Major League Baseball’s owners and players might not agree to a new collective bargaining agreement before the Dec. 1 expiration of the current CBA, but a lockout isn’t guaranteed if they don’t, reports Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. Instead, business could continue under the soon-to-be old CBA as the two sides keep negotiating toward a new deal, even if doing so takes them through spring training.
Here’s more from Cafardo:
- Although there are some appealing designated hitter types on the free agent market, teams are showing interest in Tigers DH Victor Martinez, according to Cafardo. Given that the Tigers are aiming to get younger and cut payroll, trading Martinez would seem to make sense, as he’ll turn 38 in December and is owed $36MM over the next two years. However, in addition to his lofty salary, Martinez’s 10-and-5 rights could put the kibosh on a potential deal. The switch-hitter recovered from a miserable 2015 to slash .289/.351/.476 with 27 home runs in 610 plate appearances this past season.
- There’s a “healthy amount” of interest in free agent first baseman/DH Edwin Encarnacion, a general manager told Cafardo, who notes that a signing is unlikely until there’s clarification on the 2017 luxury-tax threshold. “Normally, teams would be very aggressive in getting both of these hitters signed, but right now you have to stay back a little,” an AL GM said in regards to Encarnacion and outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. FanRag’s Jon Heyman reported Saturday that the league has agreed to increase the figure from $189MM to $200MM in CBA negotiations. That could make big spenders like the Yankees and Red Sox more inclined to chase Encarnacion (and maybe Cespedes in New York’s case).
- The Yankees, Dodgers and Giants are known to be eyeing free agent closer Aroldis Chapman, and the Nationals have also emerged as a possible destination, per Cafardo. Executives around the majors expect aggressiveness from the Nats this winter, and signing Chapman to what should be a record deal for a reliever would certainly qualify as a bold move. Notably, Washington attempted to acquire Chapman from the Yankees over the summer, but he ended up with the Cubs. The Nationals then picked up Mark Melancon from the Pirates. He’s also a free agent now, leaving the Nats in need of late-game help.
- Along with the previously reported Twins, the Marlins are among the teams with interest in free agent right-hander Justin Masterson. The low-payroll, starter-needy Fish “are looking to hit the jackpot with a surprise pitcher,” writes Cafardo. The 31-year-old Masterson hasn’t pitched in the majors since an unsuccessful 59 1/3-inning run with Boston in 2015. He threw 54 1/3 frames with the Pirates’ Triple-A affiliate last season and recorded a 4.97 ERA, 5.3 K/9 and 4.31 BB/9. Shoulder and knee injuries have beset Masterson in the past, but he indicated earlier this week that he’s now healthy.
Vmart’s miserable 2015 was due to injury. If healthy, he’s a top 15 hitter in the game, but he’s usually not healthy. I still think the tigers should get a pretty valuable piece if they eat some money. It’s hard to be an underrated slugger, but he definitely is.
Underrated and over aged and over hurt.
Over hurt I don’t think so he’s only had that one season 2012 he’s played 154 120 151 159 that injury and 145 that seems pretty healthy to me.
They must be thinking of another Victor Martinez; he’s averaged 592 PA over the past seven seasons that he’s played and only once was he under 500 PA during that period (about 460 in 2015) Teams should be so lucky to get someone that healthy, plus his kind of production from their DH.
One of the more impressive pure hitters out there.
Top 15? Not anymore. Maybe top 35-40. He’s probably the fourth best hitter on his team alone at this point. Not saying he’s bad by any means because he still is productive, but the game has evolved as of these last few years especially.
Name the three better
I can think of miggy, maybe JD
Top 15? VMart’s BA is pretty consistent but his power is all over the map. He’s only played 150+ games 5 times in his entire career…2006,2009,2013,2014,2016. You’re telling me that in those years you would take VMart over everyone except 14 other hitters? 2014 was obviously a huge year but lets be real here…..
How many catchers you know that play 150+ games a year?
He hasn’t been a FT catcher in ages. Why Boston didn’t bother attempting to resign him years back. Were afraid his catching days were coming to an abrupt halt and that was what? 5-6y ago?
Martinez hasn’t caught a game in a couple years now.
I was referring to the last few years to current day. I was not comparing him to other players who were in their primes 10 years ago like a-rod.
Over the last three years, he is 35th in wRC
Yes, that includes 2015, but also includes 14 and 16
It’s a stretch to say he’s too 15
Maybe top 30ish, and with his age. It’s hard to rely on that
Would masterson get a major league deal? There seems to be a lot of interest in him.
If it was me (Washington Nationals) , I’d trade for JD Martinez giving up Giolito sign Jansen, take a chance on Hill limiting him to 150 innings next year so he doesn’t break down before the playoffs and trade for another starter say Garcia (Stl) for Turner, straight swap.
Wow that’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever read.
Wow you must be a cardinals fans if you’re advocating a Turner for Garcia trade. Even as a Dodgers fan Turner doesn’t get traded. And if he does it’s for Sale. SMH.
Trea turner? If so that’s the worst purposed deal I’ve ever heard of
Giolito for one year of jd to ? He must be a mets fan and want them to blow the team up.
And this is why you work a regular 9-5 instead of being an MLB GM. Giolito for Martinez? Turner for Garcia? Those aren’t even good trades in fantasy baseball.
Stick to your night shift miserable life and don’t propose those awful trades again as a cardinal fan i would love it but that is so stupid
Trea Turner for Jaime Garcia? That is mind-blowingly crazy!
Top 3 prospect in Giolito for a one year rental and a really controllable CF/SS in Turner for a #4 starter? That’s pretty dumb.
Do it!
Trea Turner for Jaime Garcia.
Where do the Cardinals sign for that trade??
Let’s do it.
Lmao
Go Cards!
Big cheese grill- you should be the GM for the Nats for sure.
As a tigers fan, I’d absolutely be all over that. But there is no way the Nats would even think about that for one second.
Wow big cheese you are giving up Trea Turner and Giolito for those bums! And you are gonna sign Rich Hill but your are such a genius that you will pay him but not let him pitch much during the year huh moron? Since that insures he does not get a blister in the playoffs? Well genius you first need to make the playoffs and after giving away Trea Turner and Giolito and not pitching Hill who is a bad signing no matter what you do not even make the playoffs this year and without Turner and Giolito the future would be crap as well! You do not actually know anything about baseball do you.
Harper for CC straight up
Yeah that’s surely going to happen lol
lol
My gosh another albatross contract. $36mm for 2 years at age 36 .. I hope they find some takers while these guys are still producing
They could get out of that contract easily if they wanted to all they’d have to do is call a red sox,Yankees,Texas,Houston the problem is they want a return for their guys that’s why they keep shopping j.d.
Don’t see CC getting traded, and Martinez won’t get you very much in return at this point. These trades are way out of line
Justin Masterson seems like a logical Marlin signing. Edwin Jackson with health issues.
V-Mart and Big Papi are exactly why EE should get a big contract even at age 33. Elite hitting can stay with you for many years, especially when it is your only focus as a DH.