This Week in Baseball – Mariners-Indians-Rays Trade, Free Agents, Kyler Murray, Hall of Fame, Rays Stadium
Mariners Trade… Again…
Even with GM Jerry Dipoto in the hospital, the Seattle Mariners pulled off yet another trade in their rebuilding mode. This time a three-way trade. They sent Carlos Santana to the Indians for Edwin Encarnacion with the Rays sending along Jake Bauers and money to the Indians for Yandy Diaz. The trade was announced at the tail end of the Winter Meetings but it may take us years to fully understand it.
Baseball Bound…
Kyler Murray won the Heisman Trophy for the best college football athlete in a close vote against Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa. Shortly afterward, Murray announced that he will will report to A’s camp in Spring to pursue baseball. Many experts felt he could have had a brighter future in the NFL, which is unlikely because sensitivity to light is a concussion symptom.
Signs of the Times…
The Phillies signed former MVP Andrew McCutchen and the Yankees re-signed J.A. Happ for their starting rotation. The two biggest free agent names, Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, still haven’t signed but rumors are flying and our inside sources have heard that each will sign with a major league team for lots of money. You heard it here first.
Hall of Lame…
The “Today’s Game” Committee got together and decided to add reliever Lee Smith and designated hitter Harold Baines to the Hall of Fame. They both immediately become the worst players at their positions to be added to the Hall of Fame. They both played a majority of their careers in the Windy City which makes sense because these two choices really blow.
Florida, Man…
The Tampa Rays announced that their window to pursue other locations for their stadium is closing and they are now stuck in Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida until 2027. But maybe they’ll get time off for good behavior.
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