How NL Teams Have Addressed Their Weakest Positions Of 2019
2019/12/how-nl-teams-have-addressed-their-weakest-positions-of-2019.htmlCubs (Second base, 0.0 bWAR): Addison Russell was non-tendered and Ben Zobrist is a free agent, leaving Nico Hoerner, David Bote, Ian Happ, Daniel Descalso, and the newly-acquired Hernan Perez as options at the keystone. … Brewers (Shortstop, -0.3 bWAR): After consecutive seasons of sub-replacement level play, Orlando Arcia is no longer Milwaukee's top option at shortstop, though the former top prospect was retained on an arbitration-avoiding $2.2MM contract for the 2020 season.
Offseason Outlook: Chicago Cubs
2019/12/offseason-outlook-chicago-cubs-10.htmlDavid Bote, 3B/2B: $15MM through 2024. … The team also picked up Jharel Cotton, an affordable righty who can compete for a fifth starter or long relief role.
Top 25 Offseason Trade Candidates
2019/11/top-trade-candidates-mlb-offseason.htmlVeterans on expensive, multi-year contracts: Brandon Belt, 1B, Giants; Matt Carpenter, 3B/1B, Cardinals; Brandon Crawford, SS, Giants; Wade Davis, RP,…… With regard to trade likelihood, the focus is on potential selling teams’ motivation to deal, with contract status, near and long-term roster fit, and overall competitiveness all weighing heavily.
Offseason Outlook: Colorado Rockies
2019/11/offseason-outlook-colorado-rockies-11.htmlStory or David Dahl are exceptions, though the organization seems intent on keeping them. … The money owed either belongs to core members of the roster (Arenado, Story, Gray, Marquez) or unmovable veterans performing below or near replacement level (Davis, Shaw, McGee, Desmond).
Offseason Outlook: Texas Rangers
2019/10/offseason-outlook-texas-rangers-10.htmlDavid Carpenter, Logan Forsythe, Hunter Pence, Edinson Volquez… Over-committing to too many veterans now, when the Rangers' would-be core remains ill-defined, carries long-term roster-management risks.
Report: Dayton Moore To Receive Extension Under New Royals Ownership
2019/09/report-dayton-moore-to-receive-extension-under-new-royals-ownership.htmlThe impending sale of the Royals from David Glass to John Sherman has created a lot of speculation about the team's future, though one key face within the organization doesn't appear to be changing. … According to MLB Network's Jon Heyman in the latest edition of the Big Time Baseball podcast (audio link), current Royals GM Dayton Moore "will receive a long extension and be there for a long time" once Sherman officially takes control of the franchise.
Top 75 Trade Candidates At The Deadline
2019/07/top-75-trade-candidates-at-the-deadline.htmlCraig Stammen (Padres), Daniel Hudson (Blue Jays), Greg Holland (Diamondbacks), Francisco Liriano (Pirates), Chris Martin (Rangers), David Hernandez & Jared Hughes (Reds), RP (LR: 41, 44, 42, NR, NR, NR, NR): And here we have the slate of pure rental relief arms. … Leake would rank higher but for the fact that his no-trade rights (along with indications he won't hesitate to use them) create a complication.
Top 60 Trade Candidates At The All-Star Break
2019/07/top-60-trade-candidates-at-the-all-star-break.htmlKole Calhoun, Angels & David Peralta, Diamondbacks, OF (LR: NR): These players would rank higher on this board but for the fact that their respective teams don't seem sure to pack it in so long as they have a fighting chance at claiming a Wild Card. … The San Francisco club remains well-positioned to take advantage of holding arguably the two best rental chips on the market (along with other trade assets).
Top 50 Trade Candidates For The 2019 MLB Trade Deadline
2019/06/top-50-trade-candidates-2019-mlb-trade-deadline.htmlCraig Stammen (Padres), Francisco Liriano (Pirates), David Hernandez & Jared Hughes (Reds): Here we have a group of affordable, grey-haired vets who have generally been on nice late-career kicks. … With regard to trade likelihood, the focus is on potential selling teams’ motivation to deal, with contract status, near and long-term roster fit, and overall competitiveness all weighing heavily.
David Bote: Starman?
2019/06/david-bote-starman.htmlCubs infielder David Bote had one of the best offensive games of the 2019 season Wednesday, going 4 for 4 with a home run and seven runs batted in to help his team to a 9-8 win over the Rockies. … Bote was one of the least known players to receive a new deal during the league's extension craze back in the spring, though he may be establishing himself as a long-term cog for the Cubs.
NL West Notes: Padres, Giants, D-backs, Swihart
2019/04/nl-west-notes-padres-giants-d-backs-swihart.htmlLovullo added that the Diamondbacks will use the 27-year-old Swihart there to spell veterans Adam Jones and David Peralta, both of whom are in their 30s. … Kinsler has had the most opportunities (66 PA), but while he's a longtime quality starter at the keystone, he has been a detriment to the Padres' on-field efforts in the first season of a two-year, $8MM contract.
Offseason In Review: Boston Red Sox
2019/04/offseason-in-review-boston-red-sox-11.htmlThe Red Sox are also now averaging $75MM in salary to three rotation members in Sale, Eovaldi, and David Price through the 2022 season. … The Red Sox made some long-term investments in core members of their World Series team, though saying goodbye (maybe?) to some important relievers has left uncertainty within the bullpen.
Offseason In Review: Cincinnati Reds
2019/04/offseason-in-review-cincinnati-reds-10.htmlCharged with leading this crew is first-year manager and third-generation Cincinnati Red David Bell. … Kemp is no longer an option there, and Puig has been primarily a right fielder.
Catching Notes: Perez, Royals, Maldonado, Murphy, Red Sox
2019/03/royals-rumors-insurance-salvador-perez-contract.html(The Mets' insurance policy on David Wright, for instance, paid the team 75 percent of his salary based on days spent on the 60-day disabled list.) While the loss of Perez stings for the Royals on multiple levels, it seems they'll at the very least be able to recover a few million dollars in salary, which could conceivably be used to pursue a replacement. … His .229/.285/.328 line in 207 PAs last year wasn't much to look at, either, though his playing time was sparse and he's long been touted for his offensive potential.
West Notes & Rumors: Rockies, Arenado, CarGo, Astros, Gattis
2019/02/west-notes-rumors-rockies-arenado-cargo-astros-gattis.htmlRather, it seems they're primed to roll with younger options (David Dahl and Raimel Tapia) complementing the veteran tandem of Charlie Blackmon and Ian Desmond in the grass. … "We're to the crescendo." Arenado and the Rockies have already reached one agreement this offseason, having come to terms on a lucrative, arbitration-avoiding contract for 2019 on Thursday, and that may be a sign the two sides are progressing toward a long-term arrangement.
Quick Hits: Padres, Red Sox, Cubs
2019/01/quick-hits-padres-red-sox-cubs.htmlThe team clearly isn't willing to give up on Jason Heyward yet, so you can pencil him into the starting spot in right, with Ian Happ in center and Ben Zobrist at second, Albert Almora Jr., Addison Russell, David Bote and Daniel Descalso make up the remaining bench unit, ostensibly filling the roster. … The Padres have done a tremendous job in recent years growing the top farm system in the game, but the organization underwent a financial reshaping that was just as important to long-term stability, per Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Cubs Owner Discusses Lack Of Offseason Activity
2019/01/tom-ricketts-cubs-offseason.htmlCraig Kimbrel remains on the market, while Zach Britton, Jeurys Familia, Adam Ottavino, Andrew Miller, Joe Kelly, David Robertson, Kelvin Herrera, and Joakim Soria are off the board. … We have a team that we think is going to go a long way.
NL West Notes: Arenado, Rockies, Flores, D-backs, Giants
2019/01/rockies-rumors-nolan-arenado-extension-arbitration.htmlPresently, Charlie Blackmon and David Dahl look like locks for regular outfield work. … Bridich says the club is content to "keep things under wraps, under our hat for now" as it continues to try to work out a 2019 salary -- and, perhaps, a long-term deal -- with the club's top player.
Cubs Sign Daniel Descalso
2018/12/cubs-nearing-deal-with-daniel-descalso.htmlJust where David Bote will fit in all of this isn't clear, but the Cubs certainly won't mind having the depth and he's optionable as well. … Last year, in 423 trips to the plate, Descalso popped 13 long balls.
Evening Trade Chatter: Realmuto, Profar, Reds, Dodgers, Rockies
2018/12/trade-rumors-realmuto-rays-athletics-profar-rangers.htmlRosenthal adds that handing the job to Franklin Barreto remains a possibility, as GM David Forst recently suggested, though it certainly appears that's not the club's preference. … Profar, who seems to have been around forever but is just 25 years of age, turned in easily his most impressive season to date in 2018, slashing .254/.335/.458 with twenty long balls and ten steals over 594 plate appearances.
Offseason Outlook: Milwaukee Brewers
2018/12/offseason-outlook-milwaukee-brewers-9.htmlWith much of the core under control, general manager David Stearns and the rest of the Milwaukee front office will look to push the roster to the next level in 2019. … With top prospect Keston Hiura already reaching Double-A, the Brewers probably don't feel the need to spend heavily on a long-term option at second base, and likely won't be forced to in this market.
Offseason Outlook: Philadelphia Phillies
2018/11/offseason-outlook-philadelphia-phillies-9.htmlIf Harper signs elsewhere, Michael Brantley, Andrew McCutchen, Marwin Gonzalez, David Peralta, or Wil Myers stand out as some of the higher-profile corner outfield options that could be signed or acquired in trades. … The 2018-19 offseason has long been seen as a natural endpoint for the Phillies' rebuilding process.
Looking For A Match In A James Paxton Trade
2018/11/looking-for-a-match-in-a-james-paxton-trade.htmlWith Chris Sale, David Price, Rick Porcello and Eduardo Rodriguez, the reigning world champion Red Sox already have 80 percent of a formidable rotation locked in for 2019. … In shipping Paxton out, perhaps Seattle would significantly boost a farm system which has long languished at the bottom of the majors.
Offseason Outlook: Colorado Rockies
2018/11/offseason-outlook-colorado-rockies-9.htmlLet's start by setting the stage: even after CarGo's departure, the Rockies' three best outfielders are all left-handed hitters (Blackmon, David Dahl, and Raimel Tapia). … Despite showing some susceptibility to the long ball and enduring some tough stretches, Jon Gray mostly appears to be another front-of-the-staff asset.
Offseason Outlook: Boston Red Sox
2018/11/offseason-outlook-boston-red-sox-9.htmlChris Sale, David Price, and Rick Porcello sit atop the rotation, with bullpen workhorses Matt Barnes, Heath Hembree, Ryan Brasier, and Hector Velazquez all returning. … They'll also need to think about whether and how to keep their championship core together for the long term.