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The Major League Baseball non-submission deadline was Wednesday and here’s a full list of players who have been cut. We also covered the 10 most intriguing names that have joined the pool of free agencies. You’d think the so-called hot stove would actually heat up now, but there are several reasons why things will stay slow, one of them being the MLB foot drag when it comes to knowing whether DH will be used or not in the Netherlands. next season.
Either way, we’re making an effort to collect rumors that we can here on the third day of December.
Yankees in touch with Brantley
According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Yankees have contacted free agent outfielder Michael Brantley. The qualifier is that the Yanks would likely go ahead with a serious pursuit from Brantley in the event free agent second baseman DJ LeMahieu signs elsewhere. The need for more southpaw pop in LeMahieu’s absence could lead Brian Cashman and the Yanks to Brantley.
As for Brantley, the 33-year-old four-time All-Star has relaunched his career quite well. After the 2017 season, it looked like Brantley’s career might indeed be over due to a long string of serious injuries. Since the start of the 2018 season, however, Brantley has put in a .309 / .368 / .484 (125 OPS +) line while remaining generally healthy and averaging 22 homers and 44 doubles for 162. matches played. Needless to say, the Yankees could use a bat like that, and removing it from the Astros’ clutches would be just gravy.
Obviously, the Yankees’ priority will be to re-sign LeMahieu, and there seems to be a mutual interest in doing something. The uncertain market, however, may lead to uncertain results, and the Yankees are wisely preparing for the possibility of outbidding LeMahieu.
Mets focuses on McCann
The Mets are in “active talks” with free agent wide receiver James McCann, according to Robert Murray of Fansided, who mentions that it is “increasingly likely” that McCann will get a four-year contract. Several reports from the previous weeks said the Mets were targeting McCann on top free agent receiver JT Realmuto.
The previous assumption was that it would be a very difficult market for free agents outside of elite names like Realmuto and George Springer. McCann getting a four-year contract would appear to be a coup for the 30-year backstop. In 2018, McCann was mostly just a no-hitting wide receiver, but he broke through with a great first half in 2019 and then hit well in his part-time action in 2020 with the White Sox.
In 2019-20 combined, McCann hit .276 / .334 / .474 (114 OPS +) with 29 doubles, 25 homers and 75 RBIs in 149 games. If he did something like that every season, he would be a great signing. It’s just that in 601 career games he’s a .249 / .300 / .394 hitter. Maybe he’s really exploited something in the last couple of seasons.
Red Sox interested in Rosario
Twins’ unsubmitted power bat Eddie Rosario Wednesday and Jon Morosi of MLB.com reports there is interest from the Red Sox. Now, as Morosi notes in a subsequent tweet, after losing elite defenders Mookie Betts and Jackie Bradley from the outfield in recent years, it could take several moves to make it achievable. Someone (Andrew Benintendi) would need to deal with the tough Fenway Park right field, which would also mean moving Alex Verdugo to the daily central pitch position.
Perhaps an addition of Rosario would be part of several Red Sox moves in the roster shuffle.
Either way, Rosario at Fenway would be nice. In the past four seasons, he has beaten .493 with an average of 162 games of 34 doubles and 33 homers.
Marlins looking for help with bullpen
The top priority for the Marlins this offseason, according to new general manager Kim Ng, is the addition of bullpen assist (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald). Closer Brandon Kintzler with Brad Boxberger and Nick Vincent are among the Marlins who pitched significant boxing innings last season and have since hit free agency.
Ng’s first trade since his takeover was to secure the right Adam Cimber from Cleveland, but the job is far from over for Ng and his front office. Yimi Garcia takes a closer look as it’s possible James Hoyt and Richard Bleier may hold late-inning roles, but depth certainly needs to be addressed if the Marlins are to return to the playoffs.
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