Baseball Connection

The recently Mariners lost their best reliever for the year but they've already picked up an arm to fill the gap. Who is the soft-tossing 39-year old veteran that will induce plenty of soft contact and create timing issues for hitters? Tommy Pham has fallen off in recent years but the Reds just picked him up. Can he still be good? Odubel Herrera will miss Opening Day, so the Phillies need a new center fielder. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Even the best pitchers have down years at times. Whether it's strong expected stats, recovering from injury, or a change of teams, some pitchers have good reason to expect better results this season. Who are some prime bounceback pitching candidates for 2022?

The Mariners bullpen was a key strength in 2021 and it led them to their surprising 90-win season. Casey Sadler was their best reliever but he has now suffered a season-ending injury. The Cardinals will be without Jack Flaherty and Alex Reyes for now - a big blow to their pitching staff. Ryan McMahon has signed a 6-year, $70 million extension with the Rockies. All this (and more) on today's episode.

The Red Sox have agreed to a deal with Trevor Story. It will be a 6-year, $140 million guarantee. Story will slide over second base and serves as insurance in case Xander Boagaerts leaves Boston after this season. All the top free agent shortstops have now been signed. The Marlins are bringing Jorge Soler's power bat to Miami on a 3-year, $36 million deal. Soler is coming off World Series MVP honors and led the AL in home runs in 2019.

Carlos Correa is off the market now after agreeing to a 3-year, $105.3 million deal with the Minnesota Twins. This comes as a surprise because Correa was expected to sign a 10+ year megadeal north of $330 million. He has opt-outs after each year which will let him try again if he plays well. The Phillies agreed to terms with Nick Castellanos on a 5-year, $100 million deal. The Braves signed Kenley Jansen. All this (and more) on today's episode.

The Yankees have traded Luke Voit to the Padres in exchange for a prospect. Voit was the odd man out in New York after they re-signed Anthony Rizzo to man first base. Voit's power bat is often overlooked but he'll be a great middle-of-the-order bat in San Diego. Nick Castellanos is still on the board and the Phillies are interested. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Many of the top free agents are off the board. Freddie Freeman has agreed to a 6-year, $162 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. LA just keeps adding to its incredibly loaded roster. Kris Bryant is headed to the Rockies on a 7-year, $182 million deal. The Rockies haven't been good lately but maybe this means they want to win again soon. Spring Training games are set to begin. All this (and more) on today's episode.

The Braves have already signed Matt Olson to an 8-year, $168 million extension. All things considered, he's a better fit for them than Freddie Freeman. The Yankees bought back Anthony Rizzo on a 2-year, $32 million deal. These days, you can't expect them to break the bank for big-name free agents. Kyle Schwarber is taking his talents to Philadelphia. He'll add plenty of lineup protection for the NL MVP, Bryce Harper. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Fernando Tatis Jr. is injured again. He will likely need surgery for a fractured wrist he suffered during the offseason. The Atlanta Braves send shockwaves through the baseball world by trading for star 1B Matt Olson. Many were holding out hope that Freddie Freeman would re-sign but that chapter now seems closed. Jesse Winker and Eugenio Suarez are headed to the Mariners. Winker was one of baseball's best bats in 2021 and hits right-handed pitching particularly well. He'll feel right at home in Seattle. All this (and more) on today's episode.

The Twins have sent Josh Donaldson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Ben Rortvedt to the Yankees in exchange for Gio Urshela and Gary Sanchez. This means Yankees will most likely not be pursuing a big name shortstop as they wait for their star prospects to arrive. Nelson Cruz signed with the Nationals on a 1-year, $15 million deal. The Astros are talking to Carlos Correa again. Where will Trevor Story land? All this (and more) on today's episode.