9-5 Baseball Update - 3/9/2021
9-5 Baseball Update - 3/9/2021
Nationals may begin contract extension talks with Juan Soto soon, Odorizzi & JBJ's deals are official, & more.
Good morning.
It’s March 9th, 2021 and here’s everything that happened in the world of baseball over the last 24 hours.
The Most Important Thing
In what has been anticipated as potentially baseball’s first $500 million deal, Juan Soto, along with SS Trea Turner may be hearing from the Nationals soon regarding a contract extension, GM Mike Rizzo told reporters.
Everything Else
Monday Recaps
Transactions
RHP Jake Odorizzi’s deal with the Astros is now official. Per Mark Feinsand, Odorizzi is guaranteed $20.25 million over two years, but will earn almost $24 million with 30 appearances combined in 2021-22. To make room for Odorizzi, RHP Pedro Baez was placed on the 10-day IL.
OF Jackie Bradley Jr.’s deal with the Brewers is now official. Two years, $24 million.
Brewers INF/OF Tim Lopes was placed on the 60-day IL with a right oblique strain.
The Blue Jays announced their 2021 minor league coaching staffs.
Injuries/Chatter
The Mets checked in on 3B Maikel Franco, but Tim Britton reports it’s unlikely to come together at this point.
A’s RHP Trevor Rosenthal has a slight groin strain, manager Bob Melvin told reporters. He’s been down for two days and there’s no timetable yet for his return. Melvin did say that the team believes the strain is minor.
Brewers RHP Brandon Woodruff made his Cactus League debut yesterday. He had one strikeout and gave up two homers in two innings of work.
White Sox 2B Nick Madrigal made his Cactus League debut yesterday after continued recovery from offseason shoulder surgery. He went 0-2.
Diamondbacks SS Nick Ahmed was scratched from yesterday’s start due to right knee soreness.
Notes from Giants manager Gabe Kapler: 1B Brandon Belt will continue hitting, running and throwing for at least the next few days, as he recovers from a non-COVID virus.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts hints that LHP David Price could log some relief innings this season. Price pitched a perfect fourth inning with one K in yesterday’s game against the White Sox.
Scott Mitchell reports RHP Kirby Yates has looked good in live BP sessions and will make his Blue Jays Grapefruit League debut sometime later this week.
Mariners RHP Domingo Tapia has an oblique issue and is currently shut down.
Mets OF Jose Martinez has a torn meniscus that will require surgery. He’s expected to be sidelined roughly four months.
White Sox RHP prospect Michael Kopech will make his Cactus League debut today.
Nationals RHP Stephen Strasburg will make his Grapefruit League debut today.
Giants LHP Jose Alvarez had surgery on his groin after an injury last August. From Alvarez: “I have to wear a cup now.” Ouch.
Tigers C Grayson Greiner was diagnosed with a broken nose after taking a fastball to the face on Sunday.
Notes from Nationals GM Mike Rizzo: RHP Tanner Rainey, dealing with a muscle strain, is throwing a bullpen session today. Rizzo expects him to be ready for opening day; the release of RHP Jeremy Jeffress was for “personnel reasons;” He saw LHP Jon Lester this morning and said he looks great.
Brewers OF Lorenzo Cain has been shut down for a week with an ongoing quad issue.
Posts With Your Toast
Jackie Bradley Jr. and the Red Sox had talks about a reunion before the OF decided to bet on himself in Milwaukee.
Dieter Kurtenbach says rebuilds suck, but the Giants’ prospects are showing that the rebuild will be worth the wait.
Levi Weaver with roster projections for the Texas Rangers.
Paul Hoynes wonders if a role reversal is coming for Cleveland’s bullpen. Hoynes with more notes on the Indians.
LaMond Pope with takeaways from White Sox camp.
Zachary Rymer ranks the five best and five worst lineups in baseball for the 2021 season.
Shannon Drayer with some Mariners’ camp observations.
RHP Huascar Ynoa is making his case for a spot in the starting rotation for the Braves, writes Jake Mastroianni.
Rich DuBroff with an early look at Orioles’ starting pitching candidates.
Jay Jaffe says Shohei Ohtani is on the comeback trail.
David Schoenfield ranks which 2020 playoff teams are least likely to return to the postseason in 2021.
Podcast Recommendation
Buster Olney chats with Bryce Harper, Karl Ravich, and Cory Provus on the Baseball Tonight podcast.
Talkin’ Baseball previews the Cleveland Indians.
Random Baseball Rewind
Foul Tips
Former relief pitcher Rheal Cormier passed away after a battle with cancer. Cormier spent 16 seasons in the majors, spending time in St. Louis, Boston, Montreal, Philadelphia, & Cincinnati.
Tom Brady’s niece, Maya, is a superstar for the UCLA softball team.
God bless and good day!
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