Baseball Connection

Today marks the beginning of the international signing period. MLB teams will be trying to sign the next Tatis, Soto, or Acuna. We break down what the international signing period is and compare it to the MLB draft in terms of talent pool and player compensation.

Yadier Molina has said he would consider retirement if the right deal does not come along. Yadi wants to return to the Cardinals, but is the feeling mutual? Archie Bradley is heading to the Phillies to deliver much-needed bullpen help. The Mets signed Jose Martinez as a platoon piece.

The Red Sox are reportedly shopping Andrew Benintendi. What happened to baseball's former #1 prospect? Corey Kluber held a workout for scouts where he sat 88-90 mph with his fastball. He'll be a lottery ticket for whoever signs him.

Baseball's best reliever is off the market. Liam Hendriks has agreed to a 3-year, $54 million deal with the Chicago White Sox. The White Sox have their eyes set on the World Series as they continue to add reinforcements to their roster. Hendriks joins Lance Lynn and Adam Eaton as major White Sox additions this offseason.

In this day and age, players move around a lot. It's not common for someone to stick with one team for their entire career like Derek Jeter or Joe Mauer. Who is the longest tenured player on each team?

Connie Mack was the A's manager for 50 years. No other manager comes close to his record for the longest stint with one team, but who are the others on the list? Where do managers like Bobby Cox, Tommy Lasorda, and Mike Scioscia rank?

Kyle Schwarber is heading to DC. The Nats had a void in their outfield after choosing to move on from Adam Easton. Schwarber will slot in as a middle-of-the-order bat at a corner outfield spot. Will we be seeing Juan Soto in right field? Schwarber belted a career high 38 home runs in 2019 and he'll look to regain that form.

After not getting the type of deal he was looking for by Thursday's deadline, Tomoyuki Sugano is returning to Japan for the 2021 season. He has a 4-year deal with the Yomiuri Giants with an opt out each year, so he could be back trying to find a better MLB deal again next year. What's next for the Mets in their aggressive offseason?

The Mets have traded for Francisco Lindor. In a blockbuster deal, the Indians are sending Lindor and Carrasco to New York in exchange for Amed Rosario, Andres Gimenez, Josh Wolf, and Isaiah Greene. One of the best players in the game, Lindor is in his prime and will anchor the Mets infield in his contract year. The Mets are not messing around.

The Dodgers are bringing back Blake Treinen on a two-year, $17.5 million deal. Treinen is a strong reliever who will anchor the back of LA's bullpen. After not signing a free agent to a multi-year deal for half a decade, the Tigers signed Robbie Grossman to a two-year, $10 million contract. Grossman will provide offensive help with his good on-base skills.

Several teams are interested in Yasiel Puig. Puig didn't play in 2020, but he carries a resume of above-average performance and just turned 30 years old. For teams looking for cheap options to improve their outfield, he fits the bill. The Giants signed Curt Casali to a one-year deal to be their backup catcher. This means Joey Bart will likely get more seasoning in the minors, but his time to repla...

Phil Hughes has officially called it a career. Although he hadn't pitched since 2018, Hughes made the official announcement which closed the book on his 12-year career between the Yankees and Twins. Hughes was a 1x All-Star and World Series champion. The next item on the Padres' list: extend Fernando Tatis Jr. All this on today's episode.

Veteran lefty Ross Detwiler has agreed to terms with the Miami Marlins. The Marlins need left specialists to face the big-name left-handed hitters in their division like Freddie Freeman and Bryce Harper. The Dodgers are looking at DJ LeMahieu. Will the rich get richer?

Velocity is abundant these days. Rosters are littered with hard-throwing pitchers and hitters have adjusted. What were the 5 fastest pitches hit for a home run in 2020?

Masahiro Tanaka has come to the conclusion of the 7-year, $155 million deal he signed with the Yankees. It's not often that a Yankee flies under the radar, but Tanaka was a steady force in that rotation for the better part of the last decade. If he doesn't re-sign with New York, he would consider returning to Japan. Is a Boston reunion in the cards for Jackie Bradley Jr?

Trevor Bauer and George Springer are the best pitcher and hitter on the free agent market, respectively. Rumors have been thrown around regarding their slowly developing markets. Some believe Bauer is looking for $35-40 million per year. He's not worth that. Springer supposedly already has offers north of $100 million. What will it take to sign these players?

The Phillies had a historically bad bullpen in 2019. They had the worst bullpen ERA the MLB has seen in 90 years. Jose Alvarado is a left-handed reliever with a strong fastball, cutter, and slider. He's heading to Philadelphia in a three-team deal between the Phillies, Rays, and Dodgers. After not playing in 2020, Ervin Santana has signed a minor league deal with the Royals.

San Diego has suddenly become the center of baseball's spotlight. The Padres have now traded Yu Darvish. Darvish finished second in this year's NL Cy Young voting and is one of the game's best pitchers. The Cubs received Zach Davies and 4 middling prospects. Expect the Cubs to have a massive sell-off as they try to cut costs.

The Padres are here to stay. Blake Snell is heading to San Diego in a blockbuster deal between the Padres and Rays. Going back to Tampa Bay is an elite prospect package including Luis Patino, Francisco Mejia, Blake Hunt, and Cole Wilcox. Snell comes with 3 years of control, which opens up a wide window of contention for the Padres. The Rays stick to their script of developing long term, cost-contr...

Who hit the longest home run in 2020? The hardest-hit ball? What about the fastest throw or the least-likely hit? We take a look at the most memorable plays of the past season.

The Rangers have added another pitcher. They've signed Kohei Arihara out of Japan for a two-year $6.2 million deal. Is Arihara any good and can he be a reliable starter? With a low-90s fastball and standard three-pitch mix (fastball, curveball, changeup), it's fair to wonder if Arihara's stuff can make a real impact at the MLB level.

Tommy Kahnle will likely miss 2021, but he'll suit up in a Dodgers uniform in 2022, thanks to his new two-year deal. Aaron Brooks found success in Korea this past season, so he re-signed for another year. Daniel Mengden, his former teammate from the A's, is now also heading to Korea on a one-year deal. Is this a new trend for pitchers who need to recapture some of their value?

The Nats have traded for Josh Bell. As a traditional first baseman and middle-of-the-order bat, Josh Bell is exactly what Washington needs. In exchange, the Pirates are receiving RHPs Will Crowe and Eddy Yean - two top prospects who could make their way to the MLB soon.

Sam Fuld made a name for himself as one of the more likeable players in the league over his eight MLB seasons. His next chapter will be as the General Manager of the Phillies. Fuld is being promoted after 3 years in the Phillies front office. Yoelqui Cespedes (the younger brother of Yoenis) has signed with the White Sox. Cespedes is the #1 international free agent and gives the White Sox another p...

After 15 years in the big leagues, Howie Kendrick has decided to hang up his cleats. Kendrick goes down as one of the most professional hitters of the generation and he has two of the biggest home runs in Nationals history. Yu Darvish's name has appeared in trade rumors, but it wouldn't make much sense for the Cubs to trade him now because they don't seem to be going for a full rebuild.