The Mariners were linked to Jon Jay back in November, and ESPN’s Buster Olney (subscription required) reports that Seattle had enough interest to offer Jay a three-year contract. The two sides didn’t reach an agreement, however, and Jay’s free agent sojourn only ended last week when he signed a one-year, $3MM deal with the Royals. It’s easy to second-guess Jay’s decision in hindsight, though of course he (like many other free agents) could hardly have expected the market freeze that left several players settling for contracts that fell well below their initial asking prices. The M’s ended up going in a more unorthodox direction to solve their center field problem, instead acquiring second baseman Dee Gordon from the Marlins and converting him into an outfield role.
Some more news and notes from around the AL West…
- In a recent appearance on 105.3 The Fan’s Ben And Skin Show (partial transcript from the Dallas Morning News), Adrian Beltre discussed his future both with the Rangers and as a player in general. The 20-year MLB veteran is taking his career on an annual basis, noting that “I can’t tell you it’s going to be this year or next year or the year after that” when he finally hangs up his glove. The main factors in Beltre’s decision include his health, his level of production and whether or not he is still on a contender. Plus, Beltre is seemingly intrigued by the idea of going out on top, saying “It would be easier for me if we won the World Series this year or next year to go home.” Beltre hopes to achieve that goal in a Rangers uniform, noting that he doesn’t want to be traded, though such a scenario could happen if Texas falls out of contention by the deadline (Beltre is entering the last year of his contract). If he heads into free agency while still a Ranger, Beltre said “it would make it easy for me” to re-sign with the club if the Rangers promised to make a big push to contend in 2019.
- The Rangers have decided to keep Matt Bush in the bullpen, manager Jeff Banister told reporters (including MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan). Bush came into spring camp with the hopes of getting himself into the rotation mix, though the righty will instead be deployed as a setup man and potentially as a multi-inning reliever. Banister believes Bush is most valuable to Texas in this role, and thus Bush isn’t a candidate to serve as the Rangers’ closer.
- Brad Peacock may also be ticketed for a multi-inning relief role, as The Athletic’s Jake Kaplan writes that the Astros have used Peacock in two-inning stints in each of his three Spring Training appearances. Houston places a high value on multi-inning relievers and could theoretically deploy several of their bullpen arms in that fashion, though Kaplan feels Chris Devenski could be in line for more one-inning outings after appearing to tire in the second half of the 2017 season. Peacock has extra durability as a former starting pitcher and his stuff lends itself well to such a relief role. He held hitters to just a .420 OPS during his first time through the lineup last season, easily the lowest OPS of any pitcher who made at least 20 starts.
With how Dee Gordon is handling center field, and the fact he’s a far superior player than Jay, I’m pretty happy.
He’s looked like a veteran center fielder. Great reads, great breaks, great throws.
With Ramirez and Gamel missing the start of the season, and Healy possibly needing an extended spring or some AAA seasoning, I’m wondering if Neil Walker would make some sense for Seattle. He would give them insurance for Cano beyond Romine who is currently the lone utility infielder, and the way Vogelbach’s playing, they wouldn’t need Healy right away.
Just a thought…
I do see your point but I don’t believe so. Healy is actually getting ready to play in games starting early next week, and he’s a more viable option than Vogelbach (considering Vogelbach’s need for a platoon partner, and his lack of defense). And since Romine can also play short (and the outfield), unlike Walker, they would prefer Romine. But what you said does make sense.
I was thinking about the M’s and Neil Walker earlier today.
The only teams that would have a need at third unless there is an injury are the Yankees and Cardinals. Belted would be an upgrade over Gyorko for the cardinals and right now the Yankees do not have a for sure 3B. I am a cardinal fan and I would be very excited if we got Beltre!!
By the only teams I meant that are contenders
Beltre* not Belted
Add the Twins if Sano faces a lengthy suspension
I’m happy Texas came to their senses, and didn’t try to convert Matt Bush into a Starter.
That makes 3 of us!!!! Keep him in the bullpen
He’s such a shutdown reliever. Why tinker with something that’s working well? Remember when the Reds tried to make Aroldis Chapman a starter?
..nnot sure if you’re kidding or not, but the Reds never tried Chapman as a starter. He did a bit of both in the minors, and the first year he came up the bullpen was his only option. The following spring, when given a choice, he was adamant that he preferred closing
Matt Bush wasn’t a shut down reliever last season. He was bad enough in the closer role to lose his job. Not sure moving to the rotation would improve that though. He was tpretty good the previous year though.
It doesn’t take hindsight to second-guess Jay’s decision if he truly turned down a three-year offer.
Jay probably wanted to play on a playoff team, not that it matters now, he’s on the Royals
Rumor has it the M’s wanted him to wear his uni pants below mid-chest…dealbreaker.
it’s amazing how peacock’s turned his career around. I remember peacock and Jerome Williams being the punchline of so many astro jokes…now who’s laughing?
But is it a fluke? After so many years? Will the Peacocks flight be short?
Peacock has always had the stuff and ability to succeed, the problem was he either ran up his pitch count too quickly or didn’t have the stamina to go the length for a quality start. It’s no surprising he’s succeeding in this role following his career, but it was surprising to see him pull through as a starter last season.
I mean, what the heck was Jay expecting. A five year deal? What a dope.
I sincerely hope Adrian Beltre ends up as a HOF’er. What a great baseball career on both sides of the ball.
He’s a clear HOFer. I hope he gets a ring.
Beltre is a lock for the Hall. He has 3000 hits – only two guys with 3k hits aren’t in (Rose and Palmeiro) and Beltre is going to finish with 500 homers. He’s in the conversation as best third baseman of all time – right now Jay Jaffe’s JAWS system ranks him as the fourth-best 3B of all-time, behind Mathews, Schmidt and Boggs and a bit ahead of Brett. He’s also going to finish his career with, by far, the most hits by a third baseman. Plus the defense…and, yeah, he’s in. First ballot easily.
I would love to see the Astros try tandem pitching in the regular season since it worked so well in the postseason. For example, McCullers (5)/Peacock (4); Morton (5)/McHugh (4); and maybe even Keuchel (6)/Devenski (3).
Like the idea, but I feel, much like bullpening, it doesn’t give you much flexibility should a player have a bad outing.
Yeah what happens when Cole or Keuchel gets rocked? Messes up your whole plan
Will definitely miss Jay in Chicago. He’s a class act, and the guy can flat out hit a baseball, consistently. Definitely a clutch guy.