With the World Series firmly in the rearview mirror, Major League Baseball now turns to its offseason. With General Manager meetings quickly approaching, teams are already exploring ways to improve their clubs, whether that be via trade or free agency. As teams prepare for this “second season,” let’s take a look at news from around the league:
Comments Not Received Well By MLBPA
For years now, there has been turmoil between MLB owners and the MLB Player’s Association, as teams are seemingly less willing to spend big bucks in free agency, with many teams looking to rebuild the slow, uncompetitive way as opposed to trying to put a competitive team on the field. For the MLBPA, Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos’ recent comments did not help ease the tensions.
Anthopoulos essentially said that he has been in contact with most other clubs to get an idea of what they are going to do in free agency and who might be available in trades. While those comments seem innocent enough on the surface, the MLBPA argues that it shows signs of collusion, where the owners are talking free agents in advance, possibly trying to drive prices down.
In response, the MLBPA has opened an investigation and will likely look to try to prove how this shows signs of collusion against its players. After having some players like Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel not get signed until well into last season, baseball definitely has an issue with ensuring that free agents get signed to fair and equitable deals.
With collective bargaining being not too far into the future, these types of issues certainly will not help.
Braves Make Moves
Speaking of the Braves, they did make several moves earlier this week on the free-agent front. The National League East champs re-signed reliever Darren O’Day to a $2.25 million contract with a possible $3.5 million in a club option for an additional season. The Braves also re-signed catcher Tyler Flowers to a $4 million deal and outfielder Nick Markakis to a one-year, $4 million deal.
O’Day was limited due to injuries and only pitched 5 1/3 innings this season, going 0-0 with a 1.69 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and striking out six across eight games.
Flowers hit .229/.319/.413 with 11 home runs, 34 runs batted in and 36 runs scored from the catcher position. Lastly, Markakis hit .285/.356/.420 with nine home runs, 62 runs batted in and 61 runs scored in 414 at-bats last season.
Qualifying Offers
The qualifying offer this year is set at $17.8 million, and 10 players have been tagged with qualifying offers leading into free agency. The 10 players include Jose Abreu (White Sox), Madison Bumgarner (Giants), Gerrit Cole (Astros), Jake Odorizzi (Braves), Marcell Ozuna (Cardinals), Anthony Rendon and Stephen Strasburg (Nationals), Will Smith (Giants), and Zack Wheeler (Mets).
While a few may ultimately re-sign with their original teams (possibly Abreu, Strasburg, Ozuna, Rendon), others will most likely look to find richer deals elsewhere. For those that do decide to go elsewhere, as long as they sign before next year’s draft, they will net their former teams a compensatory draft pick.
Cardinals Extend Several
In light of a season that saw them get to the National League Championship Series, the St. Louis Cardinals have extended a handful of their management team. The Cardinals have given extensions to John Mozeliak (president of baseball operations), Mike Girsch (general manager) and Mike Schildt (manager). In addition, the rest of Schildt’s coaching staff will be returning as well.
In addition to extending these individuals, it appears that they are already negotiating with starting pitcher Adam Wainwright for a return to St. Louis. The 38-year-old veteran went 14-10 this season with a 4.19 ERA, 1.427 WHIP and struck out 153 over the course of 31 games and 171 2/3 innings pitched. The veteran that has known nowhere else but St. Louis through his career appears likely to rejoin the Cardinals for another campaign in 2020.
Ryan Cuts Ties With Astros
It has been a pretty bad month or so for the Houston Astros from a public relations standpoint. First, there was the issue with former assistant general manager Brandon Taubman antagonizing a reporter during their American League Championship Series celebration in regards to closer Roberto Osuna and the topic of domestic violence.
Next, after having one of the best records at home, they lost the World Series after being unable to win a single game at home, and now, it appears that one of their most beloved former players is done with them.
Nolan Ryan has said that he is ending his relationship with the Astros. While he did not give a specific reason, one can infer that it actually has to do with his son, Reid Ryan. His son had served as the Astros’ President since 2013, but he has since been reassigned to Executive Advisor of Business Relations.
While owner Jim Crane has said it is to give him the opportunity to focus on some of his other business ventures, it is seen as a demotion in favor of Crane’s son, who will essentially be taking over the position. While corporate reshuffling happens all the time, for the Astros, it appears that this one comes at the expense of not having Hall-of-Famer Ryan in their corner anymore.
