Brantley has resigned with Houston.
Realize that no one GAF about the Pittsburgh Pirates, even in Pittsburgh, but after their recent trades of Joe Musgrove to the Padres and Jamison Tallion to the Yankees, they will head into the 2021 season with only 2 pitchers that have won more than 2 starts in their career:
- Steven Brault who is 12-15 and is best known for his singing ability and (Brault could also be traded before the start of the year)
- Chad Kuhl who is 20-23
Tanking seems to be more popular in baseball than in other sports, and there have been some epically horrible teams in recent years following that strategy, but the 2021 Pirates team this year may set the new standard. Assuming a full 162 game schedule is played, the Pirates suckitude will benefit the other 4 NL Central teams that should rack up the wins against a impotent Pirates squad.
I think full blown rebuild fits better as teams aren’t terribly concerned with losing as many games as possible and securing the first overall pick. It’s all about collecting prospects and hoping you hit on a few. It’s certainly a different strategy than tanking in the NFL & NBA as the MLB draft varies wildly in terms of how the top picks turn out.
MLB Union has rejected MLB's proposal for a universal DH and expanded playoffs for 2021.
The MLBPA did so because MLB requested approval. The universal DH is something that the MLBPA has wanted for years, and limits the opportunities for FA players like Marcel Ozuna. The expanded playoff generates extra revenue. From a purist standpoint, the opposition to expanded playoffs is understandable, but that is not the MLBPA rationale.
Phils re-sign JT Realmuto. 5 years for $115 million.
Mets have made an offer for Bauer.
Good. We need to try to win before Harper's contract begins to outpace his production.
Phillies need to fill a bunch of holes still. Shortstop, starting pitching, relief pitching for three. Can they do tjat and stay on budget? IDK.
Yankees trade Ottavino to Boston, with the Yankees sending $850k cash as well. Ottavino was going to count $9M towards the cap this year, so it frees up some flexibility for the Yankees.
and the Pirates #1 concern regarding who they draft is "signability"; if the equivalent of Strasberg is available, the Pirates won't pick him