Free-agent second baseman Brian Dozier’s market is “starting to heat up,” Jon Heyman of Fancred tweets. On the heels of an uncharacteristically pedestrian campaign divided between the Twins and Dodgers, the 31-year-old Dozier has drawn reported interest from just two teams – the Nationals and Brewers – this offseason. But Dozier’s no doubt one of the most accomplished veterans remaining in free agency, and he’s not far removed from posting excellent production on a regular basis. From 2013-17, Dozier averaged 4.3 fWAR, 29 home runs and 16 stolen bases per season.
- As with Dozier, free-agent reliever Cody Allen has encountered more interest of late, Paul Hoynes of cleveland.com relays. Reported interest in Allen has been scarce since he, like Dozier, put up surprisingly underwhelming numbers in 2018. Now 30, Allen was consistently one of the majors’ most reliable closers and bullpen workhorses from 2013-17, over which he converted 120 of 135 save chances and registered a 2.59 ERA with 11.93 K/9 and 3.26 BB/9 across 344 2/3 innings. Had that version of Allen stuck around in ’18, he’d have been in contention for one of the majors’ richest contracts among this winter’s crop of free-agent relievers. Instead, Allen pitched to a 4.70 ERA with 10.75 BB/9 and 4.43 BB/9, though he did make good on 27 of 32 save chances and tally another 67 frames.
- During the Yankees’ courtship of Troy Tulowitzki, the two sides never discussed a utility role for the longtime shortstop, according to Andy Martino of SNY. Rather, short was the only position on the table for the 34-year-old Tulowitzki, whom the Yankees officially signed Friday. Barring a change from the Yankees (who are pursuing free-agent shortstop/third baseman Manny Machado), Tulo will fill in for injured shortstop Didi Gregorius at the outset of next season. It’ll be interesting to see how the Yankees’ infield will align if they sign Machado, then. He could go back to third, the position he has handled with brilliance for most of his career, but it’s unclear how that would affect 2018 AL Rookie of the Year runner-up Miguel Andujar.
- After acquiring center fielder Keon Broxton from the Brewers on Saturday, the Mets “aren’t so sure” they’ll pick up another major league outfielder this offseason, per Mike Puma of the New York Post. The club could still scoop up a free-agent outfielder(s) on a minor league deal – as it did Saturday with Rymer Liriano, who followed Rajai Davis and Gregor Blanco in that regard – but it doesn’t seem as if New York is in play anymore for a high-profile addition in the grass. The Mets have frequented rumors for free-agent center fielder A.J. Pollock as much as any other team, though it’s questionable whether there’s room for him on the roster. Along with Broxton and Juan Lagares in center, the team has everyday outfielders Brandon Nimmo and Michael Conforto in the corners, not to mention the rehabbing Yoenis Cespedes.
Blah blah blah slow day
Umm, it not even lunch time yet! Besides, this is football Sunday! Go Eagles!
Haven’t watched NFL Foolsball since they starting disrespecting the national anthem. Besides that this is a baseball site.
You mean it’s not a political site?
+1
TROLL
No, you should go to McCovey Chronicles if you want to see a bunch of liberals complaining on a supposed baseball site.
Yeah, let’s start in on this topic and see who can type their opinions the loudest
So you don’t watch the games because of what they do before it. Wow, certain people are offended so easily.
Disrespecting the anthem? What a snowflake.
I stopped because of the rampant rule changes over the last 15 years. The anthem crap is an afterthought.
Who goes to a game for the anthem? That is so overblown. Do the concession stand people shut down during the anthem? The people in the tv trucks? The camera guys? Who cares if someone kneels? People kneel when they pray. If he was yelling and screaming and flipping the bird… now that would be disrespectful. Kneeling? Really?
Melchez – thank you
Infinite upvotes!
Do you think social injustice and police brutality is respectful?
I think not sticking around to raise your kids and then blaming others when they turn into trash is disrespectful.
What do you think, any time to talk about that epidemic?
dbacksfan22 STFU with that crap.
Imagine not watching a sport because something as small as a peaceful protest.
’cause no white guy ever left his family and blamed the man or the crazy wife before?
pathetic argument boogaloo
Todd, I have not either and I want to tell those that do not stand for our national anthem that they are free to go live in another country. We have problems but we still live in the best country in the world.
Not standing for the anthem is a right protected by the constitution. Soldiers fight and die to defend and protect the constitution and that right not to defend or protect a flag or a song.
Typical NY fan. No respect for any of our traditions. Too sophisticated? How precious.
That’s considered disrespecting the anthem? People are so soft now days, they’ll listen to anything donny small hands says.
Those are the ones who lock there doors when a brother pulls up next to them at a light.
You don’t watch football because people excersize their right to free speech? Flawless logic.
it was disrespected well before the nfl protests came along.
the same group of a-holes whining about it ruined it when they decided to add their imaginary buddy (god), to it, then told anyone who didn’t blindly worship it that they were “unamerican”.
ironic, since pretty much every american flag at this point is made in china
funny, since there’s tons of you people hooked on pills and heroin, who ended up not raising their kids, turning them into trash.
wanna talk about THAT epidemic? since it’s happening in pretty much every poor, white, trump supporting town in america.
but sure, ignore the plank in your eye while pointing out everyone else’s
What’s wrong guy did you actually tell?
It’s that s*thole @sign!! I still think he told.
“if you want to see a bunch of liberals complaining”
hard pass
I agree, anthem, racism, flag, kneel, stand, police, respect, and justice are all valid words in Scrabble.
Players are allowed to kneel if they want.
Owners are allowed to hire and not hire who they want.
The 1st amendment says government wont punish you for free speech- the NFL NBA MLB are not the government and can restrict 1st amendment rights as private entities.
If people really cared about police brutality social injustice theyd be doing more stuff in the off season and bringing attention year round- they aren’t.
Let’s move on. Arguing on the internet never changed anyone’s opinions or feelings. Move on get over it. Get back to baseball.
Machado is a younger Sandoval.
In 3 years Andujar will be a far better player for 1/10th the salary.
In three years, Andújar will be quite a DH.
He can be a new version of Edgar Martinez. That bat has so much potential
As strictly a hitter, I agree he’s got a ton of potential too. I just wish he’d draw more walks, because his OBP is way too dependent on base hits.
Andujar has no where near the OBP skills of Edgar lol
Yeah, I don’t understand why being a remarkable DH is a bad thing. The DH spot was a combined .248 in 2018, with a .774OPS
If Andujar became a full time DH, and they moved Stanton to LF (a position that averaged 23 home runs in 2018), the offensive production from those two spots would be significantly improved.
Add Machado at third with elite defensive and all-star level offense, and the lineup is better by a significant amount.
He kind of reminds me of a young Babe Ruth
@ Michael Chaney
Many that watched the Yankees all season believe he was their MVP. No other position player came close to his consistency.
The young man is 23 years-old with one excellent year in the majors. Yet media and fans are picking apart his game as if he played for 6 years, hadn’t improved on defense, was a streaky hitter, hit .248 with a 1.3 WAR, and had to be catered to by the owner, GM, manager, and teammates.
You base that on one major league season? What else does that crystal ball say?
Agreed on your proposed lineup. I love Brett Gardner, nut he’s no longer worthy of everyday playing time. Put Stanton in left! If Machado is at 3B, let Andujar DH.
Yes, why did they resign Gardner? Stanton should be playing left. Is his defense that bad? I don’t remember thinking it was…
Gardner was resigned, albeit for toooooooo much money because he has the glove to be a back up (Cf)…don’t want to force that on judge or stanton for too long. While Clint Frazier might be able to do it…he is also not a true (CF) either…and while i think he is going to be a good player, that is yet to be seen..especially if he can’t stay healthy.
@privy That it’s stupid to sum up what he can be, good or bad, based off of 1 season? LF and LH power bat are a more glaring need. For all those saying “yanks don’t need more offense” well…YS lends an obvious advantage for LH hitter and the Yanks stand to have only switch hitting Hicks as the only LH force in the lineup assuming Frazier might start ahead of Gardner should they fail to bring in a superior option for LF.
Hopefully it gets higher as he gets more experience.
Andujars OBP .328, not great.
Machado’s career OBP .336.
Not far to go
The Red Sox pitcher !!
He reminds me of Cano and Beltre. They seldom swing and miss, they square the ball up and hit it hard yet they draw few walks, or at least not initially.
Gardner was resigned to be a veteran presence in the 4th outfield spot. Remember, the Yankees gave far too many at-bats to Shane Robinson, Jace Peterson in 2018 and they were the Yanks’ 5th and 6th outfielders! Gardner makes an excellent 4th outfielder, pinch runner, and defensive replacement.
I wonder if you were as patient with Andujar as you were with Severino or Judge their first year. Did they not have flaws? What about Bird going into year 4 nothing. Cessa going into year 4 nothing Sonny Gray going into year 3 nothing. Mitchell 3 years of nothing. The kid was pressed into service because another so called established major league player Drury could see, hit or field. All Andujar did was become the players choice for ROY and should had been writers choice ROY
Oh god don’t get this going again. Just because your teams guy didn’t win doesn’t mean everybody else is wrong.
Machado is an entirely different kind of player than Sandoval. Besides being obviously more athletic, he has more power and better contact skills. Machado’s lack of walks is concerning; generally players who don’t walk don’t tend to age well, although some players develop better plate discipline as they get older. Andujar’s incredibly bad defense at third is also concerning; while some players get better defensively with age – Mike Schmidt comes to mind – most don’t, and given just how terrible Andujar was in 2018 even some improvement will keep him in the category of “bad defensive players.” He could move to first possibly, but the Yankees seem determined to see if Bird can ever put it together over there. In a way, the Yankees might end up in the same position with Andujar that the Cards have with Martinez: good hitter who can’t field anywhere. At least the Yankees have the DH.
I actually just realized that Machado’s walk rate increased quite a bit in 2018, so he may actually be getting better already in that regard too.
David youre an idiot. Take a look at Adrian Beltres defense his first season. Beltre has already invited Andujar to work with him. You obviously have an agenda.one year does not a career make
David look up Adrian Beltre. His first year he was terrible with the glove and eventually was a good glove 3b. YES network reported Beltre has already offered to work with Andujar.
Well good for all that. I hope it works out. We can probably skip the name- calling though. Andujar’s defense at 3rd was historically bad last season and it’s fair to point that out.
Yeah Pedro Alvarez sticking at 3B worked out so well for the Pirates despite horrid defense his 1st year.
He had an awful 1st season and while he could improve you really want the Yankees taking time hoping he can figure things out at 3B the next couple years? Yankees are in a position to win it all and dont really have time for bird and andujar to figure things out on the go if you’re hoping to win a world series.
A bigger issue with Andujar is the 23 walks drawn. While he doesn’t strike out an extraordinary amount for a contemporary player, the lack of walks means he really has to rely on a high babip to keep his numbers above water. He isn’t particularly fast so it’s reasonable to think he could have up-and-down babip that would sap a lot of his offensive value.
da Yankees think they’re competing with the Red Sox.
They and their fans best get ready for the Rays and Astros.
Winning the off-season seldom translates. It’s how younger players improve during the season that matters. With the return to the days of George throwing money around as opposed to developing their young players…….
Based off of their current composition, I can’t understand how you assume the Rays, who only have two reliable starters in Snell and Morton, or the Astros who will probably be without Keuchel and definitely McCullers and Morton, will surpass the Yanks who won 100 games and have brought back or added several pieces already and should have healthy players across the board aside from Didi. Big deal the Rays won 90 games and shocked everyone. They did it in a year where 2 teams that won a 100 each. I don’t think they’ve gained any ground on the Yanks at all. Yanks have a solid 5, health risks aside, and with Chap, Bets, Britt and Green in the pen, should have the best bullpen in the East too.
Comparing Sandoval to Machado might be one of the worst comparisons of all time
Like putting on weight? Slowly losing range, focus, and reaction time? Only caring about playing hard when batting?
I’ve been a huge critic of Sandoval but I don’t think he ever didn’t play hard. Even at his porkiest he still at least tried to hustle. However I didn’t see him play much when he was with the Sox so there is a chance I’m wrong.
@ Deke;
I watch some Oriole games when teams I follow play them (love to get their feed and listen to Gary Thorne along with Jim Palmer).
The Manny Machado that came up and was a bright, hustling player is no more. I was stunned watching him play the past few years. The scout that said, “Manny plays when he wants to”, hit it on the head. His actions in the WS may have seemed out of character – especially to those that look at stats and read a fawning national sports media that helped enable his behavior -but it was normal to those that have watched his recent play.
Manny wants to play in NYC and be an ongoing soap opera story……
and he will.
Will replace Carmelo Anthony on the back pages.
Interesting take. Seeing him play in LA I would say he’s not really all that good to deserve what he is asking. Whoever signs him will be disappointed. The Dodgers who were already good appeared to have a lock or at least be close to winning A WS with him. He was a 273 hitter and 192 in the WS and that’s failure all the way. . He carries a lot of baggage and has been hurt in past years. Wherever he ends up, sure he will help some but in future years there will be a major problem when trying to maneuver that salary and add additional pieces. No way 35 mil for 10 that’s foolish.
Why is machado 300lbs.
I don’t know. Why is he?
I think that comparison is absurd. I’m not a Manny fan but he’s so much better now than Sandoval ever was and because he’s more athletic he should age better too.
Sammy Slowest, why you gotta troll so hard for attention?
Bryce Harper, future Yankee in 2019. I’m all in.
Worse decision ever made then.. Harper is redundant for NYY… They need some pitching in a bad way.. Trade for a starter (Andujar or Sanchez probably maybe Hicks and sign Pollock..) and sign a FA to fill that spot
I’m hoping so. I’m hoping Cash is playing a game of misdirection. Andujar is too young to give up on at 3b and we have a glaring need for a lefty power bat too. I’m not confident that Frazier, Gardner and Ellsbury should be counted on to play LF at a high level let alone stay healthy. I also want to see what Do It can do with 500 PA.
#voitfor2019
Yankees had to overspend to sign Britton… a guy that was with them and wanted to be a Yankee. They had to overspend to get Gardner and CC to re-up. They had to overspend to get Happ. They couldn’t lure Corbin or David Robertson and they wanted to be Yankees too. Imagine having to outbid everyone to get Harper or Machado?
None of what you posted is true, and you know it!
Britton $53 mil for 4 years. For a guy coming off an injury? Robertson has been a top reliever for 10 years. Britton 5 years and he’s had health issues. Don’t compare the K/9 rates…
Gardner is a 4th OFer with zero power and a mediocre arm.
CC is going to be 39 years old making $10 mil.. No way he’ll give you 150 innings next year.
Happ $17 mil a year for a 36 year old? Rich Hill was better at that age and made less. Hill is still better at 39. And don’t compare playoff stats. Ouch!!!
They paid Happ almost as much per year as Corbin got. Oh, “We don’t want to pay Corbin so much money when he’s 34 years old” You’re paying Happ as much and he’s 36 and 37.
Don’t worry slevin, even we met fans don’t believe a word melchez says. He is so jealous that he can’t stand anything Yankee
So he’s a disgruntled Mets fan. Sounds like the Mets version of MikeyYank.
If any other team had signed those guys for those salaries you guys would be laughing. Yankee homers are funny.
Slurrppp!
I’m beginning to think Sandy Anderson is back as GM. Is BVW awake?
He’s been one of the most active GMs this offseason…
DDD09 just because you make trades everyday on Mlb the show doesn’t mean teams in the real world operate like that.
Are you awake?
Cody is a good rebound candidate for a 1yr deal.
Hopefully it’s just posturing. I don’t like the idea of “guaranteeing” anything to a guy who has played 66 games in two seasons.
Guaranteeing him that he’s being viewed as an everyday player is different that saying it’s his job. I’m sure the Yanks will bring in at least a plan B. I could see it being one of Adeiny or Iglesias.
I don’t think either of those two are looking at being 4th on the depth chart after Didi comes back (Didi, Tulo, Gleyber). They are too good defensively to not be in the majors. Guessing at least one will be starting for Pittsburgh.
If the Yankees get Machado they could just move Andujar to DH and Stanton to LF.
The only way that Machado will become a Yankee is if it’s at a reasonable AAV and the contract length is 5 years or less. As bad as Andujar’s defense has been at 3B he’s cheap and controllable and the Yankees will roll with him for at least another year at third.
The Yankees trading for Stanton last year virtually assured that they would not spend ridiculous money on Harper or Machado.
Reasonable AAV and 5 years or less… yeah, that’s gonna happen
If they do not get Machado, and Andujar mirrors his play on both sides of the ball, then it would be great to get Arenado. And either trade Andujar or DH him. But I am ok with the Yanks giving Andujar another year to improve.
Allen would be a perfect fit for the Twins.
I think the long term view is Andujar at 1B. Don’t complain it’s not a perfect comparison but ala Miguel Cabrera.
I agree, I’m not sold on Voit. And Bird unfortunately may need a change of scenery (although I’m still high on Birdy). Andujar to first makes too much sense, but that’s only if Manny signs, which I doubt will happen
Why the lack of faith in Voit who consistently has performed well in the minors and during his small sample size in the majors. Yet still have faith in Bird who’s struggled in health and performance? I think it’s that homegrown prospect bias talking. I like Bird too but that 1b job should be Voits, regardless of his ST and Bird should play everyday in AAA and be ready for an eventual call up incase either Voit, Judge, Stanton or our RF gets hurt. Stanton can replace Judge in RF should he get hurt. Stanton can back up LF should a short-term injury occur to our LF, Bird/ Voit can switch between 1B/DH should Stanton get hurt. That’s geat depth …in my opinion.
I honestly think we need to get past age and whether or not a player is on any top 100 lists. It’s not like Voit stumbled around in the minors or struggled. He spent 4 years in the minors and performed well. He was blocked at a position that’s best suited for bat first players. If he can manage a .260/.350 line with 25-30 hrs for the next 5 years at cost controlled level then that gives the Yankees a shot to save money and invest somewhere else. And down the line, if they need to move Andujar, Sanchez or someone else or acquire a better all- around 1B (maybe Goldschmidt etc) then they can trade Voit after his value has increased by virtue that’s he’s proven himself as an everyday player worthy of 500 AB.
#voitfor2019
Its simply because Voit has a small sample size. Not that he has done anything to make anyone believe he doesnt have what it takes but we have seen time and time again a player has a very good start to their career just to fizzle out.
You wasted your time arguing a bunch of strawmans.
From 2013-17, Dozier averaged 4.3 fWAR, 29 home runs and 16 stolen bases per season.
This is all fine and dandy, but his arm strength, well lack of it cost the Dodgers the World Series! He could not turn a critical double play to get the D’s out a major jam and the flood gates opened! Maybe he could DH, but his arm is a wet noodle, which is no bueno!
Lefty – Dozier costing the Dodgers the World Series? It was almost a miracle they even won a game, let alone losing in 5. Although Dozier’s fielding leaves much to be desired, he didn’t cost them anything. The Dodgers played a much better team.
Trim. to quote Popeye Doyle from the French Connection. I don’t buy that, Irv!
Game four’s non completion of the Double Play from Machado to Dozier and Dozier lack of arm strength was clear to me that day and it kicked off the Red Sox comeback and win
Dozier simply have the arm strength to turn two anymore. or at least during critical times.
I think the Dodger loss was mostly due to Kershaw’s 7.36 era. Ryu didn’t help. Also, Honorable Mention should go out to Grandal, Machado and Taylor.
Lefty I do not disagree with you on the arm strength part of Dozier. I’m just saying he didn’t cost the Dodgers the World Series. The winner of the World Series was coming out of the American League in 2018. Whoever won the ALCS was winning the World Series. Dodgers were the big fish in a small pond. The series was lucky to reach 5 games.
His arm strength is why he was moved to 2B at the MLB level. Not many second baseman have good arms. If they did, they’d be playing at SS.
MLBTR continues to refer to Andujar as… “2018 AL Rookie of the Year runner-up Miguel Andujar”. I don’t recall them doing that to any other player Did they call Lindor the 2015 AL Rookie of the Year runner-up”? Matt Duffy? Gary Sanchez? It’s kind of disrespectful. I mean, do they think he’s peaked? Is that what they want to know him as?
You could be right but I think they’re just saying it that way because many people believe that a player whose played some kind of professional baseball for several years and only played half a season really should not have been named rookie of the year and a true rookie like Andujar should have gotten that award. If it’s disrespect though that really sucks
Half a year? He played in 104 games… he was a starting pitcher too, so he had to have days of rest between starts. After he was diagnosed with needing TJ surgery, he continued to bat and was productive.
3.9 War to 2.2 War. Wendle had a higher War than both at 4.3.
In 250 less at bats Ohtani had 5 less home runs than Angujar and 12 more walks. Not to mention how well he pitched.
If Andujar could play some defense, he might have had a chance. As it was, he only got 5 first place votes out of 30. Not close.
If he makes you feel better 3/5s not half it still misses the point of my comment which was that the reason they call Andujar the runner up rookie of the year were over the questions of whether a player whose played professionally for several years and only played som eof the season and most of that as a dh deserves ROY. Nowhere did I say whether or not he deserved ROY I just speculated why MLBTR does what it does.
I doubt that’s the reason. Kimbrel won the rookie of the year and he was a closer. Freeman played in 157 games and was Runner-up. I don’t recall anyone ever referring to him as Rookie of the year runner-up.
It’s disrespectful to both players, if that’s the reason.
You do realize that Andujar played 6 seasons of professional baseball before he ever appeared in MLB? Let’s also not forget Ohtani is less than a year older than Andujar too.
Stating the obvious doesn’t make you any friends around here
There’s a narrative already in place, after all.
It’s more a shot at the fact many thought he should have won the award.
I think he noted that accomplishment to infer that seldom does a rookie with first year success like his ends up in so many trade rumors so often. Obviously, not all winners or runner ups are created equal. Still, I can’t remember the last time a rookie with a season like Andujar’s that were traded right after the completion of their first season.
“Allen pitched to a 4.70 ERA with 10.75 BB/9”
I’m not even mad, that’s impressive.
Obviously it’s supposed to be K/9. Not even Chatwood could rack up that many walks.
Manny Madness I am fine with Machado provided the Yankees are willing to blow past the luxury tax on everything to meet team needs. Machado alone is not going to do it. The team needs 2 left handed or switch hitting bats who can play multiple positions OF Infield 1B Please don’t give me Walker if we are in on Manny 100% then we go out get the best available. No more trade Andujar Stanton they are staying. I want no more of Bird Gardner to rely on for lefty bats. I don’t want to hear we can’t afford to get these other players or we have to scrimp because we spent all the money on Machado…given that bring on Machado I just don’t think Yankees are going to ignore the luxury tax.
People forget, most of all those 10 year deals were because of the steroid era.
That and alot of teams were getting new stadiums with new tv deals and stadium naming rights.
So getting a star for 10 years made financial sense even though they knew it wouldn’t neccessary get the value on the field.
That is not the case today.
They are strictly looking at your worth, on the field.
I dont think anyone is getting 10/300+.
Maybe the phillies do it. But they d be bidding against themselves.
Now they may get a 10 year deal but its definitely coming with some protection for the team.
The players have failed on to many of these long term deals.
I think the important fact is that many of the long term megadeals weren’t related so much to the steroids era as they’re from before sabermetrics basically won the war at the front office level
There’s so many statistically valid reasons not to commit that long and very few execs left who don’t know them all by heart.
Teams now tend to think in 5 or 6 year cycles, so fitting a 10 year contract into that is a tough sell.
My gut feeling is that the Yankees will not sign Machado. They don’t seem to be that infatuated with Manny, and Cashman finally got his guy in Tulo, whom he’s loved since the Jeter days. I think unless Manny’s price drops drastically for some reason (200-250 M), he’ll be going elsewhere
Not happening Xabial. Machado probably Harper no. Machado was very vocal about wanting to be a Yankee and they like that
Brian Dozier was diagnosed with the same irregular heartbeat that Kenley Jensen has. They both tanked after the diagnosis. Jensen claims it was the drug he was taking. Dozier may be taking the same drug