WHO GOES WHERE

[molsaniceman]

Andy Martino of SNY.tv reports that the Yankees were "not close" on a trade for Matt Olson prior to the lockout because they considered the Athletics' as "way too high."​

This report comes on the heels of one from Erik Boland of Newsday who said that the Yankees' "preference" as they seek an upgrade at first base was to acquire Olson. While he doesn't explicitly say that he was the A's ask in talks with the Yanks, Martino notes that New York is "not willing to trade" top shortstop prospect Anthony Volpe. The Rangers and Braves are among the other clubs known to have interest in Olson.

Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports that Bryce Harper is "stumping" for the Phillies to sign Kris Bryant.​

Harper and Bryant, of course, are both natives of Las Vegas and are good friends. It's a fit beyond that narrative, too, with the Phillies needing outfield help and possibly third base help if Alec Bohm can't get straightened out. Philadelphia does have other outfield options on the free agent market, though, with Heyman listing Nick Castellanos, Kyle Schwarber and Michael Conforto as possibilities. It's not clear where Bryant might fall on their priority list.

 

[molsaniceman]

1st signing

Cardinals signed RHP Drew VerHagen to a two-year, $5.5 million contract.​

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com was first to report the deal and it was made official by the club shortly after. VerHagen, 31, posted a 5.11 ERA and 156/75 K/BB ratio over 199 innings for the Tigers from 2014-19 while being used mostly as a reliever. He pitched in Japan the last two years with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters, holding a 3.49 ERA and 216/62 K/BB ratio across 208 2/3 frames. The Cards are saying that he will compete for a job in the rotation, but ultimately he's probably ticketed for a bullpen role.

 

[molsaniceman]

The Cubs have signed manager David Ross to a contract extension through 2024 with a club option for 2025.​

The Cubs won the National League Central during the abbreviated 2020 season with a 34-26 record before finishing 20 games under .500 in 2021. The team doesn't look like a contender on paper for 2022, although their signing of Marcus Stroman and reported interest in Carlos Correa could certainly at least make them competitive

 

[calsnowskier]

Giants score the first big FA of the new CBA…

Carlos Rodon signs a 1 year deal worth 21.5m with a player option for 22.5m

 

[molsaniceman]

According to Jon Heyman of the MLB Network, the Cubs have signed free-agent shortstop Andrelton Simmons to a one-year $4 million contract plus incentives.​

Simmons is best known for his superior glovework but carried a meager .223/.283/.274 slash line over 451 plate appearances with the Twins last season. The veteran shortstop will be competing for playing time with Nico Hoerner in Chicago. The move will reportedly not preclude the Cubs from pursuing Carlos Correa, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

 

[molsaniceman]

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Clayton Kershaw has reached a one-year $17 million agreement with the Dodgers.​

The decision came down to the Dodgers and Kershaw's hometown Rangers, but the southpaw decided to return to Los Angeles. The future Hall of Famer may not be the dominant ace he once was, but can still hold his own on any given night at 33-years-old. Kershaw posted a 3.55 ERA over 121 2/3 injury-plagued innings last year and missed the postseason with an elbow issue. The deal is pending a physical.

 

[molsaniceman]

Trevor Bauer has been placed on administrative leave for seven days while MLB investigates a possible suspension, according to Jon Heyman of the MLB Network.​

Bauer believes that he should not receive a suspension after his court case was thrown out by a judge, however, MLB has the ability to issue and enforce suspensions for non-criminal offenses. The right-hander will not report to spring training while under administrative leave.

 

[molsaniceman]

dont let the door hit u

Martin Perez is in agreement on a contract with the Rangers, according to Robert Murray of FanSided.​

It's a one-year, $4 million pact, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network. Perez, of course, spent the first seven seasons of his major league career with the Rangers prior to stops in Minnesota and Boston. The 30-year-old lefty wouldn't seem to have a ton of competition for a rotation spot, but we're not expecting a lot of success

 

[catman]

dont let the door hit u

Martin Perez is in agreement on a contract with the Rangers, according to Robert Murray of FanSided.​

It's a one-year, $4 million pact, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network. Perez, of course, spent the first seven seasons of his major league career with the Rangers prior to stops in Minnesota and Boston. The 30-year-old lefty wouldn't seem to have a ton of competition for a rotation spot, but we're not expecting a lot of success

Perez is a useable 4th or 5th starter. He's going to be good for 5+ innings per start.

 

[molsaniceman]

According to Jon Heyman of the MLB Network, several teams including the Mariners, Giants, Dodgers, Cubs and Red Sox are interested in signing Japanese outfielder Seiya Suzuki.​

Suzuki slashed a sublime .317/.433/.636 with 38 home runs and nine stolen bases across 134 games during the 2021 NPB season. The 27-year-old slugger has a proven track record of elite offensive production and has the potential to be an immediate difference-maker this upcoming season.

 

[navamind]

dont let the door hit u

Martin Perez is in agreement on a contract with the Rangers, according to Robert Murray of FanSided.​

It's a one-year, $4 million pact, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network. Perez, of course, spent the first seven seasons of his major league career with the Rangers prior to stops in Minnesota and Boston. The 30-year-old lefty wouldn't seem to have a ton of competition for a rotation spot, but we're not expecting a lot of success

honestly his numbers are a bit better than I expected (102 ERA+ in 176 IP with the Sox), but I still won't miss him. I'd rather give Houck another year in the rotation.

Perez is a useable 4th or 5th starter. He's going to be good for 5+ innings per start.

he's serviceable, but he did average under 5 IP as a starter in 2021 (100 IP in 22 starts). He failed to make it to the 5th in 9 of those starts. He started the season very well (3.09 ERA, 3.51 FIP, 4 HR allowed, 52/18 K/BB in 58.1 IP) before turning into absolute dogshit (7.13 ERA, 6.87 FIP, 13 HR allowed, 33/15 K/BB in 41.2 IP). He just doesn't get very many groundballs or strikeouts

 

[Cedrique]

Andy Martino of SNY.tv reports that the Yankees were "not close" on a trade for Matt Olson prior to the lockout because they considered the Athletics' as "way too high."​

This report comes on the heels of one from Erik Boland of Newsday who said that the Yankees' "preference" as they seek an upgrade at first base was to acquire Olson. While he doesn't explicitly say that he was the A's ask in talks with the Yanks, Martino notes that New York is "not willing to trade" top shortstop prospect Anthony Volpe. The Rangers and Braves are among the other clubs known to have interest in Olson.

Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports that Bryce Harper is "stumping" for the Phillies to sign Kris Bryant.​

Harper and Bryant, of course, are both natives of Las Vegas and are good friends. It's a fit beyond that narrative, too, with the Phillies needing outfield help and possibly third base help if Alec Bohm can't get straightened out. Philadelphia does have other outfield options on the free agent market, though, with Heyman listing Nick Castellanos, Kyle Schwarber and Michael Conforto as possibilities. It's not clear where Bryant might fall on their priority list.

Bryant would be a very useful pickup. They still need someone to play center though. Jackie Bradley would obviously be great but last year his offensive stats looked like that of a pitcher.

 

[Cedrique]

Giants score the first big FA of the new CBA…

Carlos Rodon signs a 1 year deal worth 21.5m with a player option for 22.5m

Yeah that's a good contract. He's been kind of disappointing out of college but this past year he seemed to put it all together. Great fantasy pitcher too. He doesn't go too deep into games but averages 8 strikeouts a start.

 

[Cedrique]

dont let the door hit u

Martin Perez is in agreement on a contract with the Rangers, according to Robert Murray of FanSided.​

It's a one-year, $4 million pact, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network. Perez, of course, spent the first seven seasons of his major league career with the Rangers prior to stops in Minnesota and Boston. The 30-year-old lefty wouldn't seem to have a ton of competition for a rotation spot, but we're not expecting a lot of success

haha, yes he is Not a good fit for Fenway Park

 

[thedddd]

 

[molsaniceman]

Robert Murray of FanSided reports that the Angels and free agent catcher Kurt Suzuki have agreed to a one-year, $1.75 million contract.​

Suzuki re-unites with the Angels after hitting .224/.294/.342 with six homers in 247 plate appearances last year. The 38-year-old veteran backstop will serve as the primary caddy for pitch-framing savant Max Stassi with the Halos this upcoming season.

 

[molsaniceman]

Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports that the Blue Jays and free agent left-hander Yusei Kikuchi have agreed to a three-year, $36 million contract.​

Kikuchi declined his $13 million player option for the 2022 season and hit free agency after posting a solid 4.41 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 163/62 K/BB ratio across 157 innings (29 starts) in his final season with the Mariners. The 30-year-old southpaw was linked to the Blue Jays earlier this offseason and will now join a loaded rotation that also features José Berríos, Kevin Gausman, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Alek Manoah.

 

[VikingFan2k2]

A necessary move. The Twins didn't have anyone at SS and Garver's trade value was pretty low after the last two seasons. He was terrible in 2020 and in 2021 he had a nasty injury where he took a foul ball off the junk that was so bad that he had to have surgery. He never really bounced back from that.

I wish him the best in Texas.

 

[Nasty_Magician]

 

[navamind]

Bassitt is a good pickup.