The prior week in MLB was about a first baseman signing a lucrative deal, a club in the American League adding starting rotation depth and a pitcher signs a multi-year contract.
San Diego Padres Sign First Baseman Eric Hosmer to Eight-Year, $144 Million Contract
Eric Hosmer has waited patiently for much of the offseason to get the deal he wanted, and he’s been rewarded for showing patience.
Hosmer and the San Diego Padres have agreed to an eight-year, $144 million contract, per Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
The deal for Hosmer includes an opt-out clause after five years, he’ll earn $20 million per year for the first five seasons, and $13 million per year over the final three seasons, per Scott Miller of Bleacher Report.
Oh, and Hosmer gets a $5 million signing bonus. So that + 5 years at $20 mil per + 3 years at $13 mil per. $144 million total, AAV $18 mil. Sources.
— Scott Miller (@ScottMillerBbl) February 18, 2018
The first baseman will receive full no-trade protection for the first three years of the contract, followed by limited no-trade protection in the following years, per Miller.
Also: Hosmer gets full no-trade protection for first 3 years of deal, then limited no-trade protection after. Sources. #Padres #KCRoyals
— Scott Miller (@ScottMillerBbl) February 18, 2018
Hosmer is coming off a solid year with the Kansas City Royals in 2017 as he posted a .318 batting average and .882 OPS with 98 runs scored, 25 home runs and 94 RBIs.
Hosmer’s skills at the plate will help the Padres as the team struggled on offense last year, per ESPN Stats & Info.
The Padres have reportedly agreed to a contract with Eric Hosmer. Last season, the Padres ranked last in batting average and runs per game, while Hosmer posted career high in batting average (.318) and tied his career high in home runs (25). pic.twitter.com/loJvugx3xW
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 18, 2018
Minnesota Twins Acquire Starting Pitcher Jake Odorizzi from Tampa Bay Rays
The Minnesota Twins have been seeking to add starting rotation depth and have made a move in that area.
They’ve acquired starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi from the Tampa Bay Rays for a package of players that includes shortstop Jermaine Palacios, per Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports.
Sources: Jake Odorizzi is going to Minnesota. Shortstop Jermaine Palacios is part of the package headed back to Tampa Bay.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 18, 2018
Odorizzi pitched well for the Rays last year as he compiled a 4.14 ERA in 143.1 innings pitched (28 starts) with 127 strikeouts, 61 walks issued and a 1.24 WHIP.
In 2016, he threw 187.2 innings (33 starts), accumulated a 3.69 ERA, fanned 166 batters, and issued 54 free passes.
The right-hander has shown he can be a solid pitcher, which is something the Twins need in the wake of staff ace Ervin Santana being sidelined until May as he underwent finger surgery.
The Twins had targeted Chris Archer from the Rays, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
Chris Archer was the #Twins No 1 target, and the centerpiece of discussions, but they’ll gladly take Jake Odorizzi
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 18, 2018
However, adding Odorizzi to the staff isn’t a bad consolation.
Baltimore Orioles Sign Andrew Cashner to Two-Year Deal
The Baltimore Orioles have made a reliable addition to their starting rotation, by signing starter Andrew Cashner to a two-year, $16 million contract, per Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com.
Source: #orioles are signing RHP Andrew Cashner to a 2-year deal with $16 million guaranteed
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) February 15, 2018
Cashner had success with the Texas Rangers last year, by posting a 3.40 ERA in 166.2 innings with 86 strikeouts, 15 home runs allowed and a 138 ERA+.
This marked the first time that Cashner had a sub-four ERA and tossed at least 160 innings since 2013. The right-hander had a history of being injured but showed in 2017 that he can be useful when healthy.
Cashner is someone who can be a great option in the middle of a rotation, and this is something the Orioles will need going into the 2018 season.
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