Outfielder Nicholas Castellanos has another suitor, as Texas has “checked in on” the slugging outfielder, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News tweets. While upgrading at third base has been a focus for the Rangers, general manager Jon Daniels indicated they could make a splash elsewhere, per Grant. Signing Castellanos, who’s in line for a lucrative multiyear contract, would qualify. Adding him could also make it even more likely the Rangers move on from Nomar Mazara, who might be part of a trade as early as this week’s Winter Meetings.
Meanwhile, it’s becoming more likely the Rangers will not keep outfielder/designated hitter Hunter Pence in the fold, TR Sullivan of MLB.com reports. After signing a minor league contract last offseason, Pence enjoyed an improbable bounce-back campaign, even earning an All-Star nod, but it seems the soon-to-be 37-year-old will have to play elsewhere if he keeps his career going in 2020.
Here’s more from the game’s West divisions…
- The Diamondbacks reportedly have interest in free-agent left-hander Madison Bumgarner, but it appears they’ll have to step it up if they’re going to reel in the longtime division rival. According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the Diamondbacks did make Bumgarner an offer “at some point,” but it was “light.” The 30-year-old seems to have his sights set on becoming the majors’ latest $100MM-plus pitcher, though it remains to be seen whether that’s realistic on his part.
- The Angels appear poised to break the bank, evidenced by their interest in the likes of Gerrit Cole, Anthony Rendon and Josh Donaldson, but they won’t necessarily limit their spending to one big-time performer. Rather, the club has the ability to fit in “multiple” new players who earn $20MM or more, general manager Billy Eppler declared (via Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register). In terms of adding payroll, the Angels helped their cause Tuesday when they got infielder Zack Cozart’s $12MM-plus salary off the books in a trade with San Francisco.
- While payroll looks to be an issue for the Astros, they’re nonetheless hoping to address some needs of their own. President of baseball ops/GM Jeff Luhnow old Jake Kaplan of The Athletic and other reporters Tuesday that the reigning AL champions are seeking a catcher, a starter and one or more relievers. “I think the catching has been our top pursuit. But it doesn’t mean that it’s going to be the first one to get completed,” Luhnow said. The Astros’ top backstop from 2019, Robinson Chirinos, is currently among their free agents.
- The Giants have interviewed Rachel Balkovec, the Yankees’ minor league roving hitting instructor, for a spot on their major league staff, per Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic. However, it doesn’t look as if the Giants will hire Balkovec, Baggarly adds. The interview itself appears to be historic, though, as Baggarly notes it’s “believed” Balkovec is the first woman to discuss a uniformed role with a major league team.
so Rendon, Ryu, Maldonado reasonable? maybe another flyer #5/6 starter for insurance ??
That’s a 3rd place team. No thanks
Ryu would get scored on, in the AL, more often than a street hooker. He would face a deep lineup every game. Not minor league lineups, like the Padres, Giants and Mets.
Mets are in the east so the amount of starts he had against them would be minimal
Quite the scintillating take from a moron’s perspective. Thanks, Fanboy.
the mets has the 2nd best offense in the nl last year so not sure how that’s true
They just traded the #15 pick in the draft for salary relief. At this point if they don’t add significantly to the roster that move is going to look awful. They’ve drawn the line in the sand; they’re going for it. Have to go now.
I wonder if Donaldson can player catcher cause we already got a 3rd baseman in la stalla/fletcher. We need someone to throw the ball and catch the ball that’s it.
Good job Halos for shedding Cozart. Go get some dudes. The Giants are confounding af
The Giants did it in order to “buy” a prospect. Plus, if he has a bounce-back year he can be flipped at the deadline for a couple more.
Sorry to tell you but will wilson isnt that good. Id take 12 million over him any day
If their payroll was tight, that would be another story. But they have ample capacity for Cozart’s one-year salary. Cozart doesn’t have to produce a thing in SF to make the trade worthwhile
Just seems like a lot to pay for an uninspiring prospect, and it’s mildly amusing because they’re already riding with a plethora of washups
They bought an additional prospect for 12 million dollars. He was the 15th pick in the draft a year ago…. You do realize when so many of you guys applaud “flip” candidates that the team “flipping” the player has paid those player(s) salary all season long? I saw the Orioles get berated for not wanting to spend 11 million bucks on Villar because he’d be a “good flip” candidate.
I hadn’t considered Arizona as a landing spot for MadBum but I actually like the fit. He’d be a great mentor to the teams younger starters and could still be a force in the postseason if the DBacks have a surprise season. It all depends on the $ but AZ should have some money to spend after jettisoning most of Greinke’s salary + having only one more year of the deadweight Yasmany Tomas contract
If what Derrick Hall stated re: the budget is accurate, the D’Backs have about $30M of payroll space. So after signing Junior Guerra they would sit at a little over $27M to spend with several holes left to fill.
Go Angels Go
F-u angels. U stink.
i don’t know where did ‘angels losing money at around $160 mil roster before options’.
The Angels are done. Both top starters off the board. Eppler the “ Genius” can now go out and get another “ Dark Knight” maybe him and Preller can start a business next year called “ how not to run a club”.
Yeah but now without our first round draft pick since we have him away for salary dump. This is the Angels frank mccourt team.
I don’t see how Eppler can be criticized for not landing Cole and Strasburg. He reportedly offered Cole almost $300 mil!