Here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world headed into the weekend:
1. Alonso’s introductory press conference:
The Orioles are holding an introductory press conference for newly-minted first baseman Pete Alonso today at 4pm local time in Baltimore. Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias, principal owner David Rubenstein, and agent Scott Boras will be on hand to give statements and take questions alongside Alonso. The presser should offer some insight into Alonso’s free agency and departure from the Mets, as well as the Orioles’ future plans — both this offseason and in the longer term.
2. Signings to be made official:
With this year’s Winter Meetings now in the rearview mirror, there’s a number of reported signings that have yet to be made official. Agreements between outfielder Lane Thomas and the Royals, reliever Mark Leiter Jr. and the Athletics, left-hander Hoby Milner and the Cubs, lefty Steven Matz and the Rays, right-hander Michael Soroka and the D-backs, closer Kyle Finnegan and the Tigers, and southpaw Gregory Soto and the Pirates have yet to be finalized and formally announced. Most notably, the Dodgers have yet to announce their signing of Edwin Diaz.
Most of those teams have spots available on their 40-man roster, so making the signing official is little more than a formality. For the Diamondbacks, Rays, and Tigers, however, their full rosters mean a corresponding move will be necessary in order for each club to finalize their respective additions. That will likely come by designating a player for assignment, though it’s also possible that those clubs could look to work out a minor trade to clear 40-man space.
3. Top relief options dwindling:
Right-hander Robert Suarez came off the board yesterday when he signed in Atlanta, and in doing so he joined Diaz, Devin Williams, Raisel Iglesias, Ryan Helsley and Kyle Finnegan as established closers who have already found a home this winter. That leaves the pickings as relatively slim for clubs interested in adding to the back of their bullpen at this point. Right-hander Brad Keller, who emerged as an outstanding setup man and part-time closer for the Cubs this past year, longtime Rays closer Pete Fairbanks, veteran submariner Tyler Rogers, and former Yankees righty Luke Weaver are among the top remaining arms on the market. Who will be next to sign?
Hope for a big trade today, boys. A big signing would be nice to.
Astros should capitalize on Bryan Abreu’s market!
It’s not like they are going to pay him anyways.
Orioles have had a great off season. Adding Ward and Alonso to that lineup makes them the favorites in the AL East, despite any concerns that may be lingering around their pitching staff.
Favorites in the AL East? Na, not even close with that pitching staff as it stands. They’ve made some nice moves, but they’ve still got a ways to go to be the favorites.
I have them as the favorite after digging into last season’s numbers some. The six starts from Bradish were quite impressive. Bradish and Rogers could be good.
Wells and Kremer could be a good 3/4.
Rotation is a little soft as is the bullpen, but they are in good shape with payroll and have a stacked farm.
If Im the O’s, I wouldnt make a big trade for a starter, Id trade for a bullpen arms. A reliable vet in the rotation would fit well with Povich and Young. I like Jose Quintana.
Make a trade at the deadline to bolster the rotation, if needed.
This team can win with the bats and the bullpen.
The Orioles are absolutely not favorites in the division the AL champion came out of. Not even close.
Thats how I have it after adding Alonso and improving my outlook on Bradish. I’ll have the Blue Jays second. Yanks and Boston 3/4.
Jays pitching is stout but if they don’t resign Bo are they truly elite offensively? Situational hitting is difficult to be great in year after year and I’m not sure they’re the favorites. Outside of Judge is the Yanks offense awesome? 1-9 the O’s are deep. There is some “prove it” to that lineup but offensively they’re likely the best in the division. Another SP is absolutely needed but it’s hard not to like what we see.
A very auspicious occasion today in Baltimore
Hopefully it is not a Davis repeat.
If the Mets don’t sign Pete Fairbanks AND Tyler Rogers I will be very disappointed. Been a sad winter for Mets fans.
Bellinger and aforementioned relievers could help
I feel like its been a lot better of an offseason than people give it credit for. Devin Williams and 1-2 others will replace Diaz fine. Alonso will look like another Chris Davis at some point. Semien replaces his bat just fine anyway. And there are good outfielders and pitching ready to debut. The Mets largest flaw under Cohen is not trusting their impressive prospect development enough.
Semien could replace Chris Davis’ bat, no question.
But seriously, Semien has produced exactly league average offense over the last 2 seasons, as compared to Alonso’s 33% better then league average offense over that same time. Semien’s defense will help on the infield, but his bat doesn’t put a dent in the loss of Alonso, not to mention the loss of Nimmo, the player traded for Semien, who was also a better hitter then Semien.
I feel like they might end up being the winners of the Kyle Tucker sweepstakes, although who knows at this point.
I’m just curious as to how Semien replaces Alonso’s bat? Because I don’t really see that as reality.
Their largest flaw is signing ex-Yankees and such holds true regardless of who owns that star-crossed ballclub in Queens.
I think the only way you don’t sign him is if he prefers the west coast. Maybe sign his brother too so they can play together again
I just don’t understand why Minnesota wouldn’t be all over signing the twins.
Might as well abolish the Winter Meetings. Nothing hardly happens anymore. The free agents are going to sign somewhere no matter what. I think there was one trade this year?
I think the mets have a plan in place; just in todays world of needing everything now now now; most people cannot be patient; Stearns will come thru.
If I was a top free agent, I’d be hesitant to sign with the Mets until more pieces were added. I think they will need a big trade first.
Any ballplayer worth a damn would hesitate to sign with a ballclub whose legacy is LOLmets.
I’m starting to wonder if anybody is going to offer a chance to Keller for him to start? If it was going to happen I think it would have happened by now right? Maybe the Cubs can get him back as a reliever. That would be a big help for the pen.