While talk surrounding the top remaining MLB free agents has reached a sort of stalemate (why hasn't anyone signed Dexter Fowler yet?!?!?), we've still got plenty to discuss with under three weeks until pitchers and catchers report. Here's our MLB Rumors Roundup For January 30th.
Under The Radar
Today's biggest news was the five-player swap between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Milwaukee Brewers, with the big names changing uniforms being shortstop Jean Segura (to Arizona) and second baseman Aaron Hill (to Milwaukee).
However, there was an overlooked deal today which could prove extremely fruitful during the upcoming 2016 campaign -- the Kansas City Royals' signing of 28-year-old outfielder Travis Snider to a minor-league deal (with a Spring Training invite).
Per Yahoo! Sports' Jeff Passan:
Royals have been on Travis Snider all offseason. Between him and Dillon Gee, they've signed two of the highest-upside minor league deals.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 30, 2016
Selected with the #14 pick in the 2006 MLB Draft, Snider fell from his perch as a top prospect in the Toronto Blue Jays' farm system to a role player due to general inconsistency at the plate.
However, while he hit just .232/.315/.350 last year in 265 plate appearances split between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles, Snider's age (28), raw toolkit and flashes of brilliance (unsustained as they may be) could make him a crucial left-handed depth play for the Royals in 2016.
Trouble In Toronto?
In a perfect world, the Toronto Blue Jays would supplement their payroll surge from last season with two massive re-signings of sluggers Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion -- ideally before both hit free agency after the 2016 season.
However, despite the front office's reported openness to talking extension turkey before the season, it still may not be feasible for the Blue Jays to keep both in tow for 2017 and beyond.
Per Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca:
"Already they have $67.5 million in guarantees to only four players on the 2017 books, and that doesn’t include the roughly $20 million Josh Donaldson is likely to earn through arbitration. Remember too that the Blue Jays have seven other pending free agents and a gap in the farm system unable to at least fill some of those holes inexpensively from within.
"There’s the payback for last summer’s trade deadline blitz. If the payroll doesn’t move from the current $140 million range, it will be near impossible for the Blue Jays to keep both players and surround them with the pieces a team needs to succeed. And they probably won’t want to stay if they don’t feel they’ll have a real chance to win."
One way to perhaps solve this problem? Win in 2016. Success generates revenue, and an AL pennant and/or World Series title could be just enough to paper over the financial gap -- whether it includes two hometown "champions" discounts or not.
Javier Baez's Role In Chicago
The trade talk has died around Javier Baez at Wrigley, with the majority of whisperings now surrounding Jorge Soler. While neither of the team's young standouts are likely to be dealt before the 2016 MLB season gets underway, the versatility that Baez is starting to flash should be enough to keep him around if it becomes an either/or proposition with him and Soler.
According to Bruce Levine of CBS Chicago, "as the outfield stands right now, Baez could get substantial time as the fourth outfielder or, in a less likely scenario, eventually win a spot outright. The infield is set, barring injury."
Right now, Baez is ticketed to be a 10th man of sorts. He's transitioning into a do-everything, super-utility role that's going to give him plenty of at-bats, albeit not in a traditional one position/one batting slot way.
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