By Steve Schaeffler
Cubs moving All-Star catcher
According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, multiple teams are in the belief that the Chicago Cubs could look to deal All-Star catcher Willson Contreras this offseason. With new manager David Ross in place, the Cubs may look at Contreras, 27, as a highly desirable trade candidate to help them retool in other areas of need. Contreras is coming off a season in which he hit for a .272 AVG with 24 HR and 64 RBI.
Donaldson drawing interest from a number of teams
The market for Josh Donaldson looks to be getting started, as both Jeff Passan of ESPN and Mark Feinsand of MLB Network are reporting that the Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers are interested in the services of the soon to be 34-year-old third baseman. Despite Donaldson reviving a qualifying offer from the Atlanta Braves, it does not seem the loss of a draft pick will dissuade teams from trying to sign him.
Reunion in Cincinnati
With Didi Gregorius hitting the free agent market after not receiving a QO from the Yankees, Jon Heyman of MLB Network says that Gregorius is drawing interest from the Cincinnati Reds. Having started his career as a member of the Reds organization back in 2008 this would be a return to the organization that signed him out of the Netherlands.
Atlanta inks O’Day
The Atlanta Braves announced that they have signed former Mets’ pitcher Darren O’Day to a one year contract worth $2.25 million, with a team option for 2021 at $3.5 million. O’Day, 37, spent a majority of the 2019 season on the IL, but returned in September to appear in eight games before pitching two innings for the Braves in the playoffs. The submarine pitcher holds a career 2.55 ERA in 560 innings over his 12-year career.
Defensive second baseman coming stateside
The Hiroshima Carp of the Nippon Professional Baseball league have released a statement that they plan on posting seven-time Golden Glove winner Ryosuke Kikuchi. The second baseman is considered one of the best defensive players in the NPB, while his offensive game is right in line with the league average. Kikuchi, 30 in March, has talked about his desire to play in the MLB since his appearance in the WBC in 2017 and spends his offseason training here in the states.
Lindblom looks to bring KBO success back to MLB
Former major league pitcher Josh Lindblom could be looking to make a return to MLB after spending the last three seasons in the Korea Baseball Organization, where he recently won his second straight Choi Dong-Won Award — the top pitching award in the KBO. Lindblom, 32, will have his choice between KBO, NPB, and MLB as his career is trending much higher than it was the last time he was available following his release by the Pirates in 2017.
