Here are three things we’ll be looking at around the world of baseball all day today:
1. XX(B) Out today:
A number of veterans in minor league affairs have similar opt-out clauses in their contracts scheduled today. That would give them a chance to return to free agency before Opening Day, though they’ll have more opportunities to do so later in the year. MLBTR’s Steve Adams took a look at more than 30 veterans who qualified for the opportunity earlier this week. Among the most notable players on that list is the Padres righty Walker BuehlerBraves lefty Martín PérezMets reliever Craig KimbrelCubs playing outside Michael Confortoand the Guardians first baseman Rhys Hoskins. Will any of these players return to free agency, or will their clubs add them to the 40-man roster before their upcoming exit decisions?
2. Late spring trade on the horizon?
Yesterday it was reported that the twins were busy shopping Alex Jackson before the season starts. Jackson was initially signed as a possible part of the team’s holding team, but after a change in philosophy during the offseason due to movement at the ownership level, the Twins ended up not keeping it. Ryan Jeffers but also signing Victor Caratini on a two-year contract. That leaves Jackson as the third baseman, and since he’s out of the minor league cap, the Twins are seeing if there will be any takers for him and his $1.35MM salary.
Jackson isn’t the only one who could change teams right before the season starts. The Royals showed off the southpaw’s range of motion Bailey Falter. Like Jackson, he’s out of the minor leagues. Falter doesn’t have a way to rotate through Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, Noah Cameron again Chris Bubic healthy – and Ryan Bergert, Luinder Avila again Mitch Spence as depth – and the Royals may not want to hand over his $3.6MM salary to the swingman. There are certainly other players on their team’s active roster bubble who could be cut in the last few days before the season starts.
3. Will Woodruff be ready for Opening Day?
The right hand Brandon Woodruff the ace of the Brewers’ pitching staff now that Corbin Burns again Freddy Peralta both are gone, but he may not be on the mound to open the season. The Brewers made it clear throughout Spring Training that they haven’t decided whether Woodruff will start the season in rotation or be given more time to build up on the injured list following last year’s injury. That makes today’s spring opener against the Rangers crucial. If Woodruff looks sharp and can get deep into the game while keeping his stuff, that could go a long way toward convincing Brewers officials that he’s ready to take the ball on Opening Day. The game is scheduled for 6:10pm local time at the Spring Training complex in Phoenix, and the veteran righty will face the Rangers southpaw. Jacob Latz.
