Hey everyone, I just wanted to open this morning’s links up with something close to our hearts here at LL: Jen Mac Ramos, a good friend of the baseball community and a former contributor here at Lookout Landing, was in a really bad car accident recently and a family member has started a fundraiser to help cover medical expenses. If you can help, it would really go a long way.
With that, here’s what you need to know today.
In Mariners news...
- We’ve got some Mariners updates...
Just finished a conference call in with Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto in prep for the winter meetings. Nothing earth shattering. He mentioned they'd like to add another FA starting pitcher. But it obviously won't be a top tier arm.
— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) December 4, 2019
Ideally, the pitcher would compete with Justin Dunn for the No. 5 spot and be versatile enough to swing to pitch out of the bullpen if needed. Dunn will be given every chance to win that opening day rotation spot.
— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) December 4, 2019
Dipoto said they've had preliminary conversations with some of the players that were recently non-tendered by other teams. As for Santana, Dipoto said they did a lot of work trying to put together trades for the outfielder, but couldn't get there.
— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) December 4, 2019
Around the league...
- Bob Nightengale at USA Today reported on the problems that minority candidates are having landing jobs in MLB dugouts and front offices.
- Allison McCague at Baseball Prospectus warns that eliminating baseball in minor league towns might decrease overall interest in the sport. ($)
- The Rangers are shaking things up.
Introducing the field dimensions at the future home of the @Rangers. pic.twitter.com/UyZ4ppK47U
— Globe Life Field (@GlobeLifeField) December 4, 2019
- Well, the Angels aren’t going anywhere.
The #Angels and the city of Anaheim have reached agreement on a new deal that keeps the team in town through 2050. The Angels will buy the stadium and surrounding parking lots for $325 million.
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) December 4, 2019
- The Angels strengthened their big league staff too.
Right-hander Dylan Bundy is headed to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for RHP Isaac Mattson, RHP Zach Peek, RHP Kyle Bradish and RHP Kyle Brnovich, sources tell ESPN. @Ken_Rosenthal had Bundy going from Baltimore to Los Angeles.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 4, 2019
- Are we really surprised?
BREAKING: #StPete & @RaysBaseball breaking off negotiations, per this letter from Mayor @Kriseman. Split-season proposal is dead unless #Rays want to explore it post-2027. pic.twitter.com/yzcmBp2EtM
— Noah Pransky (@noahpransky) December 4, 2019
- The Braves get stronger.
Left-hander Cole Hamels and the Atlanta Braves are in agreement on a one-year, $18 million deal, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 4, 2019
- The Phillies answered back, signing righty Zack Wheeler to a five-year deal.
- Whoa.
BREAKING: The Sterling Partners and Steve Cohen are negotiating an agreement in which Cohen would increase his investment in the #Mets, per source. Fred Wilpon will remain Control Person and CEO for five years and Jeff Wilpon will remain COO for five-year period as well.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 4, 2019