Top Storylines heading into the Spring
Some agents think there have been far more free-agent disappointments this winter than success stories, a trend representatives believe will continue into next offseason because of a general erosion of the value of free agency.
The quality of next year’s free-agents will be better with pitchers like Jake Arrieta, Yu Darvish, Zach Britton, A.J. Ramos, Andrew Miller, Cody Allen and David Robertson.
Teams are treating the newly negotiated luxury tax thresholds as a hard cap, the best players in the market could find the bidding for them stifled by concerns over how much budget space clubs want to devote to individual players.
Rangers Beat Writer Evan Grant on weather Matt Bush could replace Sam Dyson as closer:
There is a great article by NIck Carfardo over at the Boston Globe on rookies who might shine in 2017, The list includes Manuel Margot, Ozzie Albers, Dansby Swanson and others. Don’t forget the old saying though…
A Rookie is a Rookie is a Rookie
We told you yesterday about Jung Ho Kang’s legal troubles, today he agreed to a voluntary treatment program, which he obviously believes might lessen any further punishment from Major League Baseball. Dont forget that because this was Kang’s third DUI, he may also face an in-person trial in Korea and could miss an ample amount of time in 2017. Stay far away.
Free Agent Travis Wood could go back to being a starter in 2017 after almost exclusively pitching out of the Cubs’ bullpen the past two seasons
Sources: Multiple teams are offering free-agent LHP Travis Wood the chance to start, if that is the route he chooses.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 4, 2017
Corey Dickerson lost 25-pounds this offseason which he believes will significantly help his performance in 2017. We all heard this one before right?
Dickerson was the Rays primary DH last season, and while he did hit 24 home runs, his AVG/OBP left a whole lot to be desired.
If the weight loss can help him get on base and help the team defensively when needed, sign me up.
In an effort to get Javier Baez playing time, he might play second base against LHP, with Ben Zobrist playing second vs RHP.
Boston’s Rusney Castillo homered and drove in three runs, helping Puerto Rico beat the Dominican Republic 10-2 on Saturday to remain in contention for the Caribbean Series.
While there is much hype about rookie Benintendi, we should keep in mind that he spent very little time in the minors, skipping Triple-A altogether and a sample size of 118 plate appearances is not big enough to know if he will be able to make the necessary adjustments when he faces a pitcher for the second or third time.
Should Andrew Benintendi struggle in 2017, Castillo would get another shot at proving himself at the major league level.
A.J. Griffin in 2016
- Over FIrst five starts – 31 IP – 8ER
- Shoulder stiffness put him on the disabled listed for over a month.
- Returned June 25 – 23 GS total – Allowed less that three earned runs 17 of 23
- Pitched at least six innings: 7 times
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