NEWS/RUMORS/AROUND MLB Thread (Oct 2016 - Feb 2017)

Dodgers attended Craig Breslow throwing showcase
by Matthew Moreno | Dodger Blue — 3 hours ago

Throughout the early stages of the offseason the Los Angeles Dodgers were very much involved in the market of free-agent relief pitchers. The bulk of that centered around Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen and Mark Melancon.

Los Angeles was connected to each of the closers with varying degrees of reported interest, though Chapman and Jansen seemingly appeared to be the club’s primary targets. Once Chapman agreed to terms with the New York Yankees, the Dodgers followed suit shortly after with Jansen.

While the power right-hander ensured the Dodgers will not be without an elite backend reliever, the club has smaller voids to fill in their bullpen.

One option may be Craig Breslow, as the Dodgers were among the teams to attend his throwing showcase, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports:

"Breslow impressed scouts by throwing at a lower arm slot. The Mets and Dodgers each had two officials attend the session as well, and the Jays and Cubs were among the other clubs represented."​

The 36-year-old signed a Minor League deal with the Miami Marlins last February. He made the Marlins roster out of Spring Training, but was released in May. Breslow didn’t reach the Majors with Texas, and the two sides mutually decided to part ways in August.

Over 15 games with the Marlins, the left-hander yielded a 4.50 ERA, 3.93 FIP and 1.78 WHIP in 14 innings pitched. Breslow was largely effective throughout his career until the 2014 season with the Boston Red Sox.

The prolonged struggles over the past three seasons has resulted in Breslow altering his arm angle. In 2013, he went 5-2 with a 1.81 ERA and was key for the Red Sox in their path to a World Series title.

The 11-year veteran owns a career 3.35 ERA, 18.5 percent strikeout rate and 37.4 ground ball rate.

If the Dodgers are to sign Breslow, it presumably would need to be on a Minor League or one-year contract. Rosenthal reiterated the club’s stance of only wanting to sign relievers to one-year deals.

Breslow has received reported interest this offseason from the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays, among others.

 

I've got to say I was also happy when Blanton was signed last year, based on his success out of the pen the previous season. But I get the message here -- there are cheaper options available at fewer years committed.

 

My doctor buddy owns the building that he runs his practice out of. He charges himself really high rent for that same "tax thing" reason. Difference is, there aren't a whole bunch of fans who care more about what that money can buy than his taxes.

 

i remember them having a house in malibu just for their laundry

 

Seager still hopeful Dodgers can re-sign Utley
by Andy McCullough | Los Angeles Times — 4 hours ago

Corey Seager had a locker next to Chase Utley for the duration of the 2016 season. As he raced toward the National League rookie-of-the-year award, Seager leaned on Utley, a 14-year veteran, for advice.

Utley helped Seager develop a daily routine, and teamed with him in the middle of the Dodgers infield.

But they might not be clubhouse neighbors again this year. The Dodgers appear set to move on from Utley as their regular second baseman. The team acquired Logan Forsythe from Tampa Bay earlier in the week, and plan to use him at second. The acquisition does not shut the door on a reunion with Utley, who is a free agent, but it does hurt the chances.

In discussing the Forsythe trade, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman heaped praise upon Utley, a left-handed hitter for a team in need of right-handed batters. Seager has kept in touch with Utley this winter, but acknowledged the reality.

“That hurts,” Seager said at an event for the Dodgers community caravan at a mall in Canoga Park. “Chase helped me a lot. He really did. I can’t thank him enough for what he did. Hopefully there’s still a chance that he does come back. But I’m excited to meet Forsythe, and get to know him in spring training.”

Seager said he was impressed with Forsythe when the Rays played the Dodgers last season.

“Hard-nosed, blue-collar, wasn’t flashy, just got the job done,” Seager said. “That’s what we’re looking to do this year. Hopefully he’ll fit in nicely.”

 

uigpoop:

 

Latest on Craig Breslow’s market
by Mark Polishuk | MLB Trade Rumors — 55 minutes ago

The Twins, Blue Jays and Indians are all “strong” in their pursuit of left-handed reliever Craig Breslow, FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reports (Twitter link). The Dodgers and Mets are also interested in the veteran southpaw.

Breslow is likely to pick his new team once Jerry Blevins and Boone Logan (the top two left-handed relievers available) have signed. The Blue Jays and Mets have been connected to both relievers and the Dodgers have also been linked to Blevins, so it’s quite possible that Breslow could lose a suitor or two once the free agent market thins out.

Breslow has struggled for much of the last three seasons, though an overhaul of his mechanics and a new arm slot has led to renewed intrigue in his services, as almost half the teams in baseball had scouts at Breslow’s recent showcase. With this much apparent interest, Breslow can perhaps afford to be a bit patient in finding an offer, as he could still land a decent contract if as many as three teams will still be looking for lefty relief help.

With Logan and Blevins carrying reported price tags of at least two years and $12MM, Breslow is certainly a less-costly alternative, which has particular appeal to several of his suitors. Cleveland has already gone well above its usual spending limits to sign Edwin Encarnacion, the Mets’ payroll may also be somewhat maxed-out with Jay Bruce’s salary still on the books and the Jays may also be at or near their payroll parameters after re-signing Jose Bautista. The Twins are known to be attempting to wait out the market to score a bargain or two, as the rebuilding club obviously doesn’t intend to overpay for a bullpen signing.

From 2005-13, Breslow posted a 2.82 ERA, 2.1 K/BB rate and 7.4 K/9 over 402 relief innings with six teams (including the Twins and Indians). The 36-year-old has been effective against both left-handed hitters (holding them to a .693 OPS over his career) and right-handed hitters (.705 OPS).