As MLB’s offseason continues, here are three things worth keeping an eye on around the baseball world headed into the weekend:
1. Could a Hader signing be on the horizon?
Among the winter’s top free agents, relief ace Josh Hader’s market has been relatively quiet to this point in the offseason. Aside from stray connections to the Orioles and Yankees much earlier in the winter, ties between Hader and specific teams this winter have mostly stayed speculative. That changed yesterday afternoon, however, as reporting indicated that the Astros were making a “strong push” to bring Hader back to Houston, where he spent parts of three seasons as a prospect.
While the Astros have been among the teams most strongly connected to the bullpen market this winter, it would be something of a surprise to see a team that has openly acknowledged its payroll limitations this winter land the market’s top closer. After all, Hader has been rumored to be seeking a deal that would top the $102MM guarantee Edwin Diaz received from the Mets last offseason Hader would be a difference-maker for an Astros club that could lose Justin Verlander, Jose Altuve, and Alex Bregman in free agency next winter. While the lefty posted a career-high walk rate in 2023 and struck out less than 37% of batters faced for the first time since his rookie season, he nonetheless posted a sterling 1.28 ERA and 2.69 FIP across 61 appearances this season while picking up 33 saves.
2. Cardinals roster move in the works?
The Cardinals allowed right-hander James Naile to depart the organization for an opportunity overseas last night, opening up a spot on their 40-man roster. That roster spot could be filled rather quickly, as MLB.com’s John Denton indicates that a roster move could come as soon as today. While Denton doesn’t discuss specifics of what that roster move could entail, he suggests that it will “likely” be the addition of a relief pitcher.
That’s hardly a surprise, as the Cards have been heavily connected to the bullpen market throughout the offseason and president of baseball operations John Mozeliak was candid earlier this offseason about the club’s desire to add at least two players to its late-inning mix this winter. A deal with the Rays for Andrew Kittredge landed one of those arms, and it’s possible the impending roster move could be their second such addition. The club has been tied to the likes of Ryan Brasier and Phil Maton in free agency this winter, though plenty of relief arms remain on the market.
3. Could Duvall be nearing a decision?
According to a report from Jon Heyman of the New York Post yesterday, outfielder Adam Duvall’s market has seemingly come into focus in recent days with two finalists for the veteran’s services: the incumbent Red Sox, and the Angels. Either would be a sensible fit for the 35-year-old. The Red Sox benefited greatly from the presence of Duvall’s righty bat in their lefty-dominated lineup last season as he slashed .247/.303/.531 in 353 trips to the plate last year. If re-signed, he could serve as a righty complement to young outfielders like Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu while also potentially spelling youngster Triston Casas at first base. With the Angels, Duvall could serve as a platoon partner for unproven players like Mickey Moniak in the outfield and Nolan Schanuel at first base, while also deepening a position player mix that lost Gio Urshela, Randal Grichuk, Eduardo Escobar, and Mike Moustakas among others to free agency on top of franchise face Shohei Ohtani.
Did you guys completely delete the article stating Hector Neris is seeking 2 years and 22 million? Jon “Arson” Heyman reported it, so that should have never been an article in the first place. Lol
Yeah I was wondering where that was too!
duvall= poor man’s cody bellinger, without age on his side. see him securing over $8M and i would like him with the halos, he’d be a sensible addition there
I see him getting less than 8m. Seems like a 4-6m guy at this point.
He was on-pace for his best year since 2016 (when he was an All-Star in CIN), until he fractured his wrist. Still put up decent numbers upon returning, which says something considering the wrist injury. He still had 21 HR playing in only 56% of 2023 games. (No, I’m not his agent).
Run – Duvall is a very, very streaky hitter. Overall he puts up good numbers almost every year, and if he can manage to stay healthy (not playing CF would help) he would be a good addition for the Sox as Fenway is the perfect park for him.
@Fever — oh, trust me, I know. That’s why we needed to add Soler, Rosario, Duvall in 2021 b/c they’re all very streaky hitters — and they proved that, just conveniently separating their streaks.
Agreed that Fenway is a perfect add for him, not unlike his previous robust numbers in CIN (2016), but his recent RBI league-leading season (2021) was done mostly with the Marlins in that massive stadium and not great lineup. He could be some cheap protection for Trout.
Run – I’m not a fan of RBI as a stat, I prefer OPS.
Career ballpark numbers for Duvall:
Miami .635 OPS
Anaheim .727 OPS
Boston .985 OPS
True but Duvall is usually the guy that leaves you thinking what if. That what if is t worth much to me.
Don’t forget Joc. He may be the streakiest player of any the braves acquired that year, and he played a big part in them getting the ring.
Apples and pomegranates.
He’s like Renfroe to me. I actually get them confused sometimes.
We (Boston) have like 10 OFs
Yoshida’s paycheck is the only guarantee of playing time, but please don’t make it more crowded
If Boston goes for Duvall, I can see Refsnyder being traded or even simply cut from the roster. A commenter on this site reproduced batting stats that showed Refsnyder tailed off a lot against LH pitchers–his “reason for being”–in 2023 compared to 2022.
I’d rather have Rob than Duvall
or maybe Robert Duvall!
Horace, in a perfect world, Duvall goes elsewhere, Refsnyder is cut after not making the team as we move away from Big Brain Bloom’s moves, and the kids play
I want the kids to play, too, but all three of Abreu, Duran, and Rafaela have options remaining. If you’re trying to build depth throughout the organization, it makes sense to roster Duvall while giving someone like Rafaela more time to get his mechanics together at AAA. No reason to rush them.
crocus – If Story gets hurt again or is traded, Rafaela at SS would be a good option and he’d have time to work on his hitting because SS is not a position where offense is expected or needed.
I feel at least one of Abreu, Rafaela or Duran will be traded for pitching so Duvall would become more valuable then.
It’s really pointless to make predictions at this point in time, there’s a good chance trades will be coming.
BTW – They aren’t paying O”Neill all that money to sit on the bench.
t makes sense to roster Duvall while giving someone like Rafaela more time to get his mechanics together at AAA.
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I agree. For me, it revolves around age and develop. I don’t think more time in AAA will make any difference for Abreu and Duran. But Rafaela has a lot of work to do, and can develop into a really good player, IF he gets his K/W under control.
The 28/4 with the RS and 48/12 in AAA won’t work.
My thoughts exactly, Joe! Though Fever’s also right that it’s a little early to be playing chess with the roster as currently constructed—there’s likely more to come. Whatever they do, though, I’d prefer if Rafaela opened the season in the minors and got a little more seasoning.
Video replays appear to show Hector Neris using a homophobic slur in Spanish when he approached Julio Rodriguez.
And this loser wants $22 Million? Holy cow.
Identity politics is just sophisticated, corporate sponsored bigotry with MSM support.
What are you talking about? This is about being an arse on the baseball field. Something that arseholes do and why would anyone want this arsehole on their team? Because he’s an arse? There’s no freaking politics here you nincompoop. It’s about not wanting a first class arse on your team. That’s it poopy.
Worse things have been said on the field, and will continue to be. Worse things have also been done. And will continue to be. Withholding someone from getting paid because of awful language is not a good reason.
So yes, your point is political.
I would love to see the Astros get Hader, but the contract would scare me.
I’d go with Neris on a 2-3 yr deal LONG before I’d consider giving Hader 5+ years and 100M+ dollars. Relievers with 6+ Years of high leverage mileage on their arms can decline REALLY quickly. Think how quickly former Yankee RP Dellin Betances went from elite late game reliever to out of baseball.
I feel like the answer to all 3 is “No”.
Anaheim can pay him, but it will be a very long unhappy season if he chooses Anaheim. At this point Anaheim should just let the kids play as much as possible.
second that!
They’re insane. Adell was hopelessly unprepared when he was promoted 4 years ago. Now that he is almost 25, more time in AAA is useless.
A Cardinals roster move could come as early as today or as late as April 1st. Maybe they simply did Naile a favor by selling his contract.
And themselves a favour by banking 250k and not paying a guy who was only BP Depth anyway
I’d wouldn’t mind seeing them grab a guy like Keynon Middleton on a one year deal. They really need to make one more trade.
For as bad as last year was, this season has all the markings of being one of the most painful in recent memory.
The Carpenter signing was an indication of the bottom feeders they have become
1. No, guy will be sitting on the sidelines for most of the season because teams aren’t going to sign an average RP to big money and long terms. He’ll have to settle for league minimum if he wants to play.
? If he’ll have to settle for league minimum if he wants to play, name ONE team that would NOT take them some Hader, based on that generous offer?
@kodion
That’s what I said.
Hader is an “average RP” and will “have to settle for League Minimum if he wants to play”… who could you possibly be trying to troll here? Hader himself?
@Gwynning
It’s called baiting and you took the bait. Thanks for the reply, Gwynning!
Did you hit your head, Ol’ chap?
@Gwynning
I was skiing down Mt. Everest and hit my head a few times…
That explains a lot… hope you have a better day going forward!
Dodgers should get him.
Maton makes too much sense for the Birdos and he’d be a short hour and a half from home.
Is Hader still a bigot or did that blow over?
Did you ever stop beating your wife and kids or did that all “blow over?”
I’m doing it right now actually. Come by and give me a hand.
12 years ago? I’m pretty sure that almost no one remembers any of this.
Lorenzo Cain forgives him. If you aren’t black, you really lack credibility here.
Just like Barry Bonds calling Andy Van Slyke the “great white hope” blew over.
Diaz was a unique situation where the team had a massive overpay. It’s unrealistic to think he would get that kind of money. I’m sure his agent will try though. His client isn’t worth what someone else paid for another guy he is worth what someone is willing to pay him and I would be shocked if it is near what Diaz got.
And diaz is also the better RP. Hes the best in baseball and hader wants to be paid as if he is.
Duvall is right there. It’s a slam dunk for Breslow. If Brez messes this one up, look for Fenway attendance figures to continue to drop.
Bellinger, Chapman, and Hader go to the Cubs.
Signing Hader could lead to Verlander giving the Astro’s a discount next year as he tries for 300. Not sure he gets there in the next two seasons but he won’t retire until he does .
Sox need power and a healthy Duvall can give them that. It would not be impossible to keep both Duvall and Refsnyder on the roster if the Sox give Duvall some reps at 1B (he has 27 career starts at 1B but none since 2018) as they do need a backup for Casas, unless Dalbec makes the team as a backup 1B/3B.
So you really think that giving Duvall a 1st baseman’s glove is a good idea as a backup to Casas, weakening an already unsteady infield even more….Duvall has a total of 43 games at 1st in his career, with the last being 10 games in 2018, and the brunt being in 2014…….at 35, he isn’t nearly that good an athlete to ask to return to a position he played as an emergency as late as 6 seasons ago……suggest they get a real player who can put on a first baseman glove if they want to spell Casas…..
Minasian is wrong again. Why target anyone with such a low OBP? Hope he just bite a finger for 2 hours everyday!
I wish the Twins could sign Duvall to a one year deal. He could platoon with Alex Kiriloff at first base. Would give us a bit more RH power in our lineup….Too bad Twins have a messed up broadcasting situation which is their excuse for being broke and not doing anything at all this offseason:(
Same goes for CLE who need his righty bat badly, but no TV deal yet for ‘24 means they have a budget of zero for the rest of the winter.
And then the Cardinals roster move is Matt Carpenter