Right-hander Matt Shoemaker is drawing interest from multiple teams in free agency, MLB Network’s Jon Morosi tweets, including the Red Sox. It’s probably safe to assume that pitching-needy Boston will be looking at several arms as it tries to rebuild the rotation, and Shoemaker is the kind of lower-cost veteran hurler that would offer some upside.
Shoemaker missed most of 2019 due to a torn ACL and then missed around a month of the 2020 season due to shoulder inflammation. This led to only 57 1/3 total innings for Shoemaker over the last two seasons with the Blue Jays, though he had good numbers (a 3.14 ERA, 2.78 K/BB rate, and 7.8 K/9) when he was on the mound. Shoemaker’s performance 2019 was significantly better than his 2020, however, as home run problems plagued him this past season.
More from around the AL East…
- The Mets are looking for both a president of baseball operations and a general manager to work under Sandy Alderson, and Rays special assistant Bobby Heck has been mentioned as a potential candidate on the Mets’ radar. However, the New York Post’s Mike Puma reports that despite those rumors about Heck being “in play for the top position, an industry source on Saturday indicated he likely won’t be the Mets’ choice.” Whether this means Heck isn’t being considered for any sort of front office position with the Mets isn’t yet known. (Specific wording may be a factor here, as if president of baseball ops is “the top position,” Heck could still be a GM candidate.) Another interesting wrinkle is some potential animosity between new Mets owner Steve Cohen and Rays majority owner Stuart Sternberg, as Puma hears that Sternberg “isn’t particularly fond” of Cohen. Of course, any possible discord doesn’t necessarily mean the two teams wouldn’t do any business, but Puma opines that it could be an obstacle if the Mets were to ask Sternberg for permission to speak with Rays GM Erik Neander.
- Jasson Dominguez is the Yankees’ top prospect and one of the more intriguing young players in all of baseball, though the 17-year-old has yet to actually begin his professional career. Inked to a $5.1MM bonus as the 2019-20 international signing window opened, Dominguez’s first year as a Yankee has been interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and thus he has been mostly spent his time training and working out at a baseball academy in his native Dominican Republic. “I expected to play my first professional season and get to experience what that felt like,” Dominguez told MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez. “I wanted to live the experience, but COVID changed everything….What I’ve learned, and what I think everyone in the world is learning, is how to adapt and live with what is happening.”
- With five open spots on their 40-man roster, the Orioles have some room to maneuver before November 20, when they must set their 40-man in advance of December’s Rule 5 Draft. The Baltimore Sun’s Nathan Ruiz looks at eight eligible prospects the O’s might be looking to protect in the draft, assuming the Orioles use all five open roster spots on their own players and not any external additions or minor leaguers they might themselves draft out of another team’s system.
Jasson Dominguez sounds pretty impressive for a 17 y.o. The kid hit the lotto and drives a Honda Accord.
Teams looking for a front office manager:
The Rays: Sold!
Anyone know if Dominguez is playing winterball?
I read that he isn’t eligible for winter baseball because he hasn’t played professionally
Shoemaker should transition into the bullpen. I think the guy has the ability to be a top flight closer!
What makes you think that? (I’m not disagreeing with you… I’m actually asking) Just curious to see what you think would make him a top flight closer… if it’s his stuff or makeup or both? I haven’t seen much of him — but as a Sox fan, I’m not opposed to them brining him in on a low-risk-high-reward type scenario. In the past he has shown the ability to be a really solid #2/3 (though now probably more 3/4) SP — so I think he would be a solid fit for them as they look to maybe catch lightning in a bottle with a couple of P signings and could surprise people by getting back to being competitive as early as next season. Not saying they’re going to be a WS contender next year… but their record last year is a bit misleading. They were missing Sale and E-Rod – and they have a REALLY solid offensive core. So a few strong pitching additions and maybe a CF/2B… (along with a healthy Sale and E-Rod – which granted are still “Ifs” at this point) but if things fall the right way… they could certainly wind up a wild-card caliber team a lot sooner than people may realize.
His makeup. Dude keeps running into crap in his career and bounces back every time. Kind of reminds me of Sergio romo, just gets things done.
You can do a lot worse than Shoemaker on a one year contract in this year’s market. Workload after missing so much injury time the last bunch of years is a consideration, but the guy doesn’t show much rust when returning from long absences. He knows how to pitch and has a nice pitch mix. I’m not sure about the closer thing. He has a starter’s profile for sure.
For a second, I thought someone had gotten ahold of my username and password. Weird seeing someone with such a similar username. Regardless, while he has some grit and I like him as a pitcher overall, I’m not sure about the closer idea. I would be curious to see how it would go, though.
Shoemaker is good for about 50 innings before he breaks down for whatever reason. He can’t close either. well beyond his best days. Buyer beware.
You are right. Injuries follow him wherever he is.
He hasn’t been able to stay healthy since 2016 when he was 29. I wouldn’t expect more than 10 starts in 2021.
Yeah, the Red Sox need a 34 year old pitcher!
Shoe is an injury waiting to happen.
He is mostly a non-available pitcher.
He will be back with the Jays after we sign Bauer.
Interesting that the Rays owner isn’t found of Cohen but he voted yes for Cohen to become Mets majority owner.
Is there a list of which owners voted yes or no that I can find? Curious, as I do know it wasn’t unanimous.
@racosun
Jerry Reinsdorf
Arte Moreno
Bob Castellini
Ken Kendrick
tinyurl.com/y2t652nl
Useful when available, I wonder if adjusting his workload would help his durability?
Call it load management, but making him a once, or twice, thru-the-order starter/opener could be where his real value is
Fragile 34 year olds don’t get paid
If the Shoe fits, you suck.
Like “If the foo schitts, wear it?”
Our right handed pitching got destroyed last year, In one game, the Rays put an ENTIRE lineup card of Leftys in and scored 11 runs vs us. Needless to say we really need (ok desperately) need a quality right hander like Tanaka or Oderizzi or Stroman, so what does management want? An oft injured 34 year old with a 5 run era. No greater way get fan interest back than that move eh?
If you haven’t looked at the video of Jasson Dominguez on the MLB site, it’s worth a look. Body type might not determine anything about his play on the field, but his build reminds me of Mike Trout. Just saying.
Judging by his quote, Dominquez isn’t a 17-year-old kid. He’s a full-grown man. I wish the Dodgers had him, though I will root for him anyway. I can’t wait to see this young man play.
Mets should get Mike Hill.
His best years are probably behind him…. Boston needs young arms…
Wow Matt Shoemaker!!!! We’re back baby! Where can I get my World Series Tickets? He has been injured for three years now! Are you kidding me? Bloom go after a real pitcher who can help this team not a “ Rube Goldberg” bottom basement bargain!!!
Yeah, hes doing the belicheck plan! Sign as many free agent bargain basement scrubs as possible and throw that crap against the wall and see what sticks!! So of course this will be the second year the Sox are gonna low ball it!! You know what that means? If and when fans are allowed back in Fenway, ticket prices will be increased!!!! Too funny for words!!