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Newly signed Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Tommy Hunter could be sidelined for at least three months following offseason core-muscle surgery.

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Hunter Could Make an Impact When He Returns

Saturday, Feb. 20

Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reported the news Saturday just days after Hunter signed a one-year, $2 million deal with Cleveland.

Hunter, who has started 75 games in his career—but none since 2013—spent last season with the Chicago Cubs and Baltimore Orioles, compiling a 4.18 ERA with 47 strikeouts and 14 walks in 60.1 innings pitched. 

D.J. Short of Hardball Talk noted Hunter, along with the injured Craig Stammen (elbow), could be an important part of the Indians bullpen later in the year: “Both could be useful bullpen arms if they come back healthy, but the Indians will have to make do without them in the early part of the season.”

Hunter is 46-33 in his career with a 4.31 ERA to go along with 423 strikeouts and 151 walks in 676.2 innings.

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New Seattle Mariners general manager Jerry DiPoto resigned from the same position with the Los Angeles Angels last season amid speculation that he and longtime manager Mike Scioscia did not get along. DiPoto touched on the subject Friday when talking with MLB Network Radio about his new job (h/t Matt Snyder of CBS Sports):

I have a manager now in Scott Servais who I do see eye-to-eye with. And we have discussed every move. We have disagreed on many moves this offseason but in a really productive way. Fair or unfair, that was not always the case with Mike. You know, Scott, we talk about it, we cut it up on the floor, we’ll introduce it to coaches and scouts and at the end of the day I think that’s healthy. Healthy disagreement is a good thing, and sometimes in Anaheim, as you saw played out nationally at times in the last four years it wasn’t quite as healthy.

Scioscia has been with the Angels since 2000 and guided the team to a World Series title in 2002. DiPoto took over in 2011, and the team failed to win a playoff series during his tenure.

There was speculation that DiPoto’s beef went deeper, as Snyder noted some thought owner Arte Moreno sided with the manager. Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register called it “no surprise.”

However, in the same interview, DiPoto also said he enjoyed his time in Southern California (via Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times):

I appreciate those [3 1/2] years, and for much of that time, I had a great time. I got an opportunity to work with a manager who I believe is very likely to wind up in the Hall of Fame. And I got a chance to work for an owner who never spared any expense in throwing as much money at a roster as he could, and the aggression they showed was great.

While times were rocky, DiPoto doesn’t seem to be carrying any grudges with him to Seattle. If anything, it seems as though it was a good decision for both sides to part ways, and now the GM is with an up-and-coming team that Baseball Prospectus predicted will win 84 games in 2016, which would be an eight-game improvement from last season (via Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times).

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At 23 years old, Washington Nationals star Bryce Harper is becoming the face of Major League Baseball. He’s a three-time All-Star in just four seasons in the majors and is the reigning National League MVP after a campaign in which he hit .330 with 42 home runs and 99 RBI.

Although he won’t be a free agent until the 2018 season concludes, there is talk that he could become the game’s first $400 million player—which would easily surpass Giancarlo Stanton’s record $325 million, 13-year contract. On Thursday, Grant Paulsen and Danny Rouhier of 106.7 The Fan in Washington, D.C., asked him about the possibility of receiving a record-breaking contract in an interview that will air Friday (h/t Chris Lingebach of CBS DC). Harper replied:

Yeah, I mean I don’t really think about that stuff. I just try to play the years out and do everything I can to help my team win. But don’t sell me short. That’s what you’re doing right now to me, so don’t do that.

I’m looking forward to just playing this year, just looking forward to playing the next couple years. And I think all that stuff will play out.

While he sounded humble in the beginning of the answer, his brazen side came out when hinting that $400 million may not be where his contract tops out. It would be quite a jump from the $5 million he is set to make next year, per Spotrac.com.

Of course, being humble is hard when you are anointed the sport’s next big superstar before your senior year of high school. His fiery attitude and talent have carried him far in the game, but he has also rubbed some people the wrong way, including teammate Jonathan Papelbon, who choked Harper in the dugout near the end of last season.

However, the outfielder is young, still learning how to be a professional and putting up numbers the game has rarely seen for someone of his age. He was the youngest player to unanimously win the MVP award, as well as the youngest since 1969 to hit three home runs in a game.

Ace of MLB Stats put his 2015 season into perspective:

He has yet to enter his prime and has 97 home runs and 248 RBI in 510 games while sporting an impressive .289/.384/.517 slash line. Here’s a visual of his short career, per Daren Willman of MLB.com:

It’s debatable whether MLB contracts are getting out of hand, but if the market dictates it, there is little doubt that Harper will be worth at least $400 million when he is a 25-year-old free agent.

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The Chicago Cubs have re-signed ace Jake Arrieta to a one-year, $10.7 million deal, per the Associated Press (via ESPN.com). Jon Heyman of MLB Network confirmed the news. 

It might seem like a steal for Chicago as Arrieta is coming off a Cy Young season and one of the most dominant second halves in recent memory, but he avoided arbitration and is now making $7.1 million more than last season.

Arrieta, who will turn 30 in March, was 22-6 with a 1.77 ERA in 2015, striking out 236 and walking just 48 in 229 innings. He also led MLB with four complete games and three shutouts. According to the Canadian Press (via TSN), Arrieta had originally asked for $13 million, but the Cubs offered just $7.5 million.

He filed for arbitration with the single-highest gap between player and team, but the two sides were able to come to terms before reaching that point, much to the delight of Marc “Silvy” Silverman, who is half of Chicago’s sports talk radio show, Waddle & Silvy:

Even if he was half as effective as last year, Arrieta would be worth the money. After the All-Star Game, the right-hander went 12-1 and allowed just nine earned runs in those 15 starts. He tossed a no-hitter on Aug. 30 against the Los Angeles Dodgers while striking out 12 and walking just one.

Although he’s not making the mega-money Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw ($32 million) or Arizona Diamondbacks starter Zack Greinke ($31 million) will in 2016, Arrieta still ended up with a favorable deal, per Heyman:

The Cubs added some nice offensive pieces during the offseason in outfielder Jason Heyward and utility man Ben Zobrist to a team that advanced to the National League Championship Series last year. Locking down their ace, who went 2-1 with a 3.66 ERA in the postseason, was key to making sure another run at the World Series is possible.  

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Howie Kendrick spent 2015 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, slashing .295/.336/.409 with nine home runs and 54 RBI, then hit the free-agent market for the first time in his 10-year career.

He was excited for the opportunity, but with just two weeks left before pitchers and catchers report, Kendrick was without a team and frustrated, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

“Nothing,” Kendrick said. “I figured there would be quite a few suitors for me, and nobody was really calling. Here it is, getting close to spring training, and you keep hearing the same thing over and over. Nobody wanted to give up that draft pick. It was a shocker.”

Other than the Dodgers, any team would have to forfeit a draft pick to sign Kendrick, 32, because he turned down a qualifying offer at the end of the season. No other team bit, so Kendrick re-signed with Los Angeles for two years and $20 million. Per Nightengale, the deal also includes two years of deferrals, meaning he will receive $5 million per year for the next four years.

It’s an amazing deal for the Dodgers, not only because Kendrick has been one of the most productive second basemen in baseball for the past six or seven years but also because the offer Kendrick turned down at the end of the season was worth $15.8 million in 2016.

According to Nightengale, Kendrick was not happy with the process.

“When you get to free agency, you’re supposed to be a free agent,” Kendrick said. “Now, with this qualifying offer, teams are trying to decide: Do I make my major league team better or minor league system better?”

Kendrick’s agent, 32-year veteran Larry Reynolds, said he and his client discussed the possibility the qualifying offer could hinder the process but did not think it would completely derail it, per Nightengale.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” he said. “Without question, this was the most challenging free-agent process that I’ve been involved in. The teams are placing a very high value on draft picks, and this contributed to the limited market for Howie, and it looks like some of the others are having the same challenges.”

Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Dave Stewart said he had interest in Kendrick but wanted to hold on to his draft pick. Nightengale feels the system is flawed:

Come on, we’re talking about the 39th pick in the draft.

If that pick turns out to produce half the career as Kendrick, the D’backs will be skinny-dipping in their center-field swimming pool.

After all, most draft picks – particularly those beyond the first dozen or so – are largely a crapshoot. And the obsession over picks to the point of impacting the current major league roster has gone too far.

Second baseman Ben Zobrist was able to sign a four-year, $56 million contract with the Chicago Cubs in December because he did not have a qualifying offer attached to him after being traded midseason. On the other hand, free-agent pitcher Yovani Gallardo, who turned down a qualifying offer, remains unsigned. The two players’ agent, Scott Pucino, said he knows why, per Nightengale:

He’s probably signed by now if not for the draft pick attached to him. Having a draft pick on you is such a strain. Hopefully, this will be addressed in the next CBA.

It’s a new trend. Instead of signing a free agent, teams are trying to build from within. What I don’t understand is that these guys are already proven. They’re almost a sure thing. When you draft a player, even in the first round, only a small percentage of them get to the big leagues, and staying in the big leagues is even more tougher.

Not much can be done for Kendrick now, but he hopes the CBA rules change to protect future players, according to Nightengale.

“It’s not about one person, but all of us as a whole,” Kendrick said. “Hopefully, when the next wave of players come up, it won’t be like that. It will be completely different.”

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Free-agent relief pitcher Tyler Clippard and the Arizona Diamondbacks reportedly agreed on a two-year, $12.25 million contract, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.

Jack Magruder of Fox Sports reported on Saturday that the Diamondbacks and Clippard’s camp were having contract discussions. 

The 30-year-old right-hander split the 2015 season between the New York Mets and Oakland Athletics, registering 19 saves while striking out 64 batters and walking 31 in 71 innings pitched.

On Jan. 4, Diamondbacks general manager Dave Stewart said he would have liked to make a trade for a reliever, but since the price was too steep, Clippard was a viable option, via AZCentral’s Nick Piecoro.

“We have not talked to his people, (but) that is a good name,” Stewart said when asked about Clippard. “I know we talked about it internally, so I think there’s a pretty good possibility we will (reach out), at least just to see.”

Clippard spent 2007-14 with the Washington Nationals, mainly as a setup man. However, he did record 32 saves as the closer for the team in 2012. According to Baseball-Reference.com, Clippard has a career ERA+ of 138 and an impressive 1.089 WHIP.

It seemed likely that Stewart would make a big push, considering he didn’t see many good prospects on the horizon, according to Piecoro: “I think there’s probably only going to be a few options that will fit. I don’t see there being a bunch.”

Clippard has been a workhorse over his career, logging a 2.88 ERA in 562 innings, and has averaged nearly 75 innings the past seven years. He will most likely be a setup man again with Arizona, considering Brad Ziegler, who saved 30 games for the Diamondbacks last year, remains on the roster.

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The Arizona Diamondbacks traded minor league shortstop Isan Diaz to the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday in a deal that sent Jean Segura to Arizona, per Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The move was spurred by the fact that the Brewers needed to make room for talented shortstop prospect Orlando Arcia, whom MLB.com ranked as the No. 6 overall prospect for 2016. Diaz also played second base in the Diamondbacks system and was the 70th overall pick in the 2014 draft out of high school, per Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com.

Brewers general manager David Stearns commented on the addition of Diaz, per Haudricourt. “We are excited to be able to add Isan Diaz to our growing supply of high-upside minor league talent,” he said.

Diaz should not be an afterthought in this trade, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports:

His 2015 rookie-ball season with the Missoula Osprey was impressive. Diaz slashed .360/.436/.640 with 13 homes runs, 51 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 68 games. MiLB.com shared a replay of a three-run home run the sweet-swinging left-hander hit:

If Arcia turns into the major leaguer many expect him to, Diaz may need to move to second base to become an everyday player in Milwaukee. However, Haudricourt noted Arcia may not be ready to make an immediate impact.

It’s clear Diaz is in Milwaukee’s future plans, considering the team gave up a bona fide starter in Segura, even if it means he’s an insurance policy for Arcia.

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In a Friday television special, MLB Network revealed its top 50 prospects for the 2016 season. Last year’s top two prospects, Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins and Kris Bryant of the Chicago Cubs, both made their MLB debuts in 2015. Buxton struggled to find his place, hitting .204 with 44 strikeouts and just six walks, but Bryant hit 26 home runs and had 99 RBI during an All-Star and Rookie of the Year campaign.

So while the list may not be a perfect representation of who the next-biggest MLB stars are, it’s a safe bet if your team has players toward the top, the future could be bright. Twins fans are hoping that proves true, as Buxton was ranked in the top two for the third straight season. There is no denying his talent, but in an era where everyone wants instant gratification, tangible production at the MLB level is a must for the 22-year-old.

Los Angeles Dodgers fans should be feeling good as their team has two prospects in the top 10, including No. 1 talent, short stop Corey Seager. The 6’4″, left-handed hitter is thought to have one of, if not, the best bats of any prospect in the game. MLB Pipeline called him a “hitting machine:

A full ranking of the top 100 prospects can be found on MLB.com, but first here’s a look at MLB Network’s top-10 list:

There was drama as the countdown unfolded when Seager and Buxton were the final two players left. Buxton had been ranked No. 1 the previous two seasons, but the 21-year-old Seager laid claim to the top spot this time.

Jim Callis of MLB.com was live tweeting during the show and seemed to admit there was not much space between the two top prospects when responding to a fan who thought Buxton should be No. 1:

Austin Meadows, an outfielder in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, complimented the top prospect after the rankings were revealed:

Seager slashed .307/.368/.523 with 62 home runs and 278 RBI in 390 career minor league games. He showed some of that promise in 98 major league at-bats in 2015, hitting .337 with four home runs and 17 RBI.

Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register thinks Seager will be a mainstay in the Dodgers’ lineup next season:

Buxton’s drop in the rankings, albeit just one spot, could have as much to do with his production as it did with Seager’s strong performance. However, as this MLB.com scouting report on Buxton shows, the Twins are still relying on him to be contributing at the big league level:

In an ideal world, Buxton would have received an additional 200-300 at-bats in the Minors to help his development. He wasn’t ready to hit in the big leagues, having trouble with breaking-ball recognition and having some holes in his swing exploited. Even when Buxton is not hitting, he can impact the game in so many other ways. He’ll be a Gold Glove center fielder in the future, with plus range and arm. Buxton’s plus plus speed will make him a basestealing threat. Once he settles in, he will adjust and hit for average and power.

Injuries have really hampered Buxton’s development and a full healthy season would help put any questions to rest. The Twins were pleased with how he handled adversity in the big leagues, and they think that bodes well for 2016 and beyond.

The MLB.com report on Seager predicts batting titles could be in his future:

Seager has a higher offensive ceiling than any big league shortstop except for Carlos Correa. He combines a sweet left-handed swing, bat speed, strength, tremendous feel for hitting and the willingness to use all fields. The only knock on Seager at the plate is that he can get somewhat aggressive at times, but that shouldn’t prevent him from challenging for batting titles and producing 25 or more homers per season.

Because Seager is 6-foot-4 and a below-average runner, he has faced doubts about his long-term ability to stay at shortstop since he has turned pro. His strong arm and his instincts allow him to make plays, however, and he may stick there longer than expected. Eventually moving to third base wouldn’t prevent Seager from being a star, because his bat will play big at any position.

Los Angeles, which advanced to the National League Division Series in 2015 and led the NL with 187 home runs last season, could use one more bat like Seager’s to put it over the hump in its quest for the franchise’s first World Series since 1998.

The Twins, on the other hand, have not made the playoffs for five seasons, and their 83 wins in 2015 were their most since 2010. They showed improvement from a 70-win 2014 season, which should excite a fanbase that must be eager for Buxton to join the club permanently. 

The center fielder could step into a leadership role early on if he plays well considering the Twins projected outfield of Buxton (22 years old), Max Kepler (24) and Eddie Rosario (24) will be among the youngest in all of baseball.

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The New York Mets played in the World Series last year, and third baseman David Wright believes that success is helping the team lure big-name players such as outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, per Adam Schein of CBS Sports (via Mike Axisa of CBSSports.com):

Until this Yoenis signing, we didn’t have that big splash, sexy free agent signing. We made good baseball moves this offseason, I believe. And then you come in at the end and get an impact bat like Cespedes definitely makes our team better going into this year. We are, I feel, a much better team than what we were going into 2015.

Obviously you want the good players to come play for you instead of going to your division rival. We’ve proven that players want to come play for us. You have to prove that you can be a winning a team, a winning organization, an organization that is willing to be aggressive and pull triggers on trades in the middle of the year, or make those free agent signings. And once you prove that you can stabilize that, and hopefully become a perennial winner, big time impact players want to come play for you. That was the case here.

Prior to last season, the Mets missed the playoffs eight consecutive years and had not played in the World Series since losing 4-1 to the New York Yankees during the 2000 season. As Wright said, they had trouble attracting talent but a World Series appearance can change that. 

The Cespedes signing—three years and $75 million—is a step in the right direction, but they didn’t lure him from another team. He was traded to the Big Apple from the Detroit Tigers last summer and was one of the more prolific hitters in MLB the second half of the season. He slashed .287/.337/.604 with 17 home runs and 44 RBI in just 57 games.

As this video from the Mets shows, he also has a pretty good arm:

However, had he signed elsewhere, Cespedes would have been the second player who contributed to the Mets’ success to leave after National League Championship Series MVP Daniel Murphy signed with the Washington Nationals. Instead, to Wright’s delight, he remains in New York, and it could help show that the Yankees are not the only team in the New York that can sign high-priced free agents.

The Mets should be contenders again in the NL East with a solid lineup and one of the best young pitching corps in the Majors.

Starters Noah Syndergaard, Jacob deGrom, Matt Harvey and Steven Matz return to anchor a staff that allowed the fifth-fewest runs per game last year at 3.78 and had the second-highest quality-start percentage at 62.

Stats per baseball-reference.com unless otherwise noted.

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Chicago White Sox middle reliever Matt Albers has signed a one-year, $2.25 million contract to return to the team for the 2016 season, according to Dayn Perry of CBS Sports. According to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal (via Perry), the deal also includes a $3 million team option for 2017.

The right-hander, who turned 33 years old Wednesday, had a 1.21 ERA with 28 strikeouts and just nine walks in 37.1 innings pitched last season.

Next season will be the 11th for Albers, who sports an ERA+ of 102 through 552.2 career innings, per Baseball-Reference.com. His lone year in Chicago was arguably his best, though he pitched fewer innings than in other seasons.

According to Perry, Albers will slide into the setup role behind closer David Robertson. Dan Hayes of CSN Chicago likes the move:

Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish said a move by the New York Mets helped bring Albers back to town: “Albers was a hot commodity on the free-agent market this winter, drawing strong interest from many clubs, including the Mets. New York’s recent signing of Antonio Bastardo to a two-year deal likely took them out of the running for bullpen help, leading Albers to go back to Chicago for another season.”

Chicago finished with its third straight losing season in 2015, while the bullpen was 15th in MLB with a 3.67 ERA and 24th with a .255 batting average against.

This might not be the flashiest signing of the MLB offseason, but if Albers can replicate 2015 and add another 30 to 35 innings, he should be able to help Chicago improve those numbers.

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