We’ve been getting some back and forth with Jose Bautista, but it does appear that he wants an extension of at least five years. We heard $150 million tossed out there, and then we heard that wasn’t correct. Well, it apparently isn’t because according to Jon Heyman Bautista wants more than $150 million. Sorry Jose, I know you follow me on Twitter so I’m a fan, and you are a very effective hitter (100 RBI and Runs in 4-of-6 seasons), but you’ve got to be kidding Jose. You’re already 35 years old. Pretty sure you don’t deserve a contract that would make you the second highest paid player in baseball on a per season basis (Clayton Kershaw leads in 2016 with a salary of $32 million).

Nelson Cruz might DH more this season for the Mariners. Last season he appeared in 80 games as the right fielder and 72 as the designated hitter. Cruz doesn’t want to DH as he prefers to bring his glove to the game. The numbers support his position as well. Last season Cruz had a .670 SLG and hut 31 homers in his 80 games as a right fielder. In the 72 games he DH’d he hit a mere 13 homers with a .450 SLG. I know they want him on the field as much as possible, but at some point don’t the wishes of the player, and the numbers, matter? Sounds like it might not to the Mariners.

Freddie Freeman says his wrist is doing fine after taking BP for the first time since last September. There is still concern that Freeman’s wrist might be an issue at some point this season, but for now things are certainly trending in the right direction.

Yovani Gallardo agreed to a 3-year, $35 million deal with the Orioles. Of course, as has become a yearly occurrence, the Orioles medical staff has found some issues with the medical reports of a player so for now there is no deal with Gallardo and the Orioles. Apparently there’s an issue with his shoulder. Newsflash Orioles… Gallardo is 29 years old and has been pitching for 20 years. Of course the MRI is going to show some wear and tear on his shoulder. What makes this call by the Orioles so odd is the fact that Gallardo has thrown at least 180-innings in each of the last seven seasons. Context – Gallardo is one of only six men in baseball who has done that: Mark Buehrle, Cole Hamels, Felix Hernandez, Jon Lester, James Shields and Gallardo. I’m not saying there isn’t something going on with Gallardo’s shoulder, but really Orioles, this is your excuse to try and bring the price of his contract down? We’re not talking about Stephen Strasburg here guys. We’re talking about one of the more durable pitches in baseball the past seven years. This is such a tired move by the Orioles.  
*Late word has Gallardo and the Orioles agreeing to a 2-year deal with a 3rd year option held by the Orioles. The deal is reported as 2-years, $22 million with the option taking the deal to $35 million.

Don’t forget to pick up your copy of the 2016 MLB Draft Guide which includes more than 600 Players Ranked, auction values, rookie reports, hitting and pitching targets as well as all the info you need if you’re ready to start playing DFS.

Billy Hamilton is likely to be the leadoff hitter this season for the Reds according to manager Bryan Price. And we used to make fun of Dusty Baker not knowing what he was doing. How Price can think that Hamilton should lead off is beyond me. Is it 1962? Through 1,087 plate appearances Hamilton is the proud owner of a .287 OBP. The mark was even worse last year at .274. Hamilton is a DEFICIENT offensive player. Seems like everyone but the Reds understand that.

I wrote two article today in the Player Profile series: Edison Volquez (Player Profile) and Jay Bruce (Player Profile).

Josh Hamilton had stem cell and platelet-rich plasma injections on his left knee. He will be on crutches for up to 10 days and it sounds like his rehab program will take at least eight weeks. He won’t be ready for the start of the season and who knows when/if he will be at full strength this season. He’s only draftable in AL-only leagues at the moment, and it better be at a reduced cost. The Rangers need to add another outfielder just in case.

Miguel Sano was thought to be best suited to play third base, or perhaps first, for the Twins given his massive size (6’4”, 260 lbs). It ain’t going to happen though as manager Paul Molitor said that Sano will not play the hot corner at all this seasons, even when Trevor Plouffe is out of the lineup. We shall see if Miguel can handle the outfield, but it would appear to be rather unlikely that he will be able to be anything other than average. At least that’s the hope. For my thoughts on Sano’s bat check out his Player Profile.

Mike Trout stole 11 bases last season. His steal totals the last four seasons show a drastic decline: 49, 33, 16 and 11. He was also caught seven times last season, tying his career-high. So he stole his fewest bases and was caught the most times of any season of his career last year. Carlos Santana stole 11 bases last season while Matt Duffy swiped 12. Trout says he wants to run more this season. He’s too talented to think he couldn’t return to 20 steals in 2016, but he was atrocious last season and has seen his steal total decline 3-straight seasons down to nearly a fifth of the mark he posted in his first full season. Caution is warranted.

 

Ray Flowers can be heard Monday through Friday, 7 PM EDT and Friday on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87). You can also hear Ray Sunday nights at 6 PM on the channel talking fantasy sports. Follow Ray’s work at Fantasy Alarm and on Twitter (@baseballguys).