Major League Baseball’s hot stove hasn’t quite warmed up just yet, but let’s take a look at what’s simmering in the slow-cooker.
Jose Abreu Gets New Contract
Jose Abreu, 32, signed a three-year, $50 million deal to remain on the south side of Chicago for the foreseeable future on Friday, the largest free-agent deal in the White Sox’ 118-year history.
As per a team announcement, Abreu will receive a $5 million signing bonus and an $11 million salary in 2020 and will make $16 million and $18 million in 2021 and 2022, respectively, with $4 million deferred.
Abreu, a Cuban native, slashed .284/.330/.503 with 33 home runs, a league-leading 123 RBIs, 117 wRC+, and 1.9 wins above replacement (FanGraphs) over 159 games (693 plate appearances) for the Sox in 2019.
Since making his debut in 2014, Abreu’s put together a .293/.349/.513 slash line with 179 home runs (tied for 10th in MLB over that span), 611 RBIs, and 132 wRC+.
His fielding skills at first base leave a bit to be desired (-4 DRS, -2.2 UZR/150 in 1,103.2 innings at first last season; -22 DRS, -2.6 UZR/150 over his six-year career), but Abreu’s bat in the middle of the ChiSox’ lineup is a positive.
Phillies Gearing Up For Resurgence
Joe Girardi‘s Philadelphia Phillies have begun to make their presence felt this offseason, with reports of links to two prominent free agents coming out on Friday.
Jon Morosi of MLB Network confirmed the Phils’ interest in former Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius early in the afternoon, noting his and Girardi’s prior relationship in New York as a likely factor.
Gregorius, 29, came into the majors as a glove-first shortstop, breaking in with the Diamondbacks in 2013 after making his debut with the Reds (eight games) in 2012 (.243/.313/.366 over his first 647 PA; 2012 to 2014).
The Amsterdam-born Curacao product’s bat has developed nicely (.269/.313/.446, 101 wRC+since 2015) and he’s found his power stroke in the friendly (for left-handed hitters) confines of Yankee Stadium (13 home runs from 2012 to 2014; 97 from 2015 to 2019 with New York).
Later in the day, Morosi reported Philadelphia’s interest in former Giants left-hander, Madison Bumgarner.
Bumgarner, 30, had the worst statistical season of his 11-year career in 2019 (3.90 ERA, 107 ERA+) after dealing with injuries through 2017 and 2018, but still managed to notch 203 strikeouts (his fourth 200 K season and first since 2016) and racked up 3.2 fWAR (19th among qualified NL starters) over 34 starts (207.2 innings).
D-Backs Shopping LHP Ray?
Jayson Stark of the Athletic named Arizona left-hander Robbie Ray as a player to “keep an eye on” this offseason, adding, “other teams say the Diamondbacks seem more open to moving his than in the past”, and noting controllable pitching as a return target.
Ray, 28, had a strange season in 2019, pitching to a 4.34 ERA — his worst since 2016 (4.90) — and 84 walks — a career-high — while also setting a career-best with 235 strikeouts over 33 starts (174.1 innings).
Since his All-Star campaign in 2017 (2.89 ERA, 218 K, 71 walks over 32 starts), the Tennessee native has a 4.17 ERA over 57 starts between his injury-shortened 2018 (oblique, back) and 2019. Ray will be a free agent after the 2020 season.
Ozuna’s Market Developing
Jon Morosi discussed free-agent outfielder Marcell Ozuna on MLB Network on Friday, listing Arizona, Cincinnati, Atlanta, Texas, and his former team, the Cardinals as five teams who “really want” the 29-year-old Dominican native.
Ozuna spent the first five seasons of his seven-year career with Miami, hitting .277/.329/.457 with 96 homers, 361 RBIs, and a 115 OPS+ over 653 games with the Marlins from 2013 to 2017, culminating with consecutive NL All-Star appearances in 2016 and 2017.
His two seasons in St. Louis following a December 2017 trade (Sandy Alcantara, Zac Gallen, Magneuris Sierra, and Daniel Castano went back to Miami) were underwhelming (.280/.325/.433, 23 HR, 88 RBIs in 2018; .241/.328/.472, 29 HR, 89 RBIs in 2019), and his respective 107 and 110 wRC+ ratings were a far cry from the 143 wRC+ he put up in 2017.
