Free agent LHP Gio Gonzalez’ name has surfaced in reports linking him to the NY Mets.
The 33-year old southpaw has had enormous success pitching at CitiField (1.75 career ERA in Queens) so it would make sense for the Mets to show some interest. My NYSporsday.com colleague, columnist Rich Mancuso, has a relationship with Gonzalez who, in the past, has expressed a desire to Rich to play in New York.
The Yankees are looking for another starting pitcher to add depth to their rotation. Free agent lefty Dallas Keuchel may lower his demands. Would the Yankees bite on a one year contract for the former AL Cy Young Award winner? Keuchel may eventually end up in the Brewers starting rotation. Reportedly, there’s been contact between Milwaukee and Keuchel’s agent, Scott Boras.
February 2nd is “Ground Hog Day” and free agent Bryce Harper and Manny Machado have not seen the shadows of a new contract. Who woulda thunk it but things have gotten so bad for Harper that he’s meeting with the Padres, who were never on his radar at the start of the Free Agent season. The former NL MVP is from Las Vegas (fairly close to San Diego) but the scarcity of suitors for his services is mind boggling. Same for Machado. Hard to believe that those two franchise type players have not been signed by February 2nd.
If free agent reliever Craig Kimbrel lowers his price, then a number of teams will be in play for his services including the Red Sox. Kimbrel is reportedly seeking a six year, $100 million dollar deal but he won’t get that. At the present time, the Braves and Cardinals are being viewed as potential suitors with the Nationals, Phillies, Twins and a “mystery team” also being linked to the right hander. Don’t be surprised if that mystery team is the Astros.
Like Michael J. Fox in the 1985 film classic, Fox Sports needs to go “Back to the Future” for their World Series broadcasts. When NBC Sports had the rights to the Series in the 1960’s and 1970’s, they employed one of the team’s announcers to be part of the broadcast team, depending on which team was home. The great Mets’ announcer, Lindsey Nelson, worked games 3, 4, and 5 of the 1969 World Series, alongside the great Curt Gowdy. In the 1976 Series, Yankee announcer Phil Rizzuto worked games 3 and 4. Adding some home team flavor would enhance the Series broadcasts with solid information from those that watched the team all season.
HKLooking: Look for Marwin Gonzalez and Josh Harrison to be signed by the end of next week. Gonzalez will likely end up back in Houston while Harrison could sign with the Dodgers, Angels or Rays. LA is still in the mix for Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto and may wait to see where that goes before they sign Harrison or any other free agent non-pitcher…..Texas signed FA 3B Matt Davidson but they may use him as a “two-way” player and have him pitch. Davidson made three mound appearances for the White Sox last season and did not allow a run, while his fastball hit 91-92 MPH. Last season, Davidson became the 4th player in Major League history to hit three home runs on Opening Day