Some items from around the AL East…
- Negotiations between Aroldis Chapman and the Yankees about the closer’s contract extension apparently came down to the final moments before the deadline for Chapman to decide whether or not to exercise his opt-out clause, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman tweets. Chapman was hoping to have two extra years added onto the remaining two years on his pre-existing contract, but ultimately settled for just one extra season ($18MM for the 2022 season).
- The impact of Chapman’s new contract on the Yankees’ luxury tax situation is examined by Joel Sherman of the New York Post, who observes that the extension won’t lead to any savings due to the “true-up charge” associated with the specific breakdown of how Chapman’s salaries were paid out over the first three years of his deal, largely due to a signing bonus payout. As a result, Chapman’s new tax number is $17.5MM over the next three years, which doesn’t help alleviate the crunch for a Yankees team that Sherman figures is already approaching the $208MM threshold for 2020 just with pre-existing roster talent. The Yankees will face tax penalties for surpassing the second level ($226MM) of the tax threshold in 2019, and it remains to be seen how far over the $208MM threshold ownership will allow the front office to go in 2020. As Sherman notes, ownership would presumably balk at surpassing the top penalty level of $248MM, which would impact the Yankees’ chances of adding a mega-salary (i.e. for a Gerrit Cole or Stephen Strasburg) and retaining free agents like Didi Gregorius or Dellin Betances.
- A brief scouting report on newly-signed Red Sox right-hander Chih-Jung Liu is provided by former big leaguer Chien-Ming Wang to Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe, as Wang has worked with the 20-year-old prospect. Liu “needs to improve his slider and splitter to have a good out pitch” and “needs to build up his arm strength and pitch count,” Wang said. These aren’t unusual criticisms for any young pitcher, especially for a case like Liu, who mostly played shortstop in high school and only recently got back into pitching. Liu is also “bright” and “seems to be able to adapt to [a] new environment quickly,” Wang said, and he also noted that Liu asked him how to throw a sinkerball, Wang’s signature pitch. Abraham reports that the Phillies and Diamondbacks were among the other teams who had interest in Liu before the Red Sox signed him for $750K.
- Now that Edwin Encarnacion is officially a free agent, could the slugger potentially return to the Blue Jays? There is room on paper, as Sportsnet.ca’s Ben Nicholson-Smith notes that the Jays have a vacancy at first base/DH since Justin Smoak is also headed for free agency, and Encarnacion could likely be had on a fairly inexpensive one-year deal. However, with the Blue Jays still in rebuild mode, Nicholson-Smith figures it probably makes more sense for the club to “find the next Encarnacion instead,” i.e. a player who can be an important contributor for several years. Toronto GM Ross Atkins has also spoken of wanting a first baseman who can play multiple positions, while Encarnacion is limited to first base (and could best be suited for a DH role altogether).
How or why do the Yankees have such limited payroll space at this point? Seems like all their journeymen and pre arbitration guys and expiring contracts would leave like $50+M in salary space even with Chapman’s already established salary that he only got an adjusted-for-inflation sized raise on.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hl2xgQQReB8qPSoa2YAaDcBfkw0qYeFQFizVP3m2JZs
Well they start at $154 M, before including the 15M in benefits, 2M in 40 man fillers, and arb guys. So safely, $171 M before arb guys role. I guess the somewhat more shocking aspect, not necessarily shocking but more so forgettable, is that Ellsbury and Happ combine for 40 M and you add Stanton’s 25 M. Where the difference lies though is Paxton’s final time through along with first timers like Judge and Sanchez.
I see your guys’ points. I honestly forgot about the raises to Sevy and Hicks for a second there, so add $21.5M or so to what I was assuming, etc. So now that I have looked through the Google Doc (thank you kindly, Senioreditor) I do see it’s already $171M and then you’re looking at an extra $2-4M to Urshela, $12-13M to Paxton, $5-7M to Judge, $5-6M to Sanchez, so that’s $27M, now we’re at $198M and they might sign Cole to a $32M per year deal, so that’s now $230M and they’re in the…second luxury tax tier? I get it, I do, because that’s not even counting their budget for other players, other aspects of the major league level of the game and the business, then you’ve got the amateur draft bonuses, the international free agents and possibly even the minors, which are getting a salary bump, yes? Do they have any part of that or is that separate ownership groups?
Yanks will go over the cap again this year, but will drop over 100 million in 21, so they will go after Cole or Strasburg if they can get them. I don’t see them going into next year without somebody. Wheeler would be a fall back option too!
Chapman buckled for the Yankees at the most important time of the postseason.
The Yanks offense lost that series, not Chapman.
Their staring pitching lost the series.
Their pitching was fine, you don’t know what you’re talking about.
I do recall Chapman giving up a home run towards the end of that last game and as far as I know he is still a pitcher but do feel free to correct me if I am wrong…
it’s was Not The pitching the pitching was actually pretty good the timely hitting failed us yes Chappy gave up the Homeruns to Altuve but all in all the pitching wasn’t at fault and let’s not forget the Yankees have Gumby German Garcia and the Minors are full of pitchers close to being ready for the Big Leagues so Hang on and let’s not just throw money at these FA pitchers I know Cashmen will be smart about Doing Business
Hey Todd. He threw a bad pitch in a night that his control was off.
He had a great season. We didn’t win.
Now how about you get off your high horse and get over it?
Otherwise Todd it’s time to move on to a new team.
Pitch wasn’t that bad. Give credit to the one in the box. My concern is the AAV and what could be deadweight that extra year. Flame thrower relievers don’t typically maintain their stuff at 35. Gossage had clunkers at age 34 and 36 surrounded by better years and Lee Smith’s umbers got worse too.
The pitch was bad. Floated a slider the pitch previous and tried to sneak another with less bite. Altuve jumped all over it. I blame overuse on that pitch. That also means pitching, and starters not going deep enough, is still a problem.
He also threw a bad pitch to rajai Davis in game 7 2016 when Cubs needed him most. Zobrist Montero and Mike Montgomery bailed him out that night .
In his defense of the 2016 situation Davis had like an 18 pitch at bat or something. David Ross was catching and Ross has said it was Ross calling fastball after fastball and that he should have mixed in an offspeed pitch.
He was overtaxed as well. Bad location put it only place Davis could turn on it.
The mistake Chapman made was throwing a lousy slider to Altuve rather than his fastball…..why Boone and his coaches allowed him to even pitch to Altuve with a .225 Marisneck hitter due next is the reason that he failed.
Yep. If you’re one of the best relievers in baseball with one of the best pitches, you just simply can not get beat by one of the games best players on a secondary pitch. You can’t.
If you have that mentality then hitters will catch on and you will get beat on the fastball more often than you would if you’re willing to throw all of your pitches
Just don’t let their best player beat you. If he’s throwing sliders to Altuve with the game on the line, bury the crap out of that pitch. Don’t give him a hanger when you can throw 100.
Everyone buckles unless they win it all. There were a lot of great pitchers who failed in the playoffs. That’s why you play the game, nobody is Mo. You can’t get rid of players because they fail in a short series, it makes no sense.
Mo failed against dbacks.
Maybe altuve heard someone banging on the garbage can and knew it was a hanging slider.
Stanton is the reason.
I enjoy Wang not sugarcoating his criticism, but rather giving his honest thoughts in a way that Liu can use towards developing himself as a pitcher (if he wants to).
And yes, the first three words are intentional.
(Applause)
Saw the Netflix movie “Late Life” on Wang’s comeback to the majors. It was well done.
I’m not saying the Blue Jays should definitely go after Encarnacion, but I don’t agree with Atkins that the 1st Baseman should be able to play multiple positions. The Jays have several players already who can play multiple positions. They have Biggio, Drury, Urena & McKinney. Not every player on the roster needs to be able to play multiple positions. A guy like Encarnacion could be a good sounding board for young Latino players like Vlad Jr. & Gurriel.
Drury and McKinney are plugs.
Depending on cost and other made moves, I envision a Moreland/Encarnacion split in Boston. Moreland will not get more than what he got ($6.5m) and might get considerably less. If the money is there, that’s my guess. From what I’ve read, Holt and Porcello are also possible returns. Holt lives in Boston all year round and is huge in the community. Obviously money talks but at the end of the day, my guess is he stays. Porcello after the horrendous year he had might agree to a one year deal to rebuild himself. Then if the Sox are in the race, great but if not, he gets traded and loses the QO tag for 2021.
Agreed Eric. Although that quote would suggest Drury and McKinney might be gone and Urena isn’t pat of the plan either. EE would be a great mentor for all the young guys, and he’d be great with Bo too; a good hitter with great potential who will struggle at SS his first full year. EE knows the struggle on D. He’s been through it.
Then what about a sounding board for the young english speaking players like Biggio,Tellez, Bichette, Jansen, McGuire? EE snubbed a 4 year 80 Mil offer to play here, so let him find a job elsewhere to spend half his time on the IL:
EE knows english too lol… but I do want Smoak back to fill in that veteran role. Gold glove caliber defense at first could help both the young pitchers and fielders confidence.
EE would be a sounding board for every player. If he lands on the IL, more at bats for the rest of the guys. Win-Win.
I enjoy Wang too, but with sugarcoating. I agree there is no reason to get salty about Liu’s comments. It’s nice when people aren’t left with a bitter taste from this type of thing.
Too much?
Yankees / Phillies / Angels / Padres will duel it out for Cole till the very end.
Did Scott Boras tell you that over martinis?
I would add the Dodgers to that mix.
Giants Nats and Dodgers all have a shot as well. While White Sox and some others may be fake-involved.
Why would the Giants spend for a top end pitcher when they’re clearly a last place team?
You heard it here first folks….Yankees will miss the playoffs in 2020.
Going off of what exactly, would make you even consider this?
Failure to get starting pitching due to financial restraints.
? It’s not like they’re going to lose any of their current pitching besides CC and with a healthy Sevy/Montgomery and maybe German coming back I think they will be fine
They made it to the 2nd round without having Severino for most of the season along with Stanton, Hicks, Didi, Judge, Andujar and Betances missing significant time or not playing at all. Now you suggest they won’t even make the playoffs in 2020 after two back to back 100 win seasons??
German=suspension
Montgomery=Bullpen
Boston fans know how.
Howie Kendrick would be a tremendous fit for the Blue Jays. Some versatility provides veteran presence this team severely lacks. Played with Vlad Sr in Anaheim, still can really hit.
He’s not going to the blue jays. In his final season he wants to try and win another championship.
Adding a well liked vet in Edwin would be a good move for the young Jays. They have to give Rowdy a shot for a full season, so adding the Wing to DH and cover first base 1-2 days a week gives them a better stick than Smokies, and takes enough innings at 1st bag to allow Tellez the opportunity to rest 30 – 40 games.
Well Liked???? He was booed his 1st return to Rogers Centre after he snubbed us, get a grip much better options available than an over priced DH to sit on the IL
Revised history much? Edwin didn’t snub the Jays, the Jays pivoted after he turned down the first offer. Just like the Jays snubbed Minnesota with a potential Stroman trade. Just like the Jays turning away from the Yankees for a second during a Giles negotiation. The Encarnacion situation was more on Jays management, not Edwin and his agent.
You’re mistaken because he was most certainly not booed in his return.
On-paper Edwin would be a good fit. Based on what Atkins said they might be looking at a Howie Kendrick.
I wouldn’t mind seeing the DH spot open to a rotation of Gurriel, Vlad, Bo, Tellez and Teoscar. Also wouldn’t mind seeing the Jays focus on SP. Going big on FA won’t make them a contender. The young players need another year to grow. That is why Edwin would be terrific for the Jays.
The Yankee$ can pay the luxury tax and be just fine
Agreed, Yanks make over 630 million each year so money is no object. They will go over next year and drop 100 million in salary in 21 to once again be under the cap. The big question is does Cole or Strasburg want to come to the Yanks.
Hal Steinbrenner has done some good things like focusing on building the minors but I wish he was more like his father in terms of willingness to spend what it takes to get the best talent
they spend 230 million a year. what more does Cashman need? seriously.
On top of the fact that they still spend a lot of money, they are trying to build a system that can produce winning teams consistently. The same people screaming that they need to throw money at the problem are the same ones complaining when those long term deals they had to handout go south. The Stanton trade, IMO, was a mistake, but was the kind of deal George Steinbrenner would make to create Buzz, and it will tie the Yankees hands to get an impactful player like Cole.
i love the luxury tax. Sure you can still buy a wins, but to buy real success you have to back up a brink’s truck and really really pay.
I think it balances out the game. This century, the majority of teams have made it to the World Series.
Here’s a trade idea to open up space for Yanks to go all in on Cole or Strasburg.
Stanton and Voit to Anaheim for Pujols and a prospect?
Edwin is not coming back to the Jays unless it is on a 5 mill or less deal. The bankers leading the Jays won’t do that.
Besides, Tellez and Vlad Jr need the time at first base/DH. That’s right. Vlad Jr to 1B. EvEn with his new workout regimen Vlad Jr cannot play 3B consistently in the big leagues.
The Jays need to keep the DH spot open for the youngsters to get AB’s.
At the current level do the Jays really need a dh of Encarnacion’s level. Granted he won’t get what he was getting with the Yankee’s but even at 10 or 12 million I think the money would be better spent of a pitcher or two.
I thought Edwin would be a fit in Boston, if JD had opted out. It would have saved Boston about 10 million and Edwin does play a decent 1st baseball with Moreland probably leaving.
How about the idea of resigning Smoak and using Smoak and Tellez in tandem at 1st base and dh. for another year
I’d rather have neither and give one of the 26 outfielders more at bats to showcase themselves to other teams. And that gives Gurriel, Tellez and Vlad a chance to DH once a week apiece. Bichette too.
I think Tellez is the future 1st base man and my suggestion about Smoak was merely a suggestion to avoid rushing out and signing a dh. As for Bichette I think you’ll see him playing. With the outright release of Travis you can have Valdi at 3rd, Bichette and Biggio, at 2nd and SS and Drury and Urena taking up the slack. and currently there are only 7 players in the outfield and I think Maille will likely be dealt or released over the winter.