The Nationals and the representative for free-agent catcher J.T. Realmuto “have had early discussions,” Brittany Ghiroli of The Athletic writes. Despite that, Ghiroli casts doubt on the Nationals signing Realmuto because of general manager Mike Rizzo’s suggestion earlier this week that the club doesn’t have the catcher position atop its list of priorities. Rizzo indicated first base and the outfield are bigger needs for the Nationals, who have Yan Gomes coming off a bounce-back season (over just 30 games) as their starting backstop. Even if the Nats want to count on Gomes as their starter in 2021, they could at least re-sign Kurt Suzuki or add a backup to replace him. Tres Barrera, who has totaled two plate appearances in the majors, is the only catcher on their 40-man roster after Gomes.
Here’s more from the open market:
- The Twins have not re-signed designated hitter Nelson Cruz yet, but president of baseball operations Derek Falvey told MLB Network Radio that the two sides are still “in contact.” Falvey went on to call Cruz “a special member of the Twins,” which was certainly true from 2019-20. The ageless Cruz, who will soon turn 41 next July, had arguably the two best seasons of his career in Minnesota. He slashed .308/.394/.626 during that time and ranked second in the majors in wRC+ (163) and fifth in home runs (57).
- The Blue Jays and free-agent infielder Ha-Seong Kim “have been in touch,” Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports. The 25-year-old Kim hasn’t played in the majors yet, but he starred with the Nexen Heroes of the Korea Baseball Organization from 2014-20 and currently ranks as one of the top free agents on the market. It’s unclear where he would play in Toronto because the club has Bo Bichette occupying short, but Kim may be a fit at either second or third base.
- The Rockies have “had discussions” about a reunion with outfielder Kevin Pillar, according to manager Bud Black (via Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post). Black isn’t sure how far those talks have gone, though. The 31-year-old Pillar, whom the Rockies acquired from the Red Sox over the summer, posted a career-high .288/.338/.462 line with six home runs and five stolen bases in 223 plate appearances last season.
- Tigers general manager Al Avila told MLB Network that his son, catcher Alex Avila, is on their list of potential free-agent pickups, Jason Beck of MLB.com tweets. However, Al Avila added that the Tigers aren’t prioritizing the catcher position at the moment. There is room for improvement at the spot, though, as the backstops on their 40-man roster – Grayson Greiner, Eric Haase and Jake Rogers – have all failed to record passable offensive numbers during their careers. That isn’t the case for the 33-year-old Alex Avila, owner of a .235/.348/.394 line in 3,527 plate appearances. He played with the Tigers from 2009-15 before moving on to a few other teams, most recently Minnesota.
- The Dodgers are the latest team to show interest in reliever Ryne Stanek, who’s on the world champions’ radar, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times relays. Stanek had a woeful 2020 with the Marlins, but he’s a known entity to Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman. As the Rays’ GM in 2013, Friedman used the 29th overall pick on Stanek.
So no news. Got it.
It’s called MLB TRADE RUMORS. I don’t understand why some of you don’t get the rumor part.
This particular baseball site may not be for you. =D You also might want to look up the definition of the word “rumor”. Should kind of indicate to you that articles like this are normal.
Funny that some take these articles so seriously. These rumors are often started by agents & teams that want to generate smokescreens & misinformation .
Pillar hit a career high .288 last season? Imagine that! His home avg was a whopping .371 (most of which in Coors) while hitting a measly .228 on the road. All stats influenced by Coors should always carry a BIG ***
Don’t know the splits by park but the stat I checked showed four of his homers were while with the Red Sox. Pillar is a quality fourth outfielder.
You’re not wrong, but I’d argue most players have better home/away splits, regardless of stadium. A player is often more comfortable in his own park. You have to take some of that into account when looking at splits. That being said, these particular splits do seem drastic.
In non-tendering Dahl they wanted to give more playing time to their 4 OFs including Hilliard. Picking up Pillar would go against that. Would love to see Hilliard get a chance.
They gotta leave room for Kemp still.
Blackmon, Tapia, Kemp with Hilliard not getting enough AB to get comfortable.
Not sure Pillar is a fit?
How’s 1B looking? Reynolds available?
Rockies are LH heavy in the OF. Pillar serves as a RH bat. Kemp would be the one to move to 1B,
60 game season should be the only asterixis. Pillar was always a streaky hitter. I still like him and hope he gets signed. Lots of guys looked better this year due to the shortened season and other guys never got it going.
With the way Cruz has been playing it looks like he might play til he’s 55 and still hit 15 home runs in a year. Its amazing, imagine where he’s be on the lists if he cracked the league at 21 instead of 28?
Cruz is juicing again, or did he ever stop? Only 1 other man had a couple of his best years at ages 40/41, and u know who that is (Bonds). I get how u can still be productive at that age, but at your best? “COME ON MAN”!
Actually, Cruz is mashing much more prolifically than Bonds at 40. Cruz hit 1 HR per 13.4 PA’s. Bonds hit 1 HR per 22.9 PA’s. Ortiz, however, hit 1 HR per 16.5 PA’s at age 40. AND led the league in 2Bs, RBIs, SLG, and OPS. With notoriously bad feet. At 40! Bwahaha!
Not sure where the Bonds numbers come from? I got:
Bonds at 39: every 13.7 PA (8.3 AB!!)
At 40: every 10.4 PA (8.4 AB)
At 41: every 19.0 PA (14.1 AB)
At 42: every 17.0 PA (12.1 AB)
Ortiz at 39: every 16.6 PA (14.3 AB)
At 40: every 16.5 PA (14.1 AB)
Cruz at 39. HR every 13.4 PA (11.6 AB)
Not sure what to think. Cruz having an age 40 season similar to Ortiz would help most clubs. How does Cano get caught again but Cruz doesn’t? Tough to be skeptical of Cruz.
For some added context, Bonds was the most feared hitter in history of the game at the time. If he ever saw more than 1 pitch tk hit a game his numbers would probably look even better.
Sounds like the Nats really do want JTR, but are also trying to play it cool (and failing).
That’s what it sounds like to me as well.
making me feel sad. Nats fan want him or Ozuna. Ozuna the likeliest
I think the White Sox would be a fun outlier for JT Realmuto. They already have Grandal, of course, but the ability to rotate two of the best catchers in the game between C and DH would be interesting.
@Dixon It would make an interesting dynamic and would keep both guys fresh. You would still think that JT would get more starts at C than DH. He is better defensively.
Grandal is for sure better defensively
That would so royally piss off Grandal it would backfire instantly.
Neither of the catchers would be agreeable to that arrangement. Won’t happen.
In a world of unlimited resource, sure.
This is a dumb comment
Maybe it’s just me, but I definitely don’t see JTR ending up with the Nats
Not a snowball’s chance in Florida. Probably wants 100 for five years. The Nationals could get three players for 20.
JT odds of coming back to philly seems slim.
His destination possibilities seem slim if he doesn’t lower his price. Mets are out. Blue Jays have other priorities and good young catchers. Those are your two big spenders this off-season. Dodgers are set. Red Sox are set. Angels have other needs. Who the heck has that kind of cash? Maybe the Yankees step in.
Seems like the Nats’ strategy here is to lay in wait. They’re really one of just two or three plausible landing spots for Realmuto at this point, barring a huge surprise; Mike Rizzo has wanted him forever and was stung when Miami swung that trade with Philly instead of coming off its Robles+Soto asking price a few winters ago; and yet the Nats have other needs this winter too and could find themselves hamstrung if they jump to meet Realmuto’s demands instead of waiting for his price to come down.
I think they have at most 25 to 30 million to spend on new players. It doesn’t make sense to blow 20 on just one.
seamaholic Yankees would probably rather have LeMahieu back. I don’t see them stepping in on JT unless/until they miss out on DJ. I’d be surprised if Hal was willing to open his wallet for 2 major signings this offseason.
JT is the clear top free agent get on the market right now but his market is somewhat cloudy. He has a few obvious options but like someone said earlier there are a few big market teams that are set at the catcher position or have other glaring holes they need to address before adding a big contract behind the dish…I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Angels or Yankees sneak in, but my best bet is he ends up back in Philly.
He wants to stay in Philly and developed a friendship with the Harper family, but he won’t be taking any paycuts. So unless something major happens with Phillies financially, I don’t see a Philly reunion.
Maybe taking a paycut will be his only option once the music stops, as I’m sure you’re hoping as a phan
Sure, but someone is going yo pay the guy.
There is no way JT comes groveling back to the Phillies, especially in light of the stinging arbitration loss that he endured. He will go to the highest bidder. Period. That’s the game today. Freddy Freeman might be the only player in the league to take less to stay with Atl.
What if the Phillies are the highest bidder?
I think you’re over estimating the arbitration thing, which JT expected to lose. He still wants to play for Philly in his own words, but of course he won’t be giving them a discount. I’m with you on him going where the money is. Don’t blame him.
That’s the dilemma the Phillies are in. They’re hoping no one will come close to JT’s asking price. They’ll make an offer if the pricetag comes down,but honestly someone will give JT a big payday. Not as big as his initial asking price, but still likely out of the Phillies’ range.
They won’t be. Ask Dombrowski.
Realmuto stock is way down. Bet same goes for springer. U play C or CF and teams loose interest quickly when you ask for big bucks in years u most likely have to move off a premier position. Their stats are fantastic at their natural position. Above average if realmuto is playing 1st or Springer in Left
if the Jays land Kim, Bichette would probably move to 2B.
I think it would be opposite for the first year maybe 2, then if Bo doesn’t develop a consistent above average Glove you can justify the move to him and hopefully have an extension worked out prior to the ask
Thats also if Kim shows he’s a level above Bo with the Glove and on par with his Bat.
All of that wouldn’t matter if the Jays just trade for Lindor, (while still signing Kim) then its just a matter of pitting BO/Kim against each other into Gaining the SS job by producing more than Lindor or fit into a 3B 2B combo until one runs away with 3B job
Lots of SP to be had in the trade market with our better prospects plus FA options if you want to win the pre season
On-paper Kim is the 2B on the Blue Jays.
Not signed yet, but I like your spirit!
I was answering the person who said Kim would be the SS if signed and Bo would be at 2B. But thanks.
Bichette’s defensive numbers at SS were middle of the pack last year, and he’s 22, and he’s been making huge defensive strides every year. Give him a chance and he might be very good.
Yep. And Kim’s defensive numbers look underwhelming. Save the prospects, keep Bo at SS.
Oh boy, Stanek could be the next Chris Hatcher!
But what about Mickey Hatcher? That is the second coming we all want…
Ha. Stanek doesn’t have the ears for it.
I don’t see how JTR gets what he is looking for. The Yankees being out is bad enough but the Mets going in a different direction hurts even more. This is going to be another Harper hold up but without as much success at the end of it.
SalaryCapMyth Maybe he just rolls the dice and takes a one year contract, maybe with a player option attached that would allow him to renter the FA market in another year or so?
He’s 29 and plays the most physically demanding position in baseball. That would really not be very smart.
I tossed that thought around in my head as well except that maybe the biggest issue is his age. It’s already a struggle to give a large commitment to a catcher that will be 30 before the season starts. One year older would be even more difficult. He’s already largely regarded as baseball’s best catcher so he can’t increase his value a lot more.
If he decides what he wants isnt going to happen maybe he would go into damage control and take a one year deal. Next year hope for a better market combined with tempered expectations, maybe he could pull a 3 or even 4 year deal close to the AAV he is looking for.
But with the talk of a late start to the season already being discussed I don’t think however much the market recovers next offseason will be enough to make up for being a year older.
@SCM and even that assumes he doesn’t get hurt or have a down year statistically in 2021 (which is far from self-evident).
Why would he take a one year contract!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? He isn’t some unproven guy, nor is he coming off a down season. Even if he repeats in 2021 (which isn’t guaranteed) all that will change that helps him is not having the QO attached.
@RPWFtRB- Yep. Good points. There’s a lot of risk in doing that. A down year could even just be bad fortune and not his fault and that would do it. And a catcher getting injured, especially with all the innings he’s put in makes it sound like way to much risk for not enough reward.
There is no reward. JTR is already unanimously regarded as the current best catcher in baseball. If GM’s don’t already think he’s worth what he and his agent are asking for, they aren’t ever going to.
Kevin Pillar is just hoping to put right what once went wrong and hoping each time that his next leap will be the leap home
The next leap never ends.
Only Chris Coghlan can leap home.
Enrico – so where does his quantum leap home take him …..sam?
Why the Twins don’t sit down w Cruz and hammer out a deal, I have no idea. Pay the guy. I wish my team could pay him!
Plz, Tigers, sign Avila–I don’t want the Rays to be tempted. Egad.
This is what I don’t get. IF Cruz (like Ozuna) was waiting on clarity for his market to emerge – I could understand – but age is not on Cruz’s side — and MIN is using that to their advantage. I fear their going to try and take too much advantage of that and risk losing him. Can they not afford a nice 1 year with a player, mutual or vesting option (to give Cruz more assurance)?
I wish my Braves could go after Cruz and make him this year’s AAV golden goose — under different circumstances.
I still say the Jays are the only real option to pay JT what he wants. Additionally the Pirates want Jays catching in return for Joe Musgrove. So if they sign JT, easy to think Joe musgrove would be next addition.
As rich as they are and as much as I fantasize about them spending on DJ JT Springer Kim and Bauer, they probably only spend Large on 1 and try for a 2nd tier in the JBJ (Kim again) Paxton types so JT could fit and use the other 4 C as trade options
Trade is where I think we’ll find the most value and highest profile move once all is said and done
TOR is a lot of fun to watch, much like SD with all their young talent. Any idea what position Austin Martin is going to be used – or is still TBD? They’re connected to Kim though Martin, Groshans, Orelvis Martinez, Miguel (Don’t Call Me Geraldo) Hiraldo – not inc. Bichette?
Jays can mash. They need pitching. They should be the front runner for Bauer.
Martin is slated to be the CF as of now. I think Martin wants a crack at SS, or at least that’s what it seemed like in an interview after the draft. Martin has a suspect arm. But, if he is supposed to be ready in 2022, signing Springer wouldn’t be a necessity. OF should be the 4th priority behind two SP and an INF.
SP may be a bigger need for the Jays in 2021, but if we’re going down the relying on prospects route for CF circa 2022, then why discount the fact that the Jays are loaded with quality SP prospects that could be ready by then too? Not to mention all the other arms in the system that still have rotation potential like Kay, Hatch, Thornton, Merryweather, Borucki, and Murphy, most of whom should’ve been working as starters last year, but were forced into the Jays bullpen due to no MiLB season.
Considering two rotation spots are likely already taken until at least 2023 (Pearson & Ryu), it doesn’t make a ton of sense to add another two long-term starters that will block all the other pitchers in the organization, while hoping that your one promising CF prospect that’s close to the Majors pans out.
I think that’s why the Jays appear to be more interested in bats than starters on the FA market despite the most obvious need appearing to be starting pitching in 2021. Not to mention, if they sign Springer (or Realmuto), it creates a surplus of position players that could then be traded for a better fit on the pitching side than what is out there in FA, like a Joe Musgrove who Jaysfan12 mentioned above, who has 2 arb years left, rather than having to sign someone like Jake Odorizzi to a rich 3-year deal or having to completely break the bank on Bauer.
Yes, because pitchers NEVER get hurt.
It makes sense for the Blue Jays to go all out and all in on Bauer. If the Jays get 3 prospects to perform well in the big leagues (Pearson plus two others), that’s fantastic. But you cannot rely on that.
History proves that; look at all the prospects the Jays had less than 10 years ago. Where is Jeff Hoffman? Kyle Drabek? Justin Nicolino? Asher Wojciechowski? Daniel Norris? Jon Harris? There are more, and aside from Syndergaard and Stroman, others have had very short stints of success.
You want to give up prospects rather than take the best available pitcher on the market because you might block a starting pitcher that’s two years away? No. Rogers has the money, Blue Jays have the space, go get the guy that wants to beat Gerrit Cole every single time he takes the mound because of the Houston debacle. Go get Bauer.
Still no word on the Astros working on outfielders. Must be waiting on Jose Cruz to come out of retirement.
He is asking for double his social security payments.
If jtr’s price comes down arte will surely barge in.
Saying Haase and Rogers failed to provide offense when they have not been given any meaningful abs is rather misleading. Minor league numbers have kept them moving up the ladder. Admittedly, I’m not expecting Fisk numbers, but Tyler Flowers should be possible.
I honestly would not be shocked if DET goes into 2021 with zero change. I think Curt Casali would be the best bargain option. I don’t think trading for a young catcher(Ruiz, younger Contreras, Langeliers) would be a bad idea.
If not, I think they should give Rogers the full reigns; and let Haase backup. 2020 did nothing for his confidence, or experience. They need to give Jake the opportunity to prove himself. And what better, than right now? IMO, it has been long overdue cutting ties with Greiner.
If Detroit were trying to jumpstart their window, I could see them going after Realmuto. More likely, and hopefully, they just roll with Rogers (who isn’t half bad defensively so their pitchers won’t suffer) and Haase for now and hope Dillon Dingler pans out.
I would rather see them spend that kind of money throughout the diamond; rather than on just a catcher. (Not saying JTR is/isn’t worth it) DET just has way too many holes. And, that Zimmerman contract is still pretty fresh.
I’m going to be praying that they don’t sign Avila because I would rather have them go with hasse and Rogers and let them see what they’re actually made of
I think Tigers will sign Alex Avila. 3+ mil/yr. Second and maybe third year option. That should be ok until prospects mature.
Twins… Nelson Cruz out, Refsnyder in !!!
JT will be fine. The Phillies, Nats, Blue Jays, Yankees, Angels, Astros and even the Mariners are all teams I could see being interested. That’s at least 20% of all the teams in MLB right there.
Glad Avila is looking at his son to play for the Tigers. They must be in dire need of a 170 hitter and double play , inning ending bat.
Atleast he finds a way to get on base. I’ll gladly take him over another season of Grayson Greiner.
More yapping from the Jays. The doing part so far is dumpster diving, Ray included.
I have heard that not a lot of the F/A want to play for Toronto unless there is an overpay. They want to avoid the border and Buffalo.
Ray signing was nonsensical.
The bar needs to be raised and it starts with Rogers. For 20 years they’ve somehow snickered Jays fans into a false sense of optimism.
I said to you before, Jays need their Stieb to compliment Key (Ryu). Bauer is the guy. Jays dropped the ball not wanting Scherzer because of their self-imposed “we don’t sign players beyond 5 years” crap. Jays are in the big leagues. Act like it.
Why are the Tigers looking for a rotation pitcher? They currently have a surplus of young arms. Adding a veteran pitcher who qualifies for an MLB rotation spot means one or more promising prospects will have to be ticketed for Toledo. At this point there’s no assurance that minor league teams will even play in 2021.. Seems to me the last thing the Tigers should do is keep young pitchers away from competitive game action for another year.
I agree! After these last 4 seasons of Pelfrey($8m), Lowe ($11m/2yr), Liriano ($4m), Carpenter (500k), Jackson (500k), Ross($5.75m), Moore ($2.5m), and Nova ($1.5m), you would think we would’ve learned. Even if we, get lucky, and sign another $6m Mike Fiers type (& the return is still TBD) Look at how much $ in salaries (roughly $35m) it takes to find that “diamond in the rough”.. why not just make a trade, or let the kids play?! I have zero confidence in these revival projects.. but, hopefully Chris Fetter proves me wrong.
It’s crazy to think Nelson Cruz is still playing. I wonder if he will pass Ricky Henderson or Ichiro Suzuki length of time/age in the game before the doors close. 45 years of age is where Ichirō Suzuki retired at. Only one guy was older and that was Julio Franco. Tough to imagine Nelson Cruz to tie or pass that record for a position player
Julio! What a machine.
Cruz seems like he could DH for a couple more years still. Then if he wanted to try his hand as a PH in the NL at the end like a Julio Franco or Matt Stairs, then maybe he could.
Rizzo should trade S. Stratsburg and T. Turner to the Yankees for D. Garcia, G. Torres, M. Andujar, C. Fraser, and 2-3 more top prospects.
Then he would sign Scherzer to an extension at less then he’s currently making.
Sounds like Kicking the tires
to decide if you want to light the fire
Rizzo should trade for W. Contreras. That would solve the catcher position for many years.
Contreras would have made sense a couple years ago but right now the Nats are in the latter half of the world Series window for the current roster. Realmuto makes sense only if they are looking to sign him to a 3-4 year deal, but JT will want longer than that. The question is will JT get better length of contract in the current environment.
Rizzo should trade for B. Snell and sign C. Archer.
Scherzer
Corbin
Snell
Garcia
Archer
That would be a nice rotation to start the season with. They would also save a pile of money on the pitching position.
I think you are missing someone on your Christmas list roster. He may have only pitched about 5 innings last year, but he is still the number 2 in the rotation and maybe Number one depending on how an aging Max looks this spring.
Rizzo should take a look at Ha S Kim he looks like a dam good player too. He’s a free agent so it’s just money that’s needed.