Baseball Connection

Eduardo Rodriguez took the mound in a game setting for the first time in 359 days. After a breakout 2019 season, Rodriguez was poised to make an Opening Day start for Boston in 2020. Will he get that honor this year? Lorenzo Cain will still be the Brewers' center fielder. Luis Severino should help the Yankees tremendously when he returns this year. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Jackie Bradley Jr. will be taking his talents to Milwaukee. He's the last big domino to finally fall as he secured a 2-year, $24 million deal with the Brewers. The Brewers already have a strong outfield, including another strong center fielder in Lorenzo Cain, so it's not quite clear exactly how they'll juggle the pieces. However, it is a good problem for them to have.

It's always exciting to catch a glimpse of the future as top young prospects take the center in the early days of Spring Training. We take a look at how the game's best prospects like Wander Franco, Jarred Kelenic, Adley Rustchman, etc. have fared in the early going.

Yoenis Cespedes hosted a showcase in front of eleven MLB teams. Cespedes could be a low-cost flyer for a team that doesn't have much to lose. Jarrod Dyson has signed with the Royals, the franchise he broke into the league with and made a name for himself after overcoming all odds as a 50th round pick. Dyson was a key part of the Royals' championship squad in 2015.

Tommy Pham had a tumultuous 2020. From missing several games due to COVID, to undergoing different surgeries for a broken hamate bone and a wrist injury, Pham's lackluster performance on the field could be attributed to an unfortunate stretch of injuries. Additionally, Pham was also involved in an offseason incident where he was stabbed. Doctors said his extra muscle may have saved his life. Looking ahead to 2021, Pham is glad to be in camp and looks to have a strong contract year for the Padres.

Hunter Dozier has agreed to a 4-year, $25 million extension with the Royals. Dozier has shown loud tools and great results in the past and the Royals hope he can turn in strong numbers moving forward. Kansas City won't be competing for a division title this year but they've put together a strong core which they can add to in coming years.

Albert Pujols is entering the last year of his 10 year, $240 million contract with the Angels. He says he hasn't made a retirement decision yet, but we have to wonder when that announcement will come. What value can Pujols still provide at this stage in his career?

Brian Snitker has been with the Braves organization for 4 decades. He'll stick around even longer as he just agreed to an extension to manage the Braves through 2023. Kelvin Herrera has announced his retirement. Herrera was a key piece of the Royals' championship squad which had baseball's best bullpen for a brief stretch.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr has slimmed down. He's the talk of Blue Jays camp as everyone has noticed the stark contrast in his physique compared to the way he arrived at summer camp last year. The Phillies have checked in on Jake Odorizzi - he'd slot in nicely as their 4th starter. Is Jackie Bradley Jr. truly enough to turn a contender into a champion? All this on today's episode.

Scott Kazmir is still pitching. He's signed a minor league deal with the Giants as he attempts to make another comeback. Kazmir hasn't seen MLB action since 2016, but he's reportedly been up to 92-93 mph in bullpen sessions, which is around the velocity he had at his peak. Royce Lewis, the Twins' #1 prospect, has suffered a torn ACL. Lewis will likely miss all of 2021.