Mariners center fielder Julio Rodríguez will receive $1,865,349 from the $50MM bonus pool for pre-arbitration players, the highest of the 2023 recipients, per a report from Ronald Blum of the Associated Press. The AP later released a full list of bonus recipients. A notable new element of the current collective bargaining agreement is that $50MM is to be taken from central … [Read more...] about Julio Rodríguez Tops 2023 Pre-Arb Bonus Pool
Nationals Sign Spenser Watkins
The Nationals have signed right-hander Spenser Watkins, as revealed by Watkins himself in a statement on X (via the account of his agency, Gaeta Sports Management). Reports from earlier this week suggested that Watkins was close to a deal with a KBO League team, yet as Watkins explained in his statement, he chose to stay in the United States due to the upcoming birth of his … [Read more...] about Nationals Sign Spenser Watkins
East Notes: Mets, Rays, Bautista
The Mets are among several reported finalists for the services of right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who club owner Steve Cohen traveled to Japan to meet with earlier this month. All indications point to a very serious pursuit of the offseason’s top free agent starting pitcher, but The Athletic’s Will Sammon suggests that intense pursuit should not be taken as an indication the … [Read more...] about East Notes: Mets, Rays, Bautista
Nationals Plan To Use Nick Senzel As Primary Third Baseman
The Nationals made their one-year deal with former No. 2 overall draft pick Nick Senzel official yesterday, and the club is envisioning a prominent role for the 28-year-old. Senzel himself tells reporters that manager Dave Martinez told him the expectation is that he’ll play third base every day in 2024 (link via Mark Zuckerman of MASNsports.com). At the time he agreed to his … [Read more...] about Nationals Plan To Use Nick Senzel As Primary Third Baseman
Tommy Hunter Officially Retires
Longtime big league reliever Tommy Hunter has officially retired, he tells Britt Ghiroli of the Athletic (X link). Hunter first indicated he was retiring on former teammate Adam Jones’ podcast in October, news that eluded MLBTR at the time. Hunter, 37, pitched parts of 16 seasons in the majors. The Rangers selected the University of Alabama product in the supplemental first … [Read more...] about Tommy Hunter Officially Retires