[Andy117]

How often do guys not recover from Tommy john surgery?

More than you'd think.

[koz-man]

Cubs pitcher John Lackey says if he "still feels good" he'll "probably" continue to play beyond 2017.

This season is the last of a 2-year deal he signed with the Cubs for $32 million. When he does quit there won't be any retirement tour: "When I retire I just won't come back," Lackey said.

[El Nino]

Just unbelievable that guy can still pitch at the Major league level.

Carne Asada FTW

[EmpireMaker]

With limited resources at his disposal, Angels general manager Billy Eppler did well to plug holes throughout his team’s roster this offseason. The improved depth will not only help his team over the 162-game grind, it will result in some competition this spring.
Here are some notable position battles to keep an eye on.
LEFT FIELD
Cameron Maybin
Age: 30
Bats: R
Contract Status: 1 year, $9MM
Options remaining: Can’t be optioned without consent
Ben Revere
Age: 29
Bats: L
Contract Status: 1 year, $4MM
Options remaining: Can’t be optioned without consent
Dustin Ackley
Age: 29
Bats: L
Contract Status: MiLB deal; $2.25MM if he makes the MLB roster
Options remaining: Can’t be optioned without consent
On the surface, Maybin should have a strong edge in this battle. Despite missing a good part of the 2016 season due to an assortment of injuries, he slashed .315/.383/.418 with 15 stolen bases in 393 plate appearances for the Tigers. Revere is coming off of an abysmal season with the Nats (.217/260/.300 in 375 plate appearances) in which he deservedly lost his starting job.
However, both players have been around long enough that their track records, as well as spring performance, will play a part in determining who will get the bulk of playing time when the season begins. Maybin has a long history of injuries and subpar offensive seasons. Revere, up until 2016, had been able to compensate for a lack of power and plate discipline with a .303 batting average and 36 stolen bases per season from 2012-2015. It would be tough to keep him out of the lineup if he returns to that form. Defensively, Maybin and Revere each cover a ton of ground and should be well above-average in left field.
Ackley, who signed a Minor League deal this offseason after he was released by the Yankees, is probably the most intriguing player in camp who could conceivably do enough in Spring Training to make a push if both Maybin and Revere struggle terribly. The 2nd overall pick in the 2009 draft, Ackley had an impressive rookie season with the Mariners in 2011, but has been a disappointment since.
Even if manager Mike Scioscia names one as his starter, it’s likely that he’ll look for platoon opportunities and/or go with the “hot hand” during the season, with Maybin and Revere both getting a chance to run away with the job.
Prediction: Maybin
CLOSER
Huston Street
Age: 33
Throws: R
Contract Status: 1 year, $10MM with 2018 club option ($10MM or $1MM buyout)
Options remaining: Can’t be optioned without consent
Cam Bedrosian
Age: 25
Throws: R
Contract Status: Pre-Arbitration; projected to become a free agent after ’21 season
Options remaining: Out of options
Andrew Bailey
Age: 33
Throws: R
Contract Status: 1 year, $1MM
Options remaining: Can’t be optioned without consent
Considering that Street had been one of the most consistent and reliable relief pitchers in baseball for more than a decade prior to an injury-plagued and ineffective 2016 season, it’s fair to say that he deserves the benefit of the doubt and should remain in the closer role to start the 2017 season.
The emergence of Bedrosian, however, is the likeliest reason why Street will have a much shorter leash than he’s ever had during his career. If not for a blood clot that ended his season two days after taking over as the closer when Street landed on the disabled list in early August, Bedrosian might have already proven that he’s the best man for the job. It won’t be long, though, if he can pick up where he left off (1.56 ERA, 11.4 K/9 in 45 appearances).
Former A’s closer Andrew Bailey also earned his way into the competition by pitching well after the Angels signed him to a Minor League deal in August (11.1 IP, 3 ER, 9 H, 2 BB, 8 K). For Bailey to get serious consideration, though, he’d have to give the Angels every indication that he is healthy and back to the form that made him a Rookie of the Year and two-time All-Star very early in his career.
Prediction: Street on Opening Day. Bedrosian takes the job from him by June 1st.
STARTING ROTATION (TWO SPOTS)
Tyler Skaggs
Age: 25
Throws: L
Contract Status: Pre-Arbitration; projected to become a free agent after ’20 season
Options remaining: 1
Jesse Chavez
Age: 33
Throws: R
Contract Status: 1 year, $5.75MM
Options remaining: Can’t be optioned without consent
Nate Smith
Age: 25
Throws: L
Contract Status: Pre-Arbitration; projected to become a free agent after ’23 season
Options remaining: 3
Alex Meyer
Age: 27
Throws: R
Contract Status: Pre-Arbitration; projected to become a free agent after ’22 or ’23 season
Options remaining: 1
Bud Norris
Age: 32
Throws: R
Contract Status: MiLB deal; $1.75MM if he makes the MLB roster
Options remaining: Can’t be optioned without consent
Yusmeiro Petit
Age: 32
Throws: R
Contract Status: MiLB deal; $2.25MM if he makes the MLB roster
Options remaining: Can’t be optioned without consent
Other candidates: Daniel Wright, Manny Bañuelos, Brooks Pounders
Not only is there a rotation spot that is Skaggs’ to lose, he’s a strong candidate to break out in 2017. In his first season since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2014, Skaggs was eased back into action with 10 MLB starts after a late-July promotion. The Angels will still likely proceed with some caution since he only threw a total of 89 innings in 2016. He’ll need to prove in Spring Training that he’s ready to handle a full workload or else he could begin the season in Triple-A.
Chavez’s versatility is a big part of his value, but the Angels did not have the financial freedom to give nearly $6MM to a pitcher who wasn’t going to start or factor into the late-inning mix. He’ll be given every opportunity to win a rotation spot. In 26 starts with the A’s in 2015, he had a 4.37 ERA with 7.6 K/9 in 150.1 innings pitched. The Angels would be ecstatic if he can come close to that production.
Meyer, a former top prospect for the Twins, has battled injuries and control issues throughout his career. He does have an upper-90’s fastball, however, which is why he’s the most intriguing candidate on this list. The bullpen might be his ultimate destination, but the Angels probably aren’t ready to give up on him as a starter just yet. The 6’9″ right-hander only pitched 50.1 innings in 2016, but 12 of his 13 appearances, including all five at the MLB level, were starts.
Smith doesn’t have Meyer’s ceiling, but he has the potential to be a solid back-of-the-rotation starter and he might be ready to step in now. Both he and Meyer are on the 40-man roster, which is why they’ll get a long look this spring.
Like Chavez, Petit is valuable because of his ability to pitch as a swingman. In this case, he’ll be given an opportunity to win a rotation spot, although he’ll have an uphill battle to stand out. His ability to successfully bounce from the bullpen to emergency spot starter might even work against him since he’s an appealing candidate for the pen. Norris isn’t that far removed from being a very good MLB starter, but he’s had a rough go of it over the past two seasons (5.79 ERA in 196 IP between four teams). Regardless, Petit and Norris are veterans who are capable of contributing at some point, even if not right out of the gate.
Prediction: Skaggs and Chavez win spots.

[Chi_archie]

Cubs pitcher John Lackey says if he "still feels good" he'll "probably" continue to play beyond 2017.

This season is the last of a 2-year deal he signed with the Cubs for $32 million. When he does quit there won't be any retirement tour: "When I retire I just won't come back," Lackey said.

lackey is a goofball

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Blue Jays sign P Mat Latos to a minor league deal. http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb...der-mat-latos/

career underachiever

[BigSpoon]

career underachiever

Injuries have certainly played a part in his decline since his early success with the Padres.

[El Nino]

lackey is a goofball

Nothing brings me more joy when the skipper comes walking to the mound to give him the hook. You know there are going to be fireworks.

[koz-man]

Dodgers 1B Adrian Gonzalez said he is dealing with forearm soreness, otherwise known as tennis elbow.

No swinging a bat or weightlifting for two weeks when he will be tested again. His availability for Mexico in the opening rounds of the WBC is up in the air.

[yisman]

career underachiever

for sure

when I saw Padres I was thinking Matt Kemp, another career underachiever

[mr. leisure]

lackey is a goofball

Liked him when he was with the Angels .

[EmpireMaker]

The Reds have agreed to a minor-league deal with veteran outfielder Ryan Raburn, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (Twitter link). He’ll earn $900K if he can crack the MLB roster, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer tweets.
Raburn is now 35 years of age and is coming off of an uninspiring 2016 showing with the Rockies, in which he carried only a 77 OPS+ over 256 plate appearances. But the on-again, off-again lefty masher was spectacular just one year prior, as he provided the 2015 Indians with 201 plate appearances of .301/.393/.543 hitting. That’s part of a pattern for Raburn, who has rather inexplicably alternated between highly productive and roundly disappointing complete seasons for the better part of his career.
Of course, Cincinnati can’t exactly bank on a full rebound from the veteran. But if he’s able to show well in camp, Raburn could earn a chance to stick as a bench bat to help balance out an otherwise youthful roster. He and Desmond Jennings, both of whom are righty hitters who could spell Scott Schebler in right field, could battle with younger options for the final active roster spots in camp.

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Injuries have certainly played a part in his decline since his early success with the Padres.

not sure he has the stuff anymore

[Otters27]

Houston street age 33 making 10 mill. Not bad for a short guy.

[Chi_archie]

Houston street age 33 making 10 mill. Not bad for a short guy.

way to go mr. street!

[mr. leisure]

Former Yankee Nick Swisher announces his retirement after 12-year career​

[koz-man]

Clayton Kershaw, on heading toward his seventh consecutive Opening Day start for the Dodgers: "Any time you get to do it is special. … It's always fun to get the season going and to be a part of it. I'm thankful that I have done it for so long and with the same team. Not many people get to do that so it's pretty cool."

[koz-man]

Red Sox have purchased contract of 28-year-old right-hander Hector Velazquez, who had 2.47 ERA and 120 strikeouts in 131.1 innings last year for Monclova in Mexican League. The deal is pending a physical.

[EmpireMaker]

The Tigers have announced that they’ve hired former utilityman Don Kelly as a pro scout and assistant to player development. It would appear, then, that the 37-year-old Kelly, who played briefly for the Marlins in each of the last two seasons, has retired, or at least put his playing career on hold. He spent much of last season with Triple-A New Orleans, batting a modest .198/.284/.233. Kelly is best known for his six-year tenure with the Tigers from 2009 through 2014, during which he played mostly outfield, first and third while serving as one of Jim Leyland’s favored bench pieces. In nine years in the Majors, Kelly has batted .230/.294/.334. Here’s more from the AL Central divisions.

• Twins scouting director Sean Johnson plans to incorporate analytics into his team’s draft process, Mike Berardino of the Pioneer Press writes. The Twins have the No. 1 overall pick in June. Exactly how they plan to use analytics to inform that pick is unclear, but Berardino’s piece still demonstrates what appears to be a change in outlook from the Twins’ mostly traditionalist front office under Terry Ryan. Johnson was with the Twins under Ryan, previously serving as their West Coast supervisor, but new Twins front office honchos Derek Falvey and Thad Levine appear to be emphasizing a different approach. “At the heart of it, it’s always going to be about our scouts: who they like, who they want to draft,” says Johnson. “And then you layer on different things to make sure you’re on the right track. It might be numbers or psychological testing. It could be a makeup call. There are numerous things we want to implement.” Still, Johnson adds, “Broadly speaking, we’re going to use more of the metrics. We’re going to have more of the numbers, but not to drive the guys we go evaluate and who we want.” In contrast, Johnson says the Twins didn’t even discuss the spin rate on Tyler Jay’s well-regarded slider before selecting him sixth overall in 2015.
• The Royals plan to use Alex Gordon at all three outfield spots during Spring Training, and perhaps in the regular season also, MLB.com’s Jeffrey Flanagan writes. “Every scenario is open,” says manager Ned Yost. “I’m going to move Gordy around. I’m going to play Gordy in right, Gordy in center. Just to see what we got.” Gordon has won four Gold Gloves as a left fielder, but it appears the Royals won’t be shy about experimenting, at least for now. The idea, it seems, is to see how best to utilitze Gordon along with new additions Jorge Soler and Brandon Moss, although Yost does note that he views Soler mostly as a right fielder. Moss played 58 games in left field for the Cardinals last season, although his defense there does not rate as highly as Gordon’s.

[mpaschal34]

Former Yankee Nick Swisher announces his retirement after 12-year career​

would have guessed he's been retired for at least 3-4 years.

[Otters27]

Who will be the CY Youngs this year?

[Chi_archie]

Former Yankee Nick Swisher announces his retirement after 12-year career​

oh ok dude, thanks for letting us know

has Paul O'neil officially retired yet?

[JAKEPEAVY21]

would have guessed he's been retired for at least 3-4 years.

no kidding, I think he has had injuries and hasn't played much the past few anyhow.

[BigSpoon]

Padres sign Jered Weaver to a 1 year $3M contract. I don't think he has much left in the tank with his mid 80's fastball. http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/1...n-diego-padres

[El Nino]

Padres sign Jered Weaver to a 1 year $3M contract. I don't think he has much left in the tank with his mid 80's fastball. http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/1...n-diego-padres

Yeah, he just doesn't have any stuff left.

[koz-man]

The Yankees signed Jonathon Niese to a minor-league contract. Niese won 61 games in his time with the Mets.

Three pitchers have won at least 50 games with the Mets AND won a game with the Yankees - Dwight Gooden, Al Leiter and David Cone. Bob Ojeda is the other Mets 50-game winner to pitch for the Yankees, but he didn't win a game for them.

[mr. leisure]

What about the Nick Swisher farewell tour ??

[Cross]

I liked swisher, he was a character.

[Andy117]

The Yankees signed Jonathon Niese to a minor-league contract. Niese won 61 games in his time with the Mets.

Three pitchers have won at least 50 games with the Mets AND won a game with the Yankees - Dwight Gooden, Al Leiter and David Cone. Bob Ojeda is the other Mets 50-game winner to pitch for the Yankees, but he didn't win a game for them.

Have fun with that!

[Andy117]

I liked swisher, he was a character.

Few players enjoyed playing in the majors more than Swisher. I sat in RF for a game at Yankee stadium years ago, Swisher really had a good time while he played, lots of interaction with the fans.

[EmpireMaker]

Whether the Cubs extend right-hander Jake Arrieta prior to free agency next winter will be up to president of baseball operations Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer, chairman Tom Ricketts told Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune. “They have the right perspective on what they have to put a great team on the field this year but have a longer term perspective in realizing decisions that affect this year might hurt us in a few years,” said Ricketts, who added that the reigning World Series champions will be “thoughtful and strategic” in deciding when to exceed the luxury-tax threshold. The Cubs spent past the mark for the first time last year, but they’re on track to avoid the penalty this season, estimates Jason Martinez of Roster Resource and MLBTR. Allowing Arrieta to walk in free agency next year would help the Cubs stay under the limit in 2018, too, though they’d also lose the 2015 NL Cy Young winner and one of the game’s top starters. It seems that will happen, however, as Arrieta’s agent, Scott Boras, could push for a $200MM-plus deal. In the meantime, Arrieta will make $15.6375M in his final year of team control.
More from the Senior Circuit:

• Before he accepted the Padres’ one-year, $3MM offer on Saturday, righty Jered Weaver drew interest from other teams, including the Reds, reports FanRag’s Jon Heyman (Twitter link). Weaver, a California native who spent the first 11 years of his career in Anaheim, could have signed for more money had he left his home state, per Heyman. In Cincinnati, the 34-year-old Weaver likely would have joined Anthony DeSclafani, Scott Feldman and Brandon Finnegan as locks for the rotation.
• A pair of high-profile Mets took small but encouraging steps in their injury recoveries Sunday, manager Terry Collins announced (via MetsBlog). Third baseman David Wright threw for the first time since he underwent neck surgery last June, accumulating 30 tosses from 60 to 70 feet, and “felt good” (Twitter link via Matt Ehalt of The Record). Right-hander Zack Wheeler, meanwhile, threw his first bullpen session since he he felt “tenderness” in his surgically repaired elbow earlier this week and didn’t report any problems afterward. Wheeler didn’t pitch in the majors in either of the past two seasons – and totaled just one minor league inning, at the High-A level, in that time – on account of a 2015 Tommy John procedure. Health permitting, Wheeler could slot back into the Mets’ rotation this year, but assistant general manager John Ricco told MLB Network Radio on Sunday that it’s too early to determine whether they’ll use the soon-to-be 27-year-old as a starter or reliever (Twitter link).
• As of early January, the Nationals were prepared to begin extension talks with contract-year manager Dusty Baker. While it’s unclear if discussions have since begun, Baker indicated Sunday that he expects to hammer out an agreement with the club in the near future. “I’m very confident that we’ll get things worked out,” Baker told Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post (Twitter link). “You’d like to do it sooner rather than later because I don’t want to be a distraction.” In 2016, Baker’s first season at the helm in D.C., the Nats improved from 83-79 to 95-67 en route to an NL East title, though they weren’t able to get past the Dodgers in the NLDS.
• While Braves second baseman Brandon Phillips claims he didn’t block the Reds’ initial attempt to trade him to Atlanta in November, members of the Cincy organization say otherwise, according to Zach Buchanan of the Cincinnati Enquirer. However, those individuals have elected against going on the record to dispute Phillips’ account so as not to create a public rift with the longtime franchise cornerstone.

[Chi_archie]

Nothing brings me more joy when the skipper comes walking to the mound to give him the hook. You know there are going to be fireworks.

that is awesome!

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Yeah, he just doesn't have any stuff left.

he tops out at around 85 mph these days

[BarkingToad]

Padres sign Jered Weaver to a 1 year $3M contract. I don't think he has much left in the tank with his mid 80's fastball. http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/1...n-diego-padres

Even that may be too much. He's getting that on his name only.

[Otters27]

Fade Jared Weaver first five innings this year?