Two weeks to go before spring training and we now know that there will be no universal DH and an expanded postseason in 2021. Twenty-seven of our 60 top free agents remain without a contract, so expect a flurry of activity until the camp begins. . Here are the latest rumors of hot stoves.
Rays bring Archer back on a one-year contract
The Rays signed free-agent Chris Archer for a $ 6.5 million one-year contract, reports Jeff Passan of ESPN. Archer, 32, will return to Tampa, where he spent the first seven years of his MLB career. The right-wing veteran missed the 2020 season due to thoracic outlet surgery, and the Rays expect a recovery campaign in 2021. See more about the signature.
Reds agree on a one-year deal with Doolittle
The Reds agreed to a $ 1.5 million one-year contract with left-wing free agent Sean Doolittle, reports Jon Morosi of MLB.com. Cincinnati replaced Raisel Iglesias and Archie Bradley earlier this season, and Michael Lorenzen is expected to move into rotation next year. Doolittle would fill an obvious gap in the back of the bullpen. Our RJ Anderson did not rank Doolittle among his 60 best free agents.
Doolittle, 34, was limited to 11 games and 7 2/3 innings per knee and oblique injuries in 2020. He played 60 innings with an ERA of 4.05 in 2019, getting 29 saves along the way, and was an All- He recently starred as 2018. It is not absurd to think that Doolittle could have a strong recovery season in good health in 2021. If he does, he can help the Reds compete for a post-season spot or be replaced by a potential customer in the negotiation deadline.
Red Sox, Phillies between the teams in Gonzalez
The free agent market Marwin Gonzalez is heating up, and the Red Sox and Phillies are among half a dozen teams with interest, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com and Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia. Boston signed with super user Enrique Hernandez for a two-year contract last month, although he and Gonzalez are versatile enough to coexist on the same roster. It’s not a problem.
Gonzalez, 32 next month, probably shouldn’t be an ordinary player at this point in his career, although a hitter who can play in any position has obvious value as a bench player. Athletics, Braves, Brewers and Nationals stand out as potential landing points, in addition to the Red Sox, although that is just my speculation. Gonzalez is probably looking for a low-wage one-year contract.
Encarnacion plans to play in 2021 (and 2022)
Batting player Edwin Encarnacion plans to play two more seasons with his agent, Paul Kinzer, said Jon Morosi of MLB Network. Now 38, Encarnacion is third on the active list with 424 career runs in the career, behind only Albert Pujols (662) and Miguel Cabrera (487). He would need two monstrous seasons in 2021 and 2022 to reach 500 career homers, although it is not completely impossible.
With the White Sox last year, Encarnacion had its worst season in more than a decade, posting an OPS + 70 and wasting playing time in the final stretch. Decreasing production at this age is often a recipe for forced retirement. The fact that the MLB is unlikely to have universal DH by 2021 does not help either. Encarnacion is a respected veteran and has long had a reputation as the club’s leader, although at the moment the odds are against him.
Priests extend Preller
The Fathers signed a contract extension with GM AJ Preller until 2026, the team announced. Preller also added president of baseball operations to this title. “AJ skillfully built a club of the Major League playoff caliber and a top-tier secondary league system,” said owner Peter Seidler in a statement. Preller joined San Diego in August 2014 and turned the club into a powerhouse. The Padres had the third best record (37-23) and the second best running differential (plus-84) in baseball in 2020 and added Blake Snell, Yu Darvish and others to the squad this winter.