MLBits: Swihart Traded to Diamondbacks, deGrom Elbow Barking, Anderson Suspended
I know, Friday night MLBits from Brett. Weird. But a trio of pretty solidly newsy things developed over the course of the afternoon and evening, and I thought it worth getting in front of you …
- The Red Sox were ultimately able to trade DFA’d catcher Blake Swihart, and although he’s coming to Chicago, it’s only because his new team is currently playing the Cubs. The Diamondbacks gave up a semi-legit prospect for Swihart, but also got some IFA bonus money in the deal:
The #RedSox have acquired #Dbacks No. 20 prospect Marcus Wilson in exchange for Blake Swihart and international bonus pool money.
Here's the scouting report on the 22-year-old outfielder, who was the @Dbacks' No. 69 overall pick in the 2014 #MLBDraft: https://t.co/J6rGI0Qrom pic.twitter.com/Xuur0aoOJj
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) April 19, 2019
- Interestingly, the Diamondbacks already have three catchers on their 25-man roster – Carson Kelly, John Ryan Murphy, and Caleb Joseph – so it would not at all be a surprise to see the Diamondbacks try to move out one of those three now. Sure, they *could* carry all four, given Swihart’s versatility, but that seems a stretch, even for a club with only seven in the bullpen. We’ll keep our eyes on this situation, because it could theoretically be an avenue for the Cubs to pick up catching depth – something Jed Hoyer confirmed the Cubs are still considering.
- Meanwhile, alarming news for Mets fans, I’m sure:
Jacob deGrom's elbow started "barking" after a game of catch, Mickey Callaway told reporters in St. Louis. He's heading for an MRI in New York.
— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) April 19, 2019
An update on Jacob deGrom. pic.twitter.com/gHpHAz7zOb
— New York Mets (@Mets) April 19, 2019
- It’s absolutely the case that this could be nothing and the Mets are just being cautious with the best(?) pitcher in baseball, but they haven’t exactly earned the benefit of the doubt when it comes to medical issues. If I’m a Mets fan, I’m terrified right now. As a Cubs fan, I note that the Cubs don’t face the Mets until mid-June, and – as the tweet notes – the Mets face the Brewers quite soon. I tend to think I’d be fine with deGrom returning just in time to take the ball for that Brewers series.
- MLB today handed down punishments for the White Sox-Royals fracas that broke out after Tim Anderson aggressively celebrated a homer and then took a pitch off the rump:
White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson has been suspended for one game because of language used during the benches-clearing incident with Kansas City, sources familiar with situation tell ESPN. Brad Keller, who hit Anderson with a pitch, has been suspended for five games, per sources.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 19, 2019
When MLB investigated the benches-clearing incident between the White Sox and Royals, umpires and players from both teams said Tim Anderson used a racially charged word, sources tell ESPN. Anderson received a one-game suspension from the incident, per sources.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 19, 2019
During the benches-clearing incident, White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson called Royals pitcher Brad Keller a "weak-ass f—ing n-word," sources tell ESPN. Anderson, who was hit by a Keller pitch one at-bat after he hit a home run and flipped his bat, was suspended for one game.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 19, 2019
- Although I’m glad to hear that Anderson wasn’t being suspended for his celebration, something feels off about MLB suspending a black player for using that particular term. I don’t know that it’s MLB’s place – or mine – to police the use of that term in this particular context, but Anderson is accepting the suspension and just moving on:
Anderson's post suspension comments pic.twitter.com/n5Dh7FdC0c
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) April 19, 2019
More Anderson: "I accept my suspension and it will be a good day to get some rest. Go back to the hotel and watch the guys ball out and I’ll be ready tomorrow. I’ll be back in there."
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) April 19, 2019
