With 60 days remaining until pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today…
1. Yamamoto meeting with teams:
Yesterday, the Dodgers met with NPB ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto as the 25-year-old hurler continues meeting with clubs interested in his services this offseason. L.A. joins the Giants, Mets, and Yankees among clubs publicly known to have met with Yamamoto this offseason. It was reported yesterday that both the Red Sox and Blue Jays figure to join that quarter in the coming days. A report last week indicated that the field for Yamamoto’s services had thinned to seven teams, with every team that has met with Yamamoto to this point except for Boston named alongside two “mystery teams.”
2. Is Bellinger’s market crystalizing?
The Giants shocked the baseball world by landing star KBO outfielder Jung Hoo Lee on a six-year deal worth $113MM. The signing of Lee takes another top left-handed bat off of the market following Shohei Ohtani’s decision to sign with the Dodgers and the swap that sent Juan Soto to the Yankees. Both the Giants and Yankees were considered top suitors for center fielder Cody Bellinger prior to their additions of Soto and Lee. It’s possible that the recent run on left-handed bats has left Bellinger with only a handful of potential destinations left.
Remaining suitors for Bellinger could include the Blue Jays, Cubs, and Mariners. Toronto and Chicago, the latter of whom Bellinger bounced back with in 2023, were among the final bidders on Ohtani before he landed in L.A. The Mariners, meanwhile, have little certainty in their outfield beyond Julio Rodriguez and would benefit from Bellinger’s 15.6% strikeout rate last year as they look to create a more contact-oriented lineup. It’s also at least plausible that the Giants have the wherewithal necessary to land both Bellinger and Lee, though given the club’s logjam in the outfield they may be better suited toward spending in other areas at this point.
3. Greinke joins the market:
After months of uncertainty regarding the plans of future Hall of Famer Zack Greinke, the veteran right-hander is reportedly planning to continue his career in 2024. The news puts Greinke in line to become the 20th pitcher in major league history to record 3,000 career strikeouts, a milestone he sits just 21 punchouts away from. Beyond the potential history a 21st big league season from Greinke figures to involve, the update also adds another quality back-of-the-rotation starter to a market ravenous for starting pitching options. While Greinke struggled to the first below-average ERA+ of his career since 2005 last season, it’s easy to see a club taking a chance on Greinke given the solid deals back-end starters like Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson have received so far this offseason.
In the recent past, Greinke hasn’t had much impact on the wider free agent market as he’s seemingly limited himself to pitching in Kansas City. However, the news of Greinke’s decision to continue pitching comes on the heels of the Royals committing to Seth Lugo on a three-year pact, leaving open the possibility that Greinke will need to look elsewhere to continue his career. If Greinke hopes to stick with familiar clubs, both the Dodgers and Diamondbacks could use rotation fortifications, even after Arizona landed Eduardo Rodriguez earlier in the month.
Giants gonna sign him to DH
That would be weird, seeing as how he is a better defender than all their outfielders and all their first basemen.
Yeah, they’re gonna sign a gold glove to play DH. Makes a ton of sense. NOT
I guess you have a point. After all these are the geniuses that kept running Ramos out there then made a huge move for Pollock.
Haha, I thought you meant Greinke. He was a good hitter.
I was joking about Greinke but people here hate reading anything except the one sentence they’re interested in.
I guess I got the joke then, lol.
To be fair I think he had a couple gold gloves too lol.
I always thought he was just different enough that he’d try to pull a Rick Ankiel and switch to the outfield full time.
Greinke ought to join the Rockies. He can Jamie Moyer his way into a milestone.
I doubt the thin air would do his ERA any help. Just a guess, but probably not his first choice.
Greinke is way past the “first choice” stage of his career. At this point he is much closer to the “will they offer” stage.
I think there’s bound to be choices. Even if you only have three options one of them will be your first choice, second, etc. To me it’s more than likely there will be more than one team interested in signing him
Personally I believe that Greinke is only motivated to become in his own way the next Mr. 3000. I honestly don’t believe that he will continue to pitch past that milestone. Although that opinion may put me in the minority, I would have to expect it dampens interest by most teams.
I kind of agree. He’s 40yo now and was unsure if he even wanted to play again. So why not sign with the Dodgers for a brief reunion until mid season, which by then, he’ll certainly have obtained his 3k strikeout. Around that same time, Clayton Kershaw will probably be returning (can’t see him pitching for anyone else) to the rotation and Grienke can walk away. Or should the team acquire Glasnow too, by the same time, he’ll probably be on the IL and Zack can decide to stick it out for 1 more playoff run.
He has accomplished so much in his career. One big thing missing? WS ring. If he was only looking to join 3000k club, he could’ve easily just stayed in KC to do that. He wants a ring.
Come to Baltimore, ZG. Plenty of good fishing in Chesapeake Bay
I got to appreciate him when he was an Astro. Definitely a different guy. If he just wants to play for the 3000 strikeouts, I don’t know that there’s anything wrong with that. If you ask him if he’d like to win a championship I’m sure his answer would be yes. Where his priorities are, I could only guess
So you think he’s looking to sign to play 3-4 games? Greinke has always been a competitor. He’s deciding to pitch another year because he wants to play. Only needing 21 strikeouts may have been a factor in his decision, but if that was the only thing important to him, he’d of likely decided to play in 2024 a lot sooner than mid December.
Yeah I’m more of the belief that he will weirdly pitch as long as they let him… and not that’s its weird he wants to… he will just be weird while doing it.
Heyman claimed the Phillies were one of the mystery teams, but I absolutely don’t buy it. Their rotation is set.
Remember the Cliff Lee signing when the phillies had a full staff. I don’t think they are involved but stranger things have happened.
I also don’t see any reason why Yamamoto would choose Philly over LA or NYY if the money was close.
You choose Philly if you want to contend for a ring. Dodgers like to exit early and the Yankees will have a hard time winning their own division. Philly is stacked.
They traded for Cliff Lee lol so you’re wrong.
Actually they did both. Signed him in FA after trading him away. He turned down money in Texas and NY to come back to Philly, making him a Philly hero.
Bet you wish you could delete this.
I believe the rotation is set with Sanchez. While I would use the money to acquire a thumping OF, signing YY to replace Sanchez is not without merit.
Royals ain’t competing. Greinke was worth 1 WAR in 2023. Just give him 1 year/$8.5M and let him keep pitching for his original team, as a curio, or “a veteran clubhouse presence”.
Bellinger to the Dodgers? Is that so crazy?
You mean Bellinger to the Deferers?
Bellinger to the 2024-2027 World Champions. While we’re at it the Dodgers should promote Dave Roberts to assistant GM & sign Maddon or Showalter to manage the team.
Even if they win, nobody is going to respect the championship, just like the 1/3 ring they won in 2020.
Yeah every non Dodger fan is going to hope they continue to get bounced out of the playoffs in the first round by a wild card team that won 84-89 games from their own division.
Only way they stop ducking out of the playoffs is to promote Roberts to FO or trade him to some organization that thinks he’s the greatest manager ever because of his winning percentage. I’d trade Roberts for whomever is managing the Rays.
The league needs to have man like Oliver Marmol managing the Dodgers. That would square the odds.
Then we have to listen to the Dodgers fans cry that the playoffs are unfair
Where have you been? Betts and Freeman are on deferred contracts, too. You’re mad because a team is smart. Do you hate analytics, too?
OK I’m an Astros fan, and even I can acknowledge that I don’t like what the Dodgers did with deferring money, but it is within the rules so… they can spend their money however they wish.
I I would definitely like to see it count as 70 mil for luxury tax purposes though. Still, within the rules.
Bellinger to the Angels? Better than playing out your career in foggy, cold, nasty San Francisco.
Yes, he and Anthony Rendon can discuss retirement plans and talk about the old days when they were on winning teams.
Bellinger return to the Windy City makes way too much sense not to happen, so it probably won’t.
Jed Hoyer and company seem laser focused on hyping up Christopher Morel and trying to find a team willing to view him as a premium player for a trade.
The Cubs need to change the narrative that they not a big spending club, they’ve spent, but have chosen to spend poorly, spreading money around to “good but not great” players vs signing impact free agents, which is fine but they’ve also failed to develop impact players, continuing to churn out more good but not great players, or in Nico Hoerner’s case, a great player but not an impact bat.
Chicago is a major market team, they need a major market player (or two). They turned the page last season and pushed for a playoff spot but Marquee turned a smaller number last year than the year prior, although still netted the Cubs over 180 million dollars.
Renovations are complete, Marquee is up and running, the Cubs are now the money printing machine that everyone thought they were and now they need to act like it. Missed out on Ohtani, so what, they have a top rated farm system and money to spend, sign a big free agent, make a franchise altering trade (in a good way) and reign a top a very winnable division.
I think that behind Ohtani and Bellinger, they are waiting to see what’s going to happen in the Diamond Sports bankruptcy case affecting a lot of other clubs. Next hearing is Friday.
The Cubs are in a position to pick up a few good to great players from financially overstretched clubs for cash and a second tier prospect. Teams like Minnesota, San Diego, and Cleveland are going to really be feeling it financially.
And that is something to consider as well, maybe the waiting game is the smart move.
Some Cleveland fan got all B hurt when I mentioned the Cubs should offer a massive package for Ramirez, Bieber and Naylor but there is a reality of the situation, if the Cubs can offer up a fair value prospect package that included several of our close to being major league ready prospects while they cut a ton of salary then I can see it happening.
Flip side with San Diego, Cubs can offer up a package for Tatis and send money up front while San Diego pays the money back towards the back end.
@Drasco
Who in their right mind wants to play in Chicago?? I’ve been there once as a tourist and fan and that’s enough for my liking,
A lot of players due to their history and Wrigleyville is actually nice. The first part of the renovations of Wrigley was to improve player comfort and training as well so it’s not as bad as the rest of Wrigley.
As far as Chicagos crime, it’s bad but generally contained. There are no murders or junkies on the miracle mile. You don’t really see them in the nicer parts of the city like you do in some cites.
I’m a native Californian and there’s nothing in that part of the country that interests me. I’m sure most players from California would agree.
I definitely wouldn’t want to live in Chicago full-time but I wouldn’t mind playing there. Sure early and the spring and fall are more chilly than some locations but the summer months are a lot more agreeable than most.
I don’t know if you’ve ever spent a summer day in Atlanta but that weather is brutal.
On the flip side, you couldn’t pay me enough to live in California either.
It’s kind of cute that you think someone would *pay you* to live in California, though. You sound important.
Well, considering I do executive protection, people have tried to pay me to move to California. I guess based on your assessment I am important
Not the same thing my man!
My man, my guy etc are the douchiest things you can say.
Well now I really know you’re not from California if you feel that way.
Hey it has definitely all worked out for Arson Judge in San Francisco.
Belli is this years Correa. I’m guessing he takes another one year deal. All his suitors are going with different players
Bellinger will get 7-10 years even if it’s the Nationals because his agent is Scott Boras. Only way he signs a shorter contract is if he’s getting multiple opt out years. San Diego might surprise everyone and they need a CF/1B
SD fan here. Bellinger certainly would help ease the pain of a rough off season.
Better San Diego than San Francisco.
I actually thought San Diego could sneak in and grab Bellinger but I think it would be a poor decision, first, I don’t think they should sign another very long contract with three already on the books. Also, I’m not an “exit velocity” person but I would be a bit worried about Bellingers power in San Diego. In Chicago he embraced a contact oriented two strike approach, I’d be a bit more worried he would go back to selling out for power in San Diego.
If I was Chicago, because I really want him back, I’d offer a contract that included an opt out after two years that was a bit front loaded. I mean if he repeats what he did in Chicago for two more seasons he’d be in line for a monster deal, 300+.
Yeah good point. The only way I can conceivebly see us getting him is a shorter contract or a pricey rental. Wouldn’t hurt, certainly not as bad as X’s contract currently is hurting us lol
I didn’t love the years of Xanders contract, nor moving Kim off short, but I don’t think it’s going to kill the Padres until the end.
I want Tatis in Chicago and his 36 million in real money starting in 29 is going to be a killer for San Diego.
I think the Cubs would be content to hand him 3/95 or 4/120. They have been building a lot of their contracts around the end of the CBA after 2026.
Drasco, what do you think it would take to get Tatis assuming the Cubs took on the entire contract?
Morel, PCA, Wicks, and Ferris?
Way too much there.
That’s a package that would require SD to eat some of the money.
Honestly, kind of hard to judge but I would assume:
Morel
PCA
Brown
Maybe one of the other top outfield prospects along with a couple lower tier guys.
I definitely would not deal Horton or Ferris. Brown I like a lot but is kind of a flyer. If there is a thought MLB uses that pre-tacked ball in the near future I wouldn’t deal him though, guy was nails with that thing. Otherwise I think he has similar upside as Shark
Cubs have to get Belli now. It’s now a need. 8/184. Get it done Jed.
Cody B. should be brought back with the Cubs for six years at $150m with the option to opt-out after three years.
Gives him time to establish a bigger market and gives the Cubs the guy that can play first base.
Then bring in Matt Chapman and J.D. Martinez and you are set for the Cubs lineup.
Yes to the contract and JD. Big no on Chapman. Defense trending wrong way and the bat is awful. Give 3b to Morel
If you re-sign Bellinger, putting him at first would allow a much longer leash for Morel at third. Bellinger is an outstanding first baseman, he has tremendous length and can scoop it. Get Morel to hop it to first and let Bellie scoop the way Rizzo did with KB.
I’m definitely not high on Chapman and I also don’t think you can fit in Martinez, Chapman and Bellinger.
I personally like the idea of Bellinger and Turner as free agent targets. Bellinger can man first, Turned at DH, Morel at third. If Morel cannot handle third, Bellinger moves to CF, Turner takes over first and Morel moved back to DH/utility.
I’d also like add, this is without looking at spray charts. If Chapman is a gap to gap hitter my opinion would change some, if Turner is a dead pull hitter, also change.
Cubs need to look at a gap to gap hitter and take advantage of the closer walls. Dead pull hitters will end up in the well too often for my taste.
I like Hoskins over Turner and Chapman. Cubs need more power.
The only thing about Hoskins is you’re putting Bellinger in centerfield the entire season AND you pretty much have to DH Morel unless the plan is to DH Hoskins but you’ll run into issues with that because Hoskins isn’t going to want to sign a one year deal to DH.
The move I really want to see is the Cubs pry away Tatis from San Diego (or Ramirez from Cleveland) and I’m willing to include PCA in either package. Either one would cost a huge prospect package but worth it in either case
Yankees would be ALL over Bellinger if the price did indeed drop to 6/150 with 3rd yr opt out. That would be money well spent at least yrs 1-3
I’m not counting the Yankees out because they can still deal Verdugo and Grisham.
Chapman and Bob Melvin have a long history. He will be a Giant sometime in early January.
Get The Cardinals Sign Zac Greinke article ready.
That seems like the Cardinal way 2-15, 5 era 40 years old….heres 10 million.
They do have at least a little bit of a history of signing over the hill Royals pitchers, like Quisenberry and Suppan
After missing out in Jung Hoo Lee, I think going for Bellinger wouldn’t be a bad move for the Friars. A short affordable contract that gives us some flexibility still and in the future.
If he wants a sure shot at a Tommy John surgery then he should sign with the Dodgers.
Cubs are probably where Bellinger lands a 7-8 year deal. He makes a lot of sense for them. I’m not sure Yamamoto is a realistic target, I think he goes to the Dodgers, or one of the New York teams.
Few thoughts, how would San Diego afford Bellinger when they couldn’t snag Lee who was their top priority? Why are we even discussing a 2-15 pitcher with an era over 5 who’s 40? Belli is beloved in LA & always will be, he seems to be a great fit & love playing for the Cubs…stay in America Cody!! Who said sign him as a DH, dude watched any baseball lately? He plays Gold Glove D at 2 positions.
His WAR is much better than you would expect with those ugly numbers because of KC’s absolutely abysmal defense behind him. You could do far worse for a stopgap.
Yamamoto ends up in SF or NY with the Mets. (Bosox are a long shot) Think about it…you’re young, don’t speak English, and know no one in a foreign country. Wouldn’t you want to play for a team that has at least 1 other country mate that’s signed there long term? I realize that means the possibility of the Dodgers too since Ohtani is now there in perpetuity. But can they really afford (defer) Ohtani, Betts, Freeman, and Yamamoto’s contacts for the next 10+ years?!
Boston-Yoshida ex teammate..
Ownership will sell the team before those deferred payments are due to another ownership group making billions in the process.
Guggenheim Partners is worth $300B in holdings/assets. They can defer a few more million.
@Dogleg62
Yes, the Dodgers really can afford them, because unlike the Cubs, the Dodgers actually wield their financial might, and in smart and creative ways.
And beyond wondering whom the Japanese player is who’s signed long-term in SF (I mean, they just signed Tsutsugo to a minor-league deal, but that doesn’t qualify; and if you mean Jung Hoo Lee, well…he’s Korean?), it’s also important to accept that we are seeing such decisions from our cultural perspective. There are many in the sport who would argue the opposite: that Japanese ballplayers don’t want to play with their countrymen in the States, for whatever reasons they offer.
That said, if he’s simply looking to get paid–which seems the only reason he’d take a deal in SF–then Uncle Steve is going to pay him more (than anyone else) to play in Queens. Of course, given the motivations are such that we’ll never know (until they perhaps share them, after the fact), well…who knows?
But yes, LA can certainly afford Yamamoto.
I admit I didn’t (don’t) know much about Lee, but yes, I assumed he was Japanese because according to his bio…he was born in Japan! I’ve since learned that his father was a Korean ballplayer who was playing in Japan at the time of Lee’s birth.
However, does anybody know how long the family lived in Japan while Dad was still playing? I don’t…but if it was long enough for Jung Hoo to experience Japanese culture, I’d say he can probably relate to those players as well as those of his own heritage.
I’d take Greinke on the Pirates.
Me too.
Why? Because he is a known name? Not saying they shouldn’t take a gamble with him, but I am not sure he’s the answer to their problems. A pitcher like him should be concerned about Rowdy Tellez playing at first base. Errors will go up for the infield with Tellez there. Horrible signing! Any legit free agent pitcher has to be concerned with a weakness like that at first. A below average defender is a big step backwards
Tellez might not be the 1st baseman most days. If Cutch is either finished or deemed two expensive to play next year, Rowdy could platoon at DH with Davis (who would also get starts against right handers as catcher) while Triolo, Nunez, Joe or another FA (Santana?) plays at first.
Davis will see more time at catch with Endy on the shelf for the year.
I think a veteran guy like Greinke even with his age and decline in production would have value on a pitching staff that has a ton of youth and could benefit from his experience. He wouldn’t be anything more than a clubhouse guy.
I’ve said before the Pirates haven’t had a consecutive 1 or greater WAR by the same player at 1B since Adam LaRoche. 1B has been the biggest weakness on this team over the last 20 years. Not excited about a 270 pound Ryan Tellez playing 1B.
Would love to see the mariners pick up Bellinger, but he will command more than 5 mil a year, so he is out 🙁
I would love for the Braves to be one of the two “mystery teams” in on Yamamoto, but I’m afraid that AA doesn’t do that kind of deal for pitching. I think YaYo will end up being a legit TOR starter, but…..*sigh*….he’s going to be pitching elsewhere.
Ive heard through my royals insiders hes coming back pretty much done deal. But also otahni was on his way to toronto so who knows…
Bellinger would be a “perfect fit” for the Padres (need CF who can hit and also upgrade
@ 1B).
Dunno what their budge is for ’24.
Somewhere in the 200M or less category?
It works
Only if the Padres are done cutting payroll.
OR if the Padres can trade a contract or 2 Cronenworth? and/or Kim?
Doubtful the Padres would traded Tatis Jr (very affordable long term deal)
Doubtful that Manny Machado, with that huge contract, would get the Padres a big enough return in talent and players to make it worth their while to trade him.
Jackson Merrill could play SS and Xander slides over to 3B?
“Meanwhile” can’t be inserted mid-sentence, separated by commas. It needs to START the sentence.
Bellinger should be a Met. With Cohen’s pocketbook it isn’t even a question. Show the the Japanese pitcher they want to win now. Then sign Alonso long term as well. Why not? If they have more money than anyone in MLB show it. This idiot Stearns is treating the payroll like he is still with a small market team. Mets need a power lefty in the lineup. Makes total sense.
Too bad the guy is a complete jerk! I’ve heard too many stories of him autographing baseballs and then throw them in the stands and stuff like that last year. KC didn’t want him.