Finance
Owner Sherman confirms no changes to the budget for the year at $234m.
International Amateurs
We just completed our monthly private practice with many young international amateur free agents who we hope can aid our club in the coming years. It was great to meet the players in-person and get to know them better, and I was able to improve my scouting assessment on all invitees.
In fact some of the players impressed me, since they showcased a higher potential than I had previously expected from them:
Juan Ponces, 17 year-old CF out of Venezuela
Lean and athletic, Juan Ponces hails from Caracas, Venezuela. He projects to be a .310 hitter. He is a young player with above average power potential. He projects to be solid at working the count. Scouts project Ponces to fill a key role for a contending team in the big leagues.
Andres Madrigal, 17 year-old LF out of Dominican Republic
Lean and athletic, Andres Madrigal hails from San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic. He has solid contact potential, and projects to be a .310 hitter. With good contact, he has the potential to be a middle-of-the-order force. He should do a good job of working the count. Madrigal has a high ceiling and projects well on the field and at the plate.
However, a few invitees left me disappointed as they did not appear to match my previous assessment, although they may still end up being future stars:
Jorge Masias, 16 year-old RHP out of Dominican Republic
Jorge Masias is a lanky and long-armed right-hander who was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. If he develops an off the charts curveball and a good fastball to their potential, he'll have two dominant offerings. His strike throwing ability and movement of his pitches will limit the long ball and he has the stuff to generate swings and misses. Masias projects to provide consistently reliable middle relief.
Julio Cuevas, 16 year-old CF out of Dominican Republic
Julio Cuevas is a wiry framed center fielder who was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He has plus raw power potential and has the chance to be a run producer. He may not compete for batting titles, but still projects to hit for a .290 batting average. He should have average strike zone judgement. It's early and Cuevas is young, but his development prospect as a future center fielder looks extremely promising.
And other players that I was able to further assess were:
Mauricio Paniagua, 17 year-old SS out of Dominican Republic
David Patino, 17 year-old RF out of Venezuela
Luis Rivera, 16 year-old SS out of Dominican Republic
Juan Anaya, 17 year-old RHP out of Dominican Republic
David Dettori, 16 year-old LHP out of Venezuela
Alvaro Esparza, 17 year-old LF out of Venezuela
Following the final training session of the offseason, the Royals signed Andres Madrigal, who impressed scouts each and every month.
In addition, the Royal signed RP Juan Anaya, RP Jorge Masias despite his poor final month and went outside their training group to pick up 2B Luis Aceves, due to his potential 80 power.
There was some budget remaining which was carried over to February with extra offers out to players.
Development Lab
Jeremy Rogerson has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at shortstop.
• No noticeable changes.
Edgar Mir has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to improve his defense at second base.
• Infield arm rating improves by <5
• Infield range rating improves by <5
• Infield error rating improves by <5
• Turn doubleplay rating improves by <5
Around the League
Transactions
Saturday, January 31st , 2037
New York Mets: Signed free agent RP Thomas White to a 1-year contract worth a total of $4,800,000.
Tuesday, January 27th , 2037
Toronto Blue Jays: Signed free agent RP Mike Bowe to a 2-year contract worth a total of $40,400,000.
New York Yankees: Signed free agent SP Steve Green to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,100,000.
Monday, January 26th , 2037
Pittsburgh Pirates: Signed free agent RF T.J. White to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,780,000.
Sunday, January 25th , 2037
Los Angeles Dodgers: Signed free agent RP David Morales to a 1-year contract worth a total of $930,000.
Saturday, January 24th , 2037
Atlanta Braves: Signed free agent SP Andres Saldana to a 4-year contract worth a total of $51,600,000.
Friday, January 23rd , 2037
New York Mets: Signed free agent RF Antwan Mummert to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,460,000.
New York Mets: Signed free agent RP Ben Forsgren to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,080,000.
Houston Astros: Signed free agent RP Ben Alvarado to a 1-year contract worth a total of $990,000.
Thursday, January 22nd , 2037
Arizona Diamondbacks: Signed free agent SP Grant Taylor to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,380,000.
Atlanta Braves: Signed free agent RP Sean Theobald to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,320,000.
Atlanta Braves: Signed free agent RP Jeff Pavone to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,040,000.
Wednesday, January 21st , 2037
Toronto Blue Jays: Signed free agent RP Matt Brash to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,440,000.
Toronto Blue Jays: Signed free agent RP Franco Aleman to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,340,000.
Cincinnati Reds: Signed free agent RP Alex McFarlane to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,280,000.
St. Louis Cardinals: Signed free agent RP Gregory Santos to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,440,000.
Cincinnati Reds: Signed free agent RP Luke Little to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,460,000.
Texas Rangers: Signed free agent 3B Elly De La Cruz to a 4-year contract worth a total of $27,600,000.
Cleveland Guardians: Signed free agent RP Mat Olsen to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,120,000.
Los Angeles Angels: Signed free agent 1B Zach Neto to a 1-year contract worth a total of $6,300,000.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Signed free agent RF Xavier Isaac to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,580,000.
Miami Marlins: Signed free agent RF Luis Baez to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,100,000.
San Diego Padres: Signed free agent RP Bob Abernathy to a 1-year contract worth a total of $940,000.
Colorado Rockies: Signed free agent RP Josh Hendrix to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,020,000.
Texas Rangers: Signed free agent RP Romano Santiago Hubbard to a 1-year contract worth a total of $860,000.
Chicago Cubs: Signed free agent RP Alexis Lazo to a 1-year contract worth a total of $960,000.
New York Mets: Signed free agent RF Eric Young to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,000,000.
Texas Rangers: Signed free agent RP Art O'Brien to a 1-year contract worth a total of $950,000.
Tuesday, January 20th , 2037
Boston Red Sox: Signed free agent SP Hayden Juenger to a 1-year contract worth a total of $4,920,000.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Signed free agent SP Michael Prosecky to a 1-year contract worth a total of $3,800,000.
Atlanta Braves: Signed free agent SP Jackson Ferris to a 1-year contract worth a total of $2,000,000.
Boston Red Sox: Signed free agent SP Mac Heuer to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,140,000.
Detroit Tigers: Signed free agent SP Parker Detmers to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,380,000.
New York Mets: Signed free agent SP Nick Bradley to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,360,000.
San Diego Padres: Signed free agent RP Tyler Dean to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,140,000.
Baltimore Orioles: Signed free agent SP Dan Dorosh to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,080,000.
Houston Astros: Signed free agent SP Josh Bibles to a 1-year contract worth a total of $4,440,000.
Detroit Tigers: Signed free agent C Nate Beall to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,640,000.
Tampa Bay Rays: Signed free agent SP Jeff Sparks to a 5-year contract worth a total of $126,000,000.
Milwaukee Brewers: Signed free agent SP Jeff Callaway to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,140,000.
San Diego Padres: Signed free agent RP Vincent Pulido to a 1-year contract worth a total of $810,000.
Philadelphia Phillies: Signed free agent SP Tim Watson to a 1-year contract worth a total of $7,200,000.
New York Mets: Signed free agent RP Andy Fashaw to a 1-year contract worth a total of $930,000.
Monday, January 19th , 2037
Houston Astros: Signed free agent 1B Peyton Stovall to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,700,000.
The Los Angeles Angels traded 19-year old minor league 1B Edgar Flores, 23-year old minor league SS Julio Mireles, 23-year old minor league RHP Sergio Moreno, and 23-year old minor league 3B Nelson Ayala to the Seattle Mariners, getting 33-year old minor league RHP David Hagaman in return.
Sunday, January 18th , 2037
Boston Red Sox: Signed free agent RF Yanquiel Fernandez to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,640,000.
St. Louis Cardinals: Signed free agent 3B Jett Williams to a 1-year contract worth a total of $2,560,000.
Friday, January 16th , 2037
Toronto Blue Jays: Signed free agent SP Mike Burrows to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,260,000.
Washington Nationals: Signed free agent RF Tim Nicosia to a 1-year contract worth a total of $3,240,000.
Thursday, January 15th , 2037
Washington Nationals: Signed free agent LF Julio Rodriguez to a 1-year contract worth a total of $3,200,000.
Colorado Rockies: Signed free agent 1B Eric Brafford to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,220,000.
Philadelphia Phillies: Signed free agent SP Mitch Glass to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,500,000.
Wednesday, January 14th , 2037
Milwaukee Brewers: Signed free agent SP Tink Hence to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,260,000.
Baltimore Orioles: Signed free agent SP Liam Peterson to a 1-year contract worth a total of $2,040,000.
Tuesday, January 13th , 2037
Los Angeles Dodgers: Signed free agent SP Jeremy Ervin to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,040,000.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Signed free agent SS Rusty Kopp to a 5-year contract worth a total of $145,200,000.
Monday, January 12th , 2037
Detroit Tigers: Signed free agent 1B Dylan Crews to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,920,000.
Philadelphia Phillies: Signed free agent 2B Adael Amador to a 5-year contract worth a total of $123,000,000.
San Francisco Giants: Signed free agent SP Jesus Escobedo to a 1-year contract worth a total of $950,000.
Sunday, January 11th , 2037
Boston Red Sox: Signed free agent LF Rayman Moreno to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,740,000.
Saturday, January 10th , 2037
Boston Red Sox: Signed free agent RP Joe Stevens to a 3-year contract worth a total of $15,020,000.
Thursday, January 8th , 2037
Philadelphia Phillies: Signed free agent RP Josh Roberts to a 1-year contract worth a total of $19,400,000.
Wednesday, January 7th , 2037
San Antonio Avalanche: Signed CL Art Burnett to a 2-year contract extension worth a total of $33,200,000.
Tuesday, January 6th , 2037
Los Angeles Dodgers: Signed free agent SP Brett Renfrow to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,500,000.
Monday, January 5th , 2037
Los Angeles Dodgers: Signed free agent C Logan O'Hoppe to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,400,000.
The Tampa Bay Rays traded 25-year old RHP Marquis Rocquemore to the Milwaukee Brewers, getting 18-year old minor league CF Alejandro Parrain return.
The Colorado Rockies traded 24-year old 3B Frank Ibarra and 24-year old minor league LHP Burton McGillis to the Arizona Diamondbacks, getting 30-year old 3B Chris Ellis in return.
Sunday, January 4th , 2037
New York Mets: Signed free agent SP Eric Segura to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,200,000.
The New York Mets traded 29-year old SS Bruce Zglinicki and $1,220,000 in cash to the Arizona Diamondbacks, getting 28-year old LHP Mike Carson and 21-year old minor league 1B T.J. Sainte in return.
Friday, January 2nd , 2037
Tampa Bay Rays: Signed free agent 2B Cole Young to a 1-year contract worth a total of $2,800,000.
Baltimore Orioles: Signed free agent RP Jessie Sullivan to a 2-year contract worth a total of $6,280,000.
San Francisco Giants: Signed free agent RP Andres Salgado to a 1-year contract worth a total of $800,000.
The New York Mets traded 20-year old minor league RHP Adomas Jonas Parker and 21-year old minor league LHP Wilson Valles to the Arizona Diamondbacks, getting 38-year old 1B Juan Soto in return.
Thursday, January 1st , 2037
Houston Astros: Signed free agent RP Alfred Manny Mook to a 1-year contract worth a total of $2,480,000.
Colorado Rockies: Signed free agent RP Frank Caraballo to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,200,000.
Injuries
Saturday, January 10th , 2037
Colorado Rockies: SP Françisco Fria diagnosed with a torn rotator cuff, will miss 12 months.
Thursday, January 8th , 2037
Houston Astros: SP David Villar diagnosed with a torn flexor tendon in his elbow, will miss 12-13 months.
Friday, January 2nd , 2037
New York Mets: SP Sergio DiBiagio diagnosed with a torn labrum, will miss 7 months.
Hall of Fame
Two new names were etched into Canton as Nolan Arendo and Joet Votto both receive the 75% of ballots to join the immortals. Arendo (79.5%) gets in on his 2nd time on the ballot while Votto (76.0%) gets in at the 8th attempt!
Both Gerrit Cole and Bryce Harper look like locks with over 70% and years remaining while Aroldis Chapman and Salvador Perez both received over 50% and are in with a chance although as an 8th year balloter, Chapman may run out of time.
