The Rays have been linked to Jose Bautista both last winter and even earlier this offseason, though MLB.com’s Bill Chastain hasn’t heard about any interest from the team’s end. Bautista makes some sense as a right-handed platoon partner with lefty-swingers Brad Miller and Corey Dickerson at first base or DH, and Bautista also lives in the Tampa area. He would be a low-cost signing for the Rays in the wake of his dreadful 2017 season, though that same lackluster performance could be the reason the Rays are apparently looking elsewhere rather than hope Bautista can bounce back at age 37. On the other hand, Chastain notes that the Rays have made other veteran additions in the past without any advance warning, so it’s probably too early to definitively rule out a signing.
Here are some more items about veteran names still on the market…
- Jay Bruce or Neil Walker are “highly unlikely” to sign with the Mets, Newsday’s Marc Carig said in an appearance on The Orange & Blue Thing show (Facebook link, Carig joins around the 21:00 mark). The possibility can’t be entirely ruled out, however, given the nature of this “weird offseason” that has seen so many top free agents remain available as we approach the start of January. Carig’s segment is well worth a full listen, as he also discusses such topics as the communication issues that has plagued the Mets’ organization and (along those same lines) his recent commentary criticizing team ownership for its lack of transparency.
- There isn’t much action in Alcides Escobar’s market, leading MLB.com’s Jeffrey Flanagan to write that the Royals could consider re-signing the shortstop as veteran depth behind Raul Mondesi. The Padres were the only team known to be interested in Escobar this offseason, and they’re now seemingly out of the shortstop market after acquiring Freddy Galvis. It would’ve been a tall order for Escobar to find a starting gig anywhere given his lack of offensive production, and if he did go anywhere as a backup, a familiar locale like Kansas City makes as much sense as any other destination.
- Also from Flanagan’s mailbag piece, the Royals have some uncertainty whether or not Luke Hochevar will continue his career. Hochevar missed all of 2017 after recovering from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, and he also missed the entire 2014 season due to Tommy John surgery. Royals GM Dayton Moore said during the Winter Meetings that he hadn’t recently spoken to Hochevar about a possible reunion, though Flanagan wrote that the Royals would have interest in bringing him back. Hochevar just turned 34 last September and posted excellent numbers as a reliever in his last three active seasons.
- There is very little chance of Chase Utley returning to the Phillies, MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki writes. Whether Utley returns for a 16th MLB season or retires, Zolecki figures Utley will remain on the west coast, either staying at home or playing for the Dodgers. Zolecki also refutes a report that Utley was a candidate to become the Phillies’ bench coach, noting that Utley wasn’t even under consideration for the job before the team eventually hired Rob Thomson.
The Mets lack of transparency? Like their not he only team that is guilty of that! Just look up North to the Blue Jays there and they are doing the same thing ! Hell not even a lot of rumours about who they are Interested in or not ! No Minor league signings and waiting out for the Market so they can sign fringe players to cheaper contracts while still trying to content ! Kind of Frustrating for Jays Fans!
Here’s the deal…anyone with a brain that works would a) prefer their teams to make moves in private and not through the media and/or with their approval. B) notice that no one has made moves and literally nearly all free agents are still available. C) would see how the Yankees got Stanton and be embarrassed for the sport not angry at their own team and complain about their lack of moves D) use every single example of sandy Alderson making moves and realize they are not going to be talked about through beat writers before its done.
The fact is this is what happens when beat reporters need stories and decide to write about their opinions rather than following their job description and reporting on what happens or not. It’s the way of the world and as a Met fan of 30 plus years I can say met fans are intensely passionate and incredibly ignorant, shortsighted, childish, emotional and embarrassing. When fans believe every word they treat in tabloids and take the side of media over the very team they root for and forgot that their team literally never goes to the playoffs 2 years in a row, and the world series. It’s pathetic and the media feeds that everyday.
This makes sense @SDS718 BUT when we have less than 10mil in cap somehow it’s pretty easy to assume we will not get anything too notable unless via trade
Less than 10 mill in cap space? But baseball doesn’t have a cap…
The Mets will spend less on their free agents then the jays spend on jocks and cups for 2018
But this time last year Joey bats said he would play into his 40s so why wouldn’t the rays think he will bounce back
Saying and doing aren’t quite the same. Bautista had a terrible year, has lost his power, and clearly is near the end of his career.
Can someone remind me of the salary demands Bautista was making last offseason.
Those were reports that he denied
Utley will re-sign with the Dodgers on another one year deal
Probably they really need another 2B
Hope so. Still a very young team, all things considered. With Gonzalez and Ethier gone, he will be a steadying influence.
Carig is so full of crap. Transparency? So every agent and every other team knows how best to fleece the Mets in negotiations? Is that what he wants? Or does he just want it so he has a steady stream of information to publish in his columns. I’m sick and tired of these know-nothing columnists espousing their views on how to run the team to sell papers and get clicks.
The nature of the relationship between the Wilpons and the front office has been a well-covered news story for years. You can criticize Carig’s article for being extremely opinionated and dependent on anonymous sources, but the basic argument – that Alderson and co. receive inconsistent messages from ownership on how to handle free agency and personnel – is readily apparent to even a casual observer.
Wow Dodgethis are you a really unhappy Dodger fan that has to relieve his frustrations by taking a shot at the Yankees when they are not even part of the discussion . Sad commentary on your part
He is a giants fan
Giants fan, not Dodgers.
If they sign Bruce to a multi-year deal, they’re signaling that they’re pessimistic about Dom Smith becoming a viable starting first baseman in the near future. Signing him to play RF doesn’t make sense, as they would likely be weakening their CF defense by sticking Conforto back out there.
I wouldn’t be shocked if they end up with Walker again if his market stays cold.
Mets have no room for Jay Bruce on their team. Outfield is too crowded and if Smith has a break out season and lives up to they hype were stuck with shuffling Bruce around the outfield for a expensive few seasons. Mets need to look into a solid 3rd baseman and try to get by with what they have on their budget. The season could always unfold in their favor as the trade deadline approaches and I hate to say it but they’re gonna have to gamble with the pieces they have since ownership doesn’t want to spend money.
If your grandmother…..
Don’t hold your mouth open waiting to react to Bruce re-signing with Mets. Even in this frigid weather there is a greater chance of flies tickling your tongue than Wilpon’s putting any money in the table.
Bautista will not play into his 40’s. He might not make it past 37. His bat really slowed down or his eyesight really got bad in ’17, one of the two. He was a guess hitter in 2017 and had no idea where the ball was as it crossed the plate a lot of the time.
His decline has been steep. But to his defense, he was way overused and mismanaged by Gibby. No way he should be in the field everyday. His body can’t do that anymore.
He may start 2018 well and if he is managed properly can probably sustain a .225 20 homer year, but if they use him everyday, his performance will decline further from last year.
Could be the punch in the face he took from Odor a few years back
Lol
I never understood why Bautista wasn’t given some time on the bench in 2017., especially as the year went on.
Unfortunately, the Mets’ “answer” in a 1B platoon opposite Dominic Smith may be Jose Bautista.
I think the mets would sign Adrian Gonzalez for the league minimum before taking on Bautista. But I really hope they don’t bother with either of them.
Smith is a lefty, so I’m not sure how that would be a platoon situation with Gonzalez.
I only mentioned Gonzalez cause the mets were rumored to be interested in him after the braves cut him. Personally I don’t want him on the mets at all, or Bautista.
Why would Gonzalez sign with anyone? He’s getting paid no matter what, has made his truckload of money, and has nothing else to prove. Coming back would just prolong the declined state he is in.
Anyone that is over the hill and CHaeAP is better than an over promoted minor leaguer who was exposed to NOT be grade A ready.
Otherwise why wouldn’t they put their money where their mouth is and stick it out for a season and see if he develops?
Answer: incompetent Sandy on top of cheap Mutt and Jeff spells continual disappointment for fans.
Hey—where is metseventually?
Maybe he is now a marlins fan with hope.
The type of playing surface also can factor into a player’s decline. Both Toronto and Tampa play their home games on an artificial surface which affects the legs and knees of the players. For a player in his late 30’s (like Joey Bats), a grass surface would probably be a better option.
I agree with your point on turf versus grass. However, retirement also might be a good option for Joey Bats.
Wonder why SD doesn’t sign Escobar? He should be cheap enough, is used to playing home games in bigger parks, and won’t cost the team prospects. Reportedly they just need someone to fill in for a year or two before their own prospect is ready.
They traded for Galvis, as stated in the article. Alcides wasn’t going to start anywhere but KC, anyway.
I know he’s a shell of himself at this point and not the ideal bench piece, but I’d love to see Utley have one more run with the Phillies kind of mentoring JP Crawford and Scott Kingery.
People keep saying Bruce makes no sense for the Mets but he was their best offensive player last year.
Jay Bruce just doesn’t make sense for the Mets, on multiple levels. Still wondering why this is being thrown around.
Jay Bruce is going to the Giants. Plain and simple. He’ll eventually have to settle for a three year contract because clearly no team has any interest in meeting his demand at four years. Once that is finally out of the way then he and the Giants make a perfect match. They need a power bat with good defense. He’d like to play there. Boom. Match made. Let’s get it done!
Baustista is metiocre at best. He demands way more than he’s worth. Two more years maybe.
Esky is a dime a dozen player. Royals could get him back for a steal.
Mets “highly unlikely” to sign Jay Bruce.
Good insight lol