With Opening Day just 50 days away, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Giles to hold workout for interested teams:
Right-hander Ken Giles is set to hold a showcase for interested teams this morning. If the workout goes well, Giles could join the likes of Michael Fulmer and Corey Knebel at the top of the pile of right-handed relief options remaining on the free agent market. Giles has pitched just eight innings since the start of the 2020 season thanks to Tommy John surgery and a tendon injury in his finger, but prior to those woes he was one of the best late-inning options in the game; in 2019, he posted a sterling 1.87 ERA, good for a 244 ERA+ and backed by a FIP of 2.27.
2. Arbitration Update
Arbitration hearings continue rolling in, with the Associated Press reporting that Rays reliever Colin Poche had his hearing yesterday. As is the case with Angels outfielder Hunter Renfroe, the result of that case is being held rather than immediately announced so as not to serve as a data point in pending cases for comparable players in the same service bracket. The AP notes that hearings are scheduled out through Feb. 17, with 17 cases yet unresolved. Some of those will likely result in multi-year deals — the Astros have had discussions with Kyle Tucker, new GM Dana Brown said this week — but many will go to trial. Among the most notable remaining names are Corbin Burnes, Teoscar Hernandez and Gio Urshela. A full list of the 33 players who exchanged figures with teams can be seen here.
3. Player Chat and MLBTR Chat today
MLBTR’s Player Chat series is set to continue today. Earlier this week, we hosted a chat with former MLB pitcher and longtime scout Tim Fortugno, the transcript of which you can read here. Today, we’re excited to welcome former starting pitcher Brandon Beachy. Beachy pitched for the Braves and Dodgers in his MLB career, which spanned from the 2010 season until the 2015 season. The best seasons of Beachy’s career were 2011-2012. Across those two seasons, he made 38 starts and threw 222 2/3 innings to solid results, posting a 3.07 ERA (127 ERA+) and 3.30 FIP. Beachy’s 2012 season in particular was highlighted by a May 17th complete game shutout against a Marlins lineup that featured Giancarlo Stanton and Hanley Ramirez. Overall for his career, Beachy posted a 3.36 ERA (116 ERA+) with a 3.41 FIP across 48 starts and 275 2/3 innings. Be sure to tune in today 10am CST for Beachy’s live chat!
Meanwhile, MLBTR’s Anthony Franco will be hosting his weekly chat today at 5pm CT. You can submit a question in advance here, and you can use the same link to check back in this evening and participate live once the chat begins. Readers who missed yesterday’s chat with Steve Adams can also check out that transcript here in the meantime.
Ken Giles needs a job on an MLB roster, or else he might punch himself silly.
I am surprised Michael Fullmer can’t find a job. He has been a solid RP the past couple of seasons
There are still so many decent relievers left on the market. I know that Ken Rosenthal said that Matt Strahm’s contract set the market price high for some relievers, but at this point, you have to imagine that they’re willing to lower their pricetag.
The Strahm thing was one person’s opinion that Ken cited. I’ve spoken to others who’ve pushed back on that notion.
Strahm’s contract wasn’t some weird outlier, either. He signed in the same range as Chafin and Loup last offseason and in the same range as tons of other mid-tier relievers over the years. We had Strahm just outside our Top 50 but pegged him (and Moore) at 2/13.
I find it extremely odd that there are so many solid relievers out there — particularly Chafin, who I had as among the best available this winter — but I don’t really buy the Strahm narrative. It’s not like he got an out-of-the-blue Brett Cecil-esque four-year deal or anything; he signed at a reasonable and foreseeable price.
Thank you for the info. I was only able to base my opinion on tidbits I saw through social media as I do not have an Athletic subscription.
Do you think it’s possible that many teams who are looking for bullpen help are hoping they can find it, maybe short-term, with a hard-throwing prospect and will only play in the “established” pool if prices come way down?
Beachy was one of my favorite trade targets in mlb 2013
Beachy is one of the 2010’s better “what ifs” when it comes to careers being ruined by injuries. If I’m not mistaken, didn’t the Braves have a few of these pitchers that either busted or broke out elsewhere that came up around the same time?
Him, Jair Jurrjens, Kris Medlen, and Jonny Venters all had major injuries. Even some guys they traded like Tommy Hanson (RIP) and Jordan Walden had injury shortened careers. Hanson may have passed away early, but even at the time of his death, he hadn’t pitched in the major leagues for two years.
Yes, those are the names thanks. I believe Mike Minor was a part of that group as well.
Got me going down a rabbit hole now. Sad to see Walden get wiped out of the league despite being pretty dominant at such a young age solely due to injuries.
Walden was very underrated. Very good set-up man for early/mid-2010s Kimbrel.
Another botched bullpen move by the Angels. I doubt there is a team in baseball who has made more bad bullpen moves since 2010 than the Angels.
Eric O’Flaherty was another pitcher Bobby Cox ruined. Venters O’Flaherty and Craig Kimbrel were practically pitching every day
Hoping Fullmer re-signs with Detroit after Mize is put on the 60 day to clear a 40 man spot
Would not mind Mets looking into Ken Giles as bullpen needs more arms, especially if they prefer Megill and Peterson starting the year at minors
The Angels need bullpen help. Since hope and prayer seems to be their bullpen strategy, Giles will fit right in.
Provided the Angels are smart enough to play Fletcher at short and not Rengifo, their pen (and health) is their biggest need.
Beachy went to my high school. Northwestern High School in Kokomo, Indiana. He was way younger than me but he is def one of the best athletes to come out of my high school for sure.