Spring training camps will open in Arizona and Florida in about a week. Cactus League and Grapefruit League play is tentatively scheduled to start in less than three weeks. Hurray for that. Here’s our look at Justin Turner’s market, and here are the last of the hot stoves rumbling as the off-season ends.
Mets adds Villar to roster in the utility role
The New York Mets and free-agent infielder Jonathan Villar agreed to a one-year deal worth $ 3.5 million, according to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman. 29-year-old Villar finds out a declining year, but this can be attributed to the difficulties of a season being cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic. In 2019 with the Baltimore Orioles, Villar looked solid, hitting .274 / .339 / .453. A switch hitter, Villar is likely to step in as a super utility player for the Mets in 2021. Thanks to his speed, he can play the second, third, short stop and the outfield as well as help out on the basic paths. Here’s more on the signing.
Mets interested in Turner
The best remaining unsigned free agent in the CBS Sports rankings is third baseman Justin Turner. Turner was widely expected to sign with reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers again, but with just a few days until spring practice, there’s no deal. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Turner gains interest from the New York Mets. But the two sides disagree on the number of years and the dollar amount, Rosenthal added.
New York moved to All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor this winter, Jeff McNeil is expected to return to his natural position at second base, Pete Alonso appears to be locked at first (especially as there will be no universal DH in 2021 ), but third base is not a lock with Luis Guillorme and JD Davis expected to compete for the starting place. Davis has been mentioned in trade rumors, but Rosenthal notes that the club isn’t sure what Davis would get in a possible return.
The Milwaukee Brewers have also been “intrigued” by Turner, Rosenthal adds. Our own Mike Axisa noted the Brewers as the best alternative to the Dodgers for Turner, citing that the club is in desperate need of improving the infield even after their takeover of Kolten Wong this winter.
Turner, 36, has been a mainstay with the Dodgers since he signed with the club as a free agent in 2014. He did well in the shortened 2020 season, beating .307 / .400 / .460 with four home runs, nine doubles and 23 RBI in 175 at bats.
Giants sign McGee for two-year deal
The Giants have signed lefthanded reliever Jake McGee to a two-year deal worth $ 7 million. according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network. McGee was dominant with defending World Series champion Dodgers last season, after the Rockies released him during summer camp. Our RJ Anderson did not place McGee in his top 60 free agents.
San Francisco has been one of the most active baseball teams this season. McGee is their seventh Major League-Free Agent to join John Brebbia, Curt Casali, Anthony DeSclafani, Tommy La Stella, Matt Wisler and Alex Wood. They also welcomed Kevin Gausman back through the qualifying offer.
Marlins signs Duvall for a one-year deal
The Marlins have signed outfielder Adam Duvall to a one-year contract, reports Jon Heyman of MLB Network. The deal is estimated to be worth $ 4.5 million. The Braves did not tender Duvall earlier this winter in lieu of paying him an expected $ 4.7 million through arbitration in 2021. The Marlins can keep him as under team control as an eligible player for arbitration in 2022.
Duvall, 32, quietly finished third in the National League with 16 home runs in 2020. He is a right-handed hitter who has historically done the most damage to leftists, and he is a sneaky, excellent defender. Duvall was worth more than 42 defensive runs, saved in just over 4,000 innings in the outfield. He plans to share outfield time with Corey Dickerson and Garrett Cooper this summer.
Brewers sign Zimmermann to a minor league contract
The Milwaukee Brewers have signed seasoned starter Jordan Zimmermann to a minor league deal for the 2021 season, the team announced on Tuesday. Zimmermann, 34, receives an invitation to spring training. During the shortened 2020 season, Zimmermann was limited to just three appearances (5 2/3 IP) for the Detroit Tigers due to a forearm injury that lasted no more than three innings.
Zimmerman spent the first seven seasons of his MLB career with the Washington Nationals and the last five seasons with the Tigers. His best years on the hill came with Washington, where he posted a 3.32 ERA, but after signing a five-year $ 110 million deal with the Tigers in 2015, he struggled to a 5.63 ERA. Zimmerman, a two-time All-Star, has recorded a career 4.06 ERA (101 ERA +) in 275 starts.
The Wisconsin native had been a starter during his 12-year MLB career, but had started with a transition to the bullpen last season.
After months of free agency, Yadier Molina, catcher for St. Louis Cardinals, returns to his old club. The Cards and Molina are reportedly closing a one-year deal, ending several months of lingering rumors about negotiations between the two sides. Molina, 38, is entering his 18th season with the Cardinals, who dropped him out of high school in the fourth round in 2000. He made his big league-level debut in 2004 at the age of 21. You can read more about signing here.