Billy Butler is due $20 million the next two seasons. The A’s, shockingly, are entertaining trade options with the portly 29 year old (he turns 30 in April). Butler hit at least .289 from 2009-13, but the last two seasons he’s hit .261 while averaging 12 homers and 66 RBI. He’s gone from being a threat at the dish to being a league average bat. The A’s can’t afford to pay that kind of guy $10 million a year. Of course, no one would likely want to pay that much for such a hitter, so the A’s are going to have to swallow some of that salary, one would think, to deal Big Country, or Biscuits and Gravy, or whatever they call the out of shape looking Butler.

Dexter Fowler might be signed by the Orioles who need one more bat. We’ve heard of a potential trade to add Jay Bruce as well as signing Pedro Alvarez as other options for the Orioles. Ken Rosenthal is reporting that Fowler is the top choice of the club. Think of what the lineup could look like with the addition of Fowler:

 

Fowler
Manny Machado
Adam Jones
Chris Davis
Mark Trumbo
Matt Wieters
Jonathan Schoop
J.J. Hardy
Hyun-soo Kim

Who would want to face that lineup?

Joe Mauer stinks according to some folks. He’s never quite lived up to expectations despite have a pretty darn impressive career, but he’s been particularly disappointing the last couple of seasons. No one could really figure out why he just stopped hitting. Now we know. Mauer has been suffering from blurred vision for a couple of years after suffering a concussion that ended his catching career in 2013. “I don’t want that to be kind of an excuse. If I’m out there, I’m out there. That’s just the way I am,” Mauer said. “There are times I’ve gone up to the plate and I just couldn’t pick up the ball. That’s part of the frustration because I’m trying to do everything I can to get back. It just takes time.” Mauer will try sunglasses next season, light bothers him, so let’s hope he can improve up the .270ish hitter he’s become the past two years. Speaking of light, Mauer hit a mere .248 last season with 44 strikeouts in 61 day games. From 2006-08 Mauer played full seasons while striking out 54, 51 and 50 times. Let’s all wish the former 1st overall pick a return to health.

Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Padres might be looking to deal Derek Norris. Can’t say I’m shocked at that news. Norris hit only three homers his last 72 games and had a mere .678 OPS against righties last season (his career mark is a mere .646). The Padres already have Austin Hedges and Christian Bethancourt to man the dish if they deal Norris, and the cost conscious Padres likely wouldn’t have any issue with dealing Norris at what they perceive to be his peak value.

Masahiro Tanaka says he’s not sure if he will be ready for Opening Day. Tanaka has a wonky elbow, he’s the owner of a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament, and this offseason he had a procedure on that spot. The procedure wasn’t for his UCL however, that would require Tommy John surgery. Instead he had arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone spur from his elbow. Everyone seems to think he’s in good shape. So why the concern about Opening Day? Sounds like Tanaka is healthy but the team is just being cautious with his return from the procedure. Uh huh. I was on record suggesting you avoid Tanaka last season. I haven’t changed my opinion at all. I’ll let someone else take the gamble on the Yankees righty.

Have you been keeping an eye on the Player Profile Series? Just added Ryan Zimmerman today. He’s likely better than you were thinking by the way. 

DUMBEST PERSON EVER

Jenrry Mejia may never pitch in major league baseball again. The 26 year old Met was banned from baseball after failing a PED test for a third time. Mejia either has some physical issue that causes him to fail tests (he doesn’t), or he is the dumbest person who has ever been birthed. Here’s what we know.

1 – Mejia is the first major league player ever to be permanently banned for PED use. He and Pete Rose are the only living players who are on the banned list for Major League Baseball.

2 – Mejia can apply for reinstatement in a year, but the suspension will last a minimum of two years no matter what.

3 – Mejia tested positive for stanozolol and was suspended 80 games in 2015.

4 – His return to action lasted less than a month as he was popped again for boldenone in late July 2015. That resulted in a 162 game ban. He’s still serving this suspension.

5 – He was just popped a third time resulting in the ban. Mejia’s most recent failure was for boldenone.

Think about that folks. While suspended, Mejia kept taking PEDs and was suspended again. Then, HE DID THE SAME THING AGAIN as his most recent ban came while he was serving a suspension.

Mejia might be the dumbest person who ever lived. I mean, seriously?

Or maybe it’s this guy…

 

 

 

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 30 proven strategies from the experts to help you win in the coming season.