MLB Spring Training Notebook: Vladdy Jr. sets his price, Athletics extend youth outfielder, other notes from around the league
Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. told ESPN’s Enrique Rojas and Ernesto Jerez that he was seeking a mega-contract just south of what Juan Soto received in free agency from the Mets.
"It's much less than Soto. We're talking about many fewer millions than Soto, more than a hundred million less. ... It was the same number of years [as Soto's contract], but it didn't reach [$600 million]. The last number we gave them as a counteroffer didn't reach 600," Guerrero said to ESPN.
"I know the business. I lowered the salary demands a bit, but I also lowered the number of years. ... I'm looking for 14 [years]. I would like 14, 15, even 20 if they give them to me, but doing it the right way."
The 25-year-old slugger is set to become a free agent in November, and there will be a handful of suitors who can pay that hefty price tag to land his services. Guerrero has maintained he is focused on the upcoming season despite not coming to an agreement on a long-term deal at the start of camp.
"There was an exchange [of salary figures]. The meetings lasted until the last day of the deadline, but they [the Blue Jays and Guerrero's agents] couldn't reach an agreement on the numbers. But as I've always said, just because we couldn't reach an agreement, I'm not going to change the way I work. I have to keep working," he added.
The Athletics and outfielder Lawrence Butler have an agreement on a seven-year, $65.5 million contract extension that includes a club option, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
The deal keeps one of the young foundational players in Oakland, I mean, Sacramento, and then Las Vegas. Butler, 24, is the second key bat the A’s have locked up, agreeing to a contract extension with Brent Rooker on a five-year, $60 million deal.
With the addition of pitchers Luis Severino and Jeffrey Springs and flamethrower Mason Miller, the A’s have a core in place that is looking to compete and make a playoff run this coming season.
Butler burst on the scene in the second half of the season when he belted 20 homers in 84 games. He carried a .291 average, .330 on-base percentage, and .565 slugging percentage in the same stretch and stole 18 bases throughout the season.
“I love being here. I’m excited to be here,” Butler said to The Athletic. “I’m excited to play here. So, yeah, no comment on that.”
The Dodgers are going to slow down Shohei Ohtani on the mound as he ramps up for the start of the regular season.
Ohtani hasn’t thrown a bullpen since Feb. 25; he is playing catch and keeping his throwing arm in shape. The Dodgers aren’t expected to have him face hitters until after the club returns from Japan, where they open up the regular season against the Cubs from March 18-19.
"As the game has intensified, his work playing in games, it was sort of trying to give him a little respite from the rehab and to slow him down," Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts said. "We've never really put a time on anything. … We just felt that to intensify the bullpens alongside the intensity of the games wasn't smart, so we just wanted to kind of slow-play it."
The Astros saw Alex Bregman walk in free agency this offseason, but prior to him signing with the Red Sox, Houston added Christian Walker and Isaac Paredes to their lineup.
With the start of the season right around the corner, the Astros will likely be without their new first baseman. Walker is dealing with a left oblique injury and will undergo an MRI to determine the extent of the issue.
"This is an injury that happened to him in the past, and he walked in feeling pretty good about things, but we want to make sure,” Astros manager Joe Espada said.
Walker has been telling reporters in Astros camp that he’s been sore but waiting to learn more information.
"These next few days will tell us a little bit more with how it responds, but so far I’m hopeful, for sure,” he said.
Walker is no stranger to oblique issues, missing more than a month with the D-backs. He doesn’t think his current situation is serious and isn’t expecting it to keep him on the shelf for a while.
"It’s going to get worse swelling-wise before it starts to feel better,” Walker said. “You kind of got to let your body go through the process. So far today, it feels pretty good.”
Pod by the River Episode 97 - MassLive’s Red Sox beat writer Chris Cotillo
In one of our more informative episodes, Hogdale and Ed are joined by Chris Cotillo of MassLive and Fenway Rundown to pull back the curtain behind just what covering the Red Sox entails.