MLB umpires like the fact that they become household names. I say they should make the end of season stats (which determine who gets playoff assignments) public. If they want to bask in the spotlight… they should be able to withstand the criticism.
Rockies and Nats announcing extensions today. I wonder if there’s any reason for that, like if there’s been any progress or increased expectation regarding the new CBA. Senzatella’s extension would make a lot more sense for the Rockies if they knew the new CBA would base free agency on age instead of service time.
He'd have to take some time off with the bat, I'd think, but can he run, catch and throw at least? Pinch run, defensive replacement?
Astros (Glendale): Korey Lee, C (No. 1); Pedro Leon, SS/OF (No. 2); Grae Kessinger, INF (No. 23); Chad Donato, RHP; R.J. Freure, RHP; Angel Macuare, RHP; Joe Record, RHP The Astros are shipping their two best prospects to the Fall League. A surprise first-rounder in 2019, Lee has well above-average power and arm strength and batted .281/.346/.448 with 11 homers in 85 games while zooming from High-A to Triple-A in his first full pro season. Leon, who landed the largest bonus ($4 million) in the 2020-21 international class and combines well-above-average raw power with top-of-the-scale arm strength, hit .224/.345/.380 with nine homers and 18 steals in 69 Double-A games.
Lee and Leon aren’t surprising but the other selections are. Hopefully Kessinger can right his ship, as he had a pretty down year. Donato and Record are really puzzling as to why they were added. I would have thought they’d send a couple high a arms out to boost their stock (like Tamarez and Taveras).
I already had Kessinger on my trade or release list for this off season and can only view his selection as one last chance. I have Donato as a likely rule 5 loss but also as a likely rule 5 return.
Seen lots of posts regarding Cranes comments on Verlander and Correa today but my perception on them is that Crane does not expect to sign either of them. He expects them to reject QOs and move on. Houston’s top offer to Correa will be something like $200M/5yr and Verlander will be something like $25M/1yr with a vesting option. I think they will still make other significant moves this offseason and field a true contender again in 2022 but I would bet Correa and Verlander are gone.
Yankees leaning on keeping Boone for now but if they let him go, Astros bench coach Joe Espada a leading candidate.
