but he can automatically make any fringe contender into a World Series caliber team. He’d be worth the money for a team who’s window is just about to start.
Slightly is in he maybe cost himself a couple million of the hundreds of millions he’ll get paid
tell you what, if my favorite team signed him, i’d move on. the list of
dirty moves on the field for him was too much for me by the time he threw his bat at donaldson.. it may sound high and mighty, but i expect the privileged athlete class to hold some solid form of honor when they’re between the lines. machado’s level of outward arrogance cannot be considered acceptable in my book. frankly, if he cant grow up and act like a man, a career ending injury might be his due karma.
You would not move on from your “favorite” team
I give my word, I would. I could never root for machado. Personalities like his are why I stopped watching NFL 25 years ago.
The statement isn’t whether Manny will get paid well – it’s if his recent antics have adversely affected his earning potential. If yes, how much? $10MM or more? While I think more is being made of this then it should be, the playoffs are on the grandest stage and no team needs anymore reason for pause in signing what could be one of the richest deals ever, than if they’ll wonder if that free agent will be a headcase in the clubhouse and with the fanbase, especially a demanding one like PHI, NYY, BOS, etc.
Hmm, I was going to pay $30m/year for this guy but after that foot drag I wouldn’t pay a dollar over $29m/year for him now.
Tomorrow isn’t Monday.
Thank you!
Maybe he thought no one would read this until Sunday
It is here in New Zealand.
Machado in Philadelphia makes some sense….his antics would fit right in on the Flyers
Machado signs with Philadelphia. Harper signs with the Dodgers if they fall short this year, otherwise he goes to the Giants.
Harper won’t go to LA, nor would LA offer him anything ludicrous. My bet is the Phillies with the Giants as his secondary choice.
Why would either want to go to SF?
Maybe because San Fran opens up the vault and pays them, is that a good enough reason for you? Maybe San Fran thinks by signing the two with Posey and Panik and others they could go on another run? Pretty simple if you ask me? Not sure what your confusion is?
Haha sure if the Phillies offer 25-50% above market at $45 million per year for say ten years then yes should land both …. but ….
Who is going to pay that much? Philly you say. Ok we shall see. That would be interesting
So the Giants who have way too much money commited long term are going to compound things even worse for a player that still wont make them a playoff team? Not gonna happen
Lol, coming from a Dodgers fan. The Giants will do whatever it takes to contend. If that means pay Harper millions, so be it.
Either way, Pence is coming off the books, Cutch is off the books, Sharks deal will be done soon, Panik will be non-tendered for salary relief. I’m not saying signing Harper is a priority, but they have the cash to do so and I’m assuming they will make an offer.
Ok? I know the Dodgers wont sign Harper or Machado. Our offseason will be Re-sign Kershaw and some other lesser moves. “whatever it takes to contend” is why they are sinking deeper towards the abyss
I’m not saying it’s smart by any means, but we saw them do it with Bonds and Zito, they are a team that wants to fill seats, and fans are slowly starting to drift towards the Niners as they start to rise and the FO can’t let that happen.
With the Warriors moving to SanFran next year as well, there are simply too many factors going on right now for the Giants to just quit and accept shame. I’m sure the FO is hungry to find an X-factor to get the fans to care again. It was the same situation in the late 2000s and 1990s with the Bonds contract and infamous Zito contract. One went well, the other didn’t. It’s a gamble, but it’s one the Giants have proved they would be willing to make (Stanton).
“the Giants as his secondary choice” How’d that Giants thing workout with Stanton? The Giants just aren’t an attractive destination…
Stanton was already paid, Harper is looking to get paid. He goes wherever offers him the most, and being a west coast team is a bonus.
Harper’s dad was a huge Mantle fan, and that is why he wears 34..3+4=7 just saying. No one knows what his motivations are, and everything until he signs is just speculation. Machado has been linked to the Yanks more than anybody, but most of that stuff is just good for click bait.
Harper goes to White Sox. They have the money and need a young veteran to compliment the new guys coming up.
Machado is better offensively, but Harper’s a solid linchpin to the rebuild as well.
White Sox could use either, have the money, are in a big market, and should be in play for Chisox. It would be a good move buy the ChiSox and it would be an interesting option for either Machado or Harper to come to a young team in a big market and be the man that leads them
Rofl, Tampa has a better chance of signing Harper or Machado than the Giants. You actually said the Giants omfg
This is why ignorant commenters like you should just stay in your shell. Not only are you late, but you are of no relevance here. Please be dumb and ignorant somewhere else, thank you.
If his comment about the Giants is ignorant, can you elaborate on how the Giants will free up salary to sign either Harper or Machado? Presumably Harper is the guy they want. But please indulge us…
He won’t, because he knows they can’t. Just like so many Giants fans he’s living five years ago.
You actually said TB has a better chance to sign either than the Giants. OMG!
Phillies, Brewers, Braves, Marlins, Angels, Yankees, Giants…these are all teams I’d be willing to bet will be chasing after Machado. I personally think he will go to the Phillies or Yankees but I wouldn’t be surprised if one of those other teams ended up with him. I think DODGERS are confident in Saeger returning to himself so they won’t even try plus I just don’t think they are thrilled with his effort or lack of effort. I wouldn’t mind them bringing him back and sliding Saeger to 2nd to make it a shorter throw to first for Saeger after Tommy John Surgery but I’m fine with them not bringing him back as well. I think the Dodgers may try to trade Puig or Kemp and sign Harper this offseason. Actually really think they’ll go hard after Harper this offseason.
You forgot the Cubs. Not sure why people ignore them, but they have the money to sign anyone they want within reason.
As a Yankees fan, I hope they pass on both Harper and Machado. I don’t care how young they are. Both are not worth $30+ million per year and both have character issues. Next!