Quick Hits: Schoop, Brewers, Nationals, Stroman
Jonathan Schoop is a key figure in the Brewers‘ offseason plans, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes, as the club’s decision whether or not to tender the second baseman a contract could have a ripple effect throughout the infield. Schoop is projected to earn $10.1MM via arbitration, though he is coming off a rough season that saw him hit just .233/.266/.416 over 501 plate appearances for the Brewers and Orioles. Since Schoop did post big numbers for the O’s in 2017, however, Milwaukee could keep Schoop in the fold to see if he can regain that form. If Schoop was non-tendered, the Brewers could again consider moving Travis Shaw to second base (as they did last season) and then pursue third base help, possibly in the form of a reunion with Mike Moustakas. I’d also suggest that the Brewers could simply try to acquire another second baseman if Schoop was non-tendered, as there are several interesting options available that might be preferable to taking the defensive hit that would likely come with Shaw getting regular second base duty. GM David Stearns was quick to dismiss the possibility that Keston Hiura, Milwaukee’s top prospect, could be a possibility for the second base job, as Hiura has yet to even reach the Triple-A level.
Here’s more from around baseball as we wrap up Thanksgiving weekend…
- The Nationals are thought to be “aiming higher” in their search for starting pitching rather than trying to swing buy-low trades for Marcus Stroman or Sonny Gray, Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post writes. Janes’ piece in general looks at the pitching options open to the Nats on the trade market, and while GM Mike Rizzo doesn’t often make deals for notable starters, he is willing to pay a significant price when he does covet an arm. Washington parted with seven total players to acquire Doug Fister in 2013 and Gio Gonzalez in 2011, and since those trades, Rizzo has preferred to rely on free agency or homegrown arms to bolster the rotation. With so many interesting starters available in trade talks this winter, however, it wouldn’t be surprising if Rizzo went that route instead of making another signing.
- Speaking of Stroman, the Blue Jays have been asked about the right-hander but have yet to enter into any significant trade talks. The Athletic’s Andrew Stoeten (subscription required) feels the Jays should be willing to deal Stroman even at something of a sell-low price, since a slow start in 2019 would further diminish any real trade value Stroman possesses. Since Toronto doesn’t seem to be planning to contend again until 2021, Stoeten feels the Jays should be exploring deals for any player (like Stroman) whose isn’t under team control in 2021 or beyond.
Coaching/Front Office Notes: Dodgers, Orioles, Rays
The latest on some coaching and front office personnel decisions from around the game…
- The Dodgers are expected to hire Dino Ebel as their new third base coach, Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register reports. Ebel would fill the role left behind by newly-hired Rangers manager Chris Woodward, who was also the Dodgers’ infield coach in addition to his duties in the third base box. No stranger to Los Angeles baseball, Ebel has spent the last 13 years on the Angels’ staff as a third base coach and bench coach, plus he also has an extensive background in the Dodgers organization. Ebel spent his entire six-year playing career in the Dodgers’ farm system, before going on to spend over a decade as a coach and manager at various levels of the minor league ladder.
- Orioles scouting director Gary Rajsich’s contract with the team expires at the end of November, and Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com reports that there has yet to be any word on whether or not Rajsich will continue with the organization (either in his current role or a reassigned position). Rajsich has been with the O’s since 2011, though it isn’t clear if his tenure will continue, given how the team has been overhauling its front office and new general manager Mike Elias may prefer to have his own hire in place.
- Rays minor league catching coordinator Paul Hoover looks like the favorite to become the team’s new field coordinator, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times writes. The job opened up when Rocco Baldelli was hired by the Twins to become their new manager. A former big leaguer with the Rays, Marlins, and Phillies, Hoover appeared in parts of seven MLB seasons from 2001-10, and he has been working in Tampa’s minor league system since 2012.
Free Agent Rumblings: Jones, Miller, Phillies, Eovaldi
Adam Jones hopes to keep playing “at least four or five more years,” the veteran outfielder told reporters (including MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko) this weekend at his #StayHungry Purple Tailgate charity event in Baltimore. Jones turned 33 last August and is coming off a season that saw him hit .281/.313/.419 with 15 homers over 613 plate appearances for the Orioles, making for his lowest home run and slugging average totals since 2008, and below-average run production overall (98 wRC+). Between his age and the offensive dropoff, Jones may face a difficult market as he test free agency for the first time in his 13-year career, though he is realistic about his prospects. “It’s like [being] the senior that some people want that not everybody wants, as opposed to the sophomore that everybody wants. I take it back when I was in high school and getting flirted with a little bit,” Jones said. “But at the same time, I’ve got no stress. The Orioles have been good to me financially over my career. I just know that I have a lot to offer someone else and I have a lot of gas in the tank.”
A reunion with the Orioles doesn’t appear to be in the cards for now, as Jones said that he hadn’t heard from the team since the season ended. This isn’t necessarily unusual, as Baltimore only just installed Mike Elias as its new general manager in mid-November, and Elias could have interest in re-signing a team legend to act as an on-field mentor through the Orioles’ rebuilding phase. Still, Jones’ tribute-filled final game of 2018 campaign (and his own comments following the team) certainly seemed to hint that the two sides would be parting ways.
Here’s more on some other free agents around the game….
- The Phillies are the latest team to express “active interest” in southpaw Andrew Miller, MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi reports (Twitter link). The previously-reported Cardinals and Mets are also among the teams looking at Miller, though the left-hander isn’t yet close to signing with anyone. Injuries limited Miller to just 34 innings in 2018, and likely contributed to his overall middling numbers (at least in comparison to his outstanding performance from 2014-17). Still, with such a track record, it isn’t surprising that Miller is getting lots of attention from a wide range of teams. Philadelphia is a natural suitor, as the Phils have loads of money to spend this winter and could want more of a veteran late-game presence to complement star rookie Seranthony Dominguez.
- Bryce Harper‘s name has naturally been attached to the Phillies as they seemingly prepare to embark on a spending spree, to the point that “it’s amazing how many people inside this sport almost assume that the Phillies will be the highest bidder in this auction” for Harper, The Athletic’s Jayson Stark writes (subscription required). Philadelphia has enough financial resources and available future payroll space to pursue anyone in the free agent market…or maybe even in future markets, as Stark speculates on the idea of Mike Trout and Harper both playing in the Phillies outfield in 2021. Trout still has two years left on his Angels contract, of course, and thus it’s far too early to guess at what might happen down the road, especially since the Angels have every intention of keeping their superstar. (“I would bet that Arte would spend $10 billion not to have to read the sentence: ‘Arte Moreno was the owner who let Mike Trout walk away,’ ” one executive joked to Stark.) Still, the Phillies’ financial might and their close proximity to Trout’s hometown of Millville, New Jersey make them seem like a logical candidate should Trout ever test the open market.
- Nathan Eovaldi is one of the most sought-after names on the free agent starting pitching market, yet “there is a team or two toying with trying to sign him as a reliever,” the Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo writes. Eovaldi’s superb results out of the Red Sox bullpen during their World Series run has surely contributed to this idea, and with two Tommy John surgeries to his name, a case could be made that relief work would be less stressful on Eovaldi’s arm. This being said, it would be incredibly surprising to see Eovaldi sign on as a reliever after so strongly re-establishing his credentials as a starting pitcher last season.
MLBTR Originals
Here is the last seven days’ worth of original content from the MLBTR writing staff….
- The Angels, Dodgers, Braves, and Yankees were the latest teams featured in the Projecting Payroll series by Rob Huff, who analyzes each team’s current financial commitments and past spending history to predict how much money each club could potentially have for new player acquisitions this offseason.
- We’re continuing to preview our way through each team’s winter plans in our Offseason Outlook series. This week’s entries spotlighted the Cardinals, Indians (both by Kyle Downing), Braves, Rockies (both by Jeff Todd), and the Giants (by Mark Polishuk).
- For any number of reasons, a player signed to an expensive contract may no longer be a good fit on his team’s roster. Jeff Todd compiled a list of such players who could potentially be available in trades this winter, either in pure salary dumps or perhaps cases where two teams exchange high-priced players to better fulfill each club’s need.
- Tim Dierkes published another round of survey results from the contestants in MLBTR’s Free Agent Prediction Contest. This latest set focused on where the players ranked 11th-20th on MLBTR’s Top 50 Free Agents list — Andrew McCutchen, Yusei Kikuchi, Josh Donaldson, Charlie Morton, Wilson Ramos, Marwin Gonzalez, Jeurys Familia, Zach Britton, David Robertson, and Adam Ottavino — will wind up by Opening Day.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Harper, Goldy, Arenado, Rays, Paxton
This week in baseball blogs…
- Chin Music Baseball evaluates potential landing spots for Bryce Harper, District On Deck handicaps the race for Harper, and The Runner Sports asks if the Yankees should consider signing Harper to play first base.
- Prospect Universe polls readers on whether Paul Goldschmidt or Nolan Arenado is the more desirable trade target.
- Wander Rays wonders if Tampa Bay should pursue Tigers slugger Nicholas Castellanos.
- Know Hitter, Bronx To Bushville and Pinstriped Prospects react to the James Paxton trade.
- Reviewing The Brew identifies Josh Donaldson as a free-agent possibility for the Brewers.
- Angelswin.com continues its offseason primer series for the Halos.
- Hardball Via Hardcore has several offseason ideas for the Mariners.
- MLB & Fantasy Baseball Analyzed proposes trades involving Noah Syndergaard and Zack Greinke.
- East Village Times highlights three offseason moves the Padres should make.
- The Point of Pittsburgh regards Giants relievers Will Smith and Tony Watson as sensible targets for the Pirates.
- Tomahawk Take names 15 bargain free agents the Braves could pursue.
- Call to the Pen (links: 1, 2, 3) lists teams that could trade for Goldschmidt, looks at Carlos Santana‘s future, and predicts awards winners for 2019.
- Angels Avenue offers a performance review of the Halos’ 2018 outfielders.
- Jays From the Couch ponders Russell Martin‘s future.
- Foul Territory looks back on Jacob deGrom‘s NL Cy Young-winning season.
- Baseball Rabbi (podcast) discusses World Series-winning clubs, deGrom’s place in the NL MVP race and Adrian Beltre.
- Rising Apple sees deGrom as one of a few reasons for Mets fans to be thankful this holiday season.
- PhilliesNation and Everything Bluebirds each have pieces on Roy Halladay‘s Hall of Fame chances, while SportsRadio 94 WIP opines that Scott Rolen should make it into Cooperstown.
- The Fro Zone argues that Miguel Andujar should have won AL Rookie of the Year honors.
- The First Out At Third reviews the 2018 projections for the Brewers’ hitters.
- Mets Critic wants the club to hire a bench coach with NL managerial experience.
- Motor City Bengals recaps the Arizona Fall League from the Tigers’ perspective.
- The Runner Sports profiles Astros pitching prospect Bryan Abreu.
- Rox Pile focuses on potential candidates for the openings on the Rockies’ staff.
Submissions: ZachBBWI @gmail.com
Poll: Should The Marlins Trade J.T. Realmuto This Offseason?
Entering the offseason, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that the Marlins would trade their best player, catcher J.T. Realmuto, prior to the 2019 campaign. Not only is Miami a rebuilding team whose control over Realmuto is dwindling (he’s due to become a free agent after 2020), but the 27-year-old has shown no desire to sign an extension with the club.
At this point, a trade of Realmuto hardly seems imminent, but considering the offseason’s still in its infancy, there’s ample time for a deal to come together. However, in order for that to happen, the Marlins may have to lower their asking price for Realmuto, as Buster Olney of ESPN reported Nov. 16 that the Fish are seeking a “beyond staggering” return for the All-Star backstop. Since then, National League East rival Washington – a well-known Realmuto suitor – may have taken itself out of the sweepstakes by signing Kurt Suzuki to a two-year, $10MM contract in free agency. The Nationals could still try for Realmuto, who’d form an elite tandem with Suzuki, but there’s clearly less of a need for them to pay a bounty for a catcher than there was at the outset of the offseason.
Certainly, should talks between the Nationals and Marlins end or continue to stagnate, there would still be a slew of teams interested in Realmuto. As arguably the majors’ premier catcher, Realmuto would easily improve other prospective 2019-20 contenders such as the Astros, Rockies, Mets, Athletics, Brewers, Braves and Dodgers, to name some. As of now, though, the sense from other clubs is that the Marlins will retain Realmuto heading into next season, per Olney.
Because the Marlins seem unlikely to contend in the next two years, it’s fair to wonder whether they’d be mistaken in holding Realmuto this winter. In the Marlins’ view, Realmuto’s value actually increased in 2018, according to Olney, though it may be unrealistic on their part to expect a repeat in 2019. Even if the well-rounded Realmuto continues his run as a top-tier catcher next season, his diminishing team control isn’t going to do his trade value any favors. Plus, by keeping Realmuto, Miami would run the risk of a decline in performance and/or a significant injury – either of which would be disastrous from its perspective.
While many are tired of seeing the Marlins sell off proven veterans, as they did last offseason with Giancarlo Stanton, Christian Yelich, Marcell Ozuna and Dee Gordon, they may not have a choice with Realmuto. Even after last winter’s firesale, the Marlins continue to feature a below-average farm system, according to both FanGraphs and Baseball America. Moving Realmuto would immediately better their outlook on that front, and if they’re going to trade him, it may be in their best interests to do so in the next few weeks. After all, with bona fide No. 1 options Yasmani Grandal and Wilson Ramos headlining the free-agent catcher class, Miami could soon have two fewer suitors for Realmuto if it doesn’t act quickly.
Minor MLB Transactions: 11/25/18
Keeping track of the latest minor moves from around baseball…
- Japan’s Yokohama BayStars have re-signed right-hander Spencer Patton to a two-year, $3MM guarantee with up to $1MM in incentives, Robert Murray of The Athletic tweets. A fifth-round pick of the Royals in 2011, Patton saw limited action with the Rangers (2014-15) and Cubs (2016) earlier in his professional career. Now 30 years old, Patton immigrated to Japan prior to the 2017 season and has since recorded sterling numbers – a 2.64 ERA with 10.3 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9 – over 116 innings.
- The Giants have signed righty Kieran Lovegrove to a minor league deal, per Paul Hoynes of cleveland.com. San Francisco’s the second organization for the 24-year-old Lovegrove, who had been in Cleveland’s system since it selected him in the third round of the 2012 draft. The hard-throwing, South African-born Lovegrove spent most of last season at the Double-A level, where he pitched to a 3.46 ERA with 8.77 K/9 and 6.23 BB/9 in 39 frames. FanGraphs’ David Laurila profiled and interviewed Lovegrove earlier this month.
Angels Hire Shawn Wooten As Assistant Hitting Coach
The Angels have promoted Shawn Wooten to assistant hitting coach, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports. Wooten, who served as the Angels’ minor league assistant hitting coordinator last season, will work under hitting coach Jeremy Reed in Anaheim.
The 46-year-old Wooten is a longtime member of the Angels organization, having spent the majority of his major league career on their roster before entering the coaching ranks. The former catcher and corner infielder was in Anaheim from 2000-03, during which he was part of the franchise’s only World Series-winning team (2002), before playing parts of the next two seasons with the Phillies and Red Sox. His career wrapped up in 2008 after a combined three years in the minors with the Twins, Mets and Padres.
Wooten’s hiring is the third that new manager Brad Ausmus has made since assuming the reins in October. The club previously added Reed and tabbed Doug White as its pitching coach.
Latest On Indians’ Top Starters
The Yankees and Mariners pulled off a blockbuster trade on Monday, when New York sent three prospects – including left-hander Justus Sheffield – to Seattle for southpaw James Paxton. But before that deal went down, there was a possibility of the Yankees returning Sheffield to the Indians, his first professional organization.
Paul Hoynes of cleveland.com reports the Indians likely could have accepted a Sheffield-fronted package for any of Corey Kluber, Carlos Carrasco and Trevor Bauer, whom they’ve discussed with the Yankees. In the end, however, the two sides couldn’t match up, as Hoynes writes that the Mariners placed a higher value on Sheffield than the Indians did. According to Hoynes, Cleveland still likes Sheffield, whom it chose in the first round of the 2014 draft but later traded to the Yankees in a 2016 deal headlined by reliever Andrew Miller. Still, it’s no surprise that the Tribe elected against trading any of its ace-caliber starters to reunite with the 22-year-old Sheffield.
If Cleveland’s going to move Kluber, Carrasco or Bauer, Hoynes relays that it’ll need to receive a return that would unquestionably help the club stay atop the American League Central, a division it has won three years in a row. Conversely, the Mariners don’t figure to contend in 2019, so they were more willing to accept a future-oriented package for Paxton. In addition to the well-regarded Sheffield, Paxton brought back a pair of non-elite prospects in righty Erik Swanson and outfielder Dom Thompson-Williams.
Even if the Indians were to subtract one of Kluber, Carrasco or Bauer, starting pitching wouldn’t be a weak point for the club, as it also counts Mike Clevinger, Shane Bieber, Danny Salazar and Triston McKenzie among its rotation possibilities. The team’s outfield is an obvious concern, on the other hand, and as Kyle Downing of MLBTR pointed out in previewing the Indians’ offseason, it would make more sense for a Kluber, Carrasco or Bauer trade to net them a cheap, controllable solution in that area.
If the Indians do part with any of their three right-handed stars this offseason, each would warrant a greater return than Paxton. The Big Maple, who’s down to his final two years of arbitration eligibility, hasn’t been as durable as any member of Cleveland’s trio. There’s also a rather strong case to be made that he simply isn’t as good as Kluber, Carrasco or Bauer.
Few have been able to combine dominance and durability like the 32-year-old Kluber dating back to his 2014 breakout. The two-time AL Cy Young winner also comes with up to three years of team control. Kluber’s due $17MM next year, and after that, his employer will have decisions to make on a $17.5MM club option in 2020 and an $18MM option in ’21. Barring major injury issues or a noticeable downturn in performance, those options will be exercised.
Like Paxton, both Carrasco and Bauer have two years of team control left. Carrasco will earn $9MM in 2019 and perhaps another $9.5MM by way of a club option in 2020, though that figure could increase based on AL Cy Young voting. Bauer’s future salaries are less certain than his two teammates’, but he’s projected to earn an affordable sum – $11.6MM – in his second-last year of arbitration eligibility. Although the 27-year-old doesn’t yet have the long-term track record of Kluber or Carrasco, Bauer may have been better than both of them in 2018, when he logged a 2.21 ERA/2.44 FIP with 11.34 K/9 and 2.93 BB/9 in 175 1/3 innings.
It’s unclear whether the Indians will trade any of their three No. 1 starters in the coming months, but their futures will undoubtedly be among the majors’ most interesting storylines this offseason. Kluber, Carrasco and Bauer, along with Noah Syndergaard (Mets), Zack Greinke (Diamondbacks), Madison Bumgarner (Giants) and free agents Patrick Corbin and Dallas Keuchel, appear to be the best starters who have at least some chance to end up on the move prior to the 2019 campaign.
Olney’s Latest: Goldy, Yanks, Astros, Pollock, Brantley, Cutch, Mariners
It’s unclear whether the Diamondbacks will trade their franchise player, first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, though Buster Olney of ESPN (subscription required) hears from rival evaluators that they are “intent” on dealing the 31-year-old. While Goldschmidt has consistently been one of the majors’ best players during his career, it’s unlikely the Diamondbacks would receive a significant haul in exchange for his final year of team control, observes Olney, who notes that most contenders aren’t seeking a first baseman. But St. Louis and Houston continue to show a good amount of interest in Goldschmidt, per Olney, which jibes with a previous report from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Olney adds that rival clubs believe the Astros have seemingly tried to move young right-hander J.B. Bukauskas, their eighth-ranked prospect at MLB.com, in trade talks. Similarly, the Yankees were “pushing” left-handed pitching prospect Justus Sheffield in Goldschmidt discussions, Olney reports. Sheffield’s no longer in the picture for New York, though, as it traded him to Seattle this week in a deal for lefty James Paxton.
- Back to Houston, which has been shopping near the top of the market for free-agent outfielders, according to Olney, who lists A.J. Pollock, Andrew McCutchen and Michael Brantley among their targets. Unless the Astros deem soon-to-be 22-year-old prospect Kyle Tucker ready for a full-time role, they have an opening in the outfield, where George Springer and Josh Reddick are their only obvious starters. Signing Pollock, a center fielder, would enable them to move Springer back to a corner after he spent the majority of 2017-18 in center. Pollock’s likely to rake in the biggest payday of the trio, though; further, given that Pollock comes with a qualifying offer attached, adding him would also cost the Astros their second-highest draft pick in 2019 and $500K in international pool space.
- The Mariners have been the most active team on the trade market this offseason, having already dealt Paxton and catcher Mike Zunino. With aggressive general manager Jerry Dipoto at the helm and the M’s desire to take a step back in 2019, more trades involving their veterans are likely on the way. However, it continues to look as though the Mariners will keep their two top players, outfielder Mitch Haniger and closer Edwin Diaz. It would take overwhelming offers for the Mariners to seriously consider moving either Haniger or Diaz, Olney tweets. Both stars are controllable for the next four years, including another pre-arbitration season apiece.