After a light opening day Thursday, spring training games begin en masse Friday. There are 14 games on the schedule, and while those are being played, front offices will continue to work the phones and try to improve their rosters before Opening Day. Here are the latest bits of hot stove news and rumors as eight of the top 50 free agents remain unsigned.
Padres interested in Voit
The Padres are among the clubs with interest in Yankees first baseman Luke Voit, reports The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. Newsday's Eric Boland hears the Yankees have lowered their asking price for Voit and third baseman/left fielder Miguel Andújar since re-signing Anthony Rizzo earlier this week. Here are five other possible landing spots for Voit.
San Diego lost Fernando Tatis Jr. to a broken wrist earlier this week and while Voit can't replace Tatis at shortstop, he can slide into the DH spot to boost the lineup. That would require moving Wil Myers into the outfield full-time and Jurickson Profar into a super utility role. Andújar is a more affordable and more versatile alternative to Voit, MLB's 2020 home run leader.
The Dodgers have re-signed lefty Danny Duffy to a one-year contract with a club option for 2023, according to The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya. Financial terms are unknown. Duffy had flexor tendon surgery in October and is expected to return sometime around June. He said he considered retiring this offseason.
Duffy, 33, started last season with the Royals and was traded to the Dodgers at the deadline while on the injured list. He never did pitch for Los Angeles following the trade. Because spring training has started, the Dodgers can put Duffy on the 60-day injured list immediately rather than remove someone from the 40-man roster to accommodate him. It's a "stash" signing where the Dodgers will keep Duffy on the injured list and see whether he can help later this season. If not, then they're only out some money.
Right-hander Garrett Richards has agreed to a one-year deal with a club option for 2023, reports Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. Financial terms are unknown. Richards is expected to work as a multi-inning reliever rather than join the rotation. The 33-year-old righty started last season in Boston's rotation before shifting to the bullpen at midseason. He had a 5.22 ERA as a starter and a 3.42 ERA as a reliever. Richards will be asked to chew up a lot of innings in relief behind a rotation that skews young.
The Red Sox have re-signed corner infielder Travis Shaw to a minor league contract, the team announced. He will be in big league camp with the team as a non-roster invitee. The 31-year-old split last season between the Brewers and Red Sox and did get some big hits for Boston down the stretch. He has really struggled the last three years, however, hitting .194/.289/.344 since 2019.
