Like most free agents, Mike Moustakas has been met with an unexpectedly slow market this offseason, writes ESPN’s Buster Olney. Zack Cozart’s willingness to move from shortstop to third base and the potential presence of names like Manny Machado, Evan Longoria and Josh Donaldson on the trade market have all complicated matters for Moustakas, who entered the winter as the consensus top third baseman available in free agency. Olney writes that some MLB evaluators have questioned how well Moustakas’ body will hold up into his 30s, which represents another potential stalling point in his market. Olney speculates about the possibility of Moustakas ultimately settling for a one-year deal and reentering free agency next winter, noting that the Orioles, Yankees and Cardinals would all represent very logical landing spots on a short-term pact. Of course, it remains to be seen whether he’d be amenable to such an arrangement; the majority of top position players remain unsigned, after all, and agent Scott Boras has a history of lengthy trips through free agency for some of his clients.
Some more notes on the free-agent market…
- Olney also reports that the Giants are among the clubs considering righty Trevor Cahill for a rotation spot (Twitter link). Cahill, 30 in March, was terrific early in the year before a shoulder injury torpedoed his season. Through his first 41 1/3 innings with the Padres, Cahill logged a 3.27 ERA with 11.1 K/9, 3.7 BB/9, 0.65 HR/9 and a 60.2 percent ground-ball rate. Upon returning from that injury, however, he was rocked for a 6.54 ERA In 42 2/3 frames between the Padres and Royals. Cahill’s newfound ability to miss bats completely evaporated after being activated from the DL (7.6 K/9), and he was unable to find the strike zone with any consistency (5.9 BB/9).
- The Mets have indeed “reached out” to Adrian Gonzalez, tweets Olney. (Olney and others had previously suggested the Mets were likely to explore the possibility.) New York’s level of interest isn’t known, but they have a considerably more intriguing option in-house in the form of Dominic Smith, and the market bears a number of considerably more appealing veterans (all of whom, albeit, are more expensive). The 35-year-old Gonzalez could be had for just the league minimum, as the Braves are on the hook for the remainder of his salary, but he’s coming off a season that was ruined by back injuries and saw him post an unsightly .242/.287/.355 slash line in 252 plate appearances.
- The Dodgers have some interest in Japanes closer Yoshihisa Hirano, Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports tweeted recently. The 33-year-old Hirano has starred for NPB’s Orix Buffaloes for quite some time, amassing 143 saves with a 2.62 ERA, 9.4 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 through 271 1/3 innings from 2013-17. Hirano, who will turn 34 next spring, has enough professional experience that he’s exempt from the posting system and is able to sign a Major League deal without going through the posting system. He’s also been linked to the Cardinals and Tigers this winter.
- ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick reports that the Indians aren’t operating under the same capacity that they did last offseason when they surprised everyone by signing Edwin Encarnacion (Twitter links). Cleveland is looking at lower-profile first base options to replace Carlos Santana, with Crasnick listing the likes of Lucas Duda, Matt Adams, Logan Morrison and Yonder Alonso as possibilities rather than Eric Hosmer. (Speculatively, I’d imagine that even Morrison and Alonso could be beyond Cleveland’s comfort zone.) Dealing Jason Kipnis and the remaining $30.5MM on his contract (2018-19) would open up some additional funds for the team to reallocate to a first baseman or additional bullpen help, Crasnick notes.
- Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN touched on a number of Twins-related issues in his most recent podcast (audio link, Twins talk beginning at the 3:30 mark). Minnesota was in on Drew Smyly until the end, per Wolfson, before Smyly chose to sign with the Cubs. Minnesota gave an identical two-year, $10MM guarantee to Michael Pineda instead, and they have some interest in working out a two-year agreement with injured reliever Trevor Rosenthal as well. Minnesota has shown no inclination to spent upwards of $9MM on multi-year deals for relievers and doesn’t love the idea of going to six years on Yu Darvish, though the team does maintain strong interest in the righty. Wolfson notes that the trade market could be an avenue for improving the ’pen and/or rotation.
MLBTR is my fav baseball website
Omgzzzz me toooo
Man, I love sarcasm!
There’s only three things I hate:
1. Sarcasm
2. Lists
3. MLBTR Comments
I really believe Yandy Diaz could play 1B for the Tribe. He was originally a 2B who got moved to 3B, and did well at both positions. 1B should be no problem.
He doesn’t have enough offense for 1B though.
That reasoning is so worn out.
But so true…
I generally agree that you want power guys at the corners in the infield and ideally Yandy would learn to hit the ball in the air a little more, but if you’re going to get 100 hrs out of Second Base, Shortstop and DH again with Ramirez, Lindor and Encarnacion, they can take a a little power hit at first or third with Yandy and I won’t be mad about it, especially if he manages to get on base a lot and hit a few doubles here and there.
Would teams be willing to sign Moose for one year considering the loss of compensatory picks?
If I recall, the heavy draft compensation is tied to the contract exceeding $50 million. It’s much less if it ends under.
I know what you are thinking of, but it actually has to do with compensation picks going back to the team who lost the player, not the team signing the player. They penalties get stricter for the team signing based on payroll.
I would love to see the Dodgers sign Hirano. They definitely need to address their bullpen I think. I know we have Garcia coming back but i think losing Morrow is a big blow even though I do agree signing him to multi ear contract was a risk that might not be worth it with his inured history but replacing that kind of production isn’t easy and I know we signed Koehler but I’m not sure how that will work out and we should sign at least one more arm for the bullpen just incase. Who knows how Hirano would do here but that’s a risk I’d love for the Dodgers take plus he can close if needed, Janses is definitely racking up the innings and you never know when he may start to break down.
All of this is very interesting…. Makes one wonder where Mike Napoli will fit in at? And Darvish is all in at staying in Texas to play either with the Rangers or Astros. We all shall wait and find out what will happen. As the baseball world waits. Sounds like a flipping soap opera.
Wouldn’t Darvish rather pitch in the temperate summer weather in Minnesota rather than the high-humidity, high temp heat of Texas? (Admittedly, April can be tough, but that’s 26 games, 13 at home, 2 or 3 starts). Come to Minnesota and enjoy May, June, July, and August, and September, Yu.
Keep in mind that “Not Everyone Likes Cold Weather”,,,,,,because muscles operate better when they’re warm.
Some people (and therefore some players) prefer the “high temp heat” to some extent. Many players who struggle in the months of April & May, seem to ignite once the warmer weather hits in June, July, and August. Baseball is a “warm-weather sport” after all.
I haven’t lived in Minn, but grew up in New England, where August & Sept nights can be downright cool (50’s in Aug is freezing). Most games are played at night.
Curve balls break better in humidity. Sliders flatten out in the cool/dry air. Elbows & shoulders tighten up faster when it’s cold outside.
Ave Temps in Minn:
May 69/49
June 79/59
July 83/64
Aug 80/62
Sept 72/52
July & Aug look good……the rest……Not-So-Much! May sucks for baseball. That’s good Football weather, however.
Cold isn’t an issue in Milwaukee. Any time the temp is under 64 or so in April or May, they just close the roof. Never understood why they didn’t build a stadium with a retractable roof in Minnesota for the Twins. Brewer fans never have to worry about rainouts or sitting in 40 degree weather.
Man as a Yankees fan I’d love Moustakas for a one year deal, but I don’t think he’d go for it. Also I’m not sure how bad it would effect the luxury tax considering we still want to add another pitcher.
Hirano has good numbers. Dodgers should follow through and get him
So Olney thinks Moustakas would re-enter the FA agent market when guys like Donaldson & Machado are also FA’s? Yeah right.
I was thinking same thing.. makes no sense lol
Welp, maybe my mighty Mariners can acquire Dominic Smith from the Mets for Marc Rzepczynski and a couple million dollars or something. That would cement the huge relief help that New York’s ownership envisioned for the offseason, no?
Truly hope that’s sarcasm
The Long Island Ducks don’t want Dominic Smith.
Why do you hate Dominic Smith so much? Because his first 138 plate appearances didn’t go well? Well it’s also a small sample size.
He’s a fat toad.
No power and his hit tool looks like nothing.
My question for you is: What do you like about Dominic Smith?
I bet you said the same thing about Hideki Irabu
Don looked good when he played in Vegas.
Or I had an easy time in the Vegas casinos last summer.
Or Vegas location and stadium distorts reality of what players can really do as it inflates results.
Guess which one applies?
The fact he’s shown he has some power (16 homers in triple-A), and even in the majors (9 in 183 PA). He also batted very well in triple-A (330 average). He also was well regarded as a defender in the minors as well. Plus, he’s only 22. If we gave up on everyone who didn’t hit well in their first 200 PA’s or so, Mike Trout would be a nobody.
Adrian Gonzalez for the veteran minimum would be such a Mets move. I’m not delusional like some other guys that say “oh the Mets need to sign Hosmer, Bruce, and Cain” but at least give me Bruce on a 3-4 year 45-57 million dollar deal. Its more than doable. Also on a side note, I don’t know what the market for Lucroy looks like but I’ve heard nothing about it. That’s an other ideal target. Wouldn’t be terribly expensive coming off a down year and he can also play first on days he doesn’t catch if the team is not all-in on Dom Smith.
Would like to see Bruce back in a Mets uni. I agree with taking flyers out on A gon, Lucroy. let Smith and A Gon fight it out in spring training and let the best man win.
It’s a perfect Mets move because:
The contract is CHEAP
It gives the appearance that they are trying
It fools foolish fans into optimism
He was a Dodger and can bring the Wilpon’s some Dodger memorabilia.
Forget Lucroy and Bruce. They will boy play for the Mets if the team seriously overpays. Not likely this year as they already overpaid for Cespedes.
Mets didn’t overpay for Ces at all. Many were pegging him for a 5 or 6 year deal in the $150-175M range and they signed him for 4/$110M. But continue to harp on the Wilpons from you mom’s basement.
Cahill is an absolute stud.
Why is it that every time the Dodgers come up now in trade rumors, I get insanely nervous?
I don’t know why you’d be nervous. When the Dodgers are tied to a trade rumor, it almost never comes to fruition. That F.O. rarely tips their hand.
Maybe the Indians would like to empty some of that farm for Rhys Hoskins?
He’s blocked in Philly now that Mr. Ivy League has bestowed upon us his genius.
Mike Moustakas just isn’t that good. He has a career .305 OPB and in 7 seasons has put up over 2 war in a season only twice. Not sure how he became the “consensus top third baseman on the market”. He has as many sub .700 ops seasons as he does seasons with an ops north of .800.
If Moose is going to just sign a one year contract he might as well come back to the Royals. Moooooooose!!!! Although I’d rather them not and go ahead and trade Duffy and dump Kennedy and start the rebuild.
Cahill can’t be any worse than Matt Moore was last year. He looked really good until the injury as stated. The only issue is that he didn’t go very deep. into games..