Evening Update - 2/3/2021
Kolten Wong leaves St. Louis but stays in the NL Central, the Rays may be a surprise suitor for Marcell Ozuna, & more.
Good evening.
It’s February 3rd, 2021, and here’s everything that happened in baseball from 9:00 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST.
What You Missed While Working
After it was noted yesterday that the Cardinals were not interested in bringing back 2B Kolten Wong, Ken Rosenthal reports today that Wong has an agreement with Cardinals central-division rival Milwaukee.
Everything Else
RHP Joakim Soria agreed to a one-year deal with the Diamondbacks, per Ken Rosenthal. The deal is for $3.5 million, with another $500,000 in potential incentives. The 36 year old two-time All-Star spent the last two seasons in Oakland.
Though unlikely to come to fruition, the Rays are a “surprise entry” in the Marcell Ozuna derby, notes Jon Heyman. Marc Topkin opines it would take a major shift in Ozuna’s contract goals for anything to develop.
LHP Matt Moore signed a one year, $3 million deal with the Phillies. Moore spent last season playing in Japan.
C Josh Phegley announced his retirement from baseball. His eight-year career included stints with the White Sox, A’s, and Cubs.
Jon Morosi notes oft-injured Carlos Martínez had an encouraging first start for Águilas Cibaeñas at the Caribbean Series and is poised to begin 2021 in the St. Louis rotation.
The Phillies have been in contact with OF Shin-Soo Choo and utilitymen Marwin Gonzalez and Brad Miller as they look to upgrade their bench. Anthony DiComo reports the Mets are also interested in Gonzalez.
Anthony Santander’s arbirtation hearing with the Orioles is today. Jon Heyman notes he seeks $2.475M and the Orioles submitted $2.1M. JD Davis and the Mets had their hearing yesterday.
RHP Nick Vincent has agreed to a minor league deal with a spring training invite with the Rangers, per Jon Morosi. Vincent, 34, spent last season with the Marlins, notching a 4.43 ERA in 22.1 IP.
Rob Bradford reports 40 year old LHP Rich Hill is getting significant interest from the Rays, Brewers, and Mets. Hill started eight games for Minnesota last season and had a very solid 3.03 ERA.
The Red Sox are telling sponsors to prepare for fans in the stands this upcoming season.
C Alex Avila and the Nationals agreement on a one year, $1.5 million deal became official.
RHP Garrett Richards deal with the Red Sox is now official. To make room for Richards, they designated RHP Joel Payamps for assignment.
The Angels announced they claimed INF Robel García off waivers from the Mets.
Jon Heyman reiterates reports of RHP Alex Colome being on the Twins radar, and he also says they may sign multiple guys for the bullpen.
Chris Getz has been promoted to assistant GM/player development for the White Sox. Getz was drafted by Chicago in 2002 and spent the first two years of his career with the club.
Angels GM Perry Minasian says he cannot comment on the Mickey Callaway situation until the investigation is over. Callaway is currently suspended by the team.
Yankee Stadium will be home to a mass vaccination site for Brooklyn residents.
Minasian also noted that 2B Franklin Barreto will be ready for spring training after undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery in 2020.
Though it’s expected that C Yadier Molina will return to the Cardinals, the Blue Jays still have interest, notes Jon Heyman.
Jackie Robinson will be featured on the cover of the collector’s edition of MLB The Show 21.
RHP Chase Anderson is in agreement with the Phillies on a one-year major league deal, reports Robert Murray. Anderson began 2020 in the starting rotation for the Blue Jays before being moved to the bullpen, posting a 7.22 ERA. Matt Gelb notes that Anderson did have career high strikeout and walk rates last season.
The White Sox see Andrew Vaughn as the frontrunner for the opening day DH spot.
The Reds signed 1B/OF Nicky Delmonico to a minor league deal with a spring training invite. Delmonico has spent the last four years playing sparingly for the White Sox, hitting .224/.312./.384.
The Athletics will sign RHP Deolis Guerra to a minor league deal with a spring training invite. Guerra has struggled with a 12.38 ERA over his last two seasons with Philadelphia & Milwaukee.
The Orioles signed SS Malquin Canelo, RHP Dusten Knight, and RHP Spenser Watkins to minor league deals.
The White Sox signed RHP Marcus Evey, RHP Sal Biasi, and C Henri Lartigue to minor league deals.
MLB.com’s #1 prospect at each position:
Evening Reading
Mark Kizla opines that there is no hope for the Rockies franchise unless the Monfort brothers sell the team.
Kevin Goldstein on the surprisingly complex world of minor league contracts.
Luke Voit & Gio Urshela are already in Florida and ready for spring training, relays Bryan Hoch.
David Lennon writes the Mets need to respond to the misconduct by Jared Porter and Mickey Callaway with a more diversified front office.
Ben Clemens on valuing Nolan Arenado’s new contract.
Bradford Doolittle with way-too-early starting lineup rankings for 2021.
Marc Topkin says Denard Span is excited for his new role as a special assistant for the Rays.
Ben Ennis & JD Bunkis interview new Blue Jays pitcher Tyler Chatwood.
Kike Hernandez is hoping to find a full time role with the Red Sox.
MLB.com on where the offseason moves for the Blue Jays puts them in the race for the AL East crown.
Jay Jaffe on the Reds signing of Sean Doolittle.
People Magazine wrote an article on the newly named Burlington Sock Puppets of the Appalachian League.
Rob Biertempfel wonders: who is the next face of the franchise for the Pirates?
FutureSox takes a look at the top middle infield prospects for the White Sox.
Martin Gallegos on how the AL West stacks up at catcher. Mandy Bell does the same with the AL Central.
RHP Dylan Cease is tightening his belt for a 2021 rebound.
A Podcast For The Drive Home
On a new edition of his podcast, Keith Law chats with Adam Macko and answers some questions on his top 100 prospect rankings.
Random Baseball Rewind
God bless and have a good evening!