MLB news roundup: Xander Bogaerts, Miami Marlins, James Shields
Taking a look at some of the latest MLB news involving contract extensions and potential trade targets.
Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Red Sox have not yet discussed a contract extension with infielder Xander Bogaerts, general manager Ben Cherington told Jason Mastrodonato of MLB.com.
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Boston has signed previous young stars, including Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz and Dustin Pedroia, to contract extensions before they reached arbitration. Cherington talked about why they decided to sign those players, telling Mastrodonato:
“...there’s been an established performance track record. We’ve known them all as individuals, come to trust who they are, as far as how they work, et cetera. That gives [the team] comfort in extending a guarantee past where you absolutely have to, because you can choose to go a year at a time if you want to.”
Bogaerts looked impressive during the postseason, but will likely to need to prove himself with at least one strong season before serious discussions start. If Bogaerts, however, develops into the player most think he will, it will become a matter of when contract extension discussions start, not if.
Eovaldi not a trade option
Starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi is a not a trade option for the Miami Marlins, reports Joe Frisaro of MLB.com.
Miami acquired Eovaldi in the trade that sent Hanley Ramirez to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The right-hander made 18 starts for the Marlins, posting a 3.39 ERA while averaging 96.1 mph on his fastball. The Marlins believe that Eovaldi and Jose Fernandez give them two young power arms that can anchor the top of their rotation for years.
Frisario suggests that Jacob Turner could be a more realistic trade piece for the Marlins as they search for an impact bat this offseason. Turner, acquired in the deal that sent Anibal Sanchez and Omar Infante to the Detroit Tigers, had a 3.74 ERA over 20 starts in 2013.
Shields open to staying in Kansas City
Kansas City Royals starting pitcher James Shields is open to remaining with the club past the 2014, the starter informed Jim Bowden of Sirius XM.
The Royals traded for Shields last winter, sending the eventual AL Rookie of the Year Award winner Wil Myers to the Tampa Bay Rays in return. The right-hander helped lead the Royals to their first winning season since 2003, but the team missed the playoffs for the 28th year in a row.
Shields is scheduled to make $13.25 million in 2014, and will be a free agent after the season. The pitcher stated that the two sides have not discussed an extension. The Royals had team-record $82 million payroll in 2013, but the payroll is projected to remain “about the same” next year, according to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star.
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