General MLB Discussion, Winter 2023-24

[bkox]

BREAKING: Right-hander Lucas Giolito and the Boston Red Sox are in agreement on a two-year, $38.5 million contract that includes an opt-out after the first season, sources tell ESPN.

Boston lands its first big signing of the winter. The question now is: Will there be more?

— Jeff Passan ( @JeffPassan ) December 29, 2023

[BostonRoss]

Just heard on the radio that the Red Sox traded Chris Sale to the Braves for Vaughn Grissom.

[zambonir]

Is Chris Sale the last remaining major leaguer Dave Dombrowski acquired with the Red Sox?

[BostonRoss]

With the Sox, probably. There are others who have moved on from the Sox (Craig Kimbrel and Nathan Eovaldi come to mind).

[phillychuck]

Sale showed signs of regaining his form last season. His ERA was about a full point higher than his xERA and FIP, meaning he was substantially unlucky. If he stays healthy this could be quite a steal for the Braves. Big IF, though.

[Aquapong]

As a Phillies fan, I hope Sale doesn’t work out for the Braves. . His funky mechanics always made me wonder how he kept up his success.

[zambonir]

As a Phillies fan I hope Yamamoto doesn't work out either!

Nobody shops on the bargain shelf quite like the Braves. (And meanwhile the Red Sox are basically buying a prospect. $17 million on them.)

Because Sale’s extension the Red Sox contained $10MM of deferred money per season, he’ll cost the Braves merely $500K in actual salary in 2024. Even without the deferral involved, a one-year, $10.5MM deal for Sale as a free agent would’ve been a reasonable or even a slight bargain price for a pitcher with his track record.

Braves, Red Sox Trade Chris Sale For Vaughn Grissom

[BostonRoss]

Yeah, he did pitch well when he pitched, not like when he was in his prime, but definitely above average. But he averaged less than five innings per start after he returned from his latest injury. As you say, staying healthy is the big question.

[bkox]

Reports: Rays SS Wander Franco arrested in Dominican Republic for missing...

[bkox]

This might be the end of Wander Franco

Prosecutors in the Dominican Republic accused Wander Franco today of commercial sexual exploitation and money laundering following allegations of a relationship with a minor. He remains under arrest. The investigation is still ongoing.

From The AP … https://t.co/ChhghvLTsf

— Alden González ( @Alden_Gonzalez ) January 4, 2024

In this story are allegations that Tampa Bay shortstop Wander Franco paid off the mother of an underaged girl with whom Franco had a relationship. Additionally, @Martinrodriv reported, citing law enforcement documents, that the girl was 14 at the time. https://t.co/5yU8zywHDZ

— Jeff Passan ( @JeffPassan ) January 4, 2024

[zambonir]

Yeah doesn't really matter what the legal or even the MLB outcome is, he's presumably unsignable for life (and if he's convicted w/o a long sentence probably still can't work in the US again. I assume contract will be voided too).

[bkox]

Left-hander Chris Sale and the Atlanta Braves are in agreement on a contract extension. The new deal starts this season and is for two years and $38 million, with an $18 million club option for 2026. Sale's previous deal was for 2024 with an option for 2025.

Essentially, Sale gets $17-18M in new guaranteed money. He was due $27.5M — $17.5M this year, $10M deferred for 15 years — and the team held a $20M option for next year. The present value of his salary this season was in the $20-21M range. In the new deal, the Braves guarantee him $16M this year and $22M next year. Atlanta received $17M from Boston in the deal, so the cash will cover his entire salary this season.

The Braves clearly believe Sale’s performance last season portends well for his future, even as he enters his age-35 season, plus they get an extra year of control.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 4, 2024

[fish]

Left-hander Chris Sale and the Atlanta Braves are in agreement on a contract extension. The new deal starts this season and is for two years and $38 million, with an $18 million club option for 2026. Sale's previous deal was for 2024 with an option for 2025.

Essentially, Sale gets $17-18M in new guaranteed money. He was due $27.5M — $17.5M this year, $10M deferred for 15 years — and the team held a $20M option for next year. The present value of his salary this season was in the $20-21M range. In the new deal, the Braves guarantee him $16M this year and $22M next year. Atlanta received $17M from Boston in the deal, so the cash will cover his entire salary this season.

The Braves clearly believe Sale’s performance last season portends well for his future, even as he enters his age-35 season, plus they get an extra year of control.— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 4, 2024

I'm starting to appreciate the Braves active creativity this winter, though I'm sure Dombroski is working the market. I'd like to think he's dabbled in the trade market for Clase, Williams and Bednar waiting to see if anyone budges. Can't make people trade with you though.

[bkox]

Centerfielder Harrison Bader and the New York Mets are in agreement on a one-year, $10.5 million contract, a source tells ESPN. @martinonyc was on the news.

— Jeff Passan ( @JeffPassan ) January 4, 2024

[Docs]

Looks like every media outlet picked up the Trevor Bauer apology tour yesterday, does he have a market?

[bkox]

BREAKING: The San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners are in agreement on a trade that will send former Cy Young winner Robbie Ray to the Giants for outfielder Mitch Haniger and right-hander Anthony DeSclafani, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN.

Robbie Ray is coming off Tommy John surgery and is owed $73M over the last three years of his contract, though he has an opt-out after the 2024 season. He's expected to return after the All-Star break. Mitch Haniger, a longtime Mariner who left for San Francisco in free agency last year, heads back with two years and $32.5M left on his deal -- and also has an opt-out after '24. DeSclafani is in the final year of his contract and has $12 million remaining.

— Jeff Passan ( @JeffPassan ) January 5, 2024

[bkox]

The trade that will send outfielder Luke Raley to the Seattle Mariners and infielder José Caballero to the Tampa Bay Rays is done, a source tells ESPN. Raley joins the Mariners' outfield mix, and Caballero is in play to start at shortstop for Rays. @Ken_Rosenthal was on the news.

— Jeff Passan ( @JeffPassan ) January 5, 2024

Source confirms: Cardinals working to acquire RHP Andre Kittredge from Rays for OF Richie Palacios. Kittredge returned from Tommy John surgery in August and held opponents to a .683 OPS in 14 outings. Palacios had an .823 OPS in 102 PAs after 8/18 promotion. On it: @JoelSherman1

— Ken Rosenthal ( @Ken_Rosenthal ) January 5, 2024

[fish]

Shivers went up my back when I saw that Kenley Jansen is on the market. Man if that doesn’t sound like a Kimbrel/Knebel/Robertson move.

[phillychuck]

Good shivers or bad shivers?

[zambonir]

I'm not sure any of those were bad moves though. Knebel was disappointing but had started to come around before he got hurt, and Robertson replaced him. Kimbrel was actually good, especially at the price. But I wouldn't want to pay Jansen's salary ($16 million) nor give up much to get the Red Sox to pay half. Plenty of free agents still out there (including Robertson ha).

I would also like to think the Phillies understand that Kimbrel's preference for closing was not a great fit for them. He answered the bell when Alvarado got hurt and Seranthoy wasn't effective but I doubt they are actively seeking a 9th-inning guy