The 2020 Major League Baseball Player Chatter, News and Fantasy Thread.

[batt33]

Cespedes for the rest of us

classic....

[BigSpoon]

Ho Ho Ho you filthy animals, Merry Christmas.

[Otters27]

Merry Christmas baseball freaks

[jrgum3]

Merry Christmas gentlemen

[EmpireMaker]

Merry Christmas fellow baseball fans !!!

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Merry Christmas fellas and happy kwanzaa to poster Cross

[Chi_archie]

Pirates gifted Josh Bell to nats for Christmas

[stevenash]

Merry Christmas baseball freaks

You too Otts, and the rest of you, Merry Christmas.

I'll resume baseball talks tomorrow.

[Cross]

Merry Christmas fellas and happy kwanzaa to poster Cross

lol, that’s a first! Is the Kwanza reference because I don’t think LeBron is a racist by chance? Merry Christmas to all the baseball gurus on here even if your team lets you down year after year.

[JMobile]

Pirates gifted Josh Bell to nats for Christmas

Pirates gave the Nationals a stimulus package.

[batt33]

A belated Merry Christmas!

[jrgum3]

Free-agent left-hander James Paxton recently held a showcase with “as many as 20 teams” in attendance, per Jon Morosi of MLB Network. Paxton’s fastball reached 94 mph during the session, Morosi adds.
The 32-year-old Paxton is coming off a difficult season as a member of the Yankees, with whom he totaled just five starts and pitched to a 6.64 ERA/4.37 FIP over 20 1/3 innings. Paxton did post appealing strikeout and walk numbers (11.51 K/9 against 3.1 BB/9), though a fastball that has averaged upward of 95 mph throughout his career clocked in at a disappointing 92.1 in 2020. Paxton, who has dealt with several injuries in the majors, underwent back surgery last February and didn’t pitch beyond Aug. 20 because of a flexor strain. Fortunately, Paxton avoided surgery on his arm, and agent Scott Boras issued encouraging updates on his health in recent weeks.
If Paxton is at 100 percent, it’s easy to see why teams would have interest in him on what’s likely to be a fairly affordable short-term contract. Also a former Mariner, Paxton logged quality numbers from 2013-19 before enduring struggles last season. To this point, Paxton has put up an impressive 3.58 ERA/3.31 FIP with 9.9 K/9 and 2.75 BB/9 across 753 1/3 innings and 136 appearances (all starts).

I think Paxton would be a solid addition to any staff. Of course I thought he'd help the Yankees more than he did but maybe getting out of the spotlight and pressure of New York would do him some good.

[BigSpoon]

I think Paxton would be a solid addition to any staff. Of course I thought he'd help the Yankees more than he did but maybe getting out of the spotlight and pressure of New York would do him some good.

Yeah, I agree it worked out well for Sonny Gray to get out of New York.

[EmpireMaker]

The Rangers are in agreement with right-hander Kohei Arihara, reports Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic (Twitter link). It’s a two-year contract in the $6-7MM range, reports Mark Feinsand of MLB.com (via Twitter).
Arihara, 28, has spent the past six seasons with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball. In 836 career innings at Japan’s highest level, Arihara compiled a 3.74 ERA with 6.7 K/9 against 2.1 BB/9. He has been especially productive over the past two years. Arihara posted a minuscule 2.46 ERA with a career-best 8.8 K/9 in 2019. This past season, he managed a 3.46 mark with 7.2 K/9 across 132.2 innings.
Writing for Baseball America on the heels of Arihara’s peak season in 2019, Jason Coskrey noted that the right-hander works in the low-90’s and primarily leans upon his fastball, changeup and slider. Arihara has up to seven distinct pitches in his arsenal, though, and Coskrey notes he’s adept at using his secondaries to keep opposing hitters off balance. He also has a long history of throwing strikes, not having issued more than 2.2 walks per nine innings pitched in any of his last five NPB seasons.
Arihara’s not known for especially overpowering raw stuff, and that’s been borne out in his relatively low strikeout rates. Shun Yamaguchi, who signed a similar contract with the Blue Jays last offseason, consistently posted heftier strikeout totals over his time in Japan than did Arihara. So too has Tomoyuki Sugano, the higher-profile NPB starter available to MLB teams via the posting system this winter. That could suggest Arihara’s more suited for the back of the rotation, although he figures to have a decent opportunity for innings in Texas.
Kyle Gibson and Jordan Lyles will presumably try to bounce back from dismal 2020 seasons. Dane Dunning will certainly get a rotation job after coming over from the White Sox in the Lance Lynn trade. There’s a lot of uncertainty beyond (and even among) that trio, though. Kolby Allard was knocked around last season and hasn’t yet established himself as a big league caliber starter. Kyle Cody, who never worked more than five innings, was the only other player still on the roster to start multiple games for Texas last season.
In addition to Arihara’s salary, the Rangers will owe the Fighters a release fee under the terms of the MLB-NPB posting system. The Fighters will receive a sum equal to 20 percent of the contract value. Depending upon the contract’s specific terms, that would put the posting fee in the $1.2MM – 1.4MM range. Texas’ total outlay is around $7.5MM, hears Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News (via Twitter).
The Red Sox and Padres were reportedly the other finalists in the bidding for Arihara, whose posting window was set to expire tomorrow. San Diego and Boston will now have to turn elsewhere in their hunt for additional rotation depth.

[Chi_archie]

The Rangers are in agreement with right-hander Kohei Arihara, reports Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic (Twitter link). It’s a two-year contract in the $6-7MM range, reports Mark Feinsand of MLB.com (via Twitter).
Arihara, 28, has spent the past six seasons with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball. In 836 career innings at Japan’s highest level, Arihara compiled a 3.74 ERA with 6.7 K/9 against 2.1 BB/9. He has been especially productive over the past two years. Arihara posted a minuscule 2.46 ERA with a career-best 8.8 K/9 in 2019. This past season, he managed a 3.46 mark with 7.2 K/9 across 132.2 innings.
Writing for Baseball America on the heels of Arihara’s peak season in 2019, Jason Coskrey noted that the right-hander works in the low-90’s and primarily leans upon his fastball, changeup and slider. Arihara has up to seven distinct pitches in his arsenal, though, and Coskrey notes he’s adept at using his secondaries to keep opposing hitters off balance. He also has a long history of throwing strikes, not having issued more than 2.2 walks per nine innings pitched in any of his last five NPB seasons.
Arihara’s not known for especially overpowering raw stuff, and that’s been borne out in his relatively low strikeout rates. Shun Yamaguchi, who signed a similar contract with the Blue Jays last offseason, consistently posted heftier strikeout totals over his time in Japan than did Arihara. So too has Tomoyuki Sugano, the higher-profile NPB starter available to MLB teams via the posting system this winter. That could suggest Arihara’s more suited for the back of the rotation, although he figures to have a decent opportunity for innings in Texas.
Kyle Gibson and Jordan Lyles will presumably try to bounce back from dismal 2020 seasons. Dane Dunning will certainly get a rotation job after coming over from the White Sox in the Lance Lynn trade. There’s a lot of uncertainty beyond (and even among) that trio, though. Kolby Allard was knocked around last season and hasn’t yet established himself as a big league caliber starter. Kyle Cody, who never worked more than five innings, was the only other player still on the roster to start multiple games for Texas last season.
In addition to Arihara’s salary, the Rangers will owe the Fighters a release fee under the terms of the MLB-NPB posting system. The Fighters will receive a sum equal to 20 percent of the contract value. Depending upon the contract’s specific terms, that would put the posting fee in the $1.2MM – 1.4MM range. Texas’ total outlay is around $7.5MM, hears Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News (via Twitter).
The Red Sox and Padres were reportedly the other finalists in the bidding for Arihara, whose posting window was set to expire tomorrow. San Diego and Boston will now have to turn elsewhere in their hunt for additional rotation depth.

let's see what he's got

[Cross]

Josh Bell is a beast against righty pitching, let’s hope the Pirates got something decent in return.

[BigSpoon]

Pirates gifted Josh Bell to nats for Christmas

Not a huge loss for the Pirates, he's had 2 good seasons out of 6 in Pitt.

[stevenash]

Happy birthday to the Wizard.

[cincinnatikid513]

u remember when pirates trades glasnow and meadows to the rays

[JMobile]

Phil Niekro past away?

[batt33]

Phil Niekro past away?

RIP 81 years old....Most wins by a knuckleballer 318

[stevenash]

Padres acquire Blake Snell.

[jrgum3]

Padres acquire Blake Snell.

Yep story just broke. Was just about to post the link.

https://sports.yahoo.com/padres-acquire-blake-snell-from-rays-in-blockbuster-trade-042155678.html

[jrgum3]

Definitely a big get for the Padres. I like Snell a lot and I think he'll do well pitching in the NL. Tampa got 4 prospects in the deal so that's probably the best they could have hoped for in dealing away Snell. The Padres farm system is full of good prospects so this deal might work out for the Rays but this is a move the Padres had to make with Clevinger being on the shelf for 2021.

[stevenash]

This closes the LA gap.

[Otters27]

RIP 81 years old....Most wins by a knuckleballer 318

Tim Wakefield and Charlie Huff. Used to throw a knuckle

[EmpireMaker]

There’s a clear top pair of free agent position players available this winter: J.T. Realmuto and George Springer. Entering the offseason, the MLBTR staff projected five-year, $125MM terms for each, with only starter Trevor Bauer pegged for a higher guarantee. The Blue Jays and Mets are reportedly the strongest possibilities to land Springer, but Realmuto’s market has been less defined to this point. Which teams are in the best position to make a run at the catcher?
A nine-figure deal for Realmuto would be out of character for lower-payroll clubs like the Indians, Marlins, Brewers, Athletics, Pirates and Rays. We can fairly safely rule them out. The rebuilding Orioles aren’t going to make a win-now splash, and the Rangers are selling off pieces this winter.
There are a few more clubs that are generally expected or have already signaled a desire to reduce payroll this offseason. The Reds could stand to upgrade at catcher, but discussions about their offseason have been about subtracting expensive talent, not adding it. The same is true of the division-rival Cubs. There haven’t been many offseason rumblings about the Diamondbacks or Rockies. Both could make sense for Realmuto in theory but it would register as a real surprise if either put forth that kind of offer. The Cardinals are engaged in a contract stalemate with franchise icon Yadier Molina, who would come significantly cheaper. They’re not expected to pivot to Realmuto if talks with Molina fall through.
A handful of others have settled catching situations already. The Mets made sense at the start of the offseason but signed James McCann instead. The Royals and Giants aren’t going to sign Realmuto and displace their respective faces of the franchise. Yasmani Grandal is perhaps the only other catcher in the sport close to Realmuto’s level, so the White Sox are all set. Turning to the remaining thirteen teams:

• Angels: The Angels have very little certainty behind the plate in Max Stassi and Anthony Bemboom. There’s obvious room for an upgrade there, although the Angels are already projected by Roster Resource for a 2021 payroll just $15MM shy of last year’s figure. They still need to upgrade the pitching staff, so it’s possible they roll with a lower-cost group at catcher.
• Astros: The Astros have bigger needs to address in the outfield and bullpen. They were ruled out as potential Realmuto suitors early in the offseason and are instead in advanced discussions with Jason Castro.
• Blue Jays: The Blue Jays have seemingly been linked to every big ticket free agent and trade possibility (Realmuto included) this winter. They’re clearly looking to add high-end talent to help the team take a leap into permanent contention, but that might take the form of a Springer signing instead. Young catchers Danny Jansen and Alejandro Kirk have promise but might not have enough of a track record for a win-now team. They could be moved if Toronto added Realmuto.
• Braves: This seems highly unlikely. Travis d’Arnaud was excellent in 2020 and GM Alex Anthopolous has shied away from long-term deals since taking over in Atlanta.
• Dodgers: The Dodgers have the flexibility to get into the mix for any elite player. But Will Smith looks like one of the game’s best young catchers. Theoretically, L.A. could sign Realmuto and trade Smith to upgrade other areas of the roster, but that’d be a real stretch.
• Mariners: The Mariners could be an interesting dark horse to make a splash this offseason. There’s room on the books, particularly long-term, and the Seattle front office has spoken of a desire to compete in 2021 after a few seasons of rebuilding. Tom Murphy and Luis Torrens are a decent in-house tandem, so a Realmuto signing is a longshot. But the Mariners are in position to pounce on players they consider special talents and Realmuto certainly qualifies.
• Nationals: The Nationals have been in contact with Realmuto’s camp this winter. He’d be a massive upgrade over the team’s current pairing of Yan Gomes and Tres Barrera. It’s uncertain at best, however, that ownership will give GM Mike Rizzo the financial leash to again dish out a market-setting contract for a top free agent.
• Padres: San Diego acquired Austin Nola at last year’s deadline and seems more likely to look for starting pitching with Mike Clevinger out for 2021 due to a Tommy John surgery.
• Phillies: Realmuto’s former team doesn’t have an obvious replacement if he departs. They tagged him with a qualifying offer and have reportedly made a contract proposal.
• Red Sox: Boston is generally expected to prioritize pitching this winter. Christian Vázquez is one of the sport’s better catchers, so this would be a surprise. The Red Sox have the spending capacity to get into the Realmuto mix, but there’s no indication they have any intention of doing so.
• Tigers: Detroit has no in-house certainty at catcher and the long-term books are pretty open. The Tigers aren’t immediate contenders, making this a weird fit, but the front office could at least explore adding one of the game’s best catchers to work with the prized young pitchers leading the rebuild.
• Twins: As with the Dodgers and Red Sox, Minnesota could theoretically sign Realmuto and trade their quality in-house options (Mitch Garver and Ryan Jeffers, in this case) for help elsewhere on the roster. But again, it doesn’t seem especially likely.
• Yankees: The Yankees have been focused on re-signing DJ LeMahieu to this point. If LeMahieu winds up signing elsewhere, a Realmuto pursuit would be plausible. The Yankees tendered a contract to Gary Sánchez but it’s anyone’s guess what kind of production they can expect after his dismal 2020 season.

[BigSpoon]

Padres acquire Blake Snell.

I think them and the Dodgers both win 100 games in 2021.

[EmpireMaker]

BREAKING: The Padres have an agreement in place to acquire Blake Snell from the Rays, sources tell @JCTSports
, @Ken_Rosenthal
and me. Luis Patiño, Francisco Mejía, Blake Hunt and Cole Wilcox would head to Tampa. Deal pending review of medical records.

[JAKEPEAVY21]

BREAKING: The Padres have an agreement in place to acquire Blake Snell from the Rays, sources tell @JCTSports
, @Ken_Rosenthal
and me. Luis Patiño, Francisco Mejía, Blake Hunt and Cole Wilcox would head to Tampa. Deal pending review of medical records.

Love this trade. Losing Patino hurts but 3 years of Snell makes up for that and somehow we kept Gore, CJ Abrams and Luis Campusano. Not sad to see Mejia go at all, he probably needed a change of scenery. This Wilcox kid could be a good one but overall happy with the deal and keeping those 3 previously mentioned.

I've been reading the Pads are in the mix for Yadier Molina, I'd be over the moon to sign a catcher and leader of his ability.

[Chi_archie]

solid trade

[Stallion]

Great trade for the Padres. One less great pitcher the Blue Jays have to face

[Cross]

Padres coming after LA!! Even Peavy likes it.

[JAKEPEAVY21]

Padres coming after LA!! Even Peavy likes it.

We gave up quality but I'm also happy with the top end prospects that Preller managed to keep.

Also, Snell will average 13 million the next 3 years, a bargain for a pitcher of his pedigree.

[stevenash]

Tim Wakefield and Charlie Huff. Used to throw a knuckle

Mussina threw a knuckle curve.
Not quite a knuckle ball.