The Major League Baseball season now has a target date for players to report to “Summer” Training (July 1) and for a truncated 60-game season to at last begin on July 23-24. Starved baseball fans finally have some dates to look forward to — and teams throughout the league suddenly have some work to do.
Major League Baseball rosters have been frozen since late March, but that freeze will come to an end this Friday at noon ET, and any club looking to bring in new players will want to give those players as much notice as possible. Plus, with a universal DH and with Opening Day rosters expanding to 30 players (and shrinking to 28 and 26, respectively, 15 and 29 days into the season), it’ll be all the more critical for teams to have depth.
What can we expect? The trade deadline is Aug. 31, and there’s no indication that there are any restrictions on making swaps prior to the season. Perhaps that’ll prove to be the case, but to this point it seems that player movement can come back in full force in just over 48 hours. And, between some lingering names from the offseason market and the sweeping releases made by teams in the past several weeks, there are some recognizable names out there.
Still Unsigned From 2019-20 Offseason
Yasiel Puig is the big name to watch, of course. The longtime Dodgers slugger recently drew interest from a KBO team but told their GM he preferred to take another shot at latching on with an MLB team in 2020. Just last night, Puig tweeted: “Baseball is back and God knows I’m ready #letthewildhorseloose”.
Puig isn’t the only one though. Among the notable names: Russell Martin, Scooter Gennett, Melky Cabrera, Jacoby Ellsbury, Hanley Ramirez, Mark Trumbo, Clay Buchholz, Andrew Cashner, Marco Estrada, Matt Harvey, Danny Salazar, Aaron Sanchez, Jason Vargas, Matt Albers, Pat Neshek, Fernando Rodney, Arodys Vizcaino, Tony Cingrani, Zach Duke, Tony Sipp and Jonny Venters.
Released in Recent Weeks
Many teams throughout the league cut more than 30 minor leaguers beginning in late March, and while most were lower-level names that have no big league experience, there were some recognizable names among the bunch. Teams in need of depth could take a look at the likes of: Edwin Jackson, Shane Carle, Tim Melville, Carlos Asuaje, David Huff, Brock Stewart, Deck McGuire, Brooks Pounders, T.J. Rivera, Aaron Blair, Dalton Pompey, Jake Elmore, Travis Snider and others.
Spring Opt-Outs/Releases
Just prior to the shutdown, veteran righty Jared Hughes opted out of his deal with the Astros, making him available to sign anywhere as well. Among players who were cut loose or opted out prior to the shutdown, he may be the best of the bunch based on recent track record, but there are others. Veteran righties Hunter Strickland and David Hernandez were cut loose by the Nats but have both had their share of success in the big leagues. Right-hander Sam Tuivailala was released by the Mariners as well after some velocity red flags in camp, but he has youth on his side and was a promising young reliever before injuries sidetracked him for the past couple years.
Trade Scenarios to Consider
We don’t know precisely how teams will react to being able to exchange players with each other once again. Some clubs will likely look to unload salary early on after experiencing unprecedented revenue losses — but buyers could be reluctant for similar reasons. At the same time, might the shortened 60-game season embolden less-concrete contenders to make bold plays early on? Teams like the White Sox and Reds were among the most aggressive in free agency this winter; would they take their foot off the pedal now? That seems unlikely.
The opposite could hold true as well. Normally, a team getting out to a slow start wouldn’t be seen as a nail in the coffin — the 2019 World Champs say “hello!” — but three- or four-week slump to start the 2020 campaign could push clubs into “sell” mode early. A team that starts the season 8-13, for instance, would be through 35 percent of its games and could feel forced to begin mulling tough decisions.
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There’s so much that’s unknown still about just how transactions will look. The league and players union may very well still be hammering out some of these specifics. We know that each club will submit a 60-name list of players who can participate in Spring Training by Sunday, but the very fact that trades and transactions are permitted suggests that there’s room for those lists and taxi squads to be adjusted throughout the season (just as would be the case with the 40-man roster under normal circumstances). However the specifics play out, fans can ready for some actual player movement beginning this weekend.
It’s just good form and human decency to move player “A” before he reports to his old team. He’d even have at least a week to react, longer than the 72 hours they’re entitiled to during the regular season, especially true considering COVID and family considerations.
And again, I think a chunk of these deals have already been made.
If we saw a tidal wave of trades/transactions Friday like how the NBA free agency started last year that would be amazing.
What happens to players that were DFA’d right before the freeze (i.e Eric Skoglund)?
Good gosh it’s been so long that I need to go look at the roster page for every team to remember last winters moves.
Having seen how cheap the owners have been thus far this year, I’ll venture to guess that trades will be far and few unless they are opportunistic trades for the future rather than the present.
I think that as players get injured they will by and large be replaced by warm bodies from the farm rather than trades. But a few gems might emerge that way.
The trend after the steroid era has been to go with younger, cheaper, higher ceiling players. Older, higher priced, shorter team control players have less appeal money not withstanding. It is wiser to go with younger team control players! It is not being “cheap”.
In “cheap,” I was not referring to cost-controlled players v. free agents, but to the owners attempts to pay players as little of their salaries this year as they could.
Right, now that they’ve agreed and we can move forward and talk about baseball, I was hoping we could bicker more in the comments about the cheap owners! Move on man – they patched it up it’s okay for you to dry your eyes and come along! 🙂
Scottn59c
Owners hammer the young players. Something has to change and I hope it’s addressed in the next CBA.
25 man roster minimum pay is $560,000 per year. If that is getting “hammered” count me in.
Are they selling these types of idiotic comments right off the shelf now?
It’s not the owners that hammer the younger players it’s the fact that all the money is going to the veteran millionaires, who some fans complain are underpaid.
Lol wow.
Define how the owners have been cheap?
So Edwin Jackson is potentially going to play for another organization?
Steve. Everyone on that list is a reach except for Puig,Mark Trumbo, Jason Vargas, Pat Neshek, Fernando Rodney, Tony Sipp, and Jonny Venters is a reach. 7 flier-worthy players, Ellsbury wouldn’t get a contract if he reached out to KBO GMs. Do better.
Even trumbo and Rodney are not all that good imo.
“Do better.”
That’s a, uhhh, oddly hostile take on a list of names. Even the names you mention include high-profile players, albeit past their prime and relevancy. Really, though, my gripe is the hostility. It’s….weird.
With expanded rosters and NL now bringing in the DH, some of these guys will get calls. Do Better!
Disagree.
Cashner as a reliever is much different than Cashner as a starter.
Above average bullpen arm.
Don’t think the Astros have the need but wouldn’t mind him with the Astros at all.
How can he “do better” ? Lol the available players are the available players… it’s not like he can add free agents to the group just to make the list “better” — I for one appreciated the list to know who’s out there. And I also think guys like Vizcaino (albeit he was hurt last year) are legitimate options out there… assuming he’s healthy and looking to play.
Like Jeff said above, how exactly is he supposed to “do better”? Are you expecting him to snap his fingers and create a more appealing list of free agents? Let’s see your list, FattKemp…we’ll see if you YOU can do better.
I don’t expect a lot of trades this year. I think most teams will be all in since it’s a shortened season. The few teams that clearly aren’t contenders, like the orioles and marlins, will likely use the time to develop their young players.
Stretch – Only half the teams are remotely close to being competitive and will be dead and buried in the standings just like any other year. There is not enough pitching depth in either league. There are far too many AAA quality pitchers in the mlb already.
True but with the DH, I think MLB runs will be inflated this year. I expected another juiced ball season. I see what you’re saying though. It is hard to win specifically in the postseason without pitching. Then again factor in health and all that.
Over 60 games, 90% of the teams are competitive.
Halo – 90 percent is 27 competitive teams ….. no way.
Baltimore
Detroit
Kansas City
Seattle
Miami
Pittsburgh
They all are terrible and have no chance before the season even starts. That is 20 percent of the league for sure will only be competing for the number 1 draft pick!
I am a Red Sox fan and I do not consider them “competitive”. Maybe your definition is having a snowballs chance in hell, my definition of competitive is having a realistic chance of winning the World Series not just making the playoffs, and in that case in most years is only maybe 6 to 10 teams.
let’s see how long it takes for the Phillies to extend JT Realmuto.
As Squidman Palladorous would say…
“For-ev-er”
COVID transaction freeze lifted…choose picture of player licking his bat…
Should Hanley really be on that list?
No, one good year out of four with RS…..horrible 4 of the last 5 years, and top it off he has no position except DH.
i mean, if Ells is?
whoops, didnt mean to add the question mark
True. True. We could probably ask the same question for all of them. Kind of speaks to why they’re still unsigned.
Funny – I actually had to look to see if Ramirez played last year because I thought he’d retired. I’d be shocked if he gets a deal, but I guess with more DH options there’s a chance.
I already predictions for 20/20 season is Hanley Ramirez becoming a Cardinal dh and winning the national league MVP and being the first designated hitter to win an MVP award. In the American league Jacoby ellsbury you get sign ed by the Cleveland Indians and is the going to be the MVP. I don’t want to hear no goat comments on my predictions please
I’m confused by this post and your username.
Lmao vtncsc! The post was more then confusion.
That post makes more sense than most of his posts.
I’m confused by his initial post as well as his follow-up comment
Iknow – i wish you were a GM in the AL East, so my favorite team could get 19 easy wins.
WhatifMLB I agree, I can pull off 19 easy wins if I was the GM of your favorite team. My handle is Iknowmorebaseball but don’t let that fool you. I really know what I’m talking about and I’m an excellent observer of the game. I used to play in fantasy league and win every season. I Lost interest and it got rather easy with no challenge.
This dude is just a complete troll right? Like I’m not even trying to be offensive but even the language being used is clearly not even close to proper English so I’m assuming it’s a foreign troll or something? Though I’m not exactly sure what they’re hoping to accomplish on a baseball trade website?
Iknow – How old were the other participants in your fantasy league?
Also…Jeff Zanghi just made me laugh out loud, literally
With the DH coming to the NL this year, I see several of the above players getting at least a look. I’m not sure there will be that man trades though.
bring back Neshek!
Aaron Sanchez is a sleeper here, his stats may say different but I think he would fit in with the rangers
Is Sanchez healthy? For some reason I thought he was out for the season, but maybe not
what exactly is going on with Viz’s health situation?
If a player is not on the 30/28/26-man active roster, what is the difference between being on the 40-man roster and being on the 20-man taxi squad? Is there a difference between how player options are treated — i.e., 40-man roster players use an option year if they are not active, while taxi squad players do not?
I’ve also been wondering this… like are normal transactions/options still in effect or is there going to be more flexibility with guys on the “taxi-squad” than typical minor league option scenarios?
There is no excuse for any team to sit on the sidelines with a 60 game season, even the rebuilding teams.
“There is no excuse for any team to sit on the sidelines with a 60 game season, even the rebuilding teams”
Thanks Mr. Boras.
In actuality, there is about a decent chance that there is no World Series, and another pretty good chance that Covid is going to impact your lineup. The high end pitcher you trade for could miss the whole thing with Covid.
If I am GM, I’d be pretty cautious making any moves that will impact my long term. Its gonna be a crap shoot, and you probably can get by with a lesser team.
Also a lot of teams are not going to take on more salary due to the uncertainty and the fact that they will not see any increased gate revenue, because there will be none.
You always have to be smart, I would say 90% of the teams have a legitimate shot at the post season. If money is the issue, invest it. A post season appearance this year will make your team money next year.
Invest in what? What difference maker is still out there?
Two different points. There could very easily be no one out there that could make a difference, but that would mean talent is the issue. But since 90% of the teams have a chance to make the post season, spending money shouldn’t be a issue and I would throw caution to the wind.
As an Angel fan, there are a number of players on that list I’d like to sign. Money shouldn’t be an issue.
I’d agree money shouldn’t be an issue if I didn’t disagree with the plan. My opinion is you’d be better served gathering and taking fliers on minor leaguers, younger scrap heap guys. I honestly think this gives you a better shot at success as opposed to signing known names and hoping they surprise you.
What should they be doing? Signing big-name, has-been veterans that won’t help them anyway? All the good free agents are signed. Not really any difference makers left to snatch up.
ForwhomJoshballtoes What are you talking about? some rebuilding teams will make the playoffs with this short season and 16 playoff spots available. Last time I checked in baseball there was 30 teams and 15 of them were rebuilding so at least one rebuilding team will get in and may win the world series if the other teams in the postseason get players who contract the virus
This is a bold prediction, but unlike other people, I believe we will see a TON of trades, but instead of them being at the deadline, it will be pre-season. Especially teams like the Rangers, Blue Jays, and Red Sox who are still trying to figure out if they should buy or sell. Here are the reasons as to why this would happen:
1. If you trade for somebody a month before the season starts, you can determine whether or not he has the virus, and get it taken care of.
2. You will go into the season with the mindset of how you want to perform. Example: Rangers trade for Josh Bell and sign Sam Tuivailala, we have a winning mindset.
3. The player getting traded would have a month to get adjusted to his new team throughout Summer Training.
Yes, trades will still happen at the deadline, but I expect a lot of trades pre-season.
You could infect your whole roster and any new trade acquisitions a month out and then not have to worry about them contracting the virus during the season. While the other teams have their star players go down for two weeks at a time, you get a smooth ride to the WS.
The Cubs will trade Bryant but to who?
Giants are panting for Puig. Great.
I guess clubhouse chemistry can wait another year…
You could take all those guys that are still unsigned and have a better team than the O’s!
You could take the posters on this board and still have a better team than the “O’s”
Hoping the Angels take a flier on Aaron Sanchez
I gave my gf some O’s last night,she wasn’t complaining
Majority of these names will never play in the majors again. They are done. Martin and ventures? Really?
Hoping the Angels take a flier on Aaron Sanchez
He could be your next closer if he is healthy. Electric when healthy and on his game. He’s also a Californian.
He has to figure out how to deal with his blister issue. Until that happens, you can’t count on him from day to day.
28 in a week, he’s still young but a repeat of ’15 or ’16 is getting harder to envision
Cashner is probably the best option
Still averages a 95.4 mph fastball.
Very few relievers averaged over 95 on their FB
Pitched decent when moved to the pen with Boston last year.
Has the potential to post 2-3 great years as a reliever IMO. Potential closer. Just needs the correct situation.
You guys need not worry about YOUR team signing any if those players mentioned in the article.
Jerry Deathstar Dipoto will have them all signed by 9AM PST. And giving us his best Mc Lovin impersonation “The World Series is mine Bitches”
Yeah but then he’ll trade half of em by Sunday night
I’d like the see the Red Sox sign a guy like Vizcaino… they may not have a great shot at making the playoffs. But with the shortened season and “anything can happen mentality” they could definitely use the depth and he’d presumably be a low risk, high reward signing — assuming he’s healthy. And if he turns out to be as effective as he was prior to his injuries — he’d be a great guy to have in the pen long term.