Gomes Goes To Braves, Gallardo To Rangers

Not much happening on the hot stove lately, though there were a few moves over the past week.

Most notably, the Brewers traded Yovani Gallardo to the Rangers for three prospects: infielder Luis Sardinas and RHPs Corey Knebel and Marcos Diplan. Additionally, Milwaukee kicks in $4MM of Gallardo’s $13M salary in 2015 — which is the final year of his contract. Good move for both clubs, in that the Rangers get rotation depth and the Brewers get pieces for the present and future. Knebel is a former first-rounder who can reach the upper 90s and appears to be on track to be a MLB closer some day. Sardinas is a young, good-field, no-hit shortstop whose development has been jarred by injury issues. Diplan is a raw 18-year-old with high upside; he was hitting 94 MPH as a 16-year-old and was one of the most sought-after international players when the Rangers signed him for a $1.3M bonus in 2013.

In NL East news, the Braves have signed Jonny Gomes to a one-year, $4M contract that includes incentives and vesting options. With a little luck, he could replace a decent portion of the production lost by the departed Evan Gattis. Without a little luck, Gomes could be released before the All Star Exhibition.

In other NL East news, the Marlins have agreed to terms with Ichiro Suzuki on a one-year, $2M pact. With a starting threesome of Giancarlo Stanton, Marcell Ozuna, and Christian Yelich, Ichiro makes a good fourth outfielder / pinch-hitter.

Elsewhere in the NL, the Giants have signed Ryan Vogelsong to a one-year, $4M deal.

In Adulterated League news, former NL club the Houston Astros have signed Colby Rasmus to a one-year, $8M contract. Rasmus steps into the spot left by recently traded Dexter Fowler.

That’s it for the moment. Let me know if I missed anything significant.

Joe Janish began MetsToday in 2005 to provide the unique perspective of a high-level player and coach -- he earned NCAA D-1 All-American honors as a catcher and coached several players who went on to play pro ball. As a result his posts often include mechanical evaluations, scout-like analysis, and opinions that go beyond the numbers. Follow Joe's baseball tips on Twitter at @onbaseball and at the On Baseball Google Plus page.
  1. argonbunnies January 29, 2015 at 1:33 pm
    I am rooting for Ichiro to somehow find enough playing time in the next year or two to reach 3000 hits. That would be truly amazing for someone who started his career with 9 years in another country.

    It’d also give him more combined U.S. + Japan hits than Pete Rose had in his career… unless you include Rose’s minor league hits, as Pete so graciously pointed out.

  2. david February 2, 2015 at 8:25 pm
    Ok Joe, Super Bowl is over and Spring Training is on the horizon so I was wondering what your views are about Dillon Gee going to the bullpen. A lot has been written about Sandy not dealing him.

    Could it be Sandy believes Gee will either start while Harvey rehabs April / May in Fla. or, alternatively, Gee can be an asset in the ‘pen?

    I reckon he could be as asset in the pen, although the Mets don’t pay $5m to middle relievers / swing men. Still, why not do it with Gee as he is a good pitcher. Not great, but sound and a heady ballplayer as well. I would be confident seeing him come in with a crisis and having him defuse it. At least until they can deal him mid-season or next offseason.

    Finally, if they dump him for nothing then it is another sign of a poorly managed team interested only in saving pennies at the cost of wins and fan support.