Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu is a free agent at season’s end, but he tells Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post that his hope is to remain with the organization. LeMahieu cites his relationship with teammates and manager Bud Black, as well as the city of Denver and several up-and-coming young talents as reasons he hopes to stick around. GM Jeff Bridich tells Saunders he’ll leave the door open, but adds that there haven’t been any recent discussions and that the team (like many players) prefers not to negotiate during the season. (Although the Rockies did sign Charlie Blackmon to a six-year deal after Opening Day.)
Saunders takes a look at the roadblocks to retaining LeMahieu, noting several large commitments for 2019 (e.g. Ian Desmond, Wade Davis, Bryan Shaw, Jake McGee), the looming presence of Brendan Rodgers in the upper minors and Nolan Arenado’s own free agency after the 2019 season. In addition to LeMahieu and Bridich, Saunders spoke with Blackmon about LeMahieu’s importance to the Rockies.
Here’s more out of Denver and out of the NL West…
- The Rockies’ bullpen has been a disaster in recent weeks, but Bridich suggested over the weekend that the team remains more focused on fixing their internal options than pursuing relievers from outside the organization, per MLB.com’s Thomas Harding. “There are some very, very good pitchers in that bullpen, very talented guys, who just are not performing consistently to their potential and their talents,” the GM said. “We need to continue to help them reach their potential — even the level of past performance that they have exhibited — before we think much about what else is out there.”
- The Giants are still “slightly” underneath the $197MM luxury tax barrier, tweets Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Rosenthal notes that while the numbers over on Cot’s Contracts indicate that organization is roughly $2MM north of that line, he’s confirmed that San Francisco is narrowly avoiding taxation at this point. The exact amount with which the Giants have to work remains unclear, though the apparent proximity to that threshold would seemingly make it difficult for the Giants to do much at the non-waiver trade deadline without jettisoning some payroll in a trade or receiving substantial cash considerations along with any player they acquire.
- While outfield prospect Steven Duggar has been on a hot streak in Triple-A, the Giants are still in no rush to bring him up to the Majors, writes John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle. GM Bobby Evans explains to Shea that the Giants not only want to see Duggar “put pressure” on the front office to call him up and adds that it’s also a matter of “the opportunity being here.” Shea notes that Mac Williamson is the only outfielder on the big league roster with options remaining, and he’s been seeing regular left field work since returning from the DL. Cutting ties with either Hunter Pence or Austin Jackson, of course, would open a spot, though either speculative move would come with some notable financial and clubhouse considerations for the front office.
- Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo chatted with Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe about the role that familiarity played in the organization’s decision to sign Clay Buchholz, as well as the importance of what Buchholz has done in the rotation since signing. Lovullo, GM Mike Hazen and AGM Amiel Sawdaye were all with the Red Sox when Buchholz was drafted, and that preexisting relationship helped to facilitate the signing. “Mike and [assistant GM] Amiel [Sawdaye] and I got together and we said, ‘Why not Clay?’ ” Lovullo recalled. “The reports on him were very good and so we said, ‘Let’s do it.’ And he’s been outstanding for us.” Lovullo was cautious about making any definitive proclamations about his rotation moving forward but did say that Buchholz “deserves” to remain in the mix. It’s hard to argue, as the 33-year-old has posted a 1.88 ERA with a 21-to-3 K/BB ratio through 24 innings (four starts) with the D-backs so far.
Caseys.Partner
“Giants are still “slightly” underneath the $197MM luxury tax barrier”
Stop tormenting your fans with dreams of Machado or Harper. Those guys are off the market in seconds upon being on the market.
P H I L L I E S
The Phillies must sign both to have a functioning lineup of a WS contender and they have the money to do just that.
Kayrall
Lol
jekporkins
I think CaseysPartner should quit tormenting Phillies fans of getting both! They do have a lot of money, however. I can see getting one. Probably Machado? They should be waiting out Trout, who is a huge Phillies fan, and spend their money on him after 2020.
I don’t think any real Giants fan thinks they are getting Machado. Third base and SS are covered for the next few years, anyway. Nobody thinks Harper wants to come play in SF, but I’ll take it they throw enough money at him. I believe they are first in the NL in batting avg. and third in OPS,, so maybe more offense isn’t the answer anyway. If they dip into the free agent market they should spend all that cash on pitching.
Caseys.Partner
“They should be waiting out Trout”
There will always be money for Trout.
Trout, Harper and Machado is a real possibility that is only blocked by Trout.
stevewpants
Are we talking Kilgore Trout here? So it goes.
thegreatcerealfamine
The Mets and Braves stand a better chance of getting anyone of those three guys then the Phillies.
jdgoat
Why do you say that? Why don’t you think the Phillies are a logical fit? They seem to be the best fit or at least top 5 in the league for any of the three.
gilgunderson
Not sure why Harper would not clearly want to play in SF. He loves the city itself and is clearly not intimidated by hitting at AT&T Park. There are probably better fits out there and the Giants will have a hard time coming up with all that money on top of their other commitments, but I wouldn’t write off their chances out of hand.
Pence will be gone. McCutcheon will be a free agent. There will definitely be room in the Giants OF next year.
thegreatcerealfamine
“He loves the city itself” and your basing this off what exactly? Harper doesn’t want to go to an aged team on their last legs. You’ll probably see the Giants trading off assets and doing a complete rebuild soon, at least that’s what they should do.
jekporkins
To get Harper they will have to get rid of Hunter Strickland for sure.
BernG
With Clutch leaving they have an opening for Harper. Harper would be nice to have but I’m not sure I’d spend $300 million for him..
RadioPirate
The “luxury tax barrier” only applies to this year. No way the Giants chase a Machado or Harper at the deadline this season, but once the 2018 FA signing period opens, the Giants, along with a lot of other high-budget teams, will be able to throw caution (and luxury tax concerns) to the wind again and sign whoever they can. I suspect the Giants will kick tires on Harper and, as one of the few teams who’ll be able to offer him what he’ll be looking for, have as good a chance as anyone not names Nationals or Yankees to sign him.
realgone2
The Obligatory “I’d love to stay here” comment from a Free Agent
hiflew
In fairness, for years DJ has always been up front about wanting to stay in Colorado.
baseball1600
It pains you as a Giants fan, when the front office prefers Jackson and Pence over Williamson and Duggar.
sacball
Williamson is getting more starts than Jackson and Pence combined at this point
dahnthemahn90
You should only be pained if and when Gorkys loses is and they don’t call Duggar up. Williamson is playing…
baseball1600
Though Pence is swinging the bat well lately. His new hitting instructor really changed his approach to the plate. He’s drawing more walks and hitting the ball harder when he makes contact, but his defense is still pretty mediocre and his value is at best a DH in the AL and a pinch hitter in the NL.
dahnthemahn90
Philly isn’t getting Machado, Harper or Lebron. And in any event Machado to SF was never a thing… Maybe the Dodgers will trade for Machado and convince him and Harper to sign during free agency. LA could pull it off, def not Philly.
ronnsnow
I don’t see why they won’t. Philly has deep pockets. I think LeBron and Machado are pretty likely. Not Harper though.
thegreatcerealfamine
If LeBron was even thinking of going to a eastern city it would definitely be one with the brighter future…Boston.
jekporkins
The Dodgers have Turner and Taylor on the left side of the infield next year. Why would they want to spend that money on Machado when they have their own free agent issue with Kershaw?
differentbears
Seager should be back at SS next year. Recovery for position players from Tommy John surgery is shorter.
Look for Taylor to move back into The OF mix, or possibly be the 2B.
BobbyJohn
The Ian Desmond contract continues to be the gift that keeps on giving in Colorado.
hiflew
The only thing good about his contract is that it is a declining obligation. He is getting $22 million this year, but it falls to $15 million in 2019 and 2020 and drops to $8 million in 2021. Of course if he doesn’t improve, even $8 million would be overpaying for him.
BobbyJohn
He has been a bit unlucky this year (.213 BABIP), but if you “normalize” him to the approximately .300 BABIP across MLB then he’s pretty much a .230 average guy for his career.
It was a bad signing when it happened, and it’s getting worse.
Squeezebuntz9
Giants aren’t keeping Jackson over Pence in a trade scenario, so hopefully Jackson can be traded, but neither have much tradeability at this point. Gorkys has earned his keep but could fall off anytime. Mac has been flat since returning from DL. At this point why not give Duggar a shot, and dump Jackson’s contract in a trade. Maybe Tampa will be the dust bin again for them.
antibelt
I keep asking why is everyone looking past Slater. Has started more than 100 games at second in the minors, played first, third, and all the outfield psotions in the minors. He’s also outhit Williamson in the majors.
Squeezebuntz9
Probably because of Hanson hitting so well, Mac seemed like the obvious choice early in the season, Pence is Pence use him or lose him, and Slater is actually a fantastic trade piece for a pitcher considering the log jam of mediocre center fielders and the corners being set. We will probably see Slater soon if Mac slumps.
ronnsnow
Either LeMahieu or Dozier will end up with the Red Sox next season.
angelsfan4life
And play where?
ronnsnow
2B. Pedroia’s days as a starter are done.
siddfinch1079
in Boston, MA except when they are the visiting team.
ray_derek
Fenway
davep-3
Would like to see MLB (and other sports leagues) have the official teams payroll numbers on league sites. The media and unofficial sites like Cots are close enough that it isn’t like the salaries are a complete secret. With luxury tax and (for some sports) cap space being such an important part of the game, it seems silly to lack transparency.
jorge78
Good idea…..
stevewpants
Silly to us, not silly to the organizations. The harder it is for people like you and me to make sense of their finances the easier it is for them to increase profits without having to answer any questions or justify decision making processes.
RadioPirate
So I guess you wouldn’t mind if your employer posted your salary numbers online, for all the world to see?
stevewpants
Nice try but whether i mind or not is irrelevant, I work for a state university, my compensation is a matter of public record.
Go Snakes
Buchholz is probably winning Comeback Player of the Year. Dude still has nasty off speed and good control.
DanielR.
I think Matt Kemp has him beat. It’s amazing to see the complete turn around Kemp is having
antibelt
Not really. Kemp has proven he can hit the last few years. Fangraphs weighs his defense too heavily making him a negative player.
DanielR.
His defense has improved & stats have also showed that he’s been the best in baseball at improving speed. He’s been good defensively this year, add that with his avg, obp, slg, etc, I think makes for a great comeback player of the year candidate.
tharrie0820
Don’t forget Kemp get off to a really hot start last year with the Braves too
DanielR.
He did but he also didn’t have the same production everywhere besides hitting like this year. He also has slightly better numbers this year. I know he’s bound to slow down, all I’m saying is he has the stats of a player rejuvenating his career & being a real strong candidate to not just be considered comeback player of the year but to also win it.
differentbears
Four starts for Buchholz vs. almost half a year of massive production and improved defense from Matt Kemp.
Some of Kemp’s numbers look similar to his recent years, but his OBP and defensive metrics are vastly improved. Even with his hitting, the last few years he was around or possibly below replacement level.
Right now, I don’t think the race is close, given the disparity in quantity. But Buchholz has been impressive thus far.
BobbyJohn
If anyone can track down the 2016-2017 versions of Bryan Shaw and Chris Rusin, the Rockies would surely appreciate it.
Thanks in advance.
sidewinder11
No thanks. We like the 2018 versions.
Sincerely,
DBacks fans
minoso9
Bridich can keep thinking about what not to do while I’m cryin’ about Bryan(Shaw), Rusin is taking a bruisin’, Dunn is done, Pounders is getting pounded, who can tell about Senzatela, Wade (the closer) is very much frayed, and oh no now it’s Vasto. Don’t think too long Bridich or this season will be in the ditch real soon.
charliesnutlikker
Buchholz sucks