Aaron Judge is about to be a very rich man, but how rich exactly? And how many other Major League Baseball free agents are destined for contracts in excess of...
With the World Series now in the rearview, it's time to shift to MLB offseason mode, and it promises to be another busy winter of free agency shuffling and...
Jacob deGrom Rumors: Star Believed to Be 'Pretty Likely to Leave' Mets in Free Agency
Nov 8, 2022
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 08: Jacob deGrom #48 of the New York Mets reacts to striking out Manny Machado #13 of the San Diego Padres to get out of the third inning in game two of the Wild Card Series at Citi Field on October 08, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Jacob deGrom's time with the New York Mets may end this offseason.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported Monday that there is some belief the right-hander "seems pretty likely to leave." It may come down to money, as Heyman wrote that there are "strong indications" the National League East team will not be the one to offer him a megadeal that is higher than Max Scherzer's record $43.3 million per year contract.
There is no questioning deGrrom's talent.
His resume includes two National League Cy Young awards, an NL Rookie of the Year, four All-Star selections and an ERA title. He is nearly unhittable when healthy and would be the ace for almost any staff in the entire league.
Yet the "when healthy" part is doing plenty of heavy lifting.
The 34-year-old may be somewhat past his prime and has struggled from a durability standpoint. He made 30 or more appearances four times in a five-year span from 2015 through 2019 but pitched in 12 games in the pandemic-shortened 2020, 15 games in 2021 and 11 games this past season.
Nobody knows better than the Mets how up-and-down life with deGrom can be as arguably the best pitcher in the league but also someone who struggles to stay healthy. After all, he has pitched with the team his entire career.
While his ERA jumped from 1.08 in 2021 to 3.08 in 2022, there were other impressive numbers in a small sample size this past season. He finished with a sparkling 0.75 WHIP and 102 strikeouts in 64.1 innings, which are statistics that would put him in position to compete for another Cy Young if made across more starts.
DeGrom will surely command a major salary as a free agent this offseason, given his talent and what he can be when he is healthy.
But it seems like the Mets might not be the ones to pay it.
Aaron Judge Rumors: Yankees Exec Feels More 'Confident' About Ability to Re-Sign Star
Nov 8, 2022
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 23: Aaron Judge #99 of the New York Yankees looks on after reaching third base in the second inning against the Houston Astros in game four of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium on October 23, 2022 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
One member of the New York Yankees' front office believes Aaron Judge is going to stay put this offseason.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported Monday that the club executive is more "confident" than he was in the past as the Bronx Bombers attempt to re-sign the slugger after a career season.
"The belief is that the Yankees will be willing to top Judge's $36 million a year asking price from back in spring," Heyman wrote.
Heyman also noted keeping Judge is "easily" the team's biggest goal of the offseason, which should come as no surprise.
After all, he is the face of the franchise and coming off one of the best seasons in Major League Baseball history. He finished with a .311/.425/.686 slash line, 62 home runs, 131 RBI and 111 walks, leading the league in all those categories except for batting average.
The four-time All-Star will likely add an American League MVP to his resume after setting the record for the most home runs in a season in the history of the Junior Circuit.
The 30-year-old also appeared in a career-best 157 games, which is notable after health issues were something of a concern in the past. He played 112 games in 2018, 102 games in 2019 and just 28 games during the shortened 2020 campaign.
Judge bounced back and played 148 games last season and then further proved he can be a durable cornerstone of the lineup during his record-setting effort in 2022.
New York reached the American League Championship Series but got swept by the Houston Astros, extending its World Series drought to 13 years since it won the 2009 title. Every season is championship-or-bust for the Yankees, but their 2023 chances may be determined in the coming days and weeks with the pursuit of Judge dominating baseball headlines.
If they can't retain him, it will surely take multiple other additions to even begin to make up for his loss.
Jean Segura's $17M Contract Option for 2023 Season Declined by Phillies
Nov 8, 2022
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 08: Jean Segura #2 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws the ball to first base against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park on September 8, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Marlins defeated the Phillies 6-5. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
In an expected move, the Philadelphia Phillies declined Jean Segura's $17 million club option for the 2023 option Monday.
Segura, 32, had a tough 2022 season, as a fractured right index finger cost him two months. He was impressive when healthy, however, hitting .277 with 10 homers, 33 RBI, 45 runs and 13 stolen bases in 98 games, posting a .723 OPS.
He hit .214 during the postseason, recording two extra-base hits and seven RBI in 17 games during Philadelphia's run to the World Series. Ultimately, the Philles fell to the Houston Astros in six games in the Fall Classic.
The two-time All-Star has been solid during his time in Philadelphia and made the adjustment from shortstop to second base. That defensive versatility—he also spent time at third base in the 2020 season—has made him valuable for a team that isn't renowned for its defensive acumen.
With speculation that the Phillies might make a run at Xander Bogaerts were he to hit free agency this winter, however, it always seemed unlikely the Phillies would be willing to pay $17 million to keep Segura around and spend that much capital for the middle of the infield.
Plus, 25-year-old Bryson Stott showed flashes of upside in his first MLB season and gave the team another option at second base. Stott is a fine option to hold down second base.
But the Phillies are in win-now mode, led by a core of Bryce Harper, Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, J.T. Realmuto, Kyle Schwarber, Nick Castellanos and Rhys Hoskins, among others, so adding to the middle of the infield with a quality player this winter is a must.
The Phillies aren't paying up for Segura. Don't be surprised if they are in the market for a bigger name, however.
Aaron Nola's $16M Contract Option for 2023 Season Exercised by Phillies
Nov 8, 2022
PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 06: Aaron Nola #27 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the top of the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park on September 6, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
The Philadelphia Phillies exercised Aaron Nola's $16 million option for the 2023 season on Monday.
The move doesn't come as a surprise. While Nola had his ups and downs in the 2022 season as the No. 2 option in the rotation behind Zack Wheeler, he still finished 11-13 with a 3.25 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 235 strikeouts in 205 innings.
He made five starts during the Phillies' run to the 2022 World Series, winning games in each of the first two rounds. He did take the loss in Game 4 of the World Series, in which the Houston Astros no-hit Philadelphia.
The Astros won the series in six games, putting an end to the Phillies' remarkable postseason run.
The 29-year-old hasn't emerged as the true ace he appeared on track to be after finishing third in the Cy Young Award voting in 2018 (2.37 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 224 strikeouts in 212.1 innings), his lone All-Star season, but he's also not a player the Phillies would want to lose come free agency.
Inconsistency was the difference between Nola having an excellent and simply good season in 2022. In six Junes games, for instance, he went 3-1 with a 2.51 ERA. But he struggled in August, going 2-3 in five starts with a 4.22 ERA.
Still, Nola misses bats, with 200 or more strikeouts in each of his last four non-COVID-shortened seasons. Keeping him at the $16 million price point and earning another year to work out an extension made total sense for the Phillies as they look to win a World Series around a core of Bryce Harper, Wheeler, Nola, J.T. Realmuto, Kyle Schwarber, Rhys Hoskins and Nick Castellanos.
Other moves will need to follow, namely in a bullpen that was the team's Achilles heel last season, but keeping Nola for at least one more season was a no-brainer.
BBWAA Awards 2022: Full List of Finalists Announced and Reaction
Nov 8, 2022
New York Yankees' Aaron Judge runs to the dugout during a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Monday, Oct. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
A new world champion was crowned last Saturday, and soon it will be time to celebrate the top individual stars from the 2022 MLB season.
With the balloting complete, the Baseball Writers' Association of America announced Monday the finalists for its year-end awards.
American League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year
Steven Kwan, Cleveland Guardians
Julio Rodríguez, Seattle Mariners
Adley Rutschman, Baltimore Orioles
National League Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year
Brendan Donovan, St. Louis Cardinals
Michael Harris II, Atlanta Braves
Spencer Strider, Atlanta Braves
American League Manager of the Year
Terry Francona, Cleveland Guardians
Brandon Hyde, Baltimore Orioles
Scott Servais, Seattle Mariners
National League Manager of the Year
Dave Roberts, Los Angeles Dodgers
Buck Showalter, New York Mets
Brian Snitker, Atlanta Braves
American League Cy Young
Dyla Cease, Chicago White Sox
Alek Manoah, Toronto Blue Jays
Justin Verlander, Houston Astros
National League Cy Young
Sandy Alcantara, Miami Marlins
Max Fried, Atlanta Braves
Julio Urías, Los Angeles Dodgers
American League MVP
Yordan Alvarez, Houston Astros
Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels
National League MVP
Nolan Arenado, St. Louis Cardinals
Paul Goldschmidt, St. Louis Cardinals
Manny Machado, San Diego Padres
The Atlanta Braves were well represented after winning 101 games and narrowly edging the New York Mets for the National League East crown. Brian Snitker is a Manager of the Year finalist, Max Fried is assured of a top-three Cy Young finish, and the pair of Spencer Strider and Michael Harris II could occupy the top two spots for Rookie of the Year.
Michael Harris and Spencer Strider are both NL Rookie of the Year finalists. St. Louis' Brendan Donovan joins them.
Clear favorites have arguably emerged for the four biggest honors.
Shohei Ohtani continued to be a generational two-way talent and provided a reason to watch the perpetually disappointing Los Angeles Angels on any given night.
Still, the voters are bound to give Aaron Judge's dominance at the plate its due.
The New York Yankees slugger set an American League record with 62 home runs while leading MLB in RBI (131), on-base percentage (.425), slugging (.686) and WAR (11.4), per FanGraphs. The next closest player in WAR was the San Diego Padres' Manny Machado at 7.4.
Judge took the notion of a contract year to the next level as he heads into free agency.
When it comes to the American League MVP, the only drama is whether the 30-year-old is a unanimous winner. Plenty of Yankees fans are bound to feel aggrieved if even one first-place vote goes to Ohtani or somebody else other than Judge.
In the NL, Machado helped carry a Padres offense that was without Fernando Tatis Jr. San Diego doesn't get to the playoffs without the six-time All-Star third baseman.
But Paul Goldschmidt was the NL's premier offensive threat. The St. Louis Cardinals third baseman had 35 home runs, 115 RBI and a .307/.404/.578 slash line. He set career highs in slugging and OPS+ (180), per Baseball Reference, and led the league in both categories.
While unlikely, Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado could play a spoiler role for his teammate in MVP voting.
Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado are both finalists* for the National League MVP.
For the Cy Young Award races, the Houston Astros' Justin Verlander and the Miami Marlins' Sandy Alcantara are the most logical choices in their respective leagues.
Verlander continues to defy Father Time. The right-hander returned from Tommy John surgery to go 18-4 with a 1.75 ERA and a 2.49 FIP.
Given his age (39), it was easy to assume the Tommy John procedure would be the beginning of the end for Verlander. Instead, he's bound to add a third Cy Young to his Hall of Fame resume.
Alcantara was a workhorse for the Marlins. His 228.2 innings led MLB and were 23.2 more than the next closest pitcher, Aaron Nola. His six complete games were also the most since 2016.
9 more days until Sandy Alcantara is announced as the NL Cy Young winner
The Marlins ace was more than just an innings-eater, too. He had a 2.28 ERA and a 2.99 FIP in his 32 starts.
Ultimately, it’s Sandy Alcantara’s for certain now and I hope he won unanimously. But I really think it should’ve been pretty close between him and Nola.
The BBWAA will begin handing out its awards on Nov. 14. Manager of the Year will follow on Nov. 15, and the Cy Young and MVP reveals will unfold over the next two days.
Shohei Ohtani Won't Be Traded During Offseason, Will Start 2023 with Angels, Per GM
Nov 7, 2022
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 05: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels pitches against the Oakland Athletics in the bottom of the first inning at RingCentral Coliseum on October 05, 2022 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
In his five MLB seasons, Shohei Ohtani's individual success has not been matched by team success, causing many to question his future with the Los Angeles Angels. However, the 2021 American League MVP won't be going anywhere this offseason.
Angels general manager Perry Minasian told reporters on Monday that the two-way phenom will not be traded "at all" this winter and will begin the 2023 season in Los Angeles.
It's not necessarily surprising that the Angels would want to hold on to one of the greatest talents in the majors. However, it would have been interesting to see what teams would have given up for Ohtani after he was pulled off the market over the summer despite garnering substantial interest at the 2022 trade deadline.
Ohtani has yet to play in the postseason during his MLB career. The 28-year-old is in his prime and put together another incredible campaign in 2022.
He ranked third in the AL with 219 strikeouts and fourth with a 2.33 ERA while putting together a 15-9 record on the mound. He was also impressive at the plate, hitting .273/.356/.519 with 36 home runs and a team-high 95 RBI.
The Angels are a team in transition entering this offseason. Arte Moreno announced his intentions to sell the franchise, and Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported last week that the plan is "serious and will happen." Heyman added that Moreno "should receive a record price" that exceeds Steve Cohen's $2.4 billion purchase of the New York Mets.
Ohtani is set to receive $30 million for the 2023 season before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2024. It's hard to imagine a team trading for him without a commitment to a long-term extension. There's a chance that he plays the entire year in Los Angeles before getting an opportunity to explore his options next offseason.
Man Arrested for Throwing Beer Can at Sen. Ted Cruz at Astros' World Series Parade
Nov 7, 2022
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks during a Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing to examine a post-Roe America, focusing on the legal consequences of the Dobbs decision, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, July 12, 2022. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
The Houston Police Department announced on Monday that a man was arrested and charged with assault after allegedly throwing and striking Sen. Ted Cruz with a beer can during the Astros World Series Parade.
Nearby HPD officers arrested the male without further incident. He was taken to jail and faces assault charges. We will release the suspect's name and booking photo here when formal charges are filed. 2/2
It is unclear why Cruz, who has no formal connection to the Astros beyond spending most of his childhood in Houston after being born in Calgary, was a part of the parade, though often local officials feature in teams' title celebrations.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick also took part in the festivities, riding on a humvee one vehicle ahead of Cruz.
Neither were reportedly greeted with the warmest of receptions. Per Ariana Garcia of the Houston Chronicle, "Cruz—who wore Astros colors—was shown waving at the crowd, smiling, and giving a thumbs up, despite several fans giving him thumbs down and booing at him in return. Patrick, who floated by in a humvee before Cruz, was also reportedly the subject of jeers."
Ted Cruz pulled off what I thought was impossible- getting booed at a championship parade. pic.twitter.com/B4oVgP404Q
The Astros were celebrating Monday after beating the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 6 on Saturday night, 4-1, closing out the series with three straight victories, including two in Philadelphia. It was Houston's second title in the past six years and their fourth trip to the Fall Classic in that span.
The Astros last title was controversial given the team's sign-stealing scandal, though no such controversy currently looms over this iteration of the squad.
Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens Headline 2023 Hall of Fame Contemporary Era Ballot
Nov 7, 2022
Former San Francisco Giants player Barry Bonds waves during a ceremony to retire his jersey number before a baseball game between the Giants and the Pittsburgh Pirates in San Francisco, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018. (Lachlan Cunningham/Pool Photo via AP)
Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens are among the eight former MLB players who will get another shot at the Baseball Hall of Fame through the Contemporary Baseball Era Players Committee.
The committee announced its 2023 ballot Monday, featuring players whose primary contributions came from 1980 to the present day but were not already selected to the Hall of Fame by baseball writers.
Here is the full list of players on the ballot:
Albert Belle
Barry Bonds
Roger Clemens
Don Mattingly
Fred McGriff
Dale Murphy
Rafael Palmeiro
Curt Schilling
Each player must receive at least 75 percent of the vote from the 16-member committee.
The vote will take place Dec. 4, with the results being announced Jan. 24.
This will be the first election for Contemporary Baseball Era player candidates, with the committee set to meet every three years. Those who made contributions before 1980 are eligible to be selected by the Classic Baseball Committee.
Mattingly never received more than 30 percent of the vote from the Baseball Writers of America during his 15 years on the initial ballot, but he could get in with a resume that includes nine Gold Glove Awards, six All-Star selections and an MVP Award.
Five-time All-Star McGriff is also a top candidate as a fan favorite with impressive numbers over a 19-year major league career.
The major story for the selection process will surround those linked to performance-enhancing drugs.
Bonds and Clemens undoubtedly are deserving of the Hall of Fame based on their on-field production. Bonds is the MLB home run champ with 762 in his career and is the all-time leader in wins above replacement, per Baseball Reference. Clemens has seven Cy Young Awards plus 354 career wins and 4,672 strikeouts.
As a member of the 3,000-hit, 500-home run club, Rafael Palmeiro also deserves a bid based on numbers alone.
Voters still didn't feel these players were worthy of a Hall of Fame nomination, with Bonds and Clemens falling less than 40 votes short last year in their final season of eligibility.
The Contemporary Baseball Era Players Committee could take a different stance regarding the best players of their generation.
Lou Whitaker and Keith Hernandez are among the notable players not included on the latest ballot.
