The Yankees signed right-hander Luis Severino to a four-year, $40MM extension shortly before they were scheduled to face off against him in arbitration Friday. General manager Brian Cashman spoke about the buzzer-beating agreement Saturday, saying (via George A. King III of the New York Post): “We circled back 30 minutes before the hearing and I asked [agent Nelson Montes de Oca] if he wanted to circle back to my room again. The atmosphere was better, different. We both said we would rather not walk into this hearing and do what we have to do. We gave a little, they gave a little. The Severino extension may not be the last one the Yankees dole out before the season, as Cashman revealed that the club has “had conversations with some” unidentified players regarding new deals. Speculatively, center fielder Aaron Hicks, shortstop Didi Gregorius and reliever Dellin Betances – integral Yankees slated to reach free agency next winter – look like logical candidates.
Here’s the latest on a few other East Coast franchises:
- Manager Gabe Kapler claims the Phillies aren’t guaranteeing a No. 1 job to center fielder Odubel Herrera, Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Herrera’s a four-year starter in Philly who still has three guaranteed seasons left on the $30.5MM extension he signed in 2016, but he turned in an underwhelming showing in 2018. He’ll now compete for a place in center and right this spring with Roman Quinn, Nick Williams and Aaron Altherr, according to Kapler. Although, if the Phillies add superstar right fielder Bryce Harper in free agency, it’ll give the Herrera-Quinn-Williams-Altherr quartet one fewer position to fight over. Herrera, for his part, has worked hard in recent months to get himself into better shape, as Lauber details, and Kapler expects the 27-year-old to benefit from the Phillies’ hiring of first base/outfield/baserunning coach Paco Figueroa.
- The Red Sox are expected to trade a catcher – be it Christian Vazquez, Sandy Leon or Blake Swihart – before the season. If that happens, they’ll likely be left with minor league signing Juan Centeno as their No. 3 backstop. Manager Alex Cora said Saturday he’d be “comfortable” in that scenario, pointing out he’s familiar with the veteran Centeno from their time with the World Series-winning Houston organization in 2017, per Christopher Smith of MassLive.com. Centeno’s contract does not include an opt-out clause, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski confirmed to Smith, so the Red Sox aren’t in danger of losing him before the season. However, as Smith notes, if Boston adds Centeno to its 40-man roster at some point and then tries to send him to the minors, it’ll need to pass him through waivers because he’s out of options.
- Left-hander Ryan Borucki was one of the few bright spots on the Blue Jays’ pitching staff in 2018, a rookie year in which he turned in a 3.87 ERA/3.80 FIP over 97 2/3 innings and 17 starts. Nevertheless, while it appears the Jays are guaranteeing starting spots to Marcus Stroman, Aaron Sanchez and newcomers Matt Shoemaker and Clayton Richard heading into the season, general manager Ross Atkins indicated this week that Borucki will have to battle for a role in their rotation this spring, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com relays. The soon-to-be 25-year-old Borucki still looks to be the front-runner for the Jays’ No. 5 spot, though, as he’s clearly the most proven 40-man option left on their staff.
Aaaaaaaand STILL no news on Machado or Harper smdh
Their agents would have you believe it’s still early. We have another month to go before anyone needs to be concerned. The talking heads will assure you that all these guys will be in uniform by opening day. All perfectly normal – nothing to see here.
It doesn’t matter whether they are in uniform by opening day – what matters is that they are ready. Each day the likelihood increases that they will not be ready.
What? They are holding out for a big payday, not dealing with a strained oblique.
They are holding out for a payday, as in not on a team, as in NOT in spring training…training with a team… like they should be by now.
Arrieta signed in March last year. This is the new norm.
There were never going to be enough bidders to drive the price up into the ranges some were expecting them to get.
Red Sox won the World Series last year with all 3. Sucks for Blake, but why give up one of them for nothing? Keep him on the roster as a backup catcher / 1st basemen / outfielder / emergency option at 3B
Why waste a roster spot please explain
Roster construction was a reason the Red Sox won last year. Having Swihart allowed Cora to pinch hit for the starting catcher with Pearce, Holt or Nunez and not have to be afraid of having no catcher in case of injury. A third catcher, if he can fake it elsewhere, is more valuable than a 13th pitcher.
The Red Sox won in spite of that, not because of that. You’ll learn that very quickly this year.
Problem is they didnt have Pearce until late last year. With Pedroia back and Nunez, Holt, Pearce on the bench and 13 pitchers they only have one bench spot not two. Swihart is the better option but pitchers love Leon.
But there had Hanley, difference is Pedroia!
Bostonfirlufe, I totally agree with you and sorry Cusp, the Sox may learn the Hard way three catchers was a big asset since all were challenged at the plate. Versatility was the team’s most underrated weapon in 2018. Look at what the starters did in relief in the playoffs. Having two competent 1Bmen was necessary due to Moreland’s injury and Holt was simply amazing. The only reason to not have the three on the roster is if they got a truly two catcher. I certainly hope the 25th player doesn’t become another pitcher as the pace of play would only get slower.
*Bostonforlife. **Cuso.
Curious. Could Holt serve as an emergency catcher (a few innings)? He’s one of the game’s most versatile players.
Nope. Coaches have mentioned his ability to play anywhere but pitch or catch. He needs to resign in today’s game.
*Re-sigm, not resign.
I honestly think the Yankees are going to sign Machado
If he’s willing to take a major pay cut to win your right, otherwise no chance.
Manny will be wearing black and white pinstripes this year.
I do too n I hope he is nothing like he was in LA against Boston in the WS.
What I meant is I think he’ll be the nothing like he was in LA.
Odubel or Goofy as we like to call him better have his big boy pants on if he wants to play. I prefer Roman Quinn over him…
Pretty sure Phillies plan was to package Odubal and Franco to White Sox for a pitcher like Rodon after Machado signing. They have rzn out of time to put that together. Let Quinn catch everything out there.
This Diehard Yankee fan’s Prediction:
Bryce Harper to Yankees
Manny Machado to Phillies
If you dont have anything nice to say, please don’t say it.
Xabial I hope your right
Xaviab I find you for often wrong then right. Just stop posting your opinions you get more hate then love. But if that’s what you enjoy go for it! Idc myself but your posts tend to get annoying
I find it entertaining
He gets more out of his posts than this mishmash you tried.
@sportsfan101
Other than the fact, completely disagree with you…
“far* often wrong than* right.”
“more hate than* love.”
And you people have a problem w/ my english?
The posts where morons don’t know the difference between “you’re” and “your” are far more annoying.
More than likely it will be the reverse, but honestly nobody knows anything
xabial, if you keep this up im gonna have to rescind my statement about you being MLBTR’s comeback player of the year.
Not only are you probably wrong, this article didnt even mention Macharper. You seem to be baiting at this point than anything
When it’s late at night, Xabial and his Yankee gang rule the threads. Don’t get caught up in drugs, kids.
i mean, Im a Yankee fan so does that make me part of his gang? never been in a gang before…
You aren’t a Yankee homer though. There were some Yankee fans who were part of the resistance. Poor Harry Pness, a normal Yankee fan, banned from existence by Xabial. We will remember you forever, Harry.
Harry Pness was mentally ill — only mistake MLBTR made was not banning him sooner.
Pretty bold of you to bring him up, since every-time there’s a discussion about P*N*S, it gets removed.
Posts like these make me not buy your: “We at peace now, cuz I appreciate getting my account back.” Looks like u shouldve stayed banned.
I swear, if you kids don’t stop fighting I am turning this car around right now and you can forget DisneyLand…..now PIPE Down!!!!!
xabial noooooo stoooop this is what led to your 2018 slump!!! youre in a contract year dude you cant be advocating for more bans and censorship without taking a major hit to ur WAR
+Cat
Disneyland sucks anyway, we better be turning around for Disneyworld no matter what happens!
My bad….I meant to say DisneyWorld since this is an east coast “battle” but I had just awakened. Living in AZ for 20 years has shifted my geographical mindset I guess.
Really not sure how you have an account still. Nothing but childish attacks and troll baiting. Go watch baseball for a decade and then come back.
Disney World not land! Those on the east coast would appreciate the proper geographic location of the park and to mix them up is borderline geographic locationism or in other words you would be labeled a GeographIST!
@benjamin there were several other posts in this thread that brought up Harper and Manny. Cut the guy some slack. This is supposed to be fun.
sure, but xabial really seems to he baiting at this point. he has made the same prediction multiple times. he already knows the reaction to it which is why he put “If you dont have anything nice to say, please dont say it”, which is more bait in itself.
I have more fun than xabial, believe me. i mean, do you think im serious about him being mlbtr comeback player of the year?
X, keep hope alive, and ignore the creepers.
i hope you’re right
I hope to see big pocket team start new strategy for rebuild. Sign big names for too much then eat big part of salary to move them in return for big prospect return. Help division rival win now while also plunder their future?
Example: Giants sign Harper for 10/300. Trade at deadline to Rockies with Melancon and Smith for top four Rockies prospects after agreeing to eat 100 million of Bryce contract. Drive preseason sales of Giant season tickets. Push Rockies over the top during season. Expedite Giant rebuild. Destroy future of division rival. Yankee could do this too because they can afford.
ej, you have an evil mind..keep it up (^_*)
Trade? You don’t think he is going to get a no trade clause? Put down the pipe son.
Sorry but this makes no sense. Effectively, the Rockies would be acquiring him (let’s pretend there’s no no-trade clause for a second) for 10/$232 mil. If they were so inclined why wouldn’t they just offer him that as a FA and keep their top prospects?
What WOULD make sense would be for the Giants to sign a bunch of FA to 1 year deals hoping they have a good season and could be used as trade chips for prospects. In fact, every mid-sized market team should do that.
The Yankees outfield is a bit crowded, no? Plus the team has tons of contracts to extend. I don’t see it, but stranger things have happened.
It is pretty crowded.
Currently there are 5 (potentially 6 depending on whatever Jacoby’s health status is) OF’s that are going to be commanding a spot on the 25 man roster. Judge, Hicks, Stanton, Gardner seem to be the locks, Frazier is too good to keep down in AAA, and if Ells is healthy he obviously has no minor league options, no one really wants to trade for him, and even if they do he has a NTC. Adding Harper, another corner OF, at the salary he will make, will just be not worth it. Harpers defense would probably be the worst out of all the Yankees OF (not including Jacoby and his noodle for an arm), aside from maybe C. Frazier so it just makes everything even more restricted.
Exactly my thinking. I just don’t see the Yankees really bidding for Harper. They’ll do their due diligence, but I don’t see them competing with the Phillies, Nats, Giants, White Sox…etc. It’s not really a move that makes sense.
@vonpurp and @begamin
Why do people insist on saying this? Their infield is much more crowded than the OF.
Who can you count on to be a starter at this point? Judge, Hicks, Gardner with Stanton splitting time between DH and a corner OF position. Frazier is healthy but no lock to make the team and Ellsbury most likely will start the year on the DL.
Factor in that Hicks can walk as a FA and Stanton can opt out too (most likely he won’t but it’s a possibility if he has a huge year and is willing to take less to go to a West Coast team).
Factor in health (Hicks) and age (Gardner) and the Yanks are 1 injury away from being in trouble.
How doesn’t Harper in LF, Hicks in CF, Judge in RF, Stanton as DH (we don’t need to reserve DH for a bunch of old players), Gardner as the 4th OF (and CF on days Hicks needs a rest) and Frazier in AAA for depth not a logical play?
Who can the Yanks rely on in the minors that’s ready to contribute if needed? Florial is likely 2 years away and we no longer have Cave, McKinney or Austin as call up depth. At this point, signing Harper makes a whole lot more sense than signing Manny. Yanks have two 1B options, two 2B options, two SS options and Andujar at 3B. Not to mention Tyler Wade and Thairo Estrada as possible utility guys.
Both the outfield and infield are crowded.
Neither Harper nor Machado are logical plays since neither of them pitch.
Harper is a better fit for yanks. Machado is a head case.
How is Harper a better fit for the Yankees when they have 6 outfielders? Don’t get me wrong, every team would love to have Harper, but the Yankees absolutely do not need him. I don’t see them making a legitimate offer. I just feel Machado is more likely because they know they don’t need to be the highest bidder in that case.
Harper is a better fit because he is a bigger upgrade from Gardner than Machado is from anybody he would be replacing.. and he’s a lefty.
Hicks
Judge
Harper
Stanton
Didi
Sanchez
Torres
Andujar
Voit
Imagine that lineup????
The Yanks like shiny things. They didn’t need Stanton either, but they got him.
I think signing Harper would seriously impede the Yankees ability to extend players like Judge and Andujar. So I stlll can’t see the move happening. But they are the Yankees. You never know.
That’s why I am hoping they sign him. They had a great path last year until Stanton distracted them. With deeper pitching last year they could have won it all.
Nothing will seriously or otherwise impede the Yankees from extending their young core looking forward…….income from tickets, YES, etc insures they will not be foolish and not lock up their guys!
Their position with locking up Sevy is good proof of this.
Don’t know where you going with all this……
Locking up all those guys costs a lot of money. Lots of good free agents coming up in 2020 and 2021. I think the Yankees would rather spend wisely than give out another Stantonesque contract to Harper.
I mentioned in another post reasons why Harper makes more sense than Manny but another reason is because the Yanks only have two lefties on their team and it’s switch hitting Hicks and Gardner who struggled as a whole last year (.690 OPS) and was worse vs lefties (.628 OPS). He’s best suited to be a platoon player/4th OF. And if Hicks is injured he’s the ONLY legit CF on the roster.
I like Frazier and want him to succeed but 2018 was a wash for him. He might need more than ST to be mlb ready. I would’ve been cool had the Yanks signed Brantley or Markakis but to not address LF at all? Sign Harper if he can be had for less than 8 years.
If Hicks is injured it doesnt matter if Harper is on the team because he isnt a legit CF either. His RF play isnt even good.
Also, people overrate the importance of lefty/right balance in the lineup. Yankees lineup was RH dominated last year too, and yet with multiple injuries to their better hitters they were 2nd in most runs scored per game on average. Personally, the fact that Harper is a lefty isnt moving the needle all that much
Bronx Native here (St Margaret Mary Elementary School &, Cardinal Hayes High School) and I’ve been a Yankee fan since elementary school who misses the days of walking across Franz Sigel Park after school to watch Louisiana Lightning pitch against KC in the playoffs (yeah, I’m old-ish lol)
… and I’d much rather Cashman continue/complete more extensions like Severino’s before/rather than take on another massive contract with Machado and/or Harper
I’m not going to play the moral high ground and whine about Manny’s “attitude” or Bryce “just not that elite” (neither of which I believe is true/valid/relevant) … I’m looking towards the potential 2020 FA market that currently has some nice SP who will command some really high salaries.
Debatable “Generational Player” designation or not, if I’m Cashman, I’ve got to balance adding a $300M right now for an OF/IF … positions where the team is not exactly weak/hurting … against being active in the Cole Sale Market next year (if they aren’t extended/traded by then of course)
ijs
So much logic used here. I completely agree. The Yankees are built to win the World Series right now. They have a ton of young talent that they need to think about extending down the road. Harper is nice for the glitz and glamour, but I think he hurts the Yankees longterm. If they sign Harper they may lose out on extending the likes of Judge and that is something they cannot allow.
I wonder if sensible posts would be downvoted so much if the site used either the option to show who or require they post a reply to qualify their downvote.
Then again, trolls would suffer and, as we all know, TLM … Troll Lives Matter
I seriously doubt an extension should be a deterrent to signing Harper or any 2020 FA SP. The Yanks can let Gardner ($8 mil) and Sabathia ($8 mil) walk/retire at the end of 2019., Tanaka ($23), Ellsbury ($21 – $5 mil buyout), LeMaheiu ($12 mil) and Happ ($17 mil) walk after 2020. They will also be in the last year of expensive relief pitchers in thier mid 30s in 2021 (Chapman, Ottavino and Britton). Collectively, that would be about $39 mil off the books that year.
Even if signed to extensions most of these guys are not going to be earning fair market value. How the Yanks replace the guys they let walk would be the key. If we can develop more of our power arms in the minors then maybe our 2020 pen won’t be as expensive and can be a place we can save money.
$39 million is like what, 2-3 players max? Theres more than 2-3 players worth extending, nevertheless on the FA market. If Hal is already at his spending threshold now i doubt he is just going to go nuts. That said, I think he would pay more taxes if it means retaining homegrown stars, but not too much more
I’m sorry but there is 0 chance Yankees sign Harper…0 chance.
It’s 50/50 on Machado going to Phillies. Whitesox offered more money.
Why is their “zero” chance? If Gardner is the starting LF then Harper is a clear need, They have the money, And I think Harper wants to be a Yankee. If the price or years come down I can see a match.
I wouldnt say that having a solid veteran OF means there is a clear need for Harper. Sure, Harper is better than Gardner, but you do not need an all-star at every position. Just because Harper is better than Gardner doesnt make Harper a need.
What does Blake Swihart net you in a trade? Ryan Goins?
A PTBNL and cash
More than Leon, who probably would just be a straight DFA candidate. Think myself Swihart has the upside, Vazquez has the same glove + arm of Leon and also has upside with the bat which he showed in 2017, plus has in the minors as well. Leon has never hit, except for half a season couple years back throughout his entire career, majors, nor minors and is set to make 2.5m. Good glove or not. He’s the 1 to go I say. Let Vazquez start 3-4 games a week and Swihart the rest, then DFA Leon end of ST unless some miracle occurs and rash of injuries hit catchers and can get anything for Leon then.
Vasquez hasn’t hit much either though, and is more likely to net something in a trade. I’d rather see Swihart get the main opportunity behind the plate and keep Leon on as backup. I would expect his numbers to be more like they were in 2017 as well.
Brandon Webb
Rob Refsnyder
no way does Swihart net the best trade chip in all of baseball!!!
Ryan Borucki will have to battle with Ryan Feierabend for the fifth starter spot.
Just a gut feeling, Harper to the Phillies, Machado to the Padres, Keuchel to the Astros & Kimbrel to the Braves. The Red Sox stand pat with no significant signings to avoid going over the $246M CBA Payroll tax threshold.
I believe DD has expressed numerous times that Sox were staying pat…thanks for the new update.
You’re welcome.
I highly doubt Kimbrel goes to Atlanta. Not unless he takes a sweetheart hometown deal at $10m
Don’t understand why you’re getting downvotes. Everything you’re saying makes sense to me. I actually agree on all the signings.
Odubel has always been the paradigm for “second division player”….puts up some nice numbers, for those who like them, but really doesn’t have a clue. Contending teams have a tough time working around that. You really don’t want, in what figures to be a very competitive division, that total package.
Not so long ago that Odubel was being touted as the team LEADER on the Phils…..Mike Schmidt commented and was absolutely toasted for his comments on his leadership capabilities. Imagine that…..a HOF player being denigrated over what looks like a player that must be threatened with competition to bring out his best!
Shame on those that toasted a players player like Schmidt!
To be fair, I’m pretty sure he was entirely going off the fact that he was Latino and didn’t speak English or something like that. It’s not like he was using valid points.
Phillies would be so much farther ahead if they’d couple the Realmuto trade with signing Keuchel AND Kimbrel this year (instead of one of Machado or Harper). Maybe another 1-2 pieces in 2020 and then boom … TROUT in 2021.
I don’t know about signing Keuchel I really wished the A’s would be in on him but then that means the A’s would have to spend money. They should indeed pick up Kimbrel then that bullpen would be nasty. But overall really like what the Phils have done this year
After watching Machado & Harper,my money is that Trout will sign an extension, and wont be a FA.
I think the next two years determines a lot of Trout signs an extension. I think LA will make him the biggest offer ever, but I think he leaves to have a chance at the playoffs (more than he has now)
Trout should say “Only if you fire Eppler first”.
Eppler is a terrible GM. Has the best player in the game and unlimited payroll but can’t put the pieces together to get him to the postseason. 74, 80, 80 wins is an extremely terrible result that many Angels fans aren’t being vocal enough on.
Didn’t Eppler draft/ trade/ sign Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, Justin Upton, and Andrelton Simmons?
Yeah.. and they still cant make the post season
Where is the Bryce is ready to party news? I mean Bowden is on it so it must be true
Altherr, Quinn and Williams are all AAAA and terrible at MLB. Odubel has shown an all-star level ceiling at MLB (4.2 bWAR in 2016), McCutchen-Herrera-Harper is the best OF the Phillies can use everyday in 2019.
I agree Herrera eats those 3 for lunch all day. How about bringing in real competition for him and/or bringing in a real hitting coach to guide him. He reminds me of Puig. Always doing quirky things. Phillies never being in real coaches. It’s always the scrubs that used to play somewhere in the system and they need a day job. It’s like an old boys club. No one ever gets fired. They just move to the front office and always show up for spring training as a special assistant. Stop hiring guys like Matt Stairs and Herrera will benefit. Sorry but Paco is not going to save the day here.
well, I would agree re: Aaron Altherr and Nick Williams, but not on Roman Quinn…Quinn brings many of the same skill sets plus that awesome speed…Roman Quinn could be a game changer..just needs to stay on the field..
I’m tired of seeing Odubel step out of the box while the pitcher has already started his windup with a 0-1 count making it 0-2 for no reason..he did it all season…he’s just Goofy!
What are the Blue Jays thinking?
In what way in their careers have Shoemaker or Richard “earned” an automatic spot in any rotation?
Atkins and Shapiro are hoping that their FA signings turn their careers around and then they’re able to trade them away at the trade deadline for young assets. Jays are run by mental midgets.
Hopefully he’s just trying to send a message to Borucki not to be complacent.
Hank – they haven’t. It’s why the front office deserves criticism. Borucki should be there. In my mind they should not have Richard in the rotation. The 5th spot should be a battle between Thornton, Pannone, Reid-Foley etc.
Problem is they didnt have Pearce until late last year. With Pedroia back and Nunez, Holt, Pearce on the bench and 13 pitchers they only have one bench spot not two. Swihart is the better option but pitchers love Leon.
12 pitchers
winter meetings dombrowski should have traded catching for bullpen strength – move on
Herrera was one of the best players in baseball before the All-Star break, and one of the worst after it.
His skid started well before the AS break. From June 1st until the AS break he slashed .230/.262/.430 and it got worse after that .214/.279/.342. His season #’s were buoyed but his amazing hot start.
Yes. Good clarification here. Herrera is infuriating because he has amazing potential, but he has never been consistently solid.
Rumor in Boston, Kimbril has bought a one way ticket to Orlando, Braves spring training site
Should have traded Odubel 2 yrs ago a la Ken Giles. Got him on a cheapish long term deal, then traded him.
If the Blue Jays signed Harper, he’d have to battle for a starting spot too.
Well done Blue Jays.
Great- they have paid him what he’s worth for the 1st 1/2 of the season. What’s he worth the 2nd 1/2…?