We are about a month into the season; early extensions have happened. Rumors are flying already, and some small trades and minor-league signings are happening. Teams need depth to get through the long season ahead. Let's take a look at some of the rumors that caught my eye and the deal that has been worth noting.
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The Yankees did not want to deal with Gallo, his struggles and inconsistencies, and the Padres needed some OF the depth and slugging help. The two teams took Gallo and settled on Voit.
Let's look at this a little deeper and see the two stats for both players and see if Gallo or Voit has been better. Gallo: -0.4WAR, 146/.255/.167 slash through 48AB with 0HR, 1RBI, and 7H. Voit: -0.1WAR, .143/.315/.167, 0HR, 5RBI, 6H, and 1SB through 42AB. You tell me that the Padres didn't make the wiser choice of the two. So far the Padres get a B for the player they picked and an A for the one they didn't.
One of the impending marquee FA of the 2023 SP class, we have Joe Musgrove told the Padres he is open to in-season extension talks.
Musgrove was a solid member of the Padres rotation during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. 2021 was a good season as Musgrove made 31 starts and posted a 3.18ERA/3.70FIP with 203K. Musgrove is 29 and likely in line for a $15-22MM AAV deal on the horizon. I would give an extension to Musgrove from a B to a B+ if they can make it happen.
Speaking of NL West SP who are getting paid or need to get paid, the Rockies gave SP Kyle Freeland a 5yr, $64.5MM deal.
The 28yo Freeland established himself as a good arm for the Rockies during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. In 2021, despite Coors Field's challenges, he earned through 23 starts a 4.33ERA and 4.63FIP as the Rockies continue to extend core pieces under their new management and around KB. I am giving this extension a B-.
Another transaction involved some pitchers. The Braves traded LHP Sean Newcomb to the Chicago Cubs for RHRP Jesse Chavez.
Chavez finds himself back in ATL with the Braves, where he pitched 33.2IP with a 2.14ERA/2.01FIP. Great move for the Braves to move Newcomb for an established Vet in Chavez and good more for the Cubs getting a 28yo Newcomb who needed a change of scenery. Overall, B for the Braves and C+ for the Cubs.
Lastly, the end of two pitchers' careers came to fruition. Jake Arrieta and Tony Watson both announced their retirements. Hats off to both of them on promising careers.
Finally, we have injuries sweeping through the MLB.
SP John Means of the Orioles will miss the entire 2022 as he will undergo Tommy John's surgery. Big blow for the O's as Means is the rotation's ACE and likely would have been a candidate for the CY Young award. Also, he would have carried good trade value. Sadly, this is an F- scenario for the O's.
Free Agent OF Michael Conforto underwent season-end shoulder surgery to repair his shoulder and will likely hit the open market this winter, seeking a 1-yr prove it deal to re-establish value. The move is wise for the long term for Conforto. Personally, I give him a B+ for doing this now and using the duration of the season to recover.
OF Eloy Jimenez of the White Sox will miss 6-8 weeks with a hamstring strain which is great news, and the injury initially looked like a torn hamstring or even ACL. The White Sox are counting their stars. This isn't another season-long injury for a White Sox star. The overall news is an A-, but the loss will be an A on the impact being missed.
OF Eddie Rosario is undergoing a procedure on his right eye and will miss 8-12 weeks to correct blurry vision and other problems in the eye. Suitable for Rosario, getting the eye fixed and corrected early in the season and being there for the second half of the season. Bad for the Braves as they will rely on Ozuna and Duvall to man the OF and Alex Dickerson, Guillermo Heredia, and Travis Demeritte to fill in the 3rd spot. HOWEVER, the timing of Ronald Acuna Jr.'s return from the ACL is May 7th, and the makeshift OF might not last long. The loss of Rosario may go from a B to a C-.
Lastly, the Nations owners, the Lerner Family, are "exploring" the possibility of selling the team. "Nationals owner Mark Lerner tells Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post that the team has enlisted New York-based investment bank Allen & Company to explore the possibility of selling the franchise or adding new investors/partners to the current ownership group. Lerner emphasized that the process is "exploratory" and added that there's no "set timetable or expectation of a specific outcome."(Adams, MLBTR) I would need more information and details to come for how I would grade this and potential outlook for the team with the new ownership. No grade for now.
That is all the headlines from the last few weeks; stay tuned to the blog as we have a Chasing 3K series, Extension talks, Over-Rated and underrated, more youtube, Tik Tok, and other content on the horizon.