Pirates Notes: Cherington, Payroll, Cruz, Keller
2024/01/pirates-notes-cherington-cruz-keller.htmlThat said, Williams also seemed to stay away from any specifics about spending in general, and noted that "I'd say that payroll, while important, is not the most important factor in terms of how we get to building a championship-caliber team for our fans." Williams claimed that the Pirates are one of baseball's top five teams in terms of developmental spending, which Mackey notes is a difficult claim to verify or gauge with any accuracy, though it could be true given Cherington's overhaul of the minor league pipeline. … Several Pirates players and executives are in attendance at the team's PiratesFest fan event in Pittsburgh this weekend, which acts as something of a midway point in the Bucs' offseason.
Managers & Top Front Office Executives On Expiring Contracts
2023/12/managers-top-front-office-executives-on-expiring-contracts-5.htmlThe Braves have won six straight NL East titles and the 2021 World Series championship during Anthopoulos' six seasons with the organization, and look to be contenders for years to come thanks to the core of star players under long-term deals.
How AL Teams Have Addressed Their Weakest Positions Of 2023
2023/12/how-al-teams-have-addressed-their-weakest-positions-of-2023.htmlRangers (Relief pitching, 0.0 bWAR): The shaky Texas bullpen almost cost the Rangers a postseason berth altogether, yet the relievers stabilized enough in the playoffs to help deliver the team's first World Series championship. … Red Sox (Second base, 0.0 bWAR): Ten different players lined up at second base for the BoSox last season, with little success to be had.
Phillies Prioritizing Extension With Zack Wheeler
2023/12/phillies-prioritizing-extension-with-zack-wheeler.htmlThe Phillies have exceeded the luxury tax in each of the last two seasons and are projected to be well over at least the first tax threshold in 2024, so owner John Middleton isn't showing any signs of cutting back given how close the Phillies have come to a championship. … The Phillies have obviously shown a willingness to spend big in acquiring and retaining star players over the last few seasons, even if this hasn't manifested itself in many actual extensions.
The Opener: Orioles, Outfield Market, Padres
2023/12/the-opener-orioles-outfield-market-padres.htmland the Diamondbacks came together on a multi-year contract that will keep the reigning NL championship club's left fielder in town for the next two to four seasons. … The positional market has lagged behind the pitching market for the most part this offseason, and while infielder Jeimer Candelario and DH Shohei Ohtani have both signed in recent weeks, the outfield market was falling even further behind in free agency with a focus on trades of players like Juan Soto, Alex Verdugo, Tyler O'Neill, and Jarred Kelenic.
Latest On Framber Valdez
2023/12/latest-on-framber-valdez-2.htmlHe's arguably the best pitcher on a team with championship aspirations. … Brown has previously expressed a desire to extend key players like Valdez, Bregman, Kyle Tucker and Jose Altuve.
Dodgers Sign Shohei Ohtani
2023/12/dodgers-to-sign-shohei-ohtani.htmlIt always felt as though the Dodgers were going to be pushing to sign Ohtani no matter their recent results, yet his addition perhaps acts as some kind of turning point in translating a few more of those playoff visits into championship rings. … The trickle-down effect bled into the trade market as well, as numerous teams with players available can now shop for offers from clubs who missed out on Ohtani --- and might be even more pressed to make a big addition.
Jim Leyland Elected To Baseball Hall Of Fame
2023/12/jim-leyland-elected-to-baseball-hall-of-fame.htmlThe Marlins were the team delivering some October heartbreak this time, as the Fish triumphed over the Indians in seven games to bring the organization its first championship in only its fifth year of existence. … Unfortunately for Leyland and the Marlins players and fans, the club went into fire sale mode immediately afterwards, resulting in Leyland's resignation after a 108-loss season in 1998.
The Opener: Winter Meetings, Rangers, Free Agent Prediction Contest
2023/12/the-opener-winter-meetings-rangers-free-agent-prediction-contest.htmlWith the team coming off its first World Series championship in organizational history, many expected the club to once again be at the forefront of the winter. … From the time executives, agents, players and owners arrive in Nashville on Sunday until they depart this coming Thursday, a flurry of activity is expected to get underway to truly kick off what has to this point been a relatively quiet offseason.
Chris Young Discusses Rangers’ Spending Outlook
2023/11/chris-young-discusses-rangers-spending-outlook.htmlThe championship run brought in extra revenue in the form of playoff gate receipts. … That includes projected salaries for arbitration-eligible players but does not account for any additions they'll make.
The Best Fits For A Juan Soto Trade
2023/11/the-best-fits-for-a-juan-soto-trade.htmlThey already project above this year's Opening Day payroll but figure to push spending higher on the heels of a championship. … They have been aggressive in trading for players deep into their arbitration seasons and would have the payroll capacity to accommodate Soto's salary if they don't retain Ohtani.
Looking For A Match In A Corbin Burnes Trade
2023/11/brewers-trade-rumors-corbin-burnes.htmlRangers: The reigning World Champs have been MLB's most aggressive bidders in free agency over the past couple offseasons, and their recent championship isn't going to prompt them to sit back and coast from here on out. … He also hired the Boras Corporation not long after his loss in an arb hearing, and generally speaking, most marquee players don't hire Scott Boras & Co.
NL Notes: Playoff Shares, D’Backs, Gibson, Price, Mets
2023/11/nl-notes-playoff-shares-dbacks-gibson-price-mets.htmlChampionship rings carry much greater import than financial gain during a postseason run, but teams that reach the playoffs get extra revenue that is divvied up into shares. … How the shares are awarded within a clubhouse is determined by veteran players on each team.
Padres Name Mike Shildt Manager
2023/11/padres-to-name-mike-shildt-manager.htmlWe believe that Mike is the right person to lead the Padres forward in our continued pursuit of a World…… "In his time here, Mike has displayed a strong baseball intellect, a passion for teaching the game, and has established relationships with players and staff at both the minor and Major League levels.
Braves Acquire Aaron Bummer In Six-Player Deal
2023/11/braves-acquire-aaron-bummer-in-six-player-deal.htmlIt's a consolidation trade for a win-now Atlanta team that can afford to target specific players it considers finishing touches to a championship-caliber roster. … Trading a reliever for five players -- four of whom are MLB options -- is one way of doing so.
Latest On Shota Imanaga’s Posting
2023/11/latest-on-shota-imanagas-posting.htmlImanaga is a two-time NPB All-Star, has a 3.18 ERA and 25% strikeout rate over 1002 2/3 career innings with the Baystars, and he won a gold medal with Japan's championship team at this year's World Baseball Classic. … The 30-year-old Imanaga is one of the more intriguing players available this winter, and MLBTR ranked him 10th on our list of the top 50 free agents of the 2023-24 class.
Astros Notes: Payroll, Rotation, Maldonado, Neris
2023/11/astros-rumors-payroll-space-maldonado-neris-free-agents-outfield.htmlThe Astros advanced to their seventh consecutive League Championship Series in 2023 but fell shy of a third straight World Series bid when the division-rival and eventual World Series Champion Rangers knocked them off in a thrilling seven-game series. … Brown has been forthcoming about his desire to make the pair lifelong Astros, but agent Scott Boras -- who represents both players -- said at this week's meetings that contract talks have not yet begun (link via Kawahara).
Central Notes: Votto, Canha, Montgomery
2023/11/central-notes-votto-canha-montgomery.html"At 40 years old, a team that's about to be a championship-caliber team didn't pick up the option of a guy who hit .200 in back-to-back seasons," Votto told reporters, including Goldsmith. … "I'm not closing the door on anything," Krall said (as relayed by Sheldon), "I just think with the players we have on our roster right now, there's no playing time [for Votto]...
Nelson Cruz To Retire
2023/11/nelson-cruz-to-retire.htmlHe had a monster year for the O's in 2014, launching 40 home runs and helping that club reach the American League Championship Series. … The O's then gave him a $15.3MM qualifying offer, as players were still allowed to receive multiple QOs at that time.
Rangers Win World Series
2023/11/rangers-win-world-series.htmlWith a 5-0 victory over the Diamondbacks on Wednesday night, the Rangers claimed their first World Series championship in franchise history. … The star shortstop led all players in the World Series in Win Probability Added (WPA), scoring a run in all four Texas victories.
The Opener: Rangers, Diamondbacks, Counsell
2023/11/the-opener-rangers-diamondbacks-counsell.htmlTonight they'll rely on veteran right-hander Nathan Eovaldi, who has a career 3.30 ERA in the postseason but surrendered five runs on six hits in just 4 2/3 innings of work during his first start of the series, to bring an end to the club's 62-year championship drought. … That record is a capstone on what was already a fantastic postseason for Marte, who has slashed .338/.365/.549 with a 145 wRC+ that's outpaced by only Garcia, Evan Carter, and Corey Seager among players still in the hunt.
Previewing Qualifying Offer Decisions: Position Players
2023/10/previewing-qualifying-offer-decisions-position-players.htmlHe has demonstrated that ability in spurts throughout his career, including a 48-homer showing in Kansas City five seasons back and a monster second half to help the Braves to a championship in 2021. … The value of the QO changes annually, calculated by taking the average salary of the 125 highest-paid players in the league.
Offseason Outlook: Arizona Diamondbacks
2023/11/offseason-outlook-arizona-diamondbacks-13.htmlThis year didn't conclude with the championship that everyone in the Chase Field offices was seeking. … Including projected salaries for their group of arbitration-eligible players, the Snakes have around $86MM in commitments for next year.
NL West Notes: Christenson, Giants, Padres, Chapman, Soto, Kershaw
2023/10/nl-west-notes-christenson-giants-padres-chapman-soto-kershaw.htmlon both occasions, Bill Shakin of the Los Angeles Times wonders if Texas' breakout success now makes it a tougher decision for Kershaw, as the Rangers have now shown that their willingness to spend can translate to championship contention. … Of course, Chapman played under Melvin for years with the A's, and beyond that recruiting link, adding Chapman would solidify a proper everyday player within a San Francisco lineup that has perhaps suffered for having too many platoon players and moving parts in recent years.
The Opener: Baker, World Series Media Day, Marlins Outlook
2023/10/the-opener-baker-world-series-media-day-marlins-outlook.htmlMost recently, he's spent the past four years with the Astros, finally winning the elusive championship with them last year. … Today is World Series Media Day, with all the players and managers available to speak with the media ahead of the big event.