Business

MLB rumors: Dodgers, Yankees search depth after accidents; Cubs taking a look at relievers; Rangers signal veteran lefty

9 months ago 3 min read

We’re every week into the exhibition schedule and Opening Day is lower than a month away. Groups will spend the following a number of weeks getting ready for the common season and finalizing their rosters. Trades and free-agent signings will occur earlier than Opening Day. Take it to the financial institution. Listed below are the newest rumblings.

Dodgers exploring upgrades following Lux harm

Within the wake of Gavin Lux’s season-ending knee harm, the Dodgers are exploring potential upgrades, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman instructed the Orange Nation Register. In the intervening time, Los Angeles will slot Miguel Rojas in at shortstop with Chris Taylor the backup plan. Right here’s what Friedman stated in regards to the membership’s curiosity in outdoors additions:

“It’s troublesome. It’s not essentially the most pure time to make a commerce,” Friedman stated. “So we’ll spend extra time determining what’s attainable. We’re unsure at this level and we’re attempting to wrap our arms across the numerous profiles of a participant and the way it could match. There’s been a domino impact of how guys are actually going to spend time and what positions they’re going to play and what that opens up and ensuring our bench has the best stability. These are all issues we’re going to spend time entering into extra element on.”

We examined the Dodgers’ choices following Lux’s harm earlier this week. There’s not a lot obtainable in free company and the commerce market turns up names like Paul DeJong (Cardinals), Isiah Kiner-Falefa (Yankees), and Taylor Partitions (Rays). Friedman shouldn’t be the kind to make a knee-jerk transfer after an harm. The Dodgers would possibly follow Rojas and anticipate the market to develop in the summertime.

Yankees in search of catching depth

The Yankees need to add to their catching depth, particularly a veteran with MLB expertise, reports Newsday. New York has misplaced Josh Breaux (elbow) and Ben Rortvedt (aneurysm), their two Triple-A catchers, to accidents this spring. Austin Wells, their high catching prospect, has a damaged rib as nicely. He was anticipated to start the season in Double-A after which transfer as much as Triple-A.

Former Yankee Gary Sánchez and veteran Robinson Chirinos are the one notable catchers obtainable in free company. Chirinos performed final 12 months with the Orioles and spent a while with New York’s Triple-A affiliate in 2021. The commerce market doesn’t have a lot to supply past journeymen catchers like Sandy Leon (Rangers), Chad Wallach (Angels), and Tony Wolters (Twins).

Cubs contemplating lefty relievers

The Cubs are contemplating free-agent relievers, president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer instructed The Athletic. Chicago signed 9 gamers to MLB contracts this offseason, together with relievers Brad Boxberger and Michael Fulmer. Right here’s what Hoyer stated in regards to the crew’s bullpen search:

“There are nonetheless free brokers on the market, so I wouldn’t be shocked if we introduced somebody in,” Hoyer stated. “(Our professional scouting) group is all the time working. We’re typically finished. But when somebody got here into camp, I wouldn’t be shocked, simply because there are some gamers on the market, particularly some relievers.”

The Athletic mentions veteran lefties Zack Britton, Brad Hand and Mike Minor as gamers of curiosity. FanGraphs estimates the crew’s aggressive stability tax payroll at $225 million, not far underneath the $230 million threshold. That ought to be sufficient to signal a veteran reliever, although it wouldn’t depart a lot for in-season additions if the Cubs need to keep underneath the edge.

Rangers signal Smith

The Rangers have signed lefty reliever Will Smith to a one-year contract, the crew introduced. It’s a $1.5 million assure with one other $2.5 million in potential bonuses, reports the New York Post. Smith and new Rangers supervisor Bruce Bochy have been along with the Giants from 2016-19. The 33-year-old southpaw break up final season between the Braves and Astros. Smith didn’t pitch within the World Sequence for Houston and he was left off their ALDS and ALCS rosters totally.