Spring coaching is quick approaching and nonetheless 15 of our prime 50 free brokers stay unsigned, together with 4 of the highest 10. Ultimately a group will signal the reigning NL Cy Younger winner, proper? Proper. Blake Snell will not be pressured into retirement. Right here now are Saturday’s scorching range rumors.
Phillies unlikely so as to add outfield assist
Even after shedding Brandon Marsh to knee surgical procedure, the Phillies are unlikely so as to add to their outfield, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski stated Friday. Marsh will resume baseball actions in 3-4 weeks and the group expects him to be prepared for Opening Day. Here is what Dombrowski stated Friday (through MLB.com):
“We nonetheless assume we’re the identical means we had been beforehand, in relation to Opening Day,” Dombrowski stated. “[Free-agent outfielders] need ensures, and we’re simply not capable of give them these ensures. … We speak to folks on a regular basis. The fact is that we do not have assured enjoying time that some folks need. We simply haven’t got that. It is not likely even a greenback concern as it’s enjoying time.”
Philadelphia expects to have Marsh in left, Johan Rojas in middle and Nick Castellanos in proper with Cristian Pache and Jake Cave on the bench this coming season. Their most skilled Triple-A outfielder is journeyman Cal Stevenson. Given what number of free brokers stay unsigned, the Phillies can see how Marsh’s rehab goes, then pursue outfield assist in a couple of weeks if wanted.
Padres have curiosity in Lorenzen, Syndergaard
Righties Michael Lorenzen and Noah Syndergaard are among the many decrease tier free brokers the Padres have proven curiosity in, in keeping with the San Diego Union-Tribune. San Diego badly wants rotation depth after shedding Seth Lugo, Nick Martinez and Michael Wacha to free company. Incumbents Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove completed final yr on the injured checklist as effectively.
The Padres are anticipated to run a payroll within the $200 million vary this season and, in the mean time, their estimated 2024 Opening Day payroll is roughly $165 million. It appears they’ve cash to spend, although MLB will broadcast the group’s sport this coming season after Bally Sports activities dropped them in 2023. Both means, the Padres want pitching, and so they’re on the lookout for bargains.
Twins not near buying and selling Vázquez
The Twins haven’t but gained any traction for a Christian Vázquez commerce, reviews The Athletic. The veteran backstop misplaced the beginning job to Ryan Jeffers final season, and is owed $20 million over 2024-25. Shedding even a part of that may permit the Twins to spend money on their roster elsewhere, almost certainly the pitching workers. As issues stands, Vázquez shall be a well-paid backup.
It has been a reasonably quiet offseason for the Twins, who face uncertainty with their native tv contract given the Bally Sports activities state of affairs. They swapped Jorge Polanco for pitching depth and signed Carlos Santana, and that is about it. Minnesota’s estimated $119 million Opening Day payroll is effectively south of final season’s $154 million Opening Day payroll.
