Right-hander Keynan Middleton was one of the only players the Yankees added at the trade deadline this year. While the club ultimately missed the postseason with an 82-80 record, Middleton excelled in 14 1/3 innings of work after coming over in a deal with the White Sox over the summer. The righty posted a sterling 1.88 ERA with a strong 3.26 FIP as a Yankee, bringing his overall season numbers to a solid 3.38 ERA with a respectable 4.20 FIP in 50 2/3 innings between Chicago and New York.
Though Middleton is poised to hit free agency next month, it’s possible that won’t be the end of the union between Middleton and the Yankees. Greg Joyce of the New York Post relayed positive comments from the 30-year-old hurler on his time in the Bronx. Middleton said there aren’t “too many other places” he’s looking at as he prepares to hit free agency, adding that “After being here, I don’t know why you wouldn’t want to be here… I’d love to come back here, but we’ll see what happens.”
The bullpen was a strength for the Yankees this season, though with right-hander Michael King slated to start in 2024 after a dominant year primarily in relief, it’s certainly reasonable the Yankees could look to reinforce their relief corps this offseason. Middleton figures to be joined by lefty relief arm Wandy Peralta and starters Luis Severino and Frankie Montas in departing the Yankees’ pitching staff for free agency this offseason.
More from around the AL East…
- Orioles outfielder Anthony Santander has been a frequent target of trade speculation throughout his career as a reliable, quality outfield bat throughout the club’s rebuild. Though Baltimore broke through this season with a 101-win campaign that took them to the postseason for the first time since 2016, it appears rumors surrounding Santander will persist into his final offseason of arbitration eligibility. MASN’s Roch Kubatko suggests that given Santander’s hefty expected salary in 2024 (MLBTR’s Matt Swartz projects him to earn $12.7MM in his final trip through arbitration), Santander could be a topic of trade talks again this offseason. Kubatko goes on to note the Marlins as a team that’s had particular interest in his services in the past. The Marlins figure to once again have an opening in their outfield/DH mix this offseason, assuming Jorge Soler declines his player option for 2024.
- The Red Sox have been widely speculated to be active participants in the trade market this offseason as they look to rebound from a fifth-place finish in the AL East. The Athletic’s Jen McCaffrey suggests in a recent mailbag that plenty of the club’s prospects could be made available this offseason in their pursuit of a better season in 2024, with shortstop Marcelo Mayer, outfielder Roman Anthony, and catcher Kyle Teel as the club’s only perceived untouchables. Of course, McCaffrey notes that the current perception could change upon the hiring of a new head of baseball operations to replace Chaim Bloom, who the club fired last month.
I feel pretty confident Santander isn’t going anywhere. He’s one of their only consistent power threats on a team that needs that.
I remember the Santander/Mullins for Dunning + rumors. I’m glad Texas didn’t do that deal since Dunning has been more valuable this year for Texas than either would have been, and he is certainly worth more now.
Trading Santander after the season the Orioles had doesn’t make sense unless they’re get a proven starting pitcher with control remaining. If anything, Santander should be an extension candidate, imo.
“proven starting pitcher with control remaining” for 1 year of Santander?
Im not knocking Santander, but good luck getting that.
That’s my whole point. It doesn’t make sense unless you get something ridiculous that can’t possibly be turned down.
And my whole point is no one is giving you $100 dollars for a $50 dollar bill. — Again, no knock on Santander, but good Starting Pitching is more valuable than a good corner OFer.
I think you’re missing my point. Yes, I know a good controllable pitcher is more valuable than an outfielder on a one year deal, I am not arguing that. But in my opinion, the Orioles need a ridiclous return to make it worth their while to even consider trading Santander. Would it have made more sense to you if I had said “It doesn’t make sense for the Orioles to trade Santander for anything less than a massive overpay?”
They line up with the Brewers for Burnes in several areas. Lots of chances over the off-season and it doesn’t have to be a one-for-one scenario.
It doesn’t seem likely that the Brewers would trade Burnes, seeing as Woodruff is out all of next season.
They have to if they want to get something out of either of them, besides the draft pick.
Santander would be a piece involved in a deal for a starter. The Marlins have some arms though so that may actually work out. (Would’ve been an easier match if Alcantara’s injury didn’t deplete their SP depth a bit)
Santander isn’t an extension candidate for Baltimore though. That’s not one of the guys we need to extend and pay. There’s a couple corner types that are ML ready in the system to take that job.
I’m perfectly fine with keeping him; but if he’s useful in getting a P, then I’ll be happy with that.
“as a piece” Is reasonable.
The original poster wants “proven starting pitcher with control” straight up for Santander. Thats not going to happen, SPs have much more value than one year of a corner OFer.
I don’t want a good and proven SP with control straight-up for Santander. I know that would be a massive overpay, by a large margin. What I’m saying is that in my opinion, it wouldn’t make sense for the Orioles to trade Santander for anything less than a massive overpay. Why would a team who just won 100+ games trade one of their best hitters, even if he’s on an expiring contract? To me, he’s more of an extension candidate than a trade candidate. If a team wants Santander, great, but they need to be willing to cough up a lot.
He just needs to be a piece of a trade package for that pitcher to justify the move. I don’t think Santander is a player with more upside than what he’s shown. He’s a nice player but we have guys like Kjerstad and Mayo that could potentially replace or even exceed his production.
There’s risk in that but if he’s useful towards the acquisition of something of greater need—Do it.
Middleton should be inexpensive to resign – 2/$3.5MM with a vesting third year option for $5MM.
Might be a little more expensive than that. The cost of relievers keeps escalating.
2/7 with $5 million option.
What’s the chances of Casas being on the trade block? Devers is a first baseman playing 3rd with an immovable contract. Defense has to be a priority to improve. If Turner comes back, Yoshida is entrenched in LF. Something has to give.
At this point, I wouldn’t trade any of the Sox prospects. In the next year or two they can have a very good, young team that will be controllable until 2030.
Sox just really need pitching, and are flush with cash.
SPEND IT!
The question is do you really believe in most of the chips Bloom left in the bowl. If so, gets some dip and party on the sidelines in 24 as you continue to build. They fired Bloom though and indicates the City deserves more. That means correctly determining which prospects to keep (like was done keeping Devers over Moncada) and make that big splash or two that will allow Sox Nation to stop thinking that Cora has evidence on ownership, etc.
Dewey Bloom was doomed to fail from the start. There is no way that Boston fans have the patience to wait for his vision to come to fruition. I think Boston has a lot of future pieces in place and suspect that Blooms signature will be felt for years in the future in a positive way. With that being said he he seemed like a one trick pony he really didn’t pay attention to the most important part of running the Red Sox and that is the big league club. His last two trade deadlines had to also give ownership pause. While the trade of Vasquez probably will turn out to be his best trade and a steal his lack of direction the last couple of years on the big club are fireable offenses in a market like Boston. Ownership screwed up when they got rid of DD he was a much better HBO for a market like Boston’s.
I also think Bloom will get another opportunity in a small market where his long term vision will be tolerated better and I do believe he will be successful in the future.
Bruin: Agreed. I think Bloom may have refused to make any deals that would subtract anything significant from the farm system. He was too conservative.
Bruin – With all due respect, asking Sox fans to accept punting longer than 4 years is not reasonable. This notion that a huge revenue team needs to suck for at least 5 years before they can even compete for a postseason berth is ridiculous.
And what if the top prospects don’t pan out? 5+ years wasted? I don’t think a “my bad” from Bloom in 2025 would have cut it.
Everyone talked “dynasty” with all the talented young Sox players in 2007, how did that work out in 2008-2012?
We will never know if Bloom would have punted in year 5. There is finally some surplus in the farm system that can be traded to fill holes.
Suit – Biggest holes are pitching staff, 3B defense probably won’t be fixed until 2025 or 2026.
Why wasn’t any of the surplus used to fill holes in pitching staff?
You just don’t know if not making moves at the deadline was him or ownership. This ownership is too hands on as evidence by DD now being in Philadelphia.
Fever, because the team wasn’t ready to win. 21 was unexpected. Why get pitchers who become expensive before the rest of the club is ready? It’s not how I would build a club but I think such was his thinking. He was looking for opportunities but very few pitching trade opps likely hit is inbox
Fever: I think there is finally surplus after 4 drafts and 4 international signing periods. So, the surplus is available only now and it may not be too much surplus. Just my speculation, but it takes a few years to add enough players to a farm system to get a surplus.
I agree Fever it was a failed experiment. Bloom needs to an be with a small market team and any other HBO who thinks that way. I believe he did a good job in the farm system but only time will tell. Just an FYI I like a lot if arms that have been added in the last 3 years but once again only time will tell.
dewey – Considering Bloom was fired for tanking the big league club, I find it hard to believe Henry didn’t want him to add talent at the trade deadline to pursue a playoff berth this year.
dewey – Time for a refresher.
July 29th
56-47 season record
1 1/2 games out of a playoff spot
16-5 record over the prior 21 games
In that streak they swept a series in Toronto, won a series against the Rangers, and swept Atlanta.
And that was while Houck, Whitlock and Sale were still working their way back.
Do you realize EVERY team that won more than 90 games has already been eliminated?
All we heard throughout the summer was that Baltimore, Tampa, Milwaukee, Atlanta and the Dodgers can’t be beat … and they all got eliminated immediately, going a combined 1-13 in the postseason.
So yes, the Red Sox absolutely had a chance in the postseason if Bloom had tried to get there instead of shrugging his shoulders and calling the team underdogs.
So yes, the Red Sox absolutely had a chance in the postseason
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So they were a pretty good team despite almost nothing from Sale and Story?
Joe – You are the ultimate fan!!! You really refuse to let facts get in the way of your opinions!!
The 2023 Red Sox NEVER had a shot at the post season NOR were they a pretty good team unless you consider below .500 to be a pretty good team. To me, a pretty good team needs to be well over .500.
Trade Santander for Jake Burger
Yep. Tony Taters for Jake B. Unfortunately, I could see something like that happening. Under the current ownership, Tony has more than probably priced himself out of Baltimore. Bummer.
Prefer the trade piece to be Mountcastle. But he’s much cheaper and longer controlled than Santander. Bummer, again.
It isn’t a horrible deal though
Marlins get something and the Orioles get a great power bat
Doesn’t make a lot of sense for either side. Burger is a 3B in Miami. He wouldn’t put a glove on for Baltimore.
Marlins would give up their starting 3B for a year of Santander. The O’s in return get the DH spot clogged up. That’s a no win move.
Yeah but if he stays healthy
He crushes AL East pitching
His home runs would easily clear the Left field wall
He wod be the bomb
The marlins will never do that. Burger has way more value to thEm.
I personally think that’s too much for Miami to give up. Also, Baltimore isn’t likely to trade a rental player for a “prospect” or young player with a lesser track record (thought Cleveland and Tampa Bay do this sometimes while still contending). Miami is getting a similar talent-level guy, but for 4 fewer years. That’s a lot of time.
Well then imvolve other players to even it up
That rough tough AL East… Who will get swept in next years playoffs?
Yes, swept like the Dodgers, Brewers, Marlins, lol
The Rangers and Diamondbacks are 5-0. The odds of these things happening again are about the same as winning the lottery, LMAO.
I wouldn’t count on that happening again, but if you believe it will, FanDuels will take your bet.
Well we all know that the AL central won’t matter despite the fact that they’ll get a few home games…
And the Chicago White Sox will get the majority of the team from waiver pick-ups
At present, the Sox roster houses more natural DHs than viable starting pitchers. This Bloom-built roster is a mess & the Sox find themselves obligated to make trades. There’s a significant difference between fixing a roster & building a roster.
Article’s not about Bloom. He’s gone, get over it.
Article is about the Sox roster. Who built the roster? Try to be a little less charming, RSmith, it’s overwhelming. You Chaim Bloom fanboys were all wrong – get over it.
We werent wrong. Haters got a guy who built a strong roster fired. Good for you. Who will your Talk Radio Overlords tell you to hate now? Maybe they can bring back Renteria out of retirement for you.
That’s your best argument? They keep track of wins & losses in MLB. You know that, right? Download the MLB app and look for “standings.” Tracks the wins-losses for all teams. I think you’ll find that interesting. “Strong roster” consistently in last place? All you Bloom boys were wrong. MLB app – “standings.” Good luck.
Hate the owner, hate the GM, hate the coach. Now theres a new GM on the way (eventually). Why would it be any different when the next guy walks through the door.
Haters get all fired up listening to Talk Radio and just follow the marching orders they give. I bet you’re hating Belichek right now too. Sheeple is all you are.
Again, being a “hater” is not a relevant point. I was a big fan of Dombrowski, Hazen, Cherington, Theo, Duquette, heck I even found a way to tolerate Lou Gorman. The only previous GM I disliked was Haywood “The Mailman” Sullivan. You’re a company man, Smith, not an independent thinker. You’re complimenting yourself for not being a “hater.” Right. You Bloom boys were all wrong. Get over it. MLB app – “standings.”
Wow, you liked all those guys?
Lies!
Have a good day, Smith (company man).
You too, remember articles about players should stay about the player, not about former GMs.
Remember, Smith, it’s none of your damn business how people choose to comment.
But its your business how I comment? Wait what? You said goodbye, couldnt you have just left it at that?
Middleton excelled in 14 1/3 innings of work after coming over in a deal with the White Sox over the summer. The righty posted a sterling 1.88 ERA
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.192 BABIP. He is basically the same RP that he was in Chicago.
The Red Sox have been widely speculated to be active participants in the trade market ……with shortstop Marcelo Mayer, outfielder Roman Anthony, and catcher Kyle Teel as the club’s only perceived untouchables.
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If they aren’t including the big 3, then they won’t be that active. Some of the other guys have some value, but if you trade Rafael or Bleis, you are selling low. And the rest of the guys are not Bringers of Rain.
Joe – Don’t believe everything you read. Why would Boston be publicizing that they are ready to trade all be three players when they don’t have a GM/POBO?
It’s all speculation. Nothing factual has surfaced about what’s going on with the hunt for a new POBO, with off season consideration or with Cora staying.
It’s a rumor mill not a record of facts.
Nobody can declare with certainty that a minor league player is being sold high or low. It’s all guesses. Will Casas repeat or improve his 2023 season? I think so but there are no guarantees. Will Mayer ever make the MLB team? Probably but will he be a league average player or elite? Nobody knows so selling high or low can’t be determined at this point in time.
Opinions are great but they are being fueled right now by mis-information aka rumors. Ignore the rumors and let folks know who you want to keep and why. That’s always fascinating reading and a great starting point for discussion.
RSmith – There is no rule for you to be an asshat with every comment. 30 Parks was right and once again you are wrong. A very common them today and EVERY DAY. Why not just read comments and learn about baseball and stop taking cheap shots?
I think you’ll see Yoshida & Duggie shopped in the trade market. Particularly for 24yr old Juan Soto if an extension can be reached. Duggie is a good MLB ready return with additional prospects involved for SD who look to reduce payroll to approx 200mill. I think Yoshida gets shopped for an arm SP or BP to free up an OF spot for Soto who in a few years would likely DH. Duran, Rafaela, Abreu, Soto & Refsnyder is your likely OF next year in 2024, when Refsnyder’s contract ends 2025 you’ll see Bleis/Anthony fill the Refsnder vacancy & Soto move to DH. Leaving Duran, Rafaela, Anthony, Bleis & Abreu as your OF in 25 & beyond. Casas is entenched at 1b on team friendly extension buying out his arbitration years. But Duggie (potential Gold Glove for 23) 1 year emaining & Yoshida (lack of Defebse but solid hitter) are both expendable with our OF prospect depth. I think you’ll see trades from our SS surplus (9 prospects listed at SS in our top 30, #1, 3, 7, 8, 11, 13, 19, 28 & 29 of top 30 all list SS as main or part of position) Mayer could be moved. The SP market is pretty flush and Redsox are flush with cash only FA Signings for SPs.
(Trade (Duggie or Yoshida) & 3 top Prospects to SD for Soto if an extension is reached)
Sign 2 from Snell, Nola, Montgomery, Yamamoto, Urias, Stroman, Giolito, Gray.
A 3rd from
(Trevor Bauer if he returns to MLB & a risk flyer from Japan 2.59 era this year & the 2020 Cy Young) Montas, Flaherty, Severino, Wacha, Lugo, E-Rod, Kershaw…(I am not thinking Ohtani is an answer unless Yoshida is Traded for arms & there is no Soto deal)
Many available to snag, 2 or 3 arms with cash alone…prospects & mlb ready OF for Soto…find a solid 2b from all sources & wrap up the next 5 years. Sale gone after 2025 replace with Stud Arm
OF in 2024 Duran, Soto, Rafaela, Abreu, Refsnyder
Duggie & Yoshida Traded.