As Spring Training continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Pitchers making their team debut today:
It’s still the early days of spring, which means a number of players have not yet gotten into a game so far. As more players start making their first appearances, fans will continue to get their first looks at offseason acquisitions in their new settings. At 1:05pm ET this afternoon, Orioles fans will get to see veteran right-hander Charlie Morton make his debut for Baltimore against the Tigers. Just two minutes later, at 1:07pm ET, Blue Jays fans will be able to see future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer suit up for Toronto for the first time. Later in the afternoon, lefty Blake Snell will make his Dodgers debut against the Mariners, which is scheduled for 1:05pm MT for fans in Arizona, or 12:05pm PT for fans in Los Angeles and Seattle.
2. Players lingering on the relief market:
Yesterday saw the top remaining left-handed reliever on the free agent market settle for a minor league deal when southpaw Andrew Chafin signed on for a return to the Tigers. The pickings on the left-handed relief market are becoming increasingly slim, with rehabbing veteran Brooks Raley and swingman Drew Smyly among the best options remaining. The market for right-handed relievers still has a number of intriguing options, however, led by veteran David Robertson. Robertson’s 3.00 ERA and 2.65 FIP in 72 innings of work for the Rangers last year seem likely to earn him a major league deal somewhere even with March rapidly approaching. Kyle Finnegan, Phil Maton, Keynan Middleton, and swingman Jose Urena are among the yet-unsigned righties on the market.
3. MLBTR Chat today:
Spring training is now officially underway, though a handful of of MLBTR’s Top 50 Free Agents remain unsigned and some clubs still have more work to do before the start of the season. Whether you have a trade proposal in the back of your mind or questions about an upcoming camp battle this spring, MLBTR’s Steve Adams will be here to answer your questions during a live chat scheduled for 1pm CT. You can click here to ask a question in advance, join in live once the chat begins, or read the transcript once the chat is complete.
What are the odds on both Scherzer and Snell making it through their first outing without injury?
Don’t you put that evil on me Ricky Bobby!
Signed a jays fan
David Robertson should find a home soon. Injuries to team bullpens will start cropping up, unfortunately.
A bit stunning he’s still out there.
Robertson probably has like a minimum asking price and teams look at his age instead of track record and wont risk a couple million. I think a guy that could close if your closer gets hurt, and is that steady in relief should easily be a piece in a teams bullpen but it seems teams would rather go with some unproven league minimum guy with nasty stuff and control problems than have a steady veteran presence in their pen? Dont get it either
White Sox would be good for my AL fantasy team. They should get 15-20 saves as a team.
A lot of guys out there to help fortify a bullpen, which we know is key to getting anywhere in the dog days or postseason.
Teams are shifting their strategy. Instead of paying for mid-level righties, they’re prioritizing lefties (harder to find), hard throwers (velocity plays no matter what), or young arms (cheaper, more upside). The days of the veteran right-handed middle reliever cashing in are over.
Innings eaters may not have value but they’re still useful pieces for postseason bound teams. They allow the big dogs to be less worn out come the postseason. But I agree, no cashing in for them.
Durability seems to be of high value as well; at least with my Orioles. Both SP & BP staffs were devastated by injury in 2023/24. And some of those guys are back or coming back soon. To balance that out, it looks like new additions have durability history.
hayzee – Innings eaters should be rookies, it’s the perfect opportunity to give them MLB experience in low leverage situations.
Signing older pitchers off the scrap heap is such a waste.
@Fever: Yeah rookies and pre arb arms are good fits in ML pens. Easing luxury tax concerns w/these type arms and cheap bench players is a good (sometimes only) way to balance payrolls.
You’re right.
Robertson has earned over 100MM in MLB. Quite a career.
WAR is not as fine a gauge for relievers, but 21.7 BWAR *(1.7 last year) is a guy who’s maintained effectiveness. 16 years, but for an Opener, all relief appearances, durable, reliable, He’s made a lot of money, but he’s also delivered.
Plus I think he has represented himself the last handful of years. No agent fees.
It’s not a big deal but the wrong Jose Urena is linked.
Is there a right Jose Urena?
Amazing that Robertson is still out there. Same for SP’s Quintana, Gibson and even Turnbull too.
Shocked robertson & finnegan are unemployed. The kinda deals some get & some
Dont get are mind boggling in this gm
Kyle Finnegan goes from All Star closer to non-tendered free agent to unemployed as Spring Training games are underway, all in 8 months.