With one major piece of news already breaking this morning, here are three other things for MLBTR readers to keep an eye on around the baseball world today:
1. Are the Giants done?
The Giants made a splash on the free agent market this weekend by signing third baseman Matt Chapman on a three-year deal with opt-outs after the 2024 and ’25 seasons. The deal substantially improves the club’s defense at third base while adding a high-upside bat to the lineup, and checks a box that was near the top of the club’s offseason shopping list. Now that Chapman’s in tow, however, is there more in store for San Francisco before Opening Day? Reporting has indicated that the club remains interested in top free agent hurler Blake Snell, while incumbent third baseman J.D. Davis appears to be without a spot in the lineup after the Chapman signing and could be a trade candidate in the coming weeks. On the other hand, president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi seemingly downplayed the likelihood of major additions after bringing Chapman into the fold yesterday.
2. Where will Martinez land?
With Chapman and Cody Bellinger having recently come off the board, veteran slugger J.D. Martinez now stands atop the pile of remaining free agent hitters after crushing 33 homers in 113 games last season. The market for the 36-year-old’s services has been fairly quietly of late, with the most significant development in recent weeks being reports of ultimately fruitless negotiations between Martinez and the Giants which came to a close when San Francisco signed Jorge Soler. As a player more or less limited to the DH spot in the lineup, Martinez’s market is a bit more limited than most, though MLBTR’s Anthony Franco recently discussed possible suitors for his services. With Opening Day just weeks away and the winter’s other top bats having signed, could a deal be on the horizon?
3. Acuna meeting with doctor:
Reigning NL MVP Ronald Acuna Jr. was scratched from the Braves’ spring lineup over the weekend as he deals with irritation in his right meniscus. While Atlanta has expressed confidence that Acuna will be ready for Opening Day, the club is remaining cautious with its superstar thanks in part to the fact that he’s just two seasons removed from a torn right ACL that cost him the second half of the 2021 campaign and delayed the start of his 2022 season. Today, Acuna is expected to meet with Dr. Neal ElAttrache for further examination of the issue, which could provide additional clarity on the slugger’s status. Should Acuna require a stint on the shelf, the Braves could turn to Forrest Wall, J.P. Martinez, or non-roster invitee Jordan Luplow to handle right field alongside Michael Harris II in center and Jarred Kelenic in left.
If Snell doesn’t get that long term deal he wants from the Angels or Yankees the Giants should absolutely take the tax hit and bite on a one year deal so he can re enter the market in 2025.
He isn’t going to take a one year deal. He might take a multi-year deal with an opt out after the first year. There’s a difference between the two, that being if he stinks or gets hurt, the team is still on the hook for the multiple years.
@Seamaholic that’s what I meant by one year deal. See it for what it is Chapman is a one year deal unless he’s injured all year and same will go for Snell
It appears the Yankees have never been in play on Snell outside their initial offer. Scott Boras noise as he tries to create interest.
@LordD99 all Boras smoke just like the Phillies being ‘interested’. Realistically it feels like it’s down to the Angels to give him a long term deal and if not the Giants are an option on a short term deal but if Chapman proved anything I don’t think Zaidi is gonna budge on the financials.
Regardless the outcome it’s pretty clear Boras misread his market completely putting Snell in the same situation as Bellinger and Chapman. If Snell does re-enter the market in 2025 he may want to do so with a different agent and much more realistic expectations.
The REAL issue is all these players got BIG money offers and Boras wrongly told them say no I can get you more. The jays offerd Chapman 120-125 over 6 last season. I guarantee you the jays offered at least 130 over 5 years for belinger aswell. There is no doubt in my mind belly had similar offers and there is no doubt Snell and Monty were offered 30M over 5-6 years at least. Boras telling his guys to turn down offers is the real issue. Theses guys should fire him like what Freddie freeman did after his agent dropped the ball with him. All Boras guys need to take notes. If you are not in the top 3-5 players at your position then that the big deals offered earlier
The Yankees have to pay over double of whatever deals they give out due to there tax situation. So any deal a play signs times that by 2.1 to get what they are paying. To give him 30M per season contract they are actually paying 66M I don’t see them doing that type of thing. Maybe sign JD Martinez at 12M and cut Stanton that’s what they should really due
“High upside bat”
That’s a nice a way of saying Chapman’s bat needs to better than what its been the past two seasons.
And the very reason I say he won’t take either of those opt outs is if you project his ‘22 or ‘23 stats as who he really is, he won’t be testing the market again any time before 2027. He’s lucky he got what he did from SF.
Yea I agree. The bigger issue for him is that with his finger injury this season it was hit first full season he played with less the 20 HR with 17. He may only hit 18-20 there at best
Contrary to popular opinion the Cubs don’t need or want JD Davis or any other 3B. Use your minds people. If they didn’t want Chapman, Why on Earth would they want JD Davis? #Stopthestupidity.
I’d take JD if it meant shipping out Smyly and saving a few bucks
Except the idea is to get rid of Smyly, AND NOT take anybody back. JD Davis wouldn’t even make the Cubs anyway. They’d have to cut him and eat his salary, Whatever it is.
Smyly would actually be a good BP pitcher. He always was in the past at least. And as injury prone as he is, he may actually stay healthy.
JD Davis is a flawed player (like most) but with a reasonable 1 year salary
Jd Davis Marco Lucrciano to Seattle for JP Crawford??
That would actually be a heck of a trade for both sides.
Ugh no.
The way you spelled Luciano made me throw up in my mouth and then I read the words JP Crawford and aspirated.
Sorry grammar police
Spelling police, if you wish to be technical (or correct)
Shouldn’t that be grcrammar police?
Diptto lives to trade right?
So does Dipoto!
I don’t care to be ether correct or spel rite.
ATL team is SOO deep and resourceful, managed smartly they could get by without Acuna for a short or long time (Obviously they won the WS in 2021 ) but his knee is concerning long term.
If the knee is going to be a recurring issue going forward, Braves at least are not locked into Acuna forever. Current deal ends after 2026 with 2 club options for ‘27 & ‘28 at $17M per. He’ll still only be 30 after 2028, so that extension was truly a work of art for both sides.
Devils advocate in regards to the Braves World Series… They had the lowest win total of any division leader that season (88) and the NL East that season was actually quite weak (Phillies, one game above 500 were 2nd).
4 teams in the AL East had over 90 wins
Acuna’s loss could have cost them that title if the division was tougher.
As deep as Atlanta may be, If they were to lose Acuna in similar fashion again, I doubt they get that lucky again with what should be a stronger division.
Giants should offer $100M over three years with opt outs after the first two years to Snell.
With whose money, yours?
Giants have more money than you blue Barron
Obviously, but orangenblackattack posted about spending $100 million, not me.
Perfect fit for the Mets but money is all of a sudden scarce
When you don’t have to pitch to JD he doesn’t hit. Look at him before the LAD line up. I don’t think he’s playing this season unless he takes low money and goes to a team like Miami or pirates..
Just a thought but maybe acuna overdid it in 2023 causing the flare up now. 73 sbs on a surgically repaired knee may have been overwhelming for his body
@Johnny utah: Unless, of course, it wasn’t.
Jordan Luplow > Ronald Acuña. Braves will be fine.
If the Angels signed all three Boras guys could they make a playoff push? Snell and Montgomery would make their rotation acceptable. JDM can help protect Trout. A few of the other guys step up and maybe?
Liked “JDM can help protect Trout”.
While I’m sure both Snell and Montgomery have been throwing, they are missing valuable time with their new coaches and catcher(s) the longer this mockery drags on. No way they’re ready to start the season. This is the kind of nonsense that could lead to ramping up too quickly and then being shut down in June. What a waste
Cardinals need to sign JD Martinez. Their pitching will not be nearly as bad this year but they will need to score to win. His bat behind Goldyand Arenadowould be a huge benefit.