It is the eve of spring training. The first wave of pitchers and catchers will report to camps in Arizona and Florida on Wednesday, and in less than two weeks, the seasons of the Cactus League and the Grapefruit League will begin. Real live baseball is approaching. Here are the latest rumors of hot stoves.
Cubs debate Bryant / Mets trade talk
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Cubs baseball operations president Jed Hoyer took down recent reports connecting the Mets to third baseman Kris Bryant. Here’s what Hoyer said, via Jordan Bastian of MLB.com:
“That’s what I’m saying (the reports are incorrect). Yes, I mean, I think I would say that … We were involved in a lot of rumors this year that were, some were completely inaccurate, and then I would say that some were just a little exaggerated – the seriousness of these discussions. Certainly, the teams called and talked to us. But, as far as active discussions are concerned, now things are calm. And, as I said, they have been for sometimes. ”
Bryant will earn $ 19.5 million in 2021, his last season of team control before becoming a free agent. He was a popular name on the business rumors circuit all winter, but that salary and his low season in 2020 (0.644 OPS) made it difficult to find a business partner. Chicago’s best bet is to wait for Bryant to recover and be able to trade on time.
In other Cubs news, Hoyer confirmed that the team “is not currently involved in any commercial conversation”, although he said he could soon sign an MLB contract appease. There are five appeasers among our 60 major unsigned free agents: Trevor Rosenthal (No. 38), Shane Greene (No. 46), Trevor Cahill (No. 53), Tyler Clippard (No. 58) and Tony Watson (No. 59).
Phillies invites Mathis and Herrera to spring training
The Phillies signed veteran catcher Jeff Mathis into a minor league contract, the team announced on Tuesday. Jon Heyman reports from MLB Network Mathis will receive a base salary of $ 1.8 million at the MLB level. The 37-year-old will compete with Andrew Knapp for the backup catcher job behind JT Realmuto. Three years ago, our RJ Anderson profiled Mathis, who is entering his 17th season in the MLB, despite being one of the worst hitters in history.
Also on Tuesday, the Phillies announced that central gardener Odubel Herrera was invited to spring training as a player on the non-40-player roster. Herrera, 29, has not played since May 2019, when the rest of the season was suspended due to MLB’s domestic violence policy. Philadelphia removed him from his roster of 40 players last season, although the club still owes him $ 10.35 million in 2021 under the terms of the contract extension he signed in December 2016. He is unlikely to play significant games for the Phillies never again.
The Pirates reached an agreement with southpaw Tyler Anderson in a deal for the big league, by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
Anderson, 31, is the first free agent to join the Pirates on an MLB contract this winter. He spent the past year with the Giants, appearing 13 times and posting a 98 ERA + and a streak to walk ratio of 1.64 out of 59 entries.
Anderson launched three pitches more than 15 percent of the time in 2020: a 90 mph fastball, an 80 mph shift and an 85 mph cutter. It is likely that he will claim a place in the Pittsburgh redo rotation.
Brewers (also) sign Anderson
Pirates was not the only central team to add a pitcher named Anderson on Tuesday. The Brewers agreed to a one-year contract with Brett Anderson that will pay him $ 2.5 million, by ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Anderson, 33, posted 108 ERA + and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 3.20 in 10 games with the Brewers last season. He finished fourth on the Milwaukee team with 47 entries thrown.
Anderson seems likely to claim a place at the back of the Brewers’ rotation. Milwaukee also has Brandon Woodruff, Corbin Burnes, Josh Lindblom, Adrian Houser and Eric Lauer to find the roles.
Yankees sign Chirinos
The Yankees signed a contract with veteran Robinson Chirinos for a minor league, reports Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Jon Heyman of MLB Network adds Chirinos will earn $ 1 million at the MLB level with another $ 500,000 in incentives. He is currently third in the catch depth table, behind Gary Sanchez and Kyle Higashioka.
Chirinos, 36, produced a .475 OPS in 82 plate appearances with Rangers and Mets in 2020. He is a year away from hitting .238 / .347 / .443 with 17 home runs as the main catcher for champion AL Astros . Chirinos was never a highly regarded defender behind the sign, so if he doesn’t get it right, his value to his team is limited.
Pujols undecided about the future
The future Hall of Fame Albert Pujols is undecided about his future after 2021. He is entering the final season of his 10-year, $ 240 million contract with the Angels, but even though the National League adopts universal DH in 2022, Pujols believes he will have trouble finding a spot in the squad due to his attack. below average in recent years. Pujols needs 84 strikes to overtake Paul Molitor and move to 10th on the all-time list.