We are fast approaching the beginning of spring training, and almost all the big-name free agents are talking. That said, it’s still the off-season, and that means rumors can be found. We found them and rounded up for Monday. Here they are:
Yankees move to Wilson
The Yankees are making progress on a contract with left-leaning Justin Wilson, by Jon Heyman of MLB Network.
Wilson, 33, has spent the past two seasons with the Mets. In 68 appearances in Queens, he posted a 2.91 ERA (143 ERA +) and a 2.39 hit-to-step ratio. Wilson relies mainly on two places: a fast ball and a cutter in the mid – nineties, a combination that has allowed him to suppress contact with quality over the past few years.
Wilson would be the second notable addition the Yankees recently made to their bullpen, joining right-hander Darren O’Day, who signed the Yankees after moving Adam Ottavino into a trade with the Red Sox.
The Padres have one of the busiest seasons in the majors. It continued Monday, with Keone Kela, San Diego veteran reliever, making a one-year deal. by Jon Heyman of MLB Network.
Kela (center 28), 28, was not among the top 60 free agents of CBS Sports in the majors. The reasons for his exclusion were straightforward: he was limited to only two overs by COVID-19 in 2020 and an injury, and was involved in too many incidents in 2019 to earn the inclusion.
Nevertheless, Kela was an effective reliever when he was hearty and hale. In the 231 series in the major league in his career, he posted a 139 ERA + and a hit-to-step ratio. Kela’s arsenal largely consists of just two places: a fast ball from the mid-90s and a swing-and-miss break ball.
Kela is the second veteran reliever the Padres added last week, joining former Braves closer Mark Melancon.
The Rockies announced Monday that they have signed veteran CJ Cron for a minor contract.
Cron (31) enters the winter as the 43rd best free agent available. Here is what we wrote at the time;
Cron played in just 13 games before ending the season with knee surgery. He is still one of the first basic players in the market, a statement that says more about the lack of available options than about him. Cron is a serviceable option, mind you, someone who can deliver 20 plus homers and an OPS + in the 100-110 range. Unfortunately, ‘serviceable’ first base players tend to change uniforms on a regular basis. Cron certainly has, as he has played with four teams over the past four years. Expect it to be five out of five soon enough, and then six out of six, and then ….
Cron will compete with another recent signing, Greg Bird, for playing time on first base.
The Brewers on Sunday made a potential addition to their bull and signed former All-Star rapper Brad Boxberger for a minor deal by ESPN.
Boxberger, 33 in May, appeared in 23 games with the Marlins last season, scoring an ERA + of 151 and a ratio of 2.25 to three in 18 overs. The time has not been too good with Boxberger since he made the All-Star game in 2015: even with his success in 2020, he set an ERA of 4.27 and more than five runs per nine in his last 151 innings .
The Brewers have a largely flexible bullpen, as only Ray Black has no options. That said, Milwaukee will definitely wear Josh Hader, Devin Williams, Brent Suter and Freddy Peralta if they are healthy. Boxberger can then also compete with Justin Topa and / or JP Feyereisen for a place in the pen of the opening day.