TODAY: The market for Hand seems to be shaping up. Hand could decide on his new team as early as this weekend, as MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand (Twitter link) hears from several teams who “have been told that Hand wants to make a decision soon.”
Specifically, the Angels, Dodgers, Mets, and Jays are all at least in the conversation for Hand, per MLB Insider Jon Heyman (via Twitter). Heyman also adds the Nationals as the newest team to emerge as a potential suitor. If the Nationals can find the money for Hand, he could serve as a replacement for free-agent Sean Doolittle. As things stand now, the Nats are without a proven southpaw in the pen, with non-roster invitee Luis Avilan as the only lefty on the 40-man roster besides rookies Sam Clay, Seth Romero, and Ben Braymer.
JANUARY 20: Free-agent reliever Brad Hand has received interest from several teams since Cleveland unexpectedly cut ties with him in late October. The Blue Jays are among the clubs that have been linked to Hand, and Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports that “they’ve had an offer out to” the three-time All-Star.
Hand would be the third noteworthy addition of the offseason for the Blue Jays’ bullpen, which has already landed Kirby Yates (one of Hand’s ex-Padres teammates) and Tyler Chatwood this week. Yates looks like a candidate to close for the Blue Jays in 2021, but that job could go to Hand if the team signs him. Despite losing almost 2 mph on his fastball, Hand posted his latest in a long line of productive seasons in 2020, as the 30-year-old registered a sparkling 2.05 ERA/2.80 SIERA in 22 innings. Hand also converted all 16 of his save opportunities and ranked 13th among relievers in K-BB percentage (29.1).
Toronto and others have new competition for Hand in the Angels, who “have emerged as a possibility” to sign him, Robert Murray of FanSided tweets. He would be another major late-game acquisition for a Halos club that swung a trade with the Reds earlier this offseason for right-hander Raisel Iglesias and picked up southpaw Alex Claudio in free agency. The Angels could still use another lefty for their righty-heavy relief corps, though, and Hand may be their answer.
TWINS SIGN HIM!!!!
SHATKINS GOT A GRIP ON HAND
The Indians should have picked up Hand’s option and later traded him to the Mets after Steve Cohen officially took over the franchise. It was a $10 million option that would have only cost Cleveland $9 million because they had to pay a $1 million buyout to cut him. That being said, Hand should not be signed on a long term deal. He was great last season but a drop in velocity of multiple MPH for a relief pitcher in his 30’s is a giant red flag. Any team that pays Hand over $10 million or gives him a multi year deal is making a mistake. Dips in velocity that large are giant red flags. You have to give him the benefit of the doubt for 2021 because he performed so well but giving Hand the benefit of the doubt for 2022 or beyond is likely to be a big mistake. Considering no team was willing to claim him off waivers for $10 million proves his market value is less than that. Especially when you consider the team he has had the most success with didn’t even value him at $9 million. A one year deal at a maximum of $10 million is what a smart team should pay Hand.
Please stop the $10 mil narrative. He was cut October 30,2020. First COVID vaccine received emergency use authorization on December 11, 2020. Teams were just told 9 days ago on January 11, 2021 to plan for a 162 game season and no one has any clue about universal DH or fan capacities yet. There have been a ton of variables that changed where 1 year $10 million suddenly is much easier to justify. It was nearly impossible to make that call 3 months ago though.
Exactly. With a murky as this season still is, it is a ton clearer than it was on Halloween.
They played last year and anyone paying attention knew the vaccine was coming late in 2020. The season will happen and 162 games will be played.
Anyone paying attention knew the vaccine was coming late in 2020. No significant changes in the last three months.
Have you ever heard of the “enter” key? Paragraphs? Use them.
Bovine you must have gone to an Ohio school. 10 mil is 10 mil not 9. Learn something about financial before speaking.
Have you ever heard of making constructive and informative posts? Insight and being cordial? Use them.
@tiger68: It cost them $1 million to cut him, so his $10 million option was essentially a $9 million one. Instead of insulting people’s education, maybe work on reading and understanding.
Spot on!
Mic drop!
I’m always leery of a pitcher when the Indians let them go, Bauer was great, but he forced himself out. Kluber and Clevenger were aces when they left.
No we will not stop the $10m narrative. Brad Hand’s stock has not gone up since his option was declined. If anything it has gone down.
Technically correct? More like exactly correct.
I too and tired of the hindsight GMs on here. I mean these guys call all the owners cheap and they wouldn’t have any money to spend anyway if they were gms. They would have 200 million teams that barely finish above .500 every year. BuT At LeAsT ThEy’Re TrInG tO WiN!¡! The dumbest of dumb.
Jays reached out to Hand. Allegedly..
They talk to everybody else, is it a surprise they want to talk to the Hand too?
Yea. Get him now. Don’t fart around
He wants to be a Twin. He’s made that clear. Twins could probably get him at a slight discount.
They should his a native boy!!!
Angels! Complete that BP.
Exactly need this
This is the way
Nice Mandalorian reference.
I agree, but you’d think he’d want to close. They do need one more high value RP.
@conin
Hand on a 3 year deal he’ll get his chance to close in 2022 and 23, let alone some this year. There’s no sure fire thing they resign Iggy.
just realized the source is Fansided. This news is Fansided’s wish list, no evidence that the Angels are in talks with Hand.
The Angels are becoming a contender a piece at a time and Hand would be a big bolster for them. I knew last year Rendon while a great player didnt do much to help the Angels contend. The Angels didn’t need Cole and they don’t need Bauer. Cole was one pitcher and the Angels needed multiple. Instead of shifting to filling out their pitching needs they signed Rendon(again no disrespect to Rendon)then quit. Now they are spreading money around and with that offense they don’t have to have a bunch of shut down pitchers just quality. When you shed the Pujols deal then maybe add that ace for the playoffs.
Your weight and your fate right here.
Typical Jays, in on everyone, only sign Yates and Springer
@agn1
I wouldn’t classify the Yates and (especially) Springer signings as the Jays sitting on their hands all Winter.
That team is almost as good as the Yanks, if they add another bullpen piece they can get that division
Colon the Jays are 2 starters, one elite and one very good plus a real 3B away from winning the division.
That’s a pretty good “only”
Only better get a grip
MLBTR forum swings and misses at Jays pessimism joke
Don’t blame every else when your joke lands as flat as my wife.
True dat. We can’t all be king of the Humphreydome
It seems like you would be funny once, if only by accident. Well I guess that was your post about Puig and racism, that was a RIOT!!!!
Hand to the Astros. You heard it here first.
Maybe there will be a reported deal for three years with Toronto before signing a 2 year deal with Houston.
…and last.
I was really hoping the Phillies would get involved
I think he will price himself out of Philly, they seem to be more in the market for cheaper options so they can get JT
Hand + Odorizzi or Tanaka. Suddenly the Angels aren’t everybody’s whipping boy anymore.
Is granny spry?
Oh, you’re home. Let me fix you some sandwiches.
I agree if the Angels could pick up Hand would solidify the Bull pen Or signing free agent Odorizzi , or a reunion with
Garrett Richards works for me
I’m not a fan of Bauer The only reason why I say this I think the angels learn their lesson last year waiting on Cole all the other free agent pitchers came off the board and the Angels were left with crumbs
I agree
No just the Dodgers.
I’m sure the Sox won’t go after him, but what a pen that would be for the Sox with Hand and Bummer setting the table for Hendriks.
I’m content with where the Sox are right now. Head to AZ for ST and make any adjustments in July (unless an opportunity presents itself in the next month or so that Hahn can’t possibly pass up).
Exciting year!
Mets need to make this happen
Rumor has it that former Mets GM Jared Porter was trying to land Hand to give Hand the closer’s job out in Queens.
I hear there on this guy and this guy and they didn’t sign no ace I don’t think they have money there a 4th place team at best
….. what?
You heard the man.
Were ever you go, their your
“I award you no points, and God have mercy on your soul.”
His agent telling teams “talk to the Hand”
His agent says “take my strong Hand”
It’s obvious the left Hand doesn’t know what the right Hand is doing. Of course on the other Hand, one Hand washes the other, so you might say it’s six in one Hand & half a dozen in the other, but either way you’ve got to Hand it to him.
Ahahahaha
Angels led the league in blown saves last year. Hand and Iglesias would put a stop to that.
Iglesias alone is a good start, but that would be the best 1-2 we’ve had here in a long time.
Exactly
Yes jj, and insurance closer for after this year, if they don’t re-sign Iggy.
HalosHeavenJJ
“Iglesias alone is a good start”
Yes it is… I’m just happy they are being linked to a relief pitcher.
If the Angels do sign Hand, don’t have a closer, go with matchups.
Blue Jays definitely have a Hand in the sweepstakes. I’m still surprised at what Happened in Minnesota today.
lol nice
go for it, angels!
Bloom is awaiting for instructions from
John Henry!
C’mon Anthopolous, make this guy the Braves new closer! Melancon is good, but he would look better as a setup guy!
Melancon is a free agent
No coaching from the audience!
I didn’t know that…I guess we could REALLY use Hand then!
Why dont the Metropolitans want finish above 4th place
They have a billionaire owner and holes in center 3rd left field SP. CLOSER
every majority owner is a billionaire.
Not skittles!
The next time you are going to click “post comment”, do the world a favor, and don’t. No one cares. You’re never going to gain the approval you so desperately need here. No one thinks you’re funny. It’s not cute. No one cares.
Imagine complaining about the type of off-season the Mets have had.
Lindor
Carrasco
Luchessi
Stroman
May
McCann
They have done more than any franchise not named the Padres and you can say there not trying? Jeez, I can’t believe I’m defending the Mets but I can’t believe what I read!
They are also not getting 4th.. Braves and Mets are 1-2
I know they’re not going to because apparently they’re content to just sit back and do nothing. But the Red Sox should be trying to sign Hand to be their closer. They desperately need bullpen help and an experienced closer and Hand would provide that. They also should have the $ seeing as they dipped below the luxury tax line last season. For some reason they don’t appear to be doing anything they should be doing to return to being competitive in 2021 BUT if they were making an honest effort towards being competitive Hand would be something they should be interested in. I realize his velocity dipped last year but he was still VERY effective and it probably wouldn’t take a huge commitment in $s or years to sign him so they should be exploring the possibility. Unfortunately they don’t appear to be and jnstead are content to basically do nothing. Which is really frustrating. Its be one thing if they really had no talent. But that isn’t the case. They have a very strong lineup and had they just made 4/5 moves for pitching they could have positioned themselves to at least be a somewhat competitive team for a wildcard spot. Really disappointing they are seemingly doing nothing to improve their pitching staff.
I agree, Jeff. I am befuddled by the lack of action by Boston. Andriese, Renfroe & Perez is a complete joke for a team that is $30M+ below the CBT and whose supposed goals are to compete each year. I’m hoping the Sox are in on Odorizzi, Colome and maybe even Rosenthal or Hand, but based on what they’ve done so far, I won’t be surprised if none of these guys sign here. They definitely need to add another starter, 1-2 bullpen arms, a 4th OF and maybe a 2B too. Lots of 40 man roster decisions will need to be made as well if they decide to bring in more FA’s. If they do, let’s hope they’re worth it.
Last place teams don’t need to waste money on closers. (I was told this when I mentioned Detroit needed one to take pressure off the kids).
Hand relies on his breaking pitches to set up his fastball. He was still effective last year because they could not hit his curve or slider and then he could blow a fastball by them. Get off his velocity. It is not the most important part of his repertoire. The differential between the speed of his curve and his fastball make it difficult for someone to catch up to it when they are guessing curve. THAT is pitching, and why he was 16 for 16 in save opportunities
Hand and Odorizzi and that will be a good offseason. People say signing Odorizzi will push Barria out, but I see it as a good thing with how injury prone the pitching can be, Canning and Heaney.
Quacking, I’m the guy saying Barria is out. Barria will once again go to triple A.
I understand your point, but if Ohtani gets hurt, they’ll go to a five man rotation. Someone will get hurt, then Barria comes up from triple A.
I just feel better about Sandoval than other Angel fans. I think both Barria and Sandoval are better than Quintana. And by the end of the season, I think Detmers will be better.
I don’t see how he is going to pitch better in Anaheim than he did in Chicago. I would have rather spent the 8 million dollars elsewhere.
Simple answer Wrigley field is a cigarbox specially when the wind is blowing out Home run derbyThe ball doesn’t carry that well in Anaheim stadium in night games with the marine air so Quintana Keeping the ball in the ballpark Which transfers over to building confidence Look at Dylan Bundy case from Camden yards to Anaheim stadium
Geno, it’s not. It’s a slightly pitchers park. Go to baseball reference. The wind doesn’t blow out very often.
Halo11Fan, agree. I believe Barria, Sandoval, and Detmers will all be in the rotation next year. I don’t think Bundy, Heaney, or Quintana will get re-signed unless they have career years and stay healthy. I also believe with the money that will be freed up, they will go after Noah Syndergaard. Unless he signs an extension with the Mets.
I just checked, Barria has no options, so if the Angel add another pitcher, he starts in the pen.
To me it’s flip a coin between Barria and Quintana. So what’s the point?
I don’t like this signing. I usually understand why GMs do things, I don’t get why Perry settled on Quintana. I would have rather spent the money elsewhere.
I would have much rather spent the money on Yates.
I don’t think Quintana is a bad signing. Sure, he isn’t going to be your ace, but he has proven to be a durable pitcher who can give you over 170 innings a season. For an Angels team that has struggled with durability from its starting pitchers, Quintana is a good player to have.
If this is the only starting pitcher the Angels signed, do you think Angel fans should be happy?
So if they sign another pitcher, they push an equal pitcher, Barria, out of the six man rotation.
That’s eight million bucks they could have spent on a bullpen guy.
My only question is why the Indians didn’t pick up Hand’s option!?
Hand in Anaheim coupled w/ Iglesias would be terrific.Blown saves needs to stop!
Sign Hand and another starter not named Bauer and Perry will have pulled of the best off season we’ve had in years.
At this point I cannot see anyone offering a multi year deal given his dip in velocity. I suspect something around 7 million with up to 2 mill in incentives.
I’d honestly like to see the Angels take a shot at either Paxton, Odorizzi, or Taijuan Walker to round out their rotation. Pairing Brad Hand with Iglesias, Mayers, Pena, and Buttrey would be nice. They could essentially sign a few more bullpen arms from the pool of Rosenthal, G. Richards, Keone Kela, Soria, Petite, Tepera, Peacock, or Chaz Roe and have a really good bullpen to finally put games away. They need another lefty outfielder as well I’m order to split time with Adell and Upton someone along the lines of Joc Pederson, Mazara, Goodwin, Eddie Rosario, Brett Gardner or Tyler Naquin would fit the bill on a 1 year deal.
Hand and Twins have mutual interest, since he’s from Minnesota. Twins sign him already!
He wants to be a Twin. He’s made that clear. Twins could probably get him at a slight discount.
Finally, his signing is at Hand.
let it be the angels!
It’s obvious he wants to play for the Mets but the Mets only want to give him a 1 year deal. He wants them to go to 2 or 3. This is why he’ll probably sign for another team. He wanted to go with Lindor and carasco to do something special in a great environment!
I think we have different definitions of obvious
Proof of what you say? Btw, many people consider Toronto as a city to be a better environment than Flushing.
Many consider the Mets to have a better team and a better stadium.
Many consider the opinions of MetsFan22 to be biased.
The statement I just made wasn’t biased.
I’d like to see him on the Cardinals but that is not gonna happen, so please anybody not in the central division scoop him up.
Blue Jays sign Hand!
That would deserve a huge ovation…hopefully they get it done.
George Costanza is also trying to get Hand.
No more Hand jokes. They’ve all been used.
Did you see the article about Kyle Garlic being picked up by the Braves? Endless garlic jokes from top to bottom.
Yes, recycled from the articles where the Dodgers called up and cut Garlick and the Phillies signed him.
Yep^^
Did they cut Garlick? I thought they thinly sliced him with a boxcutter blade. Dat’s where da flava is.
Only a handful of them have been used.
I’m surprised no one is mentioning Justin Wilson. Not a closer, but a still-effective lefty reliever and those are in short supply. I watched enough Mets games to believe he can help someone. As a Dodger fan, he and Trevor Rosenthal interest me the most, with a preference to Wilson due to his being a lefty. Wilson, by the way, was born in Anaheim. Not a huge believer that guys want to go “home,” but it might account for something.
Very true, otherwise Cole would’ve been an Angel and Strasburg would’ve been a Padre.
Eastdust666, At the same time, only one of these teams that passed on Hand when he was waived will sign him. Wilson is a chance for a contender to sign now the kind of lefty reliever that will be hard to find at the trade deadline. Reasonable price, too. My guess is that he winds up signing with a good team. About 10 minutes after Hand is signed.
He might’ve been born in Anaheim but he grew up in Clovis and played at Buchanan and then Fresno state. I don’t think he cares too much where he ends up as long as he’s in the league still.
I didn’t say he would care, but it’s interesting how he would be a good fit for either the Angels, Dodgers, or any of the other three California teams.
No doubt if Hand doesn’t sign with the Mets, they immediately bring back Justin Wilson
If he’s still available. Story elsewhere about the Nationals being without a proven lefty in the pen.
If the braves sign a reliever (they should) Brad Hand would be my first choice. I bet the braves bring back Melancon though. They need to bring in somebody after losing Darren o’Day. Shane Greene, and Mark Melancon to free agency.
Is this the same guy who reported that Benintendi would be traded before the end of LAST weekend?
Article in 2032: Andrew Benintendi has announced his retirement from baseball. The outfielder spent his entire career with the Boston Red Sox.
I’ll gladly take the field on any wager involving that scenario.
Aaron, okay, but you need to guess within one of how many teams he ends up playing for. Which reminds me. I once thought that Roberto Kelly would be a lifelong Yankee but he wound up playing for seven other teams. I then thought that Bernie Williams would bounce around like Kelly but he ended up a Yankees lifer. Benintendi? I’m thinking he’s the new Brett Gardner: a journeyman who has never journeyed beyond his original team. Ron Hodges was another. a backup catcher who played his entire 12-year-career with the Mets while collecting just 342 hits. Meanwhile, Cardinals catching phenom Todd Zeile accumulates 2,004 hits while playing for 11 teams. You never know.
@Thomas E Snyder
It is but Mark Feinsand was passing on the opinion of an unnamed rival executive in the link to that tweet: mlbtraderumors.com/2021/01/red-sox-discussing-andr…
twitter.com/Feinsand/status/1349164460829716481
Go Jays Go!
As long as LA plans to bring back JT, I’m ok with spending more money on relief help.
How could he provide any value to Boston?!
He loves to wear red socks !!
angels wear red socks, too. it’s just that most don’t show underneath long pants.
Brad wants to make a decision.
SO
Prospective teams……
GIVE HIM A HAND !!!
or hand him just little more than other teams.
“If the team executives don’t find you HANDsome, they should at least find you HANDy. to have around”
This feels like a Yankees pickup.
It would be comical if Hand’s market has grown so much that a team has to pay $10M+ per year for his services. I still can’t believe he wasn’t claimed from the Indians at that price.
With 2021’s fan revenue shortage, a team that doesn’t want Hand at 1 year $10M could want him at 2 years $20M or more.
When that happened, I thought it was a sign that owners were plotting to squeeze the players over COVID losses. It looked at first like relievers would be particularly vulnerable with Hand as Exhibit A. You’re right. It’s comical. All these teams trying to wait out the market, only to end up paying more as they scramble to fill numerous spots on their rosters. As a Dodger fan, I’m enjoying it because Andrew Friedman is someone who actually plays the waiting game well. After a bunch of these teams shoot themselves in the foot by overpaying for dross, I expect AF to swoop in and make an astute move or two.
I think the Blue Jays sign him!
The market for Hand seems to be shaping up.
Serving knuckle sandwiches, onion rings, fingerling potatoes, hearts of palm, and other sundries.
I’m gonna give you a thumbs up for that post
It doesn’t appear you did.
The name mentioned in the article who hasn’t been connected with any team yet this winter is Sean Doolittle. Maybe his agent is waiting to see where Hand ends up before peddling him to the runners up as a possible consolation prize.
I doubt the agent is waiting. Talks may have happened and there might be interest. The teams themselves might have put Doolittle on the backburner while they sort out other roster moves. Hand is the best FA reliever left. Once he is off the market, we’ll probably see Doolittle, Rosenthal, and Wilson signed rather quickly and maybe even some trades.
One FA reliever we’re not hearing about is Roberto Osuna, who the Astros placed on outright waivers in October. Terrible reputation, partially torn UCL, turns 26 on February 7. Talented pitcher, though I imagine he’s going to have a hard time getting his next contract. The domestic abuse stuff is horrible, though other players have been accepted back. It will be interesting to see what happens with this guy. I think there might be stuff going on beyond the domestic abuse. Maybe someone else can comment about that.
He might be out all of 2021… but agreed its weird that hasnt even been announced yet
Maybe we could actually have something to say instead of lowering ourselves to click bait?
How is it clickbait? It’s on a website called MLB Trade Rumors. No additional clicking is needed once you’re here.
Go Jays Go
Typical MLB owner/GM conversation this week:
OWNER: So, you want us to sign Brad Hand for that much money over that many years?
GM: Yes, sir.
OWNER: Wasn’t he available for one year at only $10 million back in October?
GM: Yes, sir.
OWNER: And now you want to give him more years at a higher AAV?
GM: Yes, sir.
OWNER: You must think I’m stupid. Who’s the moron that hired you?
GM: You were, sir.
Would love to see him in a Nats uniform.
Go Cubs Go
Do you think the Cubs would trade Chris Bryant to the Jays?
I see no reason why they wouldn’t, if the offer is competitive.
The reason to keep Bryant is the gate. Given that tickets will be sold in some fashion this year, the Cubs want/need to maximize the in person participation of the fans. In addition if they are not getting what they think Chris is worth, it behooves them to wait for the trade deadline when there may be bit more desperation in the air
Not saying this is what will happen….
Just Saying there is a logic to holding him
Avilan can’t be on the 40-man roster if he’s in camp as a minor league invite.
This looks like it may be another Rizzo Classic acquisition. Remember the Scherzer signing when the Nats were supposedly pursuing a completely different marquis tiger pitcher?
If Rizzo is listed as an interested GM he is usually being used to drive up the price. But when the Rizz is silent… Well that’s when you gotta watch him.
Good call!! Hand is a Nat
Brad will be a Met before night is through.
After the injury to Ferguson last season, I would love to see the Dodgers land Hand and give them another proven late inning option. Especially from the left side.
The Bauer sweepstakes is supposedly down to the Mets and the Dodgers. I don’t think there’s any doubt that Bauer would make either team’s rotation the best in the league by a long shot!
Brad Hand signed with the Nationals on January 26th: mlbtraderumors.com/2021/01/nationals-closing-in-on…
I meant It would have been a nice signing for the Dodgers before Jan 26th! Lol! I realized that/saw the headline a few minutes after I made the post. Thanks for the heads up either way.
At least my thoughts on Bauer weren’t a day late and a dollar short!
Go Dodgers!!!