As the early days of the offseason continue, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Is more movement on the starting pitching market on the way?
News broke of the winter’s first major signing yesterday when the Angels reportedly agreed to a three-year deal with veteran southpaw Yusei Kikuchi. Kikuchi, 33, ranked as the #12 free agent available on MLBTR’s annual Top 50 MLB free agents list. The southpaw sports a 3.96 ERA (105 ERA+) and 3.78 FIP over the past two seasons, placing him among the many mid-rotation arms in this winter’s class. It would hardly be a surprise if the Kikuchi deal represented the floodgates opening on significant signings. Last year, Aaron Nola re-signed with the Phillies to kick off the starting pitching market and fellow top-tier righty Sonny Gray followed by signing with the Cardinals just one week later.
One potential wrinkle with this year’s class, however, is the relatively small number of pitchers who are similar to Kikuchi in terms of overall effectiveness while remaining unencumbered by a qualifying offer. Nathan Eovaldi and Jack Flaherty are perhaps the closest comparisons overall, though Eovaldi’s age could limit his market while Flaherty’s youth and upside figures to expand his own. Hurlers like Sean Manaea, Nick Pivetta, and Luis Severino compare reasonably with Kikuchi but are attached to draft pick compensation, while Andrew Heaney and Matthew Boyd are unencumbered like Kikuchi but are generally considered to be in the tier below him.
2. Will more teams finalize their coaching staffs?
Yesterday saw the Orioles finalize their coaching staff for 2025, including the announcement of former big league catcher Robinson Chirinos as their new bench coach. The Red Sox finalized their staff late last week, accompanied by the announcement of José Flores as the club’s new first base coach. With December just over the horizon and the free agent market starting to heat up, will more clubs begin to announce finalized coaching staffs for next year in the coming days? Some clubs still appear to be finalizing their coaching hires, as the Mariners are reportedly poised to hire Kevin Seltzer as their next hitting coach while teams like the Brewers, Cubs, and Marlins still have positions that need to be filled.
3. MLBTR Chat today:
With the non-tender deadline in the rearview mirror and the winter’s first major free agent signing in the books, the 2024-25 offseason has begun to ramp up. Whether you have questions about who your favorite team will be targeting this winter, or a trade proposal in the back of your mind, MLBTR’s Steve Adams will be here to answer your questions during a live chat scheduled for noon CT. You can click here to ask a question in advance, join in live once the chat begins, or read the transcript once the chat is complete.
Seitzer not Seltzer
Kevin is Al K. Seltzer’s son.
Clip – And the grandson of Albert Schweitzer, who I never would have heard of if not for a Dick Van Dyke episode.
Fever, you’re no Albert Schweitzer….
Clip – And the grandson of Albert Schweitzer, who I never would have heard of if not for a Dick Van Dy__ episode.
And I cannot believe the moderation software here allows his first name, but not his last name … sheesh!
The difference is that some people are actually named Dick, while very few outside of the comedian have the second word for a name. Also, the second is a generally more hurtful slur.
But yes, it is sometimes funny which things get censored and which do not.
Canuck – I agree. Maybe I’m just overly shielded, but I haven’t heard nor seen the latter word used in several decades. Interestingly Kike Hernandez was censored for a while, and then it was changed to be allowed.
Salsa or Seltzer, Jerry
like the name Bobby Hebert, it’s a fun thing to say
I remember when he came-up to mlb. He could use whole field but alota singles n he played prime power positions 3rd-1st. Had good run w/Braves as coach. Good luck on your next endeavor.
Robinson Chirinos must have made a real impression with Hyde during his year with the Orioles.
In this sentence:
“Nathan Eovaldi and Jack Flaherty are perhaps the closest comparisons overall, though Eovaldi’s age could limit his market while Flaherty’s youth and upside figures to expand his own.”
Issue: “Figures” should be plural because the subject is “youth and upside,” which is compound and requires “figure” instead.
I think it sound more betterer too also.
Angels going ALL IN on taking back fourth place in the AL West from the artists formerly known as the Oakland Athletics.
@ King Floch
Don’t count them out of the Soto sweepstakes. He’s signing with them and taking the Angels to the World Series.
York – Soto & Trout, the new Bash Brothers!
I have to think the teams that don’t get Soto will pivot to Burnes and Snell/Flaherty so I’m skeptical the pitching floodgates open.
What will be interesting to see is how the Kikuchi contract looks at the end of free agency. The Angels signed Tyler Anderson early and it looked like a bargain a couple months later. The Stephenson contract, however, looked and proved terrible.