Well, there goes the Hall of Fame

 

In an announcement with significant implications on both Robinson Canó’s career and the Mets’ near-term future, Major League Baseball revealed Wednesday that Canó has received a 162-game suspension without pay for testing positive for Stanozolol, a performance-enhancing substance. Canó will miss the entire 2021 season.

“We were extremely disappointed to be informed about Robinson’s suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program,” Mets president Sandy Alderson said in a statement. “The violation is very unfortunate for him, the organization, our fans and the sport. The Mets fully support MLB’s efforts toward eliminating performance enhancing substances from the game.”

Canó previously served an 80-game suspension in 2018 after violating MLB’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program for the first time. Playing for the Mariners at that time, Canó tested positive for furosemide, a diuretic better known as Lasix, which is often used to help mask banned substances in urine tests.

“I understand that everything that goes into my body,” Canó said in a prepared statement following that suspension announcement. “I’m responsible for that.”

 

 

According to a source, Canó did not plan to release a statement following his latest positive test.

Brodie Van Wagenen had been the Mets' general manager for about five weeks when he acquired Canó, his former client, in a December 2018 trade that also brought Edwin Díaz to New York for top prospects Jarred Kelenic and Justin Dunn, among others. Canó struggled throughout '19, but he rebounded in '20 to hit .318/.352/.544 over 49 games as a 37-year-old. Canó credited his success to an offseason workout program that allowed him to keep his legs in peak shape.

“If I had any concern about what Robby’s physical state or performance ability going forward is, I would not have made the deal,” Van Wagenen said shortly after the trade. “This guy has huge ambition to be able to be great in the coming years. All of us have great confidence that a bat as consistently good as Robinson Canó has been over the years, he’s not going to lose that skill set. And if he continues to work as hard on his body and his defensive mobility, there’s no reason he can’t be a productive defensive player for us as we go forward, too.”

Canó will forfeit the entirety of his $24 million salary in 2021, but he is still due $48 million from '22-23. The Mets are responsible for approximately $40 million of that total, with Seattle picking up the rest.

A career .303 hitter with 2,624 hits and 334 home runs over 16 seasons with the Yankees, Mariners and Mets, Canó would be a borderline Hall of Famer by numbers alone. But voters have historically taken a strict line with players even suspected of PED use, let alone those with documented positive tests.

While Canó’s latest suspension will have a seismic impact on the Mets’ roster and payroll, the team is well-covered at second base in his absence. The simplest option would be to slide Jeff McNeil from left field back to his natural position at second base. That would allow the Mets to shift Brandon Nimmo to left field and sign a free agent -- George Springer and Jackie Bradley Jr. being the most prominent options -- to man center. It would also theoretically improve the Mets’ defense at multiple positions.

 

 

The Mets could also use Andrés Giménez full-time at second base, keeping their current outfield alignment of McNeil, Nimmo and Michael Conforto intact. They could acquire a free agent such as DJ LeMahieu to fill their hole at second base. Or they could move McNeil to second and sign a corner outfielder such as Marcell Ozuna to fill that hole. Without Canó’s money on the books, the Mets can spend up to $20 million more this winter without worrying about the luxury tax threshold.

Those decisions will occur in time, likely after the Mets hire a president of baseball operations to serve under Alderson.

No matter what the Mets choose, Canó’s long-term future is unclear. He remains under contract through 2023 at significant money. It is unknown if the Mets will welcome Canó back following multiple violations of MLB’s drug policy, or if they will move on despite their long-term financial commitment to him.

Welcome to the new management, time to clean up this mess.

 

The biggest move off the 2020 deadline was the Padres' acquisition of Mike Clevinger from Cleveland in a massive nine-player deal at the deadline. Unfortunately for San Diego, Clevinger was limited to just four regular season appearances and was only able to make one postseason start against the Dodgers because of an elbow injury.

We won’t see Clevinger at all in 2021. Unless you see him swimming in the Pacific Ocean. Then tell me.

On the same day that he signed a two-year, $11.5 million contract, it was also announced that Clevinger will miss the 2021 season after undergoing Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery. This will be the second time that the right-hander the operation, as he had the same procedure while a member of the Angels’ organization. 

The fantasy implications here are relatively obvious -- at least in terms of Clevinger’s value for 2021 in redraft leagues: there isn’t any. What’s (potentially) less obvious is the other ramifications. The Padres have some very intriguing young depth in their rotation, and barring a trade, Dinelson Lamet, Zach Davies and Chris Paddack are locks to open the year in that role. That leaves two potential open spots, however, with Clevinger out for the year and Garrett Richards a free agent. That leaves opportunities for young hurlers like Adrian Morejon, but also top prospects like MacKenzie Gore and Luis Patino. Gore is arguably the top pitching prospect in the game, and Patino isn’t all that far behind. It’s certainly possible the Padres will be in the market for another starter on the trade or free agent market -- they might have been even without the Clevinger news -- but it’s much easier to see Gore making a larger impact in 2021 now.

The other question, of course, is what this means for Clevinger in the long-term. The right-hander will turn 30 in December, so the next time we’ll see him throw a competitive pitch will be as a 31-year-old, most likely. When healthy, he has some of the best stuff in the game; and the evidence comes in his 3.19 career ERA with a K/9 of 10.0 in 542 1/3 innings. The issue is durability, and this won’t do it any favors. Clevinger has thrown over 126 innings once, and that’s a troubling figure for a pitcher who is on the wrong side of 30 and coming off his second major procedure. The upside is palpable, but there’s just as much risk as there is reward going forward.

 

Smyly signs one-year, $11 million deal with Braves 

The Braves were among the first to strike in free agency in 2019, and they’ve made an early move for the 2021 campaign as well. 

On Monday, the Braves announced that they had agreed to a one-year, $11 million deal with left-hander Drew Smyly. Smyly spent the 2020 season with the Giants, and he registered a 3.42 ERA in seven games -- five starts -- over 26 1/3 innings. A solid number, but the metrics suggest the 31-year-old was even better than that. He struck out a whopping 42 hitters in that frame against nine walks, and he finished the year with a Fielding Independent Pitching number of 2.01. 

The question with Smyly is the same as Clevinger; can he stay healthy? We haven’t seen him throw more than 150 innings since 2016, and he missed all of 2017-2018 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. That being said, there are things to like here. He’s going to pitch behind one of the best lineups in baseball -- with or without Marcell Ozuna returning -- and his stuff seemed to reach another level this year; posting vastly improved spin rates on his fastball and curve. 

The Braves might be creative in how they use Smyly in 2021 to ensure health down the stretch, but his ability to miss bats will give him some fantasy appeal this summer.

Marlins hire Ng as first female GM in MLB history

Miami filled their general manager position on Friday, and they did it by making history. Miami hired Kim Ng in the role, and she became the first woman GM not only in MLB history, but the first of a North American professional men’s sports team. Before taking this job, Ng has worked for the White Sox, Yankees and Dodgers -- she was a finalist for the Los Angeles job back in 2005 -- and she was MLB's senior vice president of baseball operations for the past nine years. In addition to interviewing for the position with Los Angeles, the 51-year-old was a finalist for several other openings, but she will get her first opportunity to run a club starting in 2021. It’s about time. 

Brewers ‘intend to listen’ on Hader offers

On Monday, Robert Murray of Fansided reported that the Brewers intend to listen to offers on left-handed reliever Josh Hader. Hader, 26, has been one of the best relievers in baseball over the past few seasons, and that is probably an understatement. While he posted a career-high 3.79 ERA last season, half of the runs he allowed came in one outing, and he’s still missing bats with the best of them with a career K/9 of 15.3. Hader also is becoming more expensive, however, and he’ll be paid a raise on the $4.4 million he made in 2020 in his second year of arbitration eligibility. The Brewers will likely need a substantial return in terms of prospects, but it wouldn’t be a shock if Hader was in another uniform this spring. Wherever he goes, the fantasy appeal is obvious, and Williams would see his stock jump up a not insignificant amount as the presumed closer for the Brew Crew in 2021.

 

Quick Bats: Luke Voit said he doesn't expect his plantar fasciitis to be an issue in 2021 … Peter Gammons of MLB.com has been told by Astros sources that Jackie Bradley "is a priority" for them this offseason … Giants outfield prospect Alexander Canario recently underwent surgery to repair a torn left labrum. 

Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports that Tommy Kahnle is considering "multiple" two-year offers. 

Kahne will miss the 2021 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in early August. Mark Buehrle is among the additions to the BBWAA Hall of Fame ballot for 2021. He's one of 11 new names on the ballot, which also includes (in alphabetical order) A.J. Burnett, Michael Cuddyer, Dan Haren, LaTroy Hawkins, Tim Hudson, Torii Hunter, Aramis Ramírez, Nick Swisher, Shane Victorino and Barry Zito.

 According to Ken Davidoff of the New York Post, the Mets are among the teams showing interest in free agent slugger Marcel Ozuna as well there should be, guys a game changer.  Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times believes that Kevin Kermeier is a candidate to be traded this offseason. Topkin cites the financial impact of the pandemic-delayed 2020 season as well as the uncertainty heading into 2021 as to why the Rays may be looking to shed payroll his winter ... Buster Olney of ESPN reports that four teams are showing early interest in free agent right-hander Jake Odorizzi Those four clubs: The Blue Jays, the Giants, the Mets and the Twins … Orioles acquired RHP Miguel Padilla from the Astros to complete the Hector Velazquez trade ... Rays right-handed pitching prospect Nick Bitsko "is likely to soon have surgery to relieve shoulder discomfort," according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times .

 Athletics signed RHP Zac Reininger to a minor league contract . According to Robert Murray of FanSided, free agent right-hander Chase Anderson is drawing interest from "several teams." Why, I don't know, cause the guy can't throw stikes.

 

Kim Ng is the first female GM in North America

 

 

 The Marlins have pledged to build as diverse an organization as possible. On Friday morning, they made history by announcing Kim Ng as their new general manager.

Ng is the first woman to become an MLB general manager. She is also believed to be the first woman hired as a GM by any major professional men's team in North American sports.

 “All of us at Major League Baseball are thrilled for Kim and the opportunity she has earned with the Marlins," MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. "Kim’s appointment makes history in all of professional sports and sets a significant example for the millions of women and girls who love baseball and softball. The hard work, leadership, and record of achievement throughout her long career in the National Pastime led to this outcome, and we wish Kim all the best as she begins her career with the Marlins.”

Ng, who turns 52 on Tuesday, has an extensive background as an executive. She has more than 30 years of experience in Major League Baseball, including 21 in the front offices of the White Sox (1990-96), Yankees (1998-2001) and Dodgers (2002-11).

 With the title of general manager, Ng (pronounced ANG) becomes the highest-ranking woman in baseball operations in the Majors. She also is the fifth person to hold the general manager title in Marlins history.

Ng is also the second person of Asian descent to lead an MLB team, following Farhan Zaidi, the former Los Angeles Dodgers GM and current president of baseball operations for the Giants.

“On behalf of principal owner Bruce Sherman and our entire ownership group, we look forward to Kim bringing a wealth of knowledge and championship-level experience to the Miami Marlins,” chief executive officer Derek Jeter said in a statement. “Her leadership of our baseball operations team will play a major role on our path toward sustained success. Additionally, her extensive work in expanding youth baseball and softball initiatives will enhance our efforts to grow the game among our local youth as we continue to make a positive impact on the South Florida community.”

 The Marlins began the reshaping of their baseball operations department after parting ways with Michael Hill as president of baseball operations on Oct. 18.

 “I entered Major League Baseball as an intern and, after decades of determination, it is the honor of my career to lead the Miami Marlins as their next general manager,” Ng said in a statement. “We are building for the long term in South Florida, developing a forward-thinking, collaborative, creative baseball operation made up of incredibly talented and dedicated staff who have, over the last few years, laid a great foundation for success."

 Hill, who is African American and Cuban, had served in that capacity since the end of the 2013 season, and he had been an executive with the Marlins since ‘02, including being promoted to GM in ‘07. Hill recently interviewed for the Mets’ open GM position.

The Marlins’ decision-making landscape has changed since the ownership group headed by Sherman and Jeter took over after the 2017 season.

Many voices are involved in the process, and the Marlins weren’t looking for someone necessarily to make the final call. Ng will oversee the department and work in unison with Jeter, vice president of baseball operations and scouting Gary Denbo, as well as the pro, amateur and international departments.

 A graduate of the University of Chicago, Ng broke into baseball as an intern with the White Sox in 1990, later advancing to assistant director of baseball operations. She then became the Yankees’ assistant general manager from 1998-2001.

Jeter has helped break the standard of hiring just men.

LaRussa stains the Sox

 He has disgraced himself one too many times, and he should be terminated, immediately.

He has stained one of the oldest franchises on this planet, at least bringng back memoriesof the 1919 Black Sox scandal.

 

Manager Tony La Russa flashed a ring at a police officer arresting him for driving under the influence and said "I'm a Hall of Famer baseball person" while being placed into the back of a cruiser, according to an incident report obtained by ESPN.La Russa, 76, was charged in late October with DUI by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office in Arizona after blood and breath tests taken the night of his February arrest showed his blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over the legal limit of .08.The White Sox said they were aware of La Russa's pending charges, which were filed one day before the team officially hired him on Oct. 29. It is the second drunken-driving arrest for La Russa, who pleaded guilty to misdemeanor DUI in Florida in 2007.

While initial details of the arrest were provided in an affidavit from the arresting officer, the incident report by the Arizona Department of Public Safety fills in gaps and shows La Russa appearing incoherent, referring multiple times to his Hall of Fame credentials and expressing mistrust in blood-alcohol-level tests.

When the officer approached La Russa's car, which was blocking the right-hand lane on State Route 143, La Russa said he had a flat tire. "I hit something once I got on the 43," he said, according to the report.

La Russa said he was returning from a dinner with "friends with the California Angels baseball team." (La Russa was a special adviser for the Los Angeles Angels before the White Sox hired him to manage after a nine-year absence from the dugout.) When the officer asked for identification, according to the report, La Russa continued instead to talk on the phone to a AAA representative. The officer repeated the command, and La Russa tossed cash and cards onto the passenger's seat but did not furnish a driver's license. The officer asked him to hang up his phone and provide the license.

While shuffling through his money and cards, La Russa twice passed over the license before finally handing it to the officer, according to the report.

The officer asked La Russa to exit the car for field sobriety tests. La Russa said he had undergone a hip replacement four weeks earlier and asked: "Why are we doing the tests?" The officer said there was an odor of alcohol emanating from La Russa. When the officer discussed administering a portable breath test, La Russa said: "I don't trust it."

According to the report, La Russa then asked: "What makes you think I don't have control of my facilities?"

He agreed to take the breath test "if it gets me out of here," according to the report. The test registered a BAC of .090.

The officer placed La Russa under arrest for DUI. When read his Miranda rights, La Russa said: "I don't know my rights because you told me once I blow into that thing we'd be done," according to the report. The officer asked if La Russa had any drinks, and he replied that he had one glass of wine at dinner, the report said.

 

Before the arresting officer placed him in a vehicle, La Russa said: "Do you see my ring?" When asked what he meant, La Russa answered: "I'm a Hall of Famer baseball person." He continued: "I'm legit. I'm a Hall of Famer, brother. You're trying to embarrass me." WTF.

Once at the highway patrol station near the incident, La Russa requested a phone call. At 1:07 a.m., around 90 minutes after the arrest, he asked to speak with a supervisor, according to the report. He declined to submit a blood sample to test his BAC, the report said.

"I will not comply with your tests," La Russa said, according to the report. "I don't trust it, brother."

The officer received a warrant to draw La Russa's blood, and the test measured La Russa's BAC at .095.

When reached for comment on Monday night, La Russa told ESPN, "I have nothing to say," and hung up the phone. A message left Tuesday for La Russa's lawyer, Larry Kazan, was not returned.

Christmas may come early for the Blue Jays

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal in an article for The Athletic, rival executives have been anticipating that the Blue Jays would be among the big-spending clubs this offseason. The club made the first notable signing of the Hot Stove season when it inked Robbie Ray to a one-year, $8 million deal, and there could be more to come.

One potential target? Lindor, whom many expect will be traded before Opening Day. Lindor is in his final year of arbitration eligibility after earning a prorated portion of his $17.5 million salary in 2020.

As Rosenthal notes, Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro and general manager Ross Atkins were the Indians’ GM and farm director, respectively, when the team selected Lindor with the eighth overall pick in the 2011 MLB Draft.

The Blue Jays have Bo Bichette at shortstop, but they could move him to third base to fill their hole there if they can swing a trade for Lindor. Leaving Vlad jr at first base.

Jon Heyman: Yanks more likely to pursue FA shortstop than Lindor trade

 After shortstop Gleyber Torres struggled on defense in 2020, the Yankees have been mentioned as a potential landing spot for Lindor, who is expected to be traded before Opening Day. However, MLB Network insider Jon Heyman said on Monday’s episode of the Big Time Baseball Podcast that Yankees officials have downplayed the possibility of a Lindor trade.Heyman thinks if the club does pursue a shortstop, it is more likely to be a free agent such as Andrelton Simmons or Didi Gregorius.

 Is the Indians trading Lindor a matter of "if," or a matter of "when"?

 A report Thursday from USA Today's Bob Nightengale suggests that Lindor will be in a new uniform on Opening Day 2021.

The Indians intend to trade Lindor by Opening Day and have informed several rival teams of those intentions, according to Nightengale.

That lines up with what MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi is hearing, too: A Lindor deal is looking likely this offseason -- but perhaps "unlikely to happen quickly."

One big reason? Cleveland wants as many suitors in play as possible, and the Mets -- who have a good mix of young, cost-controlled big leaguers like Amed Rosario, Dominic Smith, Brandon Nimmo, Andrés Giménez and others -- might be a potential landing spot.

Thing is, new Mets owner Steve Cohen and team president Sandy Alderson must set up a new office and that will take some time as they interview candidates

Lindor is only a year away from free agency -- he's set to headline what could be the best shortstop class ever in the 2021-22 offseason along with Javier Báez, Carlos Correa, Corey Seager and Trevor Story. But the 26-year-old would still command a high price on the trade market, considering the rarity of a superstar shortstop in his prime.

And, of course, anything could happen in the months between now and the start of the 2021 season. The Indians could always decide to hold onto Lindor, the face of their franchise. But if Lindor is indeed on the block, he'll have no shortage of suitors.While this year’s free-agent class has its share of big names, the highest-profile players to change teams this offseason might actually come via trade. MLB Network insider Jon Heyman lists Lindor, Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant and Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado among his top five trade candidates, along with Astros shortstop Carlos Correa and Mets shortstop Amed Rosario.

Lindor, Bryant, Arenado (opt out) and Correa all can become free agents after the 2021 campaign.

Of the five, Lindor may be the most likely to move, as the Indians appear to be cutting costs with revenues down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Tribe declined options on Brad Hand ($10 million), Carlos Santana ($17.5 million) and Domingo Santana ($5 million), choosing instead to pay $1.75 million in buyouts to the three players, though they did pick up Roberto Pérez’s $5.5 million option.

Cleveland listened to trade offers for Lindor last offseason, but ended up retaining him. In his final year of arbitration eligibility, the shortstop is due to receive a raise from his $17.5 million salary in 2020, when he recorded a career-low 102 OPS+.

Bryant and Arenado were also floated as trade candidates last offseason, but they ended up staying put. Like Lindor, Bryant (73 OPS+), Arenado (84 OPS+) and Correa (92 OPS+) didn’t perform up to expectations in 2020, but all four players have strong track records.

Lindor and Correa will be part of a superstar class of free-agent shortstops a year from now, as the Rockies’ Trevor Story and the Dodgers’ Corey Seager are also due to hit the open market.

Rosario is heading into his age-25 season and is under control through 2023, but he took a step back offensively last season and saw rookie Andrés Giménez emerge as a more productive option.

Heyman names the Mets as a potential landing spot for Lindor, with new owner Steve Cohen looking to make a splash right out of the gate.

Free-agent catcher J.T. Realmuto is at the top of many Mets fans' wish lists, but another option for New York could be to sign outfielder George Springer, then Brandon Nimmo or Dominic Smith with Rosario in a deal for Lindor.

 

Vlad has slimmed down

 

 

 

Vlad junior is is ... in great shape? According to the Dominican newspaper El Caribe, it's true. There's even photo evidence.

It was evident during the 2020 season that Guerrero had put on some weight, but he told El Caribe he's already 32 pounds lighter compared to when he reported to Summer Camp, down to around 250 pounds. He shared that he felt the positive effects of refocusing on fitness during the season, and has slimmed down more since then. Meaning his mobility should be quicker.

"I finished the season more or less and put that in mind. I started with the slow swing and when I lost 20 pounds I started feeling better," Guerrero Jr. said.

Guerrero also said he regrets that he didn't show up to Summer Camp following the COVID-19 delay in better shape, and he has apologized to his teammates for not being as prepared as possible for the season.

"I learned after these months of the coronavirus that if you don't work hard, you can't be in the Major Leagues," he said. "Why do [Fernando] Tatis and [Juan] Soto put up good numbers? Because they work hard. I got the hits I got because of the ability that God gave me. But I knew it from the beginning. I know I did it wrong."

Guerrero said he is now eating differently, cutting out fatty foods and ingesting nothing but water after 7 p.m. He is also reportedly working out at the Blue Jays' Spring Training facility where he's hitting, taking ground balls and doing weight training.

The 21-year-old slugger, who is the son of Hall of Fame outfielder Vladimir Guerrero, made his highly anticipated Major League debut in 2019 and has shown his incredible raw power at the plate. But overall, his offensive performance has been somewhat underwhelming, compared to the hype that surrounded his promotion to the big leagues. So far, he has hit .269/.336/.442 with 24 home runs in 183 Major League games.

It's too soon to know if Guerrero's physical transformation continues to translate into better production on the field in 2021. But it's certainly remarkable that he has already shed so much weight and appears to be singularly focused on showing up to Spring Training far more prepared than he was for the 2020 campaign.

"I did not get to the second training well," Guerrero told El Caribe. "And I told myself that this cannot happen again."

If the Jays get a slimmed down Vlad at first, he can field better, run better, but will he hit better, better hope so.