Spring training is in a few days and only 15 of our 60 top free agents remain unsigned, including only one of the top 25. Here’s our take on the Jackie Bradley Jr. market and here are the latest rumors of hot stoves.
Yankees in conversation with Wilson
The Yankees are in “serious” negotiations with left-wing free agent Justin Wilson, according to MLB reporter Robert Murray. Mike Puma’s New York Post he adds Mets contacted Wilson about a meeting in the past few days and there are indications that he prefers to stay at the club. Our RJ Anderson did not rank Wilson among his 60 best free agents.
Wilson, 33, spent 2019-20 with the Mets and 2015 with the Yankees. The Yankees picked him up from the Pirates by Francisco Cervelli, then sent him to the Tigers in exchange for Chad Green. Wilson’s fastball is still in the mid-90s and he has been effective against the right-handed batter throughout his career, so he is more than a left-handed expert.
Mets grab a pair of arms
The Mets hired right-handed pitcher Tommy Hunter and left-handed pitcher Mike Montgomery, the club announced on Sunday. Both are smaller league deals with invitations to big league camps.
Hunter, 34, appeared in 24 games for the Phillies last season, shooting for 4.01 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 25 kills in 24 2/3 innings.
Montgomery, 31, pitched for 4.95 ERA and 1.60 WHIP at 96 1/3 innings in 2019-20 with Royals and Cubs. He has a career of 3.16 ERA as a reliever and 4.19 as a starter.
Both should have a real chance to join the bullpen to start the season and add depth.
Little lions want a left winger
The Cubs are looking for a left-handed infielder to use as a second base squad option, reports Bruce Levine of 670 The Score. Chicago is expected to use hitter Nico Hoerner and David Bote in second place, with also hitter Matt Duffy in a secondary league contract. Ian Happ, a switch-hitter, is a full-time outfielder today.
The free agency lacks quality southpaws reaching internal players at this point. Brad Miller is our only top 60 unsigned free agent that fits the profile and he said he is close to an agreement with the Phillies. Other free agent options include Eric Sogard, former Cubs Jason Kipnis and Daniel Descalso, and perhaps Travis Shaw. Joe Panik would have fit, although he recently signed with the Blue Jays.
Dodgers complete two small negotiations
Before signing again with Justin Turner, the Dodgers completed some minor negotiations with Athletics and Marlins to organize their 40-player roster and increase their depth in the secondary league. Here are the two negotiations, which have already been announced by all teams:
Kolarek and Floro have been solid half-relief options for Los Angeles in recent years, and they will enter the arena with their new clubs. MLB.com classifies Thomas as prospect # 20 in the Oakland system and Neuse as prospect # 13 in the Dodgers system. Vesia, Hurt and Varland were not classified. Neuse and Vesia each have a little MLB time. Hurt was a fifth round pick in 2020.