Transactions: 2026

[imref]

Nussbaum:

Can confirm the Nationals have traded pitching prospect Sean Paul Liñan to the New York Yankees for infielder Jorbit Vivas. @andrewcgolden first on it.

https://www.mlb.com/player/jorbit-vivas-678391

Abrams on the move?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Nussbaum:
https://www.mlb.com/player/jorbit-vivas-678391

Abrams on the move?

second baseman, not a great fielder, OK hit tool. 35+, #34 in the NYY season per FG going into 2025.
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/new-york-yankees-top-45-prospects/

After hitting for plus contact at the lowest levels of the Dodgers system, Vivas began hitting for modest power in 2021 and has hit 10-15 homers each of the last few years. During that time, he was traded to the Yankees and spent 2024, his first year in the org, at Scranton. Vivas broke his orbital bone during spring training and slashed .225/.348/.358 upon his return. Small but strong, Vivas doesn’t have big raw power, but he takes a pretty healthy hack for a guy his size and he’s maintained above-average contact rates as he’s climbed the minors. Where he hasn’t progressed is on defense. Vivas is not especially good at either second or third base. He is a bottom-of-the 40-man type who can play a low-impact 2B/3B platoon role on an active roster.

I think he's just 2B depth stashed in AAA with Orelvis. .721 OPS in 3 seasons / 993 PAs at OKC and Scarnton-Wilkes Barre. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=vivas-001jor

We are kind of thin at 2B above A ball. Dickerson could get a bump to A+  just to make room at A.

[NatsLSU]

Yeah I thought Abrams would be moved at the deadline, but I could see them moving him before the start of the season. What a rebuild… just don’t send him to Chicago!

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Yeah I thought Abrams would be moved at the deadline, but I could see them moving him before the start of the season. What a rebuild… just don’t send him to Chicago!

I don't see a move for now unless and until a 2B goes down for the season on a contender.  Mayer is going to get a long leash in Boston, IDK who else has a big hole.

[IdahoNat]

Vivas La Championship!!!!!!1111111!!!!!!

[imref]

I think Vivas is out of options. They need to clear a 40-man spot for him.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I think Vivas is out of options. They need to clear a 40-man spot for him.

I would imagine maybe Franklin is optioned out. That's what Roster Resource has.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Vivas, 25, did not have a clear path to make the Yankees’ Opening Day roster. He’s out of options, so the Bronx Bombers wouldn’t have been able to stash him in the Minors without exposing him to outright waivers, hence the decision to trade him.

A native of Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, Vivas made his Major League debut last season and slashed .161/.266/.250 with one homer over 66 plate appearances for the Yankees, who acquired him from the Dodgers with lefty reliever Victor González for shortstop Trey Sweeney in 2023. The 25-year-old has hit .271 with 52 homers, 94 steals and a .782 OPS over seven Minor League seasons, splitting his time between second and third base

https://www.mlb.com/yankees/news/jorbit-vivas-trade-nationals-yankees

[Smithian]

This guy doesn’t look like a big glove upgrade over Tena. Bit confused by this one. Either they’re lower on Tena than realized or they see something in Vivas.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

This guy doesn’t look like a big glove upgrade over Tena. Bit confused by this one. Either they’re lower on Tena than realized or they see something in Vivas.

Nah. He's not a glove guy. He's hit well in the minors. What he allows is Tena to DH while having a backup 3B/2B available in case House / Nunez / Abrams gets hurt.

My guess is  they play Lile and Wood every day in the corners to see if they can play in the field while Weimer and Tena split DH duties and Chappy and Garcia split time at 1st. It's a tentative vote of confidence in Nunez full time.

[imref]

McGarry DFA’d to make room.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

McGarry DFA’d to make room.

that was inevitable. They will see if they can deal him before offering him back to the Phillies. I doubt there's a taker. If the Nats still like them, then they will offer the Phillies somebody off the 40 man for McGarry after they waive him through the league.

Tentatively leaves them with 14 position players, but that's  permissible. Limited to 13 pitchers, but can be less.

Edit - Roster Resource has him returned to the Phillies.

[imref]

Tena is also out of options. Seems like it would be better to keep another OF?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Tena is also out of options. Seems like it would be better to keep another OF?

It will be interesting to see if they start the year with a 7 man bullpen and how long they run with it.

[imref]

that was inevitable. They will see if they can deal him before offering him back to the Phillies. I doubt there's a taker. If the Nats still like them, then they will offer the Phillies somebody off the 40 man for McGarry after they waive him through the league.

Tentatively leaves them with 14 position players, but that's  permissible. Limited to 13 pitchers, but can be less.

Edit - Roster Resource has him returned to the Phillies.

i read earlier that he must clear waivers first, then he's offered back to Philly, and if they decline, we can outright him to AAA.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

i read earlier that he must clear waivers first, then he's offered back to Philly, and if they decline, we can outright him to AAA.

maybe RR has jumped the gun in saying he's been sent back, or maybe the waiver process is completed the past couple of days. FWIW, the Nats transactions page now list Vivas for Linan but does not have the McGarry move.

CAmerato reports the DFA and speculates this means Vivas takes Tena's spot. Maybe McGarry's DFA is to create a spot for Perez? Eventually the Nats need another spot.

[imref]

Franklin and Ribalta optioned to AAA.

Down to 28 but the non-bullpen positions appear to be set.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Franklin and Ribalta optioned to AAA.

Down to 28 but the non-bullpen positions appear to be set.

you mean I got it right? Franklin down and keeping both Tena and Vivas?

[imref]

you mean I got it right? Franklin down and keeping both Tena and Vivas?

[imref]

McGarry officially returned to Philly.

Tres Barrera assigned to minor league camp.

[imref]

Nats acquire minor league infielder Zack Short from the Yankees for cash considerations. He’s heading to Rochester.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Separated out the Mead discussion because it ran nearly a page

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Chaparro optioned to AAA to make room for Mead.

[Slateman]

Hey we're gonna build a culture if hard work and accountability.


Garcia still on the team

[imref]

Jake Eder traded to the Dodgers for cash considerations (and Shohei Ohtani)