February 3, 2021
After breaking apart their bullpen in an effort to cut costs, the Reds took a step towards rebuilding it on Tuesday, agreeing to terms with 34-year-old lefty Sean Doolittle on a one-year deal with a base salary of $1.5 million plus as-yet-unspecified incentives. For as modest an expenditure as it is, Doolittle is just the second major league free agent the Reds have signed this winter from outside the organization (Kyle Farmer was signed to a new major league deal after previously being non-tendered). The two-time All-Star has ample experience closing, something in short supply on the Reds’ current roster, but in order to return to any kind of high-leverage duty, he’ll need to rebound from what was largely a lost season.
No matter how hard I try, my brain just cannot seem to fully accept the Cubs financial limitations this winter. I look at their existing budget (currently sitting roughly $60 million beneath last year’s total (and $70-$80M beneath the 2016-2018 figures)) and I look at their roster (which features just TWO outfielders and arguably just TWO sure-fire starting pitchers), and I just don’t believe it. I just can’t believe they’re going to spend next-to-nothing for the third straight offseason, and could perhaps even cut salary from here. I know that it’s reportedly true. I know that it’s maybe even likely. But I just can’t believe it.
The Nationals manager flat-out admitting that his club has talked about Bryant:
Nationals manager Dave Martinez on Kris Bryant and Nats desire to add a significant bat to their lineup: His name s definitely come up in conversations.
Martinez, of course, was the Cubs’ former bench coach under Joe Maddon, so he knows Bryant well. You don’t want to take TOO much away from him answering a question – the manager is not the GM, for one thing – but it’s kinda wild that Martinez was willing to say this out loud. You kinda never hear team employees doing that about player under contract with another club.