SUNDAY FUN
WHAT A CRAZY WEEK
IT WAS CRAZY THIS WEEK
On January 10, the Cubs signed Alex Bregman. Bregman will turn 32 in late March and will solidify the Cubs’ infield at third. They have Michael Busch at 1B, Nico Hoerner at 2B, and Dansby Swanson at SS. This also means that Matt Shaw will have time to develop as a backup and a right-wing ideologue.
On January 13, the Diamondbacks acquired future HOF third baseman Nolan Arenado from the Cardinals. The biggest shock to me in this deal was realizing that Arenado is only 34. Also, that day, the Yankees picked up LHP Ryan Weathers from the Marlins for four prospects.
On January 14, the Red Sox signed left-handed starter Ranger Suárez to a 5-year, $130 million contract. The 30-year old has pitched eight years in the majors, making 22-29 starts in each of the past four seasons, with injuries usually causing him to miss some time each year.
On January 15, the Dodgers signed OF Kyle Tucker to a 4-year, $240 million contract. Kyle Tucker, the consensus top available player in free agency this offseason, has a contract that includes player opt-outs after the second and third years.
There was competition for Tucker. The Blue Jays had a ten year $300 million offer out there. Steve Cohen and the Mets proposed a short-term, four-year deal with an annual average value (AAV) of $50 million. But the Dodgers offered Tucker $60 million per season, giving him the highest AAV in MLB history, passing Juan Soto ($51 million) and Shohei Ohtani ($46 million). In addition, they deferred $30 million.
On January 16, the Mets signed infielder Bo Bichette to a 3-year, $126 million contract. Bo was the second-round draft pick in 2016 by the Blue Jays and has played SS for Toronto from 2019-2025. With Francisco Lindor, the Mets' shortstop, and Marcus Semien joining the team to be their second baseman, presumably Bichette will learn third base during Spring Training. This is while incoming infielder Jorge Polanco will be learning to play first base. Two 26-year-olds, Brett Baty and Mark Vientos, will presumably see time as back-ups at the corner infield spots, get some at-bats at DH, and potentially be trade options too. According to Elias, the only team in the last 100 years to start two non-rookie INFs on Opening Day with one or none prior MLB games at that position were the 1948 Dodgers: Jackie Robinson 2B, Billy Cox 3B.
Also, on the 16th, the Phillies re-signed catcher J.T. Realmuto to a three-year, $45 million contract. Meanwhile, the Twins are signing C/1B/DH Victor Caratini to a 2-year, $4 million deal.
IT WAS CRAZY
PEOPLE ARE TALKING
The Red Sox are apparently in talks with the Astros to acquire Isaac Paredes via trade. So far, the return seems to revolve around starter Brayan Bello, reliever Jordan Hicks, and Jarren Duran. Keep an eye on this.
Look at why the Sox are interested in getting Paredes to Fenway Park.
THE SUNDAY QUIZ
There have been 148 different players who have hit a home run in a season for at least 17 consecutive seasons. Of those 148, only one was a pitcher. Who is that Hall of Fame pitcher?
