Let’s take a look at some of the latest news and notes from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports:
- Contrary to reports at the time, the Nationals never contacted Dave Dombrowski during his brief open market run earlier this year, says Rosenthal. That only serves to reinforce the notion that GM (and president of baseball operations) Mike Rizzo is not in jeopardy — barring some as-yet unknown conflict between him and ownership. Manager Matt Williams is another matter, of course, and Rosenthal notes that it will be interesting to see how the organization proceeds in assessing its options given Rizzo’s very public support for the man he hired to lead the club on the field.
- There are some rumblings that Braves players are “frustrated” with skipper Fredi Gonzalez, per the report. Gonzalez has seen his share of replacement rumors, but is under contract through next year. Rosenthal suggests the club may be looking ahead at a new manager for 2017, but queries whether an earlier move should be considered.
- The Yankees are holding their breath on Nathan Eovaldi’s elbow, as noted earlier today. Rosenthal notes that the team was aware there was some risk given the relatively young age at which the now-25-year-old underwent Tommy John surgery. Interestingly, he adds that one motivating factor in acquiring Eovaldi was that New York noticed significant splits between the righty’s work with poorly-rated framer Jarrod Saltalamacchia (4.85 ERA last year) and the well-regarded Jeff Mathis (3.58 ERA).
- Rosenthal also takes an initial look at valuing free agent-to-be Jeff Samardzija of the White Sox. The 30-year-old might be left looking to match James Shields (four years, $75MM) after his uninspiring campaign. Shields obviously had a much more consistent record of quality results, of course, but was significantly older and had accumulated nearly 1,000 more innings when he hit the market. (Note: if you’re interested in reading more on Samardzija’s market situation, check out the lengthy analysis from MLBTR’s Steve Adams in a recent edition of the MLBTR Mailbag.)
This has been gone over since that Eovaldi deal 1st occurred.. There was NO risk involved. The Yankees were getting a 25YO potential #3-4 Starter and were taking back the salary liability contract (5m.. That’s all) of Garret Jones. A paltry sum, but to someone like Loria? That’s all it takes sometimes to force a terrible deal for powerless corner guys (Prado), who have both poor OBP and are getting over paid. making the deal even more odd by Marlin’s standards.
The Yankees also paid a good chunk of Prado’s salary and the Marlins seem to love him. The risk was relatively low on the Yankees end, but I didn’t hate the deal for the Marlins either.
New York chipped in some (3m annually) but not enough to offset the balance of the loss of Eovaldi for 3y, by having to pay Prado 8m still the next to seasons themselves for what he produces on the field.
They ended up giving NY 8m total salary (3m paid by them for Prado this year +Jones 5m) and the loss of Eovaldi over the next 3y. They already had Haren from LA and gotten them to Pay his 10m deal. Then signed Latos to the FA deal a week or so earlier. They (at the time) had options, without giving up one of the people with the most “potential” upside in the rotation, outside of of course Fernandez and Alvarez.
Koehler was the obvious one to go last offseason, though Loria and his spending habits.. Eovaldi was 1st time arbitration eligible, Koehler (that time) 2y under his belt. Which one does a tight fisted owner move? Not the one a team that wants to win move, but looking at the bottom line and I say this as a Marlin’s fan also.
This team had already gotten LA to give them 10m in the Haren deal.. But oh no.. Loria wants more free millions.
That implies the Marlins wanted three more years of Eovaldi. Even though the advanced stats were kinda to him than traditional ones, he did give up a ton of hits. Loria may be the biggest cheapskate owner in baseball, but I would’ve taken Prado over Eovaldi last year.
The Latos and Gordon trades were horrible. The Prado deal is fine until Domingo German comes back strong from TJ surgery. Those first 2 deals make that one worse when it happens
There are only now rumblings? Yeah right.
I cannot believe this is the only thing that has gotten out against Fredi, with all the fervor against him. What is he putting into the water that makes Schuerholz, Cox so gaga for him? The way the team has played the 2nd half is more damning them how good they played before the All-Star Break, which he signed an extension for.
It’ll be interesting to see how the White Sox and Samardzija approach the QO. I imagine they’ll offer and he’ll likely reject, but I’d take it if I were him. A 16 million dollar pillow contract sounds pretty good.