NFT: MLB Winter Meetings Day 3

Jeff Passan�
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News: Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani has a damaged ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow, according to a physical obtained by Yahoo Sports.

all the clubs who met with Ohtani knew about that physical...it wasn't a surprise...

In comment 13738635 Mike in St. Louis said:

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all the clubs who met with Ohtani knew about that physical...it wasn't a surprise...

Not all the fans knew about it. It's news.

The teams that have shown the most interest thus far are the Cardinals, Diamondbacks, and Braves.

that fans don't know...

Cashman appears to be clearing the decks on the high cost, low impact players on the roster. Right now, only Ellsbury is arguably in that category. But, with the no-trade, his deal is a different animal. If he gets dealt, it will take time.

With that said, I wonder whether Cashman is going to turn his attention to moving some of the marginal guys who are arbitration eligible and deal for better depth guys. For example, Shreve and Romine are not exactly guarantees to make the team. Will his attention turn to finding their replacements and moving them?

What about the now extraneous pieces on the 40 man roster? The newly acquired Blash is really just a AAAA version of Judge and Stanton. Austin really has no role anymore. There are still a LOT of relievers. Does Cashman begin the process of moving these guys to open spaces for the guys who will need rule 5 protection this year- some of whom deserve to be added to the roster, like Chance Adams and Justus Sheffield?

Two-year deal. He will almost certainly miss the entire 2018 season rehabbing from TJ- and the deal is really about 2019.

He apparently doesn't want to leave. Who wants to stay on a team where they're rarely going to play?

MAKE IT HAPPEN.

to live in NY.

In comment 13738774 Greg from LI said:

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He apparently doesn't want to leave. Who wants to stay on a team where they're rarely going to play?

A guy that's getting older and getting paid a ton

In comment 13738782 GiantFilthy said:

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MAKE IT HAPPEN.

Anthopoulos said he wanted to improve the defense to help out the young pitchers. Having an OF with 3 CF's is a good start.

In comment 13738773 rich in DC said:

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Two-year deal. He will almost certainly miss the entire 2018 season rehabbing from TJ- and the deal is really about 2019.

Good for him. I hope he does well for the Twins. With that said, I'm glad he isn't a Yankee any more. So frustratingly inconsistent. Lights out one second, and terrible the next. If he could have only figure it all out, he could have been special.

In comment 13738799 Jay on the Island said:

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In comment 13738782 GiantFilthy said: Quote: MAKE IT HAPPEN. Anthopoulos said he wanted to improve the defense to help out the young pitchers. Having an OF with 3 CF's is a good start.

Going to assume Yelich goes elsewhere and we end up with Prado. I love me some Prado. I want both guys though!

he can win the CF job back, especially with a new manager. I don't think it's the most outlandish idea. Hicks has put together one good season, and it wasn't even a full season. Ellsbury wasn't bad last season, just overpaid.

In comment 13738773 rich in DC said:

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Two-year deal. He will almost certainly miss the entire 2018 season rehabbing from TJ- and the deal is really about 2019.

The Cubs made a similar move. They signed Drew Smyly to a 2 year deal. Smyly will likely miss most if not all of the 2018 season due to TJ surgery.

the fabled Pineda/Montero trade finally comes to an official close.

Hicks is my preference for CF. But that's likely where Ellsbury's head is at. Players believe in their own ability, and he likely doesn't want to leave a WS favorite.

In comment 13738811 GiantFilthy said:

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Going to assume Yelich goes elsewhere and we end up with Prado. I love me some Prado. I want both guys though!

I am fine with Prado if they are willing to take back a package of Aaron Blair and Jason Hursh.

yes he's 4-5 years older than Yelich/Ozuna, but it's not like he's ancient. His defense last year was down but was comparable to Yelich in CF.

Cain and Kinsler at the top of the order for the Mets would both be very big upgrades.

and Nicasio both off the board. So much for those quick strike Metsies lol

in talks to bring back Holland.

even have to trade for Ian Kinsler? The farm system has no depth and trading any worthwhlie player on the MLB roster would just open up another hole.

FWIW, Kinsler had a 91 wRC last year and turns 36 next season. Seems like a good bet to spend some time on the DL or underperform IMO. PASS

but has been underrated for a while and would be a legit upgrade. I'd be on board with that. Wouldn't mind signing Cain and Moustakos and rolling the dice with Flores, Rivera, Cecchini at 2B.

In comment 13738860 Metnut said:

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but has been underrated for a while and would be a legit upgrade. I'd be on board with that. Wouldn't mind signing Cain and Moustakos and rolling the dice with Flores, Rivera, Cecchini at 2B.

Sounds like they have given up on Cecchini, Rivera might be out until mid-season.

He will be 32 and much of his value is tied to his speed and defense. His defense did decline slightly last year so I would be very hesitant to give him a big deal.

maybe trying to add Greene to Kinsler trade.

You just know this trade will happen and is likely sending Gimenez, Szapucki, Dunn, etc. back for a middle reliever and a relic at 2B.

and he was a 5.1 war player at age 34 when they went to the WS. And one of their best hitters over those playoffs. He wasn't an ideal signing but sometimes you have to roll the dice on non-ideal candidates if you're not willing to pay top dollar for players in their prime.

Kinsler has played 140 games for 7 straight seasons and has legitimate 4 or 5 war upside. He can be a very good leadoff hitter.

Cain hasn't been as durable but he similarly has 4-5 war upside and is still one of the best CF in baseball.

It's hard to fathom better somewhat realistic alternatives. And they've allegedly had conversations with both, though they've downplayed CF as a need.

@Mets if Burdi or McCullough are there, roll the dice ! #Mets
Link - ( New Window )

In comment 13738878 Eric on Li said:

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and he was a 5.1 war player at age 34 when they went to the WS. And one of their best hitters over those playoffs. He wasn't an ideal signing but sometimes you have to roll the dice on non-ideal candidates if you're not willing to pay top dollar for players in their prime. Kinsler has played 140 games for 7 straight seasons and has legitimate 4 or 5 war upside. He can be a very good leadoff hitter. Cain hasn't been as durable but he similarly has 4-5 war upside and is still one of the best CF in baseball. It's hard to fathom better somewhat realistic alternatives. And they've allegedly had conversations with both, though they've downplayed CF as a need.

The Mets didn't really have much of a conversation with Cain. They spoke to Kusnick about all of his clients back in mid-November (which is common, get preliminary prices for agents clients), reportedly have not discussed Cain beyond that. That's about a month ago so unless his price bottoms out he likely isn't on the radar.

In comment 13738892 DanMetroMan said:

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@Mets if Burdi or McCullough are there, roll the dice ! #Mets Link - ( New Window )

I would be shocked if Burdi gets past Atlanta. They have done this the previous two years acquiring talented injured pitchers who are out for the season(Jacob Lindgren and Jesse Biddle) Burdi has closer upside and was reportedly the player the Braves were targeting in the Jaime Garcia trade but then he suffered the injury.

or has this years Winter Meetings been relatively quiet compared to previous years?

I just find it bizarre that they would consider Bruce (who would either force Conforto to CF again or Smith to the bench to play) and not Cain. Even if they're that sold on Lagares he's always hurt.

Jerry Crasnick‏Verified account
@jcrasnick
38m38 minutes ago
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The #Angels are �definitely interested� in Ian Kinsler, says a source. There�s a sense that Kinsler has emerged as Billy Eppler�s prime 2B target, but #Tigers aren�t close to a trade at the moment. #Mets, #Brewers and #SFGiants have also talked to Detroit about Kinsler.

winter meetings aren't for the weak.

Have signed Pineda to a two year deal.

over the last few weeks that the Yankees may have Gleyber Torres start the year at AAA even if he is ready to take advantage of some of the rules:
1. If he is not on the opening day roster they can delay his arbitration eligibility date a year
2. If the Yankees leave Torres in Triple-A until June 1, they�ll push his free agency eligibility back a full season

i dont give a fuck about the salary. He would have been perfect to take over at closer and let Familia test FA.

Mets will miss on Kinsler/Greene and settle for Jay Bruce at 1b and bring back Neil Walker so they can bring in a veteran SP FA like CC

fuck the Wilpons

Marc Carig‏Verified account
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2m2 minutes ago
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One day after whiffing on a pair of their top relief targets, the Mets pivoted to righthander Anthony Swarzak. In agreement on 2 years,$14m sources tell Newsday

Nice p/u

In comment 13738996 CGiants07 said:

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Marc Carig‏Verified account @MarcCarig 2m2 minutes ago More One day after whiffing on a pair of their top relief targets, the Mets pivoted to righthander Anthony Swarzak. In agreement on 2 years,$14m sources tell Newsday

I am fine with this move. Only 2 years, not 3, and the extra $2 Million per year in salary for those 2 years could allow us more elsewhere

Is solid at that rate but it comes with 1 year of success despite being 32. Price reflects that.

Swarzak was fantastic last year. Not in line with the rest of his career, though - so we better hope he figured something out last season and that it wasn't a one-off.

That said - I like it. It's something.

A LOT more work to do.. but I can get on board with this.

was his (Swarzak) pitching coach in Cleveland

In comment 13738787 BigBlue4You09 said:

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In comment 13738774 Greg from LI said: Quote: He apparently doesn't want to leave. Who wants to stay on a team where they're rarely going to play? A guy that's getting older and getting paid a ton

But he'll get paid regardless. If he doesn't want to play, just retire.

be clear I like the Swarzak move. Just pointing out it comes with pretty substantial risk given his track record. The Mets signed him to be a key piece of the pen (7 million per) so they need him to be 2017 Swarzak and not what came before.

good gamble on upside at a low price.

still pursue Reed.

Familia, Ramos, Reed, Blevins, Swarzak is a bullpen you can win with. now as for the rotation, a lot of finger crossing and praying.

I did read that Familia is not the closer so no clue who is Ramos hasn't proven he can consistently close.

A couple write-ups from FG:

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Anthony Swarzak | White Sox I guess Swarzak is lit as hell now? He has added a tick of velo, focused more on his slider (45% FB/55% SL usage), and just taken off with the White Sox. Sure, his .105 BABIP and 100% LOB rates won�t hold, but make no mistake about it: his surge is skill supported. His 36% strikeout rate is 20th among relievers (min. 10 IP) while his insane 20% swinging strike rate is fifth! He�s walking a career-low 3% of batters and only four guys have gotten hits off of him. The key, as he told MLB.com�s Scott Merkin, has been manipulating his slider: "I�m throwing a few different ones right now. I have the one for a strike that�s a little bigger. I have the two-strike one, and I�m shortening up a little bit on it." Even in a small, just under 20-inning sample, it�s hard not believe in what Swarzak is doing because the magnitude of it is so overwhelming. This isn�t the pitcher who brought a 15% K rate and 4.52 ERA into the season.

And the other.

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What makes Andrew Miller so good? There�s a variety of contributing reasons � there�s the velocity, the fastball, the slider, the delivery, the body, the mentality, and so on and so on. Every part of Miller comes together to make him nearly perfect. But, what�s the mechanism? What�s the statistical explanation for Miller�s dominance? In essence, he warps the hitter�s idea of the strike zone. Hitters don�t swing at many strikes, and they swing at too many balls. They have the statistical discipline of bad-hitting pitchers. So far this season, Miller has gotten opponents to swing at pitches out of the zone 43% of the time. Once again, that�s super high � by O-Swing%, Miller ranks second in baseball. There�s one guy in front of him. That one guy is Anthony Swarzak?

I still think they should be in on another guy like Reed or Joe Smith, but this is a good gamble at the price.
One Guy Gets More Chases Than Andrew Miller - ( New Window )