Baseball Connection

Japan defeated USA 3-2 to win the 2023 World Baseball Classic. It ended in storybook fashion with Shohei Ohtani striking out Mike Trout. Few pitchers have ever struck out Trout on three swings-and-misses but Ohtani made it happen with triple-digit fastballs and a textbook slider. Ohtani's legend continues to grow. All this on today's episode.

Japan defeated Mexico in a thrilling semifinal matchup in Miami. Mexico fought hard with the bats but Japan completed a comeback in the bottom of the ninth with back-to-back doubles from Shohei Ohtani and Munetaka. Japan faces USA in what looks to be a marquee championship game. Jose Altuve will undergo surgery for his fractured thumb. What will this mean for the Astros? Jurickson Profar has signe...

Mexico earned a comeback victory over Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic quarter finals. Isaac Paredes led the charge with 3 RBI to set up a semi final bout with Japan on Monday. USA vs. Venezuela is next and some of the game's biggest stars will be on full display.

Puerto Rico defeated the Dominican Republic to advance to the WBC quarterfinal stage. It was a bittersweet win because Edwin Diaz got injured during the celebration. The Mets and Puerto Rico await news on the extent of his knee injury. Mike Trout lifted USA to victory over Colombia. USA plays red-hot Venezuela in the quarterfinal on Saturday in Miami. All this (and more) on today's episode.

The Diamondbacks have made a big bet on their young center fielder, Corbin Carroll. Both sides agreed to an 8-year, $111 million deal, the largest contract in history for a player with less than 100 days of service time. Carroll hit the ground running as one of the best prospects in baseball in 2022. His plus speed, power, and defense create an elite blend of skills. An 8-game slate of the World B...

The Netherlands, Australia, and Japan are off to 2-0 starts in the World Baseball Classic. The Miami and Phoenix-based pools begin play on Saturday, and there will be some heavyweights involved. The star-studded lineups of USA, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela will take the stage. The Nationals extended Keibert Ruiz on an 8-year, $50 million deal. Ruiz, 24, is already one of the bett...

The World Baseball Classic has begun. Netherlands defeated Cuba in the tournament's opening game in Taiwan. The Astros are looking to extend Kyle Tucker and Framber Valdez but both sides remain apart in each negotiation. Mitch Moreland and Lorenzo Cain were All-Stars not long ago, but both are now retired. All this (and more) on today's episode.

MLB's new rules have been the talk of camp this Spring but the Red Sox may have found a key loophole to the infield shift rule. Gavin Lux tore his ACL & LCL and will miss the 2023 season. Who will man SS for the Dodgers? Adley Rutschman leads the group of sleeper MVP candidates this year. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Manny Machado and the Padres have agreed to a contract extension after all. It will be an 11-year, $350 million guarantee for the All-Start third baseman. San Diego realizes they have no choice but to spend big if they want to maintain in the NL West. The Red Sox-Braves game ended in a tie after a pitch clock violation forced a strikeout with two outs and the bases loaded. All this on today's epis...

MLB has introduced new rules for the 2023 season and we're seeing them on full display in Spring Training. Many Machado was the first batter to be called for an automatic strike due to a clock violation. We also have larger bases and no more shifts. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Anthony Rendon is coming off two injury-riddled seasons with the Angels. It's been a bitter pill to swallow for Angels fans who watched him star for the Nationals in 2019. Can Rendon return to form? Who will be baseball's first $500 million man? Elvis Andrus signed a one-year deal with the White Sox; he'll play second base for the first time in his MLB career.

Manny Machado announced that he will be opting out of his contract after this coming season. Machado set a February 16 deadline for the Padres to extend him but their offer (10 years, $255 million) came well short of Machado's expectations. What will next winter's free agent class look like? Can a healthy O'Neil Cruz go 30-30 this year? All this (and more) on today's episode.

The Yankees have a battle brewing at shortstop this spring. Top prospect Anthony Volpe is knocking on the MLB door but he faces stiff competition with 3 other players. Philadelphia is keeping their strong bullpen intact they agreed to keep Seranthony Dominguez around for 2 more years. Verlander and Scherzer are back together after over 8 years. All this (and more) on today's episode.

There will be many stars and familiar names playing in next month's World Baseball Classic. Mike Trout and Mookie Betts lead Team USA while Sandy Alcantara and Manny Machado will be amongst the All-Stars playing for the Dominican Republic. Miguel Cabrera (Venezuela) will have played in every Classic since it began in 2006. Cristian Javier is one of the most underrated pitchers in baseball but the...

Chris Sale is healthy at the moment. Can he stay healthy throughout 2023? It's been a trying three years for Sale as he's battled injuries every since the end of the 2019 season. The front-line starter has only thrown 57 1/3 innings (including postseason) in that timespan. How can we predict the success of Japanese hitters when they move to MLB? All this (and more) on today's episode.

Zack Greinke will be back on the mound for the Royals in 2023. After a strong season last year, Greinke isn't ready to hand up his cleats yet. What role can he play on a young team still trying to find its identity? Adley Rutschman is coming off a stellar rookie year for the Orioles. Is he already the best catcher in baseball? All this (and more) on today's episode.

The Blue Jays have reached an agreement with top reliever Chad Green on a 2-year deal. Green is on the mend from Tommy John surgery but could be available to pitch in the second half of this season. MLB veterans Darren O'Day and Dexter Fowler announced their retirements. Gunnar Henderson, Corbin Carroll, and Francisco Alvarez are atop MLB Top 100 Prospect list for 2023. What can we expect from the...

The Mets extended Jeff McNeil with a 4-year, $50 million deal. McNeil is coming off a 2022 batting title and will be the everyday second baseman in Queens for the foreseeable future. The Rays extended Pete Fairbanks and Jeffrey Springs. New outfield dimensions are coming to Rogers Centre in Toronto this year. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Scott Rolen has been elected into the Hall of Fame. Rolen received 76.3% of the vote (min. 75% required) and will join Fred McGriff for an induction ceremony in Cooperstown this summer. Rolen completed the biggest voting jump from start to finish of any Hall of Famer in history. Who's next in line? All this (and more) on today's episode.

Who will be joining Fred McGriff in this year's Hall of Fame class? It's been Scott Rolen stands the best chance but he has a long way to go to the 75% minimum. Carlos Beltran is on the ballot for the first time and he has a strong case based on playing stats; however, his involvement in the Astros 2017 sign-stealing scandal looms large. All this on today's episode.

The Marlins have acquired reigning AL batting champion Luis Arraez from the Twins in exchange for a package including RHP Pablo Lopez. Arraez will be the everyday second baseman in Miami and Lopez will boost the Twins rotation immediately. As a result of this trade, the Marlins are moving franchise star Jazz Chisholm to center field. Ronald Acu ña Jr. is poised for a bounce-back year in 2023. All...

Aroldis Chapman was the best closer in baseball for a decade but his best days are behind him now. Chapman has agreed to a one-year deal with the Royals as he falls from the spotlight. How exactly did he get here? The Cubs are silently adding notable names throughout their roster. Are they a sleeper to contend in 2023? All this on today's episode.

2023 will be a make-or-break year for some players, including former All-Stars and even a former MVP. Will Cody Bellinger's bat come back to life with the Cubs? Who is the real Lucas Giolito? Luis Severino is elite when healthy but how many starts will he make? All this (and more) on today's episode.

The salary arbitration process happens every winter and many big names are involved. What is arbitration and how does it work? Andrew McCutchen is going back to where it all began. McCutchen agreed to a one-year deal with the Pirates, where he brought home the 2013 NL MVP. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Brandon Belt's time as a San Francisco Giant has come to an end. Belt was a key cog during the Giants brief dynasty - he earned two rings along the way. Trevor Story underwent elbow surgery and may miss a significant portion of the season. Carlos Correa is now in agreement with the Twins. Is third time the charm? All this (and more) on today's episode.