Latest news and rumors: Harper, Cervelli, La Stella traded and more |
Cubs 2019 Opening Day: 119 days.
BREAKING: Tommy La Stella traded to Angels for cash or a player to be named later. Cubs’ 40-man roster now at 39. With the addition of Ronald Torreyes yesterday, there is speculation that Torreyes will be used as the Cubs primary backup infielder. Cubs: Sources telling Patrick Mooney that the Cubs plan on naming Terrmel Sledge as assistant hitting coach. Sledge worked in the Cubs’ farm system (2015) and as a Double-A hitting coach for the Dodgers from 2016-2018. Cubs: While the Cubs still entertain the idea of signing a veteran backup catcher to help mentor Willson Contreras, two more have entered the market as trade possibilities: Francisco Cervelli (PIT) and Russell Martin of the Blue Jays. Bruce Levine: According to Bruce Levine from WSCR-AM and 670 The Score: the Cubs are looking to add another infielder with the versatility. Cubs looking to add another infielder with versatility to play multiple spots . Free agent list likely place to find one .
Patrick Corbin: The FA LHP continues his east coast tour today with a visit to the Yankees. Corbin has already met with the Nationals and Phillies this week. Bryce Harper: An interesting tweet by ESPN’s Buster Olney this morning, stating that there is an increased likelihood, according to insiders, that Harper remains with the Nationals. Baseball execs are baseball fans at heart, and they wonder, too, about where Bryce Harper and Manny Machado will sign. Most common guesses -- informed speculation -- that I've heard from folks within the game: Machado to the Phillies, Harper back to the Nationals.
Franmil Reyes: The Padres OF is set to undergo knee surgery for a torn meniscus in his right knee and is expected to be down 6-8 weeks. San Diego expects him to be ready in time for spring training. Garrett Richards: Both the Dodgers and Padres are pursuing the 30-year-old, free-agent, right-hander, and Los Angeles is now said to be making a push. Angels: Following their acquisition of Tommy La Stella, the Angels released OF Jabari Blash. Athletics: Oakland has unveiled plans for a new stadium, touted as “baseball’s version of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon,” seating 34k fans. The team says it hopes to break ground in 2021 and open the ballpark in time for the 2023 season. Brewers: Reports say there’s a strong possibility that the Brewers may choose to make second-baseman Jonathon Schoop a non-tendered player, which would propel him into free-agency this Friday. Teams interested in Schoop now must wonder if they should expedite making a trade for him, or whether they should chance rolling the dice in free-agency. Schoop is projected to earn $10.1M through arbitration this off-season. Indians: Cleveland is rumored to be in talks with the Dodgers that could send a starter to LA (Kluber, Bauer or Carrasco). Mariners/Mets: MLB columnist Jeff Passan reporting that “There is significant momentum toward a deal that would send Robinson Cano and Edwin Díaz from the Seattle Mariners to the New York Mets, league sources tell Yahoo Sports. While they characterize a deal as not done yet, there is an increasing expectation a trade will get finished. A few things could stand in the way of a Canó/Díaz-to-the-Mets deal. The Mariners have not yet approached Canó asking him to waive his no-trade clause, sources tell Yahoo Sports. Still, if there is a deal in place, Canó is expected to agree to it, according to sources.” For the Mariners, two former first-round Mets’ draft picks are being discussed as trade pieces: OF Jarred Kelenic, 6th overall in 2018, and RHP Justin Dunn, 19th overall in 2016. Mets’ Infielder Jeff McNeil has also been mentioned as a possible trade candidate. Mariners: Seattle acquired LHP Ricardo Sanchez from the Braves for cash. Atlanta designated the 21-year-old southpaw for assignment on Monday. Orioles: Baltimore snatched up former A’s RHP Josh Lucas and signed him to a minor league contract. Padres: San Diego has reached a two-year agreement with free-agent RHP Garrett Richards. Richards will miss 2019 due to Tommy John surgery, but the Padres are banking on him for 2020. Reds: Follow the bouncing ball… The Reds today claimed 1B/OF Jordan Patterson off waivers from the Mets, who just last week claimed him off waivers from the Rockies. Cincinnati is also being reported to have “serious interest” in former Astros’ starter, Dallas Keuchel. Royals: KC has avoided arbitration with LHP Brian Flynn. The two sides have agreed to a one-year, $800k contract. Reminder: Tomorrow is the deadline for players to be tendered a contract or be launched into free-agency. Stay tuned to CubsHQ, as I’m assuming it will be a busy day for news.
