Twins Basil… Twins
Josh Donaldson remains one of the hottest veteran sluggers on the market, along with Marcell Ozuna, and it will be interesting to see where he lands.
There isn’t all that much talent out there in regards to players that can instantly come in and provide some pop in the lineup, so Donaldson remains a hot commodity.
The world champion Washington Nationals are very much interested in his services, and they were looking like a likely landing spot. Remaining with the Braves was a possibility as well.
However, a recent report suggests that the Twins are now the frontrunner for Donaldson, a rumor gaining some unique traction for betting fans along with the William Hill promotional offers, with a four-year offer on the table.
#Twins have offered a 4-year deal to Josh Donaldson and, right now, are the front runners to sign him.
Donaldson wants to return to the #Braves though, however they've only offered a 3-year deal to date. If a 4th year is offered, he is likely to sign there.
— Dan (@DanClarkSports) January 1, 2020
It looks as if Donaldson has narrowed his sights on the Twins and Braves, with a decision likely coming soon.
Doing it for the Mookie
Mookie Betts signed a one-year deal to remain with the Red Sox, but it seemed like more of a strategic move than anything, as the team has continued to shop him.
Signing Betts to that one-year, $27 million deal allows the Red Sox to have a low level of financial risk if they do choose to retain him, and if not, they can potentially get a nice haul in return if they were to trade him.
Betts remains the most talented player currently on the market, via either free agency or trade, despite other big names such as Kris Bryant and Francisco Lindor being on it. It’s no secret that the Dodgers are in the mix for a center-fielder, and it was rumored that they were discussing a potential trade with the Indians, in hopes of acquiring Lindor.
They’re apparently doing their due diligence on Betts as well, making the call about a potential trade.
Sources: #Dodgers discussing Mookie Betts with the #RedSox at least as much as they are Francisco Lindor with the #Indians. Boston could combine Betts and Price in a deal that nets the Red Sox a prospect and salary relief. Story: https://t.co/j9mLE3LOX6 @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 2, 2020
This would obviously be the biggest trade of the offseason, if it does go through, and would really shake up the balance of power across the league.
The Sox Signing
The Boston Red Sox signed catcher Kevin Plawecki of Hinsdale, IL from the Cleveland Indians on Thursday. According to boston.com,the terms of the deal are for one season and worth $900,000.
Plawecki is slated to be the Red Sox backup catcher. Christian Vazquez of Bayamon, Puerto Rico is still the Red Sox number one player behind home plate.
In 59 games with the Indians, Plawecki batted .222 with three home runs and 17 runs batted in. During 174 plate appearances, Plawecki scored 13 runs, collected 35 hits, 10 doubles, 12 walks, 54 total bases, one sacrifice fly, an on base percentage of .287, and a slugging percentage of .342.
Prior to his one season with Cleveland in 2019, Plawecki spent four seasons with the New York Mets. The Red Sox will be hoping that Plawecki records similar numbers that he posted while playing for the Mets in 2017. Thay year he batted .260 with three home runs and 13 runs batted in.
Plawecki has never been a player to hit for power. He has 17 home runs in 296 career regular season games. But he did record two triples in 79 games with the Mets in 2018. In fact, Plawecki was tied for sixth in Major League Baseball for triples among catchers. He was behind Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras of Puerto Cabello, Venezuela (five triples), Colorado Rockies catcher Tony Wolters of Vista, CA (four triples), Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto of Del City, OK (three triples), Cincinnati Reds catcher Tucker Barnart of Indianapolis, IN (three triples) and Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli of Valencia, Venezuela (three triples).
In 2019, Plawecki played behind Indians catcher Roberto Perez of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. It is interesting that Plawecki will once again be behind a Puerto Rican catcher while with the Red Sox organization.
The Red Sox will probably have Plawecki play in the neighborhood of 40 to 50 games in 2020. Boston had a record of 84 wins and 78 losses in 2019 and were in third place in the American League East.
