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2019-20 MLB Free Agent Tracker

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Our 2019-20 MLB Free Agent Tracker is now available!  You can filter our mobile-friendly tracker by team, position, signing status, qualifying offer status, handedness, and contract details.  It’s the perfect tool to slice and dice this winter’s free agent class, and we’ll be keeping it updated throughout the offseason.  Bookmark our 2019-20 MLB Free Agent Tracker today!  You can also find it under the Tools menu.

For those wondering the ETA on our Top 50 Free Agents list, that will be published later today after all qualifying offer decisions come in.

Sam Fuld Declines To Interview For Managerial Vacancies With Cubs, Mets, Pirates

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Former big league outfielder Sam Fuld, currently serving as the Phillies’ Major League player information coordinator, declined the opportunity to interview with the Cubs, Mets, and Pirates for their managerial vacancies, MLBTR has learned.  The 37-year-old Fuld, who had developed a bit of a cult following as an all-out player for the Cubs, Rays, A’s, and Twins from 2007-15, is quickly gaining a reputation as a future managerial candidate.  The Stanford graduate was hired by the Phillies two years ago shortly after they hired Gabe Kapler to manage.

The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Matt Breen profiled Fuld last season, examining the manner in which he serves as a liaison between the club’s analytics department and the clubhouse. “I think a lot of the times, the information can get overwhelming. It’s hard to sift through and pick ’OK, what’s important for this game?” Rhys Hoskins said at the time. “To have Sam, he’s recently out of the game, kind of act as that bridge just makes it so much easier on us players.”

Given his Stanford degree in economics and his work both within the clubhouse and interacting with the Phillies’ analytics and baseball operations departments, there’ll likely be multiple paths for Fuld to consider as he determines what trajectory best suits him.  Kapler, meanwhile, is set to interview with both the Giants and the Cubs after being dismissed as the Phillies’ manager.  The Phillies, Mets, Cubs, Angels, Giants, Padres, Royals, and Pirates all have managerial vacancies at present.

Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2020

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As explained here, Matt Swartz and MLB Trade Rumors have developed an accurate model to project arbitration salaries. This is the ninth year we’ve done these projections, and I’m proud to present the results for 2020.  Official service time is in parentheses next to each player. The Super Two cutoff has been confirmed as 2.115.  For players’ actual arbitration salaries, check out our tracker here.

Angels (9)

  • Tommy La Stella (5.057) – $2.9MM
  • Cam Bedrosian (4.153) – $2.8MM
  • Andrew Heaney (4.150) – $5.0MM
  • Hansel Robles (4.119) – $4.0MM
  • Dylan Bundy (4.026) – $5.7MM
  • Max Stassi (3.049) – $800K
  • Brian Goodwin (3.019) – $2.1MM
  • Keynan Middleton (2.150) – $800K
  • Noe Ramirez (2.139) – $1.0MM

Astros (8)

  • George Springer (5.166) – $21.4MM
  • Brad Peacock (5.165) – $4.6MM
  • Lance McCullers Jr. (4.140) – $4.1MM
  • Carlos Correa (4.119) – $7.4MM
  • Roberto Osuna (4.097) – $10.2MM
  • Chris Devenski (4.000) – $2.0MM
  • Joe Biagini (3.134) – $1.5MM
  • Aledmys Diaz (3.100) – $2.4MM

Athletics (8)

  • Liam Hendriks (5.164) – $5.5MM
  • T.J. McFarland (5.164) – $2.1MM
  • Marcus Semien (5.118) – $13.5MM
  • Robbie Grossman (5.060) – $3.3MM
  • Mark Canha (4.092) – $4.9MM
  • Sean Manaea (3.157) – $3.5MM
  • Chris Bassitt (3.130) – $2.8MM
  • Chad Pinder (3.047) – $1.8MM

Blue Jays (4)

  • Matt Shoemaker (5.166) – $3.8MM
  • Ken Giles (5.113) – $8.4MM
  • Anthony Bass (5.010) – $1.7MM
  • Brandon Drury (3.165) – $2.5MM

Braves (7)

  • Shane Greene (5.075) – $6.5MM
  • Mike Foltynewicz (4.134) – $7.5MM
  • Adam Duvall (3.151) – $3.8MM
  • Dansby Swanson (3.047) – $3.3MM
  • Luke Jackson (3.019) – $1.9MM
  • Grant Dayton (3.007) – $800K
  • Johan Camargo (2.137) – $1.6MM

Brewers (6)

  • Corey Knebel (4.151) – $5.125MM
  • Omar Narvaez (3.089) – $2.9MM
  • Orlando Arcia (3.047) – $2.7MM
  • Ben Gamel (3.029) – $1.6MM
  • Brent Suter (2.161) – $900K
  • Josh Hader (2.115) – $4.6MM

Cardinals (1)

  • John Gant (3.004) – $1.4MM

Cubs (7)

  • Kris Bryant (4.171) – $18.5MM
  • Javier Baez (4.089) – $9.3MM
  • Kyle Schwarber (4.086) – $8.0MM
  • Willson Contreras (3.108) – $4.5MM
  • Albert Almora (3.073) – $1.8MM
  • Jharel Cotton (2.158) – $800K
  • Kyle Ryan (2.139) – $1.1MM

Diamondbacks (7)

  • David Peralta (5.120) – $8.8MM
  • Nick Ahmed (5.054) – $7.0MM
  • Jake Lamb (5.053) – $5.0MM
  • Andrew Chafin (5.020) -$3.2MM
  • Robbie Ray (5.007) – $10.8MM
  • Archie Bradley (4.112) – $3.6MM
  • Matt Andriese (4.071) – $1.4MM

Dodgers (12)

  • Pedro Baez (5.059) – $3.3MM
  • Enrique Hernandez (5.054) – $5.5MM
  • Joc Pederson (5.028) – $8.5MM
  • Chris Taylor (4.037) – $5.0MM
  • Corey Seager (4.032) – $7.1MM
  • Ross Stripling (3.115) – $2.3MM
  • Austin Barnes (3.098) – $1.3MM
  • Scott Alexander (3.097) – $1.0MM
  • Max Muncy (3.027) – $4.6MM
  • Cody Bellinger (2.160) – $11.6MM
  • Julio Urias (2.117) – $1.7MM

Giants (3)

  • Donovan Solano (4.081) – $1.2MM
  • Alex Dickerson (3.120) – $1.2MM
  • Wandy Peralta (2.168) – $800K

Indians (5)

  • Sandy Leon (5.144) – $2.8MM
  • Francisco Lindor (4.113) – $16.7MM
  • Nick Wittgren (3.071) – $1.3MM
  • Mike Clevinger (3.041) – $4.5MM
  • Tyler Naquin (3.033) – $1.8MM

Mariners (3)

  • Mallex Smith (3.125) – $2.7MM
  • Sam Tuivailala (3.082) – $900K
  • Mitch Haniger (3.048) – $3.0MM

Marlins (4)

  • Jonathan Villar (5.113)  -$10.4MM
  • Jose Urena (4.040) – $4.0MM
  • Adam Conley (3.147) – $1.6MM
  • Jesus Aguilar (3.082) – $2.5MM

Mets (9)

  • Marcus Stroman (5.148) – $11.8MM
  • Jake Marisnick (5.132) – $3.0MM
  • Noah Syndergaard (4.149) – $9.9MM
  • Steven Matz (4.099) – $5.3MM
  • Michael Conforto (4.043) – $9.2MM
  • Edwin Diaz (3.121) – $7.0MM
  • Seth Lugo (3.082) – $1.9MM
  • Brandon Nimmo (3.042) – $1.7MM
  • Robert Gsellman (3.042) – $1.2MM

Nationals (6)

  • Hunter Strickland (4.163) – $1.9MM
  • Michael A. Taylor (4.129) – $3.25MM
  • Roenis Elias (4.069) – $1.9MM
  • Joe Ross (4.018) – $1.4MM
  • Trea Turner (3.135) – $7.5MM
  • Wilmer Difo (3.016) – $1.2MM

Orioles (5)

  • Mychal Givens (4.069) – $3.2MM
  • Hanser Alberto (3.085) – $1.9MM
  • Miguel Castro (3.079) – $1.2MM
  • Richard Bleier (3.074) – $1.1MM
  • Trey Mancini (3.015) – $5.7MM

Padres (10)

  • Jurickson Profar (5.165) – $5.8MM
  • Kirby Yates (5.021) – $6.5MM
  • Greg Garcia (4.083) – $1.7MM
  • Zach Davies (4.020) – $5.0MM
  • Austin Hedges (3.166) – $2.9MM
  • Luis Perdomo (3.086) – $1.0MM
  • Matt Strahm (3.064) – $1.5MM
  • Manuel Margot (3.012) – $2.1MM
  • Hunter Renfroe (2.165) – $3.4MM
  • Dinelson Lamet (2.130) – $1.7MM

Phillies (7)

  • J.T. Realmuto (5.038) – $10.3MM
  • Jose Alvarez (5.035) – $3.0MM
  • Vince Velasquez (4.086) – $3.9MM
  • Hector Neris (4.068) – $4.7MM
  • Adam Morgan (4.017) – $1.6MM
  • Zach Eflin (3.018) – $3.0MM
  • Andrew Knapp (3.000) – $800K

Pirates (9)

  • Keone Kela (5.000) – $3.4MM
  • Michael Feliz (3.169) – $1.2MM
  • Jameson Taillon (3.110) – $2.3MM
  • Chad Kuhl (3.079) – $1.4MM
  • Adam Frazier (3.075) – $3.2MM
  • Joe Musgrove (3.063) – $3.4MM
  • Josh Bell (3.053) – $5.9MM
  • Trevor Williams (3.027)- $3.0MM
  • Erik Gonzalez (3.007) – $800K

Rangers (6)

  • Danny Santana (4.140) – $3.9MM
  • Delino Deshields (4.109) – $2.4MM
  • Nomar Mazara (4.000) – $5.7MM
  • Rafael Montero (3.138) – $900K
  • Nick Goody (3.105) – $1.1MM
  • Joey Gallo (3.103) – $4.0MM

Rays (6)

  • Mike Zunino (5.165) – $4.9MM
  • Tommy Pham (4.107) – $8.6MM
  • Chaz Roe (4.094) – $2.2MM
  • Oliver Drake (3.045) – $1.1MM
  • Tyler Glasnow (2.158) – $1.9MM
  • Daniel Robertson (2.134) – $1.1MM

Red Sox (7)

  • Jackie Bradley Jr. (5.150) – $11MM
  • Mookie Betts (5.070) – $27.7MM
  • Brandon Workman (5.051) – $3.4MM
  • Eduardo Rodriguez (4.130) – $9.5MM
  • Matt Barnes (4.110) – $3.0MM
  • Heath Hembree (4.106) – $1.6MM
  • Andrew Benintendi (3.062) – $4.9MM

Reds (6)

  • Trevor Bauer (5.158) – $18.6MM
  • Anthony DeSclafani (5.062) – $5.2MM
  • Michael Lorenzen (4.159) – $4.2MM
  • Curt Casali (3.151) – $1.7MM
  • Travis Jankowski (3.148) – $1.2MM
  • Matt Bowman (3.021) – $900K

Rockies (7)

  • Scott Oberg (4.063) – $2.0MM
  • Jon Gray (4.062) – $5.6MM
  • Trevor Story (4.000) – $11.5MM
  • Tony Wolters (3.161) – $2.0MM
  • Carlos Estevez (3.022) – $1.2MM
  • David Dahl (2.162) – $3.0MM
  • Kyle Freeland (2.144) – $2.4MM

Royals (2)

  • Jorge Soler (4.143) – $11.2MM
  • Mike Montgomery (4.089) – $2.9MM

Tigers (5)

  • Daniel Norris (4.073) – $2.9MM
  • Michael Fulmer (3.157) – $2.8MM
  • Matthew Boyd (3.136) – $6.4MM
  • Buck Farmer (3.083) – $1.1MM
  • JaCoby Jones (2.125) – $1.4MM

Twins (9)

  • Ehire Adrianza (5.131) – $1.9MM
  • Trevor May (5.012) – $2.1MM
  • Eddie Rosario (4.120) – $8.9MM
  • Miguel Sano (4.066) – $5.9MM
  • Byron Buxton (3.160) – $2.9MM
  • Taylor Rogers (3.145) – $3.9MM
  • Tyler Duffey (3.074) – $1.1MM
  • Jose Berrios (3.044) – $5.4MM
  • Matt Wisler (3.042) – $1.0MM

White Sox (5)

  • Alex Colome (5.118) – $10.3MM
  • James McCann (5.028) – $4.9MM
  • Leury Garcia (5.025) – $4.0MM
  • Carlos Rodon (4.168) – $4.5MM
  • Evan Marshall (3.090) – $1.3MM

Yankees (9)

  • James Paxton (5.151) – $12.9MM
  • Tommy Kahnle (4.131) – $3.0MM
  • Gary Sanchez (3.086) – $5.6MM
  • Aaron Judge (3.051) – $6.4MM
  • Chad Green (3.050) – $1.4MM
  • Jordan Montgomery (2.153) – $1.2MM
  • Luis Cessa (2.131) – $1.1MM
  • Gio Urshela (2.127) – $2.2MM
  • Jonathan Holder (2.124) – $800K

What Happens When Everyone Can Hit 30 Home Runs?

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When I was a kid, prior to the 1994 strike, it was common for about a dozen MLB players to hit 30+ home runs in a season.  The only notable exception was in 1987, when the so-called “rabbit ball” led to 28 players hitting 30+ home runs.  There was an apparent over-correction in 1988, when only five players managed the feat.  Outside of those seasons, it was pretty much a lock that 10-13 different players would have 30 home run power in a given season.

Something changed again in 1993, as David Schoenfield of ESPN noted, and it wasn’t just the addition of the Rockies or the dawning of the PED era.  After the strike, from 1996 through 2004, it became common to see 30 or more players able to hit 30 home runs in a season.  The peak was from 1999-2001, a period in which 40 or more players were able to reach the 30 home run plateau annually.

The year 2000 bears similarities to the just-finished 2019 campaign.  Unlike the preceding seasons, which saw the single-season home run record of 61 being challenged and broken by Ken Griffey Jr., Sammy Sosa, and Mark McGwire, in 2000, Sosa led MLB with 50 home runs.  But the distribution was widespread – 47 different players hit 30+ home runs in 2000, a record that stood until this year.  As in 2000, only one player reached the 50 mark in the homer-happy 2019 season, rookie Pete Alonso.

Once steroid testing began in 2005, we entered a five-year period in which about 30 players were capable of hitting 30 home runs in a season.  Then from 2010-15, there was a further reduction in 30 home run bats, as typically only about 20 players would reach that level each year.

The pendulum started to swing back upward in 2016, and in 2019 a new record was set: 58 different players hit 30 or more home runs. Players such as Renato Nunez, Yuli Gurriel, Mitch Garver, Ketel Marte, and Eduardo Escobar – not generally thought of as 30 home run threats – are included in that group.  The chart below shows the number of hitters with 30+ home runs per season, from 1996 through 2019.

With MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred planning to make changes to the baseball, it’s likely this home run trend will be reversed by 2021.  While you may be pondering how to account for 30 home runs being the new 20 home runs in your 2020 fantasy draft, we should also expect continued ramifications in player compensation.  When there’s a surplus of home run hitters available, those players are not able to command the same prices as before.  In 2014, only 11 MLB players hit 30 or more home runs, and only two of them were free agents.  Is it any surprise that Pablo Sandoval, Hanley Ramirez, Yasmany Tomas, Victor Martinez, Nelson Cruz, Chase Headley, Nick Markakis, and Melky Cabrera received free agent contracts totaling over half a billion dollars?

Now, players like Kole Calhoun or Jose Abreu will reach free agency coming off 33 home run seasons and stand no chance of receiving the $42MM contract Melky Cabrera got coming off a 16 home run season.  The arbitration system will become increasingly out of step with the open market, leading to an increased supply of free agents, further depressing salaries.  The juiced ball of the last few seasons is just one more reason free agent salaries will be suppressed this winter.

It is at least positive that MLB and the players’ union are having discussions with two years remaining on the current collective bargaining agreement, but the owners are in the catbird seat.  Unlike in 1994, it is the players who now seek to drastically change the status quo.  I imagine that whatever scant public support players had 25 years ago in resisting the owners’ imposition of a salary cap, they’ll somehow have even less this time around in trying to upend the system.  The devaluing of the home run is just one more way in which the chips are stacked in the owners’ favor in the labor negotiations.

This Winter’s Most Interesting Free Agent Relievers

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I’ve added all of MLB’s projected free agent relievers into a custom FanGraphs leaderboard, which you can check out here.  For the full list of 2019-20 MLB Free Agents, click here.  Let’s take a closer look!

Average Fastball Velocity

  1. Aroldis Chapman – 98.4 mph.  To become a free agent, Chapman will first have to opt out of the remaining two years and $30MM on his contract with the Yankees.  I believe he’ll do so, unless the Yankees are willing to tack on an additional year.  If he reaches the open market, look for Chapman to attempt to get past Wade Davis’ three-year, $52MM deal signed two years ago.  That could be a challenge, since Chapman would likely be saddled with a qualifying offer.
  2. Trevor Rosenthal – 98.0 mph.  Rosenthal was a big prize for the Nationals last November despite missing all of 2018 due to Tommy John surgery.  He emerged with his velocity intact, but no semblance of control.
  3. Hector Rondon – 96.8 mph.  Rondon has always been prone to the longball, and this year his strikeout rate took a significant dip.
  4. Daniel Hudson – 96.1 mph.  After signing a two-year free agent deal with the Pirates in December 2016, Hudson was traded to the Rays and then released in March 2018.  After a stint with the Dodgers that year, he signed a minor league deal with the Angels before the ’18 season.  He failed to make the team, instead signing a Major League deal with Toronto.  The Jays sent him to the Nationals at this year’s trade deadline, and he became a key part of the team’s bullpen down the stretch.
  5. Arodys Vizcaino – 96.0 mph.  Vizcaino pitched only four innings for the Braves before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery in April.  Vizcaino and his salary were sent to Seattle in the May Anthony Swarzak deal.  We’ve heard little about Vizcaino’s health since then, but if he’s able to pitch in 2020 he’ll be an interesting free agent.
  6. Jake Diekman – 95.8 mph.  Diekman inked an affordable contract with the Royals in February and was shipped to the A’s near the trade deadline.  Walks are a longstanding problem.
  7. Chris Martin – 95.7 mph.  A 21st round draft pick of the Rockies in 2005, Martin battled health issues and failed to get traction in the Majors.  Then he spent a couple of years dominating out of the bullpen for the Nippon Ham Fighters, and returned stateside with a two-year deal with the Rangers.  Martin was dealt to Atlanta near the trade deadline.  He has dominant peripheral stats this year and should be a buzzworthy free agent despite turning 34 next summer.
  8. Andrew Cashner – 95.4 mph. The Orioles traded Cashner to the Red Sox in July.  The veteran made six starts in Boston before moving to the bullpen, where he pitched pretty well aside from a rough final outing on September 28th.
  9. Nate Jones – 94.9 mph.  Jones’ season ended in April due to a flexor mass tear, though  he was traded to the Rangers at the deadline.  If the club balks at his $3.75MM club option, he’ll hit the open market.
  10. Drew Pomeranz – 94.5 mph.  After struggling mightily in 17 starts for the Giants, Pomeranz strung together four scoreless relief appearances before being dealt to Milwaukee.  He’s been truly dominant out of the Brewers’ pen and should be a popular free agent.

Strikeout Percentage – Minimum 20 Innings

  1. Drew Pomeranz – 47.2%
  2. Will Smith – 37.4%.  Smith is 16 months younger than Chapman, and will likely be on the top of many teams’ free agent reliever boards.  The southpaw made the All-Star team for the Giants this year and could seek a four-year contract.
  3. Aroldis Chapman – 36.2%
  4. Chris Martin – 30.1%
  5. Jake Diekman – 29.8%
  6. Collin McHugh – 28.2%.  McHugh has had success as a starter for the Astros, but he was moved to the bullpen in May this year and battled elbow issues.  He was shut down for the season a few weeks ago.
  7. Pedro Strop – 27.5%.  Strop struggled through hamstring and neck injuries this year, but prior to that he authored a five-year run of excellence as a late-inning staple for the Cubs.  Even in his struggles this year, his groundball rate ranked fourth among relievers.
  8. Will Harris – 27.1%.  Harris, a ninth round draft pick of the Rockies in 2006, joined the Diamondbacks in a 2013 waiver claim and found his first big league success.  The Astros were still able to pluck him off waivers again in November 2014, and he’s provided them with a 2.36 ERA in 297 innings over five years.  His 1.50 ERA leads free agent relievers.
  9. Greg Holland – 27.0%.  Holland signed a one-year deal with the Diamondbacks in January, earning the team’s closer job.  He lost the gig in late July and was designated for assignment soon after.
  10. Tyler Clippard – 26.8%.  Clippard inked a minor league deal with the Indians in February, made the team in late April, and pitched quite well on the season.

ERA – Minimum 40 Innings

  1. Will Harris – 1.50
  2. Aroldis Chapman – 2.21
  3. Daniel Hudson – 2.38
  4. Tyler Clippard – 2.38
  5. Brandon Kintzler – 2.68.  Kintzler put together a fine bounceback season for the Cubs, ranking behind only Jared Hughes among relievers with a 54.7% groundball rate.
  6. Yusmeiro Petit – 2.71.  Petit ranked sixth in baseball with 83 relief innings, and third with a walk rate of just 3.3%. He has a reasonable club option that the Athletics could very well exercise, however.
  7. Will Smith – 2.76
  8. Hector Rondon – 2.85
  9. Steve Cishek – 2.95.  The sidearmer’s peripheral stats this year weren’t amazing, but he did rank 10th with a 50% groundball rate.
  10. Craig Stammen – 3.29.  Stammen has put together an excellent three-year run out of the Padres’ bullpen, with a 3.06 ERA in 241 1/3 innings.  Like Martin and Petit, he demonstrated impeccable control.

Others to watch this winter who had success in 2018 include Dellin Betances, Jeremy Jeffress, Jared Hughes, and David Hernandez.

Boras Corp. Amateur Department Research Job Opening

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From time to time, as a service to our readers, MLB Trade Rumors will post job opportunities of possible interest that are brought to our attention. MLBTR has no affiliation with the hiring entity, no role in the hiring process, and no financial interest in the posting of this opportunity.

Position: Boras Corp. Market Research Analysis & Presentation Design
Location: Southern California

Description:
From our Southern California office you will help support a team of representatives by analyzing baseball markets, creating marketing and presentation materials using multi-media, and managing performance and information databases. The ideal candidate is a creative thinker, well-organized, a good communicator, and team-oriented. While previous experience in baseball is not required, the candidate must possess a passion for the game. This is a full-time position we aim to fill as soon as possible. It is located in Newport Beach, CA (relocation to Orange County is not provided).

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Keynote, Apple iBooks familiarity.
  • Experience in creating presentations
  • Prior baseball or team sports experience.

To Apply:

To apply, please send an email with the subject “Research Position” to  baseballresume@gmail.com by September 29, 2019.

The body of the email should contain the following, in this order:

  • Your resume.
  • In addition to the traditional resume information, please be sure to include any details about athletic experience.
  • Your full contact information.
  • How you obtained this listing.
  • Your minimum annual salary requirement (needs to be a specific dollar figure).

Emails that do not contain all of this information will not be considered. Please do not send cover letters or attachments. Any application with an attachment will be discarded. Non-local candidates must be able to find transportation to Southern California to interview.

Twins To Acquire Sam Dyson

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The Twins have acquired reliever Sam Dyson from the Giants, according to Dan Hayes of The Athletic.  Tommy Birch of the Des Moines Register was first to report rumblings of the deal.  According to Birch, prospects Prelander Berroa, Jaylin Davis and Kai-Wei Teng will head to the Giants in the swap.  Dyson is the first-place Twins’ second veteran relief addition, as they picked up Sergio Romo Saturday night.  The Giants, interestingly, traded away relievers Dyson, Mark Melancon, Drew Pomeranz, and Ray Black today while keeping Madison Bumgarner and Will Smith and adding second baseman Scooter Gennett.

Dyson, 31, has posted a 2.47 ERA, 8.3 K/9, 1.2 BB/9, 0.53 HR/9, and 55% groundball rate in 51 innings for the Giants this year.  Last year, Dyson ranked ninth among MLB relievers with a 61.3% groundball rate.  Dyson’s MLB career took off after a Marlins waiver claim back in 2013, and he posted a fine 38 save campaign for the 2016 Rangers.  The Giants added Dyson in a June 2017 trade.  The righty is earning $5MM this year and will be under team control for 2020.  Dyson and Romo join a Twins bullpen led by Taylor Rogers, Ryne Harper, and Trevor May.

None of the three prospects obtained by the Giants rank within the Twins’ top 30, according to MLB.com.  Berroa, 19, is a starting pitcher out of the Dominican Republic who currently sports a 5.40 ERA across seven starts in rookie ball.  Davis, a 25-year-old outfielder, earned a promotion to Triple-A in June and is hitting a robust .298/.392/.563 with 25 home runs on the season.  Teng, 20, is a low-A starting pitcher with a 1.60 ERA over 50 2/3 innings this year.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Nationals To Acquire Roenis Elias

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After first picking up reliever Daniel Hudson from the Blue Jays, the Nationals have reached an agreement to acquire lefty Roenis Elias from the Mariners. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic was first to report a deal was close, with Joel Sherman of the New York Post indicating that Elias had indeed been traded to the Nats.  Minor leaguers Elvis Alvarado and Taylor Guilbeau will head to Seattle in the deal, according to Rosenthal.

Elias, 31 tomorrow, broke in as a starter with the Mariners in 2014 and was re-acquired by the club in April 2018 after a two-year stint with Boston.  Working exclusively out of Seattle’s pen this year, he has a 4.40 ERA, 8.6 K/9, 3.3 BB/9, 1.53 HR/9, and 34.1% groundball rate in 47 innings.  He’s faced 60 left-handed hitters in 2019, and they’ve teed off to the tune of a .353/.441/.549 batting line.  He’s been much more effective against lefties in the past.  With Hunter Strickland going down with a lat injury in April, Elias was able to slide into the Mariners’ closer role and rack up 14 saves in 16 opportunities.  Elias is earning $910K this year and is under team control through 2021.

The Nationals notoriously own the worst bullpen ERA in baseball, with their crew tallying a 5.97 ERA in 321 1/3 innings. Aside from closer Sean Doolittle, they’ve currently got Matt Grace and Tony Sipp coming out of the bullpen from the left side.  Neither has been particularly effective.  The Nationals signed veteran lefty Jonny Venters in late May and selected his contract a month later, but he’s on the IL with a shoulder strain.

Guilbeau, a lefty reliever who was promoted to Triple-A earlier this month, ranked as the Nationals’ 15th-best prospect according to MLB.com.  The site rated him as a 40 grade prospect, suggesting he can ride a mid-90s heater and above-average slider to a career as a left-handed specialist.  Alvarado was signed as an international free agent for $700K out of the Dominican Republic in 2015.  He played right field regularly in 2017 in the Dominican Summer League, moving to the mound in 2018-19 in the Gulf Coast League.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

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