Offseason Update: Dec. 8, 2020
Sorry, but multiple sources are now saying that tomorrow will be the reveal of the Final 120 for minor-league baseball.
I’m not sure this would be such a big deal if it weren’t for the dearth of any other real news on the minor-league front. The Rule 5 draft? Please. About the only thing anyone knows for sure is that the pool is a year older and the new candidates haven’t participated in a game that counts or was scouted since 2019.
Those new candidates for the Nationals? Most notably: Jackson Tetreault, Gabe Klobosits, and Cole Freeman. The old (and previous) candidates who might get a second look: Nick Banks and Sterling Sharp.
One contrarian viewpoint is that Sharp could be taken despite his option to become a free agent upon a DFA if the drafting team can “sell” him on the merits of their organization. While I can see that logic, given the league-wide parsimony and the glut of free agents, I have a hard time believing any team will pony up $100K rather than just wait until he can be signed as a minor-league free agent and stashed either in the minors OR in one of the “partner” leagues.
I would agree that perhaps the minor-league phases may be a little busier than usual, given how little it costs ($24K per pick) and no requirement to keep the player on any given roster. [Insert reminder that we don’t have a clue as to who might be available because the 38-man protection lists are not public.]
Until tomorrow… maybe.
This may be an undetermined But fact : recent waiver claim on 40 man R.A can probably make a big dent in the locker room pre or post game spread
A few notable changes to Ballpark Digest’s master list, as they now have the Marlins (previously linked to Asheville) swapping projected High-A affiliates with the Astros (previously linked to Beloit). That doesn’t change much given the Astros, like the Marlins, own their other A-ball affiliate. BD also now seems to think Bowling Green both stays in affiliated ball and stays with the Rays, presumably at High-A(?). Wonder if Bowling Green could actually be grouped with the High-A teams in the western Carolinas, like Asheville and Hickory, instead of staying as part of the Midwest (always been a very weird fit).
Can’t wait for tomorrow!
Sounds like we will know teams’ affiliates, but not 1) how the league structures break down or 2) whether those affiliates are “locked in” (BA reports today many will wait before deciding whether to sign the license agreements, although most/all are expected to ultimately sign).
If MLB were smart, they’d announce regardless of whether the team has indicated they’ll agree. Most fans aren’t aware of what that really means (“thank you, sir. May I have another”) so they’ll turn on the team if they turn down MLB. Never mind MLB has control/influence over the “independent” leagues…
Oh, I fully expect that’s what is going to happen. Makes too much sense.
Maybe it’s just last-minute cold feet, but Ballpark Digest has removed the bit about Frederick staying in and possibly moving up to Double-A from its chart and now has its fate uncertain. Nats still linked to Wilmington, but obviously the situation is fluid with all of these late changes today: https://ballparkdigest.com/200905261902/minor-league-baseball/news/affiliate-dance-2012
And there goes the ?
Wilmington now tabbed to move to Low-A, so Fredericksburg would presumably remain the Nats’ High-A affiliate. That’s weird, but it looks like this is a go.