Is it spring yet? I swear we are going to play baseball soon...
December 26th – The
Montreal Expos claimed LHRP
Bill Costa(25, 2.5*) off waivers from the
Mariners today. The former 9th round draft selection has two options left, is signed for the minimum of $500k, and is 7-12 5.12 81K in 80G 89.2IP in the majors.
December 27th – The
Montreal Expos announced the signings of minor league free agents
RHSP
Melvin Magana(27, 2.5*, 4-6 3SV 5.68 68K 39G/8GS -0.6WAR ex-JAC)
LHSP
Danny Parsons(28, 2.5*, 2-3 1SV 4.18 69L 38G 75.1IP -0.1WAR ex-PIT )
January 4th – The
Montreal Expos announced the signings of minor league free agents
2B
Felix Acosta(30, 2.5*, DNP)
3B
Ian Anderson(32, 2.5*, .194-4-14 .578OPS 42G -0.3WAR ex-DET)
2B
Mario Alvarez(28, 2.5*, .323-2-13 .875OPS 23G 0.5WAR ex-SF)
January 4th – After long negotiations, 3B
Andy Vrable(31, 3.5*) decided to stand pat and resigned with
Chicago for 5y/$121.6M with a player opt out after 2023. Part of their World Series Winning run in 2018, he hit .261/.366/.473 24HR 79RBIs 150G 4.0WAR last season.
January 12th – The
Montreal Expos announced the signings of minor league free agents
C
Justin Donald(31, 2.5*, .216-11-41 .590OPS 113G 0.3WAR ex-BOS)
C
Cody Harris(27, 2.5*, .296-10-38 .807OPS 88G 2.6WAR AAA ex-SLC)
January 20th - The
Montreal Expos announced the signings of international amateur free agents
RHRP
Jose Contreras(16, 3.5*) for $270k. A clear cut relief prospect with a 94-96mph fastball, a good curveball and that projects to 65 control while having a solid stamina rating of 40.
1B
Jerry Soto(16, 4.5*) for $4.2M. Industry interest on him was low as most teams were n on a DRC kid named
Alex Lopez(16, 5*), but we decided to go with the second best horse in the stable here. A good power hitter with decent contact ability, he projects as a .280 hitter with 40+ home runs at the major league level.
January 24th - The
Montreal Expos announced the signings of international amateur free agent
LHSP
Roberto Luna(17, 3*) for $2M out of the DR. A four pitch kid with a 91-93 fastball, a curveball, a changeup, and a lesser pitch in his sinker, the lefty is projected to be able to go deep into games with above-average control and movement.
January 27th – Former
Expos Pitcher of the Year
Henry Rodriguez(29, 3.5*) agreed to a 5y/$127.8M deal with
Portland just at the start of the preseason. He is coming off a 8-12 3.94 173K 26GS 3.4WAR year with
SF and
MON.
January 29th – The
Marlins now officially landed the last impact free agent by resigning 1B
Sam Fitzmaurice(31, 3.5*) for 5y/$106M with the final year being a team option. The reigning Gold Glover at first base had a .283/.341/.496 28HR 93RBIs 149G 3.5WAR 2020 campaign.
February 2nd – The
Montreal Expos announced the signings of minor league free agent
OF
Jeff Hines(28, 2.5*, .227-1-6 .721OPS 0.2WAR 8G AAA, ex -DET)
February 5th – The
Montreal Expos announced the signings of international amateur free agent
C
Willie Ayala(17, 3*) for $940k. Projects as a 65 grade power hitter with average defense while batting from the right side. Will be our last signing, there is little to be excited about left.
Wall of Legends Results
Development Camp Results:
RHSP
Brett Asselin(21, 1.5/4*) -> developed his changeup further SUCCESSFUL
RHSP
Dan Hinton(22, 4/5*) -> developed further movement on his pitches SUCCESSFUL
RHSP
Omar Dias(16, 3*) -> developed pitch control SUCCESSFUL
RHSP
Adrian Hernandez(17, 2.5*) -> developed his changeup further SUCCESSFUL
LHSP
Bill Smith(24,3*) -> improving durability and strength SUCCESSFUL (fragile -> normal)
SS
Julian Hernandez(21, 2/4.5*) -> improve quality of contact NO IMPROVEMENT
Developing Omar Dias and Adrian Hernandez as our scouting department slashed their ratings during the winter, but Hinton made a huge jump and may now be en route to ace.
Next up: SPRING TRAINING, FINAL OPENING DAY ROSTER AND FIRST PITCH