Weekend Rumblings - News for December 21, 2024
Is Michael Lorenzen a two-way player?
Anne Rogers writes that Kris Bubic is looking forward to competing for a rotation spot.
“It brings out the best in you and everybody around you,” Bubic said. “You want to be in an environment like that because it challenges you individually to be your best. And for the team, everybody kind of rises to a certain level when they’re around other competitive people who want to win, who want to succeed.
“It’s such a long season, you can’t predict injuries or how guys will perform, so there’s always going to be a need for depth. There’s always going to be a need for guys to step in, maybe where they’re not expecting to step in.”
David Lesky reacts to J.J. Picollo’s comments on the off-season.
I know what JJ Picollo said on 96.5 the other day. I don’t really care. Words are just words. I’ve lauded him for his honesty with his words, so that might be a little bit of a backtrack on my end, but I always wonder what a GM has to gain from being completely open publicly. As I’ve said before, if you say you have $50 million to spend and you spend $25 million, you’re destroyed. If you say you have $25 million to spend and you spend $50 million, you’re a hero. I have absolutely been wrong before, but I would be shocked if the Royals haven’t added a bat who can hit in that 5/6 range, another starter/swingman and probably a bullpen arm or two.
Ken Rosenthal at The Athletics writes how Michael Lorenzen is being marketed as a two-way player. [$]
Hamill, according to sources briefed on his conversations, is talking with such clubs about signing Lorenzen, getting him the necessary plate appearances to qualify for two-way status and then flipping him to a contender that would benefit from carrying him as a 14th pitcher.
On June 20, 2022, the league imposed a 13-pitcher limit on each team’s 26-man roster. But players who meet the two-way requirements — pitching at least 20 innings and playing 20 games as a position player or DH, with at least three plate appearances in each game — do not count as one of the 13.
The Astros sign Christian Walker to a three-year, $60 million deal.
Boston signs pitcher Patrick Sandoval to a two-year, $18.5 million deal.
The Rangers sign reliever Hoby Milner to a one-year deal.
The Blue Jays are reportedly open to trading Bo Bichette.
The Cubs met with free agent Roki Sasaki.
Where could Alex Bregman land?
The Mariners, Nationals, and Mets are interested in Paul Goldschmidt.
Why some teams haven’t done much this off-season.
A record nine teams exceeded the luxury tax threshold, leading to $311 million in penalties.
How the Athletics are trying to convince free agents to play in a minor league park.
The Ravens release receiver Diontae Johnson after he refuses to enter a game.
Which NBA players could become first-time All-Stars this year?
Why can’t you switch seats in an empty airplane?
Rolling Stone tracks the decline of Sam Goody, which will soon have just one remaining store. [$]
A pastor takes some Flat Earthers to Antarctica to prove the world is round.
Your song of the day is The Yardbirds with Train Kept A Rollin’.