The Ring Magazine's first-ever U.S.-based card will feature a trio of gigantic matchups.  The blo...

<p>The Ring Magazine's first-ever U.S.-based card will feature a trio of gigantic matchups.</p><p>The blockbuster boxing event, slated for May, will feature Ryan Garcia fighting Rolando Romero, Devin Haney taking on Jose Carlos Ramirez, and a heavyweight bout between Martin Bakole and Efe Ajagba, Saudi Arabia's Turki Alalshikh <a href="https://x.com/Turki_alalshikh/status/1881487525597925797">announced</a> Monday. Ring Magazine and SNK Corporation are putting on the card.</p><p>The star-studded card is scheduled for May 2, sources told <a href="https://x.com/DanRafael1/status/1881525895581806675">boxing journalist Dan Rafael</a>. Full details, including location, will be officially revealed later.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Garcia-Romero and Haney-Ramirez will both be welterweight fights, according to <a href="https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/43498952/ryan-garcia-devin-haney-share-card-planned-rematch">ESPN's Mike Coppinger</a>.</p><p>This card could be the prelude to an even bigger event. Should Garcia and Haney both win, the star pugilists will be slated to meet in the ring in October in Saudi Arabia, Coppinger reports. Garcia knocked Haney down three times in their first meeting last April en route to a decision win despite missing weight. However, his victory was overturned to a no-contest after he tested positive for a banned substance before the fight.</p><p>Garcia's matchup with Romero will be his first professional fight since receiving a one-year suspension for his positive test. His ban expires on April 20.</p><p>Garcia was scheduled to face Japanese kickboxer Rukiya Anpo in an exhibition bout on Dec. 30 in Tokyo but postponed it after suffering a wrist injury. This fight has yet to be rescheduled. </p><p>The 26-year-old Garcia owns a 24-1 professional record with one no-contest. Twenty of his wins have come via knockout.</p><p>Romero, 29, owns a 16-2 professional record with 13 knockouts. The Las Vegas native briefly held the WBA junior welterweight belt last year before losing it to Isaac "Pitbull" Cruz last March. He bounced back from that loss with a 10-round unanimous decision win over Manuel James in September.</p><p>Cruz was originally slated to be Garcia's opponent on this card, but he chose to wait until after his next scheduled fight on Feb. 1 before committing to another future bout, sources told <a href="https://x.com/DanRafael1/status/1881524224365604867">Rafael</a>.</p><p>Haney (31-0, 15 KOs, one no-contest) was the undisputed lightweight champion before moving up a class and winning the WBC's 140-pound belt. He's currently listed as the WBC's junior welterweight champion in recess.</p><p>The 26-year-old hasn't had a chance to defend his WBC junior welterweight title since winning it from Regis Prograis in 2023. Haney-Garcia was originally a title bout until Garcia missed weight.</p><p>Ramirez, 32, heads into the Haney bout sporting a 29-2 record with 18 KOs. The former WBC and WBO junior welterweight titleholder lost his most recent fight, a 10-round bout against Arnold Barboza Jr., via unanimous decision in November.</p><p>Bakole, who hails from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, owns a 21-1 record with 16 KOs at the heavyweight level. The 31-year-old is coming off a fifth-round knockout victory over Jared Anderson in August and has won his last 10 bouts.</p><p>Ajagba, 30, is a lifetime 20-1 with 14 KOs and is the reigning WBC Silver heavyweight champion. "The Silent Roller" last fought in April, when he claimed a split-decision win over Guido Vianello in Texas.</p>

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 20: Ryan Garcia gestures during a fight against Devin Haney at Barclays Center on April 20, 2024 in New York City.

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Garcia-Romero, Haney-Ramirez to headline The Ring card in May

With the Baseball Hall of Fame's class of 2025 announcement approaching, it's time to review this...

<p><em>With the Baseball Hall of Fame's class of 2025 announcement approaching, it's time to review this year's ballot. Our final installment looks at the two newcomers to the ballot. Both of these icons appear ready for phone calls Tuesday.</em></p><p><em>Note: All WAR figures from Baseball Reference unless otherwise noted.</em></p><h3>CC Sabathia</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/315967/cropped_GettyImages-1037464618.jpg?ts=1537589308" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/315967/w220xh124_GettyImages-1037464618.jpg?ts=1537589308 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/315967/w320xh180_GettyImages-1037464618.jpg?ts=1537589308 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/315967/w640xh360_GettyImages-1037464618.jpg?ts=1537589308 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/315967/w768xh432_GettyImages-1037464618.jpg?ts=1537589308 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/315967/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1037464618.jpg?ts=1537589308 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Mike Stobe / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Position:</strong> SP<br><strong>Years:</strong> 2001-19<br><strong>Teams:</strong> Cleveland, Brewers, Yankees<br><strong>S-JAWS:</strong> 50.8 (55th at SP)<br><strong>WAR:</strong> 62.3 (55th)<br><strong>Year on ballot:</strong> 1st</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>IP</th>
<th>W-L</th>
<th>ERA</th>
<th>WHIP</th>
<th>K</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>3577.1</td>
<td>251-161</td>
<td>3.74</td>
<td>1.26</td>
<td>3093</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Sabathia will likely go down as the last of his kind: a true ace who carried his teams to victory and ate innings like none of his peers. The southpaw's Hall of Fame case goes well beyond just being a workhorse, and momentum's on his side. Is Sabathia worthy of first-ballot induction?</p><p>Sabathia had multiple Division I football scholarship offers but spurned the gridiron for the mound after Cleveland drafted him 20th overall in 1998. Three years later, he was the 2001 AL Rookie of the Year runner-up while helping Cleveland to a division title.</p><p>He'd spend the next few seasons establishing his credentials as a workhorse, recording his first 200-inning season in 2002 and his first two All-Star nods in 2003 and '04 before moving into ace territory in 2006 (3.22 ERA, six complete games, and two shutouts). Sabathia broke out the following year, winning the AL Cy Young (19-7, 3.21, 209 Ks) and leading Cleveland to its first division title in six years.</p><p>When Cleveland fell out of contention quickly in 2008, Sabathia was dealt to Milwaukee for four prospects. The ensuing three-plus months were the best of his career. He made only 17 starts for the Brewers and still finished fifth in NL Cy Young voting by going 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, seven complete games, and three shutouts. Sabathia carried the Brewers to October, making three starts on three days' rest down the stretch - capped by a four-hit complete game to end Milwaukee's 26-year postseason drought.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xjvFysuQIgk?si=dl_1QCa7wkP0fGmi" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure><p>Sabathia was the big prize of the 2008-09 offseason, and the New York Yankees won the bidding with a seven-year, $161-million contract - the largest ever given to a pitcher at the time. The deal paid off quickly for both sides: Sabathia's 19 wins in 2009 led the majors, and he won ALCS MVP as the Yankees waltzed to their 27th World Series title.</p><p>Sabathia finished in the top four in Cy Young voting and was an All-Star during three of his first four campaigns with the Yankees. New York made the playoffs eight times in his 11 seasons with the club, although the team never advanced beyond the ALCS after '09.</p><p>In 2013, Sabathia entered the most difficult stretch of his career. After undergoing elbow surgery following the 2012 playoffs, his ERA spiked to 4.78 in '13. He lost significant weight that winter but made only eight starts in 2014 due to a knee issue. Sabathia helped the Yankees return to the playoffs in 2015 - albeit with a 4.73 ERA - but wasn't on the postseason roster. After earning the win to clinch the team's playoff berth on Oct. 1, he went on a drinking binge. Days later, he left the team and entered rehab for alcoholism.</p><p>A healthy and sober Sabathia bounced back in 2016, turning in his best season since 2012. Over his final four years, he continued to serve as a steady innings-eater at the back of the Yankees' rotation before retiring after the 2019 campaign. On April 30, 2019, Sabathia became the third left-hander to record 3,000 strikeouts.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CA7Y2ic_8Lc?si=2r9Je2NIK2Gl8ACj" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure><p>As far as the traditional numbers go, Sabathia checks plenty of boxes. He's among 15 pitchers with 250 wins and 3,000 strikeouts, with all but three in the Hall of Fame. Sabathia retired with the third-most strikeouts among southpaws and reached 3,000 despite only three 200-K seasons and a lifetime 7.8 K/9 rate.</p><p>Sabathia threw more innings (3,577 1/3) than any other pitcher in the 21st century, finishing with eight 200-IP campaigns while surpassing 230 five times. He pitched a career-high 253 innings in 2008.</p><p>Some may quibble with Sabathia's 3.74 ERA, which would be the third-highest among Hall of Famers if elected. But that mark is offset by a 116 ERA+ that's better than multiple inductees', including Steve Carlton and Fergie Jenkins. Despite being below the HOF average in advanced stats such as JAWS and WAR, Sabathia is right alongside plenty of notable names in those categories who are inside the Hall and out. From 2006-12, only Roy Halladay had more WAR than Sabathia's 38.4.</p><p>Sabathia's career passes the smell test when you add his Cy Young award and playoff success with the Yankees. Whether he's worthy of first-ballot induction is another matter. However, he's headed in that direction, having earned 93.1% of the known vote<strong>. </strong></p><h3>Ichiro Suzuki</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/343220/cropped_GettyImages-629013.jpg?ts=1552569637" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/343220/w220xh124_GettyImages-629013.jpg?ts=1552569637 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/343220/w320xh180_GettyImages-629013.jpg?ts=1552569637 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/343220/w640xh360_GettyImages-629013.jpg?ts=1552569637 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/343220/w768xh432_GettyImages-629013.jpg?ts=1552569637 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/343220/w1080xh607_GettyImages-629013.jpg?ts=1552569637 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Otto Greule Jr / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Position:</strong> RF<br><strong>Years:</strong> 2001-19<br><strong>Teams:</strong> Mariners, Yankees, Marlins<br><strong>JAWS:</strong> 51.9 (17th at RF)<br><strong>WAR:</strong> 60.0 (21st)<br><strong>Year on ballot:</strong> 1st</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>GP</th>
<th>BA</th>
<th>OPS</th>
<th>H</th>
<th>HR</th>
<th>RBI</th>
<th>SB</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>2653</td>
<td>.311</td>
<td>.757</td>
<td>3089</td>
<td>117</td>
<td>780</td>
<td>509</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>In 2001, as steroid-fueled sluggers were sending baseballs into orbit, a scrawny Japanese outfielder crossed the Pacific and made the art of hitting cool again. Over his 28 professional seasons, 19 of which were in MLB, Suzuki left an indelible mark on baseball that spans continents and cultures. This is one of the easiest Hall of Fame cases in recent memory, so let's relive Suzuki's greatness to understand why he should be a unanimous choice.</p><p>Suzuki learned baseball from his father, Nobuyuki, who led him through rigorous daily drills from around age 7. According to a 2018 profile by <a href="https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/22624561/ichiro-suzuki-return-seattle-mariners-resolve-internal-battle">ESPN's Wright Thompson</a>, Nobuyuki's methods strained their relationship, and the two no longer speak. A two-way star in high school, Suzuki was drafted as an outfielder by the Pacific League's Orix BlueWave in 1991.</p><p>Suzuki split his first two years between NPB and Japan's minor leagues. He struggled in limited at-bats and fought with his manager over his unorthodox batting style and trademark leg kick. But in 1994, Orix's new skipper, Akira Ogi, embraced his young star's quirks, allowing Suzuki to take off. Ogi was also responsible for Suzuki wearing his first name on the back of his jersey instead of his common Japanese surname.</p><p>In 1994, his first full season, the 20-year-old Suzuki recorded the first 200-hit campaign in NPB history and collected his first of three consecutive Pacific League MVPs. From 1994-2000, he won seven straight batting titles, Gold Gloves, and Best Nine awards. Suzuki led the Blue Wave to Pacific League pennants in 1995 and '96 and a Japan Series title in the latter year.</p><p>Suzuki's success didn't go unnoticed in North America, particularly after he hit .380 in a 1998 exhibition series against MLB stars. Orix posted him for a move to MLB in 2000, and the Seattle Mariners signed him to a three-year contract after winning a blind bid.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WYAxk01E404?si=NGcruLBE4aNme-G7" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure><p>Led by their new superstar, the 2001 Mariners won a record-tying 116 games. Suzuki hit .350 to win his first AL batting crown while leading the majors in hits (242), steals (56), and plate appearances (738). He also topped AL right fielders in total zone runs (15). In addition to his near-unanimous AL Rookie of the Year honor (Sabathia earned one vote), Suzuki received a Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, and AL MVP, joining Fred Lynn in 1975 as the second rookie to win MVP.</p><p>Suzuki hit .300 in each of his first 10 big-league seasons and went above .350 four times, including a career-high .372 to earn his second batting title in 2004. He led the league in hits seven times, and his 10 straight 200-hit campaigns are a record. Suzuki also claimed three Silver Sluggers and 10 Gold Gloves.</p><p>On Oct. 1, 2004, Suzuki singled for his 258th hit of the season, breaking George Sisler's 84-year-old single-season record. His final total of 262 may never be broken.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HL-XjMCPfio?si=SnFWbxIHi98_ys25" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure><p>Suzuki started his first of 10 All-Star Games as a rookie and was the 2007 game's MVP after going 3-for-3 with an <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiwO2BjcweU">inside-the-park home run</a>. His profane <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2678297/2021/07/06/untold-stories-of-ichiro-wrestling-with-griffey-all-star-speeches-and-ichi-wings/">All-Star Game clubhouse speeches</a> quickly entered Midsummer Classic lore, highlighting his great sense of humor (warning: video contains coarse language).</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GtImIqR5neU?si=fHGS8tqOeyjEqjXV" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure><p>Suzuki's production declined quickly after 2010. The struggling Mariners traded him to the Yankees in July 2012 - he <a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/ichiro-s-first-hit-as-a-yankee-c23289655">switched clubhouses</a> in Seattle after the deal was announced - and he briefly rediscovered his old form down the stretch to help the Bronx Bombers reach the ALCS. Suzuki spent two more below-average seasons in New York, where his one big highlight was <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xY4bL3m3AM">professional hit No. 4,000</a> (including his NPB totals) on Aug. 21, 2013. He's one of <a href="https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/1044841">nine players</a> with 4,000 verified professional hits.</p><p>At age 41, Suzuki joined the Marlins for three years as a fourth outfielder and pinch hitter, roles he seemed to embrace. He fulfilled a lifelong dream by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uX5MvGSZ4Sk">pitching</a> one inning in '15 and had 27 pinch-hits in 2017, one shy of the single-season record. On Aug. 7, 2016, Suzuki tripled at Coors Field for his 3,000th MLB hit, the first Asian-born member of the club.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GpOSRbSp4uE?si=8BF50ZedUqhgNaGc" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure><p>A return to Seattle in 2018 lasted just 47 plate appearances before he was released, although he remained with the organization as a special assistant. When the Mariners opened their 2019 season at the Tokyo Dome, Suzuki was re-activated to finish his career at home. He went hitless, but the adoring crowd didn't care, as Japan sent its national hero off in style.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/T8gg2NolekM?si=XxI5ro1xVHifZsg_" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure><p>Despite not arriving in the majors until age 27, Suzuki retired as one of seven players with 3,000 hits and 500 steals. His numbers would've been even better had he come over earlier. Suzuki also has a litany of awards and records to enhance his case, not to mention his cultural impact.</p><p>The only question is whether he'll become the Hall of Fame's first unanimously-elected position player (writers have unanimously elected one pitcher, Mariano Rivera in 2019). Through 175 ballots in the tracker, he's batting 1.000, and here's hoping it stays that way<strong>. </strong>If anyone deserves to crack this ceiling, it's unquestionably Suzuki.</p>

https://rich-content.thescore.com/content_cards/29909986/related

2025 Baseball HOF preview: Ichiro, Sabathia ready to get their calls

With the Baseball Hall of Fame's class of 2024 announcement approaching, it's time to review this...

<p><em>With the Baseball Hall of Fame's class of 2024 announcement approaching, it's time to review this year's ballot. Today, we highlight the returnees poised to make serious gains in voting and perhaps even enter Cooperstown. One of them appears to finally be ready for his long-awaited moment. Will anyone else get a phone call next week?</em></p><p><em>Note: All WAR figures from Baseball-Reference unless otherwise noted.</em></p><p><strong>Jump to:</strong><br><a href="#Andruw%20Jones">Andruw Jones</a> I <a href="#Chase%20Utley">Chase Utley</a> I <a href="#Billy%20Wagner">Billy Wagner</a></p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><h3>Carlos Beltrán</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/555282/cropped_GettyImages-119843882.jpg?ts=1674142477" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/555282/w220xh124_GettyImages-119843882.jpg?ts=1674142477 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/555282/w320xh180_GettyImages-119843882.jpg?ts=1674142477 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/555282/w640xh360_GettyImages-119843882.jpg?ts=1674142477 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/555282/w768xh432_GettyImages-119843882.jpg?ts=1674142477 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/555282/w1080xh607_GettyImages-119843882.jpg?ts=1674142477 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Joe Robbins / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Position:</strong> CF<br><strong>Years: </strong>1998-2017<br><strong>Teams:</strong> Royals, Astros, Mets, Giants, Cardinals, Yankees, Rangers<br><strong>JAWS:</strong> 57.3 (9th at CF)<br><strong>WAR:</strong> 70.1 (8th)<br><strong>Year on ballot:</strong> 3rd (57.1% in 2024)</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>GP</th>
<th>BA</th>
<th>OPS</th>
<th>H</th>
<th>HR</th>
<th>RBI</th>
<th>SB</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>2586</td>
<td>.279</td>
<td>.837</td>
<td>2725</td>
<td>435</td>
<td>1587</td>
<td>312</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>In his prime, Beltrán was arguably his generation's best two-way center fielder. He never led a major offensive category and missed a few milestones because of hard-luck injuries, but he stood tall year after year as a cornerstone switch-hitting, five-tool center fielder for two decades.</p><p>Beltrán's Cooperstown credentials can sneak up on you: He's one of just eight players with 300 home runs and 300 stolen bases. An excellent baserunner, Beltrán owns the highest stolen-base percentage (86.4%) among players with at least 300 attempts and sits 29th in doubles and 25th in extra-base hits. His 38 defensive runs saved in center field since 2003 place him third at the position. He's a hair below the average HOF center fielder in JAWS and WAR, and everyone above him, save for the still-active Mike Trout, is already in.</p><p>His prominent role in the 2017 Astros' sign-stealing scheme has kept him from being enshrined for the first two years. Beltrán was the only active player named in commissioner Rob Manfred's report on the scandal. He initially <a href="http://theathletic.com/1376638/2019/11/13/three-major-league-managers-are-connected-to-astros-sign-stealing/">denied</a> wrongdoing, but the league cited him as a key participant early in the investigation. The Mets hired Beltrán as their manager around the time MLB discovered the scheme, and the sides agreed to part ways before he ever managed a game.</p><p>The history of illegal sign-stealing in baseball is long and well-documented. Suffice to say, the Astros were hardly groundbreakers. Voters at least recognized that much, as Beltrán's never been in danger of dropping off the ballot. Had the scandal never happened, he'd likely still have needed a couple of years to grow his case. So, the question surrounding Beltrán has morphed from why he's being "punished" to how long this will continue.</p><p>Beltrán is polling well above 75% in the tracker for the first time<strong> - </strong>he's at 80.2% as of Sunday. His net gain of 31 votes was the biggest of 2024, and he's leading that category again this year at plus-20. Beltrán needs to start flipping the more conservative private voters, which won't be easy in light of the scandal.</p><p>There's now an outside chance Beltrán can stay above 75% and go into the Hall on Tuesday. Even if that doesn't happen, he'll come out of this cycle in perfect position to headline the class of 2026, when he'll be the most qualified candidate on a wide-open ballot.</p><h3><a id="Andruw Jones" name="Andruw%20Jones">Andruw Jones</a></h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/492759/cropped_GettyImages-81592850.jpg?ts=1703607088" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/492759/w220xh124_GettyImages-81592850.jpg?ts=1703607088 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/492759/w320xh180_GettyImages-81592850.jpg?ts=1703607088 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/492759/w640xh360_GettyImages-81592850.jpg?ts=1703607088 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/492759/w768xh432_GettyImages-81592850.jpg?ts=1703607088 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/492759/w1080xh607_GettyImages-81592850.jpg?ts=1703607088 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Sports Illustrated / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Position:</strong> CF<br><strong>Years: </strong>1996-2012<br><strong>Teams:</strong> Braves, Dodgers, Rangers, White Sox, Yankees<br><strong>JAWS:</strong> 54.6 (11th at CF)<br><strong>WAR:</strong> 62.7 (14th)<br><strong>Year on ballot:</strong> 7th (61.6% in 2024)</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>GP</th>
<th>BA</th>
<th>OPS</th>
<th>H</th>
<th>HR</th>
<th>RBI</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>2196</td>
<td>.254.</td>
<td>823</td>
<td>1933</td>
<td>434</td>
<td>1289</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Jones has a legitimate case as the greatest defensive center fielder ever. He's got the hardware to prove it: only two outfielders - Willie Mays and Roberto Clemente - won more Gold Gloves than Jones' 10. The stats back it up, too: Jones' 235 <a href="https://stathead.com/tiny/OTMLW">fielding runs</a>, which track defense across all eras, are 50 ahead of second-place Mays in center. And the eye test? Oh, you better believe he passes.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/N4S3jCCck1w?si=NXTJPvt-lVkY4dPO" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure><p>Jones' defense was so great that it credibly builds his entire Hall of Fame case, even when accounting for his rapid decline at age 31. Without that sudden drop-off and a late-career move to Japan, he likely would've reached 2,000 MLB hits. However, the BBWAA has never elected an expansion-era player (since 1961) into the HOF with less than 2,000. Jones also might've taken a run at 500 homers since he was no slouch offensively, winning the Hank Aaron Award for his 51-homer season in 2005. But without the round numbers, defense carries the load. That's why it's taken so long for voters to see his case.</p><p>Jones failed to crack 8% in his first two tries before support began to grow steadily. His overall climb can be attributed to the changing electorate, as younger voters are more likely to be swayed by his nontraditional Hall of Fame case. First-time voters played a huge role in Jones' jump above 50% in 2023 - 64.7% in that category last year - and that's continuing this year, with new voters checking his name at a 66.7% clip (70.6% when including tallies from two returning voters who sat out last year's election).</p><p>Jones' net gain of 44 votes in 2023 was a catalyst for his 41% spike in year-over-year support and jump above 50%. But he followed that up with a net of just plus-nine in 2024 and only nine thus far in '25.<strong> </strong>His 72.1% tracker total is impressive and might even rise above 75% before Tuesday, but it'll also fall sharply when private tallies - the group he's still struggling to reach - are added in. Still, Jones is in great shape with two years to go.</p><h3><a id="Chase Utley" name="Chase%20Utley">Chase Utley</a></h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/70134/cropped_USPW_358938.jpg?ts=1703286492" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/70134/w220xh124_USPW_358938.jpg?ts=1703286492 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/70134/w320xh180_USPW_358938.jpg?ts=1703286492 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/70134/w640xh360_USPW_358938.jpg?ts=1703286492 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/70134/w768xh432_USPW_358938.jpg?ts=1703286492 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/70134/w1080xh607_USPW_358938.jpg?ts=1703286492 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports / Reuters</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Position:</strong> 2B<br><strong>Years: </strong>2003-18<br><strong>Teams:</strong> Phillies, Dodgers<br><strong>JAWS:</strong> 56.9 (12th at 2B)<br><strong>WAR:</strong> 64.5 (15th)<br><strong>Year on ballot:</strong> 2nd (28.8% in 2024)</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>GP</th>
<th>BA</th>
<th>OPS</th>
<th>H</th>
<th>HR</th>
<th>RBI</th>
<th>SB</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1937</td>
<td>.275</td>
<td>.823</td>
<td>1885</td>
<td>259</td>
<td>1025</td>
<td>154</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Few athletes personified Philadelphia quite like Utley, the hard-nosed soul of the Phillies' great late-aughts teams. He was also one of the best in the business at the keystone, placing a hair below the average HOF second baseman in JAWS and WAR and well above the mean in seven-year peak WAR (49.3).</p><p>From 2005-11, Utley hit .293/.383/.513 (131 OPS+) while averaging 25 homers, 88 RBIs, and 15 steals a year. He scored 100-plus runs in four of those campaigns, including a National League-best 131 in 2006, and tallied an MLB-best 122 defensive runs saved for good measure. Only Albert Pujols accrued more WAR over that span than Utley's 49.3. He did all that while leading the Phillies to five straight NL East crowns and the 2008 World Series title - where he made his signature play late in the clinching Game 5.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/32BSSvmtsFQ?si=UmN3S8MQfl6Ja6oa" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure><p>Utley's shorter career cost him important traditional counting numbers. But he made up for those shortcomings with a 118 wRC+ that matches Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar's and is better than Craig Biggio's and Ryne Sandberg's. His 64.5 career WAR is fourth among players with less than 2,000 hits (Mookie Betts passed him in 2024). The low hit total is easier to overlook when you add Utley's high OBP (.358) and stellar baseball IQ as an elite baserunner and defender.</p><p>Speaking of defense, Utley - who inexplicably won zero Gold Gloves - is one of the greatest defensive second basemen ever. He's seventh at the keystone in <a href="https://stathead.com/tiny/UiB20">fielding runs</a> (131), which spans all eras, and second in <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?lg=all&amp;ind=0&amp;team=0&amp;rost=0&amp;players=0&amp;season1=1871&amp;season=2024&amp;qual=y&amp;stats=fld&amp;pos=2b&amp;type=1&amp;sortcol=12&amp;sortdir=default&amp;pagenum=1">DRS</a> (123) since 2003. One of just 22 players with 100 career DRS across all positions, Utley also owns five of the top 30 single-season DRS seasons at second.</p><p>For such a nontraditional Hall of Fame case, Utley started his journey strong, debuting at 28.8% last year. This time around, he's up to 53.5% in the tracker with a net gain of 11, putting him in position for a massive gain even if that percentage drops in the final vote. Utley's on the right path long term, and that's excellent news.</p><h3><a id="Billy Wagner" name="Billy%20Wagner">Billy Wagner</a></h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/280544/cropped_GettyImages-2132751.jpg?ts=1516915143" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/280544/w220xh124_GettyImages-2132751.jpg?ts=1516915143 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/280544/w320xh180_GettyImages-2132751.jpg?ts=1516915143 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/280544/w640xh360_GettyImages-2132751.jpg?ts=1516915143 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/280544/w768xh432_GettyImages-2132751.jpg?ts=1516915143 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/280544/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2132751.jpg?ts=1516915143 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Ronald Martinez / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Position:</strong> RP<br><strong>Years: </strong>1995-2010<br><strong>Teams:</strong> Astros, Phillies, Mets, Red Sox, Braves<br><strong>R-JAWS:</strong> 24.9 (6th at RP)<br><strong>WAR:</strong> 27.7 (14th)<br><strong>Year on ballot:</strong> 10th (73.8% in 2024)</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>IP</th>
<th>W-L</th>
<th>ERA</th>
<th>WHIP</th>
<th>K</th>
<th>SV</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>903</td>
<td>47-40</td>
<td>2.31</td>
<td>1.00</td>
<td>1196</td>
<td>422</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>A reliever really has to stand out from the pack to be considered for the Hall of Fame. Wagner, perhaps the best southpaw closer ever, did that and then some over a 16-year career that's brought him to Cooperstown's doorstep.</p><p>Among his credentials: "Billy Wags" ranks eighth all time in saves, owns a lower WHIP than Mariano Rivera (albeit in over 300 fewer innings), and has the highest K/9 rate (11.9) among pitchers with at least 900 innings. He never led in saves but ranked top-10 in 10 of 16 seasons, had four 100-K campaigns, and earned Cy Young votes twice, including a fourth-place finish in 1999. Wagner even cracked the pitching WAR leaderboard once, placing 10th in the NL in '99.</p><p>On the other side, Wagner's 903 innings is a very low total, even for a one-inning reliever. Excluding Negro Leaguers, he'd be the first Hall of Fame pitcher with fewer than 1,000 big-league innings. While Wagner is right behind five of the eight Hall of Fame relievers in R-JAWS (Jay Jaffe's metric that offsets starting pitcher WAR to help better evaluate relievers), he's well back of the average HOF stopper in traditional JAWS, WAR, and seven-year peak WAR. Wagner also struggled in the playoffs and never closed for a World Series champion.</p><p>Wagner's overall body of work finally gained recognition in the last few years. After a 33.5% spike of support in 2023, Wagner was set for a call last year but fell short by five votes. That's not happening again. He's already picked up nine votes with no losses in the tracker and is polling at 84.9%. Come Tuesday, Wagner will pass the title of "best reliever outside Cooperstown" to someone else because he's heading to the Hall of Fame.</p>

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2025 Baseball HOF preview: Will Beltrán, Wagner finally make it?

Major League Baseball was closely monitoring Roki Sasaki's posting process.  Before he was offici...

<p>Major League Baseball was closely monitoring Roki Sasaki's posting process.</p><p>Before he was officially posted in December, the league conducted an investigation to confirm that Sasaki didn't have any pre-existing handshake agreements with any MLB clubs, which would circumvent the international free-agent signing rules, a league official told <a href="https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2025-01-18/dodgers-roki-sasaki-mlb-investigation">Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times</a>.</p><p>Sasaki announced Friday that he's signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He chose the reigning champions over two other finalists, the San Diego Padres and the Toronto Blue Jays, after drawing interest from over 20 teams. However, his decision - while expected in many parts - sparked questions about whether the Dodgers always had the upper hand.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Former big-league general manager Jim Bowden told <a href="https://x.com/FoulTerritoryTV/status/1880407758094372926?mx=2">Foul Territory</a> that multiple clubs believed Sasaki had an under-the-table agreement with the Dodgers before his posting period began. In November, former Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel, a teammate of Sasaki's with NPB's Chiba Lotte Marines this past season, <a href="https://nypost.com/2024/11/10/sports/roki-sasaki-is-coveted-by-mets-yankees-dodgers-dallas-keuchel-reveals-why/">said</a> he heard "rumblings" of the same nature.</p><p>Sasaki's agent, Joel Wolfe, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3135067" href="https://thescore.com/news/3135067">denied</a> his client had any kind of verbal contract with the Dodgers earlier in the offseason.</p><p>After conducting interviews with "numerous parties," MLB ultimately found no evidence of an illegal agreement, a source told Harris, who added that Sasaki's official posting was only approved after the investigation was completed.</p><p>Because he elected to jump to MLB before turning 25, Sasaki was considered an international free agent. His earnings are therefore capped under international bonus pool rules, so he'll reportedly receive a $6.5 million signing bonus.</p><p>Sasaki put up a 2.02 ERA and 0.88 WHIP over four seasons with the Marines in Japan's top professional league. The 23-year-old threw a perfect game with 19 strikeouts in 2022.</p>

CHIBA, JAPAN - MAY 05: Roki Sasaki of the Chiba Lotte Marines throws in the 5th inning against Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks at Zozo Marine Stadium on May 5, 2023 in Chiba, Japan.

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Report: MLB investigated Sasaki before posting, found no illegal deals

Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts is aware of fans' criticisms about the team's recent spending hab...

<p>Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts is aware of fans' criticisms about the team's recent spending habits, but he feels they're unfair gripes.</p><p>"The business model in baseball, it's worked pretty well for a long time, but there's a few things right now that are just a little out of kilter," Ricketts said during an appearance on <a href="https://www.audacy.com/670thescore/sports/chicago-cubs/tom-ricketts-takes-issue-with-narrative-cubs-dont-spend-enough">670 The Score's "Inside the Clubhouse"</a> Saturday. "Obviously, the Dodgers have a lot more resources, naturally, from smart business moves they made years ago. I don't begrudge them any of that. Some teams just have outside resources that are funding their player moves and acquisitions, and that's really hard to compete with. </p><p>"I understand when fans say, 'How come you don't spend like that?' Because they think somehow we have all these dollars that the Dodgers have or the Mets have or the Yankees have and we just keep it. Which isn't true at all. What happens is we try to break even every year, and that's about it."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The Cubs have made one significant move this winter - trading for All-Star outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8173" href="/mlb/players/8173">Kyle Tucker</a>. They've also added some rotation depth in free agency by signing veterans <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5285" href="/mlb/players/5285">Matthew Boyd</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4987" href="/mlb/players/4987">Colin Rea</a>.</p><p>However, there's been no indication of extension talks with Tucker - who becomes a free agent next winter - since he joined the club in December. The Cubs followed up Tucker's acquisition by sending NL MVP <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4899" href="/mlb/players/4899">Cody Bellinger</a> to the New York Yankees for reliever <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12787" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12787">Cody Poteet</a>, in what amounted to a salary dump, although Ricketts pushed back at that notion.</p><p>"If we trade Cody Bellinger for a starting pitcher, that's a trade," Ricketts said. "If we trade Cody Bellinger to get the resources to sign a pitcher, that's a salary dump. It doesn't make any sense."</p><p>The Cubs' 2025 payroll currently sits at around $180 million, per <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/breakdowns/payroll">FanGraphs</a>, ranking 13th in the majors. But Ricketts told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6071307/2025/01/18/tom-ricketts-state-of-the-cubs/">The Athletic's Patrick Mooney</a> that he's expecting payroll to approach the first luxury-tax threshold of $241 million, adding that money will also be available for trade-deadline additions.</p><p>Although his team hasn't made the playoffs since 2020 and last won a round in 2017, Ricketts feels the Cubs are on the right path toward perennial contention, even with a lower payroll. </p><p>"The way you're going to win the World Series is to make the playoffs as often as possible," he said on "Inside the Clubhouse." "If you keep making it to the playoffs, you've got a shot. Our goal is to be consistent and always have a team that we think can win our division ... absolutely, we've got to get back to being a team that competes for titles. That's everything."</p>

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 18: Tom Ricketts, Chairman of the Chicago Cubs stands on the field prior to a game between the Chicago Cubs and the Colorado Rockies at Wrigley Field on September 18, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois.

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Cubs' Ricketts defends payroll: We can't spend like Dodgers, Mets

<p><em>With the Baseball Hall of Fame's class of 2025 announcement approaching, it's time to review this year's ballot. Today, we break down the most intriguing first-ballot candidate's long-term chances. Once among the best in the business, he's now hoping to take the long road to Cooperstown.</em></p><p><em>Note: All WAR figures from Baseball Reference unless otherwise noted.</em></p><h3>Félix Hernández</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/377026/cropped_GettyImages-81760542.jpg?ts=1569173946" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/377026/w220xh124_GettyImages-81760542.jpg?ts=1569173946 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/377026/w320xh180_GettyImages-81760542.jpg?ts=1569173946 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/377026/w640xh360_GettyImages-81760542.jpg?ts=1569173946 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/377026/w768xh432_GettyImages-81760542.jpg?ts=1569173946 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/377026/w1080xh607_GettyImages-81760542.jpg?ts=1569173946 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Jim McIsaac / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Position:</strong> SP<br><strong>Years:</strong> 2005-2019<br><strong>Teams:</strong> Mariners<br><strong>S-JAWS:</strong> 44.1 (98th at SP)<br><strong>WAR:</strong> 49.7 (114th)<br><strong>Year on ballot:</strong> 1st</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>IP</th>
<th>W-L</th>
<th>ERA</th>
<th>WHIP</th>
<th>K</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>2729.2</td>
<td>169-136</td>
<td>3.42</td>
<td>1.21</td>
<td>2524</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>When Hernández pitched, it often felt like you were watching a Hall of Famer. He was utterly dominant in his prime, and that dominance is what made his rapid decline so tough to watch. Hernández's short but brilliant peak is now on the ballot, and it presents a fascinating case study for modern starters and the Hall.</p><p>Hernández's talents were flagged by scouts during his teenage years in Venezuela, leading to a fight for his services. He ultimately chose the Mariners, taking their $710,000 bonus over higher offers from other teams in 2002. By age 19, he was the top-ranked pitching prospect in baseball.</p><p>Seattle summoned Hernández to the majors Aug. 4, 2005, making him the youngest pitcher to that point (19 years, 118 days old) to debut in the wild-card era. He began his full ascension in '07; by 2009, he'd broken out as an ace, finishing second in AL Cy Young voting to Zack Greinke.</p><p>The Mariners' attempts to get him help flopped - Seattle lost 101 games in 2010 - but King Félix rose above the mess to capture the AL Cy Young. He did so despite a 13-12 record that marked the lowest number of wins for a Cy Young-winning starter at the time. His 2.27 ERA led the majors, and he topped AL pitchers in WAR (7.2), innings (249.2), and starts (34) while placing second in strikeouts and WHIP and throwing six complete games.</p><p>From 2009-15, Hernández dominated, going 104-65 with a 2.83 ERA (136 ERA+), 2.99 FIP, and 1.11 WHIP while earning All-Star berths and Cy Young votes in six of those seasons. On Aug. 15, 2012, King Félix threw the 23rd perfect game in MLB history, striking out 12 on 113 pitches.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t3L9trSggYk?si=pykPEJHyp5vNC-9U" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure><p>Despite the Mariners' inability to field a winner, Hernández was loyal, signing a five-year extension in 2013. Seattle finally turned it around the following year, missing the playoffs by one game, and much of that 2014 success was thanks to Seattle's king, who won his second career ERA title (2.14) and led the AL in WHIP (0.92) along with a career-high 248 strikeouts.</p><p>Nobody knew at the time that 2014 would be Hernández's last great campaign. He finished seventh in Cy Young voting in 2015 despite a huge spike in ERA (3.53) and WHIP (1.18). In 2016, Hernández's fastball and sinker velocities dipped considerably. At just 30 years old, his years of heavy workloads were rapidly catching up to him.</p><p>Hernández's spiral continued into 2017, when shoulder woes limited him to 16 starts and a 4.36 ERA (96 ERA+). The bottom fell out in 2018, when he went 8-14 with a 5.55 ERA, 5.18 FIP, and 1.40 WHIP over 155 2/3 innings. His velocity was gone.</p><p>Still, Seattle showed lots of love for its king. In his final big-league start on Sept. 26, 2019, he slogged through 5 1/3 innings before leaving the T-Mobile Park mound to an emotional ovation.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mk2Gk4tKBko?si=JhJPgD2lrmhsQ_zp" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></figure><p>Hernández was added to the Mariners Hall of Fame in 2023, and the team hasn't issued No. 34 since he left. Cooperstown, however, is another story. Because his career ended at age 33, Hernández fell short of numerous important counting milestones, meaning he needs to be compared to other short-peak, high-value pitchers to gauge his worthiness.</p><p>By S-JAWS, Jay Jaffe's adjusted JAWS metric designed to offset larger totals from bygone eras of pitching, he fares well. Hernández is 98th in S-JAWS, respectable given he threw his final pitch at age 33, and sits a hair back of the ultimate short-peak Hall of Famer, Sandy Koufax. Hernández actually has Koufax beat in career WAR (49.7 to 48.9). He's also ahead of Jacob deGrom, who will have his own fascinating Cooperstown case in a few years, but well back of Johan Santana, another incredible short-peak pitcher who's on the outside.</p><p>The Koufax comparisons don't extend beyond WAR, though. Hernández's seven-year peak WAR (a player's seven best seasons) of 38.5 is well behind the Dodgers icon and several other short-peak HOFers such as Dizzy Dean. Regular JAWS pushes Hernández back even further to 113th place. His ERA+ (117) would rank 23rd among Hall of Fame pitchers with less than 3,000 innings, ahead of only dead-ball era hurler Jack Chesbro - one of the weakest HOF inductees.</p><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/285785/cropped_GettyImages-811421494.jpg?ts=1519678415" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/285785/w220xh124_GettyImages-811421494.jpg?ts=1519678415 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/285785/w320xh180_GettyImages-811421494.jpg?ts=1519678415 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/285785/w640xh360_GettyImages-811421494.jpg?ts=1519678415 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/285785/w768xh432_GettyImages-811421494.jpg?ts=1519678415 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/285785/w1080xh607_GettyImages-811421494.jpg?ts=1519678415 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Lindsey Wasson / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>When the cut-off is shortened to 21st-century pitchers with at least 2,000 innings, he places 10th in ERA and K/9, ninth in HR/9, 11th in FIP, and 13th in WHIP. By WAR, he's tied with Roy Oswalt for 13th since 2000 (with no innings cutoff). Those are very good spots to be, but they're also a bit further back than one might expect of a pitcher whose peak years were otherworldly. This only adds to the conundrum of Hernández's case. In so many ways, he seems to fall short. But if we view him through a contemporary lens, under the new norms of starting pitching in 2025, he might actually measure up.</p><p>Outside of a few select names, it's becoming incredibly difficult to determine what a modern Hall of Fame pitcher looks like. It makes Hernández's case that much harder to judge. The fact that he's all but assured of a second year on the ballot - he's at 25% in the tracker - means that the writers clearly want some more time to think this over. What's fascinating is that they're going to give him this shot after all but ignoring Santana, Oswalt, Tim Hudson, and Mark Buehrle - all of whom had higher WAR than Hernández.</p><p>Active pitchers such as deGrom, Chris Sale, and Gerrit Cole will surely be paying close attention to Hernández's ballot journey. So will his contemporaries who were quickly booted from, or are in danger of falling off, the writers' ballot. Hernández is now the test case for the new breed of pitcher, and over the next decade he'll help redefine what a Hall of Fame pitcher is - even if he never becomes one himself.</p>

Seattle Mariners pitcher Felix Hernandez waves to the King's Court as he takes the mound for what is likely his final start in their game against the Oakland Athletics, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019. (Genna Martin, Seattlepi.com)

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2025 Baseball HOF preview: King Félix will be test case for modern pitchers

<p><em>With the Baseball Hall of Fame's class of 2025 announcement approaching, it's time to review this year's ballot. Today, we look at returnees with stellar numbers who had on- and off-field controversies that stalled their candidacies - and sent one player's into a tailspin. </em></p><p><em>Note: All WAR figures from Baseball Reference unless otherwise noted.</em></p><h3>Andy Pettitte</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/4357/cropped_REU_1868222.jpg?ts=1673900165" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/4357/w220xh124_REU_1868222.jpg?ts=1673900165 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/4357/w320xh180_REU_1868222.jpg?ts=1673900165 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/4357/w640xh360_REU_1868222.jpg?ts=1673900165 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/4357/w768xh432_REU_1868222.jpg?ts=1673900165 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/4357/w1080xh607_REU_1868222.jpg?ts=1673900165 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Ray Stubblebine / Reuters</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Position:</strong> SP<br><strong>Years: </strong>1995-2013<br><strong>Teams:</strong> Yankees, Astros<br><strong>S-JAWS:</strong> 47.2 (82nd at SP)<br><strong>WAR:</strong> 60.2 (64th)<br><strong>Year on ballot:</strong> 7th (13.5% in 2024)</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>IP</th>
<th>W-L</th>
<th>ERA</th>
<th>WHIP</th>
<th>K</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>3316</td>
<td>256-153</td>
<td>3.85</td>
<td>1.35</td>
<td>2448</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Pettitte never won a major award, but he was consistent on the mound for most of his career and is New York's all-time strikeout leader. His weak regular-season numbers are somewhat offset by his playoff resume, which includes eight World Series appearances, five rings, the 2001 ALCS MVP, and multiple records, including the most wins (19) in postseason history.</p><p>But he likely hasn't been able to garner support because his name was in the Mitchell Report alongside other PED users. Pettitte admitted to using human growth hormone shortly after the report's release but said he only did it to speed up his recovery from a 2002 elbow injury and never used any steroids (HGH is a banned substance, but it's technically not a steroid). It's true: He never tested positive for any banned substance after MLB began its drug testing program in 2004. But, even if we ignore the HGH incident, Pettitte's case is far from a statistical lock, relying heavily on his playoff dominance.</p><p>Voters have generally given Pettitte the cold shoulder over his first six years on the ballot. This year, however, he seems to be making something of a move. Thanks to a net gain of 18, Pettitte's suddenly sitting at 33.7% in the tracker, by far his best showing on public ballots since arriving in 2019 and more than double last year's final pre-election total.<strong> </strong>Only Carlos Beltrán (net-20) has a higher net gain so far this cycle.</p><h3>Manny Ramírez</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/454400/cropped_GettyImages-589146006.jpg?ts=1620173241" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/454400/w220xh124_GettyImages-589146006.jpg?ts=1620173241 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/454400/w320xh180_GettyImages-589146006.jpg?ts=1620173241 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/454400/w640xh360_GettyImages-589146006.jpg?ts=1620173241 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/454400/w768xh432_GettyImages-589146006.jpg?ts=1620173241 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/454400/w1080xh607_GettyImages-589146006.jpg?ts=1620173241 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Rick Friedman / Corbis Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Position:</strong> RF/LF<br><strong>Years: </strong>1993-2011<br><strong>Teams:</strong> Cleveland, Red Sox, Dodgers, White Sox, Rays<br><strong>JAWS:</strong> 54.6 (10th at LF)<br><strong>WAR:</strong> 69.3 (8th)<br><strong>Year on ballot:</strong> 9th (32.5% in 2024)</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>GP</th>
<th>BA</th>
<th>OPS</th>
<th>H</th>
<th>HR</th>
<th>RBI</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>2302</td>
<td>.312</td>
<td>.996</td>
<td>2574</td>
<td>555</td>
<td>1831</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Ramírez was one of the most dangerous hitters of his generation. He was an integral part of Cleveland's powerful 1990s clubs and two World Series-winning teams in Boston. The nine-time Silver Slugger ranks 15th all-time in homers and 20th in RBIs, and he owns the sixth-best slugging percentage (.585) and OPS among right-handed hitters. Ramírez is undeniably one of the greatest right-handed hitters since the Second World War and, on paper, a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Unfortunately, his two positive performance-enhancing drug tests - the second of which led to him suddenly retiring in 2011 rather than serving a 100-game suspension - are a massive stain on his resume.</p><p>Ramírez is at 36.2% in the tracker<strong> </strong>right now, up slightly from his final total last winter. But that also means nothing because of a minus-2 net gain, and his final number will drop again once private ballots are included. Not even the inevitable tenth-year bump in 2026 can save him now.</p><h3>Alex Rodriguez</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/493182/cropped_GettyImages-51725767.jpg?ts=1733765799" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/493182/w220xh124_GettyImages-51725767.jpg?ts=1733765799 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/493182/w320xh180_GettyImages-51725767.jpg?ts=1733765799 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/493182/w640xh360_GettyImages-51725767.jpg?ts=1733765799 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/493182/w768xh432_GettyImages-51725767.jpg?ts=1733765799 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/493182/w1080xh607_GettyImages-51725767.jpg?ts=1733765799 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Vince Bucci / Getty Images</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Position:</strong> SS/3B<br><strong>Years: </strong>1994-2016<br><strong>Teams:</strong> Mariners, Rangers, Yankees<br><strong>JAWS:</strong> 90.9 (2nd at SS)<br><strong>WAR:</strong> 117.6 (2nd)<br><strong>Year on ballot:</strong> 3rd (34.8% in 2024)</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>GP</th>
<th>BA</th>
<th>OPS</th>
<th>H</th>
<th>HR</th>
<th>RBI</th>
<th>SB</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>2784</td>
<td>.295</td>
<td>.930</td>
<td>3115</td>
<td>696</td>
<td>2086</td>
<td>329</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Rodriguez redefined the shortstop position before a pretty impressive second act at third base. The raw numbers speak for themselves: three MVPs, four Hank Aaron Awards, 10 Silver Sluggers, top-five all-time in home runs and RBIs, top-10 in extra-base hits, total bases and runs scored, top-15 in both versions of WAR (and second among shortstops), and one of four players with 3,000 hits and 600 homers. If that's not a Hall of Famer, what is?</p><p>Alas, nothing is that simple with A-Rod. He <a href="https://vault.si.com/vault/2009/02/16/confronting-arod">admitted</a> to using PEDs while with the Rangers from 2001-03 (before MLB began its drug testing program) after being named in a 2009 report that listed 104 players as having failed MLB's supposedly anonymous drug tests six years earlier. </p><p>His name came up again in 2013 when the <a href="https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/a-miami-clinic-supplies-drugs-to-sports-biggest-names-6396907">Miami New Times</a> linked Rodriguez, and several other stars, to the anti-aging clinic that supplied them with PEDs. A-Rod missed the entire 2014 season because of the ensuing suspension.</p><p>Rodriguez's tracker total (40.5% of known ballots) looks OK given his situation, but that net gain of minus-1 indicates his support is all but capped out with six years remaining in his candidacy.</p><h3>Omar Vizquel</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/492999/cropped_GettyImages-1320176263.jpg?ts=1642722836" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/492999/w220xh124_GettyImages-1320176263.jpg?ts=1642722836 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/492999/w320xh180_GettyImages-1320176263.jpg?ts=1642722836 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/492999/w640xh360_GettyImages-1320176263.jpg?ts=1642722836 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/492999/w768xh432_GettyImages-1320176263.jpg?ts=1642722836 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/492999/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1320176263.jpg?ts=1642722836 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Focus On Sport / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p><strong>Position:</strong> SS<br><strong>Years: </strong>1989-2012<br><strong>Teams:</strong> Mariners, Cleveland, Giants, Rangers, White Sox, Blue Jays<br><strong>JAWS:</strong> 36.2 (45th at SS)<br><strong>WAR:</strong> 45.6 (31st)<br><strong>Year on ballot:</strong> 8th (17.7% in 2024)</p><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>GP</th>
<th>BA</th>
<th>OPS</th>
<th>H</th>
<th>HR</th>
<th>RBI</th>
<th>SB</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>2968</td>
<td>.272</td>
<td>.688</td>
<td>2877</td>
<td>80</td>
<td>951</td>
<td>404</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><p>Vizquel was a great defensive shortstop with 11 Gold Gloves to his name. But he <a href="https://stathead.com/tiny/Aqldl">ranks 18th</a> among shortstops in fielding runs and posted negative total zone run numbers in two of his Gold Glove-winning seasons. He retired as the all-time hits leader among Venezuelans and ranks 13th all-time in games played, but he only got to those marks while in part-time roles until age 45.</p><p>Nonetheless, his fielding, longevity, and status as a respected leader of Cleveland's iconic 1990s teams helped Vizquel cross the 50% mark in 2020, usually a sign of eventual induction. That climb stopped following a December 2020 investigation by <a href="https://theathletic.com/2254716/2020/12/16/omar-vizquel-domestic-abuse/">The Athletic's Katie Strang and Ken Rosenthal</a> into domestic violence allegations. Vizquel was never charged with any crime and has <a href="http://twitter.com/VizquelOmar13/status/1475596219212836866">repeatedly</a> <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2023/12/31/omar-vizquel-unwelcomed-sexual-harassment-lawsuit-hall-of-fame/72057157007/">denied</a> all the allegations. </p><p>The following August, a former bat boy with autism for the Double-A Birmingham Barons <a href="https://theathletic.com/2757738/2021/08/07/omar-vizquel-sued-for-sexual-harassment-by-former-birmingham-barons-batboy/">sued</a> Vizquel and the White Sox (Birmingham's parent team), alleging that Vizquel, then the Barons' manager, sexually harassed and exposed himself to the bat boy in the shower in 2019. The White Sox fired Vizquel in September 2019.</p><p>Vizquel received 49.1% in 2021 because many voters who would eventually stop supporting him had already cast their ballots. He's seen a 66% drop in support since. With just 20 public votes thus far, Vizquel's destined to finish his eligibility at the bottom of the ballot.</p>

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2025 Baseball HOF preview: Can any controversial star gain momentum?

The San Diego Padres added some catching depth Thursday, agreeing to a minor-league contract with...

<p>The San Diego Padres added some catching depth Thursday, agreeing to a minor-league contract with veteran free-agent backstop <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wbc/players/1841" href="/wbc/players/1841">Martín Maldonado</a>, sources told <a href="https://x.com/dennistlin/status/1880012197197484372">Dennis Lin of The Athletic</a>.</p><p>Maldonado's deal includes an invitation to big-league spring training.</p><p>The 38-year-old will try to get back to the majors following a dismal 2024 season with the Chicago White Sox. Maldonado hit a career-worst .119/.174/.230 with four home runs and 51 strikeouts across 48 games before being released in July. His batting average was the lowest ever in a single season for a position player with at least 135 at-bats, per <a href="https://stathead.com/tiny/OQaRh">Stathead</a>.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Maldonado's defense, his calling card, also fell off in 2024. The former Gold Glove winner put up minus-7 defensive runs saved and minus-3 catcher framing runs, while catching only three runners stealing in 388 2/3 innings behind the plate.</p><p>He'll attempt to return to the majors as a glove-first backup and clubhouse leader in San Diego. Projected starter <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/10824" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/10824">Luis Campusano</a> and minor-league journeyman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12296" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12296">Brett Sullivan</a>, who got into seven games last season, are the only catchers currently on the Padres' 40-man roster.</p><p>Maldonado could also help mentor 18-year-old top prospect <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/16184" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/16184">Ethan Salas</a>, who's risen quickly through the Padres' farm system but has only played nine games above Single-A.</p><p>A veteran of 14 big-league seasons, Maldonado is best known for his six years with the Houston Astros, where he was the starting catcher on three pennant-winning clubs and one World Series champion. The Puerto Rico native ranks fourth in defensive runs saved (59) among catchers with at least 9,000 innings since 2003, and he won a Gold Glove with the Angels in 2017.</p><p> </p>

CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 20: Chicago White Sox catcher Martín Maldonado (15) looks on during an MLB game against the Houston Astros on June 20, 2024 at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago, Illinois.

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Report: Padres agree to minor-league deal with Martín Maldonado

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2025 Baseball HOF preview: Wright, Pedroia among stars hoping to stay on

Spring training is about a month away, but Alex Bregman still isn't ready to lower his asking pri...

<p>Spring training is about a month away, but <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5367" href="/mlb/players/5367">Alex Bregman</a> still isn't ready to lower his asking price.</p><p>The All-Star third baseman's agent, Scott Boras, told <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2025/01/15/pete-alonso-alex-bregman-scott-boras-corbin-burnes/77725450007/">USA Today's Bob Nightengale</a> that his client - who remains a free agent - is still seeking a long-term deal and isn't interested in signing a shorter contract with opt-outs.</p><p>"Bregman's a championship player, teams know it," Boras said. "It's really a matter of his decision-making and theirs, about how you can close up that gap. There's substantial interest (in long-term) deals."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Bregman became a free agent for the first time this winter following nine seasons with the Houston Astros. The 30-year-old headed to the open market after a bit of a down year at the plate in which he hit .260/.315/.453 with 26 homers and 75 RBIs over 145 games. However, Bregman won his first Gold Glove at the hot corner.</p><p>The Astros and Bregman were apparently far apart in negotiations earlier in the winter. Bregman reportedly sought a deal north of $200 million, while the Astros offered $156 million over six years. Houston chose to move on after acquiring Isaac Paredes to play third base.</p><p>The Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, and Toronto Blue Jays have been linked to Bregman this offseason. He and his camp remain engaged with all three teams, according to Nightengale, although no deal appears to be imminent.</p><p>Signing Bregman will require a team to forfeit a draft pick since he turned down the Astros' qualifying offer in November.</p>

OAKLAND, CA - JULY 22: Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros during the game against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum on July 22, 2024 in Oakland, California. The Athletics defeated the Astros 4-0.

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Boras: Bregman not interested in signing short-term deal

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2025 Baseball HOF preview: Best of this year's 'one-and-dones'

The Roki Sasaki sweepstakes are down to three finalists - the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padr...

<p>The Roki Sasaki sweepstakes are down to three finalists - the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, and Toronto Blue Jays. We won't have to wait much longer to see where Sasaki signs, as he's eligible to pick a team as early as Wednesday, the first day of the 2025 international amateur signing window, and has until Jan. 23 to ink a deal in the majors.</p><p>Before his decision is announced, let's dive into the pros and cons of all three finalists.</p><h3>Dodgers</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759966/cropped_GettyImages-2179895461.jpg?ts=1733845605" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759966/w220xh124_GettyImages-2179895461.jpg?ts=1733845605 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759966/w320xh180_GettyImages-2179895461.jpg?ts=1733845605 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759966/w640xh360_GettyImages-2179895461.jpg?ts=1733845605 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759966/w768xh432_GettyImages-2179895461.jpg?ts=1733845605 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/759966/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2179895461.jpg?ts=1733845605 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Harry How / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>The Dodgers are once again in the mix for a top free agent. It's no surprise given the organization's 12-year run of success. To many observers, they're the favorite. But is L.A. the right fit for Sasaki?</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p><strong>Pros</strong></p><p>Let's get the obvious out of the way - it's the Dodgers. They're more than just the reigning World Series champions. This team is a star-studded machine. Over the last 12 seasons, the Dodgers won 11 division titles (and missed the 12th by one game), four pennants, and two championships. They're in a class of their own at the major-league level. Who wouldn't want to join them?</p><p>The Dodgers also offer committed ownership that will stop at nothing to field a winner and have a world-class player development system that continues to churn out impact prospects. Sasaki could become an even better pitcher under the Dodgers. Furthermore, the franchise boasts one of the sport's most iconic uniforms and offers a world-famous venue in a great city. And, as a bonus, he could make his big-league debut back home when the Dodgers open their 2025 season in Tokyo.</p><p>Sasaki can also find comfort in the clubhouse. The Dodgers' imprint in Japan is second to none, and he already has relationships with Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Having multiple people that speak his language would ease the transition of joining a new league and country.</p><p><strong>Cons</strong></p><p>Money is clearly not at the front of Sasaki's mind. He chose to forgo a potentially bigger payday at age 25 by coming over now. But of the three finalists, the Dodgers can only offer him a maximum of $8.1 million, the lowest maximum bonus among the three finalists. It's not the biggest factor going against L.A., but it's worth noting.</p><p>Then there's the injury factor. For all of their success developing pitchers, the Dodgers simply can't keep them healthy. Nearly every one of their most important starting pitchers last season, plus several of their prized youngsters, missed some or all of 2024 with injuries. Some of those injuries were shoulder and elbow ailments. Sasaki battled through an elbow issue in NPB last year, and he's a fragile young pitcher. Does he really want that kind of track record hanging over his head as a rookie?</p><p>L.A. also has a ton of starting pitchers. That might allow the team to limit Sasaki's innings and protect his arm, but it would come at the cost of experience. He'd also be joining a fully developed team with many established stars, including several big-name Japanese players that dwarf Sasaki's star power back home. With the Dodgers, he could merely be a cog in a well-oiled machine as opposed to his own unique brand of star elsewhere. If he wants the challenge of building something himself without the intense spotlight that comes with life in Los Angeles, this team might not be for him.</p><h3>Padres</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749139/cropped_GettyImages-2176828824.jpg?ts=1728475640" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749139/w220xh124_GettyImages-2176828824.jpg?ts=1728475640 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749139/w320xh180_GettyImages-2176828824.jpg?ts=1728475640 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749139/w640xh360_GettyImages-2176828824.jpg?ts=1728475640 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749139/w768xh432_GettyImages-2176828824.jpg?ts=1728475640 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/749139/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2176828824.jpg?ts=1728475640 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Daniel Shirey / Major League Baseball / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>The Padres have been under the Dodgers' shadow for a while. The rivalry has blossomed since a postseason meeting in 2020, and the Dodgers have two World Series titles in that span, while the Padres are yet to punch a ticket to the Fall Classic. Luring Sasaki away from Los Angeles could shift momentum in the rivalry and turn the animosity up to 11.</p><p><strong>Pros</strong></p><p>San Diego is one of the most consistently underrated cities in the U.S., offering all the benefits of Southern California life without the spotlight and traffic of Los Angeles. Sasaki seems to be a quieter personality, and this should be a major selling point.</p><p>But while the Padres are a smaller-market team, they've been aggressive in their attempts to build a winner of late and have shown a willingness to spend. They've reached the playoffs three times this decade, have a core group of stars locked up long term, and are right in the middle of their competitive window. San Diego also has a great development program and is known for getting the best out of its prospects, especially pitchers. Pitching at friendly Petco Park also has to be a positive, as is the chance to be in the same rotation as Yu Darvish, his friend and idol.</p><p>While there's pressure to win now in San Diego, it's not a major media market. Sasaki could have the best of both worlds - a winning location coupled with anonymity - if he chooses San Diego.</p><p><strong>Cons</strong></p><p>As we already mentioned, the Dodgers have owned the NL West. The Padres, meanwhile, last claimed a division crown in 2006. That level of dominance narrows San Diego's path to the postseason, along with the chance for Sasaki to thrive under the bright lights of October and replicate Yamamoto's rookie season.</p><p>The Padres are also dealing with serious ownership uncertainty, as the widow of former owner Peter Seidler is filing a lawsuit against two of his brothers for control of the club. San Diego increased its spending in the final years Peter owned the franchise, and it's fair to wonder if that spending will be impacted if the ownership squabble isn't resolved in a timely fashion.</p><h3>Blue Jays</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/606135/cropped_GettyImages-1568283080.jpg?ts=1702411310" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/606135/w220xh124_GettyImages-1568283080.jpg?ts=1702411310 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/606135/w320xh180_GettyImages-1568283080.jpg?ts=1702411310 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/606135/w640xh360_GettyImages-1568283080.jpg?ts=1702411310 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/606135/w768xh432_GettyImages-1568283080.jpg?ts=1702411310 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/606135/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1568283080.jpg?ts=1702411310 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> <span class="article-segment--image-attribution">Steph Chambers / Getty Images Sport / Getty</span></figcaption></figure><p>The Blue Jays are a surprising finalist. They're coming off their first season in the AL East basement in over a decade. What can the franchise offer a pitcher of Sasaki's caliber?</p><p><strong>Pros</strong></p><p>If Sasaki's looking to forge his own path, there's no better opportunity than Toronto. We hear it all the time - the Blue Jays are the only MLB team that represents an entire country. Some might roll their eyes at that, but a number of players that signed with the club in recent years acknowledged a sense of pride.</p><p>Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker could be an intriguing X-factor as the team tries to sell Sasaki on the merits of joining them. Walker boasts a number of high-profile success stories in which he helped a pitcher unlock another level. Robbie Ray won the 2021 AL Cy Young in Toronto, and Kevin Gausman and Alek Manoah were finalists for the award in recent years.</p><p>Sasaki would also benefit from pitching in front of one of, if not the best, defensive clubs in baseball. The Blue Jays have won consecutive AL team Gold Glove awards and have two of the best defenders at their respective positions in center fielder Daulton Varsho and second baseman Andrés Giménez. That level of defensive insulation could be reassuring to Sasaki if he struggles to adjust during the huge transition from Japan to North America.</p><p>Sasaki should feel relatively confident that ownership will continue to spend in an effort to field a competitive team. The Blue Jays are consistently a top-10 payroll team in baseball, and they'll need to continue spending to keep pace in the AL East.</p><p><strong>Cons</strong></p><p>The Blue Jays own a concerning track record when it comes to developing pitchers and keeping them healthy. The club was hit by a rash of serious elbow or arm injuries to young hurlers over the past few years. Manoah, Ricky Tiedemann, Brandon Barriera, and Landon Maroudis all sustained serious injuries that required surgery within the last year, and that should be a point of concern for a pitcher like Sasaki, who's only eclipsed 100 innings twice in his young career. The track record of homegrown pitching success stories under Ross Atkins have been few and far between.</p><p>Sasaki and his representatives will likely have big questions about the roster in Toronto moving forward. The Blue Jays face the possibility of starting the 2026 season without both Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, and the farm system is lacking in impact talent, leaving the franchise in a precarious position. It's hard to see Sasaki signing up for that level of uncertainty without some level of assurance for the Blue Jays' front office that alternatives will be lined up to ensure the team remains competitive.</p><p>Sasaki might also wonder about pitching in the AL East. The Yankees never accept losing, the Red Sox are on the upswing, and the Orioles are loaded with homegrown offensive talent. Throw in the Rays and their ability to put pressure on opposing pitchers, and it's easy to see why pitching in the AL East isn't the most appealing scenario.</p>

MIAMI, FL - MARCH 20: Roki Sasaki #14 of Team Japan looks on during the 2023 World Baseball Classic Semifinal game between Team Mexico and Team Japan at loanDepot Park on Monday, March 20, 2023 in Miami, Florida.

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Sasaki's selection: Breaking down the Japanese ace's 3 finalists

The Toronto Blue Jays and All-Star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. avoided arbitration Thursd...

<p>The Toronto Blue Jays and All-Star first baseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8267" href="/mlb/players/8267">Vladimir Guerrero Jr.</a> avoided arbitration Thursday by agreeing to a $28.5-million contract for 2025, the team announced.</p><p>The figure represents the third-largest one-year contract for an arbitration-eligible player in MLB history, per <a href="https://twitter.com/SNstats/status/1877513920295936080">Sportsnet Stats</a>. Only <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9519" href="/mlb/players/9519">Shohei Ohtani</a> ($30 million in 2023) and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8271" href="/mlb/players/8271">Juan Soto</a> ($31 million in 2024) have received higher deals.</p><p>Guerrero enjoyed a bounce-back 2024 season, winning a Silver Slugger and finishing sixth in AL MVP voting after hitting .323/.396/.544 with 30 home runs and 103 RBIs in 159 games.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The 25-year-old is entering his final season of team control before free agency. While Guerrero and the Blue Jays are apparently interested in an extension, the sides are <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3182449" href="https://thescore.com/news/3182449">reportedly</a> around $100 million apart. Guerrero has also said he won't negotiate after spring training begins.</p><p>The Blue Jays avoided arbitration with all eight of their eligible players.</p>

TORONTO, CANADA - SEPTEMBER 11: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays gestures in the sixth inning during a game against the New York Mets at Rogers Centre on September 11, 2024 in Toronto, Canada.

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Blue Jays, Vladdy avoid arbitration with 1-year, $28.5M deal

The Boston Red Sox are wasting no time trying to keep Garrett Crochet at Fenway Park for the long...

<p>The Boston Red Sox are wasting no time trying to keep <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12246" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12246">Garrett Crochet</a> at Fenway Park for the long haul.</p><p>Boston has had some discussions with the newly acquired left-hander about a contract extension, a source told <a href="https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2025/01/red-sox-garrett-crochet-have-opened-talks-on-contract-extension.html">MassLive's Chris Cotillo</a>. It's unclear how advanced the discussions might be.</p><p>The Red Sox landed Crochet from the Chicago White Sox in a blockbuster trade for four prospects during the winter meetings. He was made available by Chicago after authoring a breakout 2024 season, his first as a full-time starter. The 25-year-old put up a 3.58 ERA, 2.69 FIP, and 1.07 WHIP across 32 starts for the White Sox, while his 209 strikeouts ranked fourth in the American League.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Crochet is entering his second year of arbitration and is projected by <a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/10/projected-arbitration-salaries-for-2025.html?utm_source=twitter">MLB Trade Rumors</a> to earn $2.9 million in 2025. He and the Red Sox have until 1 p.m. ET Thursday to agree to a contract for 2025 or exchange figures ahead of an arbitration hearing next month.</p><p>The Red Sox have made upgrading their pitching staff a priority this offseason. In addition to trading for Crochet, the team also signed former All-Star right-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8193" href="/mlb/players/8193">Walker Buehler</a> and veteran closer <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/1366" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/1366">Aroldis Chapman</a>.</p>

SAN DIEGO, CA - SEPTEMBER 20: Garrett Crochet #45 of the Chicago White Sox pitches during the second inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres on September 20, 2024 at Petco Park in San Diego, California.

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Report: Red Sox, Crochet have discussed extension

The Texas Rangers added yet another big arm to their revamped bullpen, signing right-hander Chris...

<p>The Texas Rangers added yet another big arm to their revamped bullpen, signing right-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/3974" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/3974">Chris Martin</a> to a one-year contract, they announced Monday.</p><p>Martin's deal is for $5.5 million and includes a $1-million signing bonus, according to <a href="https://x.com/ByRobertMurray/status/1876656914672861546">FanSided's Robert Murray</a>.</p><p>The contract brings Martin back to his hometown of Arlington, Texas, for what could be his final season. In September, he told <a href="https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2024/09/top-red-sox-reliever-i-think-next-year-will-be-my-last-year.html">MassLive's Chris Cotillo</a> that he was anticipating retiring after 2025. It will also mark Martin's second stint with the Rangers, having pitched for them from 2018-19.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The 38-year-old spent the last two seasons with the Boston Red Sox, who had interest in retaining Martin and offered him more money, a source told <a href="https://x.com/bradfo/status/1876448458242146662">Rob Bradford of Audacity Sports</a>. However, he ultimately took fewer dollars in order to pitch at home.</p><p>Martin has quietly been one of the best relievers in baseball since 2020. Over that span, he's put up the lowest BB/9 rate (1.06) among qualified relievers while allowing just 18 home runs. In 2023, he earned some down-ballot Cy Young votes after posting a sparkling 1.05 ERA and 1.03 WHIP while surrendering only eight walks and two homers in 51 1/3 innings.</p><p>Martin was limited to 45 appearances this past season because of shoulder and elbow injuries, and he also missed time due to anxiety. When healthy, he was still effective, putting up a 3.45 ERA, 2.78 FIP, and 1.13 WHIP along with 50 strikeouts and just three walks.</p><p>He gives Rangers manager Bruce Bochy another new high-leverage weapon out of the bullpen. Texas has been busy upgrading its relief corps this winter, having previously added <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/10583" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/10583">Jacob Webb</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8389" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8389">Hoby Milner</a>, and Shawn Armstrong in free agency while also trading for left-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/15660" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/15660">Robert Garcia</a>.</p><p>Martin owns a lifetime 3.38 ERA, 2.96 FIP, and 1.13 WHIP with 357 strikeouts and 14 saves over parts of nine big-league seasons with seven teams. He earned a World Series ring as a member of the Atlanta Braves in 2021.</p><p>To make room for Martin on the 40-man roster, Texas designated right-hander <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/10558" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/10558">Matt Festa</a> for assignment.</p>

BOSTON, MA - MAY 1: Chris Martin #55 of the Boston Red Sox reacts during the eighth inning of a game against the San Francisco Giants on May 1, 2024 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.

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Rangers sign Chris Martin to 1-year deal reportedly worth $5.5M

The Cincinnati Reds acquired infielder Gavin Lux from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for out...

<p>The Cincinnati Reds acquired infielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8195" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8195">Gavin Lux</a> from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for outfield prospect Mike Sirota and a competitive balance round A draft pick, the teams announced.</p><p>Lux, 27, hit .251/.320/.383 with 10 home runs and 50 RBIs across 139 games with the Dodgers last season. Due to his struggles against left-handers, he was primarily deployed at second base against right-handed pitching as part of a platoon. He was their primary starter at the keystone during the postseason and had a key at-bat in their World Series-clinching win at Yankee Stadium.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gavin Lux’s last at-bat in a Dodgers uniform.<br><br>He hit the game-tying sacrifice fly in the 8th inning of World Series Game 5.<br><br>The Dodgers took the lead two batters later, and the rest is history.<br><br>A nice lasting image for Lux in Los Angeles.<br><br> <a href="https://t.co/RWxEwo7ec9">pic.twitter.com/RWxEwo7ec9</a></p>— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) <a href="https://twitter.com/noahcamras/status/1876408025692746140?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>His place in the Dodgers' infield became more of a question after L.A. added another left-handed hitting infielder, Korean star second baseman Hyeseong Kim, last week.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>At the time of Kim's signing, general manager Brandon Gomes had <a href="https://x.com/ByJackHarris/status/1875296002128932956">said</a> Lux was still slated to be the Dodgers' starting second baseman. Now, L.A. can shift <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4184" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4184">Mookie Betts</a> from shortstop to second - his natural infield spot - while Kim and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2083" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/2083">Miguel Rojas</a> work in a shortstop platoon.</p><p>With <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/13866" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/13866">Matt McLain</a> due to return at second base after missing 2024, the Reds are preparing to use Lux all over the diamond in a utility role. Although second has been his primary position, Lux has big-league experience at shortstop and left field. He was supposed to be L.A.'s shortstop last season before swapping spots with Betts amid throwing issues in spring training.</p><p>"We look at (Lux) as a guy that's going to play second base, play some outfield and DH some in spring training. We'll also give him a look at third and short and see where it is, see where he is defensively with all those positions," president of baseball operations Nick Krall said, according to <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/gavin-lux-reds-dodgers-trade">Mark Sheldon of MLB.com</a>. "We think that he's a quality left-handed hitter that just lengthens our lineup out."</p><p>Lux owns a lifetime .709 OPS across parts of five seasons with the Dodgers. The Wisconsin native is entering his second year of arbitration and is projected by <a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/10/projected-arbitration-salaries-for-2025.html?utm_source=twitter">MLB Trade Rumors</a> to earn $2.7 million in 2025.</p><p>The New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners reportedly had interest in trading for Lux before he was sent to Cincinnati.</p><p>To make room for Lux on the 40-man roster, Cincinnati designated reliever <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12546" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12546">Roansy Contreras</a> for assignment.</p><p>Sirota, the prospect heading to L.A., was Cincinnati's third-round pick out of Northeastern this past summer. The 21-year-old, a grandnephew of Hall of Fame pitcher Whitey Ford, boosted his draft stock by hitting .298/.473/.513 with seven homers, 37 RBIs, and 19 steals as a junior with Northeastern. </p><p>The Dodgers originally drafted Sirota as a high-schooler in 2021.</p><p>The pick Cincinnati is sending to the Dodgers is the 37th overall selection in the 2025 draft. The trade gives the Dodgers two picks - the 37th and 40th overall choices - in competitive balance round A, which falls immediately after the first round. Cincinnati's pick cannot be traded a second time.</p>

LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 21: Los Angeles Dodgers second base Gavin Lux (9) runs during an MLB baseball game against the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 21, 2024 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CA.

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Dodgers trade Lux to Reds

Nolan Arenado's got eyes for Fenway Park.  The Boston Red Sox are one of Arenado's preferred dest...

<p><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/2381" href="/mlb/players/2381">Nolan Arenado</a>'s got eyes for Fenway Park.</p><p>The Boston Red Sox are one of Arenado's preferred destinations if he's traded by the St. Louis Cardinals, sources told <a href="https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2025/01/red-sox-a-preferred-destination-in-nolan-arenado-trade-talks.html">MassLive's Chris Cotillo and Sean McAdam</a>.</p><p>Arenado, who put up a .719 OPS with 16 homers in 152 games with St. Louis last season, has full control of his future thanks to a full no-trade clause. He used that clause to block a deal that would have sent him to the Houston Astros last month.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Arenado's agent, Joel Wolfe, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3156213" href="https://thescore.com/news/3156213">revealed</a> in December that he spoke to the Red Sox directly after getting permission from the Cardinals to do so. But while the 10-time Gold Glove third baseman would apparently sign off on a move to Boston, it's not clear whether there have been any trade talks between Boston and St. Louis, or how far along they might be. </p><p>Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak has been open about trying to move Arenado before Opening Day in an attempt to trim payroll. The 33-year-old is owed $74 million over the final three years of his contract, although some of that is deferred. A small portion would also be covered by his former team, the Colorado Rockies, per <a href="https://legacy.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/national-league-central/st-louis-cardinals/">Cot's Contracts</a>.</p><p>Trading for Arenado would also lead to a major roster shake-up in Boston, as the Red Sox already employ an All-Star third baseman in <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5400" href="/mlb/players/5400">Rafael Devers</a>. Although Arenado has expressed a willingness to play first base, he's been the gold standard for defense at the hot corner over the last decade. A more likely scenario would see Devers, who's more limited defensively, move across the diamond.</p><p>Shifting Devers to first would then open the door for Boston to trade <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12885" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12885">Triston Casas</a>, who's reportedly been made available this winter. Although chief baseball officer Craig Breslow <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3174646" href="https://thescore.com/news/3174646">denied</a> this week that Casas is being shopped, the belief around the majors is that the team is still open to dealing the young first baseman, Cotillo and McAdam report.</p><p>The Red Sox, who finished third in the AL East at 81-81 in 2024, beefed up their starting rotation this offseason by signing <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8193" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/8193">Walker Buehler</a> and trading for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/12246" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/12246">Garrett Crochet</a>. They've also recently been connected to another star third baseman in free agent <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5367" href="/mlb/players/5367">Alex Bregman</a>.</p><p>Other reported suitors for Arenado include the New York Yankees, who recently signed his longtime Cardinals teammate <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/1851" href="/mlb/players/1851">Paul Goldschmidt</a>. The Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres have also been linked to Arenado.</p>

BOSTON, MA - MAY 13: Nolan Arenado #28 of the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on May 13, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts.

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Report: Red Sox among Arenado's preferred teams

The Toronto Blue Jays have made an offer to free-agent outfielder Anthony Santander, a source tol...

<p>The Toronto Blue Jays have made an offer to free-agent outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8303" href="/mlb/players/8303">Anthony Santander</a>, a source told <a href="https://www.click2houston.com/sports/2025/01/04/after-astros-talks-with-bregman-stalled-3-teams-emerge-as-serious-suitors/">Ari Alexander of KPRC 2 Houston</a>.</p><p>Details of Toronto's reported proposal to the 2024 American League All-Star aren't known. Santander is thought to be asking for a five-year deal worth at least $100 million, according to <a href="http://www.mlb.com/news/best-remaining-mlb-free-agents-2025">Mark Feinsand of MLB.com</a>.</p><p>Santander, the best outfielder left on the free-agent market, has also generated interest from the Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, and Houston Astros, Alexander reports. It's unclear if any of those teams have made a formal offer to the switch-hitter.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>The 30-year-old hit free agency after a breakthrough 2024 campaign in which he hit .235/.308/.506 with 44 home runs and 102 RBIs with the Baltimore Orioles. For his efforts, Santander won his first career Silver Slugger and was named an American League All-Star.</p><p>Santander is tied to draft-pick compensation after rejecting Baltimore's $21.05-million qualifying offer in November.</p><p>The Blue Jays have been attempting to make a splash throughout this offseason, but have come up short in their pursuit of several marquee free agents, including <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8271" href="/mlb/players/8271">Juan Soto</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/9580" href="/mlb/players/9580">Corbin Burnes</a>.</p>

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JULY 30: Anthony Santander #25 of the Baltimore Orioles bats against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on July 30, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland.

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Report: Blue Jays make offer to Santander

It hasn't taken Walker Buehler long to start recruiting more talent to the Boston Red Sox.  Buehl...

<p>It hasn't taken <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/8193" href="/mlb/players/8193">Walker Buehler</a> long to start recruiting more talent to the Boston Red Sox.</p><p>Buehler, who officially joined the Red Sox on a one-year, $21.05-million contract last week, revealed Friday that he's been talking Boston up to star free-agent infielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5367" href="/mlb/players/5367">Alex Bregman</a>. Buehler and Bregman are longtime friends and recently bought a racehorse together.</p><p>"I have certainly made a pitch all over the place for him to come to Boston," Buehler said during his introductory news conference with Red Sox media, according to <a href="https://www.bostonherald.com/2025/01/03/walker-buehler-says-hes-made-a-pitch-for-top-free-agent-to-join-him-with-red-sox/">Mac Cerullo of the Boston Herald</a>. "He and I have been buddies for a long time, we played on Team USA a little bit in college."</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><p>Bregman feels like something of a natural fit for the Red Sox: He's a right-handed-hitting infielder with power and could help balance a lefty-heavy lineup. With <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5400" href="/mlb/players/5400">Rafael Devers</a> entrenched at the hot corner, Bregman would likely have to shift to second base in Boston, which he's hinted at being willing to do in the right situation.</p><p>Playing home games at Fenway Park would also likely hold great appeal to the 30-year-old Bregman, who's a lifetime .375/.490/.750 hitter at the venerable ballpark. He'd also bring significant championship pedigree to the Red Sox, having won two titles with the Houston Astros during that franchise's recent decade of success.</p><p>However, it's unclear if the Red Sox and Bregman have had any contract talks, or how serious any pursuit of him may be. Last month, <a href="https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2024/12/red-sox-pursuing-free-agent-alex-bregman-but-internal-divide-exists.html">MassLive's Sean McAdam</a> reported that the club's opinions about signing him were divided. Manager Alex Cora - who coached Bregman in Houston earlier in his career - and president Sam Kennedy were said to be in favor, while others, including chief baseball officer Craig Breslow, weren't as keen on him.</p><p>The Red Sox would also have to surrender draft-pick compensation to sign Bregman after he rejected Houston's qualifying offer earlier in the offseason.</p><p>Bregman's said to be looking for a deal north of $200 million this winter. The Detroit Tigers are <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3172253" href="https://thescore.com/news/3172253">reportedly</a> also showing heavy interest in signing last year's AL Gold Glove third baseman.</p>

CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 08: Walker Buehler of the National League All-Stars and Alex Bregman of the American League All-Stars speak on during the Gatorade All-Star Workout Day at Progressive Field on Monday, July 8, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio.

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New Red Sox starter Buehler 'made a pitch' to free-agent star Bregman

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Korean second baseman Hyeseong Kim to a three-year, $12.5-million ...

<p>The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Korean second baseman <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/18713" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/18713">Hyeseong Kim</a> to a three-year, $12.5-million contract, they announced Friday. </p><p>Kim's deal also includes a two-year club option for 2028-29 that must be picked up together. If exercised, the option could bring the contract's total value to $22 million, Kim's agency, CAA Baseball, confirmed to <a href="https://x.com/Jeeho_1/status/1875287165615403212">Jeeho Yoo of Yonhap News</a>.</p><p>Kim had until 5 p.m. ET Friday to negotiate a deal with an MLB club, or he would've returned to the Kiwoom Heroes of the Korean Baseball Organization.</p><div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Just waking up (5 a.m. Saturday here!) and reading Korean media reports on Hyeseong Kim's signing with Dodgers. (3yrs+ 2yr option at max. $22M)<br>One report quotes a CAA official as saying Shohei Ohtani (fellow CAA client) met with Kim in the U.S. and "gave him a lot of advice"</p>— Jeeho Yoo (@Jeeho_1) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jeeho_1/status/1875272671036117164?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>The 25-year-old KBO star recorded 11 homers, 75 RBIs, 30 stolen bases, and a .841 OPS over 127 games for the Heroes in 2024. He also won the KBO Fielding Award at second base for a second consecutive season.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Hyeseong Kim. Dodger. 🇰🇷<br><br>Enjoy his elite defensive highlight reel<br><br> <a href="https://t.co/23cLE6twgI">pic.twitter.com/23cLE6twgI</a></p>— Shawn Spradling (@Shawn_Spradling) <a href="https://twitter.com/Shawn_Spradling/status/1875265105417662734?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Where he'll play in Los Angeles is still being determined. General manager Brandon Gomes said the team's current "mindset" remains heading into 2025 with Mookie Betts at shortstop and Gavin Lux at second, according to <a href="https://x.com/ByJackHarris/status/1875296002128932956">Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times</a>. That means Kim, who has experience at both middle infield spots, is likely destined for a utility role.</p><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gomes also insisted the Dodgers "don't feel like there's anything necessarily that we need to do" as far as dealing from its abundance of infielders<br><br>For now, team is looking at Kim signing as "adding a really talented player and kind of see where things play out" as spring nears</p>— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) <a href="https://twitter.com/ByJackHarris/status/1875296004247056617?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2025</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure><p>Kim left an impression on the Dodgers when he played against them during an exhibition game in Seoul last March as a member of the Korean national team.</p><p>"Our scouts like the second baseman, just the way his body moves," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said at the time, according to <a href="https://x.com/Jeeho_1/status/1875270278470889633">Yoo</a>. "There's some life to the bat, and, defensively, he made a nice play out there."</p><p>The Dodgers will also have to pay the Heroes a release fee as part of the signing. Per the <a href="https://www.mlb.com/glossary/transactions/korean-posting-system">MLB-KBO posting agreement</a>, as Kim's deal is worth less than $25 million guaranteed, L.A. will pay the Heroes 20% of his $12.5-million contract. If his option is picked up, Kiwoom would receive 15% of his salary in 2028-29, according to <a href="https://x.com/Jeeho_1/status/1875286484758229270">Yoo</a>.</p><p>The defending World Series champions have now inked two-time Cy Young winner <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/5351" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/5351">Blake Snell</a>, re-signed All-Star outfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mlb/players/4472" href="https://thescore.com/mlb/players/4472">Teoscar Hernández</a>, and reportedly added Kim this offseason.</p><p>To open a 40-man roster spot for Kim, the Dodgers designated catcher Diego Cartaya for assignment. Cartaya, once one of the organization's top prospects, put up a .686 OPS in 95 games split between Double-A and Triple-A last season.</p><p>The Los Angeles Angels, Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs, and San Diego Padres also made offers to Kim before he signed with the Dodgers, <a href="https://x.com/Jeeho_1/status/1875272672751579438">Yoo</a> reports.</p>

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - MARCH 18: Kim Hye-seong #3 of Team Korea hits a double in the 3rd inning during the exhibition game between Team Korea and Los Angeles Dodgers at Gocheok Sky Dome on March 18, 2024 in Seoul, South Korea.

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