This Week in Baseball – Trade Rumors, Phillies Free Agents, Awards, AFL, Jansen Surgery
Trade Winds Blowing…
The baseball hot stove is the only thing keeping us going through these cold fall and winter months. The Astros are asking about catcher J.T. Realmuto—who shares their interest in getting him off the Marlins. The Padres are interested in Noah Syndergaard—but then aren’t we all. The Giants are shopping Madison Bumgarner—before everyone figures out he isn’t very good anymore. The Reds have talked to the the Yankees about acquiring Sonny Gray—which shows Cincinnati is still in “tanking mode.”
Rumor Has It…
The top free agents in baseball remain unsigned but the big three of Manny Machado, Bryce Harper and Patrick Corbin are generating a lot of interest. Particularly with the Phillies who might try to sign all three. Owner John Middleton said he is ready to spend big in free agency “and maybe even be a little bit stupid about it”—a longtime Phillies tradition.
Awards Season…
With the World Series over, it’s time for individual player recognition. Mookie Betts and Christian Yelich won the MVP Awards, while Jacob deGrom and Blake Snell won the Cy Young Awards. Meanwhile, Charlie Blackmon and Dallas Keuchel won the MVB Awards (Most Voluptuous Beard).
Arizona State of Mind…
The Peoria Javelinas and Salt River Rafters met Saturday afternoon in the Arizona Fall League Championship Game. The AFL featured of the sports best minor leaguers, including the top prospect in baseball, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. He was there getting prepared to play for the Blue Jays next year by being on a team that came in last place.
I Heart Los Angeles…
Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen announced that he’ll undergo heart surgery next week. The procedure comes with a two- to eight-week recovery, so Jansen should be fine by spring training. The surgery has a very high success rate, so we can only hope the doctor doesn’t give up a solo home run to blow the lead.
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