Category: MLB

This No-Look Pickoff Is Already the Baseball Play of the Year

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So nonchalant — I love it. Yeah, it’s only spring  but this is still a crazy play. Highly doubtful that anyone outside of hardo baseball purists knows who Willians Astudillo was before this play but they do now.  The Twins’ catcher knew the man on first was leading off a little too much and caught him before he even expected it.

I’ll keep an eye out for this kid now because this was a dope play. Shit like this will get people more interested in baseball — which like it or not is losing popularity. I NEED to see someone try this in the regular season.

 

Yu Darvish Signs with Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs have landed their big free agent of the off season signing Yu Darvish to a deal.

The Cubs were rumored to be in on Darvish since it looked like they wouldn’t come to an agreement with their own free agent Jake Arietta.

Darvish, who had a shaky beginning to 2017 rebounded quite nice once he joined the Dodgers in the second half. I believe this will be a good singing for the Cubs, hes a veteran pitcher who now has World Series experience and has pitched in some big games. If he can stay healthy, he should regain his ace like form.

Andrew McCutchen Traded to the San Francisco Giants

The Pittsburgh Pirates aren’t done wheeling and dealing. It is being reported that they have agreed on a deal that will send 5 X All Star Center fielder Andrew McCutchen to the San Fran Cisco Giants. The deal is pending a review of medical records and the Pirates return has not been released.

Adding McCutchen to a lineup that that has Evan Longoria and Buster Posey makes the Giants serious contenders in the NL West Division.

Last year, McCutchen batted .279 with 28 HR’s and 88 RBI’s.  Throughout his career he has been a offensive and defensive monster, he is a 4 X Silver Slugger Award winner,  Gold Glove Winner in 2012 and NL MVP in 2013.

 

Gerrit Cole to Astros

Its official the Pirates and Astros have agreed on a trade that will send Gerrit Cole to the Astros and the Pirates received right-handers Joe Musgrove and Michael Feliz, third baseman Colin Moran and outfielder Jason Martin.

The addition of Cole bulsters an already deadly starting rotation. Cole joins Justin Verlander, Dallas Keuchel, lance McCullers jr and Charlie Morton.

Cole was an all star back in 2015 where he went 19-8 with a 2.60 era. Since then he’s been inconsistent going 19-22 with a 4.07 era.

The Pirates avoided arbitration with Gerrit on Friday, Cole is scheduled to make 6.75 million in 2018. Prior I the false trade last week it was reported that the Astros were trying to get a trade done prior to his hearing with the Pirates so they could determine how much he would get paid.

Overall it’s a nice trade for the Astros, but unless he can bounce back to his 2015 form, this trade is pretty irrelevant.

Gerrit Cole NOT traded to the Astros

This trade that would send Gerrit Cole to the Astros, still could happen but as of right now the internet ran with a false rumor.

It had been reported by Jon Morosi of MLB Network that a deal had been reached between the Astros and Pirates.

More updates to come.

 

 

Twins Star 3B Miguel Sano Accused of Sexually Assaulting Photographer

Earlier today, Minnesota Twins third baseman Miguel Sano has been accused of sexual assault by a female photographer. The photographer, Betsy Bissen, worked at Minnesota Twins events for the past few years. Betsy claims that this assault happened back in 2015.

Betsy, followed up her original tweet by saying she “wants nothing but to feel free of this burden I’ve carried with me since 2015. I have NOTHING to gain from this”.

Sano issued a statement today denying the allegations.

“I unequivocally deny the allegation made against me today — it never happened,” Sano said in the statement. “I have the utmost respect for women, especially those working in professional sports, and I deeply sympathize with anyone who has experienced sexual harassment. There is no place for it in our society.”

Rob Plummer, Sano’s former agent, confirmed that he was at the mall for the signing, but was not in position to see the alleged incident.

“I was outside next to the car waiting for him to come out on the other side of the loading bay dock, so I don’t know what happened inside,” Plummer told ESPN. “I didn’t see or hear anything. I wasn’t anywhere near Miguel.”

Since her original post, Bissen has claimed that the Twins new nothing about what transpired that day.

The Twins issued a statement that they have been made aware of these allegations.

“Today the Minnesota Twins were made aware of allegations involving Miguel Sano at an offsite appearance during the 2015 season,” the statement said. “The Twins, along with Major League Baseball, take these allegations very seriously. Until more information is gathered, the Twins will have no further comments.”

It will be interesting to see how major league baseball will punish Miguel if these allegations against him are proven true. If they are true, they must come down on him hard and show the public that they take these types of situations very seriously.

Yu Darvish Dismisses #Fakenews Signing

One of the big stories from Thursday was the false reporting of Yu Darvish agreeing to a deal with the Chicago Cubs.

The person who reported the signing was Barstool Carl for Barstool Sports. Whats surprising is that Carl is normally pretty accurate. We all make mistakes, but its comical that it sent baseball fans and Twitter into a frenzy.

When Darvish officially signs with a team, we will accurately report it #nomorefakenews

Announcer Dick Enberg Passes at the age of 82

Legendary sports announcer Dick Enberg passed away unexpectedly in his home yesterday.  He announced all types of sports from his play-by-play for college basketball, college and professional football and Major League Baseball. He also called other sporting events such as boxing, tennis, golf, horse racing and the Olympics.

San Diego Union-Tribune columnist Bryce Miller broke the sad news on Twitter. He also stated that Dick’s wife believes her husband died of a heart attack.

 

 

Dick who last worked for the San Diego Padres had just retired from broadcasting in 2016. Don Orsillo, the former Red Sox announced had taken over for Dick and shared his thoughts on his passing.

 

 

Indians Sign Yonder Alonso

The Cleveland Indians have filled their void at First Base by signing Yonder Alonso. The deal is for two years at $16 million, with an $8 million vesting option for a third year.

Although this move isn’t a big splash, the Indians get a comparable player to Carlos Santana at a bargain price. Santana signed with the Philadelphia Phillies for 3 years $60 million.

Last year, Alonso hit 28 HR and 67 RBI’s with a .266 BA, while Santana hit 23 HR and 79 RBI’s with a .259 BA.

Again, not a big splash but atleast there is no real drop off in production and you get him for a third of the cost.

Rays Trade Evan Longoria to Giants

Breaking news: The Tampa Bay Rays and the San Francisco Giants have agreed on a trade that will send 3B Evan Longoria and cash to the Giants for 3B Christian Arroyo and OF Denard Span along with prospects LHP Matt Krook & Stephen Woods.

Bad news for Pablo Sandoval, looks like hes out of a job again. This now gives the Giants another big bat in their lineup to go along with Buster Posey.

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For the Rays, they get a young player who has great upside and a veteran CF that they can plug in for a year. The Rays also shed Longoria’s contract and even though its a bargain it will still help lower their payroll.

In the end, it looks like both sides win. I would give a slight edge to the Giants because Longoria is a stud and will help them immediately.