TOUGH CHOICES
World Champion Red Sox facing tough decisions on a number of their own free agents, including closer Craig Kimbrel.
The Red Sox have seven free agents from the roster that won the World Series and all have expressed a desire to return next season, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said. That's not going to happen, of course.
The Red Sox saw 36-year-old Ian Kinsler as a temporary solution to what at the time was poor depth at second base. Drew Pomeranz also is likely to move on after losing his spot in the rotation and not pitching in the postseason. Brandon Phillips, a September call-up who had 23 at-bats, will get a World Series ring but probably not a contract offer.
The others — Nathan Eovaldi, Joe Kelly, Craig Kimbrel, and Steve Pearce — are in different categories.
“Some of the guys we would like to re-sign . . . and we'll continue to stay in contact with them,” Dombrowski said. “We'll see what happens. They know we're interested.”
None of the now-former Red Sox promised Dombrowski the right to match or top any offer. But all left on good terms and agreed to stay in touch.
Barring a trade, the Sox will start next season with a payroll of at least $212 million when factoring in raises via arbitration. That's already over the luxury-tax threshold of $206 million.
Sabathia says 2019 his last season: CC Sabathia says 2019 will be his final season in the major leagues.
“This will be it,” the 38-year-old left-hander said in a video posted on Twitter on Wednesday after the New York Yankees finalized his $8 million, one-year contract.
Sabathia and New York had reached the agreement Tuesday, subject to a successful physical. A six-time All-Star and the 2007 AL Cy Young Award winner, Sabathia went 9-7 with a 3.65 ERA in 29 starts this year.
Meanwhile, it was announced that catcher Gary Sanchez will have surgery on his left shoulder this week, but is expected to be ready by opening day.
New York general manager Brian Cashman said Wednesday at the GM meetings that Sanchez would be operated on by Dr. Christopher Ahmad. The procedure is to remove loose debris from Sanchez's non-throwing shoulder. The recovery is expected to be about three months.
Sanchez was an All-Star two seasons ago but had a disappointing 2018, batting .186 with 18 homers and 53 RBIs. He was limited by a groin injury for much
of the season.
Mets promote Tebow: New York Mets minor leaguer Tim Tebow has earned a promotion to Triple-A Syracuse. The 2007 Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL quarterback hit .273 with six homers and 36 RBIs in 84 games this year for Double-A Binghamton. His season was cut short by a broken hamate bone in his right hand, which required surgery July 24.
“Timmy is not a guy you want to put restraints on,” new Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen said Wednesday. “I believe in him.”