Brewers Get A Catcher
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic is reporting the Mariners traded catcher Omar Narvaez to the Brewers. The Brewers lost star catcher Yasmani Grandal in free agency to the White Sox.
In return, the Mariners will receive right-handed pitching prospect Adam Hill and the 71st overall pick in the upcoming draft (competitive balance pick). Hill originally drafted in the fourth round of the 2018 draft and traded as part of the package to the Brewers last season for Keon Broxton.
While Narvaez certainly helps replace some of the offense value of Grandal – he hit .278/.353/.460 with 22 home runs last season – he is one of the worst defensive catchers in baseball (-12.3 FRAA in 2019), meanwhile Yasmani is one of the best (20.1 FRAA).
The 27-year-old is under contract through the 2022 season.
Korean Slugger Posted
Rosenthal also reports that Korean slugger Kim Jae-Hwan has been posted by the Doosan Bears of the Korea Baseball Organization. The 31-year-old saw a significant dip in his offense this season with just a .797 OPS following three straight seasons of an OPS over 1.000.
The left-handed hitter slashed .283/.362/.434 with 20 doubles, five triples, 15 homers, and 91 RBIs in 136 games. His best season came in 2018, when he hit .334/.405/.657 with a career-high with 44 home runs and 133 RBIs. The left-handed hitter plays both corner infield spots.
Orioles Deal Bundy
Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that the Orioles traded right-hander Dylan Bundy to the Angels for right-handers Zach Peek, Kyle Bradish, Isaac Mattson, and Kyle Brnovich.
Bundy, 27, is coming off a 2019 in which he posted a 4.79 ERA, 4.73 FIP, 1.36 WHIP, and allowed 29 home runs in 161 2/3 innings for Baltimore. The former first round pick is under team control through the 2021 season.
Bumgarner Market Now Heating Up
Following Cole Hamels signing with the Braves and Zack Wheeler going to the Phillies on Wednesday, the market for veteran lefty Madison Bumgarner is starting to pick up.
According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network, the Reds – after being a serious contender for Wheeler – are among the teams interested in the World Series hero. Heyman also mentions the Braves, Twins, Angels, Padres, Yankees, and Phillies as logical landing spots.
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com notes that Bumgarner could sign before next week’s Winter Meeting in San Diego.
