Betts and Lindor could both be dealt
Buster Olney of ESPN is reporting that a high-ranking executive is predicting that both Mookie Betts and Francisco Lindor will be traded by their perspective teams this winter. The feeling is that Betts and Lindor will lose value as the season begins and they both get closer to free agency. Betts will be a free agent at the end of the 2020 season while Lindor will become one after the 2021 season.
Maldonado returns to Houston
Catcher Martin Maldonado has agreed to return to the Houston Astros with a two-year deal worth $7MM. With multiple offers on the table, Maldonado took less money to return to the Astros according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
Clippard goes to Minnesota
The Minnesota Twins announced that they have come to terms on a one-year contract with veteran reliever Tyler Clippard for a reported $2.75MM, as detailed by ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Encarnacion and Blue Jays have mutual interest
After the Toronto Blue Jays failed to sign Justin Smoak or Yoshitomo Tsutsugo, they have expressed interest in a reunion with Edwin Encarnacion and the slugger is said to have the same idea reports Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith. In 2019 Encarnacion provided his usual output splitting time with the Seattle Mariners and New York Yankees, hitting 34 homers total.
Tigers add depth to their staff
Righty Zack Godley has signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Tigers the team announced today. The minor league deal includes an invitation to participate in MLB camp and if Godley can crack the roster he will receive a $1.5MM salary, with another $1.5MM in available incentives, Mark Feinsand tweets. The Tigers are hoping that Godley can turn things around as he has had success at the MLB level as recently as 2017.
Kinsler calls it a career
Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic is reporting that second baseman Ian Kinsler has announced his retirement. He will now transition into a role in the front office as an advisor for the San Diego Padres. Kinsler, 37, ends his 14-year career with a 57.2 rWAR, tied for 140th among all MLB players. The former 17th-round draft pick will now have to wait to see if his overall statistics and standing on the all-time list of second basemen will warrant a plaque in Cooperstown.
