The latest buzz from the free agent market…
- The Dodgers, Brewers, Yankees, and Red Sox are among the teams interested in Marcell Ozuna, according to Hector Gomez of Deportivo Z 101 (via Twitter). These four clubs are new additions to Ozuna’s market, while the Twins and Mets (also mentioned by Gomez) were linked to the slugger earlier this winter. Ozuna is looking for at least a four-year contract, Gomez writes. While financial demands weren’t mentioned, it can be assumed that Ozuna is looking for enough money to put the Dodgers and Yankees well over the $210MM luxury tax threshold, so it’s possible their interest is somewhat limited. Such a signing would also put Boston close to the threshold, and while the Brewers are nowhere near the tax line, it would represent a very bold move by a Milwaukee team that wasn’t expected to spend much this winter. It has been a relatively quiet offseason for Ozuna on the rumor mill, as his market may be dependent on whether or not the NL has a designated hitter spot available in 2021 and beyond.
- Didi Gregorius, Marcus Semien, and Andrelton Simmons “are viewed within the industry as similar enough that no team is compelled to set the market with a contract,” according to Matt Gelb and C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic, This has created a lot of uncertainty about when any of the shortstop trio might sign, what their next deals might be worth, or what teams will eventually make the leap. Gelb and Rosecrans discussed the three shortstops with nine evaluators, who broke down the pros and cons of each player and ranked them 1-2-3 on a ballot.
- In other news about the shortstops, the Red Sox are likely no longer a fit for Semien now that Enrique Hernandez is heading to Boston. The Sox were reported to have interest in Semien as a second baseman, but MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo (Twitter links) hears from a source who believes “Semien still wants to sign as a shortstop,” despite interest from teams at other infield positions. Boston is still looking to add a left-handed hitter to the bench mix, with Cotillo reporting that Brad Miller and Mitch Moreland are possibilities.
- The Blue Jays were known to have interest in Simmons back in November and in the leadup to the trade deadline, and MLB Network’s Jon Heyman tweets that Simmons is still on Toronto’s radar.
- Garrett Richards is one player who seems to no longer to be under consideration for the Blue Jays, as Cotillo reports that the Jays aren’t one of the teams still looking to sign the free agent righty. “At least other teams” besides the Red Sox are still vying for Richards, Cotillo writes, though Boston seems to be relatively far along in discussions with Richards’ camp.
Not sure why the Yankees would be interested in another right handed DH when they have other needs. Starting pitcher, left handed bat, reliever.
Probably because he’s good at smashing the baseball
Yankees need to make money. Their brand is intrinsically tied to home run hitters. Ozuna is one of the best home run hitters available. Don’t think this one needs that much explanation
It’s not quite “their brand”, rather their park with its short fences. They also don’t “need to make money” they have 500x the media all other MLB teams have, they could be bad every year and they’d still make a billion off selling merch alone.
Regardless, stacking the team with should-be DH’s is not going to get the Yankees to the dance.
Yeah but one flaw in your logic there is the disparity in wall heights, which would obviously need to be taken into consideration- not just distance.
He’s a butcher in the field and will kill half his value with the bat with his awful glove. How many all hit no field guys can a team have? On big contracts no less. Ozone BA is way overrated. He’s not duplicating the half season he just had, he’s a good hitter with a terrible glove.
Is signing Ozuna to a big contract gonna “make them money”? If it was, why wouldn’t every team just sign him?
Clueless Answer
I think the mention of other big market clubs was orchestrated to drum up interest. I still see him back in Atlant when the ink dries.
I agree @dewey, especially because I can’t see why the Dodgers would be interested in Ozuna at all. They don’t need his bat in the lineup and don’t want his glove in the field. They’re trying to shore up 3rd base now, SS next season, and without a DH in the NL (yet), I don’t see it.
Cashman still thinks he can outslug everyone to a championship. Ozuna is literally redundant on a team that already has two lumbering sluggers in Judge and Stanton.
Ozuna can’t be any worse than Manny Ramirez defensively so hiding him in LF in Fenway makes some sense but i doubt the Red Sox come anywhere close to the money he’s asking for.
I don’t see a fit with the Dodgers as he can barely play one position.
The Brewers need offense beyond Yelich so there could certainly be a fit in Milwaukee
Since when is Judge a lumbering slugger? He’s one of the best RFs in the game defensively and runs pretty damn well too.
Stanton is not a “lumbering slugger” either. He grades out well as a LF and a RF and his sprint speed is above average. He just can’t stay healthy in the field.
You win the award for stupid comment today
Only reason Yankees would be serious is if they’re whipping up a trade that involves Frazier and some kind of salary dump that would enable them to stay under the luxury tax.
No one should be expecting cheapo Hal to suddenly be receptive to exceeding the threshold.
What I think is really happening is they’re trying to drive up the price for the Red Sox for whom Ozuna would be a great fit.
Two things wrong here. Any team near the luxury tax cannot be described as cheap. And Ozuna would not be a great fit for the Sox. He is below average fielder and should be at DH. The Sox have that already in JD.
The Yankees bring in about 600 million on a bad year in revenue. So a 200 million+ payroll expense should really be nothing but a formality. It’s more likely that the Yankees want to keep flexibility for some trades in July. They don’t need Ozuna. What they really need to spend the money on is Bauer—if he can play nice with Cole. They need the pitching and they obviously have the capability to afford him.
NO Bauer. Too much money, too much drama. Yankees are better off using their young arms to effectuate a trade for a pitcher of their choice, not be limited to paying for the one arm on the market that can hold down a #2 spot (for right now).
I could see this happening. Moving the money around so they could get Bauer might be the move that really does get them their first ring in 12 years.
Even if the Yankees traded Frazier, Ozuna couldn’t handle LF in Yankee Stadium. As much as people want to talk about how small the park is, left field is big.
Agreed, Ozuna makes no sense on the Yankees. If they’re willing to exceed the CBT, then they should go for a SP and a RP to replace Kahnle in the 7th.
The NYY need a 4th and 5th DH behind Stanton, Judge when injured (which is all the time), Ozuna (since he is a terrible outfielder),…..
They already have Judge, Hicks, Stanton, Frazier, Tauchman, and Anduljar in a pinch. DH is open for any of those guys.
Of course they have other needs. You are correct. The buzz is just meaningless drivel at this point. Ignore it. If they are going to spend money (which they may not do anyway), SP is a much greater need.
I really like Clint Frazier out there, he is good at the plate and dramatically improved his defense. I hope he will be part of the team this season
Sure, but if he helps us net a solid #2/#3 type SP then the Yankees have to listen. Rotation is too suspect and Frazier, while finally appearing to come of age, is expendable.
Frazier alone is not going to land a #2 or a #3 and the Yankees don’t have the expendable additional pieces to land a #2 or #3 via trade. They can only buy a free agent and they don’t seem to have any appetite for that.
Of course Frazier alone wouldn’t get it done but you are absolutely wrong stating they don’t have expendable additional pieces to land a #2 or #3 via trade. You make pieces available and let’s not pretend the Yankees don’t have plenty of quality prospects in their farm system. Package Frazier with Garcia or Schmidt and offer up another couple quality prospects from the minors (they do exist). Then you roll out the following rotation until July when Severino returns (and have the rotation depth to let Sevy ease back in):
Cole
Kluber
Pitcher acquired via trade
Montgomery
Garcia/Schmidt (spending who is dealt) or German
Then, by August (IF healthy which is a major IF for NYY these days), they’d have the following rotation:
Cole
Kluber
Acquired Pitcher
Sevy
Montgomery
Allows them to move their rotation depth pieces to bolster the pen for the postseason where they’ll have a real shot at actually winning the World Series.
I agree. I really like Frazier and that he appears to be perfect in LF. Yanks were patient with him for years and is now paying off. However SP is still much needed and to get a decent #2 or 3 plus stay under the threshold they might need to include a sweetener like Frazier to get a team to take Ottavino to open some cap room.
That’s not patience, that’s asleep at the wheel.
Finally coming of age? Call it what it was. The Yanks totally handled him poorly. He could and should have had a place in the lineup long before now.
How so? He’s been on a stacked team with Gardner, Hicks, Stanton, and Judge. If he was on the O’s or Reds, it may be a different story. The concussion he suffered a few years ago also set him back a little.
I don’t disagree with you re them handling him poorly, but let’s not pretend he was getting things done in 2019 when he was called up, pooped the bed defensively and acted like a child by not holding himself accountable and avoiding the media.
He needed to grow the F up mentally, which he appears to have done in 2020. Was great to see.
What annoys me is that we are still apparently talking to Gardner. That dudes time is done and he needs to go. Love him for his leadership and past production but wasting $ and a roster spot on him going forward is just bad for business.
The Yankees interest in Ozuna is puzzling to say the least. Hopefully it’s just due diligence.
The only sensible outcome of an Ozuna-type acquisition is a trade for SP. other than that, there’s no logic whatsoever. It will be more expensive, clog an already clogged position(s), and add to a homerun-drunk offense.
I think it’s due diligence, nothing more, if at all. It’s clickbait for Yankee sites.
And add on to the amount of DH types that they have, which they already have too many of.
The stove is warming up!!!
The stove has been hot for awhile in some small parts. Its been warm already
Outside of San Diego, not really
Thank you.
In the sense of turning it on its’ lowest setting will eventually do so, then sure
An OF of Ozuna, JD Martinez and Verdugo would be a beautiful thing….if you’re an opposing batter……
Benintendi? Also, just let Verdugo play the entire outfield. I have faith he can do it himself.
Lol
Manfred wants to get young people watching baseball again….. What better way than exponentially increasing the number of inside the park home runs…..
The brewers will spend if they felt they were close to a pennant but until the SP is improved, I don’t see the point in dropping millions on ozuna….first we have to see what version of yelich we will have in 21.
They need to find someone to play 1B and 3B, and not worry about a(nother) DH/OF’er.
The Brewers for the first time in a long time have two number one starters atop their rotation. That’s what they’ve been missing during their recent playoff run and the big reason why they never had a chance to win it all. Now is the time to go add a couple of bats at 1st, 3rd, or DH. If they accomplish that feat, and Stearns does his normal thing, with getting low cost starters to compete with the existing backend guys, their very solid and improving bullpen will get them a pennant.
Are you talking about Woodruff and Burnes, or am I missing someone. If so, Wodruff has thrown over 100 innings once and Burnes never has. I think it’s a little early to be calling them number one starters, no?
Not to turn this into a long, pointless debate, but guys are projected to be “#1’s” or “aces” before they ever throw a meaningful pitch. They both have the stuff to be TOR guys, and have some success to back it up. How’s that?
I’m as shocked as you are about the Crew being mentioned, but I think it shows how desperate they are to get a bat in the lineup to protect Yelich. And it’s gonna be tough to lose Braunies bat this year too. But I sure do want to see some resolution at 1st and 3rd too. Banking on a bench full of utility types is not a good plan as proven last year.
Next year Yelich’s contract almost doubles and Cain will be making 18 million, I believe. If they sign another big contract it may be challenging for them.
It will interesting to see what they do.
Richards is a good idea for Philly
I would consider Simmons on a different lvl than Didi and Marcus. But after looking at some basic stats at the plate, they are surprisingly similar. Simmons seems more of a higher contact less power compared to the other two, which is sorta true, but career OBP between the 3 are very similar (which to me is kinda a baseline to me on the impact a player can have at the plate). I’d guess that Simmons glove has to be more valuable than the other two, right? I have not looked up stats to back that up though :/
Simmons is a far superior defensive SS than either of the others … may be the best in baseball. The dude ridiculously good at playing SS. As a Reds fan, I’d prefer him over the others as defense is very much overlooked.
You’re thinking 2012-2108 Simmons, he has been not the same at defense the last 2 seasons though, post-injury. Semien is a better long term look due to health and his MVP-finishing year, and Didi has the best bat of the 3.
Isn’t Simmons injury-prone? I’d be wary of that.
Yes, he’s had ankle issues, which limited his mobility significantly. I wouldn’t go with Simmons unless he was only a stop-gap for next year’s class, then pick up Story, Seager, Lindor (if no extension), Baez (if cheap enough and no extension). He’s still probably better D than Didi and Marcus.
As soon as the Tigers are mentioned with a FA, they sign elsewhere. Not holding my breath for Moreland.
Also let’s just assume the Dodgers are interested in literally everyone.
Only explanation for Simmons in Toronto is if the Jays are done with Bo at short and want to sign one of the big SS next year. Option 2 is signing him to 2-years to bridge the gap to Martinez. Groshans is probably a corner INF.
Ozuna hit a lot better than Springer last season and should be waiting for a great offer. Tremendous fan favorite.
He was SO key to Atlanta’s success last year. AA really needs to reconsider his philosophy of 1-yr FA contracts, and make a 3 or 4-yr offer. I think it’s pretty clear by now there will be no universal DH. Ozuna is serviceable in the OF, and he elevates Freeman’s game. Has to be Braves’ priority. Who else is out there to fill that void on a 1-year deal?
Agreed, Solaris. I know there would be some times when Ozuna in LF would cost the Braves some runs, but I still think you do it. He just adds so much value as a whole, and we’re talking about LF, not Shortstop.
You seem to be counting on Ozuna replicating the best outlier of 3 months he’s ever had at the plate. Not likely. Dumb to hand out a big contract on such a faulty assumption.
I think ozuna tops 4 years AA won’t do that for ozuna
no, he is not “serviceable in the OF”. he is brutal. Ozuna is probably 4-5 years older than listed, like Big Papi and others….
Here’s all the teams who currently have a no argument worse SS than those 3 free agents (pulled from roster resource, apologies if they dont have the right projection info):
Orioles: Richie Martin
Marlins: Miguel Rojas (small sample last year, prob not looking to upgrade)
Phillies: Jean Segura (good player, but probably best as a 2B)
Reds: Jose Garcia
Pirates: Erik Gonzalez (owner sucks, probably not looking to upgrade)
Brewers: Orlando Arcia
Tigers: Willi Castro (small sample, but they might want to give him a long look)
A’s: Chad Pinder
So that’s the Orioles, A’s, Brewers and Reds who could sign any of those 3. 4/30 teams are going to sign 3 players, that’s hardly a bustling market. These three are going to probably be on the market until March at minimum. I’m guessing it ends up
Semien: Oakland
Gregorius: Cincinnati
Simmons: Baltimore or Milwaukee
You forget teams have debating moving these guys off short.
Pirates’ SS is Cole Tucker, not Erik Gonzalez.
How does Richards feel to be the first player not interested by the Jays?
With all dues respect to Hector Gomez, you need better sources. This is so clearly something an agent send out to stir the pot, it’s hard to believe an experienced writer took it seriously.
The Yankees already have Sanchez, Stanton, and Judge to rotate through the DH position, and Ozuna is a full-time DH in the AL.
The Red Sox have JD Martinez at DH, making less money, They are a year or two away from winning; tossing another 20M on a payroll that’s already over 150M for a team that will finish third is silly.
The Dodgers sign players capable of making their team strong on both sides of the ball. A $20M DH signing by Andrew Friedman is laughable.
The Brewers aren’t close to competing. If they wanted a marginal defender with a big bat they’d bring Braun back for $7M and be as well off. Milwaukee is short of pitching and already paying an aging outfield $17M a year. If the Brewers want to throw 20+M at someone, Realmuto makes more sense.
Agreed. Gomez is consistently wrong. He’s the same guy that reported on the Yankee “deal” to get Castillo. Calling him an insider is like calling any random guy who checks twitter an insider. Maybe this is all an attempt to energize the reader base who until recently was bored out of their minds with a slow offseason, but this guy’s tweets should be considered guilty until proven innocent.
1000% Agree. Ozuna is in the same spot as last year. He is only marginally more than a full time DH, and those type of players aren’t commanding multi-year deals at 20m/aav. Also would love to see someone breakdown exactly which NL teams are ready to spend 20M on a dh if it is again implemented. My guess is not many.
The last thing the Yankees need is another DH and a RH bat
The problem with Simmons is his market is limited due to the free agent xmas next year. A lot of these teams won’t want to sign him long term when you have Seager, Correa, Story, Baez and possibly Lindor available.
If the asking price for KB isn’t going to come down and if Simien is willing to play 3B I’d love for the Nats to take a look at him on a one year deal
If Semien has a choice between playing SS somewhere and playing 3B for 1 year, he’s going to play SS. He takes a lot of pride in the work he’s done to get to where he is now from making 32 errors in his first full year at the position.
The Yankees are almost definitely not in on Ozuna. There’s absolutely nowhere to play him barring a massive trade. Even in that scenario he’d still be behind someone on the depth chart unless you want to start him in LF, which in any other park would be a bad idea, but disastrous at Yankee Stadium. The guy’s a DH or bad left fielder. The Yankees have the most expensive DH in baseball already getting paid $29MM in 2021. The Yankees already have a LF who is better defensively than Ozuna, considerably cheaper, and whose offensive production is better than average. Unless the Yankees can find a team to take Stanton’s contract and somehow get him to waive his full no-trade, this Ozuna deal isn’t a thing.
Also, remember that Hector Gomez is constantly incorrect, and reports deals and team interests that are complete fantasy. When a team does a routine check-in on a given player, this guy reports that there’s a deal in place. If I see something from him I immediately know the opposite is true.
Love the idea of the Sox signing Ozuna, could see him mashing at Fenway and the AL East in general. Don’t see it happening though.
He’s a win-now player and the Sox aren’t a win-now team. More importantly though, they have no position for him. He’s a terrible defender and you’d really want him at DH, but the Sox have JD there already. It’s the same reason he makes no sense for the Yankees. A competitive team in need of DH and has some payroll flexibility would be his best fit. If the NL has the DH this year his market will open up big time.
Ozuna last year (60 games): 175 OPS+… career: 117…, career high (‘16): 149…. next highest: 114 (‘14)…, below 115 every other full season… he’s not the hitter most of you are making him out to be, but sure, sign him up based on the best 60 games he’ll ever have and never come close to duplicating.
Agreed
Sox lineup is already loaded. No need
Ozuna makes perfect sense for the Yankees….IF AND ONLY IF….they can get rid of Stanton’s contract. Spoiler alert — They can’t get rid of Stanton’s contract.
We need the Universal DH NOW.
“We” implies us as a collective. I neither want- nor need- the Universal DH.
He speaks on behalf of all plodding, overweight, middle aged sluggers.
You probably enjoy pitchers doing nothing at the plate.
Bartolo Colon would like to have a word.
Ozuna would be nice fit in Texas too.. give them a legit hitter .. and a nice 1-2 power combo with Gallo..
Tanaka or Hand are probably better fits than Ozuna. They can sign them & still get more Bullpen help. They could even dodge top market Guys & bring in multiple Pitchers. They already have HR Hitters. Especially Corner OFs/DH.
However, if they sign Ozuna that lineup will be tough enough to win with bad Pitching.
Voit, Judge, Ozuna, Stanton could end a game in the first Inning. They’ll be pretty deep all the way down. You wont have mismatches. You’ll score runs tho. Everything other than the hitting will suck tho
Yanks ON PAPER have too many DH’s. What are the chances these guys are all healthy at the same time? Very slim. Like the Dodgers load up on 8 quality starters, maybe the Yankees load up on slugger dh’s. Haha might just work
If this move got done it would create amazing protection in the lineup for Yelich. A lineup of
Cain CF
Yelich RF
OzunaLF
Hiura 2B
Vogelbach 1B
Navarez C
Garcia DH
Arcia SS
Urias 3B
That lineup is best in the N.L Central in my opinion.
Last offseason proved the Brewers weren’t interested in winning, improving or spending with their awful offseason strategy. Doubtful they’d entertain Ozuna.
While that’ll obviously get ya in the playoffs, I don’t think it’ll win ya a WS, which, for the cost, is kinda like being the best restaurant at a hospital…
Garcia’s -.3 dWAR edges out Ozuna’s -.6 for that last OF spot and either one of them gets pulled early for Taylor as a defensive replacement.
Braves keep it simple just RESIGN OZUNA that’s it
Braves RESIGN OZUNA
As a Met fan I’d love for the Braves to overpay a DH to play LF and hit nowhere near as well as many expect him to.
Ozuna and the Braves win the East again