The latest on a few American League clubs…
- The Athletics have come up as a speculative fit for free-agent shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, but the two sides haven’t spoken to this point, Jon Heyman of Fancred tweets. If signed, Tulowitzki could be a factor at the keystone for Oakland, which may see starting second baseman Jed Lowrie depart in free agency. As of now, it appears “unlikely” the Athletics will re-sign Lowrie, Jane Lee of MLB.com writes. Lowrie would be a tough loss for the A’s, considering he was one of the majors’ most valuable second basemen from 2017-18.
- Meanwhile, despite potentially losing Tony Sipp in free agency, the division-rival Astros aren’t likely to shop at the top of the market for left-handed relievers, per Jake Kaplan of The Athletic (subscription required). Rather, the Astros seem “comfortable” with a pair of in-house southpaws – Framber Valdez and Cionel Perez – as well as a cast of righty relievers who are capable of getting lefty hitters out. It’s not clear whether Brad Peacock will remain among that group of righties in 2019, though, as Kaplan relays that he’ll enter spring training as a starter. Peacock made 21 starts two years ago, but that number plummeted to one in 2018, when he came out of the Astros’ bullpen 60 times.
- The Red Sox lost Joe Kelly to the Dodgers in free agency and are also in danger of bidding adieu to Craig Kimbrel, but it doesn’t seem they’re urgently searching for relief help. Instead, the reigning World Series champions are planning to “wait out” the market until a reliever falls to them for a palatable cost, Evan Drellich of NBC Sports Boston reports. That makes it seem even less likely they’ll re-sign Kimbrel, whose reported asking price is exorbitant, though Drellich hasn’t closed the door on the two sides continuing their union.
- Although they’re in a rebuild, the Orioles are “open to taking on a salary” in order to acquire outfield help, according to Joe Trezza of MLB.com. The O’s sought outfielders throughout the Winter Meetings, Trezza adds. With 0.1 fWAR, the team’s outfield finished 29th in the majors in that department last season, and its best regular – Adam Jones, who was below average in his own right – is now a free agent.
Yankees
Would you say, that you are a big fan of his?
Why yes, yes I am
How are you not banned yet?
Seriously MLBTR? Let’s allow imposter trolls
Because your identity on this site is worth nothing
Lol
The hell u tryin to say, pipsqueak? I’ve been on this site for 5 years. Everyone knows I’m the real X.
Actually, you can even stand next to dionnis. Don’t care if that’s the hoopsrumors site. You will never measure up. Don’t worry, all accounts names xabial will be banned shortly.
This is so lame, this kind interaction. Really is. Check yourselves.
Alex Cobb for Wil Myers straight up.
Despite the money/years matching up I think both teams would want more back for both of them? I mean it makes sense but it’s also definitely not going to happen.
Myers isn’t THAT bad.
Neither is Cobb. Take him out of OPACY, give him a full spring training and put him in Petco Park and you have yourself a pitcher. You could probably ship him out of town by July.
As a Baltimore fan I would love to see this I think pitching is a priority and Cobb may very well be our best pitching going into this season but I just couldn’t say no to Myers who is a everyday player and one of my fav
O’s fan here too. I’d rather keep Cobb for now. Am open to a trade once he increases value but I also think he’s a very good pitcher (this year will be much better) and so consider holding him.
lowrie wants a 3 year deal. That will be a big gamble considering his age and his history of injuries.
Tulo never wanted to play for the jays! But can’t see him signing with Oakland but it’s a little closer to home for him
It is home he grew up in the Bay Area and there’s a great chance he will sign when the A’s.
Tulo is finished.
Any team that signs Tulo will be signing him at league minimum. Assuming everybody would be willing to extend a minimum offer to Tulo, he has the power to pick and choose where he goes.
Agreed but he’s going to want to go somewhere he can get consistent playing time… San Diego or Tampa seem like good options… I’m not sure who they have coming up in their system tho
Tulo to the Yankees then flip him for Matt Chapman from A’s
Tulo, “Can’tfield-jar and minor leaguers for Chapman.
Tulo will destroy any value in that trade, and you probably don’t have enough to get Matt Chapman.
Lol
no.
Baltimore will to and on salary… Jason Heyward says hi
* take on
If they take on Tulo, all they pay is the minimum wage portion of his salary. Dunno if that qualifies as “taking on salary.”
its not “taking on salary” its paying minimum wage to a guy who was once a superstar aka the easiest most no-risk move of all-time.
Agreed
Easiest most no-risk move of all time… if this was 2012…
He wasn’t talking about Tulo, he even says Jason Heyward in his comment
Cubs might say Hi. J-Hey is likely saying “Hello, Mr. Banker, may I please cash this enormous check from the Ricketts family?”
Perfect I’ll send Davis back for heyward and you got yourself a deal.
Thanks for the memories Craig Kimbral.
But you aren’t worth $20M/year for 5 years.
Sox have won titles recently with Foulke, Papelbon, Koji and Kimbrel. Time to find the next World Champion closer in beantown.
Truth. We will do just fine. I say bring Andrew Miller back!
Not sure what’s going on with the Astros. All this talk about extra money and it seems we aren’t willing to pay asking prices on our FA targets or give up good prospects for quality players.
This isn’t the way a team in their title contention window should act.
The off season isn’t over. The Astros have ample money and prospects to make moves and they will make moves.
Teams that develop their own players stay in contention.
The Astros let a lot of overpriced players leave. Are paying increasing salaries on their core players.
That’s the way to do it.
If we locked up another core player, like Correa or Cole I’d understand this inaction and going cheap on additions.
The Astros are developing a track record of not paying for talent, which doesn’t bode well when Springer, Correa and Bregman hit FA.
I’m glad the Astros haven’t gone wild in FA. I’d like to see them bring in a starting pitcher, but $15-20 million for some of these guys is crazy. I’d rather have Peacock or McHugh to Lance Lynn and co. If the Astros can get Cole signed long-term, it’ll be a good offseason.
Astros want Brandon Belt and Watson/Smith? All Belts salary for Miles Straw, Dean Deetz and Brandon Bailey?? Giants need young talent
Why the reliever? We need starters
Happy to take a SP, how about Peter Solomon? We need talent at any position really
Miles Straw would be a great fit in that large SF Park.
Matt Barnes will close for the Sox this season at some point
He’s the closer as of today, but I still have to think they will add one of Robertson, Miller or Britton to help the cause. They can’t win it all again with this group of guys in the bullpen. Not the right area of the roster to cut corners.
Agreed. And it’s no secret that getting a bullpen together is an Achilles heel for Dave Dombrowski. His bullpens lack depth and it was amazing to see a decent bullpen come together last year, even if it meant having Pomeranz and Eovaldi pitching from the pen.
Tyler Thornberg!
It’s time to shine.
Make me forget the name Travis Shaw.
Thornburg is DONE! You just don’t come back from throracic outlet syndrome surgery, the return success rate is like 15%! The Red Sox need to sign a guy like MIller/Ottavino/Robertson. I would also like to see them sign Herrera, I think he can be had on a 1 year “show me” deal for around 10 million/year
Everyone said they couldnt win in the playoffs with last year’s bullpen. This bullpen will also be fine. If you get real starting pitching, ask less of your bullpen, you dont need your best arms out of the pen.
Tulo is done. The man can’t even walk properly right now and hasn’t been able to since the last surgery. Now he’s supposed to be ready by camp?!?!?! Phhhhhh come on!!
Tulo can’t walk properly? He should give Tyler Chatwood a ring. There’s a man who can walk with the best of them
Ok I lol’ed haha
Daily reminder that Zack Greinke has more career stolen bases than Jed Lowrie
Tulo needs to go away. He’s stolen enough money from MLB teams. He’s utterly worthless and any team that signs him gets what it deserves — a bum who will miss the entire season while padding his bank account.
Hear, hear.
Yeah but he’ll be padding it with Toronto’s money so it’s worth a dice roll.
He could now literally get 38 million bucks to not do anything from here on out… it’s insane
Not that I totally disagree that he may be done. But it’s hard to hear that a man with so much talent is done at 34! He is an athlete after all. That said I can’t see him coming back as what he was in Colorado but I do hope he shows he can still play
Tulo will sign with the Mariners, who will promise him the starting role at least to start the season. If he can stay healthy and hit the first couple months, while Crawford stays in AAA for an extra year of control, Dipoto can flip him.
On the Red Sox reliever situation ….
I will defer to Dombrowski and or Cora.
Sounds like they have something up their sleeve.
Perhaps they know something we don’t?
Hate to loose Kelly and Kimbrel but they have another idea.
I am intrigued as to what they are planning!
Its just not where you spend big money if you have starting pitching. Sox have money in Sale, Price, Porcello, Eovaldi. They expect a good seadon from ERod too. Teams who dont have starters need a lot of dominant bullpen arms to cover the innings starters wont.
Dexter Fowler and Adolis Garcia to orioles for anything
When they say willing to take on money I think that means hey we’ll take on Kole Calhoun’s bad money for a year or Puig etc. Angelos is not signing off on any significant deals
The Astros are still low balling everyone but they can at least say they tried. Let’s see how they fair with 2 starters, no catcher, no left fielder and no DH.
Does anybody in here actually discuss the information presented in the articles?
Nope
The one that do usually get run off by the children of the corn.
The O’s should take on any bad salary they can. They have the money. I know the MASN bill is due, but they probably saved enough on the International market these past few years to pay it.
In general, they have money. Why not trade for a bad deal and get some prospect return. Calhoun, Kipnis, etc. are all bounce back candidates on one year deals. Take on the deal, get prospects. If they do improve, flip on July 31. Repeat for the next two years.
Step one in rebuilding a system is getting quantity; quality often comes later. Duquette didn’t do a bad job getting at least some more bodies; but they need more.
They’ve disappointed so far. Not having a manager yet is just bizarre. And you’re not getting a Scouting Director this time of the year; those positions change in August (usually right after the draft, actually). So they’re going to be forced to hire second-tier type guys.
It’s a great franchise that’s been admirable for decades. But right now they’re a holy mess.
“It’s a great franchise that’s been admirable for decades.”
In what universe??
Astros – Crickets!!