The Diamondbacks have added former pitcher Rolando Valles to their major league coaching staff, per Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. Valles takes the position vacated by former D-Backs bench coach Luis Urueta, who left the team in November to join the Marlins in the same role. When discussing the hiring, manager Torey Lovullo told reporters that Valles will be part of Arizona’s “run-prevention team.”
Signed by the Astros as an undrafted free agent in 1997, Valles would spend five years in the club’s system, reaching Low-A, before playing another five seasons in independent leagues. He then transitioned to an organizational role, spending two seasons with the Brewers in their player development system helping players with their off-field needs and on-field development before becoming a minor league pitching coach in 2010. Valles joined the Reds in 2019 in an associate coaching role where he engaged in offensive and pitching duties.
Some more notes from around the game…
- The recent passing of a ’millionaires tax’ in Massachusetts has led to an increase in state income taxes in 2023 from 5% to 9% on annual income over $1MM — potentially impacting Boston’s offseason, per Alex Speier of The Boston Globe. Speier reports that agents who have been negotiating with the Red Sox are factoring in the tax when contemplating offers, stating that “it’s potentially millions of dollars in the deal.” Speier adds that Boston is now “lumped in with teams in California and New York in needing to outbid clubs in more favorable tax environments (particularly Texas and Florida, where there’s no state income tax) to present offers of equal value.” Speculatively speaking, this tax may have played a role in the Red S0x’s five-year, $90MM agreement with NPB star Masataka Yoshida, who many around the league predicted would earn significantly less.
- With the Red Sox witnessing their longtime shortstop Xander Bogarts leave in free agency, the club has been connected with several middle infielders to fill the hole, most recently signing Niko Goodrum to a Minor League deal and discussing Joey Wendle with the Marlins. However, the door for Kike Hernandez to play a key role in the infield has not been completely shut. The super utilityman told reports that he is “preparing to play center field every day … but I haven’t thrown away my infield glove,” adding that he continues to take ground balls. Over nine seasons, the 31-year-old has logged 2,335 innings at short and second base but has primarily patrolled Fenway’s outfield in recent years. From a defensive standpoint, advanced metrics concerning Hernandez’s middle infield production are split. Since 2014 at the shortstop position, the righty is credited with 9 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and a 5.4 Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR) but a -3 Outs Above Average (OAA). Similarly, since 2014 at second base, Hernandez has amassed 18 DRS but a -6.1 UZR and -5 OAA.
- Despite missing the entirety of the 2022 season, Michael Conforto and agent Scott Boras were able to secure the outfielder a two-year, $36MM contract with the Giants. Important to the deal, per Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News, was the no-barrier opt out presented to Conforto by San Francisco. Grant adds that while the Rangers offered the left-handed hitter a deal similar to the Giants, Conforto would have to meet certain playing thresholds to execute the opt out.
Never heard of a “run prevention team”. Hope it works out.
Conducting a research project.
Why is anyone commenting on baseball on Christmas Day? Nothing better to do ?
If you’re alone on Christmas, that’s probably the only valid reason.
Please cite your reason
I’m not Christian.
Good enough reason?
Andujar – I bet even Vazquez, Arroyo, Yelich, Walker and Bethancourt are taking baseball breaks this weekend too.
Of course. It isn’t that I’ve been hanging out with my family for two days and occasionally want a little mental break. I must just be sad and lonely.
Now I’m guessing the vast majority of the people on Earth who aren’t Christian might proffer their fake reasons too. But don’t buy it. We’re all just sad and lonely.
I’m just on the toilet at the moment, since you need to know, thanks
Do you live in Flushing Queens?
2nd that
Shouldn’t the person posing the question be the first to give their “reasons”?
Rsox – Excellent response! It reminds me of those guys who also claim “research project” when introduced to Chris Hansen on TCAP.
The person posing the question is “conducting a research project” on Christmas Day. Sounds like they already have ‘sad and lonely’ as the reason.
Mine? Dropping a 2
OIC – I’m in the middle of spending 96 consecutive hours celebrating Christmas with family and friends, breaks are needed. It doesn’t take more than 2 minutes to post a message here.
Not conducting a research project.
Why is anyone conducting a research project on baseball on Christmas Day? Nothing better to do ?
If you’re alone on Christmas, that’s probably the only valid reason.
Please cite your reason
Sometimes people need a break from their families. And their families need a break from them lol
@OIC2021 You can quote me in your dissertation: There has been 14 people in my house since 8:30am yesterday. I’m currently in the outhouse taking as much time as I can taking a breather from them all. Merry Christmas!!
OIC20211 hour ago
Conducting a research project.
=============================
1-Like everyone else in here, I am wondering why you are doing a research project on Christmas.
2-Past that, I can probably think of a 100 reasons to sing in. Just off the top of my head:
* I was eating breakfast earlier, and I like to eat an read at the same time.
* I was ready early for Mass and decided to kill 10 minutes on-line.
* I will be leaving in 54 minutes to join my family for a get-together Is there something I should be doing during these 54 minutes?
* After the festivities are over, and I return, I might check in again, while I eat another dessert.
I am sitting in a hospital, have been since Christmas Eve afternoon. Some of us would give anything to be with their families, but can’t. I’ll probably be here for two more days. I’m on no sleep, having to jump up to assist at what seems like every 15 minutes. I can’t leave a loved one with limited mobility alone. I saw my kids for 15 minutes. All the work I did to prepare, and no joy. Your “project” on Christmas Day says a lot about you.
Imagine giving people crap about having the time to post comments on Mlbtr on Xmas. Sounds counterintuitive having the time to do the same thing only with zero relevant context at that. Regardless of the point merry Christmas and happy holidays to all and blessed to have a site I can turn to during ANY downtime I may have and further update news that interest me as well as read all of us individual fans opinions on such news.
Not all of us live in the US. It’s Boxing Day in Australia. Catching up on the baseball during the lunch break of the Boxing Day Test cricket match (South Africa getting smashed…4/58) 🙂
It did for the 2015 Royals.
So glad there’s a mute button. It makes a great gift.
To prevent runs, he will give the players Kaopectate.
Just sell the team Henry!! Bloom traded Devers to St-Francisco for Luciano and Matos
life – While I agree with you on the selling part, I don’t understand the point of lying about a Devers trade.
Christmas gift. He’d rather not see Devers leave for a 4th rd draft pick.
I guess the Millionaire Tax explains why Xander turned down his three year, 60-million dollar deal. Amazing how many excuses there are for Boston being cheap. Btw, New York has the exact same tax rate on millionaires.
The next CBA should have tax thresholds for individual teams with cost of living kickers balancing the financials out. It should also be built into contracts too so when a player is traded, they don’t get hurt financially. Win for the MLBPA and it helps balance things between states with more taxes. It’s not perfect but it would be a start.
deweybelongsinthehall;
LOL
Your logic is what leads to the situation in American today and
for decades now…..
The states with the politicians that cry the most about national income disparity come from the states with the highest income disparity.
IRS figures. Facts matter.
Maybe they should fix their own states, no?
Samuel, you always try to dissect things. My thought had nothing to do with politics but as long as you brought it up, big taxes states are first and foremost big taxed by the federal government so other states could be provided for. Over that last 50 years, NY and CA for example would be able to fend for themselves if they didn’t have to support poorer states. We’re supposed to be one country first. Maybe if and when the politicians actually put the country first, we’d get along as one. As to my prior post, every location has plus and minus attributes but it simply not reasonable to have a flat tax system when there is limited revenue sharing. It works in the NFL because of the hard cap. It works to an extent in the NBA because there are far less players.
Succinctly, Californians pay more per capita in federal taxes and the federal government uses some of that money to help out people in poorer states. So the next time you receive a federal government benefit, remember to thank a Californian.
Peace on earth.
Taxes are a key reason Aaron Judge turned down San Francisco to stay with the Yankees. He’ll pay less in tax to NY state/NY city than he would to Cali/San Fran.
Who thought that 30 & 31 year olds would get 10-12 year contracts?
I hate these 1-year opt outs. They are a lose-lose for the team. Player has a good year, they ditch the team that gave them a contract when few others would, whether it be for health issues or otherwise. They have a bad year, the team is stuck with them. The win for the team is they sign them and get that second year at a discount for signing them when few others would. Rodon with the Giants is the perfect example.
I don’t hate them at all. Those 1 year opt outs often give teams in undesirable markets an opportunity to sign a player that otherwise may not consider them. Facts are facts, there are franchises that just aren’t run well and/or cities that aren’t as appealing to play in.
“Those 1 year opt outs often give teams in undesirable markets an opportunity to sign a player that otherwise may not consider them.”
Hey……
This goes out to all you baseball fans of teams in “undesirable markets”!
You all get to rehab a player that sucks. If he does well he leaves, and if he still sucks you get to pay money to see him the next year!
It’s your fault for living in an “undesirable market” (which is code for not having prosperous economy and the associated high cost of living…..seen one undesirable market….seen ’em all).
It’s just facts. Would you like to pretend a player is going to take less money, to play in a city with less to do, for multiple years, Samuel?
If someone had offered him 30 million on a one year deal, he would have taken it. Baseball is a monopoly so it is not a free market, but it is the same concept. Each team bids with a compensation package. No team has to include opt outs, but the opt out may persuade a player to take a lesser salary than that offered with lout the opt out.
Peace on earth.
That tax should have been reported a while ago. I couldn’t understand why so many teams rejected the Red Sox before. Still, it’s only 4%.
It’s not real. Most of these players live in FL and CA during the off season so they pay the full freight anyway. It’s a nonsense way to try to extract larger deals.
bkX4 – No team’s players get taxed more than Toronto …. yet they don’t have a problem attracting top free agents.
It amazes me how some people act like MLB owners are hurting financially. John Henry/FSG could comfortably outspend Cohen if he wanted to … same goes for Rogers Communications.
The difference with Cohen is he’s a sole owner and doesn’t have a fiduciary obligation to others. Toronto also has a country behind them.
dewey – Technically Henry is a sole owner, because he’s the majority owner of FSG.
And the Red Sox have a nation behind them … Red Sox Nation.
I have a card to prove it.
Fever – I got my card back when they mailed you a nice plastic one with a photo of the monster, sent you a free authentic hat, and, gave you a voucher for 2 free grandstand tickets.
Do you remember that?
Now they just leave the free perks like early admission. No hat. No tickets.
GASox – I have my “Founding Member” card from the first year, but don’t recall the hat or voucher coming with it. Maybe I had a low end membership?
I’m not even sure who is the president of RS Nation now that Remy is gone.
Speaking of hats, do you remember the old painters hats with the players names along the side?
Christian Arroyo is better than all of the scrap heap pickings that Bloom keeps dragging in. Why not give him a chance if they are not serious about getting a really good free agent or trade acquisition.
Completely agreed. I’ve been saying he deserves a chance. We know his injury history but we also know Sales’, Eovaldi’s when he was here, and others… I also believe consistency will help Arroyo stay on the field.
pedey – I’m a fan of Christian too … but the guy has never played in more than 87 games, and in his entire career has started only 17 games at shortstop.
Do you remember the game up in Toronto early this year, when Xander was benched and Arroyo started at shortstop? He made an error that allowed the only run in a 1-0 loss.
He has done nothing to prove he can be an everyday shortstop.
I was thinking Arroyo at second base to be honest. You’re probably right about shortstop, but when a guy doesn’t play a consistent position, errors can happen. Arroyo reminds me more of a second basemen.
pedey – Arroyo has by far most of his experience playing 2B, but that would mean moving Story to SS …. doesn’t look like that will be happening.
Arroyo is Jed Lowrie 12 years later.
Why not? I thought they signed Story as a potential to take over Bogaerts’ spot?
pedey – There’s a reason why Story didn’t play even one inning of SS this year. His arm injury hasn’t healed, he has one of the worst infielder arms in MLB.
According to Statcast: Story threw at 79.1 mph in 2021 from shortstop, 52nd of 58 shortstops with a minimum of 100 throws.
This year at second base Story’s average velocity on throws was 76.1 mph, 61st among 70 qualified players.
How many chances does he get? Had he been able to stay healthy and he performed like many believe he can, he’d have a position with his name on it in Sharpie ink. As it is, his roster spot is still there but it’s written in pencil with a new eraser on top. I personally love the guy as he has produced at the plate when able to. His supposed defense versatility though I don’t get. He’s decent at second but probably under average elsewhere, especially in RF
When the Sox were losing big down the stretch, for a month Arroyo was absolutely scorching at the plate. He his a respectable .286, which is better than most of the options at first base and Story who was injured much of last year as well.
Should we bench Story too?
Story is signed and has produced before. It’s because of the injury concern with Story that the team should not depend on Arroyo as an everyday player. Too much risk.
And honestly, do you want to spend millions on another player who could also end up being injury-riddled? Arroyo is at least free and when given the chance, has been a pretty spectacular hitter.
pedey – When healthy Arroyo is a solid player, but he’s not real and he’s not spectacular.
Arroyo’s been pretty good at shortstop when he’s played there, both by advanced metrics and the eye test. He’s also got a solid arm despite being a short guy (around 84 mph average throw velo) which is better than Story, Bogaerts, and Swanson.
I think he’s best used as a utility guy, because I don’t think the bat plays against good RHP, but if the alternative is Elvis Andrus or Jose Iglesias then the Sox may just be better standing pat
Roiste. my recollection of him playing short is through the eye test. Perhaps though my mind is clouded by limited opportunities. Unless Story is traded, how can the team have injury concerns with their middle infielders? Too much risk for me.
Like I said- Arroyo for second, Story for short
He’d be great but he can’t stay healthy
I have the pleasure of having lived in the great states of Texas and Florida. Now, I just need to make millions of dollars a year – the hard part. (Cue the negative vitriol on the internet about those states)
Are the Red Sox desperate enough to take a flier via the trade route on Nick Madrigal??
They should be *open* to just about anything.
Merry Christmas everybody.
Looks like states like Texas and Florida are better to live in… hmmm….
Only if you are rich. The marginalized still get screwed with a rusty pipe
That’s the American way. Celebrate the rich while suffering quietly.
Ghost – Clearly you have never been to Miami.
I’m from CT. Florida’s cheaper than Connecticut.
Florida is indeed cheaper than Connecticut.
Cheaper as in spending on education, solar, infrastructure, arts, equality…
You pay less for most things, that’s all that matters to me.
pedey – You are right about that, CT is super expensive. Taxes are insane, they’ve lost a lot of revenue when the Whalers moved, and now the casinos are providing much less to the state because of all the competition in surrounding areas.
I’m convinced tolls will be brought back, as CT is the only state on the east coast that doesn’t have any.
Goodbye…
There’s more to life than income taxes lmao.
Thanks for being here Maury and thanks for the post….
I toast you with an eggnog….my third of the day, mom’s old recipe….
poet – I have the same gratitude for Maury, but I’m guessing he would probably prefer being toasted with a Manischewitz ;O)
The Giants are either going to hit fools gold with Conforto and Haniger or just look like fools. I wonder if the plan is still for Joc to DH or does he go to LF with Conforto and Haniger sharing RF/DH duties
Yeah, Giants taking huge risks in their OF but they have lots of money so they can.
Fools gold. Not sure why Conforto was a hot item. Dude is lifetime 255. Highest HR was in the 30s one season and hasn’t broken 100RBIs in a season. We are going back to paying overinflated contracts for mediocre players in hopes of their best season ever.
I grew up celebrating Christmas and it was mostly worthwhile because you were out of school for a month, got to eat a big dinner and a bunch of junk food, had the family reunion and the gift exchanges, it never had anything to do with being Christian as far as I was concerned, maybe that’s what everyone was celebrating, I wasn’t, I was more or less conditioned by the spoils of the holiday season, and it was fun celebrating, everybody mostly celebrating the conclusion of another year lived, having survived another year, and relaxing in preparation to begin another soon as the calendar turned into January. That’s mostly what it’s still about to me.
I don’t view myself as a Christian either but I’ll always enjoy the holiday season. So it’s still Merry Christmas because that spirit is about renewal in a way, and as people who live in this world, we’ll everybody deserves a little peace and comfort in ending of the year.
Doesn’t Enrique Hernandez need to stay in center field because that’s a much more difficult of a position to fill?
As many have mentioned above Sox have plenty of infield options starting with Christian Arroyo. Plus a couple free agents still out there to plug the hole. Centerfield, pretty tough. That’s Hernandez. end of story. No?
Gary – The fact that Hernandez is being discussed as next year’s shortstop instead of Story really hammers home what we all expected, Story’s arm is not strong enough to play the position anymore. Which makes his signing look even worse.
Why? Story can play lockdown 2b and be worth it.
But the Sox should just sign Elvis Andrus for 1-2 years..
Ketch – Bloom gave Story shortstop money, without realizing he may never be able to play shortstop as well as he did in the past. It was one of many blunders, the reason why no other team heavily pursued Story in free agency.
The Story signing was fine, y’all need to chill on that. He was playing gold-glove level defense at 2B last year, I’ll take that at $23M per, especially compared to the crazy deals the shortstops this offseason got
rosie – You just compared a 2B’s contract to the contracts of shortstops.
There’s a world of difference between 2B and SS.
I’d have to think it’s just posturing. There were no real CFs available besides Nimmo in FA, and with Varsho going to Toronto, the best trade option is … Michael Taylor with KC? I don’t see how adding him would be any better than just putting Story/Arroyo at short. Meanwhile, there are a number of options around for middle infielders that should present at least a marginal upgrade over Arroyo
Speculatively speaking, this tax may have played a role in the Red S0x’s five-year, $90MM agreement with NPB star Masataka Yoshida,
==============================
Is the tax speculative? Or is something else speculative?
And, at 5% of the 90m contract value it’s STILL only 4.5m
Anyone who is claiming it was an overpay is orders of magnitude larger than 4.5m over.
We are speculating on why the Red Sox had to offer so much. My guess is that the taxes were not a big factor in the player’s mind, but it is just a guess.
Boston’s SS issue fails in comparison to someone getting robbed of the watch your wife gave you for Christmas by an escort
Next time, pay for your intern to check out the escort first. Kings have had food tasters since they have recorded history.
You know I would. My comment was for the general population and not a personal note. Besides, everyone is aware that women pay me for my services and not the other way around.
As long as your Mom still cuts your grilled cheese sandwiches diagonally, all is good.
Let’s be honest. I don’t think anyone has any trouble outbidding Miami, state income tax or no
Kike’ Hernandez “continues to take ground balls.”
Some people have weird holiday diets and sports supplements.
“Kike’ Hernandez ‘continues to take ground balls.'”
Some folks have odd holiday menus and take weird sports supplements.
This might be to late but I was saying the dbacks and Red Sox are a good trade candidate.
Sale and Devers for Walston, Dominic Fletcher, and Tommy Henry. AZ eats the sale contract as well.
Let me know what you all think. This is as a dbacks fan too.
zach
I don’t think the Dbacks would take on $60M+ in salary for 1 year of Devers and 2 years of Sale. Plus Sale’s contract has a no-trade clause, a Trade assignment clause and tons of deferred money out to 2039.
And the Dbacks would be giving up about 18 years of control on 3 young players that could be part of their future.
I would revise that trade to offset some of that salary by substituting Madison Bumgarner for Walston. Fletcher and Henry should hold some interest.
I’m happy to see so much love being shown to Christian Arroyo. If they move Devers he would be a legit 3 B contender. Dalbec could also be in the mix for 3 B. Story is pretty athletic, as is Kiki, my choice for SS would be to sign Andrus. He’s a ‘take charge’ guy that has a decent enough arm to work for the Sox.
Move Sale to a team that can win now and that has a pitching prospect soon to be ML ready. Take a guy like ‘The Bum’ in hopes you can get 25 starts out of him for a year.
I see where Bloom is going: RSox Nation was unhappy about losing Boggie–we will miss his bat, leadership and great attitude, He brought Devers along. to a, ML-ready hitter. Bloom was not going to pay $280 M to Xander who was worth, truly, a 5-6 yr. $180 M contract. We are currently about 2-3 years from being a contender again. That’s life!
I’m anxious to see Bryan Mata and Brayan Bello in the rotation with Garrett Whitlock and perhaps Tanner Houck and Nick Pivetta. If James Paxton and/or Chris Sale don’t get traded I think we could have a young starting 5. I like the pen. Beginning to form a strong BP-similar to the Rays.
Let’s start Spring Training.
My opinion find a trade partner that will take Devers and let them negotiate a long-term deal and we get something for him that’s not a bag of used balls or a #1 draft pick. I say take players back that may be a diamond in the rough.