Jose Bautista has been speculatively linked to the Rays as a possible free agent target, though if Tampa Bay does make a move, MLB.com’s Bill Chastain notes that it might not come until late in the offseason. The Rays have past used the tactic of coming in late with an offer to a veteran free agent (i.e. Asdrubal Cabrera, Manny Ramirez, Johnny Damon) who is running short on options, so the Rays can land the player at a price that fits their limited budget. Bautista’s market is still pretty unclear as we approach Christmas, with the first-round draft pick attached to him via the qualifying offer seemingly acting as a deterrent to many clubs. The Rays’ top pick is protected so they would only have to surrender their competitive-balance round selection to sign Bautista — maybe an acceptable risk for a Tampa club that wants to compete in 2017, Chastain notes.
Here’s some more from around baseball…
- Ben Revere could sign as soon as tomorrow, MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko reports (Twitter links). The mystery team isn’t the Orioles, Kubatko notes, though the O’s like the outfielder and checked in on him more than once this offseason. Revere is hoping to bounce back after an injury-marred and mediocre 2016 season that saw him get non-tendered by the Nationals earlier this month.
- Catcher Bryan Holaday can earn $850K in the majors under his new minor-league pact with the Phillies, Crasnick recently tweeted. That lands just shy of MLBTR’s $900K arbitration projection for the 29-year-old, though of course he’ll need to earn a roster spot to get it. Holaday seems to have a solid shot at taking over reserve duties behind presumptive Philadelphia starter Cameron Rupp, though he may need to hold off some younger challengers (and any additional veterans who may be added) in camp.
- Former Padres and Tigers GM Randy Smith has been hired by the Nippon-Ham Fighters’ front office, according to a Kyodo News report. Smith will be a senior advisor to Fighters general manager Hiroshi Yoshimura (a former member of Detroit’s front office when Smith ran the club) and the Fighters’ Major League scouting director.
That’s a shame. Orioles could really use Revere. Brings a lot to the game that the Orioles just don’t have right now
Hopefully jays so we can dump upton
I would take Revere too, but Upton won’t be dumped, he’ll be one of the best 4th outfielders in MLB (which is all we want from him).
I’ll take Carrera as my 4th OF. He was worst than Justin Smoke as soon as he became a jay
Upton plays good defence and beats up on lefties. He’s a good player to have.
Hopefully the Angels
doubt he wants to be a 4th outfielder
Doubt he has a choice after last years performance.
could be true, but i’d be more suprised if he wasn’t starting than if he was.
Come on jays! Take a chance!
Cubs still could use a true center fielder to pair with Almora….. Jay is quad A at best in CF.
you prefer revere to jay?
I wouldn’t.
I would . Revere is better defensively and hits for a higher avg… he’d be a good leadoff or an ever better 9spot hitter if Maddon wanted to do that ever
Ben revere is awful defensively. He takes awful routes to balls, has the worst OF arm in baseball, and the only reason he makes some nice plays is because he can’t track a fly ball so he has to use his speed to make up for it. He can hit a bit, but has no pop whatsoever and doesn’t get on base enough to use his best skill.
The Cubs have enough outfielders lol
The Jays need him back especially after losing out on fowler
Jays do need him but they already traded him away once. He could definitely rebuild value in TO though.
No, he sucked last year.
Cubs don’t need him. Wht Sox,Cleveland or Oak
Maybe the Giants for LF? Can cover Span in CF if needed…
Mystery team could be Rangers, need a cf so they can push Gomez to left and choo to dh
Is Gomez really that bad of a center fielder. I understand he’s not what he used to be, but he still can play a decent center field. I don’t think Texas needs to be worried to find another center fielder, they’re okay now
Would love to see the Tigers sign him
I could see that happening, if he’s cheap enough. Detroit could offer him a starting job which most teams wouldn’t have available. I’m just not sure I would want them to. He’s just not much of a player.
Detroit has 3 LHH OF who are out of options and they plan to use one to platoon with a new signee. They would have to feel Revere could handle CF full time and only keep one of the OOO leftys as a bench bat/4th OF.
Stating Revere is not much of a player is comparing him to Trout. Stating Revere is a big upgrade is comparing him to Gose and Collins. Those two are our options now, so I think “big upgrade” better fits their situation.
If they don’t land Revere, I feel going for a defensive first CF is their best option. Comercia Park needs a speedy, defensive CF. They could get Peter Bourjos for about $2MM.
Is a solid platoon against LHP,(.301/.333/.361/.695 in 2016) and can be a late inning defensive replacement when needed. He also had a respectable .279 OBP against RRP in 2016 that would be OK for a #9 hitter in Detroit.
I can’t possibly see Gose back in Detroit. He will either be released, or more probable, used as a throw in on a trade. He has a ton of potential, but he’s a not very coachable head case that takes horrible routs. Collins is nothing more that a 4th outfielder at best
Uh, Collins is nothing more that a minor leaguer at best.
Why the Angels would not go for Revere is beyond me….. I guess that’s why they have become arguably one of the worst organization in the game.
Because he isn’t very good?
How do you know they haven’t ?
Once again why not get a new team ?
he’s just a guy who wants attention. i don’t think there’s been a post where he hasn’t ripped the angels.
Nowhere does it say the Angels arent going for him. Lol They’ve had discussions with him. And the newest post mentions the Angels.
Ben Revere is a LF only outfielder simply because of his ML grade 2 Arm strength. When he plays CF more base runners go 1st to 3rd on him than anyone else in either league. With a runner on 2B, a base hit to him in CF is a guaranteed run. Shakey routes but he has closing speed to overcome most mistakes. He is a better hitter than he showed last year. Ben will play hurt and I don’t believe he fully recovered from the oblique injury. He made the Jays a better team when he played LF.