Evening Update - 2/18/2021

A's sign Rosenthal and Moreland, JT Realmuto fractures his thumb, & more.

DE White

Feb 18, 2021

Good evening.

It’s February 18th, 2021, and here’s everything that happened in baseball from 9:00 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST.

What You Missed While Working

Jeff Passan @JeffPassan

Closer Trevor Rosenthal and the Oakland A’s are in agreement on a one-year, $11M contract, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN. Rosenthal had been seeking a four-year contract originally. Reliever market cratered and he gets one with deferred money. @JonHeyman was first.

Pretty surprising to see the Athletics shelling out this kind of money for a reliever, but Rosenthal will likely fill the spot vacated by Liam Hendricks, who departed for Chicago to join the White Sox.

Jeff Passan @JeffPassan

Trevor Rosenthal did have multiyear options, according to sources, but chose the higher annual salary ($11 million) and save opportunities that Oakland offered. He’ll hit the market again next year at 31, and if he’s as good as he was in 2020, he should be primed to cash in.

Transactions

In addition to Rosenthal, the A’s also signed DH Mitch Moreland to a one year major league deal today, per Jeff Passan.
OF Tyler Naquin will sign a minor league deal with a spring training invite with the Reds, the team announced.
LHP James Paxton’s deal with the Mariners is now official. One year, $8.5 million.
The Red Sox claimed RHP John Schreiber off waivers from the Tigers. To make room for Schreiber, LHP Chris Sale was placed on the 60 day IL.
RHP Sergio Romo’s deal with the A’s is now official. One year, $2.25 million.
RHP Mark Melancon’s deal with the Padres is now official One year, $3 million. RHP Mike Clevinger placed on 60 day IL to make room.
The Indians re-signed LHP Oliver Perez to a minor league deal with a spring training invite.
RHP Brandon Workman’s deal with the Cubs is now official. One year, $1 million. INF Sergo Alcantara designated for assignment to make room.
2B Brandon Dozier announced he has retired from baseball.
RHP Ken Giles’ deal with the Mariners is official. 2 years, $7 million guaranteed.

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Injuries & Chatter

Jon Heyman reports the Yankees have interest in bringing back OF Brett Gardner, but at their price. He notes that is likely around $3 million.
RHP/DH Shoehi Ohtani threw a 27-pitch bullpen session today with a top velocity of 90 MPH.
Catcher JT Realmuto, who signed a five year, $115.5 million contract to return to Philadelphia, broke his thumb on his throwing hand and will be out for a bit. Manager Joe Girardi says he should be ready for opening day.
RHP Shane Bieber tested positive for COVID. Indians’ President Chris Antonetti says he had very mild symptoms and is expected back in the next few days.
Notes from Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoya: RHP Patrick Murphy is out with a shoulder injury but not expected to be long term; Vladimir Guererro Jr will continue working at 1B but will see time this spring at 3B; Marcus Semien is only working at 2B and SS; he rules out keeping 3 catchers on the roster to start the year.
RHP Luis Severino is long-tossing at 120 feet. The Yankees plan to get him on a mound within the next few weeks.
Cardinals 3B prospect Nolan Gorman asked for permission to report early to camp so he could get some work at 2B.
Arizona RHP Merrill Kelly says he’s entering the spring with no limitations after having thoracic outlet surgery in August.
Red Sox LHP Eduardo Rodriguez threw a bullpen sessions yesterday and is now full-go.
Notes from Braves manager Brian Snitker: the team probably won’t use a six-man rotation, but will take every chance they get to give someone extra rest; he didn’t commit to moving Freddie Freeman back to third in the order with no DH in 2021; the team may uses 2-3 guys to close; still no timetable for Mike Soroka’s return from Achilles surgery, but he’s amazed at how far he is into his rehab.
Notes from Nationals manager Dave Martinez: Max Scherzer sprained his ankle during conditioning two weeks ago and is day-to-day; Juan Soto wants to steal more bases this season; Stephen Strasburg will throw his first bullpen tomorrow and the team will be mindful that he threw just five innings last year.
Mark Shapiro told reporters that the team plans to play in a combination of Toronto, Dunedin, and Buffalo this season.
Cardinals manager Mike Shildt gave a “hard no” on the question of Matt Carpenter seeing time in the corner outfield this season. His time will be spent at DH, 3B, 1B, and possibly some 2B.
Zach Britton on the Yankees bringing back Domingo German, who received an 81-game suspension for a domestic violence violation: “You don’t get to control who your teammates are.”