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Report: Astros decline option on Will Harris

By Bill BaerNov 1, 2018, 6:46 PM EDT
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Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports that the Astros have declined the 2019 option for reliever Will Harris worth $5.5 million. Because Harris doesn’t yet have six years of service time, the Astros still have club control over him and can strike a new deal with him by November 30.

Harris, 34, has been a stalwart in the Astros’ bullpen over the last four seasons. In 2018, he compiled a 3.49 ERA with 64 strikeouts and 14 walks in 56 2/3 innings.

Harris will presumably be back in Houston next year helping bridge the gap to closer Roberto Osuna.

Marte Par-tay! Dbacks on the verge of acquiring Starling Marte

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By Craig CalcaterraJan 27, 2020, 2:33 PM EST
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The Arizona Diamondbacks — employer of All-Star Ketel Marte — are about to double their Marte pleasure, with multiple outlets reporting that they are on the verge of acquiring Pirates outfield Starling Marte in a trade. Making it a Marte par-tay in Phoenix.

Starling Marte is coming off a .295/.342/.503 season in which he hit 23 homers and stole 25 bases while manning center field for the Buccos. Center is where Ketel played most of last season, but with Starling on the roster, Ketel would likely move back to second base.

Heading back to Pittsburgh, prospects Liover Peguero and Brennan Malone, each of whom are generally considered to be top-10-ish prospects for Pittsburgh, but not likely top-5-ish. They’ll rank higher in the Pirates’ thinner farm system. Peguero is a shortstop who just turned 19 and hasn’t played above A-ball. Malone, also 19, is a righty pitcher who was the 33rd overall selection in last year’s draft.