MLB 2022-2023 hot stove

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The New York Mets signed RHP Dylan Bundy to a minor league deal. Bundy last pitched in 2022 with the Twins, having made 29 starts for Minnesota, pitching to a 4.89 ERA, with a 15.8% strikeout rate and a 34% ground ball rate.

 

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The Toronto Blue Jays released RHP Jay Jackson from his minor league deal. His contract included a clause that required the Jays to release him on 25 March if he was not going to make the major league roster.

In addition, RHP Kyle Crick has opted out of his minor league contract with the Jays.

 

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Former Padre and National, Luke Voit has opted out of his minor league deal with the Brewers. Though Voit is now a free agent, it is possible that the Brewers will re-sign him to a major league deal in the next few days.

 

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The Giants have confirmed that veteran catcher Roberto Perez will make their opening-day roster. He is currently not on the Giants' 40 man roster, so a move will need to be made to open up a spot for Perez to be added to the roster. Perez had the right under his minor league contract to opt-out if he was not part of the Giants' MLB roster.

 

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The Padres will likely send Robert Suarez to the IL with arm stiffness and joint inflammation. The RHP has not pitched since 12 March and despite an MRI not revealing any structural damage, the Padres are treating his situation with some caution, having not put a timeframe on his eventual return to pitching. If he opens the season on the IL, then the earliest Suarez could return would be 7 April.

 

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Mike Moustakas has told reporters that he has been informed by the Rockies that he will make their opening day-roster. He signed with the Rockies after being released by the Reds earlier in the off-season. Moustakas is still owed $22 million by the Reds on his contract, so the Rockies are only required to pay him the veteran minimum salary of $720,000.

 

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The Cardinals have informed reporters that they intend to select the contract of top prospect Jordan Walker to add him to the opening day roster. Since Walker is not on the 40-man roster, a corresponding move will need to be made by the Cardinals. It appears that Walker will skip Triple-A and head to the big show direct from Double-A. Walker's natural position of third base is currently occupied by Nolan Arenado, so it's likely that Walker will see action in the outfield, as the DH and off the bench.

 

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OF Kole Colhoun has exercised the opt-out clause in his minor league contract with the Mariners.

 

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The Seattle Mariners have returned Rule 5 Draft selection RHP Chris Clarke to the Cubs.

 

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The Oakland Athletics have signed RHP Jeurys Familia to a major league contract after being released only a day before by the Diamondbacks from his minor league contract. This represents the second time that Familia has pitched for the Athletics, having previously pitched for the A's in 2018 after joining on a deadline day trade from the Mets. Familia pitched to a 3.45 ERA in 31 1/3 innings and helped the A's reach the 2018 wild card game. The A's placed LHP Kirby Snead on the 60-day IL to open a spot on the 40-man roster for Familia.

 

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Sergio Romo suited up for the Giants one last time to pitch in relief against the A's in an exhibition game at Oracle Park today. Romo pitched for a number of teams during his 15 seasons in the bigs, but he's most associated with the Giants, since he won three rings with San Francisco. Here's a tweet from MLB paying tribute to Romo and the final time he's relieved.

 

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The Boston Red Sox announced to reporters that they have reassigned catcher Jorge Alfaro to minor league camp while infielder Bobby Dalbec has been optioned. This seems to open the path for catcher Connor Wong and infielder Yu Chang to make the opening day roster as depth pieces. Alfaro turns 30 in June, and signed a minor league deal with the Red Sox during the off-season. Reese McGuire and Wong are the only two catchers on the roster and Wong suffered a hamstring strain that kept him out of early Spring Training activities. However, Wong has recovered and is assured a spot on the Opening Day roster.

Alfaro reportedly has an "upward mobility clause" in his contract with the Red Sox, which compels the Red Sox to contact all 29 other teams to see if they are interested in giving the Colombian catcher a shot. Assuming that the Red Sox complied with this obligation, it appears that none of the other clubs have expressed an interest in Alfaro, and he will open the season at Triple-A Worcester. Alfaro has opt-out triggers at 1 June and 1 July during the season.

 

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The Detroit Tigers have acquired infielder Zach McKinstry from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for RHP Carlos Guzman. In order to make room on their roster, the Tigers recalled Freddy Pacheco and put him on the 60-day IL. McKinstry was traded to the Cubs by the Dodgers in 2022 in exchange for Chris Martin. McKinstry hit .206/.272/.361 in 171 plate appearances after the trade, and he's a career .208/.269/.384 in 364 plate appearances at MLB level. He'll likely slot in for the Tigers as a left-handed bench option who can play just about anywhere on the field.

In exchange, the Cubs have acquired a prospect who has never pitched above Double-A, and only has an inning and a third of experience at Double-A. Guzman pitched to a combined 4.11 ERA, striking out 20.6% of opponents faced, with a 7.8% walk rate and a 42.8% ground-ball rate. Guzman signed with the Tigers as a 16 year old out of Venezuela in 2015 and has not been ranked among the Tigers' better prospects. He was Rule 5 draft-eligible in December but was not selected.

 

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The Washington Nationals are in agreement to sign utility man Chad Pinder on a minor league deal. Pinder turns 31 tomorrow and had been in Spring Training with the Reds on a minor league deal after being released by the Athletics at the end of last season. Pinder had the option to opt-out of his deal with the Reds, but was released before the option materialised. Pinder hit .242/.294/.417 during his time in the MLB with the A's, and he has experience in every position on the diamond except catcher.

 

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Highly regarded pitching prospect of the Baltimore Orioles, Grayson Rodriguez, will not be part of the Orioles' starting rotation, at least on Opening Day. He will start the season in Triple-A. Rodriguez is a former first round draft pick, having been picked 11th overall by the Orioles in 2018. He was regarded by Baseball America as a top-10 prospect in the league, regardless of position, in 2021 and 2022. He seemed on track to make his MLB debut in 2022, but suffered a lat strain in June that kept him out of action until September. He was added to the 40-man roster in November to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. However, his Spring Training results have not been promising, as he's pitched to a 7.04 ERA in five starts, allowing 17 hits and seven walks in 15 1/3 innings. He did strike out 19 batters, but it wasn't enough to give him a position in the rotation. For the time being, Rodriguez still remains on the Orioles' 40 man roster.

Grayson Rodriguez sent down; Orioles say he’s not ready for big leagues

The Orioles don’t plan to include top pitching prospect Grayson Rodriguez on the opening day roster, two sources with direct knowledge of the situation told The Baltimore Banner, putting off the right-hander’s long-awaited debut with Baltimore.

www.thebaltimorebanner.com

 

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The Milwaukee Brewers have announced that they have signed first baseman Luke Voit to a one-year contract, with a club option for 2024. The deal is a major league deal. It comes after Voit had opted out of his minor league deal with the Brewers a little while ago. The gambit evidently paid off for Voit, who will now be with the Brewers on a major league deal.

To make room for Voit on the roster, the Brewers designated infielder Keston Hiura for assignment. Hiura started his MLB career with a bang in 2019, hitting 19 home runs in just 84 games. While he maintained his power at the plate, his strike out rate has continued to climb. In 2022, he hit 14 home runs but struck out at 41.7%. He was also out of options.

The Brewers now have a week to trade Hiura or pass him through waivers.

 

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The New York Mets have designated first baseman and outfielder Darin Ruf for assignment, allowing non-roster invitee Tim Locastro (previously from the Yankees) to make the opening day roster for the Mets. Ruf was acquired by the Mets in a deadline day trade from the Giants in exchange for JD Davis and three prospects. Unfortunately for Ruf and the Mets, he struggled badly at the plate, hitting just .152/.216/.197 in 28 games. Ruf has a guaranteed salary of $3 million in 2023 and a club option for $3.5 million in 2024 that comes with a $500,000 buyout. The Mets now have seven days to try to arrange a trade for Ruf in order to reduce the salary the Mets are required to pay to Ruf this season.

Mets give up on Darin Ruf after disastrous run with team

The Mets have accepted failure with their trade for Darin Ruf by designating the righty hitter for assignment, The Post has learned.

nypost.com

 

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I didn't realise at the time of posting the tweet, but Sergio Romo is relieved by his former teammate, Hunter Pence. This is also as wholesome as you're going to get in most professional sports: