Jackie Bradley Jr. may or may not be the best defensive centerfielder in the game. Metrics have never loved him quite as much as the eye test suggests they should — accordingly, he’s never been honored with a Fielding Bible award — but there are those who believe he’s without peer among his contemporaries. At […]
Marcell Ozuna is the latest player to benefit from signing a one-year deal with the Atlanta Braves. In 2018, they inked starter Aníbal Sánchez to a $1 million contract. He revived his career by posting a 2.83 ERA over 25 games and cashed in by signing a two-year, $19 million deal with the Nationals the […]
The Cubs added to their outfield depth on Tuesday, claiming Phillip Ervin off waivers from the Mariners. The addition of Ervin brings Chicago’s 40-man roster to 37, though only three (Ian Happ, Jason Heyward and now Ervin) are true outfielders. The Cubs non-tendered both Kyle Schwarber and Albert Almora Jr. earlier this month, creating a […]
A lot of wild things happened during a 60-game season, but Clint Frazier’s stunning development from defensive liability into a Gold Glove nominee in right field ranks among the most unexpected. It’s not that Frazier wasn’t capable of the turnaround, but more so how quickly he pulled it off, and how much it has saved […]
The Big Board is a look at players from across the league at key points in the season: in the spring, at the trade deadline and in the offseason. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be highlighting the top players at every position — for whenever baseball resumes. The last time around we took a look […]
No, $310 million isn’t a smokescreen. That’s what the Giants offered Harper in February 2019 before the former NL MVP eventually signed with the Philadelphia Phillies. Harper, at 26 years old, was the rare free agent who made sense for the rebuilding Giants to offer such a larger, and long (12 years), contract. So, who’s next in line for the […]
You’re starting an MLB franchise today (or once the COVID-19-related hiatus ends), and you have to choose between two franchise players: the New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge and the Milwaukee Brewers’ Christian Yelich. It’s an enviable decision, obviously. Both are multitalented outfielders in the midst of their primes with MVP-caliber tools. But if you’re forced […]
The coronavirus pandemic might have delayed the start of the 2020 MLB season for at least two weeks, but there is still plenty to discuss in anticipation of Opening Day. From the offseason spending spree to the confusing series of events that saw the Boston Red Sox trade star outfielder Mookie Betts to the Los […]
Look at any tweet the Cleveland Indians’ team handle published this offseason, and you’ll find the replies are loaded with at least one of the following two demands. “Extend Francisco Lindor.” “Re-sign Yasiel Puig.” These are admittedly far more polite translations, but you get the point. Fans spent the winter voicing their frustration about the Tribe’s inactivity when […]
While Yasiel Puig remains unsigned, a couple of other free agent outfielders came off the board on Wednesday via one-year deals at rock-bottom prices that belie their potential productivity even in part-time roles. Cameron Maybin returned to the Tigers, with whom he debuted in 2007, via a $1.5 million deal that includes an additional $1.3 million in incentives, while Jarrod […]