MLB 2022-2023 hot stove

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The Rockies made the signing of Profar official overnight, announcing that he has signed a one year deal. The Rockies put LHP Lucas Gilbreath on the 60 day injured list to create roster space for Profar.

 

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A bit of a surprise move from Atlanta, who announced that INF Vaughn Grissom will be optioned to Triple-A to open the season, meaning that the vacant shortstop job will go to Orlando Arcia to open the season, after Dansby Swanson joined the Cubs in the off-season. Arcia played more of a utility role for the Braves in 2022, hitting .244/.316/.416 in 2022. This will be the first time since 2019 that Arcia has played shortstop on a full-time basis, having spent the last few seasons across the infield.

 

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The Philadelphia Phillies have acquired Jordan Qsar from the Tampa Bay Rays, according to USA Today. The Phillies are sending cash considerations to the Rays in exchange for the outfielder. Qsar was selected by the Rays in the 25th round of the 2018 draft. He spent 2022 between Double-A and Triple-A, playing 102 games at both levels combined. In his 411 plate appearances, Qsar hit 17 home runs, struck out 38.2% of the time and walked 10.7% of the time. His combined slash line was .227/.321/.452.

Qsar was part of the Spring Training camp for the Rays but struggled badly, striking out 14 times in 31 at-bats, and he slashed just .192/.323/.192.

Qsar has played all three outfield positions in the minors and will be used as a depth piece by the Phillies, who will miss Bryce Harper until mid-season due to Tommy John surgery, and will likely start Brandon Marsh in centre, with Kyle Schwarber and Nick Castellanos at left and right field respectively.

 

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One of the feel-good stories from 2022, Mark Appel, has been released by the Phillies after struggling during Spring Training. Appel was taken first overall by the Houston Astros in the 2013 draft and was traded to the Phillies in 2016 in exchange for Ken Giles. He walked away from the game after battling injuries in 2017, but worked on a comeback to the sport in 2021. He found his groove in 2022, pitching to a 1.61 ERA in Triple-A through the end of June and earning a all-up at the end of that month. He made six appearances for the Phillies, resulting in a 1.74 ERA in 10 1/3 innings. However, elbow inflammation curtailed his fairy-tale story and he ended the season on the IL.

After the season, the Phillies outrighted him off the roster but he signed a minor league deal with them. Unfortunately, his results in Spring Training have been poor, giving up seven earned runs in 5 2/3 innings for an ERA of 11.12 in Spring Training.

 

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The Cleveland Guardians announced that they have signed RHP Jhon Romero to a minor league contract. He has reported to the Guardians' minor league camp. Romero, a reliever, has previously appeared in the MLB with the Nationals in 2021 and the Twins in 2022, but has pitched a combined total of nine innings for the two teams in the MLB, with a 4.00 ERA. Romero made the Twins' opening day roster in 2022 but was put on the IL due to biceps tendinitis. He was outrighted by the Twins off the roster at the end of the season and elected minor league free agency.

 

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The Cincinnati Reds have announced that they have released LHP Daniel Norris, who was in camp on a minor league deal. He had a poor Spring Training, giving up five earned runs in 6 2/3 innings of work, allowing 12 hits, walking seven more and hitting three batters.

 

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The Oakland Athletics have signed veteran catcher Carlos Perez to a minor league contract to bolster the catcher depth given that former Atlanta Brave catcher Manny Pina is expected to open the season on the IL after injuring his wrist. Only Shea Langeliers (also a former Brave, who was acquired by Oakland as part of the Matt Olson trade last off-season) will be a healthy catcher on the 40-man roster, with Yohel Pozo the only other catcher in camp to have MLB experience (he played 21 games for the Rangers in 2021).

 

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A number of veteran players will have an opportunity to opt out of their minor league deals with various clubs, thanks to provisions under the collective bargaining agreement made last year. By club:

• Los Angeles Angels: RHP Chris Devenski
• Atlanta Braves: IF Ehire Adrianza, OF Kevin Pillar and RHP Jesse Chavez
• Milwaukee Brewers: OF Tyler Naquin
• Los Angeles Dodgers: OF Jason Heyward
• San Francisco Giants: C Roberto Perez and RHP Joe Ross
• Seattle Mariners: OF Kole Calhoun
• Miami Marlins: IF Yuli Gurriel and IF Jose Iglesias
• New York Mets: RHP Tommy Hunter
• Washington Nationals: RHP Chad Kuhl, RHP Alex Colome and LHP Sean Doolittle
• San Diego Padres: IF Rougned Odor and RHP Craig Stammen (earlier this month, Stammen revealed that he suffered a torn capsule in his right shoulder and strained sub scapula, and he is likely to never pitch again)
• Pittsburgh Pirates: C Kevin Plawecki
• Texas Rangers: C Sandy Leon, LHP Danny Duffy and RHP Ian Kennedy
• Tampa Bay Rays: IF/OF Charlie Culberson and OF Ben Gamel
• Cincinnati Reds: OF Chad Pinder, RHP Chase Anderson and RHP Hunter Strickland
• Colorado Rockies: IF Mike Moustakas
• Kansas City Royals: OF Jackie Bradley Jr and IF Matt Duffy
• Detroit Tigers: IF Cesar Hernandez and RHP Trevor Rosenthal
• Minnesota Twins: RHP Aaron Sanchez
• Chicago White Sox: IF Hanser Alberto and OF Billy Hamilton

 

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The Houston Astros confirmed that 2B Jose Altuve has undergone surgery to repair his broken thumb suffered during the WBC (thanks Daniel Bard!). He is slated to miss at least two months before Altuve can resume baseball activities.

 

[RPCB]

If we doesn’t get the 5th rotation spot, I don’t know what to say.

 

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Philadelphia Phillies have been dealt a blow with first baseman Rhys Hoskins requiring ACL repair surgery after tearing his ACL fielding a ground ball in a Spring Training game overnight. It has not been confirmed when Hoskins will have the surgery or how long Hoskins will require to recover.

Rhys Hoskins suffers torn ACL in Phillies' spring game

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins suffered a torn ACL in his left knee during Thursday's spring training game against the Detroit Tigers, the team announced.

www.espn.com

 

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The Atlanta Braves announced that RHP Michael Soroka has been optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett after suffering a hamstring injury during Spring Training. Who fills the fifth starter role with the Braves is yet to be determined, with management seemingly required to choose between prospects Jared Shuster and Dylan Dodd.

Braves notes: Jared Shuster passes biggest test yet, Brandon Gaudin debuts in booth

www.ajc.com

 

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The Phillies acquired INF Esteban Quiroz from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for cash. Quiroz has been assigned to minor league camp by the Phillies. He primarily played second base for the Cubs in Triple-A, although he also has played third base and the outfield corners. He was outrighted by the Cubs off their 40-man roster at the end of November 2022, and had signed a minor league contract that allowed him to participate in Spring Training as a non-roster invitee. The Phillies will be Quiroz's fifth organisation in six years.

 

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The Detroit Tigers have signed LHP Jose Alvarez to a minor league contract. He will not pitch this season, having under gone Tommy John surgery. The Tigers will manage his recovery and rehabilitation with an eye towards seeing him return to professional baseball in 2024.

Detroit Tigers sign injured reliever José Álvarez, who's rehabbing from Tommy John surgery

The Detroit Tigers signed reliever José Álvarez, a 10-year MLB veteran, to a minor-league contract. He underwent Tommy John surgery in September 2022.

www.freep.com

 

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The Dodgers have announced that outfielders James Outman and Jason Heyward will make the Opening Day roster, according to their manager Dave Roberts. The Dodgers will need to make a move on the 40-man roster to add Heyward, but that will be accomplished by putting shortstop Gavin Lux on the 60 day IL.

 

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Well-travelled second baseman Jed Lowrie has announced his retirement after 15 seasons in the MLB. Lowrie was the 45th overall draft pick of the Red Sox in 2005, making his debut in the MLB in 2008 with the Red Sox. He spent parts of four seasons with Boston before being traded to Houston as part of the package for Mark Melancon. The Astros subsequently traded Lowrie to the Athletics in 2009, in exchange for Brad Peacock, Chris Carter and Max Stassi. Lowrie played two years with Oakland in his first stint there, before going back to Houston as a free agent. A year later, he was again traded to Oakland, spending another three seasons with the Athletics, including an All-Star season in 2018 where he hit 23 home runs.

Lowrie signed with the Mets but only played nine games in total over two seasons thanks to persistent knee issues. He signed one final deal with Oakland in 2022, but played only 50 games.

In total, Lowrie spent parts of seven seasons with the Athletics, four seasons with the Red Sox, two with the Astros and two with the Mets. His career slash line is .257/.330/.406 with 121 home runs, 292 doubles, 17 triples, 590 runs scored, 594 runs batted in and eight stolen bases. He made an All-Star team and reached the postseason in six of the 15 seasons in the MLB.

Jed Lowrie announces retirement, reflects on 7 years with A’s

Jed Lowrie, who spent half his 14-year major-league career with the Oakland Athletics...

www.sfchronicle.com

 

[RPCB]

So good! Another player that we won’t try to sign.

 

[largebus]

So good! Another player that we tried to sign.

Not many pitchers available next winter so he'll a huge deal

 

[RPCB]

Not many pitchers available next winter so he'll a huge deal

Yeah, that’s going to be pretty massive. I reckon over $250 million.

 

[FreoRicci]

Not sure if mentioned. Mitch Nuenborn signs for Philadelphia. Great news for the Australian. He was pretty decent at the WBC.

 

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The St Louis Cardinals have signed RHP Miles Mikolas to a 2-year contract extension which adds $40 million in guarantees and potential award bonuses. Mikolas was in line to earn $15.75 million this season, the final of a four-year extension signed in 2019. The new deal adds money up front. Mikolas will receive a $5 million signing bonus to be paid by 1 July and will see his 2023 salary increased to $18.75 million. He then earns $16 million in each of 2024 and 2025.

Cardinals sign pitcher Miles Mikolas to $55.75M, 3-year deal

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Miles Mikolas is sticking with the St. Louis Cardinals. The right-hander signed a $55.75 million, three-year contract on Friday that will carry through the 2025 season.

apnews.com

 

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The Cincinnati Reds have acquired Will Benson from the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for OF Justin Boyd and LHP Steve Hajjar. The Guardians chose Benson with the 14th overall pick in the 2016 draft out of a Georgia high school. He's listed at 6'5" and 230 pounds. He moved slowly through the minor leagues, only reaching Double-A in the 2021 season (partly because of the cancellation of the 2020 minor league season through COVID-19). Benson did well enough to earn a brief look at Triple-A at the end of the 2021 season, but he struggled with the jump in 2021. He improved significantly in 2022, hitting .278/.426/.522 with 17 home runs in 401 plate appearances, as well as an 18.7% walk rate. Benson made his MLB debut for the Guardians in August 2022, hitting .182/.250/.200 in 28 games, with three walks and 19 strikeouts over his first 61 plate appearances. He has experience at all three outfield positions, but is considered best suited for right field given his size and above average power.

 

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The Yankees look to be down yet another starting pitcher option with RHP Luis Severino probably headed to the 15-day injured list due to a lower-grade lat strain (according to Aaron Boone). He joins Carlos Rodon and Frankie Montas to open the season injured.

 

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The Los Angeles Angels announced on the weekend that they have released OF Luis Barrera and RHP Nash Walters from their minor league contracts. RHP Chris Devenski had the option of opting out of his minor league contract, but has chosen to report to the Angels' Triple-A club after being informed by the Angels that he would not make the opening day roster. Devenski still has opt-outs under the terms of his contract on 1 May and 1 June if he is not added to the 26-man roster by either of those dates.

 

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The Cincinnati Reds announced on the weekend that RHP Hunter Strickland has been released, reportedly after Strickland decided to exercise his opt-out after being informed he would not make the opening day roster for the Reds.