This Week in Baseball – Harper Phillies Rumor, Machado Signs, Bochy Retirement, Kershaw Injury, Sign Stealing
Phillies Phlirtation…
Our winter of free agent discontent is coming to an end. All-Star outfielder Bryce Harper appears to be getting close to finalizing a deal with the Phillies. Earlier in the week there was news that Harper had already turned down multiple $300 million offers. These may have been from the White Sox or the Giants. Or possibly Scott Boras was just talking to two kids in trench coat.
The $300 Million Dollar Manny
The Padres have signed star infielder Manny Machado to a ten-year, $300 million deal. The move came as a surprise to a lot of people but from his perspective it’s a perfect fit. $30 million dollars a year to play baseball in San Diego and all without the added pressure of having to show up in the playoffs.
Season Finale…
Giants manager Bruce Bochy announced he will retire at the end of the 2019 season. Bochy is currently baseball’s longest-tenured skipper and as the Giants’ manager he’s won three World Series championships. So, if you’re wondering how bad the Giants’ team outlook is, now you know.
Pitching Blues…
The Dodgers shut down ace Clayton Kershaw who is dealing with arm injury early in spring training. The three-time Cy Young Award winner said he “just didn’t feel right” after a pitching Monday and a Wednesday. Usually when Kershaw is disappointing fans, it is during the playoffs.
Stealing the Show…
After several incidents of alleged stealing of catchers’ signs last season, including during the postseason, MLB is implementing new rules this year to curtail the practice. The new rules are mostly technology-based and restrict in-house outfield cameras and the use of TV monitors. If they were serious about stopping players from stealing signs, they’d just blindfold every last one of them.
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