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- There was nothing close to a major signing or piece of news in the league on Wednesday, but a handful of smaller free agents came off the board. Carlos Gomez was among them, signing a one-year, $4 million deal with the Rays. He ostensibly becomes the Steven Souza replacement and will team up with Kevin Kiermaier and Mallex Smith to make up the everyday outfield. There isn’t a ton of offensive upside in that group, but to Tampa’s credit there is plenty of athleticism there. It’s not hard to envision that being a frustrating outfield group to play against as division rivals.
- Sticking with Florida baseball franchises who have had annoying offseasons, the Marlins also signed a low-level outfield free agent. They agreed to a one-year deal with Cameron Maybin. The terms have not been released (as far as I can tell), but I’m a little surprised Maybin couldn’t get a deal in a better situation. Maybe he just really values the weather or the Miami nightlife, but he’s obviously going to a rough situation. Maybin is a solid player who suddenly becomes Miami’s best outfielder.
- More outfield news! Colby Rasmus signed a minor-league deal with the Orioles, which is notable because Rasmus appeared that he may be quitting baseball midway through last year when he was placed on the restricted list by the Rays. Now that he’s back, he won’t add much defensively but has some real power to go with strikeout issues. In other words, he’s the most Orioles hitter.
- In some prospect news, Astros top prospect Forrest Whitley was suspended 50 games for testing positive in a drug test. It’s assumed it is a drug of abuse because generally a positive PED test includes the name of the drug, and this press release did not.
- Finally, you may have seen a wild and absurd rule change proposal going around on Wednesday in which a manager would be able to bat whoever they wanted in the ninth inning of a game they were trailing. Just, no. It’s never going to happen. It’s the wildest of the wild rule change proposals we’ve gotten over the last couple years.