Tuesday is the deadline for teams and their arbitrators to submit payroll figures. In a normal offseason, the vast majority of players sign contracts before the application deadline. However, this is an unusually low season and we can see more players submitting salary figures. We often also see long-term extensions signed before the application deadline, just like Ryan McMahon’s new deal with the Rockies. Here are Tuesday’s hot stove rumors as the deadline for filing arbitration approaches.
The Dodgers have signed veteran Kevin Pillar on a minor league contract, the team announced. He will be in spring training in major leagues as a non-guard invited. The Dodgers are pretty well put in the field with AJ Pollock, Cody Bellinger and Mookie Betts, plus Chris Taylor can also play out.
Pillar, 33, spent last season with the Mets and going to camp with the Dodgers allows him to show himself to other teams, if nothing else. His central defense is no longer elite, as it was at his prime, although he remains a skilled defender with double-digit home power. Pillar can still help a club as a fourth or fifth outfielder.
D-Backs sign Davies
Diamondbacks have signed veteran Zach Davies on a one-year contract. reports Jon Heyman from MLB Network. The deal could pay him up to $ 4.5 million. Davies struggled badly with the Cubs last season after coming over as part of the Yu Darvish deal with the Padres. However, he is a good bet on taking the ball 30 times and there is value in eating innings.
Arizona’s fifth starting spot behind Madison Bumgarner, Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly and Luke Weaver was pretty open on the way into camp. Tyler Gilbert and Corbin Martin were the frontrunners for the job, but now Davies is hitting them down a stick on the depth chart, allowing the rebuilding D-Backs not to push any young pitchers harder than they should. Davies could also settle into merchant chip status by the deadline.
The Yankees prepare presentation to referee
The Yankees are preparing a “long-term presentation” for Aaron Judge regarding a contract extension, reports Joel Sherman from New York Post. It will be delivered next week. Judge is eligible to become a free agent after 2022, and he has said he will not discuss an extension after the opening day, which is only two weeks away. Here’s what the judge said New York Post‘s Dan Martin last week:
“If we are able to talk and get something done in the spring training before the season starts, it would be ideal, especially as this is an important year,” the referee said in his first comments this spring. “We’ve got a lot of things to focus on over the course of the year, winning a division and winning a championship here in New York. I don’t want contract negotiations or extensions and all that talk to be a distraction all the time. So if we can agree on something this spring before we head up to New York, it’s wonderful and it would be an honor. If not, we’ll talk after the season. ”
The referee, 30 next month, finished in fourth place in the AL MVP poll last season and has performed at an MVP level every time he has been on the field, although injuries have been an issue at times. He is expected to earn $ 18 million or so through arbitration this season. Kris Bryant’s $ 182 million deal with the Rockies suggests Judge could secure a $ 200 million guarantee.
Yankees, Padres checked in on Contreras
The Yankees and Padres were among the teams that checked in on Cubs catcher Willson Contreras in recent weeks, reports Bruce Levine of 670 The Score. Prior to the lockout, it was reported that the Cubs would make Contreras, a future free agent, available if the two sides could not agree on a contract extension. He still does not have a long-term deal. Here’s what Contreras told Levine:
“Baseball is a business and it’s something I learned from seeing the guys last year and what they went through,” Contreras said. “Everyone can be moved or exchanged. No one is indispensable. You have to go in and do your work every day. The rest takes care of itself.”
Contreras, May 30, is one of the most striking catchers in baseball. Chicago signed Yan Gomes to a two-year contract to serve as catch depth, though top prospect Miguel Amaya will miss part of the season following Tommy John’s surgery. Catchers are always in demand, so Contreras will undoubtedly have suitors by the trade deadline if the Cubs hang on to him and are out of the postseason race.
Angels interested in Manaea, Montas
Angels are among the teams with an interest in athletics starters Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas, according to The Athletics Ken Rosenthal. The Twins, Red Sox, White Sox and Yankees have been linked with Manaea and / or Montas since the lockout. Oakland is beginning a rebuild and Manaea and Montas are their best remaining trade chips. Manaea will be a free agent after 2022. Montas is under team control through 2023.
Earlier this offseason, angels Noah Syndergaard and Michael Lorenzen contracted to increase their rotation, and they have also invested in their bullpen. However, there is always room for improvement, and both Manaea and Montas would represent a significant addition to an Angels team that has only been to the offseason once in Mike Trout’s 10 full seasons. This is a bidding war for A’s two hurlers, so it’s a must to get rid of quality prospects.
The Blue Jays are interested in Gardner
The Blue Jays are among the teams expressing interest in free agent outfielder Brett Gardner, according to Erik Boland from Newsday. Gardner, however, continues to hope the Yankees will give him an offer.
Gardner, who turns 39 by August, has spent his entire career in New York. Last season was one of the worst of his career as he collected 90 OPS + in 461 trips to the record. The Yankees recently signed outfielder Tim Locastro to a big-league deal, suggesting they may not have room for another outfielder on their roster, other than an injury in the late spring. It is unclear if or when Gardner would become more willing to join another team.