Outfield Market Notes: Akiyama, Puig, Dickerson Potential Japanese import Shogo Akiyama, 31, remains a popular target on the free agent market. Yesterday’s reports affirmed the Reds and Padres atop the list of pursuers. The long-time Seibu Lions centerfielder is said to have 3-year offers on the table, per MLB Network Insider Jon Heyman (via Twitter).…
DetailsPrinting fingerprints For most printed material, the method of printing is the means to the end. As long as the result looks good it doesn’t really matter how things were actually printed. Heck, from a printing point of view, noticing how something was printed is arguably a production failure since the standard processes are intended…
DetailsThe evidence Yoenis Cespedes could make Mets comeback valuable Yoenis Cespedes retained more self-confidence than salary for next year. Speaking recently on MLB Network Radio, Eduardo Perez revealed that Cespedes had predicted in a conversation that he would hit 40 homers in 2020 and perhaps even match his uniform number — 52. Cespedes had zero…
DetailsBlue Jays Sign Shun Yamaguchi TODAY: The Blue Jays’ deal with Yamaguchi is official. They’ve signed the right-hander to a two-year, $6.35MM deal, per Scott Mitchell of TSN Sports (via Twitter). 3:35pm: There’s a deal in place, per Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca (via Twitter). 2:59pm: The Blue Jays appear to be pressing hard to add Japanese hurler…
DetailsBlue Jays Notes: Ryu, Boras, Shapiro The Blue Jays have remade their pitching staff this winter with the additions of Hyun-Jin Ryu, Tanner Roark, Chase Anderson and Shun Yamaguchi. Along with the return on Matt Shoemaker and the development of Anthony Kay, Trent Thornton, Ryan Borucki and Nate Pearson, the Blue Jays have plenty of…
DetailsAL Notes: Red Sox, Peraza, Mariners, Dipoto, Royals, Marklund Jose Peraza was almost a full win worse than the average player in 2019 (-0.9 bWAR, -0.6 fWAR), but the Red Sox signed him to a one-year, $3MM deal anyhow. The reason being the Red Sox see a speedy player who can play five positions who…
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Best of Short Relief 2019: There’s Always a Chance “By the time you make it, there will probably be a lot of Indian baseball players.” This is, word for word, exactly what my sister said to me one night in 1993 as we brushed our teeth at our parents’ bathroom sink while preparing for bed.…
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Effectively Wild Episode 1477: Multisport Sabermetrics Exchange (Tennis and Golf) Effectively Wild: Multisport Sabermetrics Exchange Basketball/Football Hockey/Cricket Golf/Tennis Soccer/Rugby Esports/Volleyball NASCAR/Cycling Diversity and Inclusion In the third installment of a special, seven-episode series on the past, present, and future of advanced analysis in non-baseball sports, Ben Lindbergh talks to Tennis Abstract founder Jeff Sackmann about…
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Free Agent Faceoff: Castellanos Vs. Ozuna The elite class of free agents – those capable of landing significant multiyear contracts – has shrunk to almost nothing since the market opened at the beginning of November. Third baseman Josh Donaldson, who could wind up with a contract in the $80MM vicinity (if not more) before next…
DetailsRemaining Needs: NL Central We’re nearly halfway through what has been a vastly more active offseason than we saw in either of the past two winters. We’ve already checked in on the NL East, AL West, and AL Central. Next up: the National League Central. Chicago Cubs Welp … it’s hard to know what to say…
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