As January comes to a close, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world headed into the weekend:
1. Moniak, Angels await arb decision:
The Angels and outfielder Mickey Moniak went to an arbitration hearing yesterday, as noted by the Associated Press. Moniak filed for a $2MM salary in 2025 while the Angels countered at $1.5MM. Moniak appeared to break out with the Angels in 2023 when he hit a strong .280/.307/.495 (114 wRC+) in 85 games, but the former No. 1 pick fell back to Earth in 2024 with a meager .219/.266/.380 (79 wRC+) line in 124 games as his BABIP cratered from an unsustainable .397 to just .272 year-over-year. Moniak is the first position player to go to a hearing this year. Pirates righties Johan Oviedo and Dennis Santana were the first two players to do so. Oviedo lost his case against Pittsburgh, while Santana’s decision is still pending.
2. Yates press conference:
The Dodgers officially signed right-hander Kirby Yates to a one-year deal yesterday, adding him to the 40-man roster at the expense of veteran righty Ryan Brasier. The club will be holding an introductory press conference at 11am local time this morning where Yates and (presumably) members of the Dodgers front office will be available to answer questions. The presser could shed some light on the closer situation in L.A. given that both Yates and fellow offseason signee Tanner Scott are established closers coming off excellent seasons. There’s been no indication which one the Dodgers plan on using in the ninth inning to this point, though one would imagine that the larger contract for Scott signifies that he’ll get the nod most days. Both pitchers have thrived in setup and closing roles, however, so manager Dave Roberts could also opt to use them interchangeably, as the situation dictates.
3. Will Cease’s market heat up?
The Padres have long been expected to make a trade or two this winter in order to free up space in the budget to address the club’s holes around the roster, and yesterday brought some increased chatter in that corner of the market. Specifically, right-hander Dylan Cease has reportedly been the subject of inquiries from both the Cubs and Mets. The Cubs have long been known to be on the hunt for rotation upgrades, even after adding southpaw Matthew Boyd in early December, but their only other addition has been veteran swingman Colin Rea. The Mets, meanwhile, have signed a number of starters this winter but lack impact at the front of their rotation and are already planning on using a six-man staff for 2025 that could make fitting Cease into the mix fairly easy (especially if a starter like David Peterson went the other way — speculatively speaking). A recent poll of MLBTR readers suggested that a slim majority of fans believe that San Diego should trade Cease, whether that be on his own or in addition to fellow rental starter Michael King. Could a deal get done before spring training?
If I’m the Padres and I must move one or both Cease and King. I don’t see anything matching with the Mets. Preller needs to get maximum value and the best of the best here. I’d look to Cubbies, Braves and potentially the Nats?
Why do you say that Mets Farm is ranked ahead of all those teams besides Cubs ?
What do the braves have? Their system is ranked poorly and the farm of the mets and cubs are ahead
Switch out Braves and Nats with Twins, Orioles, Rangers, Tigers who have better pieces to acquire Cease or King that are mlb ready or close to mlb ready
Plus I don’t see nationals trading what it would take to get king or cease. If padres are trading them it’ll take acquiring a young LF or 1B and an mlb ready arm to replace them with least 5 years control
Good morning! Here we go again with the Cease and King trade rumors. What more can be said?
Wait for it… Wait for it… It’s going to happen and it’s going to be the Braves… Hopefully.
I understand the Padres have maxed their payroll, and need to move someone to be able to fill their holes, but the team trading for their players could simply sign Flaherty w/o giving up prospect capital. Since their is no guarantee of signing King or Cease long term, and they will likely want at least what Flaherty would cost, they don’t seem all that attractive in trade.
If you don’t have anything else to say then why are you here commenting?
Good gosh man.
Any team looking to add Cease has to be in win now mode. That narrows the field quite a bit regardless of farm rankings.
The Mets are a terrific match. Who the heck would like that comment of yours?
The Mets have an extra outfielder. They have numerous big league ready players and not enough places to play them. And they have King 2.0 in David Peterson, a guy you can dream on being as good as Ceass if everything breaks right for him.
Terrific match
It sucks that the Padres ownership in-fighting is essentially forcing Preller’s hand to cut payroll. I understand moving Cease from a business perspective, but the hypothetical scenario of doing a trade the day before fan fest is very bad PR.
Runt – Spending would have been reduced anyway, even if Pete was still in control of the team.
I would focus on making a good trade not the PR that comes from it. The Padres made a good trade last year dealing Soto. I think Padres fans remember that.
I just saw the Mets/Cease post and wrote this there, but since that was from last night, and it’ll get more thoughts here and I’m curious about it, I’ll cross post it:
I feel like this could be a deal where the Pads deal for their needs now rather than sign players. And it’s not the worst idea. Pads are built for now, but they have holes.
Would Marte (+cash), Peterson, and Megill for Cease work for everyone?
And just in case, I’m a NYY fan, so just an outside observation.
No offense but thats a garbage trade for the Padres
Im sure if they are cutting payroll they would want young, controllable pieces.
Peterson is a good start but Marte and Megill?
Im sure it would cost them a Top 10 Prospect in return
Saw someone post that if Mets wanted Vladi Jr and 1yr of control it would cost them 3 of their top 10 Prospects.
Not garbage if you actually read what I said. The Pads are built to win now, you can’t subtract Cease without bolstering the MLB roster. All the prospects in the world aren’t helping you NOW. Sometimes you need a trade that’ll help immediately especially if they don’t want to spend on what left out there. Marte will get you same production or better in LF as anybody left on the market especially if the Mets pay for him and Peterson and Megill slot right into the rotation no questions asked.
Also Megill is controllable for another 2 years after 2025 and Peterson for one more.
No offense, Sal, but it seems you’ve also been fooled by the smoke, mirrors & loud noise. The Pobres are NOT built to win now, or for the foreseeable future.
They feature the top heaviest roster in the sport, with the majority of their payroll tied up into a handful of misevaluated , older, veterans.
AJ Preller negotiated every single one of those bad deals.
Farm has no answers for this year.
No TV deal
They’re broke.
Sheel wants her child support….
Buenas noches, Pobrecitos
The MLB roster is mostly very good, no smoke to be had there which means, yeah given a few more pieces they are built for the now. What the future holds is not something I can comment on, but I can clearly read what they have on the 40 man. It’s not as gloom and doom as some of y’all think.
The first dozen or so names on the 40man look like that of any contender. Keep going. They can’t fill out a competitive 26man, much less 40.
Any projecting that places the Pobres as competitors is based on best case scenario production out of those aforementioned dozen or so dudes. I can squint my eyes & see that type of production out of maybe 5. We all know their names. We’re asking a ton from them…
They went pretty far last year and aren’t too much different. Add back a few starting pieces as I’ve outlined and I think they can again. I mean should thry not even try?
Don’t think Mets should let Peterson go. He was a back-end starter without his hip(s) providing 100% of their pitch propulsion potential. So velocity depended a lot on arm strength, decreasing his control (in my opinion). He should be getting close to his normal velocity thrust from his legs this year, improving his control. Would like to see how that goes.
Look, if you’re getting Cease back Peterson is not the guy who holds it back. You do not have an ace, Cease is easily that.
@Salzilla How can the Padres be built for now if they trade their best starter? Trading Cease or King is pretty much the death blow to any wild card aspirations.
Personally I wouldn’t trade both, but if one can net you the pieces your MLB club need, I’d do it. They have no left fielder and the rotation is still light.
Salzilla: That’s what I don’t understand, trading away an ace pitcher. If the rotation is light, then why can’t they find someone other than a pitcher to trade? Too many NTC’s? If you’re in win-now mode, I don’t see the benefit of trading someone like Cease.
Too many other holes, a hole in the rotation is the only spot they can stand to lose especially if that piece cam bring you back two. Rotation would be full as well as the OF.
As good as Peterson is
He comes with 2 years of control
He’s never started more than 21 games
I’d pass on him and rather ask for an mlb ready arm with 5 or 6 years of control. Mets could offer Sproadt as the center piece but doubt they do that so
Conversation starts with Jett Williams ss/of who’s ranked #58 on the mlb pipeline list and and you can round out the deal with say 1b/of Clifford, RHP Tidwell, and RHP Megill
Personally I’ll bow out on talking about the Mets prospects and have their fans engage, but from an outside perspective, I’d kinda want guys that’ll help this year. The NL West is not going to get any better. And your best team is now before they blow it up completely.
Why would Cease command a much better return than what the Brewers got for Corbin Burnes?
Define “much better”
Cause Burnes netted Ortiz who ranked 63rd overall on mlb pipeline list, DL Hall young lefty, and a 1st round comp draft pick
Jett Williams is Joey Ortiz
Tidwell is a lesser version of DL Hall who was a former top 100 prospect and Tidwell comes with enticing stuff but control issues
Clifford has contact issues but enticing numbers
Megill is a #4
I’d say Megill and Clifford equate to the same value as a late first round draft pick the Brewers got
Peterson gives you a guy who MAYBE could be an ace. And you aren’t getting a guy like that anywhere else except in a trade for Cease.
Jett Williams is an infielder or centerfielder. Those aren’t needs for the Padres. A potential ace is the need.
Peterson has 2 years of control, never made more than 21 starts. You’re better off keeping Cease.
Moving a CF to LF that can give you plus defense in the OF for a team and manager than pride themselves on defense being a key to their success isnt a negative thing.
Williams, Merrill, Tatis Jr could possibly be the best defensive OF in the MLB
Trading Cease to fill needs (LF and maybe DH) creates a much bigger need – SP. But then, that’s been said over and over already in the previous 8 articles this week suggesting Cease trade rumor.
“Letting go of Wacha Lugo Snell created massive holes in the rotation (THREE STARTERS YOU KNOW HOW MANY GAMES AND INNINGS THAT IS) the padres won’t be able to over come. wtf are the padres thinking”
Well that’s why if you deal a SP you make sure to bring back some SP options, Tidwell Megill if they deal Cease to Mets
Replacing Wacha, Lugo, Snellzilla and Martinez was partially done by trading Juan Soto, not a SP.
Replacing Cease and King will mostly be done by trading Cease and King.
Replacing Cease and King this year can happen by not trading Cease and King this year. Replacing Cease and King can be also done by signing FAs next year or trading other players for SPs, or by extending Cease and King. Then there is the trade deadline option.
Long as mommy and daddy are fighting extensions and free agent signings are probably off the table for the time being.
Padres are also projected to be 172 mill in salaries for 2026. Thats before arbs. This year arb costs were about 45 mill. Which will put the Padres somewhere around 200-210 mill. Threshold is 244. Not enough money to replace
King, Cease, Suarez, find a LF if need be, find a C if need be
A Dh and 1B too in addition to replacing King, Cease, Suarez, and possibly finding a LF and C
Yeah 30-40 mill definitely isnt enough to replace all those guys.
And if you move say Adams to the closer role you need to find a high leverage 7th or 8th inning guy to replace him them.
Not if you get two already MLB proven pitchers back, too?
But it’s not at all realistic that they get 2 MLB SPs, and fill needs in LF and DH just by trading Cease, who is a one year rental. Any team interested in Cease is already a contender, and they will only want to part with prospects and maybe one mid MLer
You can get Peterson, Marte and Baty for Cease. That gives the Padres a starter to replace Cease with upside and 2 bats for the outfield and infield.
The pieces I mentioned on the Mets aren’t their main pieces. They’d part with them for Cease. I think they’d be more valuable on the Pads.
I’d go with Tirso and Eguy and maybe sign Peralta before I traded Cease for LF / DH fillers.
I think Ornelas may have his golden opportunity and every indicator from last year at AAA, where he made significant adjustments, suggests his bat will fly in the bigs. I’d almost prefer they give him a shot rather than sink $ into a mid-level FA vet. Would rather use that $ for SP
@Salzilla Those Mets players are not going to work for the Padres. They’re going to want at least one young arm similar to King with less service time. Peterson and Megill have limited upside. Marte is a fourth outfielder and bench piece. The Mets will have to give up good prospects and I don’t think they should for an excellent rental.
Play out the year with their rotation and use those prospects to get longer-controlled arms if they so choose.
According to Mets fans Peterson and Megill are worth it. And honestly as a fantasy player I see it. Padres can’t afford to wait for an arm that may not pan out. I don’t think Marte is that bad either, just been injured a lot. He can definitely platoon between Left and DH. Heck, I’d trade Stroman for him and platoon him with Jasson as insurance.
If you get rid of Cease than get guys that can help you battle the Dodgers and beyond this year and next. Worry about the future when it’s truly time to blow the team up. They have a window now though. Use it.
That’s basically what I suggested in the post last night. Stop acting like you had an original thought.
I would think Preller wants at least (1) true stud minor leaguer. I agree, he needs MLB pieces as well but he needs to restock and Cease can get him near ML talent locks.
Once you looked under the covers, it was obvious that Moniak’s 2023 was a complete mirage. Like Adell, he doesn’t have bat to ball ability.
You can be optimistic such talented players will find themselves, but sooner or later, reality sets in.
@halo11fan. Welcome back.
Yep. Guys like these with not great contact skills and poor plate discipline get exposed over time. They may have a run or two where it looks good but tough to sustain without a good approach.
I don’t think enough attention is given to Verlander vs Scherzer. They’re within nine (9) Ks of one another for career Ks, sitting #10 and #11 All-Time.
It’s noted enough that they don’t like each other.
They were both slam dunk HOFers five years ago.
My tin foil hat says that they’re both waiting for the other one’s arm to fall off so one can surpass the other and (finally) retire. Same concept as those Spy vs Spy comics
Troy – They are both only 2 years removed from a good season, and just 3 years removed from a great season. Athletes don’t call it quits after just one bad season. I think if either has another bad season this year, he will retire.
There’s no deep hatred between the two, they are just very different people. Max is more intelligent and reserved, that’s all.
It looks like Scherzer waited for Verlander to sign just so he could be sure to put earn him by $500k on the year. Would have been funnier if he did $1 higher.
Wade – I’m guessing he was waiting for Verlander to set the market for pitchers in similar situations. That’s risky though, if the market setter comes out on the low end.
I’m kinda surprised no mention of the L/R splits, which I would think Roberts would factor into his closer decisions.
In his career the lefty Tanner Scott has been much more effective vs LHB (.603 OPS) than vs RHB (.679 OPS).
In his career the righty Kirby Yates has been much more effective vs RHB (.597 OPS) than vs LHB (.660 OPS).
Absolutely, i would think it will be a two headed closure role
A realistic offer for Cease would be along the likes of what Burns or even Soto went for as a soon to be FA.
For the Mets a realistic offer to keep the Padres talking would involve Peterson a top 5 prospect and maybe a 3rd piece especially with Cease being a front line starter making less then the aging aces got this off season.
MLB – I think you are the first to add what I believe to be a huge factor – salary cost. Soto is Soto but he brought a 31 mil salary for that 1 year. Cease is an ace at 13.5? Allows the acquiring team some flexibility to add another piece while adding an ace.
That is worth a little more in the pot.
How about Torkelson (1B/DH), Wencel Perez (LF,CF,RF, switch hitter) and Matt Manning (SP) for King or Cease.
They aren’t rebuilding, if they move him they want controllable MLB ready pieces not AA prospects
Just for kicks. King and Peralta to the Mets for Peterson, Scott, Acuna and Mauricio. Cease to the Cubs for Assad, Brown and Alcantara. Arraez to NYY for Stroman, Hampton and Madea. Suarez and Isaiah Lowe to Detroit for Jung and Torkelson.
Dan that makes my brain hurt! Kind of thing AJ might do though.
You’re not getting Hampton, Madea plus Stroman for Arreaz!! Heck I would not do Hampton and Madea for Arreaz!
@Nick Deeds. Please. In the poll by mlbtr yesterday, a majority of fans clearly suggested that the Padres not trade either Cease or King, not Cease over King as you state.
You can’t will this into existence no matter how bad you want it to happen.
If the Padres don’t make a trade how are they going to put a team out there?
Moniak went to arbitration? Chutzpah.
Candelario, Suarez, and Paredes. For a team that can’t find a 3B, the Tigers sure have given a few away.
Suarez is still the best trade option based on BP strength. About same money as DC and while not as good of a return, should net a mlb ready player to fill 1 spot of need at least.
Agree. Or if getting under CBT is what matters most (not sure it is) then parting with Matsui ($5.5M AAV) wouldn’t kill us
For those with cable, the Caribbean tournament is on ESPN Desportes starting today at 4 pm CT and continues through the weekend. The one thing that puzzles me is that Japan is in the tournament. I don’t know why but I’m not complaining.
The Mets are not going to give up Peterson or their top pitching prospect – Sproat – or their top overall prospect – Williams – for one year of Cease. That weakens them and doesn’t make any sense. I could see them offering Megill or Butto, Marte and half of his salary plus either Acuña, Baty or Gilbert. Mauricio is still recovering and won’t be ready for the beginning of the season, so you don’t know what you’re getting with him, so he probably won’t be traded.
They won’t give up 2 years of Peterson for 1 year of Cease?
Yeah right