We are a little over a month away from pitchers and catchers reporting for spring training and the Major League offseason is finally starting to show some signs of life. Reliever Liam Hendriks agreed to a three-year deal with the Chicago White Sox that will pay him a total of $54 million. The deal includes a club option for a fourth season as well. Hendriks was viewed as the best relief pitcher available so his signing could possibly set things in motion at least for teams seeking bullpen health. There hasn’t been a lot of chatter around guys like Trevor Bauer, George Springer or even Marcell Ozuna. Will be interesting to see if things finally start to move or if it drags on into February. We have seen offseasons move at a slow pace before but what we are seeing this winter is really unprecedented.
Braves news
Braves rookie right-hander Ian Anderson was recently a guest on MLB Network and also chatted with MLB Pipeline writer Jonathan Mayo about his Major League debut, the additions of Charlie Morton and Drew Smyly and much more.
Our potential free agent target series continued Tuesday with a look at utility infielder Jonathan Villar and outfielder Joc Pederson.
Braves legend Dale Murphy checks in at No. 11 in Joe Posnanski’s list of the 100 greatest eligible players that are not currently in the Hall of Fame.
With the international signing period opening Friday, MLB Pipeline takes a look at each team’s best international prospect. No surprise but Cristian Pache tops the list for the Braves.
MLB News
The Boston Red Sox are reportedly shopping outfielder Andrew Benintendi and a trade could happen as soon as this weekend according to a report by MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. Benintendi has struggled in recent years is in the final year of a two-year, $10 million deal that he signed with the Red Sox. He will be arbitration eligible for the final time at the end of the 2021 season.
The Miami Marlins have reportedly had trade discussions with the Chicago Cubs about catcher Willson Contreras.
Corey Kluber is scheduled to throw a bullpen session in front of interested major league teams on Wednesday and is hoping to show that he is healthy after two straight injury plagued seasons.
The Detroit Tigers avoided arbitration with right-hander Michael Fulmer by agreeing to a one-year, $3.1 million deal.