MLB Rumors: Andrew McCutchen Interests Dodgers, Rays in Free Agency
Coming off a decent season with the Milwaukee Brewers, Andrew McCutchen is on the free-agent radar for two playoff contenders.
Per ESPN's Buster Olney, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays have shown interest in the 2013 National League MVP.
There's been a slow-developing market for McCutchen, which isn't a surprise given the volume of high-end free agents teams will likely want to act quickly on.
The Dodgers have been connected to Aaron Judge, though it doesn't sound like they will be willing to give him a significant long-term contract.
Per The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, Los Angeles is believed to want Judge on a "short-term, high-dollar deal."
In the same report, Rosenthal noted Judge will likely end up getting a nine-year deal from whatever team he ultimately signs with. The New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants are considered the favorites for the 2022 American League MVP.
McCutchen certainly isn't at Judge's level, but he would be better than a fallback plan for the Dodgers. He would also provide a boost to a Rays lineup that lacked thump last season.
The five-time All-Star only hit .237/.316/.384 in 2022, but his OPS+ of 99 was roughly league average. His 17 homers would have ranked third on the Rays in 2022 behind Randy Arozarena and Isaac Paredes (both hit 20).
The Rays and Dodgers both have openings in the outfield to offer McCutchen a potential starting spot. They can also rotate him in the designated-hitter spot to keep his bat in the lineup and take pressure off his legs over the course of the season.
If McCutchen, 36, wants to go to the best spot to win a World Series, the Dodgers could have a leg up coming off a 111-win regular season. They lost to the San Diego Padres in the National League Division Series.
The Rays took a step back last season with an 86-76 record after winning 100 games in 2021, but they did make the playoffs as a wild-card team in the AL.
Kevin Kiermaier's $13M Contract Option Declined by Rays; Will Hit MLB Free Agency
The Tampa Bay Rays have declined their $13 million option for veteran center fielder Kevin Kiermaier.
USA Today's Bob Nightengale noted the St. Louis Cardinals showed interest in Kiermaier in the past and could make a run at him.
The 32-year-old becomes a free agent and is bound to have a market thanks to his defensive record. He's a three-time Gold Glove winner and one of MLB's top defenders at any position.
"I'm in a unique position with what my defensive skill set is, and I'll never shy away from that," he told reporters in 2021. "I believe I'm the best defensive outfielder in the game. I'd put my talents up with anyone, and I'm very confident in saying that."
Kiermaier's durability and offenseâor lack thereofâhave lowered his value, though.
He has crossed the 150-game threshold just once and averaged 108 appearances per season since 2014âexcluding the 2020 campaign shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2021, he was sidelined with a quad strain and then again because of a sprained left wrist. Last season, a hip injury required season-ending surgery in August.
Even if Kiermaier logs a full 162-game schedule in 2023, his contributions at the plate could be limited. For his career, he has a .715 OPS and a 98 OPS+, per Baseball Reference. Among qualified hitters since 2014, he's 343rd in wOBA (.308) on FanGraphs.
Sometimes players discover a new level offensively thanks to a swing change or adapting their approach in the batter's box. Josh Donaldson is a prime example of the former, while Marcus Semien falls in the latter category.
For Kiermaier, it would seem the ship has sailed to be a radically different hitter. Any breakthrough that might have happened would have come by now.
Despite his glaring flaws, Kiermaier figures to be an attractive target for a contender in need of a defensive upgrade in the outfield.
JosĂ© RamĂrez Touted as Underrated MLB Star After Leading Guardians to Win vs. Rays
JosĂ© RamĂrez was the toast of MLB Twitter on Friday after hitting a two-run home run in the Cleveland Guardians' 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 1 of the teams' Wild Card Series.
The third baseman's sixth-inning blast off Rays ace Shane McClanahan was the difference for the Guardians, who also received 7.2 innings of one-run, eight-strikeout ball from starter Shane Bieber to the delight of the home crowd at Progressive Field.
Here's a look at some social-media reaction to RamĂrez's latest standout moment following a regular season in which he ranked 13th among MLB hitters in FanGraphs' WAR (6.2):
Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase also played a key role in the series-opening victory, recording the last four outs to secure a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three matchup.
Rays center fielder Jose Siri posted the only run for the visitors with a solo homer in the sixth.
As expected, it was a mostly pitching-dominated game with the two clubs combining for just 11 hits while the pitchers racked up 16 strikeouts.
Game 2 is scheduled for 12:07 p.m. ET on Saturday at Progressive Field. The expected pitching matchup will see Tampa's Tyler Glasnow take on Cleveland's Triston McKenzie.
A Guardians victory would send them into a Division Series clash with the New York Yankees. A Rays win would lead to a decisive Game 3 on Sunday.
AL Wild Card 2022: Rays vs. Guardians Hot Takes from MLB Twitter
The Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians will face off for the second time in two weeks in the American League Wild Card series.
Tampa Bay and Cleveland gave us a sign of how their postseason series could go since they were involved in three one-run games and two that went into extra innings.
The first series to start play on Friday should be dominated by pitching. Shane Bieber and Triston McKenzie headline Cleveland's rotation, while the return of Tyler Glasnow from Tommy John surgery provided extra hope for the Rays.
Cleveland's pitching staff has been one of the best in baseball down the stretch. Codify Baseball broke down the September numbers last week as the Guardians were in the process of wrapping up the AL Central crown.
Cleveland has an excellent one-two punch in Bieber and McKenzie that could shut down the Rays offense to win the series in two games.
The latter has been the breakout star of the season for the Guardians. MLB Network's Xavier Scruggs analyzed why the tall right-hander has become such a problem for opposing hitters.
Randy Arozarena, who was the star of the 2020 postseason, will be one of the many hitters the Cleveland pitching staff has to slow down. Arozarena started Wednesday on a 1-for-29 cold streak.
Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times pointed out that the Rays need him to flip back into his old postseason form.
Tampa Bay can try to counter Cleveland's strong pitchers with Glasnow and AL Cy Young candidate Shane McClanahan. McClanahan and the other left-handed arms on the Tampa Bay staff could give JosĂ© RamĂrez and others trouble, as WTSP's Evan Closky noted:
Against left-handed pitching, Cleveland ranks 27th in OPS and has the fewest amount of home runs.
Those numbers could persuade the Rays to start Jeffrey Springs over Drew Rasmussen in Game 3 if the series gets that far. Cal Quantrill would be Cleveland's likely Game 3 starter.
Cleveland has an edge in the bullpen, and it may be near unhittable in the final few innings thanks to a group led by Emmanuel Clase, who as Codify Baseball noted, has been tough to hit all season.
The Guardians may be the youngest team in baseball, but they are stacked with pitching talent that may have to lead them past the Rays if they continue to struggle against lefties.
Rays Clinch 2022 MLB Playoff Berth with Win vs. Astros; 4th Straight Postseason Trip
The Tampa Bay Rays have clinched their fourth straight playoff berth after Friday's 7-3 victory over the Houston Astros.
Facing American League Cy Young contender Framber Valdez, the Rays got to him for six runs in 5.1 innings. Yandy Diaz's two-out, two-run double in the top of the sixth broke the game open.
Drew Rasmussen turned in one of his best starts of the season with two runs allowed over seven innings against the AL West champions.
A deep starting rotation and bullpen have buoyed the Rays back into the playoffs. Shane McClanahan has led the charge on the mound with a 12-7 record, a 2.51 ERA and 192 strikeouts. He also sports a 0.92 WHIP.
Fellow American League All-Star Game starters Jeffrey Springs and Rasmussen have also posted sub-three ERA this year en route to guiding Tampa Bay to the second-lowest team ERA in the American League.
The bullpen has been lights out as well. The Rays don't sport a traditional closer, with numerous relievers getting their shot on any given night.
But those relief pitchers have been up to the task. Jason Adam has been the best of the bunch with a 1.56 ERA and eight saves in 63.1 innings. Brooks Raley has also been sensational with a 2.70 ERA.
The pitching staff has carried a team that has sported an average batting lineup at best. Diaz (team-high .825 OPS) and Randy Arozarena (20 home runs, 89 RBI) have been the best of the bunch, but injuries to Brandon Lowe, Mike Zunino and Kevin Kiermaier have led to some team-wide struggles. Tampa is just 11th in homers and OPS in the AL overall.
Still, a great pitching staff could go a long way toward a deep playoff run for the Rays, which are looking for their first pennant since 2008 and first-ever World Series victory.
The Rays are still jockeying for playoff positioning with five games left in the regular season. They are currently the No. 3 wild card in the AL, trailing the Toronto Blue Jays by two games as the No. 1 wild card and Seattle Mariners by one-half game for the second spot.
The top two wild-card teams will play each other in a three-game series. The No. 3 wild card will take on the AL Central champion Cleveland Guardians.
Rays' Shane Mcclanahan Exits with Neck Injury vs. Astros
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Shane McClanahan was removed from Tuesday's game against the Houston Astros after the fourth inning with an apparent shoulder injury, per Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports.
Rays manager Kevin Cash and athletic trainer Mike Sandoval went out to the mound after they saw McClanahan moving his shoulder in discomfort, according to Whitaker. He was then removed.
The Rays later announced that McClanahan exited with left neck tightness/spasm, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.
McClanahan had allowed five runs on five hits in four innings before exiting. He was replaced by Shawn Armstrong.
It's a tough blow for McClanahan, who is having a solid 2022 season. Entering Tuesday's game, he had a 12-5 record with a 2.13 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 187 strikeouts in 152.1 innings across 25 starts.
The 25-year-old is in his second season with the Rays, which selected him in the first round of the 2018 MLB draft out of the University of South Florida in Tampa.
In his rookie season, he went 10-6 with a 3.43 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 141 strikeouts in 123.1 innings across 25 starts. He also pitched in the 2021 postseason, though he struggled in two games against the Boston Red Sox in the ALDS, allowing five runs on 10 hits in 5.2 innings.
If McClanahan misses any time, Drew Rasmussen, Corey Kluber, Jeffrey Springs and Ryan Yarbrough will be tasked with holding down the rotation.
The Rays entered Tuesday's game third in the AL East with a 82-65 record, 6.5 games behind the first-place New York Yankees and one game behind the second-place Toronto Blue Jays.
Rays Become 1st Team in MLB History to Start 9 Latino Hitters in Lineup
The Tampa Bay Rays made some history on Thursday by becoming the first team in Major League Baseball history to start a lineup featuring all Latino players, according to Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Florida.
The Rays' starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays featured Yandy Diaz, Randy Arozarena, Wander Franco, Harold Ramirez, Manuel Margot, David Peralta, Isaac Paredes, Rene Pinto and Jose Siri.
The lineup also occurred on Roberto Clemente Day, which honors the Hall of Famer for paving the way for Latinos in MLB.
Clemente was one of the legendary Latino faces in baseball alongside those such as Juan Marichal and Fernando Valenzuela.
The Puerto Rican played for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1955-72 and won two World Series titles, the NL MVP award in 1966, 12 Gold Gloves, four batting titles and earned 15 All-Star selections over his 18-year career.
In 2,433 games, he hit .317/.359/.475 with 240 home runs, 1,305 RBI and 83 stolen bases. The right fielder finished with exactly 3,000 hits.
Tampa Bay's all-Latino lineup is quite impressive and is headlined by Franco, a 21-year-old who signed an 11-year, $182 million deal with the Rays in November 2021.
Franco, who is from the Dominican Republic, entered Thursday's game hitting .263/.306/.394 with five home runs, 26 RBI and five stolen bases in 65 games this season. The shortstop finished third in Rookie of the Year voting in 2021.
Arozarena, who is from Cuba, is another face of Tampa Bay's lineup. The right fielder won the Rookie of the Year award in 2021 and is hitting .265/.330/.450 with 19 home runs, 78 RBI and 30 stolen bases in 137 games this year.
Here is where the remainder of Tampa Bay's starting lineup is from and a look at their 2022 season numbers:
- 3B Yandy Diaz, Cuba: .295/.404/.421 with 8 HR, 51 RBI, 3 SB in 129 G
- 1B Harold Ramirez, Colombia: .318/.360/.429 with 6 HR, 54 RBI, 3 SB in 102 G
- DH Manuel Margot, Dominican Republic: .301/.351/.410 with 3 HR, 39 RBI, 6 SB in 72 G
- LF David Peralta, Venezuela: .252/.315/.430 with 12 HR, 52 RBI, 1 SB in 119 G
- 2B Isaac Paredes, Mexico: .214/.296/.453 with 18 HR, 40 RBI in 93 G
- C Rene Pinto, Venezuela: .206/.239/.309 with 2 HR, 9 RBI in 22 G
- CF Jose Siri, Dominican Republic: .210/.262/.335 with 5 HR, 19 RBI, 11 SB in 86 G
The Rays held a 4-0 lead over the Blue Jays in the bottom of the fourth inning. They entered Thursday's game third in the AL East with a 79-63 record and in the last AL wild-card spot.
Rays' Drew Rasmussen Loses Perfect Game Bid vs. Orioles on Jorge Mateo Double in 9th
Monday is slated to be the 10-year anniversary of the last perfect game in Major League Baseball history, which was thrown by FĂ©lix HernĂĄndez of the Seattle Mariners.
Turns out, it was nearly the one-day anniversary.
Tampa Bay Rays starter Drew Rasmussen took a perfect game into the ninth inning during Sunday's matchup against the Baltimore Orioles. He was three outs away from recording the 24th perfect game in MLB history, three of which happened during the 2012 campaign.
However, Jorge Mateo had other ideas and led off the final frame with a double.
Mateo not only broke up the perfect game and no-hitter with one swing, he also came around to score on a wild pitch later in the inning to end the shutout.
Fortunately for Rasmussen and the Rays, Jason Adam closed the door and preserved the 4-1 victory. It was a key win because Baltimore entered Sunday's contest just a half-game behind Tampa Bay for the final American League Wild Card spot.
This was also the rubber match in a three-game series before the Rays head to New York to face the mighty Yankees, so it was a much-needed win with the stretch run looming.
Much of the credit goes to Rasmussen, who struck out seven and had little trouble with Baltimore's lineup. A three-run homer from Randy Arozarena in the third inning and an RBI single from David Peralta in the fifth was more than enough run support given how dialed in the starter was throughout the game.
It was more of the same for the 27-year-old, who hasn't given up more than three runs since June 10 during a stretch that includes eight appearances.
Rasmussen has allowed just two combined runs in three appearances and 17.1 innings in August and will be a weapon for the Rays in a tightly contested playoff race if he continues to pitch at this level.
Unfortunately for him, he would have made history if that level included one more perfect inning Sunday.