NEWSLETTER
I had to go off the grid briefly for a doctor’s appointment and I just knew the rumor mill would blow up while I was away. Some rumors making the rounds:
• The Mariners are not only reportedly signing top free agent starter Robbie Ray, but are also gettin’ going on positional players, like a couple familiar names:
Mariners are doing things. Looking at several other big pieces including Javier Baez and Kris Bryant (and others).
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 29, 2021
• We heard earlier today about Bryant and the Mariners, but that’s the first non-Mets/Tigers/Red Sox/Cubs team being connected publicly to Javy Báez. There have been plenty of rumors that Báez might be another guy to agree to a deal pre-CBA expiration, so stay tuned.
• Another possible pre-CBA former Cub signing:
It's possible Kyle Schwarber signs before the CBA expires Wednesday night. Tons of teams still in on him. Red Sox are believed to still be one of them.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) November 29, 2021
• The Mets have locked down their BIG arm for the offseason, as have the Blue Jays, but still want to add in the rotation:
Yusei Kikuchi is a possibility for the Mets, per sources. There’s been dialogue. This is the type of pitcher they’re looking for right now.
— Andy Martino (@martinonyc) November 29, 2021
Jays are among teams in on Yusei Kikuchi. Pitching market is obvs very strong.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 29, 2021
• Kikuchi has been speculated to the Cubs many times this offseason, though not formally rumored. I’d be intrigued and dream on the possible fixes and all that, but there are some things I don’t love about his splits.
• LOL, I mean, OK:
In an interesting twist, the Rockies would like to try to bring back Trevor Story
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 29, 2021
• If his market isn’t there, then a short-term re-up does make some sense for both sides, but it would be a big surprise given all that has come before. For now, the Cubs still figure to be a team that sits back on the shortstops and leaps only if one of them doesn’t have a deal come February and has to settle. Like it or lump it, appears to be the reality.
• To that end, more Corey Seager-Rangers heat developing. The AL West could be absurd next year – four powerhouse teams and the A’s. No wonder the A’s want to tear it all down.
AL West teams have signed Robbie Ray (Mariners), Marcus Semien, Jon Gray, Kole Calhoun (Rangers), Noah Syndergaard, Michael Lorenzen, Aaron Loup (Angels), Hector Neris & Justin Verlander (Astros) since free agency began. Oakland is the only AL West team not to sign a player yet.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) November 29, 2021
• Get this guy out of the NL Central, damn it:
The Pirates have signed outfielder Ben Gamel to a one-year, $1.8M contract with the chance to earn $100K for 450 plate appearances and $100K for 550, source tells @TheAthletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 29, 2021
• A reminder of just how loaded this free agent class was/is:
The most money ever guaranteed to free agents in one offseason came in 2019-20 with around $2.1 billion —$932M of it going to Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg, Anthony Rendon and Zack Wheeler. This winter (and spring if a lockout lasts ‘til then) is primed to smash that number.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 29, 2021
• A random thought: Increasingly, as you survey the landscape, it becomes easier to see how the Cubs might land some solid bats …. and harder to see how the Cubs might land some solid starting pitchers.
