There has been some early action on the starting pitching market. Jake Odorizzi accepted a qualifying offer from the Twins, filling one of their openings on a limited commitment. The Cardinals brought back Adam Wainwright. Chase Anderson went to the Blue Jays in a trade. The Rangers made Kyle Gibson their annual surprise three-year contract recipient. Those moves helped set the stage for some of the biggest free agents, who are now engaged with multiple suitors. We’ve recently covered the latest on hot commodity Zack Wheeler and high-end veteran Stephen Strasburg, who has held meetings with the Dodgers and Yankees.
Here’s more from other areas of the market:
- Speaking of Wheeler, it seems that a deal is indeed on the cusp of coming together. Ken Rosenthal said as much in an appearance on MLB Network (Twitter link), noting that we could even see an agreement struck today. Rosenthal believes it’s a three-team race between the Phillies, White Sox, and Reds, though he cautions that the bidding isn’t fully limited to those organizations. We’ll be keeping a close watch on Wheeler.
- The Yankees are clearly a legitimate player for top free agent Gerrit Cole, though agent Scott Boras is certain to demand that the New York powerhouse pay a premium to woo the West Coast native. Yesterday’s initial sit-down went well, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network (via Twitter), though it’s hard to divine much of real import given that the sides didn’t talk cold hard cash. Sources tell Heyman that “the dollars will be there,” which seems to be an indication that the Yankees are fully prepared to make Cole the richest pitcher ever to play the game. But whether the club will cast its valuations aside in a full-blown bidding war, should one break out, remains to be seen.
- We’ve heard a lot of chatter surrounding a certain Indians star shortstop, but relatively little on the club’s former (and future?) ace starter. That may not reflect the real state of play within and among front offices. ESPN.com’s Jeff Passan cites multiple executives for the proposition that the Cleveland organization is working harder on structuring deals for Corey Kluber than in sorting out a blockbuster involving Francisco Lindor. As we explained in ranking Kluber 17th among the winter’s trade candidates, it’s all but impossible to know what to expect from the former Cy Young winner. Kluber ought to be well rested after a freak arm fracture ruined his 2019 season, but he had struggled in early action before the injury. He’s not cheap — $17.5MM in 2020 and $18MM via club option for one more year — but would be an outright steal at those rates if he’s anything like his usual self upon his return.
- The Blue Jays are “as aggressive as any team” in pursuit of open-market starters, per MLB.com’s Jon Morosi (via Twitter). It’s anyone’s guess just how to interpret that characterization. The Toronto faithful are by now a bit jaded at such assurances, having grown frustrated with a string of losing seasons and minimal investment in the MLB roster. Perhaps this is all part of the setup for explaining that the club just couldn’t quite get a deal done despite its best efforts. Then again, there’s plenty of reason to think the Jays can and should be prepared to re-enter the fray in a big way. The club has cleaned up its future balance sheets and graduated many of its best prospects to the majors. Perhaps the Toronto front office will end up making significant rotation improvements over the course of the winter.
Blue Jays press conference two months from today…
“We were aggressive in our Pursuit of big-name players, but we just got outbid.”
*Jays sign Gio Gonzalez*
GM: “all in baby”
im sorry.
The Yankee’s can take Cole, if its going to take the highest paid pitcher of all time to land him. see ya….!
Boras is a douché … NY will be bidding against themselves
I’d be fine with Gio as long as he’s not the “big fish” we catch.
angels don’t seem to move aggressively or quickly and they may settle for mediocrity again saving the owner’s $$$.
The Angels always do things in the background, however, I’m very concerned they are putting all their eggs in the Cole basket. I’m very concerned they end up with Ryu being their big free agent acquisition.
I don’t think Angles are even in on Cole . Angles need three SP or more the way Angels step on banana and get hurt.
The angels recognize the value of elite talent. I expect they’ll be in the top group of bidders.
Based on exactly what criteria? Moreno has sat on the sidelines for years when “elite” talent came and went and did nothing…..The Angels need a lot more than Cole to even think about challenging the A’s let alone the Astros for supremacy in the West……and Moreno knows it! He’s a smart businessman and knows that he’ll have to spend a boatload beyond what it takes to sign Cole just to be competitive and he didn’t become a millionaire by making bad business decisions….and that would be characterized as a big one!
Lol Rock, they just signed the most elite player of this generation to the highest contract in sports history. As for FAs, I’d imagine the crippling contracts of Pujols and Hamilton have him gun shy. I think they go after Cole hard because he checks all of their boxes (ace, big strong horse, local kid, clubhouse guy, etc.)
Did you just say Cole was a clubhouse guy? I have not seen any evidence indicating anything other than Cole is all about himself.
I’d imagine the crippling contracts of Pujols and Hamilton have him gun shy.
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A good businessman doesn’t get gun shy; he simply gets smarter. Pujols was a disastrous contract the day he signed it. Hamilton was a gamble on a drug addict, but could’ve worked out. Pujols was a ridiculous leap of faith that a player in decline would not only resurrect his career, but would remain productive 5 years after everyone retired.
Did you just say Cole was a clubhouse guy? I have not seen any evidence indicating anything other than Cole is all about himself.
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Cole wore his agent’s hat to his farewell news conference. Nothing screams out ‘clubhouse guy more than that:)
Add CJ Wilson. And Zack Cozart. And Justin Upton.
Wow, are you really complaining that the Angels don’t spend enough money? Phew, rich people problems!
One thing about the Angels is they are the gift that keeps on giving. They are willing to spend.
Can’t come out empty handed. Even if the top pitchers aren’t the target, they need to get one value guy like Pineda, Lindblom, Wacha etc. and a known commodity like Keuchel or Ryu. They have to.
I don’t think Angles are even in on Cole . Angles need three SP or more the way Angels step on banana and get hurt.
The Angels don’t need three starting pitchers, but they do need two.
They also need a lot more player additions other than either 2 or 3 pitchers to even think about challenging the A’s, let alone the Astros for the top spot or even wild card in the division…..
why do you say that without really knowing the situation? angels have 1b, 2b, ss, dh lf and cf all set. rf will be maned by goodwin only until adell comes up. as for 3b, it’s going to be a couple of players including thaiss. yeah, then there is the catching position that needs to be upgraded.
its pen was great till they were over-worked. i wouldn’t worry about them!
angels have 1b, 2b, ss, dh lf and cf all set.
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Pujols has a 4-year combined bWAR of 0.4, again, combined. He might have a set position, but should be cut.
Blue Jays copying notes from the Neil Huntington era in Pittsburgh? Halfway in on players they are never going to actually sign and then the “we tried” answer.
Thank you, Thank you Philly that ChiSox didnt sign this bum for 120 mil. #3 starter for that money is ludacris
The Jays has their eyes on both Odorizzi and Gibson, and both are no longer options. Unless they’re a mystery team for Wheeler then no dice on that. Cole and Strasburg? Absolutely not. I could see vets like Ryu, and Keuchel but realistically probably Tanner Roark
Roark is a very underrated starter. He wont get any hype but ive always liked him.
I’d like to see him return to Cincinnati
Agreed. He’s not an ace by any means but he’s a solid veteran presence that will provide valuable innings and keep the team in the game.
Always gave my Brewers fits when he pitched. wouldnt mind him slotting into our very very open rotation.
I agree. I like him too, and he’s pretty underrated but not exactly a flashy signing to get fans excited.
Aim for Roark – end up with Teheran.
Just got word from a co-worker that he listened to a podcast where Cole Hamels strongly suggested he is signing with the White Sox
Yep, Chuck Garfein on WS Talk Podcast … he didn’t necessarily suggest he is signing with them, however he did qualify that his position in free agency aligns with the WS very well and that there is mutual interest.
Thank you. I need to subscribe to that podcast
Did he give his reasoning? Sure, CHW would throw quite a large AAV, but I’d think he’d give up some to play for a team with a better shot. They’re already better than KC/DET, but CLE/MIN?
Hard pass on Hamels. He’s a half-season back-end option at best. Plus his stuff gets murdered in the AL. The Sox have better options.
based on…?
Well, I’ll assume you don’t watch must baseball, or possibly a selective memory if you do (shout out to cubs fans). Look up his stats the past four years, including innings pitched.
That was a good podcast. Hamels spoke carefully,i imagine he could have the same conversation in any city about any team and not close any doors. Wouldn’t mind him coming to the south side though!
Hey that’s the Cubs line . Get your own. Ok we will say we were aggressive in our pursuit but money was not there .
padres should be all in on a Kubler reunion. Buy low, plenty of prospect and near MLB ready talent to take a gamble here..and of Kubler is back to CY form a steal and perfect 2 yrs of control segway to Gore/Patino
You are assuming the Indians are willing to sell low. Every indication I have seen is they are not.
“Selling low” is undefined.
The Indians have shown a clear pattern.. They establish a “value” and seldom waiver from it.. If the “sell low” meets the value, a deal is made.. if it doesn’t, then it becomes an unfulfilled rumor or never heard..
San Diego is not in on any high priced player free agent or trade, not much money left after the last 2 years.
Please define “buy low”. Are we talking France, Patino, and Campusano low or Naylor, France, and Morejon low?
There is no reason the Jays couldn’t outbid for cole on a 6 or 7 year deal
Hes elite.
We wont contend for the WS this year, but out bidding everyone (even if its stupid money) sets us up for major contention in 2020-2021
We can afford it, we also set ourselves up for next FA class when Paxton hopefully wants to pitch in his home country
If cole doesn’t mind a 500 team next year and is willing to accept major money that is
Toronto trying to convince a West Coast native to go to Canada? World Series contenders in a couple of years? I want whatever you’re smoking.
Like Turner said, there is no reason the Jays can’t outbid.
Give Boras $275-Mil for 7 years and he’ll advise Cole to take it serious. Cole then takes Pearson under his wing come late-April.
99% of the time, the FA will go to the team that offers the most money/years. Sure if money is equal he will obviously go to the Dodgers over the Blue Jays. No reason Jays cant at least try which is what Turner is saying.
One west coast native cried after learning he was traded from the Jays. He speaks highly of the city and country (as do almost every person who finally plays up north, see Kawhi Leonard)
I hear what you’re saying tho, but it’s a false narrative. Once a player arrives he wont regret playing here. It’s been proven again and again
Also Toronto isnt Siberia. Our weather is the same as NY! But we also play baseball in the summer months, where we get absolutely gorgeous weather.
We are just an hour or two to the border and the flight from TO to LA and NY to LA are similar
If I hear one more thing about taxes being a factor I’m going to scream
Any smart business person can get any taxes in any state or country down to almost 0 if they are smart with their investments
Blue Jays are, roughly, just over $130-mil below the luxury. Might be closer to $135-mil after the recent non-tender deadline. Plenty for an ace, another pitcher, a trade for a CF, dealing 3 current OFs, acquiring a bullpen arm and little tweaks here and there.
Go big.
yeah, because Roger’s would okay all that spending… Only sports network not to see the value of broadcasting a quality team.
Rogers should. Didn’t say they would. That is why the Blue Jays have been relatively mediocre for the 20 years Rogers has owned the team.
cole isnt worth the highest paid pitcher of all time
Great analysis, Gomer.
Welp Walter Johnson isn’t a free agent this off season and someone has to be until the next guy. Why does everyone care about these things? Every team has the finances to sign ANY player. If we buy the crap front offices are selling about small market etc we’re enabling this garbage to go on. 30 separate billion dollar businesses
I would never spend that kind of cake on a pitcher. With a few exceptions they are too fragile and flame out quickly.
Go back in a recent time machine, You’d say the same thing about Scherzer and Verlander. It’s easy to say in retrospect you’d do it again, but at the time, both contracts were treated with skepticism.
I see what you’re saying, but he did qualify it with “few exceptions.” For every Scherzer or Verlander, there’s AT LEAST a half dozen who end up being bad contracts. Hell, there’s a couple of them on the Cubs RIGHT NOW. There will always be exceptions to every rule, but I’d always rather take my chances on developing young pitching than paying $200 million for a starter, unless it’s an absolute last resort in a closing championship window.
Scherzer, Verlander, deGrom, Lester…
Lester is an example. Without Lester, the Cubs don’t win the World Series.
It’s an expensive game. If you want to compete, you have to pay the bill.
Braves need to move on Kluber that’s the SP they need to get. Only 2 yrs so they wouldn’t be overpaying in years Like they would if they signed MadBum. And when healthy he is a better pitcher than Hsmels at this point in his career.
The question is what would it take to get him.
I think Riley could headline a package if JD resigns
The Indians will want somebody for the future as well as somebody to help now plus a couple lottery types.
Maybe Riley, Wright, Inciarte & Muller ????
Way, way too much to give up for a rebounding Kluber. Frankly, I’m not even sure CLE is interested in that deal considering Riley/Wright/Inciarte’s stock have fallen – and Inciarte’s contract isn’t looking so team-friendly until he learns to hit again. I’d think someone like LAD could blow any offer we give (without Pache/Waters/Anderson) away.
Substitute Waters for Ender.
As an Indian’s fan, that’s a bit of an overpay for you and we have no need for Inciarte. I think Riley, Wright, and Contreras would be fair. If you’d rather send Waters than Wright then that would be fine because we have plenty of quality SP depth with more coming. What we lack is corner IF, corner OF, and C prospects.
I love that the Tribe doesn’t have to be a team that overpays to acquire starting pitching.
Do you love that they aren’t spending money on improving the team?
Do I love that they field a team that wins more than they lose? Absolutely.
Do I wish they’d spend more? It’s their money, to do with as they please. Seems like they’ve been continually making smart decisions that keep them in contention for the post season every year, while not getting buried for years under the weight of bad contracts like the big spenders do.
The Tribe operates differently, but still achieve success. How many other organizations, other than maybe TB, can say that?
Yankees to check-in to see how much they can disrupt the natural market for free agents by pretending to be willing to throw their money around with no intention inactually signing anyone..… and in other news water is wet.
I agree with what a lot of the Jays fans are saying here problem is counting on 2021 is foolhardy if there is a baseball season before the strike it will be very short. The divide between the players, owners and mlb is massive. As it is unless they show they can make strides to come together quickly were looking at probably 2022-2023 before this team has a shot at any thing close to the playoffs and you’ll be watching our young core in free agency after that.
They are not the “angles”, they are the Angels. No geometry required here. JK.
I am not saying the White Sox missing out on Wheeler is a blessing in disguised but there are better options with Kuechel, Bumgarner, Strasburg and Cole out there to lead the White Sox’s young rotation. Personally, Bumgarner or Kuechel would be idea for the White Sox!
Guess these FO dudes can’t walk and chew gum at the same time? All of that “information gathering“, but if they don’t act then the information has no value. To know and not to act is not to know…
It would be interesting to explore a trade of Jose Ramirez and Corey Kluber to the Braves. What would it take to make a deal. The Braves top pitching prospect is Ian Anderson and the top position prospect is Christian Pache. Johan Camargo, Arb1, is a MLB ready replacement for Ramirez and Bryce Wilson, Age 21, started several games for the Braves last year with 6 years remaining of control. Could also include lefty Tom Burrows in the deal. Could this be workable? Reduces CLE payroll by around $50 million over next two years.