
On the heels of an over night splash on the totally free representative market, here are 3 things for MLBTR readers to watch out for today:
1. Cooper nearing a choice?
One location of the totally free representative market that stays relatively deep as Spring Training starts is the very first base market, where the similarity Joey Votto, Brandon Belt, and Donovan Solano stick around as offered alternatives. According to Craig Mish of SportsGrid and the Miami Herald, the list of offered veteran very first baseman in totally free company might thin out a bit in the coming days, as he composes that slugger Garrett Cooper “could make a decision soon” with around 5 groups in the market for the 33-year-old’s services. Cooper had a hard time rather in 2023, slashing a slightly-below-average .251/.304/.419 in 123 video games with the Marlins and Padres in 2015.
Prior to that dip in production in 2015, nevertheless, Cooper had actually developed himself as a dependably above-average player initially base who might likewise moonlight in the outfield corners. From 2019-22, Cooper slashed .274/.350/.444. The righty-swinging slugger sports a noteworthy army split for his profession, as he’s struck .286/.338/478 (120 wRC+) versus lefties and .262/.337/.417 versus righties (107 wRC+). It’s strong production versus pitchers of both handedness, however he’s been especially powerful versus southpaws. Speculatively speaking, Cooper might be a practical target for clubs like the Red Sox, Pirates, or Guardians which resisted left-handed pitching in 2015 and might utilize another veteran bat in the mix for representatives in a corner area.
2. Preller to hold spring presser:
Padres president of baseball operations AJ Preller is set to be provided to the media at midday CT today, per a group statement. The Padres have actually dealt with a lot of turmoil this offseason as they saw three-time Reliever of the Year award winner Josh Hader and rotation arms Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, and Nick Martinez all leave by means of totally free company. Reigning NL Cy Young award winner Blake Snell is most likely to follow them out the door, setting the phase for more turnover, however currently he stays anonymous. To aid resolve the club’s abrupt exodus of pitching skill, Preller dealt super star slugger Juan Soto to the Yankees back in December along with center fielder Trent Grisham.
That left San Diego to go into camp with simply 2 outfielders on the club’s 40-man lineup in Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jose Azocar, though the club did reunite with Jurickson Profar the other day on a one-year offer to assist complete its outfield mix rather. Still, with enigma staying in the outfield, at DH, and in the rotation, a lot of unpredictability stays for the Padres as Spring Training starts. Preller’s presser this afternoon might start to shed some light on the club’s prepare for those locations headed into the season.
3. MLBTR Chat:
While groups around the league prepare for Spring Training, a handful of the winter season’s leading totally free representatives stay anonymous and a lot of offseason wish list around the league stay unsatisfied. Are you questioning if there’s more in shop for your group as camps open in Arizona and Florida? If so, tune in this afternoon when MLBTR’s Steve Adams hosts a live chat with readers at 1pm CT. You can click on this link to ask a concern beforehand, which exact same link will enable you to participate on the chat once it starts or check out the records after its finished.
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