Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Archives for 2019

Elvis Andrus Won’t Exercise Opt-Out Clause

By | at

Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus will not exercise the remaining opt-out clause in his eight-year, $120MM contract, tweets MLB Network’s Jon Heyman. It’s hardly a surprising decision, given that Andrus has three years and $43MM remaining on said contract and struggled through a second straight down year at the plate in 2019.

Andrus, 31, was mostly healthy this season after missing a substantial chunk of the 2018 campaign with a fractured elbow (suffered when he was hit by a pitch). Andrus scuffled mightily at the plate upon returning last year, and while this season’s .275/.313/.393 batting line in 147 games/648 plate appearances was an improvement over his post-injury form in 2018, it was still well south of the league average (76 wRC+, 78 OPS+).

This was the second and final chance that Andrus had to opt out of the eight-year extension he signed with the Rangers. He also had the opportunity to walk away from the final four years and $58MM on his contract last offseason but opted not to do so after the aforementioned struggles upon his return from injury. He’ll now earn salaries of $15MM in 2020, $14MM in 2021 and $14MM in 2022. The contract also has a vesting option that would guarantee Andrus a $15MM salary in 2023 if he totals 550 plate appearances in 2022 or a combined 1100 plate appearances in 2021-22. Those are highly attainable plate appearance totals — particularly for Andrus, who has only fallen shy of 550 PAs in a season twice before (last year, due to the broken elbow, and during his rookie campaign in 2009).

Clearly, the remainder of the contract isn’t a bargain for the Rangers, but Andrus remains a well-regarded defender and an above-average baserunner. If he can restore some combination of his 2016 levels of plate discipline (8.3 percent walk rate) and 2017 levels of power (20 home runs, .176 ISO), a return to average or slightly above-average offensive output is possible. It’s worth noting, too, that Andrus was sporting a hearty .303/.339/.453 slash at the All-Star break, although that was mostly the result of an absolute sizzling month of April. Also of note is that Andrus, who just wrapped up his 11th season with the Rangers, secured full 10-and-5 rights prior upon completion of the 2018 season, meaning he has full veto power over any trade scenario.

Bryan Holaday Elects Free Agency

By | at

The Marlins announced Friday that veteran catcher Bryan Holaday cleared waivers and has elected free agency in lieu of accepting an outright assignment to Triple-A New Orleans. He’ll be free to sign with any club this winter.

Holaday, 32 next month, has spent the past two seasons in the Marlins organization. The veteran backup took a backseat to young Jorge Alfaro in Miami this season but was productive when he got the call, hitting .278/.344/.435 in 129 plate appearances. That production is demonstrably better than Holaday’s typical output, however, as evidenced by his lifetime .241/.287/.340 line through 735 MLB plate appearances between Detroit, Texas, Boston and Miami.

Defensively, Holaday has been average or better in terms of controlling the running game throughout his MLB career, as his 30 percent caught-stealing rate checks in a bit north of the 28 percent league average over his Major League tenure. He typically draws above-average marks for his pitch-blocking skills but has long been regarded as a slightly below-average framer (positive marks in 357 innings with the Marlins in 2018 notwithstanding). Catching depth is seemingly always in demand throughout the league, so Holaday will have his share of interested teams, though he’ll likely have to settle for a minor league pact and an invite to MLB camp — be it with the Marlins or a new organization.

Mets Interview Skip Schumaker

By | at

The Mets have interviewed Padres first base coach and former big league utility man Skip Schumaker for their managerial vacancy, Dennis Lin of The Athletic tweets. The interview took place yesterday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post adds.

Like the vast majority of the Mets’ candidates to this point, the 39-year-old Schumaker (40 in February) lacks any managerial experience. But since hanging up his spikes after the 2015 campaign, he’s worked in the Padres organization in a variety of capacities. Schumaker first joined the front office as a special assistant to the baseball operations and player development departments. He worked with the Padres’ minor league affiliates in that capacity and has since taken on a prominent role on the Major League coaching staff, beginning in 2018.

General manager Brodie Van Wagenen is surely somewhat familiar with Schumaker; while Van Wagenen didn’t represent him directly during his playing career, Schumaker was a client of Van Wagenen’s now-former agency, CAA Baseball (where he was represented by agent Nez Balelo). He joins a growing list of interviewees that includes Joe Girardi — the only candidate with Major League managerial experience — as well as D-backs director of player development Mike Bell, former big league outfielder Carlos Beltran, former Astros bench coach Eduardo Perez (currently of ESPN fame), Twins bench coach Derek Shelton and current Mets quality control coach Luis Rojas.

Notably, that list doesn’t represent the entirety of the Mets’ search, per Andy Martino of SNY (Twitter link). Additional candidates could yet receive interviews as the team continues its quest to replace the recently fired Mickey Callaway. You can keep up to date with the Mets’ managerial search as well as the six other active searches throughout the league by bookmarking MLBTR’s 2020 Managerial Tracker.

Reds Outright Juan Graterol

By | at

The Reds announced Friday that catcher Juan Graterol cleared waivers after being designated for assignment this week and has been sent outright to Triple-A Louisville. A a player who’s previously been outrighted, Graterol will have the opportunity to elect free agency, which seems likely with the offseason on the horizon.

Graterol, 30, appeared in six games with Cincinnati this season and tallied four singles in 18 trips to the plate. He’s played sparingly in several big league stints across the past four seasons, compiling a .218/.227/.266 line in 129 plate appearances between the Angels, Twins and Reds. He’s also spent parts of six seasons in Triple-A, where he’s a career .277/.313/.340 hitter.

While he’s not much of a threat at the plate, Graterol has been a plus framer, pitch blocker and thrower both in the upper minors and in the Majors. He boasts a 32 percent caught-stealing rate in the big leagues and a hefty 38 percent mark in parts of 14 minor league seasons. He’ll presumably draw interest among teams eyeing catching depth in the upper minors this winter, likely landing a minor league deal and an invite to big league Spring Training somewhere.

Tim Bogar To Interview For Mets Managerial Opening

By | at

FRIDAY: Bogar is indeed getting an interview, Heyman tweets.

WEDNESDAY: According to a tweet from Jon Heyman of MLB Network, Tim Bogar, first base coach for the Nationals, is under consideration for the open Mets managerial seat (link). It is not clear if Bogar has interviewed for the position, but Barry Svrugla of the Washington Post confirms that Bogar is “involved to some degree” with New York (link).

Being that third base coach Bob Henley was linked to the Padres opening today, it seems the World Series-bound Nats are in danger of having their coaching table rightly pillaged by the rest of the league. Bogar, for his part, offers a pretty sterling resumé, as far as coaches go. The 52-year-old, Chicago-bred baseball man has worked on the coaching staffs of managerial big-shots like Joe Maddon, Terry Francona, Bobby Valentine, and Ron Washington. He earned the opportunity to serve as Texas’ interim manager in 2014 after Washington stepped down, leading the Rangers to a 14-8 record in the season’s final month. Bogar also has spent a little time as a front office assistant to Jerry DiPoto while the latter was in Anaheim, and, of course, logged a 700-game playing career that began with–you guessed it–the Mets.

If interviewed, Bogar would become the seventh man to sit down with New York brass since Mickey Callaway was dismissed on Oct 3. To this point, Diamondbacks player development director Mike Bell, Yankees assistant Carlos Beltran, former MLB manager Joe Girardi, ESPN analyst Eduardo Perez, Twins bench coach Derek Shelton, and Mets quality control coach Luis Rojas have been reported as Mets interviewees.

Job Openings – Baltimore Orioles Baseball Operations

By | at

From time to time, as a service to our readers, MLB Trade Rumors will post job opportunities of possible interest that are brought to our attention. MLBTR has no affiliation with the hiring entity, no role in the hiring process, and no financial interest in the posting of this opportunity.

The Orioles are seeking passionate and high-achieving individuals for their baseball operations and player development departments.  Among the current openings:

  • Scouting Analyst – Compose scouting reports on professional players utilizing video, scouting information, and technology to enhance the club’s decision-making process.
  • Economic Analyst – Develop creative and sophisticated analytical tools to support decision-making in baseball operations, with a focus on labor market economics and asset valuation.
  • Player Performance Coordinator – Facilitate communication between key stakeholders across inter-related functional areas (player development, sports medicine, strength and conditioning) to develop and adjust individualized player development plans.
  • Head Strength and Conditioning Coordinator – Oversee the creation and implementation of strength, preparation, physical assessment, and accountability protocols throughout the player development chain.
  • Minor League Strength and Conditioning Coach – Oversee the daily administration and management of the strength and conditioning program at various minor league affiliates.
  • Baseball Analytics Fellow – Apply advanced statistical techniques to baseball datasets, with the goal of building and maintaining interpretable predictive models and player valuation frameworks.
  • Developer Co-Op, Baseball Systems – Work with the baseball analytics team to support the development and operation of internal software systems.

To apply, please see the open baseball operations positions on TeamWork Online for more information.

MLB Reportedly Pursuing “Radical Restructuring” Of Lower Minors

By | at

Major League Baseball is pursuing a “radical restructuring” of the lower minor-leagues, according to a report from David Waldstein of the New York Times. While the precise nature of the new arrangement isn’t yet written in stone, it certainly sounds as if significant change is all but inevitable.

Baseball America’s J.J. Cooper has yet more detail on the proposal, which could eliminate approximately one quarter of present minor-league affiliates. Numerous existing leagues would be reorganized in various manners to meet the various proposed goals.

Generally, the league seems to be pursuing a global rationalization and modernization of a system that came together over a long period of time in a somewhat ad hoc manner. There are surely some worthwhile goals in such an effort.

As deputy MLB commissioner Dan Halem puts it in his pitch, the aims include: “upgrading the minor league facilities that we believe have inadequate standards for potential MLB players, improving the working conditions for MiLB players, including their compensation, improving transportation and hotel accommodations, providing better geographic affiliations between major league clubs and their affiliates, as well as better geographic lineups of leagues to reduce player travel.”

There’d assuredly be costs here as well, beginning with the elimination of numerous independently owned ballclubs from the affiliated ranks. The concept would involve some of those teams in some form of “dream league” for undrafted players, though MLB and Minor League Baseball would own and operate the teams. It certainly sounds as if these proving grounds might also threaten the talent pipeline available to current indy ball outfits.

Notably, Minor League Baseball has advised its member teams against investing in any manner that relies upon a continuation of the existing arrangement beyond the 2020 season. That seems to be a fair indication of the seriousness of the principal actors here, even if there’s still uncertainty in the ultimate vision.

This effort has long been in the works. Commissioner Rob Manfred has certainly hinted previously at the possibility of major change, including in comments to Evan Drellich of The Athletic (subscription link) earlier this year. “I think that everybody understands that we have to look at the efficiency of the system that we’re running right now, how many teams, how many players, what we’re paying players, and all those issues are obviously related,” Manfred said.

Red Sox Release Steven Wright

By | at

The Red Sox have released knuckleballing right-hander Steven Wright, per a club announcement (h/t Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald, via Twitter). Wright had been projected by MLBTR to earn $1.5MM in arbitration, had he been tendered a contract.

This move doesn’t come as a surprise for a 35-year-old hurler who wasn’t a significant contributor in 2019. The Boston organization is known to be looking for ways to trim payroll and obviously didn’t envision Wright as a part of the staff.

Wright had a strong showing in 2016, pitching to a 3.33 ERA in 156 2/3 innings. But he was alternatively hurt and/or suspended for most of the next three campaigns.

When he was available, Wright wasn’t always very effective. Though he did end with a 2.68 ERA in 53 2/3 frames in 2018, that came with a less-than-inspiring combination of 42 strikeouts and 26 walks. He allowed nearly a run per inning in short stints in the 2017 and 2019 seasons.

There may yet be hope of a rebound, particularly for a pitcher that relies upon guile rather than power. But Mastrodonato tweets that there’s some additional health uncertainty at play here, perhaps involving Wright’s elbow.

Brewers Agree To MLB Deal With Deolis Guerra

By | at

The Brewers announced today that they have agreed to a one-year, MLB contract with righty Deolis Guerra. Terms were not announced.

Guerra, 30, was outrighted to Triple-A earlier this season and chose not to elect free agency at the time. Having previously been outrighted, however, he had the right to take to the open market instead at season’s end. Instead, the sides lined up on a new deal.

The Milwaukee organization obviously didn’t see fit to bring Guerra back onto the roster down the stretch. But his strong showing at Triple-A obviously impressed the club. The out-of-options reliever will still need to show well in camp to keep his roster spot, but he now seems to have the inside track on a bullpen job in 2020.

Guerra had a solid 2016 effort in the majors with the Angels, but otherwise hasn’t been able to hold down a MLB role. He was shelled in his lone outing last year at the game’s highest level, but excelled at Triple-A. In 66 2/3 innings over 45 appearances for the Brewers’ top affiliate, Guerra pitched to a 1.89 ERA with 11.9 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9.

The Mets’ Payroll Predicament

By | at

The first anniversary of the Mets’ hiring of Brodie Van Wagenen is fast approaching. There have been some ups and downs, as might be expected. He’s currently looking for a new skipper and plotting a course for the coming offseason. One thing that is clear: the Mets are trying to win now. Van Wagenen’s task is to end a three-year postseason drought. But he’s going to have a tough time adding to his existing slate of talent unless he’s handed a larger purse to work with this winter. It’s not exactly a new situation in Queens, but it’s one worth examining anew with the market soon set to open.

The win-now mission was already evident, but its immediacy was highlighted and enhanced by the organization’s mid-summer transactions and non-transactions. On July 12th, the Mets sat 11 games under .500. By the time they had agreed to acquire Marcus Stroman on July 28th, they had closed that to five games under. And on the day after the deadline, the Queens denizens were three shy of even and in the middle of a wondrous hot streak that totally flipped the script on the season.

Trouble was, the Mets’ fate was always been tied inextricably to stumbles from the teams ahead of them. And they needed more than they could get. The Mets matched or bested a laundry list of mid-level National League teams. That was something of an accomplishment. But the outcome — no realistic hope entering the final week of the season — was exceedingly likely at the time of the deadline. With so many teams clustered ahead of the Mets late this summer, it was all but inevitable that a few would emerge. As it turned out, two of those ballclubs played about as well as the Mets have over the final two months of the campaign. With their preexisting advantages, the Nats and Brewers cruised ahead of their rivals in New York. This is why those playoff odds charts seemed so gloomy in late July.

So what was the point of that win-now-oriented deadline approach? Well, it certainly put more butts in the seats down the stretch. It helped breathe life into what had been a moribund season. It enabled the Mets to return to the ranks of the winning (86-76) and perhaps launched some forward momentum.

More importantly, though, this past summer’s decisionmaking was the start of the construction of the 2020 roster. Adding Stroman, while dumping Jason Vargas, was mostly salary-neutral for 2019. But it put a big number on the books for 2020 and cost the Mets one near-majors hurler (along with a further-off prospect). Hanging onto Zack Wheeler, who seems exceedingly likely to receive and decline a qualifying offer, meant foregoing a chance to recoup upper-level prospect depth in preference for a half season of Wheeler’s pitching and likely draft compensation.

Taking on Robinson Cano’s contract and sacrificing some intriguing prospects to get Edwin Diaz had already set the Mets down this trail. The 2019 trade deadline was Van Wagenen and co. pressing bravely on for glory rather than seeking a path back to relative safety.

So … let’s take stock of where the Mets stand with the offseason upon us. Juan Lagares and Todd Frazier are off the books, but that doesn’t mean there’s money to spend on replacements or other upgrades. Here are some of the major expenses that are either locked in or all but assured to be picked up:

Guaranteed Salary

  • Yoenis Cespedes: $29MM
  • Robinson Cano: $20.25MM (net of Mariners’ portion of obligation)
  • Jacob deGrom: $23MM salary ($12MM deferred); $10MM signing bonus payment 1/2/20
  • Jed Lowrie: $9MM salary; $1MM bonus payment in 11/15/19 & $500K bonus payment 1/15/20 (contract also includes $2.5MM bonus payment 1/15/21)
  • Wilson Ramos: $9.25MM
  • Jeurys Familia: $11MM ($1MM deferred)
  • Justin Wilson: $5MM
  • Total: $105MM payable during 2019-20 offseason/2020 season

Projected Arbitration Salaries

Other Obligations

There are many ways to tally all of this, and we don’t know exactly how the Mets are thinking about it internally, but that’s a big slate of preexisting commitments. In the past, the club has reportedly treated Wright’s ongoing payouts as part of its payroll, even though he’s finished playing. Whether that’s the case — and what exactly the insurance work-out looks like — isn’t known. It’s also not totally clear how the club views the deGrom and Familia deferrals or Lowrie’s final bonus payout.

If we tabulate only cash owed this winter and in the 2020 season, and presume the team will be paying $3MM of the Wright contract, that still puts the cash payroll at a minimum of $161.5MM (presuming league-minimum salaries for ten roster spots not otherwise accounted for by the players listed above). Perhaps the team has it a bit lower or a bit higher for its internal purposes, but that seems like a good number to start with based upon what we do know.

Trouble is, the Mets have never yet started a season with a payroll that reached $160MM. They were close to $150MM in 2009 and over that amount in each of the past three seasons. But it seems the Mets are right about at capacity, barring a northward movement in spending allocation for the MLB roster.

So, unless the Wilpon ownership group is preparing to commit more cash to the cause, the front office is going to have to get very creative. The Mets roster does have quite a bit of talent, but it’s also the same essential unit that fell short this year and could certainly stand to be supplemented in several areas. There’s no true center fielder. We all know how the bullpen looked in 2019. The rotation is missing one piece and still also needs depth. Mis-fitting first baseman Dominic Smith might bring back a useful and affordable player, though it isn’t as if he alone will nab a quality pre-arb starter. And the farm system has already been mined for the aforementioned trades, making it tough to commit further prospect capital.

Big-contract swaps? Trading away quality, younger players? A deeper dig into the farm? There are conceivable possibilities, though none jump off the page as being obviously beneficial. There’ll be high stakes and tough choices to make for the Mets front office this winter — unless, perhaps, ownership has a winter payroll bonus planned for Van Wagenen and company to play with.

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

hide arrows scroll to top