Morning Update - 2/8/2021
Marcell Ozuna is returning to Atlanta, Mike Fiers is returning to Oakland, & more.
Good morning.
It’s February 8th, 2021 and here’s everything that happened in the world of baseball from 5:00 PM EST Friday to 9:00 AM EST today.
The Most Important Thing
Everything Else
The Rangers are trading DH/OF Khris Davis to the Athletics for SS Elvis Andrus, reports Ken Rosenthal. The full trade: SS Elvis Andrus, C Aramis Garcia and cash considerations to the Athletics; DH Khris Davis, C Jonah Heim and RHP Dane Acker to the Rangers.
RHP Mike Fiers and the Athletics agreed to a one year, $3.5 million deal, says Ken Rosenthal. Fiers posted a 4.58 ERA over 59 innings with Oakland last season.
OF Albert Almora Jr has agreed to a deal with the Mets, per Ken Rosenthal. Almora has spent his entire career with the Cubs, hitting .271/.309/.398 over five seasons.
Albert Almora’s addition doesn’t necessarily mean the Mets are out on Jackie Bradley Jr, per Mike Puma.
Andy Martino reports the Mets have interest in RHP Jake Arrieta. He also notes “Not as much Paxton. Not Odorizzi or Walker.”
SS/2B Dee Strange-Gordon has agreed to a minor league deal with the Reds, per Kiley McDaniel.
Alex Anthopolous told reporters that Marcell Ozuna will be their everyday left fielder.
Anthopolous also told MLB Network Radio (relayed by Grant McCauley) that RHP Mike Soroka has been throwing bullpen sessions at Truist Park His arm should be ready for Spring Training but the team may place him on the injured list to start the season in order to make sure his Achilles is 100%.
Japanese reliever Hirokazu Sawamura and the Red Sox are progressing toward a major league deal, reports Chris Cotillo.
The Blue Jays have interest in utilityman Marwin Gonzalez, reports Shi Davidi.
Ken Rosenthal reports teams are interested in trading for Indians third baseman José Ramírez, but Cleveland is not interested in moving him.
More from Rosenthal: “Free-agent closer Ken Giles, who is expected to miss the entire 2021 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery last Sept. 30, might wait until May or June before signing a new contract and could even postpone the decision until October.”
The Cubs re-signed LHP Andrew Chafin to a one-year, $2.75 million contract.
To make room for Ozuna, the Braves designated OF Kyle Garlick for assignment.
The Cubs deals with OF Joc Pederson (one year, $7 million) and RHP Trevor Williams (one year, $2.5 million) became official.
#1 overall pick 3B Spencer Torkelson was invited to the Tigers’ spring training camp.
RHP Joakim Soria’s deal with the Diamondbacks is now official. One year, $3.5 million.
To make room for Soria, the Diamondbacks designated LHP Taylor Guilbeau for assignment.
LHP Chase Shreven has agreed to a minor league deal with a spring training invite, reports Jeff Passan. Shreven will make $1.5 million if he makes the big league club.
OF Juan Lagares has signed a minor league deal with the Angels.
A’s GM David Forst says the team is targeting relievers and the team is “doing our shopping a little bit late.”
The Reds will sign SS Jonathan Villar to a one year minor league deal.
LHP Cody Reedy has been throwing bullpen sessions after a “mysterious pinky finger injury,” reports Marc Topkin. More from Topkin’s story: LHP Shane McClanahan and LHP Ryan Yarbrough have also been throwing off the mound.
Jon Heyman says the Mets are “still shopping” and are specifically looking for starting pitching and more depth.
The Cubs designated INF Max Schrock for assignment.
SS Carlos Correa and the Astros settled for $11.7 million to avoid arbitration, per Jon Heyman. Astros GM James Click says Correa and the team are working toward a long-term extension.
Shin Soo-Choo has been working out at 1B with the goal of increasing his versatility, per Robert Murray.
The Tigers designated OF Travis Demeritte for assignment.
LHP Travis Blackley announced his retirement.
Yoenis Cespedes has hired the Magnus agency to represent him, per Jon Heyman.
Posts With Your Toast
Buster Olney on how the MLB may still end up with expanded playoffs in 2021. Please no!
Alex Coffey with a quick breakdown of the Elvis Adrus/Khris Davis trade. David Schoenfield on why the two teams made the unusual deal.
Patrick Saunders on what Dick Monfort’s phone call with a fan tells us about the Rockies.
Joel Sherman writes Trevor Bauer signing with the Dodgers shows how wide the gap is between the Dodgers and the Mets.
David Laurila says Garrett Richards has elite spin, but his sinker may hold the key to his success.
Learning more about new Oriole Jahmai Jones from his high school coach.
Matt Martell details the possible trickle-down effect of Trevor Bauer's deal with the Dodgers.
Paul Hoynes on who will start at 1B and RF for the Indians.
Mark Polishuk wonders who will be the last top-50 free agent to sign.
Nathan Hursh on falling down a baseball rabbit hole. This was a fun one.
Random Baseball Rewind
Game one of the 1954 World Series was playing on MLB Network Radio during the Super Bowl last night, so I thought I’d share that one this morning.
Foul Tips
Peter Dreier has a suggestion for a new team name for Cleveland: The Satchels.
Heartbreaking news: ESPN reporter and huge baseball fan Pedro Gomez has passed away unexpectedly at the young age of 58. Prayers to his family. RIP.
God bless and good day!