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Good morning everyone! Here are some links to kick off your Wednesday.
In Mariners news...
- In case you missed it, the Mariners were connected to a free agent position player, which I believe is a first this offseason.
Source: Kolten Wong’s market is heating up, amid all of today’s infield movement. The Cardinals, Tigers, Mariners, Rays, Cubs, and Phillies are among the teams to check in on the 30-year-old free agent who has back-to-back NL Gold Gloves at 2B. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 27, 2021
- The M’s also made a minor personnel change.
The Mariners have named Michael Huie assistant groundskeeper.
— Daniel Kramer (@DKramer_) January 26, 2021
Huie has served the past five years as head groundskeeper for Triple-A Tacoma.
- Despite reportedly being ready to go, Mitch Haniger won’t be going all-out at the start of the spring.
Servais says they will take it slow with Haniger who hasn’t played in over a year. Will be careful how they ramp him up and what he needs in spring training.
— Shannon Drayer (@shannondrayer) January 26, 2021
- Shannon Drayer also sat down with Scott Servais to talk about the latest roster rule changes.
Around the league...
- The big news yesterday was the Hall of Fame election announcement, which resulted in nobody being elected. Curt Schilling requested removal from the ballot for his 10th and final year next cycle.
- Another big name free agent came off the board as well, with the Phillies signing catcher J.T. Realmuto to a five-year contract.
- Cleveland agreed to a one-year pact with infielder César Hernández.
- It looks like Cleveland might not be done with their fire sale.
The #Braves are talking to the Indians about a potential trade involving versatile infielder Jose Ramirez. Ramirez slashes .290/.366/.895 since 2016, with 325 XBH in that time.
— Dan Clark (@DanClarkSports) January 26, 2021
- The market appears to be heating up for this veteran third baseman.
The Brewers are one of two mystery teams showing interest in Justin Turner. Dodgers, Jays and one more mystery contender are in the derby. Turner will only consider contenders but has a final 4.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 26, 2021
- Marcus Semien found himself a new home, making the Blue Jays’ lineup even more potent.
Infielder Marcus Semien is in agreement with the Toronto Blue Jays on a one-year, $18 million contract, a source familiar with the deal tells ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 26, 2021
- Another former AL West shortstop is headed eastward.
Shortstop Andrelton Simmons and the Minnesota Twins are in agreement on a one-year, $10.5 million contract, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 27, 2021
- There goes one of my favorite potential Mariners targets.
Infield market keeps on churning: Second baseman Tommy La Stella and the San Francisco Giants are finalizing a contract, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN. Once completed, the deal is expected to be for three years. @PavlovicNBCS first said the sides were nearing a deal.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 27, 2021
- It was a big day for infielders, OK?
According to a source, Freddy Galvis has signed with the Orioles for $1.5 million and has no 2022 option. He also has a $250,000 trade bonus.
— Jon Meoli (@JonMeoli) January 26, 2021
- A new independent baseball league is forming in the Pacific Northwest.
Salem-Keizer announces a new four-team independent league. Those squads are:
— Sam Dykstra (@SamDykstraMiLB) January 26, 2021
Volcanoes, Portland Mavericks, Campesinos de Salem-Keizer, Salem Senators https://t.co/fh8S0fO0Kr
- Things might get worse before they get better.
In an anonymous survey, eight of 23 MLB player agents believed the league is headed toward a labor stoppage.
— The Athletic MLB (@TheAthleticMLB) January 26, 2021
"This group of owners has a lot of egos and the players’ union finally has a lawyer who knows how to fight."
- Matt Monagan sat down with Edwin Jackson, baseball’s ultimate nomad, to talk about his wild career.
- Barry Petchesky at Defector argues that the luxury tax threshold is essentially acting like a salary cap.
- Alex Coffey at The Athletic reports that a representative from Major League Baseball pressured the Cactus League to write that letter suggesting a delay of the spring season. ($)
- I can’t believe he was just allowed to do this.
Former Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen has been hired as COO of Roc Nation Sports and will return to the sports-representation business in a broad role with Jay-Z's company.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 27, 2021
Anders’ picks...
- The Seattle Kraken made a couple of announcements yesterday, adding a new TV broadcaster to the fold and a new home for their televised games.