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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. Has your favorite team made a move yet this offseason? Well don't worry, it's not even winter time yet. Let's get to the news.
It was a rather quiet weekend after Craig Kimbrel was traded to the Red Sox, but Marc Normandin of Over the Monster explained why the Red Sox paid such a high price for the closer.
Maybe you think this is too much to give up for a reliever. And hey, it might end up being that way: again, all of these prospects could hit their best-case scenarios, and the Sox aren't guaranteed to win a thing. With that being said, the bullpen is a major part of a team.
Boston's threw 501 innings in 2015, and produced a 4.24 ERA: the league-average ERA for a bullpen was 3.71, meaning Boston's starters -- yes, even with Justin Masterson and Rick Porcello's first-half disaster and Wade Miley's April and Joe Kelly, starting pticher -- were closer to their league-average than the relievers were: the Sox rotation was at 4.39 while the league was at 4.10. Boston's rotation pitched well more often than most people noticed, and it's largely thanks to the bullpen that their performances went unrecognized. Kimbrel can help Boston avoid a repeat.
Patrick O'Kennedy of Bless You Boys asks if the Tigers could bring back David Price.
A third alternative for the Tigers to bring Price back without paying a tax would be to make a trade that clears some payroll space, like what they did when they sent Prince Fielder to Texas. The problem with this scenario is that there are five players who earn enough salary to make a significant difference, and each of those players fills a key role on Detroit's roster. Even if we're talking about a player who under performed in 2016, such as Anibal Sanchez or Victor Martinez, there is hardly a scenario where the Tigers are contenders in 2016 without those players returning to form. Otherwise, the Tigers need to acquire a third starting pitcher or a clean up hitter in addition to those already on the shopping list.
The Mets aren't actively shopping Zack Wheeler, giving them yet another young pitcher for the 2016 plans.
Mark Buehrle is debating about whether or not to retire. If he chooses to play one more season, there are rumors that he will join St. Louis. The Cardinals did just lose Lance Lynn to Tommy John surgery, and Buehrle would be a relatively cheap replacement, compared to the likes of Price and Johnny Cueto.
Our own Chris Cotillo put together a notes column, discussing the rumors surrounding the likes of Ben Zobrist, Aroldis Chapman and Joakim Soria.
Dusty Baker could be calling up an old player to join his staff for 2016.
Sources: Jacque Jones candidate for #Nationals’ asst hitting coach. Played for Baker with #Cubs. #Padres AAA hitting coach start of ’14.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 14, 2015
Buster Olney is reporting (Insider subscription required) that the Giants will look to sign shortstop Brandon Crawford to a long term extension. Crawford is coming off of a breakout 2015 season, winning a Gold Glove to go along with a .256/.321/.462 slash line and 21 home runs.
Important Links
This Day in Baseball History: In 1998, Roger Clemens becomes the first pitcher to win five Cy Young Awards when he is dubbed the AL top pitcher.