Agents representing some of the top available relievers have been told by the Red Sox that the team is waiting on Craig Kimbrel before deciding on other bullpen options, NBC Sports Boston’s Evan Drellich reports. This would seemingly run counter to other recent reports, as Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski recently stated that the team wasn’t planning to spend big on a closer, while Kimbrel is reportedly looking for the priciest contract ever landed by a relief pitcher. Obviously some gamesmanship could be at work here, as Drellich notes, and he suggests that a shorter-term and potentially backloaded contract with a high average annual value could be a fit for both sides. This would give Kimbrel a big payday while also reloading the Boston bullpen while the club is in a win-now window, as several notable stars are set for free agency in the next year or two.
- In another chat with media today, Dombrowski told Alex Speier of the Boston Globe (Twitter links) and other reporters that was happy with his starting outfielders and his catching mix, and wasn’t looking to make any changes. In regards to the latter position, the Red Sox have received at least some interest in their catchers from the Mets (as per MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo) as New York continues to explore secondary plans if the club can’t land J.T. Realmuto from the Marlins.
- Even after agreeing to a reunion with J.A. Happ today, Yankees GM Brian Cashman told reporters (including Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News) that the team isn’t necessarily done adding starting pitching. The Happ deal “gives me more comfort,” Cashman said, though “It doesn’t mean that we would be out of the market all together….That doesn’t preclude us from being open minded to any other options that develop over time. In the meantime, it does allow us to pivot and focus further on other aspects of our roster, too.” Some of the bigger-name pitchers associated with the Yankees, however, don’t appear to on the radar at the moment. Sources tell Ackert that the Yankees balked at the Indians’ asking price for Corey Kluber or Trevor Bauer, while another source describes a trade with the Mets for Noah Syndergaard as “extremely unlikely.”
- In trade talks with the Diamondbacks about Paul Goldschmidt, “the Rays were willing to at least discuss” the possibility of dealing outfield prospect Jesus Sanchez, the Tampa Bay Times’ Marc Topkin writes. Preseason prospect rankings had Sanchez as a consensus top-60 minor leaguer in all of baseball, and the now-21-year-old outfielder continues to move up the Rays’ ladder, making his Double-A debut in 2018. Moving such a youngstar even from a deep farm system would’ve been a bold move for just one year of Goldschmidt’s services, yet Topkin believes it could be a sign of how seriously Tampa Bay is prepared to pursue elite talent. This could be a hint towards the Rays’ ventures towards other notable trade targets, such as perhaps Realmuto.
- There still isn’t any solid word about Brandon Hyde as the Orioles’ new manager, as GM Mike Elias didn’t even confirm that Hyde received an offer during today’s session with media (including MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko). “In my position I can’t be out in front of events or the one who’s naming names or specifying timelines in public, obviously. But I think we’re in good shape. I’m hopeful that we’ll be able to have a good hire in due time,” Elias said.
First haha
First to complain about you being first.
That’s not the real x
Careful, or X gon’ give it to ya
Congrats x!
Dude congrats!!!!
But seriously, there’s a lot more to baseball and life than upvotes/downvotes and being the first person to comment on every post.
Some of the crap said about you wasn’t cool, and you have every right to voice your opinion as they do. Keep doing you, and posting, but keep it about baseball and just ignore the hate.
Wow. This comment is like going back in time.
This is all confusing to by DD.
Seems DD was putting out false information so he could go into stealth mode. Didn’t work.
Depends on what others eventually offer Kimbrel. I’ve been all over the map here but with one consistency. Short term, highest ever avg value so Kimbrel saves face. One issue not discussed is his daughter. Family should be number one and if she needs more surgery or care, why uproot the family? We fan’s don’t know everything regarding a decision. My only baseball concern is his wildness. Too many walks in 18.
duh..DD is awaiting till late in market to seek a cheaper option…aka Jd martinez
Very likely. Given the tax issue, every penny matters…
Ca-caw, ca-caw, ca-caw [insert Arrested Development GIF here]
Chaw-chee chaw-chee chaw-chee
Oh no I don’t believe it…
I think “the constant swirl”’ is probably out to lunch…
Yankees seem to be in a difficult spot. They got whooped by a historically good team. Played them well in the postseason and so feel they’re not far off. Understandable. But quite a bit of their supposedly elite talent has not materialized as planned. Will it? Their payroll is huge. Do they spend big? Trade big? Hope their talent within the system does more?
And, sure, their “difficult spot” might be one that several teams would envy. Perhaps “complicated” is more accurate.
Not trolling, just wondering what talent hasn’t developed?
Probably referring to Frazier, Bird and Sanchez. Frazier can’t stay healthy enough to even get a chance at playing. Bird has at least gotten some MLB experience and hasn’t been terrible, but health is a similar issue. Sanchez still seems incredibly talented, but the work ethic might not allow him to achieve full potential. All 3 guys can still deliver and have plenty of time. That’s just my guess at what dimitrios is referring to.
Add into it Sheffield who if they believed in him would not have been moved in the Paxton trade. That said, you can’t hit with everyone and their youngsters in RF, 2B and 3B as well as Severino did just fine.
What Kluber has been on the market???? These Tribe articles have overtaken the Kaepernick for most frequent and annoying non-stories.
Please let this thing with the Orioles mean we get to watch a deal with a manager fall through because he didn’t pass their physical.
Next up for the Yanks is signing Ottovino.
When you work for Peter Angelos, owner of the Orioles, you really have nothing to say.
Welcome to Baltimore Mike… this has the smell of Angelos all over it!