Before Tommy La Stella signed a three-year, $18.75MM deal with the Giants, the infielder drew some attention from the Mariners, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reports (Twitter link). La Stella would’ve been an intriguing add for Seattle, providing a mostly right-handed hitting lineup with some addition balance from the left side. La Stella likely would have slotted in as the everyday second baseman — supplanting the planned Ty France/Shed Long/Dylan Moore timeshare at the position — and also seen some activity at first base or even third base when Kyle Seager required an off-day.
It isn’t known if the M’s were specifically keyed in on La Stella, or if they could still be looking for another regular infielder. There isn’t much in the way of infeld options remaining in free agency that would provide as clear an upgrade over the France/Long/Moore trio, though one would suspect Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto is as open as ever to trade possibilities. Surprisingly, “Trader Jerry” has only swung one deal this offseason, acquiring Rafael Montero from the Rangers.
More from the AL West…
- Athletics GM David Forst spoke to reporters (including Shayna Rubin of the Bay Area News Group and Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle) about today’s big five-player trade with the Rangers. Oakland first touched base with the Rangers about Elvis Andrus back in November, and quickly circled back to Andrus after the A’s top shortstop option (re-signing Marcus Semien) was no longer a reality. Catcher Jonah Heim had drawn interest from Texas for the last two years, Forst said, so the young backstop was a natural inclusion in the trade.
- While Forst didn’t confirm today’s reports of an agreement between the Athletics and Mike Fiers, he did say that “pitchers are a target for us right now” in both the rotation and bullpen. “I made a lot of calls on relievers today. There’s a lot of talent at the end of the bullpen and not a lot of experience, and we feel like there’s some options that can add to the experience,” Forst said. “We are shopping a little late, but we have some targets in mind and are excited to add to the team.” As for other positions, Forst said the team is pretty satisfied with its current second base mix of Chad Pinder, Tony Kemp, Vimael Machin and Sheldon Neuse heading into Spring Training, so another infield addition doesn’t appear to be in the cards.
- In other division news from earlier today, the Astros and Carlos Correa avoided an arbitration hearing by agreeing to a contract for the 2021 season.
If a trade occurs, but one is there to report it, did it really happen?
#somethingtothinkabout #philosophy
#showerthoughts
Tommy La Steal a base, win a taco haha
It’s not quite Tacoby Bellsbury, but it’s not bad. Well done.
SanFran better watch out, Tommy La Steal Yo Girl is coming to town, and he’s ready to make a new home!! lol
San francisco is like a 10 minutes drive from oakland, he’s already been in town.
I’m really happy with the Rangers’ off-season, but let me just touch base on all the moves:
Nate Lowe Trade
Rafael Montero Trade
Elvis Andrus Trade
Folty Signing
Arihara Signing
LANCE LYNN TRADE!!!
David Dahl signing
Aramis Garcia signing
12 minor league reliever signings (Including Nick Vincent, and the rule 5 pickup De Geus)
Deshields signing
Drew Butera signing
Culberson signing
Gaviglio signing
Art Warren trade
Scott Heineman trade
The influx of looming PTBNL’s and the one’s we’ve already received
Jharel Cotton signing
Jason Martin signing
Re-taking of the RR Express from the Stinky Stro’s
Chris Young hiring
Released the pitching coach (Rangel)
Hired the weird pitching coach tandem
I thought it was an eventful off-season, but dang is that a ton.
And still will be a bottom feeder in the league for some time to come.
Astros or A’s through 2024
Astros. The A’s have lost some important pieces
That may be a closer race than you think. The A’s only real losses are Semien and Grossman as Davis was basically non-existent last year. Hendricks is a loss but the A’s always seem to find nothing and make a Closer out of it.
The Astros lost Springer. No Justin Verlander will be a bigger issue over 162 games than it was over 60. The Astros could use another veteran starter because the bottom half of their rotation will get exposed over a traditional regular season. They kept Brantley but could use another Outfielder. They have no idea what to expect from Alvarez if or when he is healthy. They are probably losing Correa next winter as well. The A’s will be right there with Houston atop the AL West
Actually, after hearing it that way, I’m convinced! Thank you!
Right, plus you have to also consider the Athletics ALWAYS tend to pull at least one or two quality young arms outta seemingly nowhere!!
They always also seem to have someone breakout for them offensively out of nowhere, they are always able to put together an adequate bullpen, and they’ve always played some solid defense. Like you’re saying, I don’t think the gap between the Athletics and the Astros is truly all THAT much…
Jake Diekman is next for that pen. He’s a beast.
I agree. The Rangers actually had a half-decent offseason considering the circumstances. Also don’t sleep sleep on Cotton. Ive met him personally and he is one of the nicest and hardest workers you will meet. If he can get over injuries he could be a solid back-of the rotation option for the Rangers.
I like what the Rangers have done. They paid a notable price for Lowe, but the benefit of many of theses moves could be a shorter rebuild.
I like what the Rangers have done, they have a lot more depth, Nate Lowe has a shot to be a 30hr bat with a 850ops.
Moving Andrus is a good move for them they needed some young athleticism on the infield.
They have let go of some of the old vets (Choo/Andrus) and got some guys (Lowe/Dahl) who are hungry for AB’s and ready to produce. Along with Huff/Calhoun/Gallo it’s a interesting offense.
Anyone else think ty France is underrated?
For sure. His bat looks very legit. Defense looks bad so far tho
I think so. I expect big stuff from him
He’s just good enough for the Mariners to let go of cheap. Power, good contact, and high OBP.
Goodbye Ty… Sad
I’m rooting for him, as he went to SDSU and was a 34th round draft pick of the Padres. He is a horrible defender, but I think he could end up being a pretty good DH.
Jerry agrees
Hard to be underrated when he hasn’t really been given much of a chance. The thought of a France/Long/Moore should give Mariner fans cause for a pause as nothing about that sounds like a good idea. I do wonder if France would be better used as a DH and backup for Seager at 3B. Perhaps the Mariners would consider bringing back Shin Soo Choo to be a DH/OF option to give them a solid lefty bat at the top of the batting order
Long isn’t likely factored into the 2021 plan. I think they’re more worried about him getting on track in AAA.
But France needs PAs and Moore is deserving of a regular role, though he might be more valuable as a super-utility type.
If they’re willing to go with a 1B/DH type, Jake Lamb would make sense.
Seager is likely gone next year, so France should take over 3B. We’ll see how it shakes out, but France seems to be a below average defender.
And the Angels still suck!! Why? Because the owner, period.
Yeah, I’d rather have a cheap owner that didn’t spend money, an owner that was too cheap to sign Trout long term. Or maybe an owner who tries not to win for 3-4 years , ripping off the fans by fielding a minor league team and calls it a rebuild. Yeah Art is a terrible owner.
Locking up Trout for life is all for naught if they don’t actually do anything but cash in on career milestones. The best player in Baseball right now has all of three playoff games under his belt in 10 seasons. Moreno’s problem has never been spending money, it’s what he spends money on thats the problem. He consistently spends on hitters when pitching, both starting and relief has been a problem for more than a decade while the team owes $118 million to four hitters
They were in on Cole last year and Bauer this year, both signed for stupid money elsewhere. I’m glad they didn’t overspend on either. My point was, at least the Angels aren’t trying to suck like some owners.
Watching the best player in the game’s prime years wasted away in mediocrity because of the meddling of the owner isn’t something I woukd defend.
It’s a travesty to have the best player in baseball playing meaningless baseball season after season.
The last few years I fear the Angles and not the Rangers at the opener, then we finish below the Rangers and above the Angles…The Angles find a way…
Mariners need to sign one of the big SS free agents next winter
Seattle is fine at SS. They have a place holder in Crawford holding the spot for highly touted prospect Noelvi Marte. They don’t need to spend money on a SS. If they spend money it should be at BP, 3rd, 2nd or maybe C. There is no need to spend on a big name when they have potential big names in the making.
They should look to sign an ace when J Rod, Kelenic, and Lewis are in the OF. A good signing at 3B would be ideal too. If Murp stays healthy, he could be productive behind the dish.
3 years and $18.75 million for Tommy LaStella? Yikes!
That’s actually a very good contract, wish the Yankees gave him that deal.
Exactly wish the Yankees signed him. Would definitely be an upgrade over Wade.
I think it’s a very reasonable contract considering how solid he has been the past couple of seasons, and due to the versatility he brings.