Finance
Owner John Sherman was happy with the levels of spending over the first half of the offseason and made no changes to the budget.
International Amateurs
We just completed our monthly private practice with many young international amateur free agents who we hope can aid our club in the coming years. It was great to meet the players in-person and get to know them better, and I was able to improve my scouting assessment on all invitees.
In fact some of the players impressed me, since they showcased a higher potential than I had previously expected from them:
Juan Parra, 16 year-old 2B out of Dominican Republic
Lean and athletic, Juan Parra hails from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He has tremendous power potential. He has a quick bat that handles most fastballs, but off-speed stuff can challenge him. Expect a batting average around .290. He may not be an elite defensive second baseman, but he's solidly above average. It's early and Parra is young, but his development prospect as a future second baseman looks extremely promising.
Sergio Rivera, 16 year-old CF out of Venezuela
Lean and athletic, Sergio Rivera hails from Carúpano, Venezuela. He has plus-plus contact ability and a very smooth swing allows him to hit for average. He has decent power now and has the chance to have above average power in the future. His pure speed grades out as above average. Rivera looks like a potential regular in a key role at the big league level.
It was a great practice and none of the invitees disappointed in showcasing their talent.
And other players that I was able to further assess were:
Humberto Bustillos, 16 year-old SS out of Dominican Republic
Jorge Medrano, 16 year-old SS out of Dominican Republic
Brendon Rigbye, 16 year-old SS out of Australia
Daniel Soto, 16 year-old 2B out of Venezuela
Ismael Villafane, 17 year-old SS out of Dominican Republic
Andres Raygoza, 17 year-old 2B out of Dominican Republic
Nelson Montemayor, 16 year-old 2B out of Venezuela
Arturo Navas, 16 year-old CF out of Dominican Republic
Having reviewed the reports from Cowan over the winter, it was Juan Parra that the Royals targeted, a $4m signing bonus enough to secure his place in the International Complex.
Humberto Bustillos was their second choice but wouldn’t accept the $1.2m offered so priorities moved to Jorge Medrano who was more amenable to that figure and signed with the Royals for a two-player international amateur class. Medrano is an average 2B defender, with poor speed but potential for a plus plus contact to go with average power.
Development Lab
Tim Storer has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at shortstop.
Edgar Mir has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at second base.
Sam Hart has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at catcher.
• No noticeable changes.
Trades & Free Agents
Wednesday, January 16th , 2036
Received former Rule 5 draft pick RF Edward Lantigua from the Cleveland Guardians.
Monday, January 28th , 2036
Received former Rule 5 draft pick C Silas Ardoin from the Seattle Mariners.
Around the League
Transactions
Tuesday, January 29th , 2036
New York Mets: Signed free agent 2B Jordan Lawlar to a 5-year contract worth a total of $175,000,000.
Toronto Blue Jays: Signed free agent RP Josh Roberts to a 1-year contract worth a total of $19,400,000.
Friday, January 25th , 2036
Cleveland Guardians: Signed free agent 1B Gavin Grahovac to a 4-year contract worth a total of $110,600,000.
Thursday, January 24th , 2036
Los Angeles Dodgers: Signed free agent SP Julian Aguiar to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,360,000.
Tuesday, January 22nd , 2036
St. Louis Cardinals: Signed free agent 3B Thomas Saggese to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,300,000.
Los Angeles Angels: Signed free agent RP Logan Lunceford to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,240,000.
Philadelphia Phillies: Signed free agent RP Keiran Cousins to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,420,000.
Friday, January 18th , 2036
Texas Rangers: Signed free agent RP Chan-koo Kim to a 3-year contract worth a total of $50,400,000.
Atlanta Braves: Signed free agent RF Tim Nicosia to a 1-year contract worth a total of $6,300,000.
Wednesday, January 16th , 2036
Chicago Cubs: Signed free agent RP Brusdar Graterol to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,620,000.
Cleveland Guardians: Signed free agent RP Camilo Doval to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,380,000.
Chicago Cubs: Signed free agent RP Nick Robertson to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,240,000.
Los Angeles Angels: Signed free agent 1B Luis Garcia to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,360,000.
Cleveland Guardians: Signed free agent 2B Andres Gimenez to a 1-year contract worth a total of $5,900,000.
Cincinnati Reds: Signed free agent RP Prelander Berroa to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,380,000.
Chicago Cubs: Signed free agent RP Alex McFarlane to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,240,000.
Cincinnati Reds: Signed free agent RP Gregory Santos to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,280,000.
Cleveland Guardians: Signed free agent RP Woo-suk Go to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,460,000.
Cincinnati Reds: Signed free agent RP Luke Little to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,460,000.
Cincinnati Reds: Signed free agent RP Ronan Kopp to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,280,000.
Chicago Cubs: Signed free agent RP Chase Lee to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,240,000.
Chicago Cubs: Signed free agent RP Tyler Dean to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,060,000.
Colorado Rockies: Signed free agent 1B Jon Bittorf to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,540,000.
Cincinnati Reds: Signed free agent RP Jeff Pavone to a 1-year contract worth a total of $780,000.
Tuesday, January 15th , 2036
San Francisco Giants: Signed free agent RP Justin Steele to a 1-year contract worth a total of $5,000,000.
Washington Nationals: Signed free agent RP Nathan Lavender to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,200,000.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Signed free agent SP Cole Henry to a 1-year contract worth a total of $740,000.
Washington Nationals: Signed free agent SP Tekoah Roby to a 1-year contract worth a total of $2,560,000.
Detroit Tigers: Signed free agent RF Xavier Isaac to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,140,000.
Atlanta Braves: Signed free agent SP Ryan Reich to a 1-year contract worth a total of $7,300,000.
San Diego Padres: Signed free agent RP Ryan Loutos to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,480,000.
San Francisco Giants: Signed free agent RP David Morales to a 1-year contract worth a total of $2,800,000.
Houston Astros: Signed free agent CL Luis Bravo to a 3-year contract worth a total of $7,040,000.
Monday, January 14th , 2036
Toronto Blue Jays: Signed free agent RP Cole Paplham to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,140,000.
Philadelphia Phillies: Signed free agent SP Josh Hammond to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,200,000.
Saturday, January 12th , 2036
Atlanta Braves: Signed free agent SS Jefferson Rojas to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,580,000.
Toronto Blue Jays: Signed free agent RP Arturo Iniguez to a 1-year contract worth a total of $810,000.
Philadelphia Phillies: Signed free agent RP Frank Caraballo to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,320,000.
Friday, January 11th , 2036
Philadelphia Phillies: Signed free agent SP Wikelman Gonzalez to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,380,000.
Houston Astros: Signed free agent RP Sheng Chi Hancock to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,040,000.
The Seattle Mariners traded 30-year old RHP Art Burnett (retaining 45%) and $670,000 in cash to the San Antonio Avalanche, getting 23-year old LF Jamie Mathews, 24-year old 1B Jorge Resendez, and 16-year old minor league C Gilberto Ibarra in return.
The San Antonio Avalanche traded 32-year old 2B Nacho Alvarez Jr. to the Milwaukee Brewers, getting 20-year old minor league 2B Thaniel Breyand 24-year old minor league LHP Dave Heistand in return.
Thursday, January 10th , 2036
The Los Angeles Dodgers traded 20-year old minor league CF Mike Lowe, 22-year old minor league RHP Onfrio Taschini, and 20-year old minor league RHP Nate McFadden to the Milwaukee Brewers, getting 27-year old 2B Jesus Veliz in return.
Wednesday, January 9th , 2036
Boston Red Sox: Signed free agent SP Thomas White to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,320,000.
Minnesota Twins: Signed free agent RF Luis Baez to a 1-year contract worth a total of $3,960,000.
Tuesday, January 8th , 2036
Arizona Diamondbacks: Signed free agent RP Chris Botchway to a 3-year contract worth a total of $4,220,000.
The Pittsburgh Pirates traded 28-year old RHP Nick Bradley to the Tampa Bay Rays, getting 24-year old SS Gwang-woo Kim in return.
Monday, January 7th , 2036
Pittsburgh Pirates: Signed free agent 2B Kyren Paris to a 1-year contract worth a total of $2,560,000.
Colorado Rockies: Signed free agent 1B Graham Pauley to a 1-year contract worth a total of $7,700,000.
Philadelphia Phillies: Signed free agent SP Cade Kuehler to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,080,000.
Sunday, January 6th , 2036
Cincinnati Reds: Signed free agent RF Zac Veen to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,240,000.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Signed free agent CF Emmanuel Rodriguez to a 1-year contract worth a total of $2,120,000.
Boston Red Sox: Signed free agent SS Marcelo Mayer to a 4-year contract worth a total of $50,000,000.
Houston Astros: Signed free agent RP Luis Valdez to a 1-year contract worth a total of $960,000.
Seattle Mariners: Signed free agent RP David Hagaman to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,220,000.
The Atlanta Braves traded 25-year old RHP Steve Hudson to the New York Yankees, getting 22-year old LF Sergio Salas, 20-year old minor league LHP Makai Contee, 19-year old minor league 1B Alejandro Marez, and 22-year old minor league 1B Edgar Ramirez in return.
Saturday, January 5th , 2036
Philadelphia Phillies: Signed free agent RP Franco Aleman to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,520,000.
Detroit Tigers: Signed free agent SS Royce Lewis to a 1-year contract worth a total of $7,300,000.
Friday, January 4th , 2036
Colorado Rockies: Signed free agent 3B Jett Williams to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,500,000.
Texas Rangers: Signed free agent 3B Wilfredo Lara to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,640,000.
The Los Angeles Angels traded 27-year old 1B Aroghetto Paluari to the Houston Astros, getting 25-year old LF Steve Metzger in return.
The Cleveland Guardians traded 35-year old RHP Drew Thorpe to the Los Angeles Dodgers, getting 20-year old minor league 3B Gilberto Lujan in return.
Tuesday, January 1st , 2036
Toronto Blue Jays: Signed free agent SS Ezequiel Tovar to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,540,000.
Seattle Mariners: Signed free agent C Endy Rodriguez to a 1-year contract worth a total of $7,500,000.
Philadelphia Phillies: Signed free agent SP Landon Harmon to a 1-year contract worth a total of $1,020,000.
Philadelphia Phillies: Signed free agent SP David Molina to a 1-year contract worth a total of $740,000.
Hall of Fame
Two first year balloters were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2036 as Mike Trout and Jose Altuve both heard their names called with over 90% of the vote. Trout appeared on 99.2%, just sort of the magical unanimous decision (only Justin Verlander, 2030, joining Mariano Rivera in that achievement so far) but still 5th all time in the share of the vote.
Four more players were on more than half the ballots, with KC’s Salvador Perez (51.1%, 4th year) on that list.
