One major domino has fallen.
Good morning folks! We’ve finally got some major action to report on! Let’s get to it.
In Mariners news…
- Add another pitcher to the pile!
The Mariners have signed reliever Brett de Geus to a minor league contract. The 26-year-old spent time in the majors in 2021 with the Rangers and Diamondbacks after being taken in the Rule 5 draft, and split last season between Double-A and Triple-A in the Royals organization.…
— Joe Veyera (@JoeVeyera) December 6, 2023
- On the 10th anniversary of the Mariners signing Robinson Canó to a franchise record-setting contract, Lookout Landing alum Amanda Lane Cumming recaptured the euphoria of that moment as a Mariners fan.
- Ryan Divish at The Seattle Times recapped a relatively quiet Winter Meetings for the Mariners and set the stage for the coming months.
Around the league…
- It took a little bit of time, but the inevitable happened: The Yankees acquired Juan Soto (and Trent Grisham) from the Padres for a five-player package.
- As for Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the top pitcher in the free agent class met with Mets owner Steve Cohen in Japan and will speak with Yankees brass next week in Los Angeles, along with up to five additional potential suitors, two of which are not currently known.
- And Shohei Ohtani? Well, who knows? Rumor has it the two-way superstar is “days away” from making a decision, with Jon Paul Morosi saying he will likely decide by the end of the coming weekend. As far as we know, the teams still involved are the Dodgers, Giants, Angels, Blue Jays, and Cubs.
- The Reds inked infielder Jeimer Candelario to a three-year contract. With him in the fold, Cincinnati is seemingly in position to trade one of their many young infielders. Know anyone who might be interested?
- The Diamondbacks have signed left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez to a four-year deal.
- The Orioles agreed to a one-year pact with closer Craig Kimbrel, bolstering their bullpen while they wait for Félix Bautista to recover from Tommy John surgery.
- In a more minor signing, reliever Adam Ciimber signed a one-year deal with the Angels.
- Former Cardinals star Yadier Molina will join the organization’s front office as a special assistant to the GM.
- While owners fear the bursting of the cable bubble will destroy their revenue, Scott Boras believes their pivot to streaming will ultimately increase their profits.
- A former Mariner reliever looks poised for a bounce-back campaign.
Veteran reliever Dan Altavilla agreed to terms with Royals on a minor league deal with a spring invite. He’s coming back from two lost seasons due to injury. Altavilla was up to 98 mph in the Dominican this winter and received a dozen offers. He is a client of The MAS Agency.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 6, 2023