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sounded like he meant expecting a decline in performance from Hosmer
Side note, watched a few of those Jomboy baseball breakdown videos. The one about Fernando Tatis hitting a homerun on a 3-0 pitch when the Padres had the game already in hand....
Hosmer and Tatis both have feminine hair styles. There's probably a lot more players who do. It just really struck me in this recap how fruity these 2 "guys" look.
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Infielder Howie Kendrick has been noncommittal about his long-term playing status, suggesting in September he could step away from the game after 15 MLB seasons. However, Kendrick seemed to hint in an Instagram post this afternoon (h/t to Britt Ghiroli of the Athletic) that he is planning to continue his career, along with firmly indicating that he will continue his charitable endeavors off the field. “What a season! Proud to partner with Bank of America and Boys & Girls Clubs of America to help fuel rallies all season long and make a difference for kids in our communities. See you all next year,” Kendrick wrote.
The Nationals declined their 2021 club option on Kendrick’s services, making the former World Series hero a free agent. Kendrick only hit .275/.320/.385 with two home runs across 100 plate appearances in 2020, but he’s just a year removed from an elite season at the plate. A return to Washington wouldn’t seem to be out of the question, and surely other teams would have some interest in signing a veteran with Kendrick’s track record.
More on some other available players…
- Marcell Ozuna’s free agent market is explored by an MLB.com panel of Mark Bowman, Alyson Footer, Scott Merkin, and Jesse Sanchez, with a particular focus on the White Sox (Merkin’s team on the beat) and Braves (Ozuna’s most recent team, and Bowman’s beat). The White Sox had some interest in Ozuna last winter but now might be looking for more of a full-time outfielder, Merkin says, since star prospect Andrew Vaughn is expected to step into the first base/DH mix alongside Jose Abreu at some point in 2021. Since Ozuna profiles more as a DH over the long term, the Braves might have some hesitation over bringing Ozuna back since it isn’t yet known if the National League will adopt the designated hitter for 2021. However, Bowman also notes that Ozuna quickly became a valued figure in Atlanta due to both his production and clubhouse presence. Early reports have already suggested that the Braves are interested in re-signing Ozuna, but at least nine other clubs have also inquired about his services.
- Tommy Kahnle is weighing multiple two-year offers, MLB Network’s Jon Heyman reports (via Twitter). Kahnle underwent Tommy John surgery in early August, though it isn’t uncommon for recent TJ patients to still land multi-year deals on the open market. In most of these cases, the player receives the bulk of the salary in the second year of the contract and a minimum salary in the first year, with the understanding that most or all of year one will be spent recovering from the surgery. Kahnle, Heyman says, is hoping to return by the end of the 2021 season, which would be on the short end of the usual 12-15 month recovery timeline for Tommy John patients.
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I think Hosmer is a solid player still. He doesn't have to be the main guy in San Diego but he'll be a decent player for them for a few more years. The Padres are just getting started and you need solid vets like Hosmer if you're a young up and coming team like the Padres.Comment -
With the new vaccine hopes when will we see packed stadiums againComment -
Warriors going to try for 50% capacity when NBA season starts next month.Comment -
Lindor to the Blue Jays for Gurriel and two top prospects is the rumor of the day.Comment -
Lindor deal makes for a lukewarm stove at least.Comment -
Given their desire to contend from day one, it’s easy to see the Mets all-in on any of the year’s best available players, including star shortstop Francisco Lindor. But that might not be the course of action that makes the most sense, writes Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Sherman asked Mets president Sandy Alderson about their plans for free agent spending versus trades.
Anderson’s response: “There are only two currencies in baseball — one is players, the other is money. If you are not spending money, you have to spend players. … We have to be careful how we use players in transactions.”
During Steve Cohen’s introductory press conference, Alderson laid out some of the team’s most pressing needs, which included infield defense, bullpen consistency, and a new catching tandem. But he also spoke about building out better depth, and that’s tough to do when trading away prospects for established stars, as was the approach taken by previous GM Brodie Van Wagenen.
Said Anderson (per Sherman): “We’ve got no depth at Double-A and Triple-A, so we are doing all we can to sign six-year minor-league free agents to fill out depth with our top two minor-league teams and provide up-and-down depth for the season.”
Of course, that strategy doesn’t always produce the best collection of ready Major League talent, but as the Dodgers (and others) have shown, the right talent evaluators/developers can absolutely find gems among that pool. Beyond those minor league free agents, the Mets have the opportunity to flex some financial muscle in an offseason where spending capital should be a considerable market advantage. That doesn’t preclude them from making a big splash for someone like Lindor, of course, but it does speak to their priorities this winter, as well as their strategy for contention more broadly.
It might also speak to their timeline. The Mets have yet to hire their president of baseball ops, so Alderson may leave some of the bigger decisions until they are fully-staffed. Collecting minor league free agents won’t have the direction-setting impact of a Lindor-or-equivalent acquisition. Speculatively speaking, Alderson would want to leave as many avenues open as possible until they find the right person to run baseball ops.Comment -
let's get this stove cookingComment -
If the Mets don’t sign Lindor do they bring back Jose Reyes?
Of course I’m joking they need a SS, but Bauer likes NY and I bet Trevor Bauer signs not Lindor.Comment -
So Clevinger is out for the 2021 season already??? Unreal.
Dodgers repeat in 2021Comment -
Clevinger threw his arm out, sucks. At least he got those extra tics of velo for a year or two, lol.Comment -
Dodgers outfielder/first baseman Cody Bellinger has undergone surgery to repair a disclocated right shoulder he suffered celebrating a Game 7 home run in the NLCS, Jeff Passan of ESPN reports. Bellinger will need 10 weeks to recover, but he should be OK by the time spring training starts next year.
Bellinger incurred the injury after what proved to be a series-deciding homer – a two-out solo shot during what was a 3-3 game at the time. The Dodgers went on to preserve their 4-3 lead to advance to the World Series. Despite his discomfort, Bellinger played in the Fall Classic – a series Los Angeles won over Tampa Bay in six games – and collected three hits (including a home run) against the Rays.
Prior to the playoffs, Bellinger did not enjoy a banner regular season, as he was unable to defend his 2019 NL MVP honors. The 25-year-old slashed .239/.333/.455 with 12 home runs and six steals in 243 plate appearances, though he did post a far better second half after a disappointing start to the campaign. As long he’s healthy in 2021, Bellinger seems likely to pick up where he left off down the stretch.Comment -
Griffy jr. Now part owner of the SoundersComment -
Epstein resigns from the Cubs before they trade off all their good players.Comment -
Robinson Cano suspended a year for PED’s
Whatever he was taking wasn’t even working.
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Great news for the Mets.
Cano known for refusing to run out ground balls and taking copious amounts of PEDs his whole career.[quote=jjgold;5683305]I win again like usual
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[quote=Whippit;7921056]miami won't lose a single eastern conference game through end of season[/quote]Comment -
Cano actually put up decent numbers last season but that's only because he was cheating. The Mets are better off without him on their team anyway. Now they can focus on being major players this offseason like they said they would be.Comment
