Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Machado, Yelich, Cole, Ozuna, Harper, Red Sox
This week in baseball blogs…
- Chin Music Baseball ranks the top five trade destinations for Manny Machado.
- Camden Depot makes cases for and against the Orioles trading Machado.
- Fish Stripes weighs the pros and cons of a Christian Yelich trade for Miami.
- The Point of Pittsburgh wonders whether the Pirates should make a run in 2018 with Gerrit Cole or trade him now.
- Pirates Breakdown tries to find the best fit in a Cole trade.
- The Runner Sports (links: 1, 2, 3) looks at Cole and other starting pitchers the Yankees could acquire, responds to the Astros’ addition of Hector Rondon, and evaluates the Twins’ signing of Fernando Rodney.
- STL Hat Trick and Nyrdcast offer pieces on new Cardinal Marcell Ozuna.
- District On Deck forecasts the Bryce Harper sweepstakes that could take place in a year.
- The Sports Tank believes the Red Sox must attempt to sign both J.D. Martinez and Eric Hosmer.
- Outfield Fly Rule analyzes this weekend’s Braves-Dodgers trade.
- The Loop Sports projects the Cubs’ 2018 pitching staff in the wake of their recent moves.
- Good Fundies and Mets Daddy react to the signing of Anthony Swarzak.
- Kennedy’s Commentary argues that long-term contracts are bad for baseball.
- Jays From the Couch explains how Toronto can contend in 2018 without mortgaging its future.
- Pinstriped Prospects details how Jacoby Ellsbury‘s presence could hurt the Yankees’ farm system.
- Collegiate Baseball Scouting Network interviews MLB.com prospect guru Jim Callis about two-way players and 2018 draft prospects.
- The 3rd Man In profiles and talks with left-handed pitching prospect Ryan Weathers, the son of former major leaguer David Weathers and a potential top 10 pick in next year’s draft.
- World Series Dreaming contends that the Cubs are in an enviable position from a payroll standpoint.
- Reviewing the Brew writes a letter to Santa from Brewers general manager David Stearns.
- The Giants Cove doesn’t have much hope for the club heading into next season.
- Think Blue Planning Committee assembles a Dodgers All-Prospect bullpen.
- Baseball Essential says it’s time for a couple AL East teams to rebuild.
- Diehardnyy asks if the Yankees should pursue a trade for Josh Harrison.
- Jays Journal isn’t encouraged by Toronto’s offseason thus far.
- Call to the Pen could see the division-rival Phillies and Mets lining up as trade partners.
- Bat Flips & Nerds breaks down the players coming over from Japan this winter (besides Shohei Ohtani).
- The K Zone points out that pitchers tend to post worse results upon switching from the NL to the AL.
- DiNardo’s Dugout (podcast) discusses their trip to the Winter Meetings and some of the key moves made during the festivities.
- North Shore Nine (podcast) was also on hand at the meetings, and chats about various Pirates rumors.
- Bronx to Bushville (links: 1, 2) focuses on the Yankees’ Giancarlo Stanton acquisition.
- Everything Bluebirds highlights a few Blue Jays prospects who could be in for bounce-back years in 2018.
- The First Out At Third revisits their 2017 bold predictions for the Brewers.
- Rotisserie Duck names some highly touted 1990s prospects who didn’t pan out in the majors.
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NL East Notes: Nats, Rendon, Mets, Phillies
Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon implied to Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post and other reporters Sunday that he’d be open to discussing an extension with the team (Twitter link). “Why not stay with one organization?” said Rendon, who has been a member of the franchise since it chose him sixth overall in the 2011 draft. The Scott Boras client has turned into an elite-level player since then, and he’s only two years away from free agency (he’ll make a projected $11.5MM in 2018). Unsurprisingly, general manager Mike Rizzo suggested earlier this week that the Nats would be interested in locking up Rendon before he’s able to leave.
More on Washington and two of its division rivals:
- The Mets‘ front office enters each offseason “flying blind,” without an exact idea of how much money is available to spend, Marc Carig of Newsday reports. Carig reached out via email to Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon to discuss the team’s payroll, but the executive declined comment through a spokesman. As a result, Carig goes on to criticize the Mets for a lack of transparency and accountability, an unwillingness to spend like the huge-market team they are, and their almost nonexistent scouting presence in the Pacific Rim and Cuba.
- Even with Carlos Santana, Tommy Hunter and Pat Neshek now aboard, the Phillies may not contend for a playoff spot in 2018. However, those signings are credibility-building moves that will help the team make progress in the win-loss column next season, thus making it a more attractive option for premier free agents in a year, Matt Gelb of Philly.com observes. According to Gelb, the club has done a lot of planning around next winter’s class, one that’s currently slated to include Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and other superstars.
- Reliever Brandon Kintzler turned down offers to close elsewhere to return to the Nationals as a setup man, Rizzo revealed Sunday (Twitter link via Mark Zuckerman of MASNsports.com). “Part of the thing we like most about him is he’s about the name on the front of the jersey, more so than the name on the back,” Rizzo said. More on Kintzler from Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press, who reports (Twitter link) that the righty’s agent, Kevin Kohler, asked Rizzo during negotiations if he’d re-up Kintzler to a one-year, $5MM contract. Rizzo said he would, but he expressed doubt that Kintzler would accept that. Kintzler’s camp then responded with a two-year, $15MM proposal. In the end, the sides settled on a two-year agreement with a $10MM guarantee and a chance for $6MM million more in incentives.
Week In Review: Winter Meetings
This year’s Winter Meetings didn’t provide as much activity as expected, but this has still easily been the busiest week of the offseason thus far. During the meetings (which ran from Sunday to Thursday) and the days since, we’ve seen a host of transactions. In case you missed any of those moves, here’s a full rundown:
Trades
- Angels – acquired 2B Ian Kinsler from Tigers for RHP Wilkel Hernandez and OF Troy Montgomery
- Athletics – acquired OF Stephen Piscotty from Cardinals for IF Yairo Munoz and IF Max Schrock
- Braves – acquired 1B Adrian Gonzalez, RHP Brandon McCarthy, LHP Scott Kazmir, IF Charlie Culberson and $4.5MM from Dodgers for OF Matt Kemp
- Cardinals – acquired OF Marcell Ozuna from Marlins for RHPs Sandy Alcantara and Zac Gallen, OF Magneuris Sierra and LHP Daniel Castano
- Mariners – acquired RHP Shawn Armstrong from Indians for $500K in international bonus pool space; acquired LHP Anthony Misiewicz from Rays for $1MM of international bonus pool space
- Padres – acquired 3B Chase Headley, RHP Bryan Mitchell and $500K from Yankees for OF Jabari Blash; acquired SS Freddy Galvis from Phillies for RHP Enyel De Los Santos
- Pirates – acquired RHP Nick Burdi from Phillies for $500K of international bonus pool space
- Rangers – acquired LHP Matt Moore and $750K in international bonus pool space from Giants for RHPs Sam Wolff and Israel Cruz; acquired OF Carlos Tocci from White Sox for cash
- Rays – acquired IF Joey Wendle from Athletics for a player to be named later; acquired IF Ryan Schimpf from Padres for IF Deion Tansel
- Royals – acquired RHP Brad Keller from Reds for cash or a player to be named later; acquired RHP Burch Smith from Mets for cash or PTBNL
- Yankees – acquired OF Giancarlo Stanton and $30MM (barring opt-out from Stanton after 2020) from Marlins for IF Starlin Castro, IF Jose Devers and RHP Jorge Guzman
Major league signings
- Angels – IF Zack Cozart (three years, $38MM)
- Astros – RP Hector Rondon (two years, $8.5MM); RP Joe Smith (two years, $15MM)
- Brewers – RHP Yovani Gallardo (details unknown; contract is pending a physical)
- Cardinals – RP Luke Gregerson (two years, $11MM)
- Cubs – RP Steve Cishek (two years, $13MM); RP Brandon Morrow (two years, $21MM); LHP Drew Smyly (two years, $10MM)
- Dodgers – RHP Tom Koehler (one year; contract is pending a physical)
- Mariners – RP Juan Nicasio (two years, $17MM)
- Mets – RP Anthony Swarzak (two years, $14MM)
- Nationals – RP Brandon Kintzler (two years, $10MM; contract is pending a physical)
- Orioles – RHP Michael Kelly (details unknown)
- Phillies – RP Tommy Hunter (two years, $18MM); RP Pat Neshek (two years, $16.25MM); 1B Carlos Santana (three years, $60MM; contract is pending a physical)
- Rangers – RP Chris Martin (two years, $4MM)
- Rockies – RP Jake McGee (three years, $27MM); RP Bryan Shaw (three years, $27MM)
- Twins – RHP Michael Pineda (two years, $10MM); RP Fernando Rodney (one year, $4.5MM)
- Yankees – LHP CC Sabathia (one year, $10MM)
Minor league signings
- Angels – OF Rymer Liriano (link)
- Brewers – RHP Angel Ventura (link)
- Indians – OF Melvin Upton Jr. (link)
- Mariners – IF Gordon Beckham (link)
- Marlins – IF Cristhian Adames, OF Rafael Ortega, RHP Alex Wimmers (links here)
- Mets – C Jose Lobaton (link)
- Nationals – LHP Tim Collins (link)
- Rangers – IF Hanser Alberto, RHP Kevin Jepsen (link)
- Rays – Thirteen players (link)
- Rockies – UTIL Shawn O’Malley (link)
- Royals – 3B/OF Cody Asche, RHP Mike Broadway (link)
- Tigers – UTIL Ronny Rodriguez (link)
- Yankees – C Erik Kratz (link)
International signings
- Dodgers – RHP Guillermo Zuniga ($205K bonus)
- Rays – SS Jelfry Marte ($800K bonus)
Designated for assignment
- Astros – OF Preston Tucker (link)
- Braves – 1B Adrian Gonzalez (link)
- Marlins – LHP Hunter Cervenka (link)
- Padres – RHP Jose Ruiz (link)
Released
- Mariners – RHP Seth Frankoff (link)
Waiver claims
- Mariners (from Phillies) – OF Cameron Perkins (link)
- Pirates (from Phillies) – INF Engelb Vielma (link)
Outrighted
- Tigers – RHP Victor Alcantara (link)
Orioles Rumors: Schoop, Mancini, Givens, Machado, Cards, Duffy
The latest on the Orioles comes in a pair of articles from Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com…
- It’s unclear how many “untouchable” players the Orioles have, but second baseman Jonathan Schoop, outfielder Trey Mancini and reliever Mychal Givens are among them, an executive from outside the organization told Kubatko at the Winter Meetings. The lone player of those three who’s not under control for the long haul is Schoop, who has two arbitration-eligible years remaining. The Orioles will attempt to extend him sometime soon, Kubatko suggests. Mancini is controllable for the next half-decade, including two pre-arb campaigns, while Givens is under wraps for four more seasons (he’ll be eligible for arbitration in a year).
- While talking Manny Machado with the Cardinals, the Orioles showed interest in a trio of right-handers – Luke Weaver, Jack Flaherty and Jordan Hicks – as well as catcher Carson Kelly, Kubatko relays. In acquiring Weaver and Flaherty, the Orioles would accomplish their goal of getting two major league-ready starters for their top player. Of course, it’s questionable whether the Cardinals would even part with one (let alone both) for a single year of Machado. Weaver held his own across 60 1/3 innings last season for the Cards, who may not be in position to lose another starter with free agent Lance Lynn likely set to depart, while Flaherty ranks as MLB.com’s 48th-best prospect.
- The Orioles are reportedly trying to acquire Royals left-hander Danny Duffy, but Kubatko throws cold water on the possibility. Baltimore is indeed interested in Duffy, but it’s unlikely a deal with Kansas City will come together, in part because the Royals aren’t “aggressively shopping” the soon-to-be 29-year-old, Kubatko hears.
- Although the Orioles are seeking a left-handed hitter, they don’t seem to have interest in free agent Jon Jay, per Kubatko. That differs from previous offseasons when Jay was on the O’s radar, he notes. Conversely, Baltimore could consider Preston Tucker, whom the Astros designated for assignment Friday.
Quick Hits: Cubs, Giants, Franco, T. Frazier, LeBlanc
The Cubs should offer a package centering on shortstop Addison Russell to the Orioles for Manny Machado, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com argues. While the Cubs would be parting with four years of control over Russell for a season of Machado, the latter would improve their chances enough in 2018 to make it worthwhile, reasons Rogers, who points out that Chicago would perhaps have a shot to re-sign him by next winter. Even if Machado left the Cubs a year from now, they could conceivably spend big money on another free agent (Bryce Harper?), move Javier Baez from second base to shortstop to replace Machado and use Ian Happ and Ben Zobrist at the keystone.
A few more notes from around the game:
- The Giants expressed some interest in Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco at the Winter Meetings, per Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia (Twitter link). It’s unclear, though, whether the two sides engaged in any substantive talks. The 25-year-old Franco’s value clearly isn’t at its peak, as he has fallen flat since a terrific 80-game debut in 2015. He’s now coming off a season in which he hit a woeful .230/.281/.409 in 623 plate appearances. Franco will try to rebound in 2018, his first of four potential arbitration years (he’ll earn a projected $3.6MM).
- Free agent Todd Frazier has played the overwhelming majority of his career at third base since debuting in 2011, but he’d consider moving to the keystone in 2018. “I’m open to anything,” he told Brendan Kuty of NJ.com on Saturday. “Even second base, without a doubt. When I first came up, I was a utility guy. I’m not afraid to go back to playing another position. I’m comfortable playing any position any team wants me to play.” The 31-year-old Frazier’s comments came on the heels of a report that some teams believe he’s capable of handling second. As for where he’ll sign, Frazier said he’d “love to play for any team,” including the Yankees, with whom he spent the second half of last season. Unsurprisingly, the New Jersey native’s seeking a multiyear contract, Kuty reports.
- Six teams are showing interest in free agent left-hander Wade LeBlanc as a swingman/long reliever, Jerry Crasnick of ESPN tweets. As a Pirate last season, the 33-year-old LeBlanc threw 68 innings of 4.50 ERA ball with 7.15 K/9, 2.25 BB/9 and a 45.9 percent groundball rate. That performance didn’t win over Pittsburgh, which declined LeBlanc’s cheap option ($1.25MM) in favor of a $500K buyout.
Reactions To And Effects Of Dodgers-Braves Trade
The Dodgers and Braves swung an out-of-nowhere, payroll-geared trade Saturday consisting of five major leaguers, with just one (Matt Kemp) going to Los Angeles in exchange for Adrian Gonzalez, Scott Kazmir, Brandon McCarthy and Charlie Culberson. LA, which made the trade for luxury tax purposes, previously tried to send Gonzalez, Kazmir and McCarthy to the Marlins as part of a package for now-Yankee Giancarlo Stanton, according to Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times. Although that failed, Dodgers brass already had a fallback option in the Braves, whose general manager – Alex Anthopoulos – worked in LA’s front office until mid-November. The two sides began discussing the parameters of Saturday’s trade shortly after his hiring, per McCullough. Talks gained steam during this week’s Winter Meetings before culminating in an agreement Saturday.
- The Braves immediately designated Gonzalez for assignment after his acquisition, but the 35-year-old had to waive his no-trade clause before the deal could occur. Gonzalez touched on that choice afterward, saying in a statement: “My final decision was not based on playing time, as I had agreed to a limited bench role. It is a way to test the free-agent market and see what opportunities are out there for me so I can make the best decision moving forward for me and my family. Lifting the no-trade clause is the hardest decision I have ever made in my career due to the fact that I loved every single second being a Dodger.”
- The Padres will consider a reunion with Gonzalez if they’re unable to reel in free agent first baseman Eric Hosmer, Bob Nightengale of USA Today suggests (Twitter link). Gonzalez was a franchise player in San Diego from 2006-10, slashing .288/.374/.514 with 161 home runs in 3,425 plate appearances and earning three All-Star nods.
- Shortly after the news broke, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported the Dodgers would likely trade or release Kemp before he ever plays another game in their uniform (he was previously with LA from 2006-14). The Dodgers will first try to flip Kemp, confirms McCullough, who adds that they “appear willing to offer prospects” to help convince someone to take some of his contract. Kemp, 33, is due $21.5MM in each of the next two seasons. Keith Law of ESPN opines that he wouldn’t even be worth picking up if the Dodgers ate all of that money (subscription required and recommended). Regarding a discussion he had with Kemp, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said: “I was very open and honest with him about what the future might hold. It’s just too difficult to say, definitively, at this point.”
- Having completed this trade, it seems the Braves’ heavy lifting for the offseason is mostly over, as David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution details. They improved their defense by getting rid of Kemp, thus freeing up a spot in the outfield for elite prospect Ronald Acuna (he’ll be in the majors early in 2018, whether it’s Opening Day or a bit later); added a veteran starter in McCarthy (possibly two if Kazmir recovers from a hip injury); and landed a backup infielder they like in Culberson. While Anthopoulos said the Braves could still seek a third baseman and relief help, he noted that those areas are not priorities, O’Brien writes.
- Meanwhile, Nightengale, Jeff Sullivan of FanGraphs and Bill Shaikin of the LA Times agree that this trade will help set up an action-packed offseason in a year. Now that the Dodgers are unlikely to exceed the $197MM luxury tax threshold in 2018, they can be more aggressive in trying to reel in certain members of a star-studded class of free agents next winter. One of their own standouts, left-hander Clayton Kershaw, could be a prominent part of that group.
AL Rumors: Rays, Archer, Longoria, Yanks, White Sox, Machado, Red Sox
The Astros and Phillies have interest in Rays right-hander Chris Archer, joining a slew of previously reported clubs, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. The Rays clearly wouldn’t have any trouble finding a taker for Archer, thanks to his track record, age (29) and team-friendly contract (four years, $34MM). Teammate and face of the franchise Evan Longoria, the Rays’ longtime third baseman, is three years older than Archer and costs far more (a guaranteed $86MM over a half-decade). But that doesn’t seem to be a prohibitive price tag, as the three-time All-Star is drawing some interest from the division-rival Yankees as well as the Giants, Mets and previously reported Cardinals, according to Topkin.
More on Tampa Bay and a few other teams:
- The offer the White Sox made to the Orioles for third baseman/shortstop Manny Machado did not include second baseman Yoan Moncada or rightyMichael Kopech, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes. It would’ve been a surprise to see the rebuilding White Sox consider parting with either player for only a year of control over Machado. The 22-year-old Moncada and Kopech, 21, were the crown jewels in the package they received last winter for Chris Sale, after all. Moncada, whom the White Sox promoted last July, will be their second baseman from the get-go next year. The flamethrowing Kopech reached Triple-A in 2017 and now ranks as MLB.com’s 10th-best prospect.
- While righty Jake Odorizzi represents another Ray who could be in a different uniform in 2018, teams aren’t having an easy time prying him out of Tampa Bay. The Rays have let potential trade partners know they’ll have to “extend” for a shot at Odorizzi, Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press tweets. Odorizzi, who will play his age-28 campaign in 2018, is under control via arbitration for two more seasons. He’s projected to earn a reasonable $6.5MM next year.
- Red Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski told Jen McCaffrey of MassLive.com and other reporters Saturday that the club had interest in Carlos Santana before he agreed to to a pact with Philadelphia on Friday. However, the Red Sox “weren’t necessarily prepared to go to the dollar amount that was there” for the first baseman, who landed a three-year, $60MM guarantee. And after suggesting at the Winter Meetings that offense-needy Boston would only add one big bat, Dombrowski doubled down on that Saturday, saying the team’s “focused on getting one person.”
Minor MLB Transactions: 12/16/17
The latest minor moves from around baseball:
- The Rockies have signed utilityman Shawn O’Malley to a minor league contract with an invitation to big league camp, Bob Dutton of Baseball America reports on Twitter. The switch-hitting, 29-year-old O’Malley has collected 305 major league plate appearances since debuting in 2014, batting a combined .231/.315/.317 with the Angels and Mariners and playing all over the diamond (every outfield spot, second base, shortstop and third). An appendectomy and arthroscopic shoulder surgery helped keep O’Malley out of the majors last year and limit him to 120 PAs between Seattle’s Double-A and Triple-A affiliates.
- Utilityman Ronny Rodriguez announced on Instagram that he’s joining the Tigers on a minor league deal (h/t: Evan Woodbery of MLive.com). Rodriguez had spent his entire pro career with the division-rival Indians since signing out of the Dominican Republic in 2010. He never cracked the majors with the Tribe, though, instead topping out at Triple-A. The 25-year-old played at the minors’ highest level from 2016-17 and hit a respectable .274/.308/.427 in 971 PAs. Rodriguez has seen action at every position but pitcher, catcher and left field during his minor league career, as Woodbery notes.
- The Brewers announced the re-signing of 24-year-old right-hander Angel Ventura to a minors pact. Ventura, whom the Brewers signed out of the Dominican in 2011, owns a 3.96 ERA with 8.1 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9 across 534 minor league innings with the organization (130 appearances, 67 starts)
Cardinals Sign Luke Gregerson
Dec. 16: Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports tweets a breakdown of Gregerson’s contract. The reliever is guaranteed $5MM in both 2018 and 2019, with a vesting option for 2020 that requires him to appear in either 60 games in 2019 or 130 games total in 2018 and 2019 combined. It also appears as though he must be healthy for the option to vest on the latter condition. Gregerson can earn up to $1MM in incentives.
Dec. 13: The deal is now official, Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com tweets.
Dec 10: The Cardinals and free agent reliever Luke Gregerson have agreed to a two-year, $11MM contract with an option, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports (via Twitter). It’ll be a $5MM club option or a $6MM vesting option (with a $1MM buyout), Bob Nightengale of USA Today tweets. The option will vest at 60 games in 2019 or 130 games from 2018-19, Nightengale adds. He’ll make $5MM in both guaranteed years of the pact, per Ken Davidoff of the New York Post (Twitter link).
[RELATED: Updated Cardinals Depth Chart]
The deal is pending a physical, which Gregerson will take Tuesday, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Twitter link). Gregerson is an O’Connell Sports Management client.
This will be the second stint with the St. Louis organization for the right-handed Gregerson, whom the Cardinals selected in the 28th round of the 2006 draft. Gregerson never got past the Double-A level during his first go-around with the franchise, though, as the Redbirds traded him to the Padres in 2009 in a deal involving shortstop Khalil Greene.
Gregerson made his major league debut the same year of the trade and quickly became a highly effective member of the Padres’ bullpen. He stuck with the Friars through 2013 before pitching for the Athletics (2014) and Astros (2015-17). Although the 33-year-old Gregerson has never been a hard thrower, he has nonetheless registered excellent numbers across 599 innings, with a 3.02 ERA, 9.12 K/9, 2.55 BB/9 and a 50.9 percent groundball rate. Gregerson has been quite durable along the way, having never pitched fewer than 55 2/3 frames in any season, and he brings experience as a setup man and a closer.
Although Gregerson is coming off a season in which he recorded a career-worst 4.57 ERA as a member of the title-winning Astros, his year wasn’t devoid of positives. With 61 innings, he eclipsed the 60-frame mark for the sixth time. Gregerson also continued to put up appealing strikeout, walk and groundball numbers (10.33, 2.95 and 50.0 in those respective categories), and he notched the third-highest swinging-strike rate of his career (15.6 percent).
If the career-worst home run-to-fly ball rate (23.6 percent) Gregerson logged in 2017 proves to be an aberration, he should be a quality piece for a Cards bullpen in need of aid. With Trevor Rosenthal, Seung Hwan Oh, Juan Nicasio and Zach Duke currently on the open market, St. Louis has been on the lookout for relief help since last season concluded. Gregerson may be the first of multiple pickups this offseason for the club’s bullpen, and he’s clearly the most established member of a group that includes a few solid holdovers in Brett Cecil, Tyler Lyons, Matthew Bowman, Sam Tuivailala and John Brebbia.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Phillies Sign Pat Neshek
Free agent reliever Pat Neshek is officially back with the Phillies just four months after being traded to the Rockies. The Phillies on Friday announced a two-year deal with the free-agent righty, who will reportedly be guaranteed $16.25MM in the pact. The contract also comes with a club option for a third year.
Neshek, a client of Meister Sports Management, will reportedly receive a $4MM signing bonus in addition to salaries of $5.75MM in both 2018 and 2019. The option is said to be valued at $7MM and comes with a $750K buyout. The deal also includes a $500K assignment bonus in the event of a trade.
The Phillies are a familiar club for Neshek, who spent the first three-plus months of last season in Philadelphia before the team traded him to Colorado in late July. The 37-year-old Neshek excelled with both teams in 2017 and earned the second All-Star nod of his career thanks to his output with the Phillies. In all, the right-hander tossed 62 1/3 innings of 1.59 ERA, with a similarly minuscule FIP (1.86), and struck out 69 batters while issuing just six walks. While Neshek only managed a 36.4 percent groundball rate, he somewhat offset that with an impressive infield fly percentage (15.5).
[RELATED: Updated Phillies Depth Chart]
Last year was the latest in a long line of successful campaigns for the sidearming Neshek, who has typically been terrific since he debuted with the Twins in 2006. Even though he doesn’t throw particularly hard, Neshek has pitched to a 2.75 ERA/3.50 FIP combination across 445 2/3 innings in Minnesota, San Diego, Oakland, St. Louis, Houston and Philly, also posting 9.03 K/9 against 2.54 BB/9 and limiting home runs despite a low grounder rate (33.2 percent).
The grizzled Neshek will once again serve as the elder statesman in what’s currently a fairly young Phillies bullpen in 2018. Thanks largely to his tremendous half-season production in 2017, an otherwise less-than-stellar Phillies relief corps finished with respectable rankings in ERA (14th) and fWAR (13th).
Jon Heyman of FanRag reported that Neshek had a pair of offers in hand (Twitter link). Jerry Crasnick of ESPN added (via Twitter) that the Phillies and Neshek were moving toward a deal. Todd Zolecki of MLB.com tweeted that the Phillies could announce the signing this week. Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia reported the exact total (Twitter link). USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported the details on the contract (via Twitter).
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.