Connect with us

MLB

MLB News: Aaron Judge meets with Giants this week; Yankees sign Jacob deGrom

Published

on

MLB News: Aaron Judge meets with Giants this week; Yankees sign Jacob deGrom

MLB News: Aaron Judge meets with Giants this week; Yankees sign Jacob deGrom

While the MLB offseason could be a bit turbulent, Thanksgiving is still a few days away, meaning it could be a slow week. Still, few free-agent signings have been made, and most of the rumored big names haven’t been covered yet. That means we’re sure to see a lot of rumors this week.

Let’s wrap up the latest rumors.

Richter meets Giants

According to MLB.com, outfielder Aaron Judge has arrived in San Francisco and is expected to meet with the Giants on Tuesday. Judge, a native of Northern California, was named the best free agent available this offseason by CBS Sports. We wrote the following at the time:

  • “This is the most menacing judge in the work of Cormac McCarthy. It might not matter what people think about WAR, but Judge has amassed more WAR during the pandemic than any other player besides Shohei Ohtani, according to Baseball-Reference calculations. How could he not? He averaged; he went; he was fighting for power (untold fact: he broke the American League home run record in a single season); and he had one of the strongest outfield weapons in the majors. The Yankees even played him at center for most of the season, which shows his athleticism. The blow to Judge was the same as in the spring, when he turned down a seven-year, $213.5 million extension offer: 1) he’s 30 (he turns 31 in April), and 2) he has his share s damage. So the most important number on Judge’s stat sheet might not be 62 games but 152, or his average over the past two years.”

The meeting doesn’t necessarily mean anything, but the Giants are widely expected in the industry to be one of the top potential refereeing candidates. We’ll see if there’s any further progress on both sides.

Yankees checking in on deGrom?

According to SNY, the Yankees have requested medical information about Jacob deGrom, although the report includes a caveat that this does not necessarily mean the Yankees will pursue deGrom. Looks like this is just a due diligence request.

The Yankees’ priority this offseason remains the return of Aaron Judge. Until then, they may continue to make contingency plans that they hope will not be needed.

The 34-year-old deGrom has been one of the best pitchers in baseball since his 2014 debut, and as of early 2018, he’s had an incredible run (2.05 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 876 K, 645 1/3 IP ), but an arm injury has cost him 26 starts over the past two seasons.

In addition to the Mets, the Warriors and Rangers have also been mentioned as suitors for deGrom. I presume the Dodgers will be added as well.

Bellinger wants a one-year deal

That he’s a former MVP and only 27 years old, it might surprise some to learn that Cody Bellinger is targeting a one-year free-agent deal. That’s certainly the case, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, citing Bellinger’s agent, Scott Boras.

“I’ve had it for years,” Boras said. “We probably don’t want perennials because of his age.”

The rationale for this is that Bellinger and Blass believe the shoulder injury lasted from 2020 to 2021 and even affected his performance into 2022. Then, they want a one-year deal to rebuild value before taking a long-term deal for big free-agent salaries.

It’s been quite a journey for Bellinger. He won the MVP with the Dodgers in 2019, then played part of 2020 with a broken shoulder. In November of the same year, he underwent revision surgery. He then hit .165/.240/.302 in 95 games in 2021 and .210/.265/.389 in 144 games last season. The Dodgers didn’t offer him Friday, instead letting him go free.

There is reportedly interest in Bellinger. While the Dodgers don’t want to keep him — which on paper should be a red flag — he’s an excellent centerfield defender who can handle first base as well. He can run the bases well, too, and even if he misses, he could be useful to a lot of teams. He’s also not far from hitting .305/.406/.629 with 47 home runs and 115 RBIs in his MVP campaign.

The Blue Jays are among the teams that have expressed interest in Bellinger, according to MLB.com’s Jon Morosi. The Cubs are another team linked to Bellinger via The Athletic.

Three teams interested in Haniger

Free-agent outfielder Mitch Haniger spent most of his major league career with the Mariners, and a return remains a possibility. But there are other applicants. According to Morosi, the Dodgers, Angels and Rangers are in talks with Haniger.

Haniger, who turns 32 next season, has already shown tremendous offensive upside when he’s able to stay on the floor. He has 39 homers and 100 RBIs in 2021, and he’s 126 OPS+ in 530 games for Seattle. Of course, he played in just 63 games in 2019, missed 2020, and played just 57 games last season. Interested teams will need to balance his offensive prowess with durability concerns.

D-Backs can act on strength

As Rosenthal noted in his column for The Athletic, the Diamondbacks have four left-handed midfielders in Corbin Carroll, Daulton Varsho, Alek Thomas and Jake McCarthy. As such, they are open to business trading any of them.

First, don’t worry, D-Backs fans: Carol is taboo. The 22-year-old former first-rounder is someone they want to build.

Varsho is also unlikely to be moved, especially since he can also play catcher.

That makes Thomas and McCarthy a bargain.

Thomas, 22, hit . 231/. 275/. McCarthy averaged .283/0.342/0.427 (1,118 OPS+), 23 stolen bases and 2.4 WAR in 99 games last season and finished fourth in NL Rookie of the Year voting.

If the D-Backs trade Thomas and/or McCarthy, they’ll reportedly be looking for right-handed power and pitching for the big leagues.

Derrick Henry jokes after TD pass: ‘young Peyton Manning

Tough for Kansas Jayhawks, other takeaways from Championship Classic

6 Best Credit Cards For Sports Fans

Giants vs. Lions, Week 11, spread and odds: NFL2022, proven computer model predictions

World Cup USA vs. Wales 2022: Check out some curiosities to know about the Group B match

During a University of Massachusetts football game, the Texas A&M football stadium becomes empty.

He is the editor of River C Sports. Previously, he was editor-in-chief at other news sites . Rodrigo has spent most of his career as editor-in-chief of various websites and has more than 7 years of experience in the industry.

MLB

Interest from other teams could make Chris Sale wear another shirt in 2023

Published

on

By

Interest from other teams could make Chris Sale wear another shirt in 2023

Interest from other teams could make Chris Sale wear another shirt in 2023

Although no more serious negotiations have begun, the Boston Red Sox have noted the interest of other franchises in pitcher Chris Sale and have not ruled out involving him in a possible trade.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that while the Red Stockings are not thinking of trading any of their starters, they may at least listen and consider offers for the members of the rotation, due to many options in the sector.

However, if the team decides that Ace’s time in Boston is over, Sale can veto his fate and choose where he will go, since the no-trade clause in his contract gives him this possibility.

Should any team decide to take over the pitcher’s contract this offseason, they will secure his services for at least two more years, as Chris Sale becomes a free agent only in 2025.

Known for his excellent left-handedness, the athlete has a considerable history of physical problems. In addition to missing the entire already shortened 2020 season as a result of recovery from Tommy John surgery, Sale also took the field nine times the following year in uneven performances.

This season did not start in good shape for Sale either, who missed the start due to a rib injury during Spring Training. When he was healthy, he played only twice and fractured his little finger during an away game against the New York Yankees in July in his last performance. In addition, he broke his wrist riding a bicycle.

“You can’t make that up, right?” said Chaim Bloom, head of baseball operations for the Sox Kings. “We need to send some people after whoever is with Chris Sale’s voodoo doll and get it back.”

Sale was among the top six nominees for the Cy Young award between 2012 and 2018, receiving seven All-Star Game nominations, one World Series win, recording the record for unblemished innings with three (tied with Sandy Koufax and Max Scherzer) and owns a 5.33 strikeouts-to-walk average, the best mark in league history.

Taking into account his wins, but also the medical issue, Chris Sale will have to prove himself again as an elite pitcher who has made it through the injuries. If so, he is a powerful weapon on the mound, regardless of the uniform he wears.

Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown enters NBA health and safety protocol

Kings defeat Golden Knights and sharpen Pacific tussle

Luka Doncic of the Mavericks records a triple-double in his historic comeback.

Can the resurgence of the Warriors and Lakers be kept up with by the Celtics and Nuggets?

The best adds for week 17 of Fantasy Football 2022

Continue Reading

MLB

Pirates sign veteran pitcher Rich Hill to a one-year deal

Published

on

By

Pirates sign veteran pitcher Rich Hill to a one-year deal

Pirates sign veteran pitcher Rich Hill to a one-year deal

The Pittsburgh Pirates and left-handed pitcher Rich Hill finalized terms on a one-year, $8 million contract on Tuesday (27), reported Jeff Passan of ESPN USA.

Hill, 42, will be entering his 19th season in the MLB. He accumulated a 4.27 ERA with 109 strikeouts in 124.1 innings for the Boston Red Sox in 2022. Including, his last stint in Boston was his fourth with the team.

Since 2015, when the lefty had a “resurgence” period in his career, he has maintained an average of 10.7 strikeouts per nine innings, along with a good 2.91 ERA (140 ERA+) and a 1.06 WHIP in 87 total games.

The veteran pitcher has also played for the Chicago Cubs, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Guardians, Los Angeles Angels, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays, and New York Mets during his long career.

In addition to Hill, the Pirates have already signed Austin Hedges, Vince Velasquez, Jarlin Garcia, Carlos Santana, Connor Joe, and Ji-Man Choi this offseason.

None of Matt Ryan, Sam Ehlinger, or Nick Foles is a solution for the Colts.

The Red-Hot Nets attribute their success to staying focused on basketball.

Results, highlights, and analysis from Liverpool’s win over Aston Villa.

Chargers defense shuts out Colts in a perfect performance as they go farther into the playoffs.

Liverpool vs. Manchester City Prediction, Odds, and Line: EFL Cup predictions from experts and top bets for December

Continue Reading

MLB

The Mariners acquire Wong from the Brewers in exchange for Winker and Toro.

Published

on

By

The Mariners acquire Wong from the Brewers in exchange for Winker and Toro.

The Mariners acquire Wong from the Brewers in exchange for Winker and Toro.

The Mariners acquired Kolten Wong from the Brewers on Friday in exchange for outfielder Jesse Winker and infielder Abraham Toro, filling a much-needed left-handed spot in their lineup.

DETAILS OF THE TRADE

  • 2B for the Mariners Kolten Wong
  • Brewers are awarded: LF/DH INF Jesse Winker Toro, Abraham.

The Mariners will also receive $1.75 million to help offset Wong’s $10 million salary in 2023, when he will be a free agent. Winker is due $8.25 million in his final year before free agency, effectively a money and player swap for Seattle, while Toro is in his first year of arbitration as a Super Two player and won’t be a free agent until until 2026.

Wong has been a Mariners goal since the team came short of signing him as a free agency ahead of the 2021 season, when Seattle offered a two-year deal but Milwaukee offered a third-year club option, which was the difference at the time, according to sources. The Mariners had inquired about Wong’s availability at the Trade Deadline the previous two seasons, but the competing Brewers were uninterested in moving him.

However, with numerous arbitration-eligible players set to receive raises this offseason, many in the business anticipated that the team might be willing to move some of its higher-priced players for payroll relief, prospect capital, and/or depth. Toro, a switch-hitting infielder with glimpses of good performance, provides longevity for the Brewers’ squad, while Winker, coming off a terribly disappointing season, returns to a division where he flourished with the Reds while facing the motivation of a contract year with the Brewers.

The Brewers activated Wong’s option last month instead of paying him a $2 million buyout, opening the door for him to be traded, which sparked interest from clubs other than Seattle, according to sources.

Wong, 32, is coming off what was maybe his greatest season at the plate, hitting.251/.339/.430 (.769 OPS) with a career-high 15 homers, 24 doubles, four triples, 47 RBIs, and 116 wRC+ (league average is 100) while collecting 2.5 wins above replacement, according to FanGraphs.

Some of this was by purpose, with a more deliberate attempt to raise the ball higher. His line-drive and fly-ball rates were the best in his career the last two years (49.3% combined), but his ground-ball percentage was the lowest (43.7% for ’21-22). It’s possible that his OPS+ in each of the last two seasons – 110 in ’21 and 118 in ’22 – was the greatest of his career.

Wong is a two-time Gold Glove Award winner who is coming off a defensively bad year in which he was worth minus-9 outs above average (placing in the third percentile, per Statcast) and minus-1 defensive runs saved.

Some of that could be attributed to lower-body injuries he battled throughout the year, such as a right calf strain from a hit-by-pitch in June, which led to a stint on the injured list and persisted despite treatment and footwear experimentation. A full offseason of rest and a Spring Training with infield coaching guru Perry Hill, who has helped J.P. Crawford and Ty France among others, should be beneficial.

The best Fantasy Football 2022 additions for Week 13

Aaron Judge must sign somewhere. See a good analysis here

Aaron Rodgers provides a terrifying update on his rib injury.

The 76ers defeated the Hawks thanks to Joel Embiid’s decisive performance.

Rodgers & Love and their Financial Futures

Continue Reading

Trending

Flipboard