Evening Update - 1/12/2021
Evening Update - 1/12/2021
The MLB will not mandate vaccines or COVID tests for fans, the Brewers pick up an infielder, & more.
Good evening.
It’s January 12th, 2021, and here’s everything that happened in baseball from 9 AM EST to 5 PM EST.
What You Missed While Working
Yesterday the news leaked the Rob Manfred has told clubs to prepare for Spring Training to start in February and to plan for a full 162 game season. The LA Times obtained a copy of the full memo. Manfred said the memo was intended to help clubs plan “safely welcoming fans back to ballparks in 2021.”
More from the story:
“The league also said it would mandate that fans wear a mask at all times except when eating or drinking at their seats; that social distancing be enforced in lines to enter the ballpark, for concessions and merchandise, and when leaving the ballpark; that hand sanitizer and hand-washing stations be widely available; and that a buffer zone of at least six feet be established between fans and the playing field.”
Everything Else
In his story for ESPN+, Jeff Passan says the rumors that the Padres and Fernando Tatis, Jr. were close on a long-term deal were “completely false.”
INF Daniel Robertson signed a one year major league contract with the Brewers, according to Robert Murray. Mark Feinsand says he’ll earn $900k with another $400k in incentives.
The Boston Globe baseball writers revealed their Hall of Fame ballots.
The Marlins and Cubs are potentially discussing a deal centered around Wilson Contreras.
Sean McAdam says an Andrew Benintendi trade could happen soon, but it won’t be with the Marlins. Other teams interested: Rangers, Astros, & A’s.
C Drew Butera signed a minor league deal with the Rangers, per Bob Nightengale. He'll be paid $1 million if he's on their big-league roster, including $500,000 in incentives.
The Pirates claimed OF Troy Stokes off waivers from the Tigers. LHP Nick Turley has been designated for assignment. Stokes missed the entire 2020 season after undergoing hand surgery in July.
Jason Beck says Tigers prospect Alex Faedo has had his Tommy John surgery.
The Padres, Phillies, Red Sox, and Twins are the teams that appear to be in the mix for closer Alex Colome.
RP Brad Hand is talking to teams about a multi-year deal, per Jesse Rogers.
3B Mitch Nay agreed to a minor league deal with the Angels. Drafted in 2012, Nay has yet to reach the major leagues.
The Evening’s Must Read
The best writing today was Matt Monagan on how the small nation of Belize became crazy about the Chicago Cubs.
More Evening Reading
Joel Sherman says Francisco Lindor’s contract isn’t a problem in the Mets new reality. David Lennon says Lindor and the Mets are a baseball couple meant for each other.
Jay Jaffe says Tommy Lasorda bled Dodger blue.
Vinnie Duber makes the case that the White Sox are the AL’s best team.
Craig Edwards says the White Sox clearly got the best reliever available in free agency. Trevor Bauer reacted to the Hendricks-to-CWS news with an Avengers-themed tweet.
MLB.com looks at unbreakable benchmarks of the last 40 years.
Corey Kluber is out to show he’s healthy after two lost seasons.
Experts at MLB.com debate where DJ Lemahieu will end up.
Roch Kubatko says the Orioles minor league staff looks promising.
A Podcast For The Drive Home
Fantasy drafts are right around the corner. CBS Sports’ Fantasy Baseball Today looks at ADP risers and fallers, Liam Hendricks to CWS, & more. Check it out.
Random Baseball Rewind
God bless and have a good evening!