Catching seems to be in a transitional phase around MLB. Between free agents and trades that have already been made, it seems likely that a large number of teams will have new starting catchers in 2019, but not ones who are new to the league. There were 2 more significant moves today.
The Mariners filled the position left open by the Mike Zunino trade by acquiring Omar Narvaez from the White Sox for RHP Alex Colome. Narvaez slashed .275/.366/.429 in 322 PA last year while filling in as the starter when Welington Castillo was slapped with a 50 game suspension. Maybe the ChiSox thought Narvaez expendable with Castillo coming back but what if Castillo gets suspended again? What if he gets hurt? As for Colome, last year was a big letdown after posting 47 Saves in 2017. He was traded from the Rays to the Mariners midseason where he was setup man for Edwin Diaz. Both Diaz and Colome are now likely traded away by Trader Jerry. Seems like a fairly even trade, but now what will the Mariners do for a bullpen? Maybe this is a rare trade that hurts both teams? It seems like both teams substantially weakened one area to strengthen another. Stay tuned for more moves, especially from Trader Jerry.
The Indians sent Yan Gomes packing to the Nationals for a couple of prospects, OF Daniel Johnson and RHP Jefry Rodriguez. This his a nice pickup by the Nationals who will pair up Gomes with recently acquired Kurt Suzuki for a significant upgrade of the position over last season. What's not clear is why the Indians are practically giving away Gomes. In-house replacements consist of extremely weak hitting Roberto Perez and prospect Eric Haase who struck out over 30% of the time in the minors and will likely struggle to hit .200 in the majors. Maybe the Indians are going to make a run at a FA catcher, but then why didn't they just keep Gomes? Nationals win this trade.
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The Giants signed Joe Panik and Sam Dyson to contract extensions, thus avoiding arbitration. They also tendered a contract to Will Smith but Smith has not accepted meaning they could be headed for arbitration. Gorkys Hernandez and Hunter Strickland were not tendered contracts and were designated for assignment. As a writer on another blog said, if Zaidi can't find upgrades on both Gorkys and Strick, why did the Giants hire him?
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A few non-tender names of note: Billy Hamilton, Avisail Garcia, Jonathan Schoop, Shelby Miller. I could be crazy, but I have this feeling Shelby Miller is a big comeback candidate for 2019. If Bobby Evans were still the GM, it would be almost a slam dunk for the Giants to sign Billy Hamilton, but Hamilton seems like the exact opposite of the type of player Farhan Zaidi is likely looking for.
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Could the non tender of Strickland mean that the Giants are planning on making a hard run at Harper? With their history, I can't imagine harper would want to be on a team with Strickland. Also, can't say that I'm excited about Harper in SF. We shall see, I guess.
ReplyDeleteIf the CBT threshold means anything, then I would say no to Bryce Harper. In a vacuum, though, I'd love to have him. He's a dynamic player who can carry a team. Not quite the franchise player Bonds was, but not too far away.
DeleteOh, and I doubt the Strickland move has anything to do with Harper. There are plenty of reasons for the Giants to cut Strick loose without factoring in Harper.
DeleteAndy Baggarly correctly predicted that the rumors would start flying about Harper after Strickland was non-tendered. I agree with the \"good doctor" that one has absolutely nothing to do with the other.
DeleteOf course now some will be looking at Strickland's landing place as determining which team Harper will definitely not sign with... Come on NL West foes- you surely could use a hard throwing righty who has had flashes of success, right?
DeleteGetting rid of Strickland = Zaidi starting out right. Both non-tenders had minimal impact and should be able to be replaced. Strickland's antics wore thin, and triple digit heat isn't impact if you can't supplement. Good riddance.
ReplyDeleteDyson's stat line last year was quite good. He's either a trade chip or a nice piece of the pen.
Hope Joe can stay healthy this year, he started out strong. His splits are definitely something to look at, not as good versus left hand pitching.
i can see hamilton coming in on a one-year prove it contract.
ReplyDeleteIt'd be great to pick up Billy Hamilton - for the bench - late-inning defensive outfielder and late-inning pinch runner for Posey, Belt, Longoria. That'd be an upgrade on GHernandez - I'm sure there'll be an upgrade on Strickland - maybe it's Adon.
ReplyDeleteIf Hamilton can be picked up for the price of a defensive replacement/pinch runner, it's like having a closer in the outfield that can help hold a lead from the 6th inning on, and maybe add a run with his speed.
ReplyDeleteThere are a number of Giants who will see a runner when leading off a late inning with a hit or walk.
Good insurance for Duggar, too.
Would a team spend (nearly) $9M to sign Panik and Dyson if the plan is to rebuild or to settle for .500?
ReplyDeletePerhaps they have trade value but would they get a greater value for a lesser value?
An extra $9M would make Harper that much less against CBT, so that doesn't seem to be the play either.
Looks more like a #3 starter and a couple OFers that can hit (and field), just not as well as Harper, and can play everyday, more often than Pollack.
Some of the "new" FA outfielders might be hitters but are questionable fielders.
Covechatter has an interesting list of 10 plus 1:
https://covechatter.wordpress.com/2018/12/01/non-tendered-free-agents-10-most-interesting/