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One thing to watch for all 30 teams as spring training begins
When spring training kicked off a year ago, Bryce Harper and Manny Machado remained unsigned. The drama this year will center around the Houston Astros: their cheating scandal, reactions from other players about the Astros’ cheating scandal, the possibility of other teams throwing at Astros hitters in spring training, the counter-reaction from Astros pitchers and […]
Continue readingFrancisco Lindor: Cleveland is ‘home’ but waiting for ‘right’ contract offer from Indians
On Saturday, it got even more confusing. The four-time All-Star shortstop, who has been the subject of trade rumors because Cleveland will probably never be able to offer him a long-term contract close to what he may one day get as a free agent, made some contradictory comments while discussing his curious situation. Lindor, 26, […]
Continue readingMookie Watch: What we’re hearing as Betts-to-Los Angeles Dodgers (or San Diego Padres) trade rumors swirl
The Mookie Betts trade rumors, after festering all offseason, have reached new heights in recent days, with speculation that a deal between the Red Sox and Dodgers — or maybe the Red Sox and Padres — is inching closer to completion. While free agency moved rapidly this offseason, it has been a slow market regarding […]
Continue readingWho is the team to beat in the NL Central? It just might be the Cincinnati Reds
Earlier this winter, I researched free-agent spending over the past decade and discovered the Cincinnati Reds had committed just $121.1 million in free agency during the 2010s, the lowest total of any team. Less than the Rays. Less than the Marlins. Less than the A’s. The Reds do not spend in free agency. That’s why […]
Continue readingPotential candidates to replace AJ Hinch as Astros manager
The Houston Astros’ decision to fire manager AJ Hinch amid this week’s MLB sign-stealing punishments creates a managerial opening with just a month before spring training. Here are some names who could fit as candidates in the Astros’ search for the next manager: The in-house option Joe Espada: The current Houston bench coach, Espada was […]
Continue readingMLB superstar trades, sign-stealing punishment and more: Passan answers 20 questions for 2020
A new year means endless new questions for Major League Baseball, a sport in the midst of its most engaging free-agency period in a half-decade, nearing the punishment phase of an ugly scandal, grappling with deep-seated economic questions, ever considering the quality of its on-the-field product and prepared to overhaul its minor league system. It’s […]
Continue readingRanking the most miserable fan bases in MLB
MLB movement: Even Total score: 26.51 All-sport rank: 3 (down 1) Ranking by category: championships, 2 (tie); playoff berths, 2; playoff wins, 1; heartbreaks, 23; rival comparison, 2 Why they stayed the same: Because once again, the Padres finished in last place in the NL West. Despite an infusion of talent via the minors (Fernando […]
Continue readingThe end of the lefty specialist? Why MLB’s three-batter rule might not mean what you think
It’s fortunate for Perez that the deal was signed when it was, late last January. Two weeks later, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported that in 2020, Major League Baseball would likely require pitchers to face three batters, or get the final out of an inning, before they could be removed. Perez had 22 outings in 2019 […]
Continue readingThe best and worst free-agent signing of the decade for all 30 MLB teams
What we can do is check back on the 2010s on how free agency worked — or didn’t work — for all 30 franchises. For each team we’ll list the total dollars committed in free agency (starting with new contracts for the 2010 season, not including money carried over from previous deals), where they ranked […]
Continue readingWade Miley agrees to 2-year, $15M deal with Reds, source says
Left-hander Wade Miley has agreed to a two-year, $15 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds, a source told ESPN’s Jeff Passan, confirming multiple reports. Miley, 33, went 14-6 with a 3.98 ERA and 140 strikeouts for the Houston Astros during the regular season, but he tailed off badly down the stretch and — after making […]
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