Lorena Martin filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the Seattle Mariners earlier this week, per Drew Perine of the News Tribune. Martin has been vocal in alleging a pattern of racial and gender discrimination from high ranking officials within the Mariners organization, who have unequivocally, and unsurprisingly, denied Martin’s accusations. Major League Baseball is said to be investigating the matter, but now the King County Superior Court will have the opportunity to make their own determination. Until these respective investigations are complete, let’s take a look at the baseball news from around the AL West…
- The Angels’ recent signing of Matt Harvey makes sense both in terms of team need and length of the deal, even if it took $11MM guaranteed to ink a pitcher whose 4.94 ERA from a year ago was seen as a pleasant surprise. Combined with the subsequent one-year, $9MM deal given to Trevor Cahill, the Angels have done well to add rotation arms without committing dollars beyond 2019. In terms of upside, GM Billy Eppler is hopeful Harvey can return to 2015 form when the dark knight posted a 2.71 ERA (3.05 FIP) in 189 1/3 innings for the Mets, though there is no single factor (conditioning or otherwise) prompting Eppler’s optimism, per Maria Torres of the LA Times (via Twitter). Whether he rediscovers his 2015 self or refines the 2018 version, Harvey has definite upside that should help Eppler in his stated goal to increase the team’s win expectancy. Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan speculated in a recent Fangraphs podcast about whether the decreased spin rate on Harvey’s curveball could be tied to the hand numbness he suffered as a symptom of thoracic outlet syndrome, which ended his 2016 season. Lindbergh and Sullivan are purely speculating, but it’s an interesting theory.
- Jerry Dipoto dropped some not-so-subtle hints that the Mariners have interest in Japanese lefty Yusei Kikuchi while on MLB Network Radio. That’s hardly a surprise, given Seattle’s long-term relationship with Japanese players. Still, Dipoto also interestingly noted “two years” as the timetable for the Mariners competing again in the West. That they are rebuilding certainly hasn’t escaped anyone, but knowing the timeframe in which Dipoto’s current strategy plans to produce fruit is worthwhile knowledge in interpreting Seattle’s transactions this offseason and beyond. How aggressively Dipoto sticks to this unofficial two-year timeline could speak to the level of symbiosis that exists between Dipoto and ownership.
- Texas GM Jon Daniels, meanwhile, does not want to put a timeframe on the Rangers’ rebuild. With Adrian Beltre retired and Jurickson Profar now in Oakland, the Rangers have turned the page on the most recent era of Rangers’ baseball, but the trade itself does not necessarily signal a longer rebuild, especially given the advanced development level of the prospects returned. While there was no urgency to deal Profar, a stalemate in extension talks with his agent Scott Boras appears to have been a (not at all surprising) contributing factor in Daniels’ willingness to move their former top prospect, writes Jeff Wilson of the Star-Telegram. With third base now vacated (again), Daniels made a point to snuff out any musings about Joey Gallo returning to the hot corner, as they will likely look outside the organization or give Patrick Wisdom, 27, an extended look. Eli White, one of the prospects acquired in the deal, has an outside shot of pushing his way to the majors next season, though he profiles more as an up-the-middle player.
Kikuchi to the Giants
if the angels g.m. saw something that reminded of 2015 harvey why didn’t he add the second year guarantee/option?
If Harvey thought he was going to be really good in 2019, why would he take a two year contract?
true. some players want security over possible max earnings?
Boras wants a one year pillow contract so he can test the market after a better season.
Everyone is gambling. Good deal for Harvey, good deal for the Angels. But it’s a gamble for both.
why would kikuchi go to the mariners fresh into the rebuild?
Perhaps Yusei Kikuchi would go to Seattle to avoid the spotlight for a couple of years while the lefthander adjusts to the cultural change.
Or not.
true that.
Mariners won’t be that bad in 2019. I don’t see them making the playoffs but a potential .500 record and 3rd in the West. I know they are rebuilding but it’s not your classic last place for years rebuild.
I assume you are placing them ahead of the Angels? Clearly Houston and Oakland are st the top of the division. Mariners will be pressed to take 3rd…not an Angels fan but they were killed by injuries.
I think it will be close with the Angels, Mariners, and Athletics.
Losing Lowrie, Cahill, Manaea (for a full year), and Lucroy could hurt the Athletics.
The Angels won’t have Ohtani on the bump and who knows how Matt Harvey will fare in the AL.
The Mariners pitching is weak and offense isn’t as strong. Diaz was amazing last year and Colome was strong, but outside of that they didn’t have any standouts in their bullpen. I see the Astros winning the division by a wide margin and no other team in that division will make playoffs.
The A’s vastly over performed their pytho and have lost a lot. The Angels were competitors for the West before injuries hit and are going to add pieces. The Astros and Angels are clearly the crop of the west.
The Angels can’t hold the Astros jock. The only thing the Angels ‘clearly’ are is good at bad signings. Poor Mike Trout, he deserves better.
Still lots of offensive talent on the roster. I’d actually prefer they dump Gordon, Bruce, Encarnacion, etc. even if they eat money and don’t get good pieces back just to improve the 2020 draft position. They’re still a 75 win team imo.
As an M’s fan, it would be more valuable for us to let Gordon, Bruce, and EE try to regain trade value to flip them before the deadline. That would be more helpful than trying to gain maybe five or six spots in the draft. There’s no way we get a higher pick than the Royals and Orioles anyway.
That’s the most reasonable plan. Let the vets play until they are flippable and then grab at least one prospect each.
M Smith
Haniger
Encarnacion
Bruce
Seager
Santiago
Narvaez
Crawford
Gordon
That’s not a bad lineup. Bounce backs by Seager and Bruce and progression by Smith and Crawford and this can be a good lineup.
What the M’s need is pitching and. Kikuchi becomes the M’s #1. They have plenty of relief arms. If things go well they can afford to spend come July.
Maybe I am missing something, but a return to form by Bruce after being injured most of last season and that lineup actually has more WAR than last year’s Mariners lineup. You are a Mariner’s fan. Tell me if I am wrong and if so, what am I missing?
Ms fan here- First, Crawford won’t be on the opening day roster because the Ms get one more yr of control if they keep him in Tacoma until at least mid May. EE is a notoriously slow starter, Kyle Seager’s shown he can’t hit against the shift and Jay Bruce is a complete unknown. Hard to drive in Smith and Haniger when your 3-5 hitters are hovering around the Mendoza line. Second, it won’t matter if the heart of that lineup does produce because Seattle has Marco Gonzales a #4SP as their ace. Sadly no BP and a poor rotation= no wins.
Why not play Falefa at third he was a stud last year in the hot corner.. I guess they’re sticking him to being a catcher since JD loves switching player positions up
He really does!
Catcher is the position Kiner Falefa has been playing often for years. It’s not really a switch up. He provides the most value there and can start often there as well. With how hard it is to find a strong catcher, I don’t see the problem in giving IKF a chance to claim the spot.
Harvey pitched better without big city distraction. Now he heads to LA…. 5+ ERA and a demotion to the bullpen by years end.
oc hardly has any night life outside of santa ana hispanic clubs. i doubt he’d go there.
So you don’t think it’s feasible that he could hang out in LA? It’s not like he’s restricted to hang out near the stadium in OC. For all we know, he could actually choose to live in Hollywood. To say he won’t fall victim to the LA nightlife just because he’s working an hour away is a bit naive. He’s proven to be attracted to the nightlife in the past. Time will tell.
have you driven from hollywood to oc in the afternoon around 3? if you ever have, you wouldn’t post such a post.
Yes, I have. My opinion remains unchanged. Everyone and their brother is aware of the traffic in LA, including Harvey. It’s not exactly a secret.
The dark night on his motorcycle weaving between cars to live his life in the night
so, you want him to fail because he signed with the angels? instead with your favorite team? how low!
if epp was smart he would have put a clause against riding bikes.
lol way to twist my words when you realize you have no logical argument. I never wanted “my team” to sign him and I’ve never called for any player to fail. It was nothing more than a realistic observation. Your immaturity and lack of reason based thinking speak loudly. Have a nice evening.
Mike Scioscia made the drive from Thousand Oaks every home game for 19 seasons. I think Harvey could probably manage it from Hollywood if he really wanted to. Newport might make more sense, though.
The Dodgers are the “big city distraction “, Anaheim, not so much.
It’s not like OC is Buffalo or Cleveland. There’s plenty of trouble to be found in the beach cities like Newport or Huntington. He doesn’t have to crash quinzcenieras in Santa Ana like Vizion implies. Let’s just hope as he begins to enter his 30s he realizes he starting to get too old for that.
Don’t forget Mr Toad’s Wild Ride at Disneyland.
Everyone also forgets, he sucks. So there’s that. Nightlife or no, he’s still a turd.
You must be physic. You must earn millions of dollars a year in fantasy baseball.
As a Cards fan, I hope Wisdom gets a shot in Texas.
With the Rangers not being close to contention, it makes sense to see if Wisdom is a viable ML 3rd baseman. He’s about average defensively, but has pop in his bat.
If they want a veteran third baseman, Mets would give them Frazier and a pitching prospect (Kay?) for Minor.
Shoot I’d consider it. Maybe y’all can throw a reliever like Bobby Wahl in there too to fatten up the offer a bit.
Mets get a good rotation piece.
Rangers get a stop gap 3B, another quality lefty rotation prospect and a young, fireball reliever that can go into the pen.
“Hey Alex Anthopolus here”
“who”
“u know the gm of the Atlanta Braves ”
“Ohhh we all thought you went on an expedition without internet or disappeared!”
“Talk to ya again around July 31st, gotta few tricks up my sleeve on how to add more more mid 30’s age players at 25 mill a year and maybe some more minor league depth..I mean it’s not like we’re 2-3 pieces away anyway from building a team to contend for YEARS”
Patience!
I am frustrated that AA didn’t get Brantley, as I think he would have been a perfect fit in ATL. But other than him and maybe McCutchen… nah.
I think AA has got something in the works at the moment, and we’ll see something soon (maybe right after the first of the year). We need just one mid/top tier starting-pitcher, like a Kluber type. That away we can trade Julio and have someone that can still eat innings. AA will hopefully improve the bullpen somewhat, and that’s it.
This team is close right now and just needs a little help. Too much of an effort to go all out this season, will hurt the Braves’ chances in the future. Everyone thinks (not saying you) that AA should cash in all of our SP prospects, but we will need most of them. Injuries always put a dent in your pitching reserves. AA should cash in maybe two of his mid-grade SP prospects for a major league ready veteran SP or a Kluber type
i think silence is golden right now… he has a play for harper up his sleeve. They will get the funds from LMC… Harper will bring back the money 10 fold… if they sign him, they have a top 3 line up in MLB
I sure hope so, but I think he’s guna end up in lasorda land.. (Puig and Wood would have been an excellent start for the bravos!)
nah… the dodgers have the money but it will put them way over… plus 2 many lefties in the line up… they gonna sign pollack
Love how some teams are giving passes on idiotic signing like the 2 this week from the Angels on this site. Meanwhile had it been a Midwest team they would of been raked over the coals on these 2 deals. Hey we got to pander to the large market teams. Disgusting how they cower to both coast on their articles.
Kikuchi has to submit his finalized transaction to the league by 5 PM Eastern on January 2 or he doesn’t go to MLB this year. So the clock is ticking on him making a choice.
Not a single comment or follow up story on one of the biggest trades this offseason (yesterday’s Reds-Dodgers blockbuster).. Meanwhile MLBTR posted stories five! consecutive days for the Goldschmidt trade. Their Cardinals bias is getting disappointing and tiring.
Your comment sounds unfounded and thus is being supplied with a downvote.
Yours is just talk not substance. So You get one as well.
Well, hot damn. There goes my whole Christmas!
Oh I’m sorry, You were so happy judging others comments and giving downvotes 🙁
Follow up: Friedman dishes out 28mil for two decent prospects, clears roster spots, and will throw more $ at the player budget because he can. Gotta love those deep pocket roster management *skills*.
What about the Reds side of things? There are a lot of things to discuss on their approach.
Time to win, this trade helps. Lineup is top shelf but outscoring the pitching shouldn’t be the plan. How much budget is left?
Many Ppl outside don’t know what’s going on in Cincy. Luis Castillo for example is as good as a prospect as any and already in the rotation. Desclafani is very good when healthy. Now Woods and Roark. New pitching coach and several good young arms. Plus some $29 mm left un budget.
I have wood, castillo, roark, ADS and mahle. I dont like the kluber talk.
The Lad trade didn’t mortgage the future, it just provides a bridge to future core players.
Kluber costs too many future pieces that could sustain the winning.
If cincy adds I’d rather it be a FA. How do you spend the remaining budget?
Hey Ranger fans what you think bout Gallo & Leclerc for Gohora, Allard & Riley ?
As a Braves fan I’d hate to give up Riley
Not happening without Wright headlining the package.
Not a fan of Gallo’s million strikeouts/year, although his power would be sweet. I still think the focus shouldn’t be on position-players for ATL. They need an established SP if they are gonna trade Julio. And honestly they need one even if they don’t. Soroka will be in the rotation most likely, but he cannot be expected to pitch 150-180 innings in 2019. The Braves’ SP prospects are amazing, but no need to throw them out into the fire. ATL needs a SP that can hold down a rotation spot until the likes of Touki, Wright and Wilson are ready to become mainstays in the Braves’ rotation.
Julio Teheran is best suited for the bullpen…….
If he’s off that day he can be pulled immediately. If he’s on, you get a few innings. Consequently we’re talking a 5th-7th inning set-up guy. I see the pen as his future.
The problem is his $11,166m 2019 contract. For that money, a team should be getting a solid closer, or premier established set-up guy that can close some.
So the Braves will have to hang onto him going into 2019, unless they can do a bad contract swap. Injuries happen, maybe a team takes him on to eat innings in 2019 if the Braves eat part of the salary. Maybe a pitching prospect from the Braves high minors is called up and can step into the 4th or 5th starters job. Again, with the Braves then eating some of the remaining salary, a team such as the Rangers, Twins, Orioles……maybe White Sox or Tigers would bring Teheran in to eat some innings and try out for a 2020 contract.
Don’t light the pipe
I wonder if Texas would be interested in acquiring the “Ranger Killer”(Kyle Seager)?
That’s not a bad offer. But Texas would be giving up a young, power bat and one of the best, young closers in the game. Atlanta would have to start their offer with Soroka or Wright.
All of this talk about Manny for sure going to Philly…
What do you do if your the Phillies?? Sign Machado now, or wait for Trout? I’m assuming they couldn’t afford both right?
The Phillies have some of the richest owners in baseball. They could afford Machado and Trout and extend Hoskins and Nola long term and still have enough in the budget to sign another star if they wanted.
That being said, I don’t think Machado goes to Philly, nor is it a forgone conclusion that Trout ends up there after the 2020 season.
Love how we cant comment to DA situations on here but the forum is open for chat on Mariners racial aligations.
Kikuchi is Igawa 2.0.
The lefty was once the greatest at Japanese pro, then! now the biggest mistake as Cashman confessed.
And Japanese pitchers compain that mbl baseballs are too large comparing the ones in Japan, risking TJS here. haha ha
Wow they must have tiny balls in Japan
And tiny bats.
Hopefully Kim Ng joins this lawsuit that Lorena Martin is filing. There has to be something else considering Ng has never been given the opportunity to be a Major League GM after applying for almost 25 years now.