Evening Update - 2/19/2021

Details on the Taijuan Walker contract, COVID testing results from spring training, & more.

DE White

Feb 19, 2021

Good evening.

It’s February 19th, 2021, and here’s everything that happened in baseball from 9:00 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST.

What You Missed While Working

Joel Sherman @Joelsherman1

#mets in agreement with Taijuan Walkerat 2 years, $20M. There is a player option for a third year, pending physical

The deal between RHP Taijuan Walker and the Mets was reported early this morning by Andy Martino, and now we have the financials. 2 years, $20 million with a player option for 2023.

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OF Ian Happ won his arbitration case with the Cubs, per Mark Feinsand. He will make $4.1 million this season as opposed to the $3.25 million the Cubs were seeking. Happ put up a very respectable .258/.361/.505 line last season.
3B Todd Frazier has agreed to a minor league deal with the Pirates, reports Kevin Williams.
3B Justin Turner’s deal to re-sign with the Dodgers is now official. 2 years, $34 million with a club option for 2023. To make room for Turner, RHP Caleb Ferguson has been placed on the 60-day IL. Ferguson is recovering from Tommy John surgery.
RHP Matt Shoemaker’s one-year, $2 million deal with the Twins is now official.
RHP Yusmeiro Petit’s one year, $2.55 million deal with the A’s is now official. To make room for Petit, RHP Frankie Montas was placed on the COVID-19 IL.
Twins RHP Ian Gibaut, who was designated for assignment last week, has cleared waivers and will be outrighted to AAA Rochester. He will be at camp as a non-roster invitee.
C Ryan Lavarnway has signed a minor league deal with a spring training invite with the Indians. Lavarnway spent last season with the Marlins and has a career .215/.272/.344 line.
RHP Ken Giles’ deal with the Mariners is now official. 2 years, $7 million with a $9 million club option for 2023. To make room for Giles, the Mariners designated RHP Robert Duggar for assignment.
RHP Ben Taylor has signed a minor league deal with the Tigers.
RHP Tyson Ross has signed a minor league deal with the Rangers. Ross opted out of the 2020 season while with the Giants.

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Injuries & Chatter

MLB and MLBPA announce initial intake testing results. 13 positive COVID tests out of 4,336 samples.
The Tigers have shown interest in a reunion with RHP Rick Porcello, reports Jason Beck.
The Mets have reportedly checked in on RHP Shane Greene. Greene posted a 185 ERA+ over 27.2 innings last season with Atlanta.
After Cubs President Jed Hoyer refuted his report, Andy Martino says the Mets/Cubs dialogue around 3B Kris Bryant was real, but does not appear to be ongoing at the moment.
After making the two year deal with RHP Ken Giles official, the Mariners say he has “no chance” of playing this season while recovering from Tommy John surgery.
The Pirates are having “initial discussions” about an extension with 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes, says Alex Stumpf.
RHP Frankie Montas announced that he has signed with the agency Roc Nation.
OF Lane Thomas is poised for an increased role with the Cardinals this season, manager Mike Shildt says.
RHP Edward Cabrera has an inflamed nerve in his right bicep, says Christina De Nicola. He is with the team but is not throwing.
Notes from Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts: RHP Brandon Morrow is healthy and will be built up as a leverage reliever; he doesn’t see Justin Turner playing any 1B, and having Edwin Rios will allow Turner more days off.
Notes from Astros’ manager Dusty Baker: if the team needs a spot on the 40-man roster, RHP Josh James is not a candidate for the 60-day IL because they anticipate him being back prior to that; RHP Zack Greinke has not showed up to camp yet, but will be there before the deadline; RHP Bryan Abreu “looks great.”
Notes from Rays’ manager Kevin Cash: Brendan McKay is in camp as a hitter and may get some ABs in spring training; prospect Brent Honeywell looks to be in a really good spot; Luis Patino threw for the first time on the mound in several days and left a really good impression.
Notes from A’s manager Bob Melvin: Matt Chapman arrived to camp looking lighter and has looked good on the field and could play DH early on in spring training.
Notes from Nationals manager Dave Martinez: the team will take Max Scherzer’s return from an ankle injury slowly; Victor Robles lost weight, and Martinez expects more agility from the CF this season.
Yasmani Grandal thinks White Sox RHP Dylan Cease can be a Cy Young candidate after cleaning up his mechanics.
Toronto RHP Tanner Roark has signed with MVP Sports Group to represent him, reports Shi Davidi.
Cleveland manager Terry Francona is recovering from a staph infection in his toe.
Mets manager Luis Rojas says the team expects Jeff McNeil to see time at multiple positions this season.
Former All-Star Johnny Damon was arrested for driving under the influence. His blood alcohol level was reportedly .30, more than three times the legal limit of .08.
RHP David Robertson threw a second showcase today, per Mark Feinsand. More than a dozen teams were present and Robertson sat 90-91 on his fastball.

Evening Reading

Mike Puma discusses the Mets signing of RHP Taijuan Walker.
Will Leitch on the ten oldest players entering the 2021 season. This is a fun one.
How Fernando Tatis Jr. landed his historic contract.
Stephanie Apstein on the players who opted out in 2020 returning this season.
Christoper Smith on Eduardo Rodriguez’s goal to make 30 starts this season for the Red Sox.
Sahadev Sharma explores how the Cubs bullpen could come together in 2021.
New Angels pitcher Alex Cobb hopes a mechanical tweak will help him reclaim his form, writes Jeff Fletcher.
Nick Piecoro says Ketel Marte is the linchpin to the Arizona Diamondbacks’ lineup flexibility.
Roch Kubatko on the Orioles’ Hunter Harvey’s need to stay healthy.
RHP Kyle Crick is embracing the competition for Pittsburgh’s closer job, writes Alex Stumpf.
Max Scherzer is confident his ankle will be find, and he’s not ready to discuss his contract, says Mark Zuckerman.