Our thoughts at MLB Trade Rumors are with Braves left-hander Matt Marksberry and his friends and family, as David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes that the 26-year-old is being treated for “severe dehydration” at an Orlando-area hospital after originally going in for a non-baseball procedure. As O’Brien writes, Marksberry’s brother said on Facebook earlier today that he was on life support, though O’Brien cites multiple people familiar with the situation in stating that Marksberry is unconscious but has stable vital signs. Earlier this week, Marksberry tweeted: “I don’t want to sound selfish but I really could use some prayers for my health right now. Non baseball related. Thank you guys.” While the specifics surrounding Marksberry’s health are unclear, it seems certain that the complications he’s currently battling could be fairly severe. MLBTR wishes him a quick return to full health.
As we keep the young left-hander in our thoughts, a few notes on the game’s Eastern divisions…
- Orioles closer Zach Britton is very cognizant of the fact that the team traded former closer Jim Johnson when Johnson’s salary reached a level that Britton is projected to surpass this winter, he tells Dan Connolly of BaltimoreBaseball.com. “You saw it with Jim Johnson, once the salary got up to a certain point, he got traded,” said Britton. “I think I’m kind of approaching there. So I don’t know how long I’m going to be here. You see how many relievers are on the move nowadays. But it’d be nice to stay here.” Britton says he’s open to a contract extension and has enjoyed his time in Baltimore since being drafted as an 18-year-old but added that much of the onus to bring those talks about lies on the team. As Connolly writes, the O’s have been reluctant in the past to negotiate with players on the heels of career years, and Britton’s 2016 season was not only the best of his career but one of the best of any reliever in recent history. In 67 innings, Britton posted an unthinkable 0.54 ERA, averaging 9.9 K/9 against 2.4 BB/9 and recording a ridiculous 80 percent ground-ball rate along the way.
- Chad Jennings of the LoHud Journal News writes that had the Yankees made the postseason, they’d have somewhat surprisingly been among the least-reliant teams upon free agency in the playoffs. The Yankees are leaning more and more away from free agency these days, Jennings notes, shifting their focus to trades and player development instead. Though the Yankees have needs in both the rotation and the bullpen, Jennings surmises that the rotation help the Yankees figure to seek is likelier to come from trades than free agency, also noting that if there’s an asset in which the team will invest on the open market, a high-end reliever makes the most sense.
- Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins spoke highly of vice president of baseball operations Ben Cherington, Evan Drellich of the Boston Herald writes. The Twins “pushed hard” to persuade Cherington to lead their baseball operations department, per Drellich, but Cherington seems to have preferred a more low-key job that allows him to maintain a more normal routine. That may sound counter-intuitive, though as former Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos (now the Dodgers’ VP of baseball ops) explained to Drellich, the urgency to hold the coveted GM title is a bit reduced after already running a baseball ops department. As for Cherington’s role with the Jays, Atkins tells Drellich that Cherington will be involved in many facets of baseball operations: “I call him on a very regular basis on every front. And he’ll be involved in all of our offseason strategy, he’ll be involved in our draft, he’ll be involved in the international process. I’d imagine he’ll help negotiate contracts.”
- The Nationals expect their entire coaching staff to return, tweets Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post. As Castillo points out, that’s a complete 180-degree turn from last offseason, when the Nats fired not only manager Matt Williams, but nearly the entire coaching staff. In addition to bringing in manager Dusty Baker in 2016, the Nats hired veteran pitching coach Mike Maddux, baserunning guru/first base coach Davey Lopes, assistant hitting coach Jacque Jones, bench coach Chris Speier and bullpen coach Dan Firova. Each of those men will return for another season with the Nats, as will hitting coach Rick Schu and third base coach Bob Henley.
Orlando spelled “OrlandO”
That’s certainly a new typo for me. Thank you.
Pronounced Orlandohhhhhhh
Poor marksberry
I think the O’s will look at both options this offseason with Britton. They will most likely look for an extension first but if the two sides are far apart on a deal, they will probably look for trade partners (which I don’t think will be hard to find). They could look the prospect route or a 1 or solid 2 SP by trading him.
Is Raimel Tapia a fit for Baltimore? The Rockies would love a ground ball pitcher like Britton and have little room in their outfield.
Of course, the Rox may need to chip a bit more even though they would be taking on some decent money.
Job well done Steve Adams, and MLBTR as a whole.
Thank you for bringing some awareness to a young man that needs all the help and prayers he can get..
In the past year, Matt Marksberry has got a small taste of his dreams coming true. Hopefully, first, he can get his health back on track and continue to live a healthy, productive life. Then, hopefully he can continue cementing his status as a ML, LHP out of Atlanta’s Pen.
Let us all wish Matt Marksberry a speedy recovery, and to let him know he has the full support and prayers of baseball fans and Atlanta fans alike!!
As much as all of us who visit here love baseball, the truth is sometimes it takes a backseat to life.
My prayers go out to Marksberry and hope he has a speedy and full recovery.
Unless the O’s give Britton an extension, they should trade him. He’s probably going to price himself out of their range eventually and it makes sense to get as much as they can for him while his value is highest considering they poor farm system. I get that they want to continue competing but their window might only be open for one more year, if its not closed by now.
Good point. Tought to lock him down a a contract even for his arbitration years with boras, as he pushes going year to year for everyone unless can get something tilted entirely towards the player.
Duquette may have little choice but to keep him just 1 more season before getting forced to move him, same type (even close) next year and he’ll make more than most in year 5 season than do others in FA contracts, no mid market GM and especially one as smart as Duquette will pay that.
You can scream this Bora’shate all you want, but the facts are, BBora’s does what his client wants. If Britton wanted to stay in Baltimore bad enough, it would happen.
Exactly. CarGo, Weaver, and Strasburg just to name a few signed deals that gave up significant free agent seasons to stay with their teams before reaching free agency. You’re likely not to get an incredible deal for the free agent years, but you can still lock up guys with Boras as their agent.
Seems odd. Look at his brother’s FB page and a lot of people are calling him out for spreading false rumors. Sad and surprising that he was just DFA’d the other day. Only 25 and had an excellent season in AAA.
Just to clarify, he was not DFA’d but outrighted to AA to clear his spot on the 40-man roster. Prayers are up that he’ll regain full health first, then can go to work and earn his way back to Atlanta. But right now, I believe we’ll all settle for full health.
You can’t trade Britton now, Buck’s saving him for the ALDS!!
I don’t think it was just salary alone that lead the Orioles to trade Jim Johnson. I believe it had more to do with the return on investment., as Johnson began to lose effectiveness. Britton should be okay for now, as long as he continues doing what he’s doing.
The O’s will be tempted to move Britton after seeing the haul the Yanks got for Chapman and Miller, Britton might get even more talent. The bottom line is they are in a division that is up and down with a lot of parity. The Sox and O’s were at the bottom of the division in 15 and on top this year. O’s have to make all the right moves to win, losing Trumbo will hurt. Teams can’t miss of long term contract; Machado is a must for them to sign long term.
Yeah, after being a two-team show for so long the AL East has had all of its teams on top the last several years.
Smart teams are holding to top young talent, locking them up long term, and trading for young talent. The Yanks above all others realize that long term contracts for free agents is costly. Cashman has done a great job transitioning the Yanks. Although teams are always tempted to sign that one free agent that puts them over the top. This winter teams are trying to find the answer with players like Chapman, Jansen, Melancon, EE, and Napoli
Not a doctor or any thing but that situation sounds like kidney failure
Am I the only one who thinks that Bob Sendley needs to go?
As the O’s did with Johnson just trade Britton to the A’s. I’m sure Billy and staffs will love to have him on board…
Hate to be nosey/presumptive but hipaa only applies to athletes when the club wants it to. Went in for a “procedure” far from home: doubtful, “support system”-rehab term. Life support for dehydration…get serious! Anaphylactic reaction from Dehydration- dehydration is not an allergen. I may be wrong and sincerely apologize if I am but the simplest answer is that Matt did not receive enough banana bags and “calm pills”,had a Seizure during detox and had to be transferred to an icu to stabilize medically. I would not be presuming if he had been up front with the fans instead of vague request followed by outlandish claims. Rehab is nothing to be ashamed of. Unless you hate quitters… lol good luck Matt and in the future don’t hide behind hippa. Us fans are average joes and no one is above addiction (*drinks a sip). Again sorry if u flew across the country to see the top endocrinologist/neurosurgeon and developed anaphylactic dehydration and are currently on a vent throwing a -5 gcs. I’m praying for you either way.
So I’m hearing colonoscopy w/ anesthesia induced seizure- What was reported was he had a anaphylactic reaction from dehydration. Rectal bleeding w/ corresponding labs would prompt a colonoscopy. And understandable a kid his age would hide that embarrassing procedure, but my presumption was probable and rationale at the time w/ the facts presented. No Malicious intent- I apologize and wish the young man a speedy recovery.