Evening Update - 2/9/2021
More info on the protocols for the 2021 season, the Mets are interested in Justin Turner, & more.
Good evening.
It’s February 9th, 2021, and here’s everything that happened in baseball from 9:00 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST.
What You Missed While Working
More news today from the MLB/MLBPA health and safety protocols agreement for the 2021 season:
Players will be strongly encouraged, but not required, to get the COVID-19 vaccination when it becomes available to their demographic.
There’s a ton of good info from Ken Rosenthal’s latest piece. From Rosenthal:
By 12:00 PM ET on Opening Day, each club must submit a 26-player Opening Day roster, as well as a list of up to 28 players that will be assigned either to the Class AAA affiliate or Alternate Training Site. Any player on a major-league Injured List who does not remain with the club also will be assigned to the Alternate Training Site but will not count against the 28-player maximum.
The total number of players that may be invited to spring training for each club is subject to approval by MLB, but no club may invite or accommodate more than 75 players and 75 staff at their complex(es). Despite these limits, clubs should continue to utilize all available space and facilities at their spring-training locations to prevent overcrowding and allow for enhanced physical distancing, where possible.
The entire article is worthy of perusal and gives us a great idea of what next season will look like.
Everything Else
The Mets are interested in 3B Justin Turner, per Ken Rosenthal, but the two sides are not matching up as far as dollars and years. Rosenthal notes Milwaukee is also interested, but a return to the Dodgers is still most likely.
OF Adam Duvall and the Marlins have agreed to a one year, $4.5 million deal, per Jon Heyman. Duvall hit .237/.301/.532 last season with Atlanta. He was an All-Star in 2016 with the Reds.
LHP Jake McGee will sign a two year, $7 million contract with the Giants, says Robert Murray.
RHP Jordan Zimmermann has signed a minor league deal with a spring training invite with the Brewers.
Jon Heyman reports INF Jonathan Villar will sign with the Mets for $3.55 million plus incentives.
2B Phil Gosselin signed a minor league deal with a spring training invite with the Angels, per Fabian Ardaya. Gosselin has an 80 ERA+ over eight seasons in the majors.
RHP JT Chargois agreed to a minor league deal with a spring training invite, the team announced.
The Cardinals’ one year, $9 million deal with Yadier Molina is now official.
Chris Archer’s one year, $6.5 million deal with the Rays is now official.
OF Albert Almora Jr’s deal with the Mets will be for $1.5 million plus incentives, says Jon Heyman.
The Dodgers have inquired about Marlins 1B/OF Garrett Cooper, per Craig Mish.
Dee Strange-Gordon’s deal with the Reds will be for $1.2 million plus incentives if he makes the major league club, says Jon Heyman.
The Tigers are talking to 1B Renato Núñez about a minor-league deal, reports Cody Stavenhagen. He was designated for assignment by Baltimore in November.
The Round Rock Express signed a 10-year Professional Development License with the Rangers, officially becoming the club’s AAA affiliate once again. Round Rock, owned in part by HOFer Nolan Ryan, began in 2000 as the AA affiliate with the Astros, moved to AAA in 2005, became affiliated with the Rangers in 2011, then back to the Astros in 2019, and will now be with the Rangers for presumably the next ten years.
Speaking of Round Rock, it seems Rangers top 3B prospect will begin the 2021 season there, per Levi Weaver.
INF Greg Garcia has signed a minor league deal with the Tigers, per Jon Heyman.
Evening Reading
You can view highlights of Yadier Molina’s press conference here.
Joelle Milholm on what the future of the Rockies looks like for 2022 and beyond.
Anthony Castrovince ranks MLB’s top tandems.
Dane Dunning has “nothing but respect” for the White Sox, writes Scott Merkin. Dunning was traded to Texas in the deal that landed Chicago Lance Lynn.
Jay Jaffe says it’s greener pastures for Albert Almora Jr. & Juan Lagares. But…
Bill Plunkett previews the Dodgers’ outfielders and catchers.
Jeff Fletcher previews the Angels’ infielders.
RJ Anderson on the four best under-the-radar moves of the offseason.
Michael Claire on Minnie Minoso’s amazing seven-decade career.
Roch Kubatko wonders if Ashton Goudeau should get more attention as pitching alternative for the Orioles.
Kevin Goldstein on the arbitration clown show.
MLB.com predicts who will win the AL Central.
A Podcast For The Drive Home
The Pitcher List podcast started their breakdown of the top 100 pitchers in baseball with #s 1-10.
Random Baseball Rewind
God bless and have a good evening!