Off Season Moves

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Re: Off Season Moves

ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reports that Travis Wood is signing with the Royals.
Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports says it's a two-year, $12 million contract. Wood pitched exclusively out of the bullpen with the Cubs last season, but he should get a chance to compete with Nate Karns and Matt Strahm for the final spot in the Royals' rotation.

MLB.com's Bill Chastain writes that Wilson Ramos (knee) "will not likely be ready to play until July, and he probably won't be able to catch until August."

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Re: Off Season Moves

Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak said Tuesday that Michael Wacha is likely to be in the team's rotation "if he's physically able."
Top prospect Alex Reyes was sent for an MRI on his elbow on Tuesday and the fear is that he could need Tommy John surgery, so suddenly Wacha appears to be a strong favorite for a rotation spot.

Chris Tillman is not expected to pitch Opening Day for the Orioles after receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection his right shoulder in December.
Tillman has been the Orioles' Opening Day starter for the past three years, but he's currently three weeks behind schedule. Assuming he progresses as hoped,

Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said Tuesday that Jeanmar Gomez "deserves to be called our closer at this point."
So much for competition. Gomez struggled miserably down the stretch last season and finished with a 4.85 ERA, but he did a respectable job for most of the year en route to saving 37 games, so Mackanin wants to give him the first crack at the gig to begin 2017

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Re: Off Season Moves

Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports that the Rays have made a formal offer to free agent catcher Matt Wieters.
But the offer was "likely for one year," per Topkin, and "certainly for millions of dollars less than what Wieters and agent Scott Boras are seeking." Wieters has struggled to find a contract to his liking in this market after batting .243/.302/.409 with 17 home runs and 66 RBI in 124 games last season for the Orioles. He'd be a fine gamble for a club that doesn't have great options at catcher

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Re: Off Season Moves

Manager Terry Francona confirmed Cody Allen will close for the Indians in 2017.
"Cody is our closer," said Francona on Saturday, ending the debate once and for all. Just as he did last season, Allen will work the ninth inning with stud left-hander Andrew Miller serving as a jack-of-all trades.

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reports that the Padres have agreed to a one-year deal with Jered Weaver.
The veteran right-hander will earn a base salary of around $3 million dollars, which will seemingly guarantee him a spot in the Padres' starting rotation.

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Re: Off Season Moves

FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that Matt Wieters' deal with the Nationals is worth $21 million over two years.
As previously reported, the deal includes an opt-out after the first year. Wieters would make $10 million in 2017 and $11 million in 2018 if he chooses to stick around