As January comes to a close, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world headed into the weekend:
1. Moniak, Angels await arb decision:
The Angels and outfielder Mickey Moniak went to an arbitration hearing yesterday, as noted by the Associated Press. Moniak filed for a $2MM salary in 2025 while the Angels countered at $1.5MM. Moniak appeared to break out with the Angels in 2023 when he hit a strong .280/.307/.495 (114 wRC+) in 85 games, but the former No. 1 pick fell back to Earth in 2024 with a meager .219/.266/.380 (79 wRC+) line in 124 games as his BABIP cratered from an unsustainable .397 to just .272 year-over-year. Moniak is the first position player to go to a hearing this year. Pirates righties Johan Oviedo and Dennis Santana were the first two players to do so. Oviedo lost his case against Pittsburgh, while Santana’s decision is still pending.
2. Yates press conference:
The Dodgers officially signed right-hander Kirby Yates to a one-year deal yesterday, adding him to the 40-man roster at the expense of veteran righty Ryan Brasier. The club will be holding an introductory press conference at 11am local time this morning where Yates and (presumably) members of the Dodgers front office will be available to answer questions. The presser could shed some light on the closer situation in L.A. given that both Yates and fellow offseason signee Tanner Scott are established closers coming off excellent seasons. There’s been no indication which one the Dodgers plan on using in the ninth inning to this point, though one would imagine that the larger contract for Scott signifies that he’ll get the nod most days. Both pitchers have thrived in setup and closing roles, however, so manager Dave Roberts could also opt to use them interchangeably, as the situation dictates.
3. Will Cease’s market heat up?
The Padres have long been expected to make a trade or two this winter in order to free up space in the budget to address the club’s holes around the roster, and yesterday brought some increased chatter in that corner of the market. Specifically, right-hander Dylan Cease has reportedly been the subject of inquiries from both the Cubs and Mets. The Cubs have long been known to be on the hunt for rotation upgrades, even after adding southpaw Matthew Boyd in early December, but their only other addition has been veteran swingman Colin Rea. The Mets, meanwhile, have signed a number of starters this winter but lack impact at the front of their rotation and are already planning on using a six-man staff for 2025 that could make fitting Cease into the mix fairly easy (especially if a starter like David Peterson went the other way — speculatively speaking). A recent poll of MLBTR readers suggested that a slim majority of fans believe that San Diego should trade Cease, whether that be on his own or in addition to fellow rental starter Michael King. Could a deal get done before spring training?
If I’m the Padres and I must move one or both Cease and King. I don’t see anything matching with the Mets. Preller needs to get maximum value and the best of the best here. I’d look to Cubbies, Braves and potentially the Nats?
It sucks that the Padres ownership in-fighting is essentially forcing Preller’s hand to cut payroll. I understand moving Cease from a business perspective, but the hypothetical scenario of doing a trade the day before fan fest is very bad PR.
Runt – Spending would have been reduced anyway, even if Pete was still in control of the team.
I would focus on making a good trade not the PR that comes from it. The Padres made a good trade last year dealing Soto. I think Padres fans remember that.
I just saw the Mets/Cease post and wrote this there, but since that was from last night, and it’ll get more thoughts here and I’m curious about it, I’ll cross post it:
I feel like this could be a deal where the Pads deal for their needs now rather than sign players. And it’s not the worst idea. Pads are built for now, but they have holes.
Would Marte (+cash), Peterson, and Megill for Cease work for everyone?
And just in case, I’m a NYY fan, so just an outside observation.
I would think Preller wants at least (1) true stud minor leaguer. I agree, he needs MLB pieces as well but he needs to restock and Cease can get him near ML talent locks.
Once you looked under the covers, it was obvious that Moniak’s 2023 was a complete mirage. Like Adell, he doesn’t have bat to ball ability.
You can be optimistic such talented players will find themselves, but sooner or later, reality sets in.
@halo11fan. Welcome back.
Yep. Guys like these with not great contact skills and poor plate discipline get exposed over time. They may have a run or two where it looks good but tough to sustain without a good approach.
Holecamel..
The player that is a curiosity to me is Schanuel. He’s the exact opposite of Adell. Extremely slow bat, but the ability to put the bat on the ball.
The Angels completely revamped him last year, foolishly at the major league level, to get the bat head out in front. This basically caused his abilities to do what he did well, to plummet.
He now no longer controls the strike zone or hits the ball with authority. Will that continue? I don’t know. But I wish they would have let him figure it out in the minors.
I don’t think enough attention is given to Verlander vs Scherzer. They’re within nine (9) Ks of one another for career Ks, sitting #10 and #11 All-Time.
It’s noted enough that they don’t like each other.
They were both slam dunk HOFers five years ago.
My tin foil hat says that they’re both waiting for the other one’s arm to fall off so one can surpass the other and (finally) retire. Same concept as those Spy vs Spy comics
Troy – They are both only 2 years removed from a good season, and just 3 years removed from a great season. Athletes don’t call it quits after just one bad season. I think if either has another bad season this year, he will retire.
There’s no deep hatred between the two, they are just very different people. Max is more intelligent and reserved, that’s all.
It looks like Scherzer waited for Verlander to sign just so he could be sure to put earn him by $500k on the year. Would have been funnier if he did $1 higher.
Wade – I’m guessing he was waiting for Verlander to set the market for pitchers in similar situations. That’s risky though, if the market setter comes out on the low end.
I’m kinda surprised no mention of the L/R splits, which I would think Roberts would factor into his closer decisions.
In his career the lefty Tanner Scott has been much more effective vs LHB (.603 OPS) than vs RHB (.679 OPS).
In his career the righty Kirby Yates has been much more effective vs RHB (.597 OPS) than vs LHB (.660 OPS).
Absolutely, i would think it will be a two headed closure role
A realistic offer for Cease would be along the likes of what Burns or even Soto went for as a soon to be FA.
For the Mets a realistic offer to keep the Padres talking would involve Peterson a top 5 prospect and maybe a 3rd piece especially with Cease being a front line starter making less then the aging aces got this off season.
MLB – I think you are the first to add what I believe to be a huge factor – salary cost. Soto is Soto but he brought a 31 mil salary for that 1 year. Cease is an ace at 13.5? Allows the acquiring team some flexibility to add another piece while adding an ace.
That is worth a little more in the pot.
Longtime, the other thing that adds to the pot is that the acquiring team will also get a draft pick when they QO Cease after 2025. That adds to the pot.
Both of those are part of why the price set by Preller for Cease is so high.
We already knew the sky-high price centered on Mayer that he had set back at the winter meetings when the Red Sox asked about Cease. Yesterday we found out about him asking for a package fronted by Shaw from the Cubs. Preller would ask for just as big of a return from the Mets.
I agree, that’s why I said a 3rd piece Peterson for the rotation now, a top prospect and the 3rd piece could be something of real value, not some A ball lottery ticket.
3 solid players can get something done possibly, def will keep them in the conversation until something is done.
How about Torkelson (1B/DH), Wencel Perez (LF,CF,RF, switch hitter) and Matt Manning (SP) for King or Cease.
They aren’t rebuilding, if they move him they want controllable MLB ready pieces not AA prospects
Just for kicks. King and Peralta to the Mets for Peterson, Scott, Acuna and Mauricio. Cease to the Cubs for Assad, Brown and Alcantara. Arraez to NYY for Stroman, Hampton and Madea. Suarez and Isaiah Lowe to Detroit for Jung and Torkelson.
Dan that makes my brain hurt! Kind of thing AJ might do though.
You’re not getting Hampton, Madea plus Stroman for Arreaz!! Heck I would not do Hampton and Madea for Arreaz!
@Nick Deeds. Please. In the poll by mlbtr yesterday, a majority of fans clearly suggested that the Padres not trade either Cease or King, not Cease over King as you state.
Thanks for the laugh, Brew. Did you expect Deeds to get facts correct?
You can’t will this into existence no matter how bad you want it to happen.
If the Padres don’t make a trade how are they going to put a team out there?
I like your answer
Considering what’s left out there they could probably get Verdugo, one of Rizzo/France/Turner, and either Quantrill or Turnbull (or both) and bring in guys like David Peralta and Brandon Drury on minor league/low salary deals for about $20 million
And where is the 20 million coming from?
Preller has said they have financial flexibility which sounds like just an excuse to sit out the market on the big name players
Preller has so much financial flexibility that he just pushed some of Michael Kings 2025 salary into 2026 with some nonsense mutual option.
The Padres time is ending. The only question is how soon.
Long after the Cardinals time was over.
Moniak went to arbitration? Chutzpah.
Candelario, Suarez, and Paredes. For a team that can’t find a 3B, the Tigers sure have given a few away.
Suarez is still the best trade option based on BP strength. About same money as DC and while not as good of a return, should net a mlb ready player to fill 1 spot of need at least.
Agree. Or if getting under CBT is what matters most (not sure it is) then parting with Matsui ($5.5M AAV) wouldn’t kill us
Only thing about Mat is that he is Lh and well, AJ may he trying to get Adrián in the rotation still. Also no return but yes, if someone took him for a flyer the $$’s work.
For those with cable, the Caribbean tournament is on ESPN Desportes starting today at 4 pm CT and continues through the weekend. The one thing that puzzles me is that Japan is in the tournament. I don’t know why but I’m not complaining.
The Mets are not going to give up Peterson or their top pitching prospect – Sproat – or their top overall prospect – Williams – for one year of Cease. That weakens them and doesn’t make any sense. I could see them offering Megill or Butto, Marte and half of his salary plus either Acuña, Baty or Gilbert. Mauricio is still recovering and won’t be ready for the beginning of the season, so you don’t know what you’re getting with him, so he probably won’t be traded.
They won’t give up 2 years of Peterson for 1 year of Cease?
Yeah right
The Padres are looking to trade Cease because they are trying to lower payroll and Cease costs $14 million. Marte costs $20 million. Even if the Mets pay half of his salary, the Padres would only be saving $4 million by trading Cease. The Padres don’t want to take on any contracts. Square peg, round hole.
The Mets can pay all of Martes salary.
Round peg round hole. Think dude think.
I was responding to Attystephenadams. He suggested paying HALF of Marte’s salary. Read dude read.
4 articles on Cease in 24 hours. A new record for the site.
But one can imagine almost trading Dylan Cease only so many times, so there will be a cap – maybe at 10 articles?
The Red Sox can send them one of Crawford/Houck, I’d love for it to be Yoshida but it will probably take Abreu, and a non-top 100 prospect for Cease. SD would get a lower dollar rotation replacement, an ML outfielder on the cheap, and a flyer. Sox would get another top of the rotation arm AND a year to get Dylan to love Boston.
The Padres already asked for Mayer, Abreu, Fitts, and Gonzalez for Cease. .
Somebody correct me if I am wrong, but aren’t both Cease and King eligible for qualifying offers at the end of this year? Doesn’t that mean that each will be worth what they provide with their performance this year AND a 1st round pick?