The latest on a few East Coast clubs…
- The Mets have reportedly shown interest in free-agent catcher Robinson Chirinos, but a union between the two sides doesn’t look realistic. Chirinos a starting-caliber catcher, after all, and the Mets already have a somewhat expensive No. 1 backstop in Wilson Ramos, who’s slated to earn $10.75MM through 2020 (including a $1.5MM buyout for ’21). While Ramos didn’t have a great year in 2019, his first as a Met, the team’s “committed to” him heading into next season, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com writes. The 32-year-old Ramos was subpar behind the plate this season, evidenced by a 15 percent caught-stealing rate and a low ranking in Baseball Prospectus’ Framing Runs Above Average metric, but he did turn in another fine offensive campaign. Barring an unexpected turn, it seems he’ll start again next year for New York, though the team could bring in someone who – unlike Chirinos – is suited for a backup role.
- The Red Sox reached out to free-agent utilityman Brock Holt about a new deal after the season, but there haven’t been discussions since they hired Chaim Bloom as their chief baseball officer Oct. 28, Holt told Barstool Sports’ Section 10 podcast (hat tip to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com). Although other teams have contacted Holt, he revealed there’s “nothing serious” brewing between him and any clubs. MLBTR predicts a two-year, $8MM contract for the versatile Holt, who’s coming off back-to-back solid seasons at the plate. The 31-year-old batted .297/.369/.402 in 295 PA in 2019, which is looking more and more like his last season as a member of the Red Sox.
- The Rays made the decision to designate third baseman Matt Duffy for assignment Thursday after failing to find a trade partner for the 28-year-old, according to general manager Erik Neander (via Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times). But moving on from the oft-injured Duffy was a tough call for the Rays, per Neander, who stated: “Wish that his health and his time with us would have gone different in that regard and we could have had him on the field more. He really is a special player and there’s the obvious stuff you can measure in how he impacts a game. His intangibles, his leadership, his influence on a younger impressionable clubhouse like we have is worth a lot.” Despite the respect the organization has for Duffy, Neander noted the Rays are happier with their current third basemen (including No. 1 option Yandy Diaz).
- Much like his previous deal with the Rangers, the two-year, $14MM contract reliever Chris Martin signed with the Braves gives him the opportunity to become a free agent at the end of it, Jon Heyman of MLB Network tweets. Martin will only have three-plus years’ service time then, meaning he’d remain eligible for arbitration under normal circumstances, but there’s language built into the pact that will allow him to return to the open market when it expires.
If Bloom doesn’t anything else he needs to sign the Brockstar or I fear the fans, especially me, will be DEVASTATED!!!!!
The red sox care little about you, or me, being devastated.
I too, like many, would like to see brock return. However, bloom comes from a market that is more about data-driven outcomes at the most economical price. As much usefulness as brock has as a jack of all trades, they are likely willing to trade his production for a combination of pieces that make league minimum given the payroll cuts they desire.
Particularly with the new 26th man its easier to use 2 men making league minimum to cover the number of positions brock can do alone. Good as his ba and OBP are, I’m sure they will trade 6 hits per 100 AB to save 4 mil/yr.
If a serious trade happened – JD, JBJ, or Mookie, odds of his return (if unsigned at that point, probably increase.
Arguable Bradley has any value making 10m next year in a trade. As for Holt? He has use as 4th OF, plus 2b/SS/3b. CF is one position he has played wouldn’t want him to sub at. The Sox could get him inked at 2/8m, believe a decent deal then Lin becomes the 26th guy who can cover CF in emergency, plus same 3 IF positions Holt can.
Kind of my point.
In the eyes of bloom, lin/hernandez tandem covers much the same ground as holt, but at a cost savings.
If JBJ is gone, you could slide benny over and holt picks up some corner of reps possibly along with jd or some other player. But with all the big $ names on the roster, then the extra $4m comes into play.
Benny hasn’t shown he’s a major league center fielder in the small sample size he’s had. I realize he came up one but to me the first order of business is deciding on Mookie. If he stay’s your CFer if they move JBJ. Seeing him play full time there could increase his value if that’s still possible. Benny actually has big value and could also be moved before he starts earning big money. If the team chooses not to re-up with Holt because of his past inability to stay on the field, fine but if it’s because of $4m for two years? That’s a disgrace, even if the economizing is just one year. He’s one player who outperforms his salary in the eye test. JBJ’s defense had too but now $11m? Arb needs to stop rewarding on longevity and re-distribute that money to the first time eligible player that deserves it. If players refuse a multiple year deal or the team doesn’t offer one, the arb decision should be based in larger part on the previous year’s performance and if that means a cut in pay for some and further rewards for others so be it.
Is Benintendi going to start hitting? After they get rid of JBJ (4 years after I first wanted him gone), Benintendi becomes the highest on my s*** list. He has trade value (for whatever reason).
Exactly. This is the time to trade him. He also has that perfect swing so it could also be the year he exceeds expectations. I just think he is the one every day player they might move who could return big time assets back. Not a superstar but multiple intriguing players making zilch.
what is this pouty “the team doesnt care about us fans” thing that has developed with seemingly every team recently? Teams care about the money fans bring in, and if they believe a player will put enough fans in the seats, than they will be signed.
Teams care about network cash, gate receipts and concession / merch sales is just incremental pocket change for them.
You are completely wrong here. Gate receipts alone at Fenway bring in over $100M for the team, and I would guess concessions and mercy sold at the park bring in another $30-$40M, so this is BIG part of the team’s budget and they are aware that selling out every game is of utmost importance.
Hopefully because the spending increased dramatically a few years ago when they had back to back lousy seasons and NESN ratings soured big time. The team continued to draw then. I just prey they remember that even in big market areas, fans eventually find other enjoyment avenues if they’re not entertained. This means a combination of winning and putting a team together that is fun to watch. Tampa won last year 90+ games but that style is brutal to watch or listen too. Get the message Mr. Bloom?
They make moves based on their judgments not on the fans
“He who listens to the advice of the fans, will soon be sitting with them.”
Gary 11:22
Is that how they determined Eovaldi and Pierce were good signings?
They were good signings that were determined off of the David Price contract. Recently that model was enhanced with the great signing contract of Chris $ale.
Come on now…they were “lets keep the band together” signings that the new guy probably would have not done and in hindsight they haven’t worked out well so far….Pierce gave nothing, and Eovaldi can’t seem to stay healthy so the next 2 years should be interesting.
As far as Sale…well that will be determined by his current injury and how that may or may not affect his future years…..but by no means were these to be considered “good signings”!
I saw a lot of questions on the Eovaldi signing. Mostly about length and AAV, but not about us keeping him.
But I don’t remember one person objecting to Pearce. In the three previous seasons, he had an OPS of .830. He had a 2018 RS OPS of .901. His 2019 collapse was pretty hard to predict.
Players do become free agents at the end of their contracts. That’s how it works. Makes much more sense to just point out contracts that have options attached.
Most players don’t become free agents with 3-4 years of service time. That was the point of the tweet.
Why don’t more players demand contracts like this? I’ve followed baseball closely for a long time and have never heard of this practice. Seems like more players would be interested in doing it.
Because he wasn’t drafted and played in Japan. He did so well over there that the Rangers agreed to sign him with that clause. Otherwise he would have stayed in Japan.
Because a player under team control cannot demand to be a free agent.
Reading comprehension is difficult for some people
I actually read the whole thing and understand it. I was subtly pointing out that the way MLBTR reported it, it misrepresents Heyman’s tweet. It makes it sound like Heyman reported that like his last contract, he becomes a free agent at the end of it. The explanation comes after they have concluded what Heyman said in his tweet. With that being said, this is the first I’ve heard of a contract being structured like this.
Intl free agents with enough talent hold leverage traditional amateurs dont, which is a source of some dissatisfaction with players subject to the draft.
First it was the larger bonuses, which, have been reigned in. But more recently you see clauses like this, or, contracts that dictate a team cannot extend a QO at the conclusion. I think cespedes had one of those iirc.
Is there a rule that prevent domestic players from getting these clauses or do teams just refuse to give them?
Teams are only going to give those if they have to do it. Players in USA are subject to the draft, which gives teams control for “X” amount of years before they’re even eligible for free agency. Those that are released become free agents, but typically because they’re not that good.
Brewers should call the Mets about Wilson Ramos. Mets could shed some payroll and the Brewers need some offensive production out of that position.
Thats a good idea for the Brewers but not for Met fans why you ask ? Cuz the Mets would find some cheap minor leaguer for catcher
It appears John Henry wants to get below the $208M THRESHOLD. So they are at $221M now and have to cut JBJ and Leon to get below $208M. No room for Holt, JBJ or Leon unless they move someone else or John Henry agrees to go over the $208M.
Price needs to be moved. He is the key.
Who is going to want him? He’s hurt, expensive, and not that good… if you’re going to move price, Boston is either going to eat a ton of the contract money or have to pair him with someone else which would absolutely lower the return on whoever that other player(s) is.
The Angels would be interested afterall they blew 11 mil on Matt Harvey last yr
A lot of posters seem to have trouble grasping this fact. All of Boston’s tradeable assests come with warts, and yes I would include Betts in that due to his contract status
You’re exactly right “Baseballallday” about Price.
And Price’s contract should be a good example of why long term high paying contracts are bad for a team.
This is why they dumped DD and brought in Bloom.
TO FIND LESS EXPENSIVE “VALUE”.
Unfortunately they are “stuck” with Price.
Texas Rangers are moving into a new domed stadium in 2020. They are looking at Price or Eovaldi to come to them in a trade to help sell tickets.
Yup. They would have to throw two prospects in the deal, or perhaps Benintendi and one prospect, or perhaps downgrade prospects.
Maybe something like Price’s entire contract, Jay Groome, Ben Howlett, Matthew Lugo, and Kyle Hart to the White Sox for Evan Marshall; 2 outfield prospects like Luis Basabe, Luis Gonzalez, or Micker Adolfo; and 2 bullpen prospects like Ian Hamilton, Jimmy Cordero, or Cody Heuer.
I’d like to see Atlanta pick up Holt for a super-utility type position, and then actually follow through with rotating players during the year so they get some more rest, like they were going to last year.
Donaldson being healthy and productive made that plan irrelevant. Then injuries to Ender, Nick, Dansby, and Johan made it impossible.
Ramos is a good candidate for LAA, HOU, or TEX if they cant find someone suitable in free agency.
Martin’s deals show why the arbitration system does not work. there is no reason why someone should be arbitration-eligible after having already signed a guaranteed MLB deal.
Arbitration was negotiated by the MLBPA and not the owners. The owners would much rather have 5-6 years of control over players and pay them close to minimum salaries, but the MLBPA wouldn’t go for that and I don’t blame them. Only way arbitration goes away is if players can become free agents after 3 years of MLB service, which I highly doubt owners would ever agree to, given how long it takes to develop prospects.
Matt Duffy has hit fairly well in two of the most “pitcher friendly” parks in the league. Someone should give him a chance.
He’ll end up with a team like Baltimore or Detroit who can flip him if he’s healthy.
Lets not forget how bad Mets pitchers are at holding runners close
If the Sox can move either Price, Eovaldi, Betts or JBJ in a trade, they should offer Holt 7,5 mm over 2 years and keep him. It’s all about team chemistry. Holt is a knucklehead.
While I’d love to see Boston move Price, I believe Eovaldi will be the ‘easiest’ to move given that he makes about 55% of what Price does and only has 2 years left on his deal. Any Price deal will either need to include another affordable player (like Benny), or the Sox will need to take back an equally bad contract of $18-$22M themselves. Maybe something could be worked out with SF where Boston takes Cuerto and SF gets Price, but SF has a large payroll commitment already and may not want to take on more $$$ for a less than sure thing (to say the least). If the Sox are willing to eat 50% of Price’s contract then he becomes much more attractive to a team like Minnesota or San Diego. Only question is: does Price have a no trade clause in his deal? I would assume that he does, at least a limited one.
When you see JDM getting $62M for the next 3 years.
Abreu just taking $50M for the next 3 years.
It doesn’t take a math whiz to see the Betts is a bad deal in free agency in 1 year.
He’s shooting for a Trout type contract (.12 years/$426.5M).
Hope Boston doesn’t make the same mistake the Angels did.