The off-season is still very much on.
In Seattle Mariners news…
- Adam Jude over at The Seattle Times highlighted the pivot in approach last season to the old school ways of Dan Wilson and Edgar Martinez, and how the organization is embracing that approach.
- Ben Badler had glowing things to say about the Mariners farm system, highlighting players including Cole Young, Jonny Farmelo, and Lazaro Montes.
The Mariners Farm System Is Elite
Why Colt Emerson is one of the best hitters in the minors, Cole Young, Jonny Farmelo, the upside of Lazaro Montes and Seattle’s young pitching with @carloscollazo.bsky.social.
Watch: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXSA…
— Ben Badler (@benbadler.bsky.social) 2024-12-20T16:52:23.064Z
- Logan Gilbert made Pitcher List’s Top 100 pitchers, slotting in at number 10.
- Randy Arozarena fulfilled a promise, and shared his thanks, playing the sport the way it was meant to be played, with love, with the Diablillas de Hondzonot.
Mi gente, lo prometido es deuda.Yo les dije que iba a jugar con las Diablillas de Hondzonot cuando estuviera en el @VisitaCaribeMex y… ¡Se cumplió!
¡Gracias por recibirme en su casa! Fue una increíble experiencia#TheSignatureParadise pic.twitter.com/nYEBvBacVE
— Randy Arozarena (@RandyArozarena) December 20, 2024
Around the league…
- The Red Sox signed veteran hurler Patrick Sandoval.
- There are some changes coming to the MLB draft, mostly that it will be a two day event now, instead of a three day.
- More like competitive imbalance tax, am I right?
News: A record 9 teams were over the Competitive Balance Tax in 2024, according to a memo sent to clubs obtained by ESPN. They include (in order of CBT payroll): Dodgers, Mets, Yankees, Phillies, Braves, Rangers, Astros, Giants and Cubs.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) December 20, 2024
- The good news is, this probably means the Astros are out on Bregman, the bad news is the Mariners couldn’t even do this.
Christian Walker is in agreement on a contract with the Astros, which is pending a physical. Three years and $60 million, source tells @TheAthletic, confirming @BNightengale
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) December 20, 2024
- A different shade of Red team is signing reliever Bryan Shaw.
The Reds are signing reliever Bryan Shaw to a minor-league contract, source said. Shaw, who gets an invite to spring training, reunites with manager Terry Francona.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) December 20, 2024
And the Reds weren’t done there, swinging a trade for catcher Jose Trevino, and sending off Fernando Cruz and Alex Jackson to New York in return.
The Cincinnati Reds are acquiring catcher Jose Trevino from the New York Yankees for right-handed reliever Fernando Cruz and catcher Alex Jackson, sources confirm to ESPN. First on the news were @JonHeyman and @Joelsherman1.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 21, 2024
- The Angels are still loudly shouting “we’re not dead yet” and have made yet another acquisition this off-season.
The #Angels have acquired minor league LHP Mitch Farris from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for RHP Davis Daniel.
— Angels PR (@LAAngelsPR) December 20, 2024