Japanese Slugger Posted
The Yokohama BayStars announced Friday that they have posted Yoshitomo Tsutsugo. The 28-year-old hit .272/.388/.511 with 29 home runs in 131 games for the BayStars. He has experience playing first base, third base, and left field.
The left-handed hitter has four straight seasons with at least 80 walks and has a career .382 OBP in the Japanese Central League. Blue Jays are one of the teams known to already show interest.
Gray On The Move
Rockies GM Jeff Bridich told reporters on Thursday that several teams have called to inquire about right-handed starter Jon Gray. Jon Morosi of MLB.com reports that the Padres are one team that has shown interest in the hard-thrower.
Gray, 28, posted a 3.84 ERA, 4.06 FIP, 1.35 WHIP, and had 150 strikeouts in 150 innings for the Rockies in 2019. The former first round pick is under team control for the next two seasons.
Reds Looking for Outfield Help
Morosi also reports that the Reds are looking to bolster their outfield and have shown interest in free agents Marcell Ozuna and Nicholas Castellanos. The White Sox, Giants, D-Backs, and Rangers are also expected to be involved in the pursuit of Ozuna.
Castellanos is hitting the market at just 27 years old and coming off a season in which he slashed .289/.337/.525 with 27 homers. He played both corner outfield spots last season.
Market Officially Gets Stronger
Right-handed pitchers Zack Wheeler, Gerrit Cole, and Stephen Strasburg now officially headline a strong free agent starting pitching market after declining their qualifying offers. Left-handed starter Madison Bumgarner joins them after declining his offer from the Giants.
Third baseman Josh Donaldson and Anthony Rendon decline their offers, as did outfielder Marcell Ozuna.
First baseman Jose Abreu and right-handed starter Jake Odorizzi were the only two that accepted their offers, from the White Sox and Twins respectively.
