Seth Vigdor
It’s that time of the year where we start to hear rumors and see deals get done in Major League Baseball. We’re a month removed from the Kansas City Royals defeating the New York Mets in the World Series in five games. The Mets had one hell of a run this year, led by their outstanding pitching. In the end, the Royals were too much for the Mets.
Can the Royals go back-to-back this year? It’ll probably be really tough, as I fully expect the competition to only get tougher. This should be one of the better offseasons that we’ve seen in a while. Let’s take a look at some of the news, rumors and moves that have dominated the headlines over the past week.
Things started off with a bang, with the Tigers getting a solid pitcher.
BREAKING: Jordan Zimmermann, Tigers reportedly reach 5-yr, $110 mil deal, pending physical. https://t.co/Ek87fyL41d pic.twitter.com/813AtKE4wU
— ESPN (@espn) November 29, 2015
As a Phillies fan and being in the same division as the Nationals – I love this move by the Tigers.
Zimmerman also has some juicy incentives in his contract.
jordan zimmermann gets 500K for CY Young or MVP, 200K for 2nd, 100K for 3rd. also AS, GG, lcs, WS incentives. #tigers
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 2, 2015
However, the Red Sox upped the ante big time, when they made a splash landing perhaps the best pitcher available in free-agency.
#RedSox in agreement with David Price. 7 years and $217 million. Story on @BGlobeSports: https://t.co/uambYduqBK
— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) December 1, 2015
Wow! Every few years, the Red Sox go all in for a chance to get back to the World Series. This may be one of those years. They overpaid big time in my opinion, but sometimes you have to do what you have to do to get what you want. This deal sent shockwaves throughout MLB. Another pitcher that is thrilled to see this deal is Zack Grienke. Grienke has dollar signs in his eyes now because he knows he’s going to get paid big time.
Price’s $31M AAV might not be record for long. Greinke’s deal also could come soon. #Dodgers vs. #SFGiants, 5- or 6-year deal expected.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 1, 2015
Will it be the Dodgers or Giants? Stay tuned.
More pitchers that may be on the move after Grienke signs are:
Once Greinke signs, class of FA SPs still will be deep: Cueto, Chen, Lackey, Samardzija, Leake, Iwakuma, Gallardo, Kazmir, Kennedy, etc.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 2, 2015
As for premiere hitters, there’s already been a trade between the Mariners and Orioles.
The Orioles have acquired OF/1B Mark Trumbo and LHP C.J. Riefenhauser from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for C Steve Clevenger.
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) December 2, 2015
And the Mets are looking to improve upon their hitting, in hopes of getting back to the World Series.
The Mets continue to look at Dexter Fowler as a possibility for their outfield. Ben Zobrist is their focus at the moment.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 2, 2015
But, the Mets will have some competition for Ben Zobrist.
In Phillies Hot Stove news, they’re looking to do some wheeling and dealing as well.
#Astros and #Phillies recently discussed Ken Giles. #Phillies brought up Lance McCullers and Vincent Velasquez, sources say.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) December 2, 2015
I love Giles, but if the Phillies are going to suck for years to come, it may be best for business to see what they can get for Giles.
Philadelphia also claimed Peter Bourjos from the Cardinals.
#Phillies have avoided arbitration with INF Andres Blanco and OF Peter Bourjos, agreeing to 1-year contracts with both players.
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) December 2, 2015
In some coaching news, there are some familiar faces from the steroid era that are and could be joining some teams to become hitting coaches.
Can confirm report by @BNightengale that Bonds is likely to become one of #Marlins’ two hitting coaches.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 1, 2015
The #Padres announce 2016 coaching staff: https://t.co/KHlMS4pKPq
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) December 2, 2015
Mark McGwire joins the Padres as their hitting coach, leaving the Dodgers in the process. From the press release:
McGwire, 52, joins the Padres coaching staff after spending the past three seasons as hitting coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Under his guidance over the past three seasons (2013-15) the Dodgers have posted the seventh-best average in the Majors and third-best in the National League, hitting .260 over that stretch. Prior to his tenure in Los Angeles he served in the same capacity for the St. Louis Cardinals for three seasons (2010-12), with the Cardinals posting the best batting average in the National League over that stretch while also winning a World Series title in 2011. Originally signed by the Oakland Athletics as a first-round selection (10th overall) in the 1984 First-Year Player Draft, the 12-time All-Star hit .263 (1626-6187) with 252 doubles, six triples, 583 home runs, 1414 RBI and 1167 runs scored over 16 Major League seasons with the Athletics (1986-97) and Cardinals (1997-2001). His 583 career home runs currently rank 10th-most all-time in Major League history, including a career-high 70 home runs in 1998, breaking Roger Maris’ single-season home run record of 61 home runs set in 1961. The former first baseman also took home 1987 Rookie of the Year honors with the A’s as well as three career Louisville Silver Slugger awards and one career Rawlings Gold Glove award.
They forgot to include steroid user, but I digress.
Be sure to stay tuned to PhillyInfluencer.com for all of your latest MLB Hot Stove news and rumors.
Going out tonight? Why not make JD McGillicuddys in Manayunk your destination!? Lions/Packers & Quizzo start at 8:30 followed by Sean Brace DJ’ing to close down the night! Great specials and the best Thursday night crowd in the area!
