In a series of analytical pieces, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times checks in on the Rays’ offseason in advance of the Winter Meetings. He explains that the club seems to have been slowed, in particular, by the as-yet-unresolved Giancarlo Stanton and Shohei Ohtani situations. Topkin also analyzes the team’s options for dealing a starter, explaining that the team’s history suggests it’s quite likely that at least one arm will be on the move. He pegs Chris Archer and Jake Odorizzi as the likeliest candidates to be dealt. He goes on to discuss the potential for a deal involving third baseman Evan Longoria, who’ll attain full no-trade rights early in the 2018 season, though it’s important to note that there is no clear indication as of yet that he’s on the block.
Here are a few more notes on a slow-moving market for players that has only just begun to show signs of thawing:
- The Angels are still keeping an eye on the market for corner infielders, Jon Morosi of MLB Network tweets, even as they continue to direct their immediate attention to Otani. Landing the Japanese star would presumably impact the organization’s plans regarding adding hitters, since he’d occupy some at-bats and perhaps force Albert Pujols to spend more time at first base — thus reducing the need for another corner option, particularly with C.J. Cron having been tendered a contract. Still, Carlos Santana remains an option, per the report. It’s worth noting, too, that Pujols is said to be trimming up and leaving the team with some optimism of a bounceback, Jeff Fletcher of the Southern California News Group tweets.
- As the Cubs look to bolster their late-inning mix after non-tendering Hector Rondon, they have made contact with Brandon Kintzler’s representatives, according to Morosi (via Twitter). The veteran groundball specialist might conceivably add a new element to the Chicago pen, though Morosi cautions talks have not advanced very far at this point. Kintzler has drawn fairly wide interest after a strong campaign with the Twins and Nationals, over which he turned in 71 1/3 innings of 3.03 ERA pitching.
- Right-hander Neftali Feliz is hoping to show he’s healthy and throwing well in a bid to earn a bounceback opportunity, per a report from Chris Cotillo of SB Nation (Twitter link). The 29-year-old, who caught on with the Royals after being cut loose by the Brewers in the middle of the 2017 season, went in for a checkup from Dr. James Andrews but was reportedly cleared of any arm issues. He’s also set to hold an audition for an unnamed team today. Despite his rough results in his 46 innings in the most recent campaign — a 5.48 ERA with 7.2 K/9 and 4.5 BB/9 — Feliz showed a typically strong 96.5 mph fastball and 11.6% swinging-strike rate that matches his career average.
andrewgauldin
Pujols should not play 1B. Dude is just going to get injured. Already has a bad foot
angelsinthetroutfield
Can’t be any worse than last year’s DH only performance. 1 or 2 days a weeks isn’t much and if he can’t handle it then the bench is waiting. This is all predicated on Ohtanis ability to hit of course
socraticgadfly
And, Ohtani it is, is the report.
#LCDad
Trimming up will help Pujols relieve pressure on his feet and knees, two troublesome areas prone to injury. Playing 1B at a reasonable level should be the expectation considering the gravity of his contract. He’s a competitor and will go above and beyond to get right for the season. Cron is decent defensively, but his bat and inconsistency are worrisome. He’s got pressure to perform with the limited at-bats he’ll get in 2018.
mlb1225
Yea, not worth the risk of an injury.
madmanTX
Huh, I thought Pujol’s current greatness in same league with Trout was major selling point by Angels fans to lure Ohtani?
arc89
If Stanton doesn’t pick Cards or Giants he is staying in Miami for rest of his career. He wants to go to the dodgers but right now there is no need for him. If i am the giants or cards I give a strict deadline and move on.
baseballpun
I think they have to move on at the Winter Meetings if he doesn’t decide.
#LCDad
Agreed. Wouldn’t be surprised if Otani selects a team by Friday, allowing teams to conduct business at the Winter Meetings with closure and the ability to move forward to improve their respective teams.
andrewgauldin
If he replicates last year, then he will definitely opt out if the Marlins don’t look like a contending team.
Kevin D. 2
The problem with that is that his contract is actually rather opt-out proof. The “back end” of the opt out is 7 years, 218 million dollars, set to start with his age 32 season. Over 31 million a year, that is not any guarantee to match.
Coast1
It’ll actually start with his age 31 season. Even if he’s still at the top of his game GMs are pretty savvy and know there’s at least a 50% shot that he won’t be worth much at age 35. Maybe someone gives him 5 years, knowing that they might be wasting money to get him now. No one gives him 7 at that age.
Vedder80
Why the rest of his career? He has an opt out in 3 years.
Mikel Grady
Stanton can opt out in 3 years.
Michael Chaney
For some reason a few other commenters seem really triggered by what you said hahaha
the mick
Stanton would probably forego money to opt out. One way to get him to approve a trade would be to move his opt out one year up. That way he wouldn’t have the opportunity to walk during the same season that Mike Trout will. I think he could stomach the Giants for one or two years and become free in 2019. Neither team is giving up premium prospects it seems so if you give up something like Wacha and Jose Martinez and Stanton walks, it’s still worth it.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Having only 1 opt out for a 13 year contract was stupid on his part and his agents part. There should be at least 4 or 5 opt outs. He was never gonna win in Miami. I would have wanted an opt out after 3, 6,8, 10th year. We wouldnt be waiting on him for s*** to happen. It’s slowly starting to.
jgb2412
He can opt out in 2 or 3 years, so not necessarily he will be staying in Miami
JKB 2
Jesus he does not have to stay in Miami the rest of his career if he chooses not to go to SF or St. Louis. You are too dramatic
User 4245925809
Neftali Perez is Joe kelly with 2-3 ticks less on his FB and same exact lack of any command of his FB within the zone. Also has lack of any movement on it when above the belt.. hence it’s flat..
Both Perez and kelly are way over rated and middle relievers at best. neither should make much.
I give no fox
Neftali Perez is hot garbage. He doesn’t even have one MLB appearance. Anyone that signs him would be foolish. I’d rather take my chances on Neftali Feliz. Kudos to you on getting that scouting report tho
mlb1225
Who’s Neftali Perez? Anyway, Kelly had a 2.79 ERA in 58 innings. He also really limited homeruns.
terry g
I’m not worried about the market being slow. Seems the narrative is driven more by writers and some fans than the teams. The GM’s have a lot of options to add talent right now without rushing to sign the FA’s available. Seems to me that GM’s are taking a FA’s are the last resort stand rather than first this year and it’s harder to get a lead on trades. I look for more trades and lower level FA adds before the upper level FA’s move very much. Lots of options at First for example.
FBA17
How is Kelly overrated? He is a middle reliever. Not a closer not even a set up guy. Lol
baseball10
Braves have always been enamored with Archer. Its hard making early trades with a new gm but I wonder what it would take swing a deal. Severely need a frontline starter before the next step can be taken
redsfan48
Reds should buy low on Feliz, especially if he can be had on a minor league deal or an incentive-laden deal with less than $1M guaranteed.
Realtexan
The Rangers has had talks in bringing Feliz back. Could the Rangers be the mystery team that Feliz is working out for. We shall wait and see mmmmm?
CursedRangers
Feliz and Palmeiro both announce on the same day that they are coming back…
baronbeard
Topkin and the rest of the writers for that paper keep getting on this stupid lets-trade-our-stars train right after we start getting the ball rolling on a new stadium and our top prospects are about to come up. Trading our stars and having less people come to games will get rid of a large negotiation chip, and basically nullifies the wait we have had to endure for the prospects. WHEN WE ALREADY HAVE A TOP 5 FARM SYSTEM.