Michael Brantley, who played his entire 10-year MLB career with the Cleveland Indians, has signed a two year, $32 million contract with the Houston Astros. This most likely means Marwin Gonzalez will play elsewhere in 2019 and Brantley becomes the everyday left fielder. After two injury plagued seasons in 2016 and 2017, Brantley rebounded in 2018 hitting .309 with 17 HR and 76 RBI along with an All-Star Team selection in 143 games played with the Tribe. Brantley, 31, lacks Gonzalez's versatility and there is a question if he can stay healthy, but if he can he will be a positive addition to the Astros roster.
The Chicago Cubs added some depth by signing veteran utility man Daniel Descalso to a two year, $5 million deal. Entering his 10th MLB season, Descalso has spent the past two seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks after previous stints with the St. Louis Cardinals and the Colorado Rockies. In 138 games with the D'Backs in 2018, Descalso hit a career high 13 HR and 57 RBI. With Addison Russell's 40 game suspension for domestic violence, Descalso, 32, will be seeing a lot of playing time at second. But as the season wears on he can spell Kris Bryant at third base or become a late inning defensive replacement for Kyle Schwarber in the outfield. He'll be kind of like a back up Ben Zobrist and that will suit Cubs manager Joe Maddon just fine.
Pitcher Matt Harvey has signed a one year, $11 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels. Once known as the Dark Knight, Harvey faced dark days in New York until the Mets traded him to the Cincinnati Reds last May. In 24 starts with the Reds, Harvey went 7-7 with a 4.50 ERA striking out 111 while walking only 28 batters over 128 innings. I guess Cincinnati is a little too boring and with bridges burned in NYC the spotlight shines brightest in LA. Harvey could be on his way to a comeback season but it remains to be seen if Harvey can pitch in the AL.
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