The Sunday Hot Stove Update

The word out of Texas is that the Rangers might be adding up to $20mil to their payroll in 2015, targeting on pitching. My guess is this wouldn’t make for a great home for the likes of Dillon Gee, Jon Niese, or Bartolo Colon; however, Rafael Montero in a deal for either IF Jurickson Profar or OF Michael Choice might match up well.

Sad news… long-time San Francisco Giants scout Stan Saleski died last Sunday in Baltimore. He was 59. 

SS Jose Inglesias, who went down with double shin injuries in 2014, is ready to return to the Detroit Tigers’ opening day lineup.

Texas Rangers RP Tanner Scheppers spent time this week throwing a bullpen session and, so far, things have gone well. He is scheduled to be fully healed from his elbow problems and back in the Rangers pen by opening day 2015.

The Los Angeles Dodgers resigned LHP Robert Carson.

Todd Gold ‏@TGold_PG   - Mets OF Brandon Nimmo showed an advanced approach with good recognition & generates + bat speed with loose stroke, strong 1st impression

The Texas Rangers, who already seem to have too many infielders to start with, have purchased 32-year old Ed Lucas from the Miami Marlins. Lucas is a total utility guy that played all four infield position last season. He hit .251 in 69 games.

Toronto Blue Jay closer Casey Janssen will not be getting a qualified offer. Janseen pitched in 50 games in 2014, going 3-3, 3.94, 1.18, 25-saves, 4-14-FIP, 0.1-WAR. The 32-year old was paid $4mil for this effort and there some chatter that he even might not be invited back for the 2015 season as a cost measure

Milwaukee Brewers’ Ryan Braun took batting practice earlier this week and reported that his injured thumb feels ‘pretty good’. This is his first thumb activity since his surgery during the 2014 season.

Your next big Japanese posting could be 26-year old, 6-0 RHP Kenta Maeda, of the Hiroshima Carp. Team owner Hajime Matsuda will make the decision sometime this month. 2014 stats: 2.56-ERA, 154/40 K-BB ratio 179-IP. Experts project a 6-year, $120-130mil deal is possible.

New LAD Head, Andrew Friedman, will look to add a new General Manager and expected candidates will include Washington Nationals AGM Bryan Minniti, director of analytics Alex Tamin, Yankees AGM Billy Eppler, Athletics AGM David Forst, Athletics AGM Dan Feinstein and Red Sox AGM Mike Hazen

The Chicago Cubs did quietly announce that the 4^th overall pick in the 2014 draft, Kyle Schwarber, will remain as a defensively challenged catcher in 2015, rather than return as a defensively challenged left fielder. I never understand why teams thing defensively challenged catchers with only normal arms will make a good corner outfielder. My prediction is that, in the long run, this pick will go down as a Theo Epstein nightmare. You are probably looking at the future home run leader in AAA for the next 10 years.

Rumors are that the Red Sox and Braves are talking about Jason Heyward, which would be fine with me.

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