Spring coaching is quick approaching and nonetheless 15 of our prime 50 free brokers stay unsigned, together with 4 of the highest 10. Finally a crew will signal the reigning NL Cy Younger winner, proper? Proper. Blake Snell will not be pressured into retirement. Right here now are Friday’s scorching range rumors.
Padres fascinated about Duran
The Padres have curiosity in Purple Sox outfielder Jarren Duran, in line with the New York Publish. Boston is getting calls about a number of outfielders, not simply Duran. They at present have Duran, Wilyer Abreu, Tyler O’Neill, Ceddanne Rafaela, Rob Refsnyder, and Masataka Yoshida out there to play the three outfield spots plus DH. There’s depth to commerce from, in the event that they select.
Duran, 27, had a sneaky-great 2023 season. Following the Juan Soto commerce, San Diego’s solely outfield lock is Fernando Tatis Jr. José Azocar is the one different outfielder on the 40-man roster. Non-40-man roster gamers Bryce Johnson, Óscar Mercado, and Cal Mitchell are at present in line to compete for outfield jobs in spring coaching. It is easy to see how Duran would match with the Padres.
D-backs looking for righty bat
The Diamondbacks wish to add a right-handed hitting complement to Joc Pederson, reports MLB.com. Adam Duvall, Randal Grichuk, and Tommy Pham are into account. Pham completed final season with Arizona, although he and Pederson had an altercation over fantasy soccer in 2022. It is unclear whether or not the 2 have since buried the hatchet.
With Eugenio Suárez acquired to play third base, Arizona may use Emmanuel Rivera as Pederson’s platoon companion, although Rivera’s .711 OPS towards lefties final 12 months is mild for a platoon DH. There are nonetheless a number of high quality right-handed platoon DH varieties sitting in free company. The Dbacks might merely be ready to see which one will take essentially the most team-friendly contract.
Kluber calls it a profession
Two-time AL Cy Younger winner Corey Kluber introduced his retirement Friday. He spent 2023 with Purple Sox and was their Opening Day starter. Now 37, Kluber retires with a profession 116-77 document and a 3.44 ERA. He completed with 34.0 WAR. Along with successful the Cy Younger in 2014 and 2017, Kluber additionally completed third within the voting in 2015 and 2018. He went to a few All-Star Video games, threw a no-hitter in 2021, and had an 18-strikeout sport in 2015.
