Latest news and rumors: More Harper-hype, Caratini showing offense in PR and more |
Limited Hot Stove stuff today due to the holiday week, but hang in there, it’s coming. With only six days left in 2018, and just three months left until Opening Day, things are bound to start happening, and when they do, they’ll happen fast.
Cubs’ news and notes Cubs’ 2019 Opening Day: 91 days. Kendall Graveman: The Cubs’ have announced LHP Kendall Graveman’s incentives package for 2019. In addition to his salary of $575k, Graveman can earn an additional $100k for 15 starts, 18 starts, 21 starts, 23 starts and 25 starts. Total incentives and salary could be worth a total of $2.5M for 2019. While enticing, this could be a tall order for the left-hander who is currently recovering from Tommy John surgery. The thing I find most interesting is that the Cubs are incentivizing him for starts in 2019- but… I thought the rotation set for 2019? The team appears to be preparing for a breakdown in the rotation somewhere, and I think “Yu” might know who it is that they’re expecting to falter. Victor Caratini: The Cubs’ backup backstop is having quite the winter in the Puerto Rican league. Currently, Caratini is slashing .387 with two home runs and 6 RBI in eleven games. Job Opening: Wanna break into baseball? The South Bend Cubs are looking for a Visiting Clubhouse Manager for the 2019 season. Must have previous experience in a similar environment. APPLY HERE: https://buff.ly/2PYzmpf Latest news and rumors from around the league Bryce Harper: Speculation about Harper going to Los Angeles had already increased to a feverish pitch with Yasiel Puig and Matt Kemp getting traded to the Reds, and now fans are convinced that Harper will be a Dodger in 2019 based on a social media post. Why do you ask? Oh, because Harper liked a social media post liking a post about being a Dodger. Give me a break… I’m so over hearing the name “Bryce Harper” at this point that it isn’t even funny. Yes, Harper is talented, and yes, Harper will be an asset to whatever team he signs with, but I’m beginning to feel a little like Jan Brady here. Instead of whimpering “Marcia, Marcia, Marcia,” I begin whining, “Harper, Harper, Harper, every time I hear his name. Please, Lord, let him decide where he will sign in the next week, and let’s end this lunacy. Manny Machado: “Dear Manny, please see above. While I’m not quite as sick of hearing your name as I am Harper’s, the two of you are draining my patience. I’d like to see teams, especially the Cubs, signing players, and you two have everything bottle-necked. Good luck, whether it be New York, Philadelphia, or the south-side of Chicago. Here’s my pen, there’s your choice of three dotted-lines. Please choose one and sign.” KBO: Former Angels’ infielder, Jose Miguel Fernandez has agreed to a deal with the Doosan Bears of the Korean Baseball Organization. He’ll receive a $50K signing bonus, a $300K base salary and another $350K worth of incentives, giving him the opportunity to earn up to a total of $700K on the deal. Angels: Angels GM, Billy Eppler, said following the signings of Trevor Cahill, Matt Harvey, and Parker Bridwell, that the team is “getting to an area that provides a lot more comfort than [they] had even a week ago.” Cardinals: St. Louis is looking for a trade partner for their second best hitter of 2018- Jose Martinez. With the addition of Paul Goldschmidt, Martinez is now a man without a position, and the Cards are looking to deal him. Martinez slashed .309/.372/.478 for 2018 and is controllable until after the 2022 season. Padres: Padres are discussing a trade with Cleveland to involve Corey Kluber and MLB level players from the Padres (Renfroe, Hodges, and Margot have been mentioned). The Dodgers, Phillies, Brewers, and Reds are also showing interest in Kluber. Tigers: Detroit now said “to be determined” to deal 3B/RF Nick Castellanos. Castellanos is coming off his best offensive season ever, having slashed .298/.354/.500 in 2018.
