Evening Update - 2/22/2021
Tatis Jr.'s extension is now official, Kevin Mather resigns, the Brewers are in the mix for JBJ, & more.
Good evening.
It’s February 22nd, 2021, and here’s everything that happened in baseball from 9:00 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST.
What You Missed While Working
SS Fernando Tatis Jr.’s massive 14-year contract extension with the Padres is now official, and man is it backloaded:
Congrats to Tatis Jr., who will undoubtedly be traded to the Yankees in 2025.
Everything Else
Transactions
Mariners president Kevin Mather has resigned his position, per Ryan Divish. Mather’s comments given at a rotary club event came to light, and were full of tone-def and offensive remarks.
The Royals announced that they have signed RHP Brad Brach to a minor league deal with a spring training invite. Brach posted a 5.84 ERA over 14 appearances last season with the Mets.
RHPs Collin McHugh and Chaz Roe’s deals with the Rays are now official. Rays’ manager Kevin Cash: McHugh provides versatility and experience, Roe adds leadership to the bullpen. McHugh’s deal is for $1.8 million, Roe’s for $1.15 million. To make room for McHugh & Rose, the Rays designated RHPs Oliver Drake and Yonny Chirinos for assignment.
INF Asdrubal Cabrera’s deal with the Diamondbacks is now official. 1 year, $1.75 million.
RHP Ian Kennedy will sign a minor league deal with a spring training invite with the Rangers, per Jon Heyman.
RHP Jeremy Jeffress will sign a minor league deal with a spring training invite with the Nationals, per Mark Feinsand.
The A’s deal with RHP Trevor Rosenthal is now official. 1 year, $11 million. The money will be deferred and paid over a three-year period. To make room for Rosenthal, the A’s designated OF Dustin Fowler for assignment.
OF Phillip Ervin, designated for assignment yesterday by the Cubs, was claimed off waivers by the Braves.
LHP Brett Anderson’s deal with the Brewers is now official. 1 year, $2.5 million.
RHP Franchy Cordero has been placed on the Astros’ 10-day COVID IL.
RHP Joel Payamps was claimed off waivers by the Red Sox. The Blue Jays designated Payamps for assignment after claiming him from Boston themselves earlier this month.
Injuries & Chatter
The Brewers are in the mix for OF Jackie Bradley, Jr., reports Robert Murray. Jon Heyman adds there appears to be around six teams that have interest in JBJ.
Jon Heyman says the Angels, Blue Jays and Braves all had interest in OF Brett Gardner before he decided to return to the Yankees.
SS Francisco Lindor has not had contract extension talks yet with the Mets, but it could happen soon.
RHP Shane Bieber said the Indians haven’t talked extension with him, but he’s willing to listen.
A’s 3B Matt Chapman told reporters he was fully cleared January 6th after recovering from hip surgery. He will begin spring training as the team’s DH estimates that he’ll be in the field around March 6th or 7th.
Some interesting notes from Ken Rosenthal’s latest column: a comparison for a potential Francisco Lindor extension is possibly Nolan Arenado’s 8 year, $260 million deal from the Rockies (who subsequently traded him;) the Braves were exploring a deal with RHP Trevor Rosenthal before he agreed to sign with Oakland; free-agent OF Yoenis Cespedes plans to play in 2021, and will hold a showcase for clubs on March 2.
Braves manager Brian Snitker told reporters that 1B Freddie Freeman will be in camp by the end of the week. Mark Bowman notes Freeman’s wife gave birth to twins on Sunday.
White Sox 1B/DH Jose Abreu’s arrival at camp has been delayed due to additional COVID antibody testing, the team announced. He is expected to arrive Wednesday.
Notes from Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone: RHP Clark Schmidt will be shut down for a few weeks with an extensor strain - not a Tommy John situation; Gerrit Cole will be the opening day starter; Luis Severino increased his throwing to 120 feet.
Notes from Orioles’ manager Brandon Hyde: Chris Davis is in camp and fully participated today; CF will be a competition between Austin Hays & Cedric Mullins; Matt Harvey look impressive in yesterday’s bullpen; Trey Mancini (missed all of last season after having a tumor removed from his colon) will not have any restrictions as spring training games begin.
Angels manager Joe Maddon had expressed concern last week about 3B Anthony Rendon being delayed in his arrival to camp due to the weather issues in Texas, but reported today that all position players are now in Tempe.
1B Rhys Hoskins has been medically cleared and should be ready for opening day.
Astros’ SS Carlos Correa told reporters that if he’s getting a contract extension, it should happen before the season starts. There are no talks as of now, and Correa said he isn’t afraid to hit free agency.
Notes from Tigers’ manager AJ Hinch: Top prospects Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson could both get significant ABs in spring training with some players having travel issues getting to camp; Torkelson will play 3B exclusively in spring training.
SS Xander Bogaerts told reporters he hasn’t even thought about his opt-out after the 2022 season.
Evening Reading
In light of the Tatis Jr. contract becoming official, Kevin Goldstein explores who will be the first $400 million player.
Mariners president Kevin Mather attempted to define two players by what he saw as their failings and instead exposed his own, writes RJ McDaniel. Related: Emma Baccellieri on Mather explaining how to build a baseball team in bad faith. Both of these are must-reads (and were posted before Mather resigned.)
Phillies manager Joe Giradi says new Mets owner Steve Cohen exemplifies what makes east coast baseball great, writes Jim Salisbury. Also from Salisbury: why a fast start makes good business sense for Philadelphia.
Fabian Ardaya on the offseason changes Shohei Ohtani made to get ahead of the game.
Ian Desmond’s decision to opt out opens the door for Yonathan Daza and others, says Patrick Saunders.
John Tomase wonders if Michael Chavis will be on odd man out on the opening day roster for the Red Sox.
Evan Grant believes that if there’s one pitcher to watch this spring for the Rangers, it’s RHP Kyle Cody.
Vinnie Duber on what Lance Lynn brings to the White Sox staff.
Arden Zwelling explains how the Blue Jays are weighing the impact and development of Alejandro Kirk.
Marc Topkin writes that RHP Nick Anderson had more than arm fatigue last October.
Jon Meoli on Cal Ripken’s son Ryan, and his hopes to become a major leaguer.
A Podcast For The Drive Home
Some team season preview podcasts:
Effectively Wild previews the Cardinals & Indians.
Talkin’ Baseball previews the Rockies, Orioles, & Tigers.
Random Baseball Rewind
God bless and have a great evening!
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