Here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Yankees to hold press conference:
Yankees GM Brian Cashman is set to hold a press conference later today, as noted by Joel Sherman of The New York Post. The conference is surely going to focus on outfielder Cody Bellinger’s return to the organization after he re-upped with the team on a five-year deal last week. That deal became official on Monday, which opens the door for Cashman to speak more candidly about not only that deal, but the team’s roster and direction as a whole. Today’s press conference could offer insight into how the team plans to juggle playing time between the primary starters in the outfield (Bellinger, Trent Grisham, and Aaron Judge) and the up-and-coming youngsters on the roster like Spencer Jones and Jasson Dominguez. It’s also possible Cashman could indicate whether the team is done adding, or if there could be an addition or two yet to come prior to Spring Training.
2. DFA Resolution today:
The Mets designated infielder Tsung-Che Cheng for assignment one week ago today in a move that made room for right-hander Luis García on the 40-man roster. Since then, Cheng has remained in DFA limbo without certainty about where he’ll be playing next. That uncertainty figures to end today, as Cheng will either officially pass through waivers (allowing the Mets to outright him to the minors as non-roster depth) or be claimed by another a team and added to their 40-man roster. Cheng made his big league debut in Pittsburgh last year and made it into just three games. The Taiwan native is a career .218/.319/.280 hitter at Triple-A but is still just 24 years old and a quality defender all around the infield. He also has options remaining, which could make him an attractive depth piece for clubs short on infield help. Of course, his lack of hitting chops might make some teams shy away from committing a 40-man spot to him, even with his other attractive qualities.
3. Who’s left on the outfield market?
In recent days, we’ve seen not only Bellinger but also center fielder Harrison Bader come off the board in free agency. That duo were the two best options in center remaining on the open market, and the pickings are fairly slim at this point even among corner bats. Veterans like Mike Tauchman, Tommy Pham, Starling Marte, and Randal Grichuk aren’t exactly the most exciting players at this point in their careers, but they can offer stability and consistency when healthy. Meanwhile, Miguel Andujar and Austin Hays are among the top players available still in their primes. The free agent market also features a few possible bounce back candidates, such as Michael Conforto and Jesse Winker. Teams that could still use some level of help in the outfield include the Guardians, Royals, Mets, Astros, and Phillies.
Trade Dominguez or Jones.
A please would be nice.
Nah doubt it, but thanks anyway.
@Gunnar Henderson Bowman 1st
But, the Yankees have a history of developing Hall of Fame players from their farm system. Why would you trade away HOF players?
Why trade them Judi to trade them? Are we tally going to get an impact player back in re t urn? if no them keep them. there’s no expiration date for either. Injuries and 2026 can offer plenty of opportunities.
just
They need to trade high on the Martian. I know he’s really young and people will say that he needs consistent playing time but the fact is that if he is as good as everyone thought he was going to be then he would have won a spot hands down by now.
How can you trade high on a guy who’s not very good?
Mets would like the martian
I still don’t understand why the White Sox, who desperately need another outfielder, didn’t retain Tauchman. Makes no sense.
They can still bring him back cheaper than his arbitration number.
Also, he’s going to be 36, was a terrible defender last year, injured a lot, and struggled the second half.
As a guy who would just be a placeholder until Braden Montgomery comes up, I guess he would be fine.
It may be possible but it looks like his arbitration number was going to be in the low $3M range. Outfielders who put up similar numbers last year have been signed for about that much or more:
Jake Fraley ($3M)
Lane Thomas ($5M)
Maybe those guys are younger and assumed to be healthier and a better bet?
Similar guys are expected to sign that much or more like Austin Hays ($5M projected), Jesse Winker ($5M), Conforto ($6M). The market has just been higher than expected this year and I wonder if CWS is regretting their decision.
I can understand the injury stuff. Seemed like he had a pretty average year that would be worth having as another choice in the outfield. I know Pirates fans have been low-key in on them getting Tauchman as an option.
Tauchman is 35. He’s a serviceable but non special player. He won’t bring much back at the trade deadline, even if he plays well.
By the time the White Sox are in a competitive window again, he’ll likely be retired. Better off to let whatever kids they have play, or pick up a low risk high reward flyer or two at the end of the offseason and see if they can pop during the season and get traded at the deadline for more than the minimal return that Mike would have brought back.
Any team with a DH opening should be all over Andujar. He hit .759 OPS vs righties and. 986 vs lefties last year. he can hit vs both sides.
The biggest shocker is the guy is still only 30. Feels like just yesterday Yankees fans were shipping him and Clint Frazier in every trade for an ace.
I want the Pirates to consider him as 3B if they miss out on Suarez. I think he can fill in until Griffin is ready to come up to play short so Triolo moves to 3B fulltime.
He hasn’t put up a season like last year since his rookie season seven years ago.
He didn’t put up truly impressive numbers until after the trade to Cincy. Given that parks hitter friendly nature, it’s hard to say how good he’ll be this season with a different team.
He should go to Boston or Houston with the short left fields
I agree it’s a risk. Unfortunately, I don’t know a better 3B option if we lose out on Suarez. If we are somehow able to convince the Mets to give us Baty for something we can afford then I’d say that’d be a better option than Andujar at third.
But I think Andujar is just as much a risk than if we were to gamble on Josh Jung or Isaac Paredes or Coby Mayo coming to Pittsburgh and being a contributor. Not to mention that those three options all come with us giving up more than just money.
Waiting for Cashman’s strategy like a cub reporter thinking this could be his breakout moment. The operative word is “eager”
call the twins. offer a bullpen arm with experience and a pulse and you can have Trevor larnach
Reds also need outfield help, but more a full time left field slugger type than these guys mentioned.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Hays and/or Andujar back on the cheap.