MLB Hot Stove 2023-2024

[FreoRicci]

LA Dodgers will got 120-42, make divisional series and lose.

Because they still have ****ing Dave Roberts as manager. Game 4, Yamamoto is taken out after 4.1 innings to be replaced and the next pitcher subsequently rocked for 5+ runs. It’s Roberts special. Cannot manage in playoffs.

 

[FreoRicci]

Seeing as the Yankees lost the “evil empire” tag years ago, someone had to take up the mantle.

Would still root for Dodgers over Yankees. **** NY

 

[RPCB]

Would still root for Dodgers over Yankees. * NY

I don’t actually hate what the Dodgers are doing. If only most clubs didn’t have cheap owners.

 

[Great8]

Hate the buggers but good on them

 

[RPCB]

With the Twins making a move today for the major league roster, the Cubs are now the only team to have not made any transaction resulting in adding a player to the ML roster. Congratulations Jed Hoyer, you did it. You waited out the entire league.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

Usually the hot stove cools down between Christmas and New Year's, as the MLB prioritises spending time with family and friends over making deals. However, there have been a few deals made over this normally quiet time.

The Minnesota Twins last week agreed to a minor league contract with veteran utility man Niko Goodrum (a usually reliable man to draft in your Battle Royale cards in MLB the Show). Goodrum entered professional baseball with the Twins back in the 2010 draft and made his MLB debut for the Twins in 2017, but hit just 1-for-17 in his cup of coffee with the Twins before being released. He subsequently signed with Detroit and spent four profitable seasons with the Tigers, but his last two seasons in Detroit weren't spectacular. He went to Houston, then Boston before ending up in the KBO in 2023.

Transactions

The Official Site of Major League Baseball

www.mlb.com

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The Los Angeles Angels last week claimed 1B Alfonso Rivas off waivers from the Guardians after Cleveland designated him for assignment. Rivas took the last available spot on the Angels' 40-man roster. Rivas was designated for assignment when Cleveland made their signing of catcher Austin Hedges official. Rivas has previously played in the MLB for the Cubs, Padres and Pirates.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The San Diego Padres announced on Friday that they had claimed RHP Luis Patino off waivers from the White Sox who had designated him for assignment earlier in the week. Patino was originally signed as an international free agent by the Padres and was traded to Tampa Bay in 2020 as part of the package for Blake Snell after Patino had made his MLB debut for the Padres at the age of 20.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The Detroit Tigers have continued to build their pitching depth, having agreed to a one-year contract with an option for 2025 with RHP Shelby Miller. Miller made 36 appearances (35 in relief) for the Dodgers with an ERA of 1.71. According to the Tigers' official announcement, Miller will earn a guaranteed $3 million in 2024, and the club option for 2025 is worth $4.25 million with a buyout of $250,000. Miller can also earn $1.175 million in incentives, based on the number of games pitched, and also whether he serves as the Tigers' closer. There are also incentives tied to the value of the club option, based on the number of games pitched and the number of games closed by Miller.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

To open a spot on their 40-man roster for Miller, the Tigers designated catcher Donny Sands for assignment. Sands was acquired by the Tigers as part of the Gregory Soto-Matt Vierling trade last year. Sands did not hit well in Triple-A for the Tigers and consequently did not play in an MLB game for the Tigers in 2023.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The Los Angeles Angels have signed catcher Francisco Mejia to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training. Mejia had 160 plate appearances for the Rays in 2023, hitting .227/.258/.400. He was put on the IL in July with a MCL strain and once he was healthy, the Rays designated him for assignment. He accepted his assignment to keep his salary ($2.155 million) and elected free agency at the end of the season.

Mejia was signed by Cleveland in the 2012 season and was traded by Cleveland to the Padres in exchange for relievers Brad Hand and Adam Cimber. Mejia was the Padres' backup to Austin Hedges but was optioned to Triple-A at the end of the 2020 season. He was traded by the Padres to the Rays in December 2020 as part of the package for Blake Snell.

Mejia will have to compete with Matt Thaiss for the backup catcher role with the Angels, with Logan O'Hoppe set to open the season as the starting catcher.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The Washington Nationals ahve signed first baseman Lewin Diaz to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training. Diaz was an international free agent signing by the Twins in 2014 and was traded by the Twins to the Marlins in exchange for Sergio Romo in 2019. Diaz made his MLB debut in 2020 with the Marlins, playing in 14 games and hitting .154/.195/.205 with a wRC+ of just 9 across his first 41 plate appearances in the majors.

The Marlins kept Diaz as a bench bat for the next two seasons, accruing 302 plate appearances in 98 games between 2021-2022, hitting a combined .217/.270/.518 in 89 plate appearances against right handed pitching, but just .164/.224/.288 with a wRC+ of 44 in 174 plate appearances against left handed pitching.

Diaz was designated for assignment last off-season and went through a number of clubs before settling with Baltimore. However, he didn't add to his MLB appearances with the Orioles in 2023.

He will compete with incumbent Joey Meneses for the right to start at first base with the Nationals during Spring Training.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The Boston Red Sox have signed catcher Mark Kolozsvary to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training. Kolozsvary has played in 10 MLB games with the Reds in 2022 and one game with the Orioles in 2023. He was designated for assignment by Baltimore after his sole appearance and ended up on the Twins on a minor league deal.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

After missing out on pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Phillies are reportedly prioritising agreeing a contract extension with staff ace Zack Wheeler, who enters the final year of his current contract in 2024.

Phils maintain offseason plan after missing on Yamamoto

PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies said they took their best shot at signing a Japanese superstar. News broke late Thursday night that right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto reportedly agreed to a record-setting 12-year, $325 million contract with the Dodgers. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave...

www.mlb.com

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The Los Angeles Angels have re-signed catcher Chad Wallach to a minor league contract. It is not known whether the contract includes an invitation to Spring Training, but it is likely to do so. Wallach's signing follows the signing of Francisco Mejia.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The Minnesota Twins ahve signed RHP A.J. Alexy to a minor league contract, but it is not clear whether Alexy will receive an invitation to Spring Training. Alexy was drafted by the Dodgers in the 2016 draft and was traded to the Rangers in exchange for Yu Darvish.

Alexy made his MLB debut in 2021 with the Rangers, making five appearances and pitching 23 innings for an ERA of 4.70. However, he struggled in 2022, walking more batters than he managed to strike out and also allowed nine runs on ten hits in seven innings. He also managed just a 5.91 ERA in 96 innings in the minors for the Rangers. He was designated for assignment in December 2022, and he bounced between clubs before ending up on the White Sox before being designated for assignment in July 2023, and not signing with any other MLB club until now.

A.J. Alexy Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News

A.J. Alexy Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News

www.mlb.com

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The Toronto Blue Jays are in agreement with a contract on RHP Paolo Espino. It is not known whether it is a major or minor league deal, but it is expected to be a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training. Espino commenced his professional baseball career in 2006 when he was drafted by Cleveland in the 10th round of that year's draft. It took him more than 10 years to make his MLB debut, doing so with the Brewers in the 2017 season. Espino also has pitched for the Rangers and Nationals.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The San Diego Padres have signed LHP Yuki Matsui to a five-year contract. According to reports, Matsui will receive a guaranteed $28 million over the term of the contract, which includes opt-outs after the third and fourth seasons, together with an injury clause that can convert the fifth year of the contract into a club option worth $7 million if Matsui suffers a "serious" elbow injury at any time during the term of the contract.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The Seattle Mariners are in agreement on a two-year contract with catcher/designated hitter Mitch Garver, worth $24 million. The contract was pending a physical. Cal Raleigh remains the starting catcher for the Mariners, but Garver gives the Mariners some power as designated hitter, while also providing them with an alternative at catcher (though it is likely that former White Sox player Seby Zavala will be the primary backup to Raleigh as catcher).

Garver won a World Series ring with the Rangers in 2023, hitting .270/.370/.500 with 19 homeruns in 344 plate appearances in the regular season, and then hit .226/.317/.434 with three homeruns in the post season.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The Texas Rangers have signed RHP Diego Castillo to a minor league contract. It is not known whether Castillo will receive an invitation to Spring Training.

Castillo made his MLB debut with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2018, and earned himself a role as a middle reliever with a 3.30 ERA and 3.53 FIP in 125 1/3 innings across 108 appearances in 2018-2019. He took his game to a new level in 2020, posting a 1.66 ERA in 21 2/3 innings of work in the COVID-shortened season, and between 2020-2022, he posted a 2.95 ERA.

However, with his new club Seattle, the 2023 season was a disaster for Castillo, being smacked for an ERA of 6.23 in 8 2/3 innings of work for the Mariners, which resulted him being outrighted off the major league roster in May. His struggles continued in the minor league, posting an ERA of 5.13 in 47 1/3 innings pitched in Triple-A. He became a minor league free agent in October.

The Rangers are looking to rebuild their bullpen with Aroldis Chapman, Will Smith and Chris Stratton all departing in free agency.

Diego Castillo Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News

Diego Castillo Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News

www.mlb.com

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed infielder Jonathan Arauz to a minor league deal. It is not clear on whether Arauz will be invited to Spring Training. Arauz has previously been part of the Phillies, the Astros, the Red Sox, the Orioles and the Mets.

Jonathan Araúz Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News

Jonathan Araúz Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News

www.mlb.com

 

[Dixie Flatline]

According to an official announcement released by the Cincinnati Reds, they have signed outfielder Conner Capel to a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training. Capel has previously played for the Cardinals and the Athletics.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The New York Mets have signed RHP Chad Smith to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training. Smith made his MLB debut with the Rockies before being acquired by the Athletics last off-season. Smith has a career 7.11 ERA at the highest level, but induced ground balls at a 55.2% rate in his limited time in the majors and has problems with walks, allowing batters free passes at a rate of 15% so far. The A's outrighted him off their roster at the beginning of the off-season.

Sunday's Transactions

BASEBALL Major League Baseball National League NEW YORK METS — Agreed to terms with RHP Chad Smith on a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training.

apnews.com

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The Yankees and Guardians are in agreement on a trade that sends OF Estevan Florial to Cleveland in exchange for RHP Cody Morris. Florial was signed by the Yankees out of the Dominican Republic in 2015. He made his MLB debut for the Yankees in 2020 and has 48 career MLB appearances.

The Guardians selected Cody Morris in the 2018 draft and he made his MLB debut in 2022, where he performed well in seven appearances (five starts). Morris opened the 2023 season on the IL but returned to action in June, where he struggled in six relief appearances with an ERA of 6.75 in eight innings pitched.

 

[Dixie Flatline]

The Toronto Blue Jays are in agreement with centre fielder Kevin Kiermaier on a one-year contract, reportedly worth at least $10.5 million, with additional incentives available to Kiermaier. He was drafted by the Rays in the 31st round of the 2010 draft and made his MLB debut in 2013 before becoming the Rays' every-day centre fielder in early 2014 and remaining in that role for nine seasons as an excellent defender while hitting .248/.308/.408 in his time with the Rays. He signed with the Blue Jays last off-season during his first time in free agency and managed a 104 wRC+ in 129 games played.