Mariners, Sam Travis Agree To Minor League Deal
The Mariners announced that they and first baseman/outfielder Sam Travis have agreed to a minor league contract. Travis was previously with the Rangers, who acquired him from the Red Sox in January.
Travis was a second-round pick in 2014 who was once regarded as a high-end prospect. He was quite productive in Boston’s minor league system through 2017, but success in the majors has been hard to come by so far. The 27-year-old hit a subpar .230/.288/.371 with seven home runs in 278 plate appearances as a member of the Red Sox from 2017-19. He didn’t appear in the majors last season.
Travis will now join a team that has a set first baseman in Evan White. While White didn’t hit much in 2020, the Mariners signed him to a six-year, $24MM contract before then, and he went on to win a Gold Glove Award as a rookie. Travis has also seen some action in the corner outfield, though, so he could factor in there for the Mariners if he earns a roster spot.
Staten Island Yankees Cease Operations; Team Files Lawsuit Against Yankees, MLB
In the latest negative minor league baseball news, the longtime Single-A Yankees affiliate in Staten Island announced Thursday on Twitter that it has ceased operations and will sue both the Yankees and Major League Baseball.
In part of its statement (all of which is available at the link), the Staten Island club said, “The New York Yankees announced on November 7, 2020 that the Staten Island Yankees were no longer part of the Yankees minor league affiliation structure, even though the Yankees had made repeated assurances we would always be a minor league partner.”
Staten Island is under the impression the Yankees want them to become an “unaffiliated” team, which the minors club doesn’t believe would make for “a sustainable business entity.” As such, Staten Island is stopping operations, and the team has “filed a lawsuit against the New York Yankees and Major League Baseball to hold those entities accountable for false promises.”
This continues a brutal year for minor league baseball, which didn’t even have a 2020 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic and is facing a “radical restructuring” that could eliminate a slew of teams. Staten Island, which has been a Yankees affiliate since 1999, appears as if it will fall victim to these unfortunate circumstances.
Rangers Sign Joe Gatto, Scott Heineman To Major League Deals
The Rangers have signed right-hander Joe Gatto to a major league contract, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. They also re-signed outfielder Scott Heineman to a majors pact, TR Sullivan of MLB.com tweets. The team non-tendered Heineman on Wednesday. He has a split contract that would pay him $595K in the majors, per Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News.
It’s somewhat surprising that Gatto, who hasn’t pitched above Double-A ball to this point, received a big league deal. The 25-year-old spent a large portion of 2018 in Double-A and all of 2019 there with the Angels organization. He combined for a 5.36 ERA with 7.3 K/9 against 4.4 BB/9 in 131 innings during those two seasons.
While Gatto hasn’t had great success in Double-A, he was a prospect of note during his younger days. A second-round pick of the Angels in 2014, Gatto ranked as one of their top 10 prospects at Baseball America during his first couple years with the franchise. Back when the team drafted him, Gatto was seen as one of the most talented righties to come out of New Jersey in recent memory.
Heineman, 27, has been with the Rangers since they used an 11th-rounder on him in 2015. He has often mashed in the minors, including when he hit .340/.412/.553 in 182 Triple-A plate appearances in 2019, but his success there hasn’t translated to the bigs. Heineman owns a .189/.259/.331 line with three home runs in 139 plate appearances as a Ranger.
Athletics Name Mark Kotsay Third Base Coach
The Athletics announced that Mark Kotsay will take over as their third base coach in 2021. He’ll succeed Al Pedrique, whom the team parted with in October. The rest of the A’s coaching staff from last season will remain intact.
Kotsay is a former major league outfielder who spent part of his career (2004-07) as a member of the A’s. Since his playing days ended in 2013, Kotsay has garnered coaching and front office experience with a pair of teams. The Padres, with whom he also played, hired him as a special assistant and then a hitting coach in 2014. He spent a year there before heading back to Oakland.
The third base coach role will be the third different assignment Kotsay has had during his time on the A’s staff. He started as their bench coach but later became their quality control coach. Kotsay has since generated managerial interest around the majors, including from the Tigers this offseason. The 44-year-old figures to remain on other teams’ radars going forward.
Thomas Eshelman Clears Waivers, Elects Free Agency
The Orioles announced Thursday that right-hander Thomas Eshelman has cleared waivers and rejected an outright assignment in favor of free agency. He was designated for assignment when the O’s set their roster in advance of the Rule 5 Draft and is now able to sign with any club.
Eshelman, 26, posted a solid 3.89 ERA in 34 2/3 innings with the Orioles in 2020, but his numbers beyond that mark are far less encouraging. The 2015 second-rounder managed only 16 strikeouts against nine walks in that time, and he was tagged for seven home runs in that time as well. Eshelman has tallied 70 2/3 innings in the Majors to this point in his still-young career but has punched out just 38 hitters while walking 20. Unlike many low-strikeout hurlers, he’s not at all a ground-ball pitcher, inducing grounders at a 33.6 percent clip against a 41.3 percent fly-ball rate.
In parts of three seasons at the Triple-A level, Eshelman carries a 4.12 ERA with averages of 6.5 strikeouts and just 1.9 walks per nine innings pitched, and he has a pair of minor league options still remaining. That track record and flexibility makes him a sensible depth pickup for a team in need of pitching depth, though he’ll very likely be looking at a minor league pact in free agency.
Ng: Bullpen Is Marlins’ Top Priority
The Marlins’ postseason berth and series victory over the Cubs surprised much of the baseball world, and as they take steps with the hopes of a return to October baseball, newly appointed general manager Kim Ng tells reporters in Miami that the bullpen is her team’s primary focus this winter (Twitter link via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald). While Ng acknowledged that she would “love” to add another bat to the mix, the ongoing lack of clarity with regard to a National League designated hitter in 2021 clouds such pursuits.
[Related: Miami Marlins Offseason Outlook]
Miami has already shuffled its relief mix early in the offseason, opting to decline closer Brandon Kintzler‘s $4MM option in favor of a $250K buyout, non-tendering right-hander Ryne Stanek, and acquiring righty Adam Cimber in a trade with the Indians. Cimber joins right-hander Yimi Garcia and lefty Richard Bleier as part of the team’s late-inning mix, but the Fish are lacking experienced veterans and more proven young arms alike.
Under previous president of baseball operations Michael Hill, the Marlins had done well to wait out the relief market and bring in some affordable names on low-cost deals late in the offseason. Miami landed Sergio Romo on a one-year deal in 2019 and flipped him to the Twins in a deal that netted first base prospect Lewin Diaz, and this past winter’s signing of Kintzler paid dividends when the 36-year-old tallied a dozen saves with a 2.22 ERA (albeit with much less-convincing peripheral marks).
At this point, it’s not known whether the club will take a more aggressive approach to bullpen construction under Ng’s watch, although it would be understandable if the 2020 playoff bid prompted some increased urgency. At the moment, the Marlins have $33.15MM committed to five players: Starling Marte, Corey Dickerson, Miguel Rojas, Jesus Aguilar and Garrett Cooper. That figure could jump another $9MM or so base on still-pending arbitration cases for Garcia, Bleier, Cimber, Brian Anderson and Jorge Alfaro. Even an aggressive slate of projections would only put payroll in the $60MM range.
It’s a good winter to be in the market for bullpen help, as we’ve already seen several quality names have options for the 2021 season declined. Several more who had solid 2020 seasons — Archie Bradley, Matt Wisler, Ryan Tepera among them — were cut loose prior to yesterday’s non-tender deadline. Certainly, the trade market poses countless other options, and the Marlins have a quality farm system from which to deal if they choose to go that route.
Turning to some in-house business for the Marlins, it was notable — as pointed out by Sportsgrid’s Craig Mish — to hear Ng indicate that her preference is to see third baseman Brian Anderson play for a year before engaging in long-term contract negotiations. The 27-year-old has been Miami’s best and most consistent player for several seasons, hitting at a combined .266/.350/.436 clip with 42 home runs, 74 doubles and six triples across his past three seasons (1419 plate appearances). Anderson has proven himself capable of playing quality defense at both third base and in right field.
Mish reported back in July that the two sides had been discussing a five-year deal in the range of $30MM guaranteed, but those talks took place prior to the league’s shutdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic. For the time being, at least, it doesn’t appear as though they’ll resume this winter. That doesn’t rule out an eventual long-term deal for Anderson, however, as the Marlins still control him through the 2023 season.
Twins, Taylor Rogers Avoid Arbitration
After hammering out deals with the rest of their arbitration class last night, the Twins have now also agreed to a one-year deal with left-hander Taylor Rogers, tweets Dan Hayes of The Athletic. Rogers, who has served as the Twins’ primary closer over the past two seasons, will be paid a $6MM salary next year.
Rogers, 30 in two weeks, had a handful of rough outings in 2020 but has emerged as one of the more effective lefties in the game over the past several seasons. Dating back to 2018, he’s given the Twins 157 1/3 innings of 2.80 ERA ball with a 2.62 FIP to support that mark. Along the way, he’s tallied 41 saves and averaged 10.8 strikeouts, 1.8 walks and 0.74 homers per nine frames while inducing grounders at a solid 46.7 percent clip. Rogers did post a 4.05 ERA in 20 innings this past season, but a 24-to-4 K/BB ratio and a sterling 2.84 FIP paint a more favorable picture.
Rogers’ return will give the Twins some continuity, but the surprising decision to non-tender Matt Wisler thinned out a bullpen that was already facing a good bit of turnover. Trevor May has already signed with the Mets, and the Twins declined their $5MM option on veteran Sergio Romo. Right-hander Tyler Clippard, too, is a free agent. Those four pitchers combined for 94 2/3 innings of 2.85 ERA ball with a 122-to-32 K/BB ratio and eight saves in 2020. Suffice it to say there’s some work to be done.
This was the third of four trips through the arbitration process for Rogers, who first qualified as a Super Two player following the 2018 season. The Twins control him through the 2022 season. With Rogers’ deal now in place, the Twins are already done with their entire arbitration class. They non-tendered left fielder Eddie Rosario and Wisler last night while also announcing one-year deals with right-hander Jose Berrios ($6.1MM), center fielder Byron Buxton ($5.125MM), righty Tyler Duffey ($2.2MM) and catcher Mitch Garver ($1.875MM).
Those moves place the team’s 2021 payroll at about $92MM — or about $40MM shy of what would’ve been last year’s Opening Day payroll mark, as was projected to be the case in our Offseason Outlook on the Twins. It’s not clear just how aggressively owner Jim Pohlad is willing to spend in the aftermath of 2020’s revenue losses, but in addition to the glaring needs in the bullpen and the likely hunt for a rotation upgrade, the team has also been negotiating a potential return with designated hitter Nelson Cruz.
Complete List Of Non-Tendered Players
The non-tender deadline has passed. Some of the more notable non-tenders included Kyle Schwarber, David Dahl, Archie Bradley, Eddie Rosario, Adam Duvall, Maikel Franco, Nomar Mazara, and Carlos Rodon.
Here’s the full list of players who were non-tendered and became free agents today. You can view our full free agent tracker here.
Catchers
Curt Casali (32)
Chadwick Tromp (26)
Tony Wolters (29)
First Basemen
Rangel Ravelo (29)
Danny Santana (30)
Second Basemen
Hanser Alberto (28)
Kyle Farmer (30) – immediately signed MLB deal afterward
Greg Garcia (31)
Shortstops
Jeison Guzman (22)
Daniel Robertson (27)
Third Basemen
Maikel Franco (28)
Travis Shaw (31)
Left Fielders
David Dahl (27)
Adam Duvall (32)
Eddie Rosario (29)
Kyle Schwarber (28)
Center Fielders
Albert Almora (27)
Delino DeShields (28)
Brian Goodwin (30)
Scott Heineman (28)
Erick Mejia (26)
Bubba Starling (28)
Right Fielders
Ben Gamel (29)
Nomar Mazara (26)
Tyler Naquin (30)
Jace Peterson (31)
Designated Hitters
Jose Martinez (32)
Starting Pitchers
Tyler Anderson (31)
Chi Chi Gonzalez (29)
Foster Griffin (25)
Ariel Jurado (25)
Carlos Rodon (28)
Jefry Rodriguez (27)
Jose Urena (29)
Right-Handed Relievers
Melvin Adon (26)
R.J. Alaniz (30)
Justin Anderson (28)
Matt Andriese (31)
Archie Bradley (28)
John Brebbia (31)
A.J. Cole (29)
Edgar Garcia (24)
Rico Garcia (27)
Jimmy Herget (27)
Jonathan Holder (28)
Clay Holmes (28)
Keynan Middleton (27)
Hansel Robles (30)
Carlos Sanabria (24)
Paul Sewald (31)
Ryne Stanek (29)
Ryan Tepera (33)
Nick Tropeano (30)
Matt Wisler (28)
Left-Handed Relievers
Alex Claudio (29)
Hoby Milner (30)
Chasen Shreve (30)
National League Non-Tenders
With revenue losses expected to result in reduced payrolls around baseball, a larger number of players than usual are expected to be let go by their current teams by tonight’s 7pm CT non-tender deadline. Some of these players could end up re-signing with their teams for salaries below what they were projected (by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz) to earn through the arbitration process, or teams could end up simply opting to explore other options…with many of those options arriving on the market through this same non-tender process.
You can track all of the arbitration and non-tender activity here, and we’ll also run through the list of National League players who have been let go in this post.
- Southpaw Tyler Anderson was cut loose by the Giants, per MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand (via Twitter). The 30-year-old had a high-variability arbitration situation this year after turning in a solid bounceback effort in San Francisco. Anderson ended the season with 59 2/3 innings of 4.37 ERA ball, with 6.2 K/9 against 3.8 BB/9. The club also non-tendered infielder Daniel Robertson, Tim Dierkes of MLBTR tweets, as well as righties Melvin Adon and Rico Garcia, and catcher Chadwick Tromp, per Kerry Crowley of the Bay Area News Group.
Earlier Non-Tenders
- The Cardinals non-tendered righty John Brebbia and outfielder Rangel Ravelo, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch tweets. Brebbia had played a significant role in the St. Louis pen for his first three MLB campaigns but is still recovering from mid-2020 Tommy John surgery.
- Right-handed reliever Clay Holmes has been non-tendered by the Pirates, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette was among those to cover on Twitter. The 27-year-old hurler made it into just one MLB contest in 2020 owing to a forearm injury.
- The Marlins have decided not to tender a contract to righty Ryne Stanek, Craig Mish of Sports Grid first tweeted. He joins fellow right-hander Jose Urena in departing via non-tender. (Urena had already been designated for assignment.) Stanek, 29, struggled with the free pass in limited action this year but has been a quality, high-strikeout arm in the past and could be an interesting name to watch on the open market.
- In addition to Shreve, the Mets announced the non-tenders of righties Ariel Jurado, Paul Sewald, and Nick Tropeano.
- The Mets will not tender a contract to left-handed reliever Chasen Shreve, Robert Murray of FanSided tweets. Shreve performed reasonably well in 2020, logging a 3.96 ERA/3.99 FIP with 12.24 K/9 and 4.32 BB/9 in 25 innings, but the Mets will nonetheless move on instead of paying him around $1MM in arbitration.
- The Padres won’t tender a contract to infielder Greg Garcia, reports Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune (Twitter link). Garcia, 31, posted a woeful .200/.279/.250 batting line in 2020, albeit in a tiny sample of 71 plate appearances. In parts of two seasons with the Friars, he slashed .240/.351/.337, but the team opted not to give him a raise on last year’s $1.5MM salary.
- The Reds have non-tendered outfielder Brian Goodwin, he announced on Twitter (hat tip to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com). Goodwin, whom the Reds acquired from the Angels over the summer, slashed .215/.299/.417 with six home runs and five stolen bases over 164 plate appearances between the teams in 2020. He was due to earn a projected $2.7MM to $3.6MM in arbitration.
- The Cubs have told Jose Martinez he isn’t being tendered a contract, ESPN.com’s Jesse Rogers reports (Twitter link). Acquired from the Rays in a deadline deal, Martinez went hitless over 22 plate appearances with Chicago, only reaching base once on a walk. The 32-year-old mashed for the Cardinals from 2016-18, but delivered closer to league-average production in 2019 with St. Louis and with the Rays last season prior to the trade.
Domingo Santana To Sign With Japan’s Yakult Swallows
Slugger Domingo Santana is crossing the Pacific for the 2021 season, according to a report from MLB.com’s Jon Morosi (via Twitter). The veteran outfielder is said to have agreed to a contract with Japan’s Yakult Swallows, the details of which remain unknown at this time.
Santana, 28, returned to the open market recently when the Indians declined a club option. He’ll now hope for a resurgence in Nippon Professional Baseball, the top level of play outside of North America.
While he has generally been a productive hitter in the majors, Santana hasn’t always done quite enough damage to make up for his defensive limitations. At his best — in 2017 with the Brewers — he swatted thirty long balls and turned in a full season of 126 wRC+ hitting, making it easy to overlook the questionable work in the outfield grass. At his work — in 2020 with the Indians — a rough offensive stretch left Santana a below-replacement-level performer.
It’s not difficult to imagine a prodigious offensive output from Santana in Japan. He’s still rather young and has typically reached base at a solid enough clip to tamp down any worries with his usually hefty strikeout tally.