With 60 days left until pitchers and catchers report for spring training, here are three things to watch throughout the day in baseball.
1. Yamamoto and team meeting:
Yesterday, the Dodgers met with the NPB ace. Yoshinobu Yamamoto The 25-year-old hurler continues to meet with clubs interested in him this offseason. Los Angeles joins the Giants, Mets and Yankees as clubs that are publicly known to have met with Yamamoto this offseason. Yesterday, it was reported that both the Red Sox and Blue Jays are scheduled to join the quarter in the coming days. According to reports last week, Yamamoto’s playing field has been reduced to seven teams, with every team he has played against thus far, except Boston, being named along with two “mystery teams.”
2. Is Bellinger’s market crystallizing?
The Giants shocked the baseball world by acquiring a KBO star outfielder. Lee Jung Hoo Six-year contract worth $113 million. With the signing of Lee, another top left-handed hitter leaves the market. Shohei OtaniThe decision to sign with the Dodgers and the swap Juan Soto To the Yankees.Both the Giants and Yankees were considered the best candidates for center field. cody bellinger Before the addition of Soto and Lee. With the left-handed hitter’s recent success, there may be only a few options left for Bellinger.
Bellinger’s remaining suitors could include the Blue Jays, Cubs and Mariners.Toronto vs. Chicago, with Bellinger returning in 2023, was one of the final bidders before Ohtani landed in LA, while the Mariners have little certainty in their outfield beyond that. Julio Rodriguez And he will benefit from Bellinger’s 15.6% strikeout rate last year as he looks to build a more contact-oriented lineup. It’s also at least plausible that the Giants have the necessary means to acquire both Bellinger and Lee, but given the club’s clogged outfield, their money would be better spent elsewhere at this point. There may be.
3. Greinke enters the market:
After months of uncertainty regarding the future Hall of Famer’s plans, Zack GreinkeWith this news, Greinke will become the 20th pitcher in Major League history to record 3,000 strikeouts, a milestone that puts him just 21 punchouts away. Beyond the possible history involving Greinke’s 21st major league season, this update also adds another quality back rotation starter to a market hungry for starting pitching options. To do. Greinke struggled last season to drop below average ERA+ for the first time in his career since 2005, but considering the back-end starters on solid contracts, it’s easy to see why the club would take a chance on Greinke. can be easily imagined. lance lynn and Kyle Gibson This offseason has received so far.
Greinke seems to be limited to pitching in Kansas City these days and hasn’t made much of an impact on the overall free agent market. However, the news of Greinke’s decision to continue came shortly after the Royals signed Seth Lugo to a three-year contract, leaving the possibility that Greinke will have to look elsewhere to continue his career. has been done.If Greinke wants to remain with the club he’s familiar with, both the Dodgers and Diamondbacks could use some rotation reinforcement even after Arizona lands. Eduardo Rodriguez At the beginning of the month.
