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Rays Re-Sign Andrew Kittredge To Minor League Deal
The Rays and righty Andrew Kittredge have agreed to a minor league contract, tweets Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Kittredge hit the injured list with a season-ending UCL issue in August, but agent Brian Grieper tells Topkin that Kittredge has had three bullpen sessions at full intensity without further issue. He’ll be ready for the start of Spring Training with the Rays.
Kittredge, 30, has spent parts of the past four seasons with Tampa Bay, pitching to a combined 4.93 ERA and 4.25 FIP in 111 1/3 innings. Those numbers are skewed a bit by a nightmarish 2018 campaign, but since 2019 Kittredge has tossed 57 1/3 frames with a 3.90 ERA/3.51 FIP, a strong 61-to-14 K/BB ratio and a grounder rate north of 50 percent. Due to the uncertainty surrounding his injury, Kittredge was passed through outright waivers unclaimed at season’s end and opted to become a free agent.
If Kittredge is indeed back up to full strength, he’ll give the Rays an optionable righty with big league experience to complement a group of late-inning relievers that is headlined by righties Pete Fairbanks, Diego Castillo and Nick Anderson, as well as lefty Jose Alvarado.
Marlins Among Teams With Interest In Mel Rojas Jr.
Outfielder Mel Rojas Jr., the MVP of the 2020 KBO season, has drawn interest from both Asian and MLB clubs as he mulls his future. Despite a recent report that he was leaning toward a deal with Japan’s Yomiuri Giants, Rojas himself tweeted that he’s made no decision yet on where he’ll play in 2021. Not long after that, Sportsgrid’s Craig Mish reported that the Marlins are among the clubs to have shown interest in Rojas.
Rojas, 30, has gone from a relatively unheralded Pirates and Braves farmhand to a legitimate superstar in South Korea, hitting a combined .321/.388/.594 with 132 home runs in 511 games for the KT Wiz across the past four seasons. The 2020 campaign was the best of his outstanding KBO career: in 628 trips to the plate he slashed .349/.417/.680 with 47 home runs.
The KBO has long been considered a notoriously hitter-friendly setting, but league-wide offense has gone down over the past couple of seasons since the league made some changes to the composition of the ball prior to the 2019 season. Rojas’ 2020 numbers checked in at a 179 wRC+, per FanGraphs, indicating that he was 79 percent better than a league-average hitter.
Miami has a pair of outfield spots spoken for, with veterans Corey Dickerson in left field and Starling Marte in center field. They have options in right field in the form of Garrett Cooper, Harold Ramirez, Lewis Brinson and Monte Harrison, but Rojas would add an intriguing name to the mix. If the NL ultimately adds a DH — teams are operating with the assumption that will not happen, for now — then Miami could potentially work both Rojas and someone like Cooper into the mix on a regular basis.
While the Fish have plenty of in-house options to consider, the appeal of adding a player like Rojas is readily apparent for a typically low-payroll club. Even if Rojas puts together only average numbers, they could stomach that for what should be a relatively low salary. And if he’s able to produce anything more than that, obtaining above-average or even star-level output from a bargain pickup would be vital for a team with such limited payroll capacity.
At this point it’s not clear which route Rojas will take. He earned every bit of last year’s $1.5MM salary in the KBO, and with the Wiz and apparently some NPB teams vying for his services, he should be able to top that salary if he chooses to remain in Asia. Rojas, however, has openly expressed that his dream is to play in the Major Leagues, and this winter could represent his best opportunity to find a big league deal.
Rays Prioritizing Catchers
The Rays’ primary focus early in the virtual Winter Meetings is to upgrade their catching corps, writes Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. The team has only one catcher on its 40-man roster at the moment — prospect Ronaldo Hernandez, who is not yet MLB-ready — and will need to add multiple options, be it via free agency or trade.
Since the season ended, the Rays have lost three catchers from their 40-man roster — albeit by their own choice. Mike Zunino’s 2021 option was declined, while Michael Perez was claimed off waivers by the Pirates. Kevan Smith, meanwhile, elected free agency after going unclaimed on waivers. Per Topkin, the Rays have considered reunions with both Zunino and Smith.
As is always the case with the Rays, the payroll is a vital consideration in any free-agent negotiations. They owe a combined $31.5MM to the quartet of Blake Snell, Kevin Kiermaier, Yoshi Tsutsugo and Brandon Lowe in 2021, and their arbitration class could check in around another $18MM or so. Adding in pre-arbitration players to round out the roster would add another $9MM, give or take a few hundred thousand dollars.
For most clubs, a payroll shy of $60MM would mean that even in a pandemic-impacted offseason there was some considerable maneuverability, but the Rays over the past five seasons have averaged about a $70.35MM Opening Day payroll. Absent gate revenue and, as importantly, revenue sharing in 2020, it’s not clear to what extent owner Stu Sternberg is willing to invest in the roster.
It’s little wonder, then, that Snell’s name has already come up in trade rumors. As Topkin points out, it won’t be a surprise if Kiermaier’s name is floated as well. Snell and Kiermaier are the team’s only two players making in excess of $10MM in 2021. Presumably, the Rays will be open to moving or even motivated to move Tsutsugo’s $7MM salary as well.
Whether the Rays move any salary or not, it’s unlikely that they’d add a particularly expensive option behind the dish. Tampa Bay isn’t going to land J.T. Realmuto, of course, and while second-tier options like James McCann would be more logical fits, it sounds as though McCann’s market is rather robust — which makes it hard to see the Rays as a primary player. Affordable options beyond the aforementioned Zunino would include Jason Castro, Alex Avila and recently non-tendered old friend Curt Casali.
The trade market ought to feature several other intriguing options. Willson Contreras’ name could emerge as a trade candidate with the Cubs looking to cut costs. The Indians are looking to slash payroll as well and have multiple veteran catchers. Francisco Mejia has slid down the depth chart in San Diego. The Blue Jays have a glut of young backstops on the 40-man roster. If the Rays were to move Snell, they could push for a young catcher to be a focal point of any return.
Suffice it to say, there are myriad approaches for the club to take, the extent of which will be somewhat dictated by moves made (or not made) elsewhere on the roster. Topkin adds that they’ll also be on the lookout for rotation depth with Charlie Morton now in Atlanta and the trio of Yonny Chirinos (Tommy John surgery), Jalen Beeks (Tommy John surgery) and Brendan McKay (shoulder surgery) all on the mend from major injuries. With presumably limited payroll flexibility and numerous needs to address, the Rays are in a tight spot, although that’s nothing new for GM Erik Neander and his front office.
Dick Allen Passes Away
In saddening news, the family of iconic slugger Dick Allen announced on Twitter that the seven-time Major League All-Star passed away at his home in Wampum, Pennsylvania this morning. He was 78.
Allen, the 1964 National League Rookie of the Year with the Phillies and the 1972 American League MVP with the White Sox, was one of baseball’s most feared hitters at his peak. During an 11-year run from 1964-74, he clubbed 319 home runs in 6270 plate appearances while posting an overall batting line of .299/.386/.554 — good for a whopping 165 OPS+ and 163 wRC+.
In what many consider to be a glaring snub, Allen was not voted into Cooperstown despite a remarkable career as one of the game’s most prominent sluggers. As Jay Jaffe detailed for Baseball Prospectus in 2017 and Matt Gelb of The Athletic explained in September, racism negatively affected Allen throughout his career.
Allen may very well have been inducted by the Veteran’s Committee this year had the vote not been delayed, as USA Today’s Bob Nightengale points out, though Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia notes that he will be on the ballot again next year. He was honored by the Phillies earlier this summer when they retired his No. 15 in a well-deserved tribute. Owner John Middleton was one of the driving forces behind the decision.
“The Phillies are heartbroken over the passing today of our dear friend and co-worker, Dick Allen,” the team said in a press release. “Dick will be remembered as not just one of the greatest and most popular players in our franchise’s history, but also as a courageous warrior who had to overcome far too many obstacles to reach the level he did. Dick’s iconic status will resonate for generations of baseball fans to come as one of the all-time greats to play America’s Pastime. He is now reunited with his beloved daughter, Terri. The Phillies extend their condolences to Dick’s widow, Willa, his family, friends and all his fans from coast to coast.”
MLBTR joins the Phillies and those around the game in offering our condolences to Allen’s family, friends and fans.
Mariners Claim Robert Dugger
The Mariners announced Monday that they’ve claimed righty Robert Dugger off waivers from the Marlins. Seattle also lost righty Ian Hamilton to the Phillies and righty Walker Lockett to the Blue Jays.
Dugger, 25, was an 18th-round pick of the Mariners back in 2016 but landed in Miami as part of the package that sent Dee Strange-Gordon to Seattle. He’s made a handful of appearances with the Fish over the past two seasons but hasn’t found much success, posting a 7.40 ERA and a 29-to-20 K/BB ratio in 45 innings. Dugger’s struggles have persisted in Triple-A, although he had a solid track record up through the Double-A level, where he owns a 3.60 ERA with 9.0 K/9 against 2.9 BB/9 in 180 innings of work.
Lack of track record in the Majors and Triple-A not withstanding, Dugger gives the Mariners an optionable piece of rotation depth — perhaps one they feel will benefit from a change of scenery. Dugger also saw a pronounced jump in his four-seam fastball velocity from 2019 to 2020 (90.3 mph to 92.1 mph) and in his heater’s spin rate (2191 rpm to 2321 rpm), so perhaps the Mariners believe they can help him build upon those positive indicators.
Red Sox Outright Yairo Munoz
The Red Sox announced Monday that infielder/outfielder Yairo Munoz has cleared waivers and been assigned outright to Triple-A Pawtucket.
Still just 25 years of age, Munoz joined the Red Sox back in March after a bizarre scene that reportedly saw him leave the Cardinals and fly home to the Dominican Republic without informing the club. The Cards responded by releasing Munoz, who apparently had been frustrated with the organization over playing time, amid other reasons.
Munoz had an impressive debut effort in 2018, batting .276/.350/.413 in 329 plate appearances while spending time at every defensive position on the field other than first base and catcher. His bat took a step back in 2019, and his playing time, accordingly, waned.
This past season, Munoz again hit well in a limited sample with the Red Sox. He came to the plate just 45 times but hit .333/.333/.511 with a homer, five doubles and a pair of stolen bases. Boston used him exclusively as a corner outfielder this season, although it’s easy to imagine that if he makes his way back onto the 40-man roster, he could be utilized all over the infield as well.
With the outright of Munoz, the Red Sox now have a pair of 40-man vacancies leading up to this week’s Rule 5 Draft.
Blue Jays Claim Anthony Castro, Walker Lockett
The Blue Jays have claimed right-hander Anthony Castro off waivers from the Tigers, per an announcement out of Detroit. The move drops the Tigers’ 40-man roster down to 39 players. Toronto has also claimed fellow righty Walker Lockett from the Mariners, according to Seattle. The Jays now have a full 40-man roster.
Castro, 25, made his Major League debut with the Tigers this past season, albeit pitching in just one inning with a pair of runs allowed. Scouting reports on Castro tout his plus fastball and a potentially plus slider, but his command (or lack thereof) has proven a notable issue to this point in his pro career. Castro has 112 1/3 innings under his belt at the Double-A level but has issued 77 walks in that time. He logged a more palatable 3.3 BB/9 in 116 2/3 innings at Class-A Advanced in 2018, but he also plunked a dozen batters in that time
Castro had Tommy John surgery in 2015, wiping out that entire season for him in addition to part of the 2016 campaign. The Tigers have used him primarily as a starter, but as FanGraphs’ Eric Longenhagen pointed out in his scouting report last year, there’s some belief that he could maintain a heater in the upper 90s with that promising slider if used in a short relief role. It’s not clear how the Jays plan to utilize Castro, but he has a pair of minor league options remaining, so they can be patient with him if they keep him on the roster into the 2021 season.
Lockett was a waiver claim from the Mets on Sept. 1, but the 26-year-old didn’t last long in Seattle. He did throw 8 1/3 innings of four-run ball in the Mariners’ uniform, but that wasn’t enough to convince the club to retain him. Before his short Mariners tenure, Lockett – a fourth-round pick of the Padres in 2012 – had difficulty as a swingman with the Pads and the Mets. So far, Lockett has pitched to a 7.67 ERA/5.91 FIP with 6.5 K/9 and 3.33 BB/9 in 54 innings in the bigs.
Nationals Claim Rogelio Armenteros
The Nationals announced that they’ve claimed right-hander Rogelio Armenteros off waivers from the Diamondbacks. Arizona picked up the righty in a waiver claim of their own after the Astros tried to pass him through outright waivers earlier this winter. Washington’s 40-man roster is at 34 players.
Armenteros, 26, didn’t pitch in 2020 owing to surgery that removed a bone spur from his right elbow. He made his big league debut with the Astros in 2019, however, and pitched to a 4.00 ERA with an 18-to-5 K/BB ratio in 18 innings (four starts). The righty has a generally sharp track record in parts of three seasons in the hitter-friendly Triple-A Pacific Coast League, having compiled a 3.73 ERA with averages of 10 strikeouts, 3.4 walks and 1.2 homers per nine innings pitched.
Though the elbow procedure creates some uncertainty, it’s clear that Armenteros is still viewed as an intriguing depth option with some upside, as we’ve now seen a pair of clubs claim him this winter. He does have a minor league option remaining, which surely appealed to the Nats, who have some uncertainty at the back of their rotation. After Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin, the Nats don’t have set fourth and fifth starters. Armenteros will join a group of candidates that includes Erick Fedde, Joe Ross and Austin Voth — assuming the Nats opt to carry Armenteros on the roster for the remainder of the offseason, of course.
Orioles Claim Ashton Goudeau, Outright Austin Wynns
The Orioles announced Monday that they’ve claimed righty Ashton Goudeau off waivers from the Pirates and opened a spot on the roster by passing catcher Austin Wynns through outright waivers. Wynns has been assigned to Triple-A Norfolk and will no longer count against the 40-man roster after going unclaimed on waivers.
Goudeau, 28, made his Major League debut with the Rockies this past season but totaled just 8 1/3 innings, during which time he allowed seven runs on 15 hits and a pair of walks with only two strikeouts. Those struggles notwithstanding, Goudeau was terrific at the Double-A level in 2019, where he pitched to a 2.07 ERA and 2.05 FIP with 10.5 K/9, 1.4 BB/9, 0.46 HR/9 and a 44 percent ground-ball rate in 16 starts (78 1/3 innings).
The 29-year-old Wynns is a glove-first backup catcher with a career .239/.271/.339 batting line through 192 plate appearances. He’s posted similar numbers, albeit with a better OBP, in parts of three Triple-A, and it seems he’ll stick around as a depth option for the O’s.
