MLB Weekly Digest Jan. 1st Edition

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The previous week in MLB was about a team in the National League adding an elite closer, a club in the American League is interested in a free agent starter, and a third baseman remains a hot commodity.

Colorado Rockies Sign Davis to Three-Year Deal

The Colorado Rockies have been busy this offseason in strengthening their bullpen. The club has added a significant piece to the pen, by inking closer Wade Davis to three-year, $52 million contract, per Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports.

Source: Wade Davis’ deal with the Rockies is for three years and $52M. It’s the highest per-year salary ever for a relief pitcher.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 29, 2017

The average annual value of $17.3 million for Davis is the highest for any reliever in MLB. The deal also includes a fourth-year vesting option that could increase the total amount of the contract to $66 million, notes Passan.

Source: Closer Wade Davis and the Colorado Rockies have agreed on a three-year, $52M deal. It’s the highest per-year salary ever for a reliever. The deal includes a fourth-year vesting option that could take the total to $66M. Full details at Yahoo Sports: https://t.co/dFgJr4Ur4o

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 29, 2017

Davis was lights out for the Cubs last season as he posted a 2.30 ERA, 3.38 FIP, and 190 ERA+ in 58.2 innings with 79 strikeouts, 28 walks issued and six home runs allowed.

Davis went 32-for-33 in save opportunities last year and proved he’s one of the best closers in the Majors.

The Rockies have invested plenty in the bullpen for next year. The deal for Davis, plus the signings of Bryan Shaw and Jake McGee bring the total to $106 million for relievers this offseason.

The team could’ve used that money to add a frontline starter, but decided that investing in the bullpen was a smarter decision.

New York Yankees Pondering Addition of Darvish

The New York Yankees are thinking about signing free agent starting pitcher Yu Darvish, per Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.

Heyman noted that Darvish isn’t the only pitcher the Yankees are considering.

They have looked at free-agent starter Alex Cobb, and have discussed acquiring Gerrit Cole from the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chris Archer from the Tampa Bay Rays and Michael Fulmer from the Detroit Tigers.

Cole does seem like the logical option for the Yankees. He would cost the team prospects but not money. The Yankees want to remain under the luxury tax threshold.

If they were to sign Darvish, it would be difficult to stay under the threshold.

Darvish has been a fantastic pitcher in his career but didn’t perform well for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, as he compiled a 21.60 ERA in only 3.1 innings (two starts).

Boston Red Sox Continue to Show Interest in Machado

The Baltimore Orioles are still trying to figure out what to do with third baseman Manny Machado. The Boston Red Sox are one team he might get traded to as the team still has interest in him, per Jon Morosi of MLB Network.

Sources: #RedSox showing continued trade interest in Manny Machado, as I reported this hour on @MLBNetwork in our #MLBTonight segment with @MattYallofMLB.

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 29, 2017

Morosi mentions there’s some skepticism that the Orioles would deal Machado to a division rival, but pointed out that Red Sox general manager Dave Dombrowski and Orioles GM Dan Duquette worked together in the Montreal Expos front office 30 years ago.

While there’s skepticism #Orioles would trade Manny Machado to a division rival, remember this: Dave Dombrowski and Dan Duquette worked together in @Montreal_Expos front office 30 years ago. @MLBNetwork @MLB

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 29, 2017

If the Red Sox did acquire Machado, it’s not clear how he would fit into their lineup. The team has Rafael Devers at third base and Xander Bogaerts at shortstop.

Machado did mention this winter that he wants to play shortstop. The Red Sox could conceivably move Bogaerts to third and Devers to the outfield.

Another reason the club continues to keep tabs on Machado is the price for free-agent outfielder J.D. Martinez might be too excessive.

Martinez has been linked to the Red Sox since the offseason began, but if his asking price remains high, the team will seek other options to add a bat to their lineup.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.

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