MARINERS ADD VALENCIA
Mariners receive: Danny Valencia
Athletics receive: Paul Blackburn
Valencia is a 32 year old who can play first, third and the corner outfield spots. Seems like the plan for the Mariners will be to use Valencia in two spots – at first base and in the outfield. "I think my role is to play first base, probably some right field," Valencia said. "I don’t know how much time Kyle (Seager) gets off at third, but (I can play there) on an occasional day off for him." It also seems likely that the Mariners will part ways with Dae-Ho Lee and Franklin Gutierrez who would be superfluous. If guessing at this point… Dan Vogelbach plays first base against righties. Nelson Cruz plays daily in the outfield while Steve Smith plays against righties with Ben Gamel is also heavily involved on a daily basis. Toss in Valencia and there you go.
Add that all up and the arbitration bound Valencia seems unlikely to match the 517 plate appearances he picked up last season as I would peg him more in the 400-450 range. Injuries can strike at any moment which could always open up more work for Danny, but his real skill is bashing lefties. Look at the numbers he has produced against portsiders.
2016: .318/.389/.535
Career: .321/.373/.500
He’s just a guy against righties, but with a lefty on the bump he’s a Hall-of-Fame level producer.
PHILLIES ADD KENDRICK
Phillies receive: Howie Kendrick
Dodgers receive: Darin Ruff, Darnell Sweeney
"There may not be a more professional hitter than Howie Kendrick. He’s the definition of a professional hitter," GM Matt Klentak said. "He’s been steady his entire career. He’s one of the hardest working guys in the league and he can hit anywhere in the lineup and be productive. Pete and I have spoken over the past several months. This is the type of player that we really wanted to add to our lineup. I think Howie is going to have a legitimate impact on our young group."
Kendrick, a second baseman by trade, has also played third and the outfield (94 times last season). As of this writing he will likely ply his trade in the outfield, but if the team deals Cesar Hernandez he would slide back into second. Coming off his worst season ever, his .255/.326/.266 slash line was dreadful, Howie is moving to a hitter friendly park where he should play every day. Kendrick is a career .289 hitter who can generally be looked at as a .290-10-10 kinda player, the kind of production that leaves him as a fringe contributor in mixed leagues though multiposition eligibility is a nice feather in his hat (11 games at first, 32 games at second, 17 games at third and 94 games in the outfield).
MORALES SIGNS WITH JAYS
The end of Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista in Toronto might be at hand. The Jays have decided to sign Kendrys Morales to a 3-year, $33 million deal. Morales spent 138 games at designated hitter for the Royals and saw seven games at first base and five in the outfield. It seems likely that he would be asked to fill the DH role with Justin Smoak seeing the majority of work at first. The 33 year old has averaged 26 homers and 100 RBI the last two seasons and that’s the run producer the Jays are hopeful of adding to the club. He’s not a refined hitter in most respects, he’s failed to hit .265 in 2/3 seasons while also failing to posted a .330 OBP in 2/3, but as long as he’s playing daily, hitting in that ballpark in Toronto which is a clear advantage over Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, a third season along the lines of the last two in the run producing column seems probable for Morales.
COLON TO THE BRAVES
Forty-three year old righty Bartolo Colon will pitch at least one more big league season after agreeing to a 1-year, $12.5 million deal with the Braves. By the way, Braves President of Baseball Operations John Hart also signed Colon as a 17 year old out of the Dominican Republic. Colon has 232 career wins, just 11 behind Juan Marichal for the most by a Dominican born player. Colon had a questionable stem cell procedure on his shoulder in 2010 and was hit with a 50-game ban for testosterone in 2012, so it’s pretty clear he’s cheated his way to this point. But with his happy go lucky attitude and rotund frame, folks seem more than willing to look past those foibles.
For more on all the free agents and their player movement this offseason see the 2017 MLB Free Agent Tracker.
BETTS, PEDROIA HAVE KNEE SURGERY
Mookie Betts dealt with knee woes for a good portion of the second half of the season and in the offseason he’s undergone surgery to remove a piece of cartilage from his right knee. “Had chance to spend some time with (Betts) today,” manager John Farrell said. “He was at the ball park here today, so he’s moving around well.” Turns out, Dustin Pedroia also had knee surgery. Neither procedure has been deemed as major, and both should be fully ready for the 2017 season according to the team. Betts had a massive season by the way with 31 homers, 26 steals, 113 RBI, 122 runs scored and a .318 batting average. Boy, was I wrong about him in last year.
Ray Flowers can be heard Monday/Tuesday and Thursday/Friday, 8 PM EDT, Wednesday 7 PM EDT on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87). You can also hear Ray Sunday nights at 9 PM EDT PM on the channel talking fantasy sports. Follow Ray’s work at Fantasy Alarm and on Twitter (@baseballguys).