Some rumblings from the AL Central…
- Reports surfaced a few weeks ago that the Twins “kicked the tires” on Josh Donaldson and other third basemen, and La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune writes that the Twins have continued to show interest in Donaldson’s services. With Anthony Rendon now wearing Angels red, Minnesota will face some stiff competition for the best third baseman remaining on the market, as the Rangers and Nationals are among the clubs who are reportedly set to redirect their efforts towards signing Donaldson are coming up short on Rendon.
- The White Sox have met with Edwin Encarnacion’s agents, 670 The Score’s Bruce Levine reports (Twitter link). After already adding Yasmani Grandal and Nomar Mazara, signing Encarnacion would add even more pop to Chicago’s lineup, as he would pair with Jose Abreu (and Grandal, on days when Grandal isn’t catching) in the first base/DH mix. The Blue Jays are the only other team known to have some interest in Encarnacion this offseason, though Levine reports that Encarnacion’s camp has also met with two other teams, and MLB Network’s Jon Heyman tweets that Encarnacion has received interest from six clubs overall — five in the American League and one in the National League. The mystery NL team made Encarnacion an offer, according to Heyman, though the veteran slugger has said he would prefer to remain in the AL.
- The Tigers are one of the teams interested in Travis Shaw, MLB.com’s Jon Morosi reports (via Twitter). Shaw was non-tendered by the Brewers last week, as Shaw’s disastrous 2019 season left Milwaukee wary of paying the infielder a projected $4.7MM arbitration salary. In 2017-18, however, Shaw hit .258/.347/.497 with 63 homers over 1193 PA for the Brew Crew, so he could be an intriguing buy-low candidate for several clubs. In particular, a rebuilding team like Detroit could certainly see the rebound potential in Shaw, who can play either corner infield position and also has experience at second base.
- Tigers GM Al Avila provided reporters (including MLB.com’s Jason Beck) with an update on right-hander Michael Fulmer, who is “on track” in his recovery from Tommy John surgery and “should be able to pitch in games sometime in July.” Fulmer underwent his procedure last March, so a July return would be slightly beyond the normal 12-15 month timeframe for TJ patients, though not by any unusual amount.
“THE MONEY WILL BE SPENT!”
It’ll cover the payroll for the next 3 years.
The money will be spent…just very foolishly on past-their-prime and below-average players.
Chisox need pitching. There’s already plenty of pop and payroll commitment with the Grandal/Abreau signings and Moncada’s future arbitration raises.
Oh God White Sox. Please just sign a pitcher already.
Do you all think the CWS will be runner up for EE? Lol. They lead the league in ‘runner ups’.
EE would be a good pick up. gets on base, hits HRs…had a 2.7 bWAR.
E.E. & Nelson Cruz regardless of age still 2 of the best power hitters in the game. Sign him, avg pitchers wont make it thru the lineup 3 times.
It’s starting to sound like the White Sox are kicking the can for trying to contend down the road to 2021.
They are just plugging holes instead of building a winner. Fully expect the pitchers they sign to be in the league of Gio Gonzalez and Ivan Nova.
I’m betting whoever they get doesn’t matter the position it’ll be a 1 year 0ffer.
They had no backup plan after Wheeler. Same as last season with Machado.
Angels strike out in Cole, immediately shift to Rendon.
White Sox strike out on Wheeler, they go immediately to bottom shelf.
If Donaldson doesn’t resign with the Braves, I hope at least he had the decency to sign with the Rangers or the Twins, in fact, he has always hit at Target field. Just don’t sign with the gNats!
The nats do have a hole at 3rd to fill.
There it is, the annual “the twins have kicked the tires”. That is absolutely the peak of a twins’ fan’s offseason. Seeing the word “twins” in the same sentence as nice FA names like bumgarner, Ryu, Donaldson. They will again not sign anyone of substance and tell the twins fans they felt like they put some strong offers out there but just couldn’t make a deal. It’s annoying
A two word rebuttal: Nelson Cruz.
Nelson was pretty cheap, all things considered. Not a great argument for big free agent action.
Terry Ryan is gone, voting on HoF committees and shopping for large hats to cover his head during the sunny season. The new guys are out and about, but what were you expecting them to do so far? They got Pineda back, let Gibson go, and didn’t top a quarter or a third of a billion dollar offer. Sober up, let them work, it isn’t even Christmas yet.
I would rather win in October rather than December but unfortunately the Twins will probably do neither.
Rick Hahn said about the Mazara trade, “I wouldn’t judge this move necessarily in isolation.”
Now they are talking to a 37 year old DH after trading for a guy with 2 years left of control? I don’t get it.
When we judge how much the Sox FO has sucked this off-season, Rick wants to make sure we include their lack of ability to land a pitcher and getting an old DH instead of trading for JDM in our thinking. The only things he’s done right so far are Grandal and Abreu.
Idk what’s so bad about Mazara yes I understand Castellanos is there but he’s on the older side and paying him for 5 years might be a big mistake compared to Mazara who could possibly be much better now that he is playing in the rate. Plus the Sox can resign him after the two years. It’s much easier to retain players once they have played for you and know the culture and what is going on in the organization. By that time the sox will be contenders and he will definitely resign.
Mazara strikes out a bunch, has a low OBP, is a below average hitter per OPS+, a poor fielder, and could go elsewhere after two years. Castellanos is also a poor fielder, but a significantly above average hitter who is only 27. There’s a huge difference.
Mazara is probably a better option vs righties than Castellanos or Ozuna actually even if he doesn’t break out, so if they believe that is all that is needed (and don’t use him against lefties), then he was a fine pickup.
Mazara .OPS vs righties last year was .844 and Castellanos, in what was a career year to date, was .803 and .768 career. And Castellanos is a miserable right fielder (and third baseman) while Mazara is only below average. So – if those are your comparators, Mazara’s better.
Your information on Mazara is very inaccurate that you should start working for CNN. I bet you complained about Moncada and Giolito in 2018 and suddenly became their biggest fan in 2019z
Castellanos OPS gainst LHP was 1180. Marzara against LHP was 646.
In one case, the difference is 40 points in favor of Mazara. It’s 500 points difference the other way against LHP.
Plus, they both stink in the outfielder, and had bwar of -.7 defensively.
Catellanos is clearly better option, and team should still pursue him.
If the Twins are still interested in Donaldson, I have to imagine they’ve at least inquired about Arenado. I really hope so because our team lacks a true superstar.
Also, with either Donaldson or Arenado I’d feel a lot comfortable with a Keuchel signing.
Hahn: “If we can’t outpitch ’em, we’ll outslug em
You can’t always win 10-8…
If they get Encarnacion, the only hole in the lineup will be Mazara, unless they’re giving Grandal the day off. Everyone else should be at least an average hitter. The biggest question mark remaining is Madrigal: terrific contact rate, but doesn’t hit hard enough to translate into lots of extra bases or even more hits and doesn’t walk. So at least Kopech and Cease should have enough runs to work with a fair share of the time.
I’m happy with DH options as is, don’t want them to add there. Eventually they could have a decent staff without additions (Giolito, Kopech, Lopez, Cease and Rodon – 2nd half or next year), but every single question mark would have to come through perfectly. Giolito confirm ace status, Kopech, Lopez and Cease become the studs their stuff should lead to, and Rodon stay healthy for more than a week. However, we know for sure that ALL of those things won’t happen, so 2 SP with high floors are needed, not innings eaters or reclamation projects.
Good contact hitters bat leadoff, something the team needs.
The Twins have made ALL the moves they are going to this season. We brought back and average pitcher (but that’s okay, because we overpaid him!) Then we brought back another pitcher that could not help us down the stretch because he over eats and apparently doesn’t pay attention to what he consumes. Then, we signed a catcher that hasn’t been able to hit since his dad traded him away from the Tigers. We’re set!
We will be linked to EVERYONE, at least until they sign with a team that truly wants to win. Eventually we will be linked as a team that will make deadline trades! But, as was the case last year, the execs say they won’t give away any of their talent since we apparently are promised a World Series in 2024. It won’t matter how good or bad we are at the deadline, we will not make any deal to benefit this team. Remember, last season landed us a pitcher that pitched crappy for us and now will probably NEVER play baseball again and another pitcher that was serviceable, but was just a rental since he doesn’t want to play in Minnesota. You will have to overpay to get someone to come here. Deal with it. Or, make a trade for a quality player with team control, but be prepared the other team will not want your used box of paperclips. They are going to want real people and one’s they feel are legit.
You hate to think that they will pull the same stunts again…but if past is prologue that is exactly what they will do. Sign a couple of mid level guys, or players on a rebound to a 1 or 2 year contract and hope that gets them by.
You nailed it!
Twins should just pickup MadBum and Donaldson. ACE for the rotation and another big bopper for the lineup. Obviously Sano would move to 1B.
…and season ticket sales would SORE! But, won’t happen.
I would rather win in October rather than December but unfortunately the Twins will probably do neither.
C’mon Twins, we are waiting, waiting, waiting and still hoping for something to happen. Paying attention to White Sox? Hello! They’re getting better and better each day…so do something big already. Snooze you lose.You’re killing us fans!!! For the love of KIRBY!!!