Things remain quiet as the World Series draws to a close, but here are a few recent notes on the free agent market:
- While some analysts and fans think there’s a match to be made between the Giants and top expected free agent outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, we haven’t heard any firm reports connecting those dots. And there may not be reason to do so, according to Andrew Baggarly of the Mercury News (via Twitter), who labels any link “outside speculation based on apparent need.” Of course, it would be surprising if San Francisco didn’t at least consider such a move, given the team’s opening in left field and middle-of-the-road offensive output in 2016. But whether the organization will undertake a real pursuit seems unclear at this point.
- The Orioles are still undecided on whether to issue catcher Matt Wieters a qualifying offer, Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com writes. At present, the sense is the team will let him reach the market unhindered, says Kubatko, which would match the consensus recommendation of MLBTR readers (per a recent poll). There’s certainly an argument to be made that a one-year, $17.2MM commitment wouldn’t be a terrible outcome, though, and Kubatko says he doesn’t think Wieters would again take the QO, which would net the club a draft pick if he signed elsewhere.
- Righty Shawn Tolleson is open to a return with the Rangers despite being cut loose recently, as MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan reports. Poor performance, bad luck, and a back injury conspired to create a lackluster 2016 campaign for Tolleson after he entered the year as the club’s closer. While he’ll surely be looking for the best opportunity available, and says he’s allowing his agent to lead the charge, Tolleson noted that he is “not closing any doors” and won’t let the disappointing ending prevent him from returning to Texas. The 28-year-old, who turned in strong efforts in 2014 and 2015, added that he is back to full health after rehabbing his back strain and has been cleared for “a normal offseason.”
The O’s need to offer Wieters a QO so they can get the extra draft pick. He won’t accept it because he and Boras know this is probably his last chance to get a good multi year contract.
He accepted it last year and he was worse this year. I wouldn’t be surprised if he accepted it again.
MB that is a very valid point, and I can’t argue that you are wrong. However, I think that with this year’s FA market the way it is, Weiters will be more in the driver’s seat than he was last off season.
Exactly. This was supposed to be a “prove it” year since he was a part-time player in 2014 (coming off of TJ surgery).. In 125 games this year, he put up an 87 OPS+ and 1.7 WAR. This risk of paying him $17.2 million for that level of production doesn’t seem worth it to me. I don’t necessarily think he would accept a QO if he was offered one again, but I wouldn’t risk it when the team has some other holes it needs to fill.
Don’t underestimate how pissed Boras will be if the O’s tag Wieters with the QO again. He represents quite a few players and holds grudges…
If Wieters gets a QO he will probably take it. He might not get a multi year deal, but the QO is worth a lot of money. $17,200,000.00 in one year.
Dodgers should consider Cespedes given the team’s struggles against lefties.
He’s actually better against righties than lefties.
Not so much:
vs. RHP .275/.320/.496/.816
vs. LHP .263/.341/.486/.827
I really think Céspedes is bound LAD. The Dodgers need a hitter like him. I say sign Céspedes and Chapman, look to trade Puig for 2B
Dodgers have to resign Justin Turner before even thinking about chasing Cespedes. Difficult to trade Puig because of his history. Dodger already have a second baseman named Howie Kendrick. Plus you already have Trayce Thompson or Enrique Hernandez to fill Kendrick over at LF.
It wouldn’t be difficult to trade Puig! He was claimed on waivers in August so clearly there is interest. Although I couldn’t tell you how much they’d get for him.
After the season there was still some thought that LAD might just let Puig go on waivers. It’s not surprising he was claimed, but that hardly proves he won’t be difficult to trade. His reputation kills his value, as well as his declining output.
Some thought, just no serious or informed thought.
Sure it might be difficult for the Dodgers to get what they want in a Puig trade but if they just want to get rid of him, someone will take him and the Dodgers won’t have to pay them in money or prospects to take him.
The Dodgers do not seem willing to simply let Puig go on waivers. They had the opportunity to do that last August, they didn’t take the opportunity and he played well after coming back from AAA. If they were going to do that it would have happened by now.
That’s hardly the case as he “changed” after his demotion. Talent always trumps reputation. Plus his biggest problem was him growing up hardly the career changer.
Well it was obvious they didn’t want to let him go if he could have potentially netted them Braun. They won’t let him go but he’ll be a piece in a bigger package.
So if they don’t get Turner, they should not sign Cespedes, and Thompson and Hernandez are a better plan for LF than Cespedes?
Dodgers have the TV contract and money to get anyone, Turner and Jansen are no-brainers as I see it. After that I could see them trading for a second basemen and quality starter.
Jansen at least was a no-brainer extension at the beginning of the last season. His price certainly won’t have gone down after another year of domination.
They have the money, but why should they spend it?
It’s time to win the world series, Jansen might be the second best relief pitcher after Miller. The Dodgers made the mistake of letting Greinke go, now they can’t make the same mistake with Jansen and Turner. They are not going to get better at those positions with someone else.
The fans think it’s way past time, but who cares what they think? It’s what does ownership thinks that really matters. So sure, they could very well make that mistake, but it will only be a mistake as far as the fans are concerned.
Don’t think Matts got much left.
Tolleson could be a good addition for any team. Maybe 1-year deal worth a million, but with his upside, it would be well worth it. You could even argue he could be an NRI, but I’ll be real- he was a Cy-Young vote getter a year ago. Have to imagine there would be enough of a demand for him to get a million.
I think it’s extraordinarily unlikely he doesn’t get a major league deal.
The O’s should let Wieters test the market. He’s been a solid contributor to Baltimore but it’s time to see what the younger kids can bring (i.e, Sisco) and the team needs to improve its OBP – which retaining Wieters will not help.
Yeah, I think Tolleson will turn it around.
Wieters is awful
If the Orioles think Wieters won’t accept the QO there’s no reason to not extend him one.
The reason to not offer a qualifying offer, is because if he does accept it, throw all off-season plans/improvements out the window. if they think there is even a chance, don’t offer it.
That’s why I said IF they think he would accept it. This article seems to imply that he won’t.
Wieters has really fell off the deep end since his injuries, not sure if he returns to form.
Giants will end up like the Yankees if they sign another big contract. Which might provide a few really good years and a world series, but also a few years of bloated contracts.
That’s because not winning a WS without the bloated contracts is the goal? Shouldn’t the goal be to win the WS, regardless?
I’m just stating the pros and cons. Have to loo down the road.
Giants and Yankees could make a trade, Gardner for a young pitcher Beede, Coonrod, or Suarez
I believe Wieters would accept the QO based on his 2016 numbers. He’d be lucky to net $17M on a 2-yr contract elsewhere. O’s should spend that money on a FA more likely than Wieters to be productive.
I see Chooch as a good fit for Baltimore. He’s a serviceable offensive piece, Camden will likely help power, he has great on base skills and he’s excellent defensively. On top of that he can really help groom Sisco and help with the young pitchers on Baltimores staff.
I like the way you think.
If the O’s haven’t decided then they are hoping he won’t take it, QA is too high to play games with so they don’t give it to him.
If I was Wieters, I’d take the QO if offered. 17 mil is pretty hard to pass up. I understand wanting some security, but why risk wasting in free agency. I mean, Fowler was left lingering last year, and his numbers were better.
agreed- over the past two years Cruz and Trumbo have both fallen into the O’s lap at less than $10M per. Obviously different situations, but $17M for a year is better than being left out to dry and having to “settle” for a one year deal at much less.
I guess it really is his 9and Boras’) confidence he can get a multi-year deal now at a good per year rate and the Orioles confidence he will/won’t take the QO.
If I’m Duquette, I let him walk and sign a one/ two year bridge contract with someone like Ruiz and get Sisco ready, then use that $17M on all the arbitration guys, and/or look for a right fielder or DH. Maybe re-sign Alvarez to DH if the price is right.
The Giants could help their bullpen issue and get a guy like Shawn Tolleson who could be a pretty good piece along with Derek Law and Will Smith
I’m playing Devil’s Advocate here but if Cespedes wasn’t getting what he wanted from free agency last year when he didn’t have the QO attached to him and was coming off his best year so far, why would he get it this year when he’s a year older and does have the QO attached?