After a busy day where the winter’s best remaining hitter and pitcher came off the board in free agency, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world today:
1. Pitchers and catchers continue reporting:
After today, all 30 clubs’ pitchers and catchers will have reported for their first official team workout. The Guardians, Rockies, Brewers, and Mariners in the Cactus League as well as the Grapefruit League’s Orioles, Astros, Twins, and Blue Jays are all set to kick things off today. Those teams all unlock access to the 60-day injured list today, meaning any of them with a player suffering a long-term injury will have more 40-man roster flexibility going forward. Team officials figure to be in camp answering questions from the media as well, and as always it’s possible that previously-unreported injuries could crop up as players trickle into camp.
2. What’s next for Arenado?
The trade market for Nolan Arenado has long appeared unlikely to develop until after top infield free agent Alex Bregman signed somewhere. He finally did so last night, however, agreeing to a three-year deal with the Red Sox worth $40MM annually before factoring in deferred money. That’s bad news for Arenado and the Cardinals, as Boston was widely expected to pivot toward Arenado in the event that they came up short in the Bregman bidding. The other failed suitors for Bregman seem to be unlikely destinations. Arenado already blocked a trade to the Astros. A trade between the Cardinals and their archrival Cubs is all but impossible to imagine, and it’s unclear if Arenado would be willing to waive his no-trade clause to approve a deal to the Tigers or the Blue Jays.
3. Lower levels of free agency moving:
While most of the attention was on the major deals signed by Bregman and Nick Pivetta yesterday, they were just two of the seven players who signed big league free agent deals yesterday. All corners of the market have begun to move, with relievers like right-hander John Brebbia, starters like righty Cal Quantrill, and position players like center fielder Michael A. Taylor all agreeing to deals. A number of noteworthy free agents still remain on the market, including Justin Turner, Anthony Rizzo, Alex Verdugo, Paul DeJong, Andrew Heaney, Jose Quintana, and David Robertson. Who will be the next one to land a contract?
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