Mike Trout and Angles Talking Extension
Mike DiGiovanna of The Los Angeles Times reports that the Angels are trying to extend star outfielder Mike Trout. It's the baseball question of it's time. How much is Mike Trout worth? 21.1 WAR so far in his career. His first two seasons fired off one of the more passionate MVP debates. What do you give a guy like that? We may soon have an answer.
Orioles Agree to Sign Suk-Min Yoon
Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun reports the Orioles have agreed to sign Korean pitcher Suk-Min Yoon. Grant Balfour will tell you nothing is official until the pen is on the paper and Yoon has had some injuries haunt him in his last season for the Kia Tigers. As is, it's a 3 year/$5.575 million deal. Yoon has been seen in the last two World Baseball Classics and has had a nice career but injuries produced mixed results in 2013 and he eventually pitched out of the bullpen. It remains to be seen if Yoon is in the back of the rotation for Baltimore or a bullpen arm.
Dodgers Closing In on Cuban SS Arruebarruena
Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes reports that the Dodgers are closing in on Cuban shortstop Erisbel Arruebarruena. Arruebarruena has shared the diamond with Yasiel Puig and recently signed Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu. His bat is questionable but his defensive upside has some scouts believing he's Gold Glove calibre. Where this leaves Hanley Ramirez who is seeking an extension himself has yet to be seen.
Mariners Sign ex-Phillies Wolf and Miner/Do Not Sign Cruz
Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times reports the signing of two veteran pitchers in Randy Wolf and Zach Miner. Wolf did not pitch in 2013 while recovering from Tommy John Surgery while Zach Miner filled in some frames down the stretch for the Phillies last season pitching to a 4.40 ERA in 16 games (including 3 spot starts). Both are non-roster invites to spring training.
Chris Cotillo of SB Nation meanwhile reports that any talks between Nelson Cruz and the Mariners are on hold as they seem to be in pursuit of a pitcher now that some red flags have been raised with Hisashi Iwakuma and Taijuan Walker.
Cubs Sign Hammel and McDonald
Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports the signings of a duo of backend starters Jason Hammel and James McDonald as the Cubs seeks some rotation help with Jake Arrieta behind schedule. Both are patch up deals and could be traded at a moment's notice should they produce decent results. The Cubs seems to love cashing in on that lately and who could blame them?
