2019/2020 Non Mariners MLB News

[NWinAZ]

 

[NWinAZ]

Ex Mariners Alerts:

Ken Rosenthal and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic report that the Brewers have agreed to a deal with free agent reliever David Phelps.
It's a one-year, $1.5 million contract with a $4.5 million club option for 2021, per MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. Phelps became a free agent in early November after the Cubs declined their $5 million option on him for 2020. The 33-year-old right-hander posted a 3.41 ERA, 1.398 WHIP, and 36/17 K/BB ratio over 34 1/3 innings last season between Toronto and Chicago after sitting out the entire 2018 season following Tommy John surgery.

Stefen Romero has signed with the Rakuten Golden Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball.
2020 will be the fourth straight season in Japan for Romero, who spent the last three years with the Pacific League's Orix Buffaloes. The 31-year-old outfielder battled a lingering neck injury for much of 2019 but still managed an impressive .309/.370/.558 batting line with 20 home runs and 69 RBI over 85 games. He joins fellow imports Zelous Wheeler and Jabari Blash on the Golden Eagles' roster.

Diamondbacks signed C John Hicks to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.
Word of the agreement comes from the Diamondbacks' Triple-A affiliate in Reno, and that is likely where Hicks will head at the conclusion of spring training, assuming both Carson Kelly and Stephen Vogt make it through camp unscathed. Hicks, 30, batted just .210/.240/.379 in 333 plate appearances last season with the Tigers.

Orioles signed LHP Wade LeBlanc to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.
Baltimore isn't an ideal place for any pitcher, but it probably presents the clearest possible path to LeBlanc landing an Opening Day rotation spot at this point. The veteran left-hander registered an ugly 5.71 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, and 92/31 K/BB ratio over 121 1/3 innings (eight starts, 18 relief appearances) last season for the Mariners, who declined their $5 million club option on him back in late October. He stands to make an $800,000 salary in 2020 if he is able to stick on the Orioles' major league roster.

 

[NWinAZ]

ESPN's Jeff Passan confirms that the Dodgers are acquiring Mookie Betts and David Price from the Red Sox.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic adds that the Dodgers are sending starter Kenta Maeda to the Twins and that pitching prospect Brusdar Graterol will go from Minnesota to Boston. Los Angeles will move young outfielder Alex Verdugo to the Red Sox in what currently stands as a three-team, five-player swap. Joc Pederson is being sent to the Angels for infielder Luis Rengifo, though that is a seperate trade. Medicals are being exchanged, and this could all be made official by the end of the night Tuesday or early Wednesday morning.

According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, the Dodgers are trading outfielder Joc Pederson to the Angels for infielder Luis Rengifo.
This trade is technically separate from the reported three-team, five-player blockbuster that will send Mookie Betts and David Price to the Dodgers, though it is obviously related to some degree. It also goes beyond just Pederson and Rengifo, as Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic hears that the Angels are getting a "big league starter" and a prospect along with Pederson, and that a prospect will accompany Rengifo to the Dodgers. The prospect going from the Dodgers to the Angels is outfielder Andy Pages, per ESPN's Kiley McDaniel. Pederson slugged a career-high 36 home runs over 149 games in 2019 while registering a .920 OPS against right-handed pitching (and a .505 OPS against left-handers). He could serve as the Angels' primary leadoff man versus righties this year.

 

[SeattleCoug]

If the Red Sox are taking a step back, I guess my dream of the Angels to keep missing the playoffs might take a hit.

 

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[NWinAZ]

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Tuesday that Luis Severino (elbow) has been recommended for Tommy John surgery.
Brutal news for the Bombers. Limited to just 12 innings last season due to lat and shoulder issues, Severino came down with some forearm soreness during a recent bullpen session in Yankees camp. Subsequent tests have confirmed the need for season-ending elbow surgery. Odds are that he'll also require a late start to the 2021 season, as well. It's just an awful situation all around. The Yankees could look for an outside addition at some point, but they are probably going to have to lean on some young arms to fill out their rotation this year.

 

[NWinAZ]

Ailing Yu Darvish hospitalized amid coronavirus concerns
Originally posted on Sportress of Blogitude
By Jason Rowan | Last updated 3/5/20

Yu Darvish removed himself from a scheduled spring training start Thursday and was admitted to a hospital over concerns about the coronavirus.

The Chicago Cubs pitcher issued a series of tweets in Japanese from his hospital bed, where he is undergoing tests and treatment. In one dispatch, Darvish indicated he “couldn’t be certain” whether or not he had contracted the coronavirus.

While it’s unlikely Darvish has contracted COVID-19, his decision to stay away from the clubhouse was presumably done with an abundance of caution.

 

[SeattleCoug]

Yankees' Judge out indefinitely with broken rib

 

[wazzu31]

Ailing Yu Darvish hospitalized amid coronavirus concerns
Originally posted on Sportress of Blogitude
By Jason Rowan | Last updated 3/5/20

Yu Darvish removed himself from a scheduled spring training start Thursday and was admitted to a hospital over concerns about the coronavirus.

The Chicago Cubs pitcher issued a series of tweets in Japanese from his hospital bed, where he is undergoing tests and treatment. In one dispatch, Darvish indicated he “couldn’t be certain” whether or not he had contracted the coronavirus.

While it’s unlikely Darvish has contracted COVID-19, his decision to stay away from the clubhouse was presumably done with an abundance of caution.

Didn’t even think of that. If that catches down on Spring Training that’s not good because of all of the elderly in AZ and Florida.

 

[NWinAZ]

Didn’t even think of that. If that catches down on Spring Training that’s not good because of all of the elderly in AZ and Florida.

Ya those two states would get wiped out if it hits there. I actually worry about down here in SW WA. I have lowered immune system with diabetes and being 53. First time I have ever actually worried about one of these pandemics.

 

[SeattleCoug]

I'd be lying if I said this made me sad

Verlander (lat strain) shut down; timetable TBD

 

[NWinAZ]

I'd be lying if I said this made me sad

Verlander (lat strain) shut down; timetable TBD

My exact feeling when I read it. Karma may do what the commish didn't.

 

[NWinAZ]

 

[NWinAZ]

I just found this interesting that Andre Dawson found an unusual post baseball career.