MLB Roundup 1/26: Trevor Story signs a two-year extension

Trevor Story signs two-year extension

The Rockies have been in the news a bit after alienating their best player, Nolan Arenado, by not only discussing trading him only a year after signing him to a massive extension but also not doing anything to build a team around him. Meanwhile, they were possibly heading toward an arbitration hearing with their other star, Trevor Story. Well, they avoided issues on that front by agreeing to a two-year extension worth $27.5 million. Now, this isn’t a huge deal in terms of the team’s future, as they gain no extra control over their star shortstop. Still, they get some cost certainty over the next two years and guard against Story taking even another leap in 2020, which isn’t totally out of the question. More importantly, they avoid a hearing with one of their top two players.

Sox Spin: The Red Sox, of course, have two players who are potentially heading for a hearing in Eduardo Rodriguez and Andrew Benintendi. Even if neither one wants to give up free agency years — an understandable position — they can still sign a multi-year deal to cover their arbitration years. Of course, it gets a little more complicated with the luxury tax because the average annual value of these deals would be larger than the single-year salary.

Cubs close to signing Steven Souza

There’s not a whole lot to say about this one, and it’s not even official yet. The Cubs are, however, reportedly close to a deal to sign Steven Souza to a major-league deal. This is mostly notable because it is the Cubs’ first major-league signing of the winter, leaving the aforementioned Rockies as the only team without one. Souza is most famous for being part of the wild three-team deal that landed Trea Turner in Washington. He’ll most likely form a platoon in the outfield with Jason Heyward.

Sox Spin: Souza could have been an option to fill out the outfield in the event of a Mookie Betts and/or Jackie Bradley Jr. trade. Souza is not great, but he could play in right field in Fenway, and probably do so very well.

Rafael Dolis signs with the Blue Jays

The Blue Jays have already added one reliever from Japan to their bullpen this winter, and now they’ve added another. This time it is Rafael Dolis, who agreed to a one-year deal with Toronto. Dolis did pitch in the majors early in the decade but didn’t get a long chance and eventually brought his career overseas. He’s done well the last two years, and its earned him another chance in the majors. He joins a Blue Jays bullpen that is pretty wide open after Ken Giles, but also one that has some potential.

Sox Spin: I’m not going to sit here and tell you I can guarantee Dolis will be good in the major, but given the price I wouldn’t have minded the Red Sox taking a chance here. At the same time, I also won’t kill them for not doing so. This time of year is fun, eh?

Ryan Zimmerman heads back to Washington

This one was only a matter of time. Ryan Zimmerman is going back to Washington on a one-year deal. Zimmerman is, of course, a legend for the Nationals franchise. He was there right when they moved to D.C. after leaving Montreal and suffered through a whole lot of bad years, only to finally triumph in 2019. He can’t play anywhere else. It can’t be allowed.

Eduardo Núñez gets invite to Mets camp

Nunie is getting another chance! It’s not a major-league deal, but he’ll be in big-league camp and hopefully he’ll get another job somewhere. It’s no secret how much I liked rooting for Núñez and am excited to do so again, even if it’s for another team.