MLB: Hot Stove – Polanco to Philly, Scutaro to Boston, and More
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Some of the second tier free agents are starting to come off the board as we head into next week’s winter meetings in Indianapolis. The Phillies signed free agent infielder Placido Polanco to a 3-year deal and the Red Sox inked shortstop Marco Scutaro to a two-year deal. The Braves landed a pair of relievers to strengthen the bullpen in Billy Wagner and Takashi Saito.
Placido Polanco to Philly
The Phillies signed Placido Polanco to a three year deal on Thursday hoping he will give the team an upgrade over Pedro Feliz. I had written earlier in the week that I was not sure how much of an upgrade Polanco is over Feliz for the Phillies but it is still a solid signing none-the-less. He is a slightly better hitter than Feliz and should be able to manage third base okay. He played the position before and seemed to do a good job at it, but that was five years ago and it remains to be seen if he still has the chops to do it.
Marco Scutaro to Boston
It looks as though Dustin Pedroia will not be making the move back to shortstop after all after the Red Sox signed former Blue Jays shortstop Marco Scutaro to a two year deal Thursday. This is a nice pickup for the Sox who apparently are not willing to wait on Jed Lowrie any longer.
In Scutaro they get a shortstop who is comparable to Alex Gonzalez, who finished the year as the Sox shortstop and recently signed with Toronto. He also provides Boston with a potential offensive upgrade at the position.
The Sox will surrender a draft pick for signing Scutaro, who was offered arbitration by the Jays earlier in the week, but, they will get a pick back from the Braves who signed Billy Wagner on Wednesday.
Wagner and Saito to ATL
The Braves signed a pair of relievers this week inking Billy Wagner, Wednesday, and Takashi Saito, Thursday, to one year deals. The signings likely mean the Braves have no intention of bringing Mike Gonzalez and/or Rafael Soriano back next season.
Wagner will likely be expected to close for the Braves next season while Saito will serve as a set up man along with Peter Moylan.
Going with the 38-year old Wagner is a bit of a gamble given he has been healthy enough to pitch in only 62 games over the last two seasons. Wagner was excellent in a set up role last season striking out 26 batters in 15.2 innings with a 1.72 ERA. He still has good stuff, but, will his arm hold up for the entirety of the season?
Chone Figgins and the Mariners
The Mariners are emerging as the favorites to land Chone Figgins after reportedly offering him a four year deal. The Angels still want to retain Figgins but have not offered anything more than a three year deal for Figgins. It looks like Figgins will get the four year deal he is looking for whether it be from Los Angeles or someone else.
In other Mariners’ news it is being reported that they still intend on making a competitive offer to free agent outfielder Jason Bay and have a strong interest in landing free agent fireballer Rich Harden as well.
Bay gives them the impact bat they need to stick into the middle of the lineup, and, if healthy, Harden potentially gives them the legit #2 starter they are seeking to pitch behind Felix Hernandez in the rotation.
