Morning Update - 2/16/2021

Twins add pitching, the Mets add outfield depth, & more.

Feb 16, 2021

Good morning.

It’s February 16th, 2021 and here’s everything that happened in the world of baseball from 5:00 PM EST yesterday to 9:00 AM EST today.

The Most Important Thing

Jeff Passan @JeffPassan

Right-hander Matt Shoemaker and the Minnesota Twins are in agreement on a one-year, $2 million deal, pending physical, sources tell ESPN. Shoemaker, 34, can earn another $250,000 in performance bonuses.

The Twins picked up more pitching depth yesterday, signing RHP Matt Shoemaker. Last season in Toronto, Shoemaker had a 4.71 ERA in 6 starts. Since his career began in 2013, he has 3 seasons with an ERA+ over 100.

Everything Else

OF Kevin Pillar will sign with the Mets, reports Andy Martino. Pillar will get a guaranteed $5 million from the Mets, but the deal could end up as much as 2 years, $10 million.
C Robinson Chirinos will sign a minor league deal with the Yankees, per Ken Rosenthal. Chirinos split time last year between the Rangers and Mets, hitting .162/.232/.243.
RHP Blake Parker is signing a minor league deal with Cleveland, reports Jon Heyman. Heyman notes that Parker had a major league offer but still chose the Indians. Parker can make close to $2.5 million if all incentives are reached.
OF Derek Fisher has been traded from Toronto to Milwaukee, per Ben-Nicholson Smith.
The Mets have stayed in touch with RHP Trevor Rosenthal, per Mike Puma. Puma says NY is still clearly in on the reliever.
The Mets are also still interested in RHP Taijuan Walker, notes Michael Mayer.
Sweeny Murti reports the Yankees deal with LHP Justin Wilson is officially done. Wilson rejoins the Yankees after spending the 2015 season in the Bronx.
RHP Bartolo Colon has signed to play in the Mexican league. The 47-year-old big man isn’t done.

Posts With Your Toast

Bob Nightengale on the White Sox’s chase for baseball’s best closer.
Mike Puma with more on the Mets’ flirtation with Trevor Rosenthal.
Anthony Castrovince opines on baseball’s ten biggest offseason surprises.
Cody Stavenhagen with Tigers’ roster projections.
Matt Shoemaker is hoping for another comeback from injuries, writes Phil Miller.
Paul Zeise says Pittsburgh’s season can’t and won’t be measured in wins.
Barry Svrlugo on the new and improved NL East, baseball’s nastiest division.
Ten storylines to watch for Chicago’s baseball teams.

Random Baseball Rewind

National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ @baseballhall

#OTD in 1967, @Yankees ace Red Ruffing was elected to the Hall of Fame in his 15th-and-final year on the BBWAA ballot. (Forrest Yantis/National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum)

Here’s Ruffing’s SABR bio.

Foul Tips

Where it’s going to be harder to watch a minor league baseball game in 2021.

Apologies for no newsletter yesterday on the holiday. God bless and good day!

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