With just two weeks left until pitchers and catchers begin reporting to Spring Training, here are three things we’ll be looking at around the world of baseball throughout the day today:
1. The 40 man roster goes as follows:
The Cubs and Astros have reached an agreement in a trade that sends the veteran reliever Ryan Pressly (plus $5.5MM in cap money) to Chicago for a minor leaguer Juan Bello. Last night, Pressly agreed to waive his no-trade clause, receiving both a new no-trade clause and a job bonus (to cover the difference in state taxes) as part of the deal. That trade has not been officially announced by the teams, but if it is the Cubs will need to fill a spot on the 40-man roster. With pressure he is not the only player the club needs to make room for in the roster. Utilityman Jon Berti agreed to a one-year contract with the Cubs last week. Like the Pressly trade, that signing also has yet to be made official and would require the Cubs to clear a 40-man roster spot.
2. Did Bregman go home?
Longtime Astros third baseman Alex Bregman it was the talk of baseball over the weekend. Late last week, reports began circulating that the Astros and Bregman were re-engaged despite Houston’s buyout. Christian Walker again Isaac Paredes managing the corners of the field that seem to show separation. The Astros held their annual FanFest over the weekend and, while comments from GM Dana Brown described Bregman’s reunion as “a long shot,” the face of the franchise. Jose Altuve emphasized Bregman’s importance to the team and made it clear that he would agree to the move unless it meant bringing Bregman back into the fold. Will a deal come to fruition soon, or could another Bregman suitor like the Tigers or Blue Jays sneak in and do something instead?
3. Incoming DFA adjustments:
Last week the Pirates selected a midfielder Tristan Grey for the assignment to make room for the veteran DH Andrew McCutchen on the 40-man roster. Gray, who turns 29 in March, has just 17 games of big league experience under his belt between the Rays, Marlins, and Athletics over the past two seasons but the Pirates drafted him in October as the first option. He has since been pushed down the depth chart with the acquisition of Spencer Horwitzwhich led the club to cut him from the 40-man roster. That move was a week ago to the day, and as such the one-week window for a DFA’d player to be moved or a clear waiver closes. There should be an announcement regarding Gray’s future at some point today, whether that be a waiver claim or him clearing waivers and being assigned to the minor leagues.
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