The MLB free agent market briefly unfroze after Shohei Ohtani DH signed with the Dodgers. As Alan Greenspan would say, it quickly congealed again around Yoshinobu Yamamoto RHP. There are reportedly at least 5 or 6 teams in serious pursuit of YY including the Giants. One reported rumor said YY's camp told the Giants their offer would get "every consideration" which does not sound promising. He reportedly requested second meetings with the Mets and Yankees making it appear he really, really wants to play in New York.
Meanwhile, the aforementioned Mets made a trade with the Brewers, but not for Corbin Burnes RHP. The Amazin's sent Coleman Crow RHP to the BrewCrew for Adrian Houser RHP and Tyrone Taylor OF. Let's break it down:
Adrian Houser RHP. DOB: 2/2/1993. 6'3", 242 lbs. 2023: 8-5, 4.12, 111.1 IP, 7.8 K/9, 2.7 BB/9.
Solid #3, 4 SP. Would be considered an innings eater except he has missed time with injuries for last two seasons. Unimpressive K rates but keeps the ball on the ground.
Tyrone Taylor OF. DOB: 1/22/1994. 2023: .234/.267/.446, 10 HR, 9 SB, 3.3 BB%, 22.6 K%, 243 PA.
4'th OF type with some power and speed but offensive value limited by extremely low walk rate.
Coleman Crow RHP. DOB: 12/30/2000. 6'0", 175 lbs. 2023(AA): 2-0, 1.88, 24 IP, 11.6 K/9, 2.3 BB/9. Long term project. Drafted by the Angels in 2019. Traded to the Mets for Eduardo Escobar last June. Was pitching well at AA but underwent Tommy John Surgery in August so will likely miss most or all of 2024.
The Brewers dump a couple of arbitration eligible players and the Mets add to their depth. This trade is unlikely to impact the Yamamoto decision.
FZ can't stand to let a 40-man roster spot go unfilled for even one day so filled the last spot by acquiring T. J. Hopkins OF from the Reds for Cash or a PTBNL.
T. J. Hopkins OF. DOB: 1/16/1997. B-R, T-R. 6'0", 195 lbs.
2023(AAA): .308/.411/.514, 16 HR, 2 SB, 14.0 BB%, 23.9 K%, 393 PA.
2023(MLB): .171/227/.171, 44 PA.
Can play CF. Hit well in AAA. Didn't show much at MLB level in a very small sample size. FZ loves to put guys like that into The Churn and see what pans out. Giants have a logjam in the OF at the MLB level and it seems unlikely they will keep Hopkins on the 40-man roster for a full season. They will likely try to sneak him through waivers at some point.
Reply here is not related to the post. Fangraphs has posted this years ZIPS projections for the SF Giants. Projects what most are aware of. Need for more starting pitching and at least one more hitter is crucial to the team being competitive with DBacks, Pads and Dodgers. Worth checking out. https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2024-zips-projections-san-francisco-giants/
ReplyDeleteYep, Baggs tweeted that Giants are out of the running for Yamamoto. Assuming a decision is looming, hopefully FZ will be ready to cut a trade or sign a free agent, or both. I’d still like to see some of the youngsters get more playing time.
ReplyDeleteGiants told they are off Yamamoto's list. Kind of insulting, too, as lots of other teams remain "in," and it appears he's been the apple of Farhan's eye for a couple years.
ReplyDeleteHere's to him joining the dysfunctional Mets at great expense and suffering years of ignominy.
But if the Doyers sign him on top of Otani I'll be pretty well ticked.
Per a couple articles, both quoting a text from Alex Pavlovic, Yamamoto’s camp has told the Giants they are out of the bidding.
ReplyDeleteIt's unfortunate that Yamamoto became a longshot since several big market teams are involved in the bidding. That's tough. Maybe Susan Slusser was right that the Giants should have changed direction earlier and try and sign Blake Snell. Another reason I was hoping the Giants sign Yamamoto besides his talent is I wanted to see if ownership would have raised payroll to get close to the CBT, I think it's $235 mil. Now I think they'll keep payroll around $190 mil. Close to last year. Total. They can still do things and make it a successful off-season. Most of the top free agents haven't signed and still waiting for FZ to make a creative trade
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that the Yamamoto camp ruled the Giants out before making a final decision.
ReplyDeleteNot knowing what went on between them, almost seems like the Giants gave Yamamoto's camp a final/best offer and asked for response. It just seems so odd with all the kerfuffle-BS circulating about players not wanting to play in SF.
It seems like the Giants have their ideas about overpaying and refuse to do it. Ohtani certainly presented a great opportunity to really overpay (in regards to on field return) and still come out okay on the accounting ledger. For the 18 hours it seemed like Ohtani had a 10-year $700,000,000 contract, people weren't calling it a bad contract.
It seems like an overpay year for FAs. I'd rather do that with a pitcher with a potentially extremely high ceiling and media buzz over Snell or Bellinger...
Per Jeff Passan Yamamoto and the Dodgers agree on a 12 year, $325 million deal. I think I’m going to be sick.
ReplyDeleteNot bothered on Yamamoto, Well, I am but I'm not because it was pie in the sky. never thought the Giants had a chance against the other big spending teams for either the top,two Japanese stars..The poor work and losing by Kapler and FZ the past two years ensured that. And I am also not sure if Players really get the warm fuzzies bout FZ. Always thought they should go after Snell (I hope they have been showing him love), another FA pitcher (Stroman?? or the other Japanese guy)..and use your young pitching propsects, an OF, Joey Bart for a good youngish bat. I'd still be happy with all of that..
ReplyDeleteSteveVA
YY to LA 325M 12 years.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to The Churn.
Wow..Yamamoto to the Dodgers..Now, that i don't like!! But not surprising after the smart Ohtani contract...And even if the Giants never had a chance, the optics really suck.,In the media, they look like a hapless organization that can only fail..Do players feel the same?
ReplyDeleteSteveVA