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The MLB Daily Dish is a daily feature we're running here at MLBDD and rounds up roster-impacting news, rumors, and analysis. Have feedback or have something that should be shared? Hit us at @mlbdailydish on Twitter.
Good morning baseball fans. We finally had some activity yesterday, with two trades, a couple of signings and even more rumors. Let's get right to it.
Our first trade of the day involved the Yankees and the Padres, swapping infielder Jose Pirela for minor-leaguer Ronald Herrera.
The Yankees weren't done there though. They then moved on to trading with the Twins, moving catcher John Ryan Murphy for Aaron Hicks.
After that, there were two signings. Franklin Gutierrez re-signed with the Mariners and A.J. Pierzynski re-signed with the Braves.
Rangers outfielder Leonys Martin is drawing trade interest.
#Rangers GM Jon Daniels said CF Leonys Martin has drawn trade interest from other teams "looking to buy low."
— Stefan Stevenson (@StevensonFWST) November 10, 2015
The Braves are in talks with teams about shortstop Andrelton Simmons, and it could be an NL West team.
Source: #Braves deep in talks with NL West team about possible trade.
— Jonah Keri (@jonahkeri) November 12, 2015
Source: #Braves trade talks with NL West team revolve around Andrelton Simmons.
— Jonah Keri (@jonahkeri) November 12, 2015
Clubs have talked to the Braves about Andrelton Simmons. Talks are ongoing, but no deal is imminent. Simmons is one of ATL's few big chips.
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) November 12, 2015
That doesn't mean the Braves are trying to trade Simmons. But they are willing to listen to see if they could get a big return
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) November 12, 2015
That Pirates-Marlins swap of Richard Mitchell for Trevor Williams? That was actually compensation for Miami hiring Jim Benedict.
Stark writes that the Pirates were reluctant to let Benedict leave for Miami, since they had him under contract and since the Marlins had already recently hired another former Pirates special assistant, Marc DelPiano. Apparently, within in the industry, it's common practice not to let more than one executive be hired away by the same team.
Anyway, that solves that mystery. Williams doesn't appear to have a ton of upside, but he can start, has experience in the high minors and isn't even on a 40-man roster yet, so he should give the Pirates some flexibility over the next few years. Benedict was a tough loss, but at least the Pirates got something in return.
Bobby DeMuro of Purple Row asks if the Rockies should buy low on Mat Latos.
Because of that, I'm hard-pressed to believe Latos would sign in Colorado for a one-year value re-build, unless the Rockies really overpaid him. This isn't a Kyle Kendrick-type situation coming off a pair of rough seasons in Philadelphia and taking on what was presumably the best contract offered to him as a 30-year old. Latos is a pitcher more than two years younger than Kendrick, coming off just one bad season, likely eager to prove himself next summer before landing on the free agent market and getting a four- or five-year deal from a team willing to pay.
Latos may fit the Rockies' plan next season as a buy-low free agent rotation buffer on which to take a flyer. The Rockies will need one of those, in all likelihood. But pitchers eager to re-build value don't exactly circle Denver on their list of places to pitch themselves into larger free agent contracts in the future, and for that reason, Latos would probably be wise to avoid Colorado.
Important Links
Today in Baseball History: In 1997, Ken Griffey, Jr. becomes the ninth unanimous pick for the AL MVP Award. He hit .304 for the Mariners, to go along with 56 home runs and 147 RBI's.