
Fairly uneventful off season of us. We were able to bring back Moose, Herrera, Minor and Escobar. Moose signed a 5 year deal worth 45 million and a player option. Escobar signed a 2 year deal worth 13 million and a mutual option. Mike Minor signed a 3 year deal for 13 million and a team option. I thought Herrera was eligible for free agency but he had 1 season of arbitration left. Signed him to a 2 year deal worth 11 million. Only made one pick up in free agency. Signed reliever Ryan Webb to a 2 year deal for 5 million.
Wasn't really sure what the plan was heading into Spring Training. The starting rotation was pretty much set. Herrera and Soria were locked into the pen. The other 5 or 6 spots were all up for grabs. Nathan Karns won the long reliever and spot starter role. With Brian Flynn, Ryan Webb, Seth Maness and Travis wood filling out the rest.
On the offensive side Salvy, Moose, Escobar and Gordon were pretty much guaranteed spots with everything else up for grabs. Salvy ended up breaking his forearm with 10 days before the season started. He will be out until the beginning of May at the earliest. Taking his spot as the starting catcher will be Peter O'Brien. He hit .271/.379/.542 with 3 HR in 48 AB. Trey Mancini will start at 1B. He hit .288/.344/.475 with 3 HR in 59 AB. Raul Mondesi and Whit Merrifield will split time at 2B. Mondesi hit .263/.328/.333 in 57 AB and Whit hit .210/.269/.306. But he hit .278 against LHP. The CF job went to Jurickson Profar and Billy Burns. Profar hit.302/.356/.547 with 3 HR in 53 AB. Burns hit .302/.315/.547 with a HR and 3 SB in 53 AB. Jorge Soler won the full time RF job hitting .319/.389/.617 with 2 HR in 47 AB. 9 of his 15 hits in ST went for extra bases. And last the DH job goes to Brandon Moss and Hunter Dozier. Moss hit .294/.400/.569 with 4 HR in 51 AB. While Dozier hit .356/.431/.733 with 4 HR in 45 AB.
21 year old Samir Duenez was really close to making the team. He had the numbers but it was between him and Dozier. He hit .364/.440/.659 with 3 HR in 44 AB. Cheslor Cuthbert, Paulo Orlando, Christian Colon, Bubba Starling, Ryan O'Hearn, and Jorge Bonifacio were all fighting for a spot but will start the season down in AAA.
MLB Roster
Minor League Rosters
Not sure what to expect out of this season. I really doubt we make the playoffs. I also dont think we are as bad as last season suggests. I thought we were a .500 team but that clearly wasnt the case. I guess as long as we win more games than last year ill be happy.
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