MLB.com predicts:
The catcher trade market will begin to move
There is no reason a catching free-agent market fronted by Willson Contreras (who might not even be a full-time catcher wherever he winds up) and Christian Vázquez should hold back an interesting trade market in which the A’s (Sean Murphy) and Blue Jays (Alejandro Kirk, Danny Jansen or Gabriel Moreno) have valuable commodities to offer.
This is going to get started at the Meetings, with the Guardians completing a deal for Murphy. The two teams got far down the road in discussions last summer, and they ought to be able to finish the job now. Cleveland is reluctant to part with any of its top starting pitching prospects (Daniel Espino, Gavin Williams or Tanner Bibee) but should have enough prospect capital to get a deal done with or without one of those arms.
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9047Dec. 4: A's nearing deal for Murphy (source)
Sean Murphy may finally be on the move. Per MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, the A's are close to reaching a deal for the 28-year-old backstop, although his likely destination remains unclear.
While Murphy has drawn interest from a number of clubs over the past two seasons, those tied to Murphy most recently include the Cardinals, Guardians, Rays and Red Sox.
Murphy, a Gold Glove Award winner, hit .250/.332/.426 with 18 home runs and 66 RBIs for the A's in 2022.
Sean Murphy may finally be on the move. Per MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, the A's are close to reaching a deal for the 28-year-old backstop, although his likely destination remains unclear.
While Murphy has drawn interest from a number of clubs over the past two seasons, those tied to Murphy most recently include the Cardinals, Guardians, Rays and Red Sox.
Murphy, a Gold Glove Award winner, hit .250/.332/.426 with 18 home runs and 66 RBIs for the A's in 2022.
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9048Guardians Winter Meetings dispatch: The never-ending pursuit of a catcher
Sep 20, 2022; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics catcher Sean Murphy (12) hits an RBI double against the Seattle Mariners during the fifth inning at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
By Zack Meisel
5h ago
SAN DIEGO — Insights and sounds, all pertaining to the Cleveland Guardians, from the Manchester Grand Hyatt on the shores of the San Diego Bay …
Why are the Guardians in pursuit of an established catcher when Bo Naylor, widely considered a top-100 prospect in the sport, is on the cusp of the majors?
They don’t want to overburden the 22-year-old, and it wouldn’t be shocking if he opened the 2023 season in Triple A. They’re eyeing another division title and a deeper postseason run, so they would prefer not to simply hand him the reins, slap him on the backside and wish him the best, given he has spent only three months with Triple-A Columbus.
“We’re not in a position,” team president Chris Antonetti said Monday from the team’s suite overlooking the harbor, “just to see, ‘Oh, let’s see how it goes.’”
That’s not to say Naylor won’t factor into the catching equation in 2023. Perhaps the Guardians’ pursuit of another reliable entity behind the plate will fall flat and Naylor will wind up atop the depth chart. They called him up at the end of last season, affording him the opportunity to shadow Austin Hedges, Luke Maile and Sandy Alomar Jr., just to inch him one step closer to big-league readiness. But they’re seeking more certainty at the position, especially after Hedges, Maile and company combined to produce a .178/.265/.265 slash line in 2022.
“Is it fair for that to happen Opening Day next year? I’m not sure,” Antonetti said about Naylor’s potential major-league emergence. “Is it some point during the season? Hopefully. When? It’s hard to predict.”
Will Bo Naylor be on the Opening Day roster? Chris Antonetti said it’s “hard to predict.” (Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today)
Cleveland values catchers who aren’t liabilities behind the plate and who can guide pitchers through opposing lineups. That’s a lot of responsibility for a rookie, especially when the club wants more offense out of the position, too.
Thirty rookie catchers appeared in at least one game this past season. Only 15 totaled more than 100 plate appearances. Only two totaled more than 300 plate appearances, and one of those — Kansas City’s MJ Melendez — only started 65 games at catcher.
So, as has been well documented, the Guardians have been in pursuit of a certain catcher for a while now.
That’s right, Meibrys Viloria, whom they signed to a minor-league deal over the weekend. OK, that’s a depth move.
Sean Murphy, of course, is the prize, the most coveted catcher available on the trade market. Cleveland pursued Murphy at the trade deadline four months ago, but they were reluctant to move top prospects Daniel Espino, Gavin Williams and George Valera.
Some things have changed since then. The Guardians established themselves as actual contenders, rather than a club hanging around on the periphery of an underwhelming American League Central race. Murphy has slightly less team control, though not being eligible for free agency until after the 2025 season still gives him significant value. And since it’s the offseason, more teams can consider dealing for him, with rosier outlooks than they might have had in August. (Those teams also have more options to choose from in free agency and via trade.)
Cleveland’s front office has developed a reputation for etching a line in the sand and not budging, which might explain why the Guardians remain interested in Murphy, but also why Murphy hasn’t been moved, even though everyone in the baseball universe expects the A’s to move him and there seems to be a new suitor revealed on the rumor mill each hour.
Antonetti characterized the team’s catching situation as “a work in progress.” A staring contest has to end sometime.
Part of the dilemma is there are alternatives. The Blue Jays could trade one of their catchers. Free agent Christian Vázquez might be appealing, depending on the length of his eventual contract.
And it’s not just catcher the Guardians are seeking to upgrade. They’ve spent time canvassing the market for right-handed hitters in general, including the first base/designated hitter crop. They’ve been quite fond of outfielder Bryan Reynolds since the summer of 2021 and he has recently forced his way onto the trade market. Once the Guardians cut ties with Franmil Reyes in the summer, they rotated players through the DH spot, treasuring the flexibility it gave manager Terry Francona. They aren’t married to that approach.
“If we had David Ortiz in his prime …” Antonetti said. “For the right guy, we could sign a DH or trade for a DH.”
The Guardians hope to fill their two coaching staff vacancies created when Brian Sweeney became the Royals’ pitching coach and Justin Toole became the Mariners’ director of player development. Sweeney was Cleveland’s bullpen coach the past three years. Toole spent the past three seasons as the team’s hitting analyst. It’s expected both will be replaced with internal hires.
Andrés Giménez, expecting to be asked to play shortstop for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic in March, asked the Guardians for permission to get some work at the position in winter ball in his native country. Jose Altuve figures to be Venezuela’s second baseman, despite Giménez winning a Gold Glove at that spot in 2022. As of Monday, Giménez had appeared in three games in winter ball, all at shortstop. He committed one error.
A few weeks ago, Antonetti said he expects the club’s payroll to be “appreciably higher” than the $68 million it spent last season. What, exactly, does mean?
“More than $1,” Antonetti said. “Less than $100 million.”
OK, so a payroll between $68,000,001 and $167,999,999.
That would arm the team with enough cash to sign Aaron Judge.
“I’d be happy to say hello to him,” Antonetti said. “He’s a really nice guy. I would encourage him to go to the National League.”
Really, though, Antonetti said owner Paul Dolan hasn’t supplied any directive or payroll cap. Antonetti and general manager Mike Chernoff stressed they are aiming to spend on the right players, not just spending in general. If that’s the case, cost shouldn’t be prohibitive in their pursuit of upgrading the lineup, as they attempt to level up from a nice, division-winning story to vying for an AL pennant. File this topic away for a couple of months from now, once we have more clarity on how the Guardians’ offseason unfolded.
Cleveland’s front office flew through Detroit over the weekend en route to San Diego. Antonetti had an aisle seat. The middle seat in his row was empty. In the window seat? Scott Harris, the Tigers’ president of baseball operations.
“I couldn’t exactly open up all my notes on players,” Antonetti quipped.
A group of Reds executives took the same flight but sat in a different section of the plane. Chernoff was across the aisle from Antonetti.
“I was able to work for five hours,” Chernoff said. “Chris had to sit there, twiddling his thumbs for five hours.”
Sep 20, 2022; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics catcher Sean Murphy (12) hits an RBI double against the Seattle Mariners during the fifth inning at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
By Zack Meisel
5h ago
SAN DIEGO — Insights and sounds, all pertaining to the Cleveland Guardians, from the Manchester Grand Hyatt on the shores of the San Diego Bay …
Why are the Guardians in pursuit of an established catcher when Bo Naylor, widely considered a top-100 prospect in the sport, is on the cusp of the majors?
They don’t want to overburden the 22-year-old, and it wouldn’t be shocking if he opened the 2023 season in Triple A. They’re eyeing another division title and a deeper postseason run, so they would prefer not to simply hand him the reins, slap him on the backside and wish him the best, given he has spent only three months with Triple-A Columbus.
“We’re not in a position,” team president Chris Antonetti said Monday from the team’s suite overlooking the harbor, “just to see, ‘Oh, let’s see how it goes.’”
That’s not to say Naylor won’t factor into the catching equation in 2023. Perhaps the Guardians’ pursuit of another reliable entity behind the plate will fall flat and Naylor will wind up atop the depth chart. They called him up at the end of last season, affording him the opportunity to shadow Austin Hedges, Luke Maile and Sandy Alomar Jr., just to inch him one step closer to big-league readiness. But they’re seeking more certainty at the position, especially after Hedges, Maile and company combined to produce a .178/.265/.265 slash line in 2022.
“Is it fair for that to happen Opening Day next year? I’m not sure,” Antonetti said about Naylor’s potential major-league emergence. “Is it some point during the season? Hopefully. When? It’s hard to predict.”
Will Bo Naylor be on the Opening Day roster? Chris Antonetti said it’s “hard to predict.” (Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today)
Cleveland values catchers who aren’t liabilities behind the plate and who can guide pitchers through opposing lineups. That’s a lot of responsibility for a rookie, especially when the club wants more offense out of the position, too.
Thirty rookie catchers appeared in at least one game this past season. Only 15 totaled more than 100 plate appearances. Only two totaled more than 300 plate appearances, and one of those — Kansas City’s MJ Melendez — only started 65 games at catcher.
So, as has been well documented, the Guardians have been in pursuit of a certain catcher for a while now.
That’s right, Meibrys Viloria, whom they signed to a minor-league deal over the weekend. OK, that’s a depth move.
Sean Murphy, of course, is the prize, the most coveted catcher available on the trade market. Cleveland pursued Murphy at the trade deadline four months ago, but they were reluctant to move top prospects Daniel Espino, Gavin Williams and George Valera.
Some things have changed since then. The Guardians established themselves as actual contenders, rather than a club hanging around on the periphery of an underwhelming American League Central race. Murphy has slightly less team control, though not being eligible for free agency until after the 2025 season still gives him significant value. And since it’s the offseason, more teams can consider dealing for him, with rosier outlooks than they might have had in August. (Those teams also have more options to choose from in free agency and via trade.)
Cleveland’s front office has developed a reputation for etching a line in the sand and not budging, which might explain why the Guardians remain interested in Murphy, but also why Murphy hasn’t been moved, even though everyone in the baseball universe expects the A’s to move him and there seems to be a new suitor revealed on the rumor mill each hour.
Antonetti characterized the team’s catching situation as “a work in progress.” A staring contest has to end sometime.
Part of the dilemma is there are alternatives. The Blue Jays could trade one of their catchers. Free agent Christian Vázquez might be appealing, depending on the length of his eventual contract.
And it’s not just catcher the Guardians are seeking to upgrade. They’ve spent time canvassing the market for right-handed hitters in general, including the first base/designated hitter crop. They’ve been quite fond of outfielder Bryan Reynolds since the summer of 2021 and he has recently forced his way onto the trade market. Once the Guardians cut ties with Franmil Reyes in the summer, they rotated players through the DH spot, treasuring the flexibility it gave manager Terry Francona. They aren’t married to that approach.
“If we had David Ortiz in his prime …” Antonetti said. “For the right guy, we could sign a DH or trade for a DH.”
The Guardians hope to fill their two coaching staff vacancies created when Brian Sweeney became the Royals’ pitching coach and Justin Toole became the Mariners’ director of player development. Sweeney was Cleveland’s bullpen coach the past three years. Toole spent the past three seasons as the team’s hitting analyst. It’s expected both will be replaced with internal hires.
Andrés Giménez, expecting to be asked to play shortstop for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic in March, asked the Guardians for permission to get some work at the position in winter ball in his native country. Jose Altuve figures to be Venezuela’s second baseman, despite Giménez winning a Gold Glove at that spot in 2022. As of Monday, Giménez had appeared in three games in winter ball, all at shortstop. He committed one error.
A few weeks ago, Antonetti said he expects the club’s payroll to be “appreciably higher” than the $68 million it spent last season. What, exactly, does mean?
“More than $1,” Antonetti said. “Less than $100 million.”
OK, so a payroll between $68,000,001 and $167,999,999.
That would arm the team with enough cash to sign Aaron Judge.
“I’d be happy to say hello to him,” Antonetti said. “He’s a really nice guy. I would encourage him to go to the National League.”
Really, though, Antonetti said owner Paul Dolan hasn’t supplied any directive or payroll cap. Antonetti and general manager Mike Chernoff stressed they are aiming to spend on the right players, not just spending in general. If that’s the case, cost shouldn’t be prohibitive in their pursuit of upgrading the lineup, as they attempt to level up from a nice, division-winning story to vying for an AL pennant. File this topic away for a couple of months from now, once we have more clarity on how the Guardians’ offseason unfolded.
Cleveland’s front office flew through Detroit over the weekend en route to San Diego. Antonetti had an aisle seat. The middle seat in his row was empty. In the window seat? Scott Harris, the Tigers’ president of baseball operations.
“I couldn’t exactly open up all my notes on players,” Antonetti quipped.
A group of Reds executives took the same flight but sat in a different section of the plane. Chernoff was across the aisle from Antonetti.
“I was able to work for five hours,” Chernoff said. “Chris had to sit there, twiddling his thumbs for five hours.”
"I've suffered a great many tragedies in my life....most of them never happened". Mark Twain
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9049Guardians may consider a different approach in pursuit of Shane Murphy, Bryan Reynolds
Updated: Dec. 06, 2022, 8:54 a.m.|Published: Dec. 05, 2022, 9:58 p.m.
By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com
SAN DIEGO -- Yes, the Guardians have talked to the Pirates about Bryan Reynolds, the outfielder who has asked for a trade.
It puts them in an interesting position. Do they continue to push hard for Reynolds or Oakland catcher Sean Murphy? They’d have to empty their farm system to get both and that’s not going to happen.
So what’s the choice? Who is it going to be?
Or they could could take a different approach. Sign a free agent catcher, Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic says they like Christian Vazquez, and then try to get Reynolds.
The could also re-sign free agent Austin Hedges, while grooming rookie Bo Naylor to take the job sometimes during the 2023 season.
Pirates manager Derek Shelton was asked Monday at the winter about Reynolds’ request for a trade.
“It’s unfortunate it came out in public,” he said. “Look, when you have good players people are going to ask for them. I tell people all the time when I was in Cleveland and we had those good teams, we got those players because we traded for them.”
Shelton was the Cleveland hitting coach from 2005 through 2009.
Chris Antonetti, president of baseball operations, calls Cleveland’s catching situation a work in progress. Naylor figures prominently in that endeavor.
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The Guardians are trying to find a way to give Naylor the big-league experience he needs, while not overexposing him.
“We’ve spent a lot of time talking through that,” said Antonetti. “I’m not sure there is a simple answer to that. How do we position Bo and the team for success?
“Indidivually we want to make sure Bo is as prepared as possible when the opportunity is there for him to come up and contribute to us winning games. On a team level, one of the things we continue to wrestle with is at what point do we start planning for Bo. It’s hard to answer.”
For one thing the Guardians could add a veteran catcher before the start of the season. For another, a starting catcher has a lot on his plate, moreso than most regulars.
“One of the reasons why we wanted to get Bo in the enviroment last year was to hopefully accelerate his comfort with out staff. Having him around Tito, having him around the coaching staff, having him around Sandy Alomar (catching coach), we felt that would accelerate his readiness to transition into the role,” said Antonetti.
“Is it fair for that to happen on opening day next year? I’m not sure. Is it some point during the season, hopefully. But it’s hard to predict.”
The success the Guardians enjoyed last season also complicates matters.
“We’re not in a position to say, ‘Let’s just see how it goes,’” said Antonetti. “We feel we have a good team that’s capable of competing.”
Naylor played in just five games after his promotion. He went 0-for-8. But he performed well before his promotion, hitting a combined .263 (109 for 415) with 26 doubles, 21 homers and 68 RBI at Class AA Akron and Class AAA Columbus.
GM Mike Chernoff said Naylor made a change in the defensive crouch he used for the 2022 season and it took pressure off his legs. It helped him use his legs more when he was hitting.
“It was a game changer for him,” said Antonetti. “He always wants to get better. He’s learning Spanish to help him work with some of our pitchers better and he’s out in Goodyear right now working his tail off.”
Depending on where Naylor starts the 2023 season, the Guardians still have a decision to make. At cather is it going to be Murphy, Vazquez or someone else? If they sign a free agent catcher -- Vazquez hit .274 (109 for 398) with nine homers and 52 RBI with Boston and Houston -- do they try to get the switch-hitting Reynolds?
“What makes it most challenging is when there are other alternatives,” said Antonetti. “How do you weigh those other alternatives and whether or not it makes sense to strike on those before you have clarity on other guys on the list.”
Former Cleveland outfielder Yasiel Puig is at the meetings. Puig just pleaded not-guility to sports gambling charges in 2019 when he played for the Reds and Cleveland.
Puig had initially accepted a plea deal with the goverment for taking part in an illegal gambling operation. He recently changed his plea to innoncent. He reportedly lost $280,000 gambling on tennis, football and basketball.
If he signs with an MLB team, the league would investigate his gambling activities.
Former Cleveland outfielder Coco Crisp is at the meetings with the Nationals. He’s working in player development to help the Nationals’ baserunning.
Former Cleveland second baseman Carlos Baerga had the scoop Sunday night on Justin Verlander signing a two-year $86.5 million deal with the Mets. He posted it on Instagram.
The AL and NL relievers of the year will be announced on MLB Network at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase is the favorite to win the AL award named after Mariano Rivera. If he does he’ll earn $100,000 bonus.
Antonetti said the two vacancies on the coaching staff, bullpen coach and hitting analyst, will probably be filled internally. They are also expecting to lose another “support” staff member to another team.
Bullpen coach Brian Sweeney was hired as Kansas City’s pitching coach. Justin Toole, Cleveland’s hitting analyst, was hired as director of player development by Seattle.
Second baseman Andres Gimenez is playing shortstop in winter ball to get ready to play for Venezuela in the WBC. Venezuela’s second baseman is expected to be Jose Altuve.
Updated: Dec. 06, 2022, 8:54 a.m.|Published: Dec. 05, 2022, 9:58 p.m.
By Paul Hoynes, cleveland.com
SAN DIEGO -- Yes, the Guardians have talked to the Pirates about Bryan Reynolds, the outfielder who has asked for a trade.
It puts them in an interesting position. Do they continue to push hard for Reynolds or Oakland catcher Sean Murphy? They’d have to empty their farm system to get both and that’s not going to happen.
So what’s the choice? Who is it going to be?
Or they could could take a different approach. Sign a free agent catcher, Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic says they like Christian Vazquez, and then try to get Reynolds.
The could also re-sign free agent Austin Hedges, while grooming rookie Bo Naylor to take the job sometimes during the 2023 season.
Pirates manager Derek Shelton was asked Monday at the winter about Reynolds’ request for a trade.
“It’s unfortunate it came out in public,” he said. “Look, when you have good players people are going to ask for them. I tell people all the time when I was in Cleveland and we had those good teams, we got those players because we traded for them.”
Shelton was the Cleveland hitting coach from 2005 through 2009.
Chris Antonetti, president of baseball operations, calls Cleveland’s catching situation a work in progress. Naylor figures prominently in that endeavor.
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The Guardians are trying to find a way to give Naylor the big-league experience he needs, while not overexposing him.
“We’ve spent a lot of time talking through that,” said Antonetti. “I’m not sure there is a simple answer to that. How do we position Bo and the team for success?
“Indidivually we want to make sure Bo is as prepared as possible when the opportunity is there for him to come up and contribute to us winning games. On a team level, one of the things we continue to wrestle with is at what point do we start planning for Bo. It’s hard to answer.”
For one thing the Guardians could add a veteran catcher before the start of the season. For another, a starting catcher has a lot on his plate, moreso than most regulars.
“One of the reasons why we wanted to get Bo in the enviroment last year was to hopefully accelerate his comfort with out staff. Having him around Tito, having him around the coaching staff, having him around Sandy Alomar (catching coach), we felt that would accelerate his readiness to transition into the role,” said Antonetti.
“Is it fair for that to happen on opening day next year? I’m not sure. Is it some point during the season, hopefully. But it’s hard to predict.”
The success the Guardians enjoyed last season also complicates matters.
“We’re not in a position to say, ‘Let’s just see how it goes,’” said Antonetti. “We feel we have a good team that’s capable of competing.”
Naylor played in just five games after his promotion. He went 0-for-8. But he performed well before his promotion, hitting a combined .263 (109 for 415) with 26 doubles, 21 homers and 68 RBI at Class AA Akron and Class AAA Columbus.
GM Mike Chernoff said Naylor made a change in the defensive crouch he used for the 2022 season and it took pressure off his legs. It helped him use his legs more when he was hitting.
“It was a game changer for him,” said Antonetti. “He always wants to get better. He’s learning Spanish to help him work with some of our pitchers better and he’s out in Goodyear right now working his tail off.”
Depending on where Naylor starts the 2023 season, the Guardians still have a decision to make. At cather is it going to be Murphy, Vazquez or someone else? If they sign a free agent catcher -- Vazquez hit .274 (109 for 398) with nine homers and 52 RBI with Boston and Houston -- do they try to get the switch-hitting Reynolds?
“What makes it most challenging is when there are other alternatives,” said Antonetti. “How do you weigh those other alternatives and whether or not it makes sense to strike on those before you have clarity on other guys on the list.”
Former Cleveland outfielder Yasiel Puig is at the meetings. Puig just pleaded not-guility to sports gambling charges in 2019 when he played for the Reds and Cleveland.
Puig had initially accepted a plea deal with the goverment for taking part in an illegal gambling operation. He recently changed his plea to innoncent. He reportedly lost $280,000 gambling on tennis, football and basketball.
If he signs with an MLB team, the league would investigate his gambling activities.
Former Cleveland outfielder Coco Crisp is at the meetings with the Nationals. He’s working in player development to help the Nationals’ baserunning.
Former Cleveland second baseman Carlos Baerga had the scoop Sunday night on Justin Verlander signing a two-year $86.5 million deal with the Mets. He posted it on Instagram.
The AL and NL relievers of the year will be announced on MLB Network at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase is the favorite to win the AL award named after Mariano Rivera. If he does he’ll earn $100,000 bonus.
Antonetti said the two vacancies on the coaching staff, bullpen coach and hitting analyst, will probably be filled internally. They are also expecting to lose another “support” staff member to another team.
Bullpen coach Brian Sweeney was hired as Kansas City’s pitching coach. Justin Toole, Cleveland’s hitting analyst, was hired as director of player development by Seattle.
Second baseman Andres Gimenez is playing shortstop in winter ball to get ready to play for Venezuela in the WBC. Venezuela’s second baseman is expected to be Jose Altuve.
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9050It is impossible to imagine that anyone on the Guardians who continues to perform at, or develop to, top levels at his position [Gimenez ranked No. 2 2B in the majors; Bieber or McKenzie; maybe Kwan?] would devote his life to Cleveland when contracts like those being offered this winter are available. 11 years for $400,000,000 would attract anyone's interest. And I can't possibly imagine Cleveland ever offering contracts of that duration. Jose is getting what passes at Big Money for the Guardians and is mere pocket change to what some players of lesser proven ability are getting paid.
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9051Rosenthal: What I’m hearing at MLB Winter Meetings on Sean Murphy, Carlos Rodón and more
By Ken Rosenthal
The Athletics are seeking major leaguers rather than prospects for Sean Murphy, and telling interested clubs they will keep the catcher if they do not receive a satisfactory trade offer.
A’s officials, despite reports of a Murphy trade being close, say no team has separated itself in the discussions. The A’s do not need to move Murphy, 28, for financial reasons — MLB Trade Rumors projects him to earn a relatively low salary, $3.5 million, in arbitration. So, they can wait until they get the value they perceive as fair, as they did last offseason with first baseman Matt Olson and pitcher Frankie Montas.
Murphy has three years of club control remaining. The A’s traded Olson with two years remaining, sending him to the Braves only after the lockout ended and Freddie Freeman signed with the Dodgers. They held Montas until the trade deadline, when he had one-plus years remaining, packaging him with Lou Trivino to the Yankees.
The risk of carrying Murphy into the season is that an injury might diminish his value, the way it arguably did with Montas when he missed time with shoulder trouble in July. But perhaps the A’s are simply waiting for free-agent catchers Willson Contreras and Christian Vázquez to sign, knowing the clubs that miss out will be more motivated to act. Ditto for the Blue Jays, who are open to trading one of their three catchers, Danny Jansen, Alejandro Kirk or Gabriel Moreno.
• The Rangers, trying to add one more starting pitcher, might be willing to spend big again. On Saturday, one day after signing Jacob deGrom to a five-year, $185 million contract, they met with one of the other top free-agent starters, Carlos Rodón.
It’s unclear how serious the Rangers are about Rodón, but they signed two other Scott Boras free agents, shortstop Corey Seager and second baseman Marcus Semien, for a combined $500 million last season. Boras also represents two of the Rangers’ top picks in the 2022 amateur draft, No. 3 overall choice Kumar Rocker and fourth-rounder Brock Porter. By signing Rocker for well below his slot value, they saved enough money in their pool to sign Porter.
Carlos Rodón (Godofredo A. Vásquez / AP Photo)
• The White Sox might be open to trading closer Liam Hendriks, but they are telling teams they will not move shortstop Tim Anderson, who is under club control for two more seasons.
Anderson, 29, is signed for $12.5 million in 2023, and the White Sox hold a $14 million club option on him for 2024. Their decision to hold Anderson reflects their short-term focus, even as they entertain the possibility of moving Hendriks. The White Sox’s willingness to listen on Hendriks is partly due to the strength of their bullpen, and partly because they lack the prospect depth to swing major trades.
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Also relating to Anderson: The team’s top prospect, shortstop Colson Montgomery, is not yet ready for majors. Montgomery, the 22nd overall pick in the 2021 draft out of Southridge High in Huntingburg, Ind., likely will start the season at Double A.
• The Dodgers viewed Justin Verlander as an ideal short-term addition, a pitcher who would have made their rotation formidable enough for them to withstand any offense they might lose by mixing in some of their young position players.
Still, for all the Dodgers’ talk of getting younger, it seems unlikely they will open the season with say, Gavin Lux at short, James Outman in center and Miguel Vargas at third, then possibly mix in Michael Busch at second later.
Two agents for other players suspect the Dodgers are in on shortstop Carlos Correa, presuming he would accept a monstrous AAV on a shorter term. But it’s also possible the team could patch with lesser free agents such as third baseman Justin Turner and center fielder Kevin Kiermaier. That way, the Dodgers could save the big money for the player they truly want — the biggest free agent in next year’s class, Shohei Ohtani.
• Unless Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick is willing to make a free-agent splash, something he has done at times in the past, it would qualify as an upset if the team emerged as the high bidder for free-agent shortstop Xander Bogaerts.
The Diamondbacks’ interest in Bogaerts is not necessarily a surprise, considering general manager Mike Hazen was in the Red Sox’s front office for the first four seasons of Bogaerts’ career. But the team finished last season with a $93 million payroll, and its estimated commitments for next season already are $101 million.
That said, Kendrick can be a wild card. He came out of nowhere in free agency when the Diamondbacks signed Zack Greinke to a six-year, $206.5 million contract in Dec. 2015, and again when they signed Madison Bumgarner to a five-year, $85 million deal in Dec. 2019.
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If Bogaerts signs with the Diamondbacks, he likely will play shortstop only until top prospect Jordan Lawlar is ready for the majors. Lawlar was the sixth pick of the 2021 draft out of Jesuit Prep in Dallas.
• Gary Sánchez’s agent, Francisco Marquez, has made a presentation to teams pointing out that the catcher’s exit velocities last season compared well to those of Contreras and Vázquez, and that his expected slugging percentage and weighted on-base average were significantly higher than his actual numbers.
“The most important aspect of the 2022 season was that at the end of the season Gary was able to finally and completely shake off the emotional baggage he had acquired during his previous two seasons with the Yankees,” Marquez said. “Whoever gets Gary this offseason will benefit from the rebirth of the Kraken.”
• And finally, veteran general managers who join new clubs often talk about the risk of judging players too quickly before getting a chance to fully evaluate them. A case in point occurred in Dec. 2014, after A.J. Preller joined the Padres from the Rangers.
Within a span of two days, Preller traded Zach Eflin to the Dodgers as part of a five-player deal for Matt Kemp, Max Fried to the Braves as part of a six-player trade for Justin Upton and Trea Turner to the Nationals as the player to be named in a three-team, 11-player deal. Turner initially could not be named in that deal under an old rule in which players could not be traded within a year of getting drafted.
Preller has made a number of dazzling moves since, and built a team that advanced to the National League Championship Series last season. But eight years later, he was still chasing Turner, making a higher bid for him than the Phillies, who signed the free-agent shortstop to an 11-year, $300 million deal. Eflin, meanwhile, signed for $39 million with the Rays. And Fried, who is eligible for free agency after 2024, likely is headed for a massive jackpot.
By Ken Rosenthal
The Athletics are seeking major leaguers rather than prospects for Sean Murphy, and telling interested clubs they will keep the catcher if they do not receive a satisfactory trade offer.
A’s officials, despite reports of a Murphy trade being close, say no team has separated itself in the discussions. The A’s do not need to move Murphy, 28, for financial reasons — MLB Trade Rumors projects him to earn a relatively low salary, $3.5 million, in arbitration. So, they can wait until they get the value they perceive as fair, as they did last offseason with first baseman Matt Olson and pitcher Frankie Montas.
Murphy has three years of club control remaining. The A’s traded Olson with two years remaining, sending him to the Braves only after the lockout ended and Freddie Freeman signed with the Dodgers. They held Montas until the trade deadline, when he had one-plus years remaining, packaging him with Lou Trivino to the Yankees.
The risk of carrying Murphy into the season is that an injury might diminish his value, the way it arguably did with Montas when he missed time with shoulder trouble in July. But perhaps the A’s are simply waiting for free-agent catchers Willson Contreras and Christian Vázquez to sign, knowing the clubs that miss out will be more motivated to act. Ditto for the Blue Jays, who are open to trading one of their three catchers, Danny Jansen, Alejandro Kirk or Gabriel Moreno.
• The Rangers, trying to add one more starting pitcher, might be willing to spend big again. On Saturday, one day after signing Jacob deGrom to a five-year, $185 million contract, they met with one of the other top free-agent starters, Carlos Rodón.
It’s unclear how serious the Rangers are about Rodón, but they signed two other Scott Boras free agents, shortstop Corey Seager and second baseman Marcus Semien, for a combined $500 million last season. Boras also represents two of the Rangers’ top picks in the 2022 amateur draft, No. 3 overall choice Kumar Rocker and fourth-rounder Brock Porter. By signing Rocker for well below his slot value, they saved enough money in their pool to sign Porter.
Carlos Rodón (Godofredo A. Vásquez / AP Photo)
• The White Sox might be open to trading closer Liam Hendriks, but they are telling teams they will not move shortstop Tim Anderson, who is under club control for two more seasons.
Anderson, 29, is signed for $12.5 million in 2023, and the White Sox hold a $14 million club option on him for 2024. Their decision to hold Anderson reflects their short-term focus, even as they entertain the possibility of moving Hendriks. The White Sox’s willingness to listen on Hendriks is partly due to the strength of their bullpen, and partly because they lack the prospect depth to swing major trades.
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Also relating to Anderson: The team’s top prospect, shortstop Colson Montgomery, is not yet ready for majors. Montgomery, the 22nd overall pick in the 2021 draft out of Southridge High in Huntingburg, Ind., likely will start the season at Double A.
• The Dodgers viewed Justin Verlander as an ideal short-term addition, a pitcher who would have made their rotation formidable enough for them to withstand any offense they might lose by mixing in some of their young position players.
Still, for all the Dodgers’ talk of getting younger, it seems unlikely they will open the season with say, Gavin Lux at short, James Outman in center and Miguel Vargas at third, then possibly mix in Michael Busch at second later.
Two agents for other players suspect the Dodgers are in on shortstop Carlos Correa, presuming he would accept a monstrous AAV on a shorter term. But it’s also possible the team could patch with lesser free agents such as third baseman Justin Turner and center fielder Kevin Kiermaier. That way, the Dodgers could save the big money for the player they truly want — the biggest free agent in next year’s class, Shohei Ohtani.
• Unless Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick is willing to make a free-agent splash, something he has done at times in the past, it would qualify as an upset if the team emerged as the high bidder for free-agent shortstop Xander Bogaerts.
The Diamondbacks’ interest in Bogaerts is not necessarily a surprise, considering general manager Mike Hazen was in the Red Sox’s front office for the first four seasons of Bogaerts’ career. But the team finished last season with a $93 million payroll, and its estimated commitments for next season already are $101 million.
That said, Kendrick can be a wild card. He came out of nowhere in free agency when the Diamondbacks signed Zack Greinke to a six-year, $206.5 million contract in Dec. 2015, and again when they signed Madison Bumgarner to a five-year, $85 million deal in Dec. 2019.
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If Bogaerts signs with the Diamondbacks, he likely will play shortstop only until top prospect Jordan Lawlar is ready for the majors. Lawlar was the sixth pick of the 2021 draft out of Jesuit Prep in Dallas.
• Gary Sánchez’s agent, Francisco Marquez, has made a presentation to teams pointing out that the catcher’s exit velocities last season compared well to those of Contreras and Vázquez, and that his expected slugging percentage and weighted on-base average were significantly higher than his actual numbers.
“The most important aspect of the 2022 season was that at the end of the season Gary was able to finally and completely shake off the emotional baggage he had acquired during his previous two seasons with the Yankees,” Marquez said. “Whoever gets Gary this offseason will benefit from the rebirth of the Kraken.”
• And finally, veteran general managers who join new clubs often talk about the risk of judging players too quickly before getting a chance to fully evaluate them. A case in point occurred in Dec. 2014, after A.J. Preller joined the Padres from the Rangers.
Within a span of two days, Preller traded Zach Eflin to the Dodgers as part of a five-player deal for Matt Kemp, Max Fried to the Braves as part of a six-player trade for Justin Upton and Trea Turner to the Nationals as the player to be named in a three-team, 11-player deal. Turner initially could not be named in that deal under an old rule in which players could not be traded within a year of getting drafted.
Preller has made a number of dazzling moves since, and built a team that advanced to the National League Championship Series last season. But eight years later, he was still chasing Turner, making a higher bid for him than the Phillies, who signed the free-agent shortstop to an 11-year, $300 million deal. Eflin, meanwhile, signed for $39 million with the Rays. And Fried, who is eligible for free agency after 2024, likely is headed for a massive jackpot.
Re: Articles
9052You've got to be a real sicko to bet on tennisPuig had initially accepted a plea deal with the goverment for taking part in an illegal gambling operation. He recently changed his plea to innoncent. He reportedly lost $280,000 gambling on tennis, football and basketball.
Re: Articles
9053Speaking of betting.....what's the odds the G's come away from the meetings without any deals?
Re: Articles
9055The Athletics are seeking major leaguers rather than prospects for Sean Murphy,
Plesac interest them? Do Arias and Palacios count as major leaguers?
Plesac interest them? Do Arias and Palacios count as major leaguers?
Re: Articles
9056BIG ONE !
@JeffPassan
First baseman Josh Bell and the Cleveland Guardians are in agreement on a two-year contract, sources familiar with the deal told ESPN.
3:47 PM · Dec 6, 2022
@JeffPassan
First baseman Josh Bell and the Cleveland Guardians are in agreement on a two-year contract, sources familiar with the deal told ESPN.
3:47 PM · Dec 6, 2022
Re: Articles
9057Jason Lloyd Retweeted
Zack Meisel
@ZackMeisel
·
1m
Can confirm the Guardians are signing free-agent 1B/DH Josh Bell to a short-term contract.
Zack Meisel
@ZackMeisel
·
1m
Can confirm the Guardians are signing free-agent 1B/DH Josh Bell to a short-term contract.
Re: Articles
9059@BNightengale
The Cleveland #Guardians, who tried to sign Jose Abreu, lands 1B Josh Bell. He receives a 2-year contract worth $33 million. The deal also includes an opt out, per
@JonHeyman
3:49 PM · Dec 6, 2022
The Cleveland #Guardians, who tried to sign Jose Abreu, lands 1B Josh Bell. He receives a 2-year contract worth $33 million. The deal also includes an opt out, per
@JonHeyman
3:49 PM · Dec 6, 2022
Re: Articles
9060Guardians To Sign Josh Bell
By Steve Adams | December 6, 2022 at 2:50pm CDT
The Guardians have agreed to a two-year, $33MM contract with free-agent first baseman Josh Bell, reports Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Bell, a client of the Boras Corporation, will be able to opt out of the contract after the first season of the deal.
By Steve Adams | December 6, 2022 at 2:50pm CDT
The Guardians have agreed to a two-year, $33MM contract with free-agent first baseman Josh Bell, reports Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Bell, a client of the Boras Corporation, will be able to opt out of the contract after the first season of the deal.