Major League Baseball personnel cannot talk to their Major League Baseball players during the lockout. Not about free agency talks or rehab assignments. This gag order applies to the press too. Early evidence indicates that it works. Staffers have expressed fears about their phones being checked. One executive reached out to his spouse through his cell phone. He apologized for the unknown number and said “Sorry”
Although it might seem harder to discuss than usual, underneath the transactional or information blackout, there are many things going on.
Normally, MLB field staffs and front offices move personnel in October and November. Teams conduct interviews for new vacancies and try to retain their existing talent while they entertain offers from other teams. This offseason was unlike any other baseball season. Due to the imminent expiration of the collective agreement on Dec. 1, teams had to put an emphasis on player acquisition. Every potential contender speed-dating with the most sought-after free agents. Every team enjoyed the bounty of signings and trades that occurred before the owners began their lockout of players’ union. The executives didn’t have time to concentrate on hiring, for example, a minor-league field coordinator.
Now contact with players is off and the teams are involved in deferred discussions regarding filling staff vacancies. For example, the Mets and Athletics are currently inactive. picking managersCoaching staffs. The Astros must decide who to replace. pitching coach Brent StromWho landed with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Cleveland front office was raided again.
Even teams that have a full staff have been busy. Executives are beginning to prepare for when the labor shut down ends and trades and signings resume. It doesn’t matter if it happens in February, March or later. Most teams believe that it will trigger another unprecedented round of activity with 200 players moving within two to three week after the next CBA is formed.
Here’s a look at what’s happening among the teams.
With the approval of Steve Cohen, Billy Eppler will make the decision to hire a new Mets skipper. He must choose between an experienced manager who has managed a team in the major leagues (specifically one in New York) or one of two promising younger managers. The latter is Matt Quatraro (Rays bench coach), who is so well-respected in the industry that it’s almost certain that he’ll get a chance somewhere. Joe Espada (Astros bench coach), whom Eppler knew from their days with the Yankees. Buck Showalter is the Mets’ second interviewee on Friday. This is because of Cohen’s massive cash injection into the major league roster. Max Scherzer, Starling Marte, Mark CanhaAnd Eduardo Escobar.
Eppler will be able to concentrate on the team’s infrastructure while Showalter’s coaching staff is being rounded out by the Mets. A rival executive said that the timing of the labor haltpage was “better for Billy” because Eppler now has time to focus on the team’s infrastructure.
The Astros are expected to soon announce Sara Goodrum’s hiring as their new director for player personnel. had been the Brewers’ minor league hitting coordinator. Josh Miller will be the new pitching coach. Houston has also added Bill Murphy to assist with the pitching. But it is possible Houston may hire another pitching coach as it tries to sort out the responsibilities left by Strom. Ehsan Bokhari left the Astros to join the CubsHouston has now chosen another director of research-development.
Some interesting threads were left behind by the November player movement. MLB made an exception to Houston’s $50 million, two-year agreement last week. Justin VerlanderEven though the deal was not approved prior to the shutdown, it was delayed by an administrative block-up by league officials, according industry sources. Astros were aware of the progress of the future Hall of Famer during his recovery from Tommy John surgery over the past year. However, some rumors have suggested that his medical condition did not prevent the deal from closing.
Houston is the most motivated buyer left in the shortstop marketplace, so it only makes sense that the Astros continue their diligence on the two top shortstops. Carlos CorreaOr Trevor Story. Correa’s history is complex because he rejected two offers over the past year. Separately Jim Crane, the owner of the Tigers, has stated to others that he does not intend on extending an offer beyond six-years. One source says that Correa was offered a $275million deal by the Tigers. It would be spread over 10 years. Correa won’t be able to find an offer comparable to the $300-million-plus deals of Francisco LindorAnd Corey SeagerIt’s possible that he could negotiate a shorter-term agreement with the Astros for a greater average annual salary, say $35 million per year. There would be an option to opt out after two years.
The front office of the Cleveland baseball team is usually treated as fertile ground. This means that it is routinely raided nearly every year. Since the beginning of this offseason, the Guardians have received about 50 permission requests by other organizations. This includes that from the one that led to the arrest of Michael Jordan. Carter Hawkins to be hired away as the Cubs’ new general manager. Recent days have seen the Guardians refocus on closing the gaps left by departures. This was done using a combination promotions, advancements and a search for front-office talent.
Terry Francona continues to make good progress, and is expected to return to the job in 2022. Francona will need to have a procedure on his ailing toe in the next month. The full expectation is that he will be able to start spring training.
Quatraro may be transferred to another team, but the Rays staff is generally stable. The Rays’ front-office executives plan to spend this month getting their player evaluations in place and preparing for the shutdown. Rays have spoken internally about how to be ready to quickly respond to acquisition opportunities.
Given the Rays’ budget constraints, managing payroll is a constant challenge. Prior to the trade deadline Tampa Bay was in talks with Philadelphia (and possibly other teams) about center baseer. Kevin Kiermaier. The Gold Glover, the highest-paid player on this roster, will make $12.16million in 2022 (with an option for 2023). If the Rays want to maximize his trade value while trimming their payroll, then spring training is likely to be the best time to get him.
The Yankees have not yet announced Aaron Boone’s entire coaching staff. However, during the lockdown there will be an effort to organize all staff and front-office contracts.
The Yankees surprised many other teams by not signing any big-dollar players in November. However, there are agent who believe that Hal Steinbrenner’s team, once baseball business is open again, will be one of the most aggressive. They might even revisit discussions with Story and Correa. The Yankees are presumably now preparing for the flood in moves that could follow the CBA agreement, which is crucial for New York as well as MLB’s largest spenders.
There is a reason why the Yankees and Dodgers treated the market with such care last month. L.A. attempted unsuccessfully to resign Seager while the Red Sox engaged in negotiations. Kevin GausmanAnd Robbie Ray. Some player agents believe that, because the Yankees and Dodgers navigated above and beyond the competitive balance tax threshold in the past, these teams would prefer to know exactly the terms of the next CBA before they commit big bucks. (It is not known if it will affect the CBA. Trea TurnerHe will continue to be with the Dodgers until 2022 when he is eligible for free agency. Some player agents think it possible that L.A. could turn to Story or Correa.