Hot Stove Digest: Everybody loves Scott Kazmir
Welcome to The Stew’s Hot Stove Digest, our daily rundown of MLB news, rumors and gossip for Hot Stove season. Here you’ll find a recap of all the day’s action and other fun stuff from around the Internet.
EVERYBODY’S IN: With the starting pitching market getting thin, Scott Kazmir has turned into a hot commodity. The finalists to sign him are the Nats, A’s, Royals, Cardinals, Orioles and Astros. So, like a fifth of the league. [@BNightengale]
MEET THE METS, EVENTUALLY, MAYBE: The New York Mets are eyeing Denard Span, Will Venable and Alejandro De Aza as outfield options, but they’re not moving quick. [@JCrasnick]
BUT THOR SAYS: Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard really hopes they re-sign Yoenis Cespedes, even though the club says he’s too expensive. [The Stew]
BUT THE INTERNET SAYS: The Mets operate like a ponzi scheme. Oh. [Vocativ]
GET PAID: The Colorado Rockies officially sign closer Adam Ottavino to a three-year extension worth $10.4 million. He’s in the process of returning from Tommy John surgery and documenting that for a short film. [Yahoo Sports]
LOW RISK: The Rangers sign A.J. Griffin to a minor-league deal. The ex-A’s pitcher had Tommy John surgery in 2013 and hasn’t pitched since. [Dallas Morning News]
GOOD READ: Dave Cameron examines opt-out clauses and their value to ballclubs. [Fangraphs]
JUST BECAUSE: Steve Bartman re-imagined as Steve Harvey. [@EOrvieto]
SOLD: The Pittsburgh Pirates acquire starting pitcher Kyle Lobstein, who was recently DFA’d by the Detroit Tigers, for cash. [Yahoo Sports]
DONE DEAL: The Indians announce the signings of lefty relievers Tom Gorzelanny and Joe Thatcher to minor-league deals with spring training invites. [@Indians]
DONE DEAL: The Padres add lefty pitcher Buddy Baumann on a one-year major-league deal. He pitched in Triple-A last season for the Royals. [Padres.com]
GOOD READ: Billy Wagner is this year’s Hall of Fame underdog. [Sports Illustrated]
SOLD: Georgia State agrees to buy Atlanta’s Turner Field once the Braves move to the ‘burbs in 2017. It will become a football field. [Dr. Saturday]
ICYMI: The Red Sox will finally retire Wade Boggs’ No. 26. [The Stew]
A FINAL NOTE: Dexter Fowler went to see Boyz II Men in concert and he’s like, “Close your eyes / make a wish / And blow out the candlelight.”
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Mike Oz is the editor of Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @MikeOz
