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Tag: Minnesota Twins

  • Minnesota Twins edge Arizona Diamondbacks 9-8; Clemens hits 3 homers

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    WCCO digital update: Afternoon of Sept. 12, 2025



    WCCO digital update: Afternoon of Sept. 12, 2025

    02:56

    Kody Clemens hit his third homer of the game to start a ninth-inning rally, Luke Keaschall ended it with a sacrifice fly and the Minnesota Twins edged the Arizona Diamondbacks 9-8 on Friday night.

    After Minnesota scored four runs in the top of the ninth to take an 8-6 lead, Clemens homered off Jake Woodford (0-4) to cut it to one. The son of former major league pitching star Roger Clemens, the 29-year-old Clemens has 19 homers this season.

    Woodford then loaded the bases and was relieved by Andrew Saalfrank, who walked in a run to tie it, then allowed the sacrifice fly to Keaschall that scored Byron Buxton.

    Gabriel Moreno hit a three-run homer in the ninth for Arizona. Geraldo Perdomo had a two-run shot for the Diamondbacks in the seventh. The star shortstop has 19 homers and 95 RBIs.

    Clemens hit a solo shot in the third and gave the Twins a 4-1 lead in the fourth with a two-run shot.

    Cole Sands (4-4) got the victory after blowing a save in the ninth.

    Key moment

    Clemens’ third home run sparked the Twins’ comeback.

    Key stat

    The Twins are tied for the MLB lead with 10th walk-off victories.

    Up next

    Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (7-3, 3.48 ERA) was set to oppose RHP Joe Ryan (13-8, 3.32) on Saturday night.

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  • Minnesota Twins beaten by Kansas City Royals 2-1, extend losing streak to 5 games

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    WCCO digital headlines: Afternoon of Sept. 5, 2025



    WCCO digital headlines: Afternoon of Sept. 5, 2025

    04:12

    Maikel Garcia hit a two-run homer and Michael Wacha pitched 5 2/3 strong innings as the Kansas City Royals beat the Minnesota Twins 2-1 on Friday night.

    Garcia hit Pablo López’s first pitch high above the left-field bullpen after Vinnie Pasquantino singled with two out in the third inning for a 2-0 lead. Pasquantino and Garcia each had a pair of hits.

    Brooks Lee and Jhonny Pereda hit consecutive doubles in the fifth inning for the Twins’ run. Pereda made his Twins debut behind the plate.

    The Twins have lost five straight and have baseball’s worst record since the July 31 trade deadline at 11-22.

    Wacha (9-11) allowed a run on four hits and two walks, striking out five. He has allowed fewer than three runs in nine of his 10 career starts against the Twins.

    Carlos Estévez earned his major league-best 38th save with help from a sliding catch by center fielder Kyle Isbel.

    Bobby Witt Jr. left the game after six innings due to low back spasms.

    López (5-4) returned from injury for his first start in three months, allowing two runs on six hits in six innings, striking out four. López was placed on the 15-day Injured List on June 4 with a right shoulder strain.

    Key moment

    Initially called out on a force at second, Garcia was ruled safe when the Royals challenged that shortstop Lee had dropped the ball before touching second.

    Key stat

    Through the first seven games of their current homestand, the Royals are 2 for 26 with runners in scoring position while scoring 10 of 14 runs via home runs.

    Up next

    Twins RHP Joe Ryan (13-7, 3.08 ERA) opposes Royals RHP Stephen Kolek (4-5, 3.99) on Saturday.

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  • Buxton sets career high for homers and Ryan throws 7 shutout innings as Twins beat Padres 7-2

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    WCCO digital headlines: Morning of Aug. 31, 2025



    WCCO digital headlines: Morning of Aug. 31, 2025

    01:05

    Byron Buxton set a career best with his 29th home run and Joe Ryan pitched seven scoreless innings as the Minnesota Twins beat the San Diego Padres 7-2 on Sunday.

    Buxton and Royce Lewis each had two hits for the Twins, who took two of three games in the series. San Diego began the day a game behind the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West.

    Ryan (13-7) scattered five hits and struck out eight. He threw a season-high 104 pitches while bouncing back from a pair of rough outings.

    The All-Star right-hander allowed 11 earned runs in nine innings over his previous two starts.

    San Diego dropped to 2-5 in its past seven games. Freddy Fermin and Bryce Johnson had RBIs in the ninth.

    Buxton sent a changeup from Kyle Hart (3-3) three rows deep into the left-field seats for a two-run shot that gave Minnesota a 2-0 lead in the third. It was his fourth homer in four games, surpassing his previous season best of 28 home runs in 2022.

    Padres Twins Baseball

    Minnesota Twins’ Byron Buxton (25) runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, in Minneapolis.

    Abbie Parr / AP


    Recalled from Triple-A El Paso earlier in the day, Hart permitted three runs in 1 1/3 innings of relief as the Padres went with a bullpen game. He hit Luke Keaschall with a pitch to start the Minnesota fourth, and he scored on a single by James Outman.

    Keaschall and Lewis had RBI singles in a three-run fifth to make it 6-0.

    Down 2-0, San Diego had runners on first and second with no outs in the fourth, but Ryan struck out Ramón Laureano and Gavin Sheets before Jake Cronenworth flied out.

    The Twins won their first series since Aug. 8-10 against Kansas City. Minnesota is 5-12 since then.

    Padres: RHP Dylan Cease (6-11, 4.82 ERA) is scheduled to start Monday’s home game against Baltimore. RHP Kyle Bradish (0-1, 3.00) is the scheduled Orioles starter.

    Twins: RHP Bailey Ober (4-7, 5.14 ERA) faces White Sox RHP Aaron Civale (3-9, 5.26) on Monday in the opener of a four-game series at home.

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  • Díaz homers twice as Padres beat Twins 12-3

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    Digital headlines for Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025



    Digital headlines for Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025

    00:46

    Elías Díaz homered twice and the San Diego Padres beat the Minnesota Twins 12-3 on Saturday night.

    Ramón Laureano also homered for San Diego, which scored 11 runs against Minnesota relievers.

    Manny Machado had two hits to top 1,000 with the Padres. He had an RBI single in the Padres’ seven-run seventh inning that gave the Padres a 10-3 lead.

    Byron Buxton homered and James Outman and Trevor Larnach each had two hits for the Twins.

    Reliever Adrian Morejon (11-4) pitched a scoreless sixth inning to pick up the win for the Padres, who began the day two games behind the first-place Dodgers in the AL West and two games behind the Cubs for the top NL wild-card spot.

    Twins starter Taj Bradley allowed just one run and one hit over five innings, and Buxton’s two-run homer off Nick Pivetta gave Minnesota a 3-1 lead after five.

    But reliever Mick Abel (2-4) — one of the Twins’ key acquisitions in their flurry of deadline-day trades — quickly gave that lead back as the Padres used three hits, a walk and an error to score twice in the sixth to tie the score.

    Abel then allowed four consecutive singles to start the seventh before he was pulled. The Padres went on to score seven runs in the inning, capped by Díaz’s second home run of the night.

    Laureano hit a two-run homer in the eighth.

    With the Twins leading 3-1, Luis Arraez led off the sixth with a routine ground ball that shortstop Brooks Lee bobbled for an error. That opened the door for San Diego’s tying rally.

    One night after joining the 20 homers-20 steals club for the first time in his career, Buxton tied his career high with his 28th home run of the season.

    Twins RHP Joe Ryan (12-7, 3.22 ERA) will start in Sunday’s series finale. The Padres have yet to name a starting pitcher.

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  • Minnesota Twins take advantage of wild fourth inning in 7-4 win over San Diego Padres

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    Gov. Tim Walz weighs calling special session on guns in wake of Annunciation mass shooting



    Gov. Tim Walz weighs calling special session on guns in wake of Annunciation mass shooting

    08:31

    The Minnesota Twins took advantage of a chaotic fourth inning that included a two-run error and the ejection of Padres starting pitcher Nestor Cortes in a 7-4 win over San Diego on Friday night.

    Cortes was tossed during a mound visit following a walk to Twins left fielder Austin Martin. Home plate umpire Manny Gonzalez walked toward the mound to break up the visit and eventually ejected the Padres starter.

    Cortes (2-3) was replaced by Wandy Peralta, who allowed both inherited runners to score on an error by second baseman Jake Cronenworth.

    Minnesota added a pair of runs in the fifth, including a solo homer by Royce Lewis. San Diego answered with two runs in the seventh on a single by Fernando Tatis Jr. to cut it to a 7-4 game, but former Twin Luis Arraez lined into an inning-ending double play.

    Twins starter Zebby Matthews (4-4) pitched six solid innings for Minnesota. He allowed three runs and didn’t walk a batter to earn the win. Kody Funderburk got his second career save.

    The Padres have lost four of their last five.

    Byron Buxton became the seventh Twins player to hit 20 home runs and steal 20 bases in a season with his stolen base in the third inning.

    Key moment

    Cronenworth’s error opened the floodgates in the fourth inning. With the bases loaded, Kody Clemens hit a routine grounder to Cronenworth. The ball skipped through Cronenworth’s legs, allowing two runs to score and eliminating a potential double play for the Twins.

    Key stat

    Buxton’s stolen base in the third inning was the 113th of his career — and the first time in his career he stole third base.

    Up next

    RHP Nick Pivetta (13-4, 2.82 ERA) takes the mound for the Padres in the second game of the series, while RHP Taj Bradley (6-7, 4.95) will make his second start for the Twins since he was acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay.

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  • Blue Jays rally to beat Twins 9-8; Addison Barger hits go-ahead double in 8th

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    1 dead, 6 hurt in Minneapolis mass shooting, and more headlines



    1 dead, 6 hurt in Minneapolis mass shooting, and more headlines

    06:22

    Addison Barger had a two-run double in the eighth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays rallied to beat the Minnesota Twins 9-8 on Wednesday night.

    Toronto trailed 8-6 heading to the bottom of the eighth against reliever Génesis Cabrera, but pinch-hitter Ty France cut the deficit to one with his second home run of the season.

    Pinch-hitter Alejandro Kirk chased Cabrera with a single and Michael Tonkin (2-1) walked George Springer before Barger doubled off the wall in right.

    Davis Schneider homered twice and Andrés Giménez also connected for the Blue Jays. Toronto is 58-4 when scoring five or more.

    Schneider hit a two-out homer in the second and a leadoff drive in the fourth in his third career multihomer game. The homers were his ninth and 10th.

    Seranthony Domínguez (3-4) got two outs for the win and Jeff Hoffman finished for his 29th save in 36 chances.

    Minnesota Twins v. Toronto Blue Jays

    Byron Buxton #25 of the Minnesota Twins rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the first inning during the game between the Minnesota Twins and the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Wednesday, August 27, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

    Michael Chisholm/MLB Photos via Getty Images


    Minnesota’s Byron Buxton hit two solo home runs, and Brooks Lee and Luke Keaschall also hit solo blasts.

    Buxton opened the game with his 16th career leadoff homer, then went deep again in the third. The homers were his 26th and 27th. It was Buxton’s 16th career multihomer game.

    Keaschall homered in the third, his fourth. Lee went deep in the fifth, his 14th.

    Toronto’s Daulton Varsho made a spectacular leaping catch to retire Lee in the third.

    The Twins extended their club-record homer streak in Toronto top 23. . They’ve gone deep 45 times at Rogers Centre in a streak that began Aug. 26, 2017.

    Twins: RHP Zebby Matthews (3-4, 5.30 ERA) was scheduled to start against San Diego on Friday night. The Padres had not announced a starter.

    Blue Jays: RHP Shane Bieber (1-0, 1.50 ERA) was expected to start at home against Milwaukee RHP Freddy Peralta (15-5, 2.68) on Friday night.

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  • Minnesota Twins rocked in 1st inning in 10-4 loss to Toronto Blue Jays

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    WCCO digital headlines: Afternoon of Aug. 25, 2025



    WCCO digital headlines: Afternoon of Aug. 25, 2025

    01:44

    Max Scherzer pitched six innings and won his third straight start, Alejandro Kirk and Andrés Giménez homered and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Minnesota Twins 10-4 on Monday night.

    Vladimir Guerrero Jr. added a two-run single as the AL East-leading Blue Jays won for the 30th time in 39 home games.

    Scherzer (5-2) allowed four runs and four hits, including two home runs. He struck out five and walked one. The three-time Cy Young Award winner is 10-2 in 19 career starts against the Twins.

    Minnesota’s Matt Wallner homered twice off Scherzer, his 18th and 19th, but the Twins lost for the sixth time in seven games.

    Twins starter Joe Ryan gave up four runs and four hits in a shaky first inning. Bo Bichette hit an RBI single and a second run scored on Daulton Varsho’s sacrifice fly before Kirk hit a two-run homer, his 11th.

    Giménez extended the lead with a 422-foot drive on Ryan’s first pitch of the second. The homer was Giménez’s sixth.

    Ryan (12-7) matched a season high by allowing six runs and seven hits in five innings. He lost consecutive starts for the first time this season.

    Wallner hit a solo shot in the fourth and a two-run drive in the sixth. It was his first multi-homer game of the season and the second of his career.

    Guerrero started at designated hitter, his first start since leaving an Aug. 18 game at Pittsburgh because of a sore left hamstring. Guerrero popped out as a pinch hitter in Sunday’s loss at Miami.

    Key moment

    Kirk’s two-out, first-pitch homer in the first capped a four-run inning.

    Key stat

    The Blue Jays are 57-3 when they score five or more runs.

    Up next

    Blue Jays RHP Chris Bassitt (11-7, 4.18 ERA) is scheduled to start Tuesday against Twins RHP Bailey Ober (4-7, 5.05).

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  • Taj Bradley gets off to a rough start in Minnesota Twins debut

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    WCCO digital headlines: Morning of Aug. 24, 2025



    WCCO digital headlines: Morning of Aug. 24, 2025

    00:59

    Taj Bradley got off to a rough start in his first game with the Minnesota Twins after he was acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay.

    The 24-year-old Bradley permitted seven runs and nine hits in five innings during Sunday’s series finale at the Chicago White Sox. He struck out one and walked one.

    Minnesota got Bradley from Tampa Bay for reliever Griffin Jax as part of a dizzying trade deadline for the Twins. He had a 7.53 ERA in three starts for Triple-A St. Paul before joining the Twins.

    Bradley allowed singles to each of his first four batters in his 68th major league start. After retiring Colson Montgomery on a flyball to right field, he gave up a two-run single by Edgar Quero that gave the White Sox a 3-0 lead.

    Montgomery delivered the big blow off Bradley in a four-run second, sending a 423-foot shot to right for a two-run homer.

    Twins White Sox Baseball

    Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Taj Bradley throws against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025.

    Nam Y. Huh / AP


    The right-hander finished strong, allowing one hit in his last three innings.

    Bradley’s final start with the Rays also was against the White Sox. He was tagged for four runs and four hits over 1 2/3 innings in a no-decision on July 23. He was optioned to Triple-A Durham following the rough outing.

    Bradley took the mound a day after Mick Abel — another deadline acquisition — made his Twins debut. The 24-year-old Abel was charged with six runs and seven hits in three innings of a 7-3 loss to the White Sox.

    To make room for Bradley on the active roster, the Twins designated right-hander Erasmo Ramírez for assignment.

    Bradley was selected by Tampa Bay in the fifth round of the 2018 amateur draft. He broke into the majors in 2023, going 5-8 with a 5.59 ERA in 23 games with the Rays, including 21 starts.

    He went 19-25 with a 4.70 ERA in 67 starts and two relief appearances with Tampa Bay before the trade to Minnesota.

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  • Top 45 MLB free agents for 2024-25 with contract predictions, team fits: Will Soto get $600M+?

    Top 45 MLB free agents for 2024-25 with contract predictions, team fits: Will Soto get $600M+?

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    MLB free agency is almost here so it’s time for my annual ranking of the top free agents with contract predictions and the best team fits for each player. Eligible players technically become free agents the day after the World Series ends but cannot sign with a new team until five days after the final out.

    This year’s free-agent class will be headlined by Juan Soto, whom many in the industry expect to sign a contract in the $550 million to $650 million range. The top of the pool could feature four front-of-the-rotation pitchers, including Corbin Burnes, Blake Snell, Max Fried and perhaps even Roki Sasaki, if the soon-to-be 23-year-old phenom makes it to free agency. In terms of position players, this class will have a pair of prominent power hitters in first baseman Pete Alonso and right fielder Anthony Santander and a couple of impact two-way corner infielders in first baseman Christian Walker and third baseman Alex Bregman.

    This list will change between now and the start of free agency. Some of these players will come off the board if they decide not to opt out of their contracts or their clubs exercise options. Some could decide to retire. In addition, more international players could join the eventual class. (For this ranking, I’ve included any player who could reach free agency this November, even if in some cases that outcome is unlikely.)

    Along with my colleagues at The Athletic, I will be actively covering free agency and the trade season from start to finish, so let’s discuss the current landscape. Here is my ranking of the top 45 free agents for the 2024-25 offseason, with my thoughts on the players as well as information from my conversations with decision-makers across the game. What types of contracts could these players command? These are my initial projections.

    (Note: Players’ ages are as of Oct. 24. WAR is according to Baseball Reference as of Oct. 24.) 

    1. Juan Soto, OF

    Age: 25
    B: L T: L HT: 6-2 WT: 225
    2024 (Yankees): 7.9 WAR
    Career: 36.4 WAR
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $31 million

    Has Juan Soto found his permanent home with the Yankees? Can they keep him after a strong platform year? He certainly lived up to expectations in his first year in the Bronx, slashing .288/.419/.569 with 41 home runs and a league-leading 128 runs scored. He’s expected to finish third in the American League MVP voting behind Aaron Judge and Bobby Witt Jr. He’s met the big moments in this postseason and has logged a 1.106 OPS.

    By all indications, he’s poised to become the second-highest-paid player in baseball history, behind only Shohei Ohtani. He’s a generational talent who will hit free agency at only 26 and should be able to land a 15-year deal. Most executives believe he’ll end up somewhere between $550 million and $650 million, which will probably limit his market to both New York teams and possibly the Blue Jays. Other teams such as the Dodgers, Phillies, Rangers and Nationals also could emerge for Soto.

    Best team fits: Yankees, Mets, Blue Jays
    Salary comps: Ohtani (10 years, $700M); Mike Trout (12 years, $426M); Mookie Betts (12 years, $365M); Judge (9 years, $360M)

    Contract prediction: 15 years, $622 million

    2. Corbin Burnes, RHP

    Age: 29
    HT: 6-3 WT: 245
    2024 (Orioles): 3.4 WAR
    Career: 17.2 WAR
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $15.64 million

    This will be the fifth consecutive year that Corbin Burnes finishes in the top eight in Cy Young Award voting. Burnes went 15-9 with 181 strikeouts and 1.096 WHIP in his first season in the American League after the Orioles traded for him in February. He’s pitched more than 190 innings three years in a row and is 60-36 with a 3.19 ERA over 199 games (138 starts) in his career. He will be — and should be — the most sought-after free-agent pitcher this offseason.

    Best team fits: Mets, Dodgers, Red Sox, Orioles
    Salary comps: Stephen Strasburg (7 years, $245M); Jacob deGrom (5 years, $185M); Aaron Nola (7 years, $172M)

    Contract prediction: 7 years, $247 million

    3. Roki Sasaki, RHP

    Age: 22
    HT: 6-2 WT: 187

    It is unclear if Roki Sasaki’s team in Japan, the Chiba Lotte Marines, will allow him to leave for MLB this offseason, but with the Marines out of the NPB playoffs, we should know soon. If he is coming, he will be the most coveted international free agent as the Dodgers, Mets, Yankees, Red Sox and Diamondbacks all committed significant resources to scout him this month, including sending top executives to see him pitch.

    How much teams would be willing to offer Sasaki could depend on his medical reports as he didn’t pitch for two months in the middle of the year because of arm troubles, which limited him to 18 games and 111 innings. (He pitched just 91 innings in 2023 due to an oblique injury and has topped the 100-inning mark only once in his career.)

    However, he dominated down the stretch this season, averaging 100.5 mph with his fastball and reaching 103 mph. Since Sasaki is under 25, he would be subject to international bonus pool restrictions; if he’s posted after this season, he’d only be allowed to sign a minor-league contract, which is what Ohtani did with the Angels in 2017.

    Best team fits: Dodgers, Yankees, Mets, Diamondbacks, Red Sox
    Salary comps: None

    Contract prediction: Minor-league contract

    4. Gerrit Cole, RHP

    Age: 34
    HT: 6-4 WT: 220
    2024 (Yankees): 2.0 WAR
    Career: 43.3 WAR
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $36 million

    Gerrit Cole will not be a free agent this offseason, but I’ve included him in this list because he has the right to opt out of his contract and could theoretically reach the open market. That won’t happen though, as he’s in line to make $36 million a year with the Yankees through 2028, which he could not match in free agency.

    Cole spent 2 1/2 months on the injured list and is not fully back to his usual level of performance but seems to be getting better the more he pitches. His four-seam fastball was at 97 mph in the seventh inning of the Yankees’ clinching win over Kansas City in the Division Series, with elite spin at the top of the zone. Cole will start Game 1 of the World Series, and although I don’t expect him to dominate, he should pitch well enough to give the Yankees a chance to win.

    Prediction: Cole won’t opt out of his contract


    Max Fried acknowledges the fans at Truist Park. Will he be back with the Braves? (Brett Davis / Imagn Images)

    5. Max Fried, LHP

    Age: 30
    HT: 6-4 WT: 190
    2024 (Braves): 3.5 WAR
    Career: 24.1 WAR
    Agent: CAA Sports 2024 salary: $15 million

    Max Fried has a career record of 73-36 with a 3.07 ERA and 3.29 FIP. He’s made two All-Star teams, won two Gold Glove awards and finished top-five in the Cy Young Award voting twice. He’s made 28 to 30 starts in three of the last four seasons but has dealt with injuries, including left forearm neuritis each of the last two years. Therefore, his medical reports will determine whether he lands a market-rate deal or has to take a lesser contract. The Braves have tried over the last several years to extend Fried to no avail. They’ll keep trying this offseason and wait to see how he fares in the market, but they definitely want him back.

    Best team fits: Braves, Orioles, Mets, Red Sox
    Salary comps: Aaron Nola (7 years, $172M); Carlos Rodón (6 years, $162M); Patrick Corbin (6 years, $140M); Tyler Glasnow (5 years, $136.5M)

    Contract prediction: 6 years, $174 million

    6. Pete Alonso, 1B

    Age: 29
    B: R T: R HT: 6-3 WT: 245
    2024 (Mets): 2.6 WAR
    Career: 19.8 WAR
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $20.5 million

    Pete Alonso’s value spiked after he performed this postseason in the biggest moments, including hitting three opposite-field home runs during the Mets’ magical run. He’s beloved in New York and the feeling is mutual. I think a return to the Mets is inevitable, but several contending teams would love to have his 40-homer bat in the middle of their lineups.

    Best team fits: Mets, Mariners, Yankees, Nationals
    Salary comps: Matt Olson (8 years, $168M); Nolan Arenado (8 years, $260M); Kris Bryant (7 years, $182M)

    Contract prediction: 7 years, $204 million

    7. Alex Bregman, 3B

    Age: 30
    B: R T: R HT: 6-0 WT: 190
    2024 (Astros) 4.1 WAR
    Career: 39.6 WAR
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $20 million

    Alex Bregman would love to finish his career as an Astro, but will the organization do enough to keep him? Houston has a history in free agency of saying goodbye to its star players, such as Carlos Correa and George Springer, who both departed when the Astros weren’t willing to commit to the long-term contracts they could land elsewhere.

    Bregman is a proven leader with elite skills in not chasing out of the strike zone. He has all the intangibles that winning organizations want. His market range is well-defined — somewhere between what the Giants gave Matt Chapman last month and Nolan Arenado’s contract with the Rockies/Cardinals. Astros general manager Dana Brown has said the team will make Bregman an offer, but will it be close to how the rest of the industry views him?

    Best team fits: Astros, Yankees, Nationals, Mariners, Tigers
    Salary comps: Matt Chapman (6 years, $151M); Nolan Arenado (8 years, $260M); Xander Bogaerts (11 years, $280M)

    Contract prediction: 7 years, $185.5 million

    8. Blake Snell, LHP

    Age: 31
    HT: 6-4 WT: 225
    2024 (Giants): 2.1 WAR
    Career: 23.4 WAR
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $32 million

    Snell was looking for a long-term contract last offseason, but most executives were concerned about his track record, which includes making 30 or more starts only twice in a nine-year career and never pitching more than 180 2/3 innings in a season. However, in the two years he did make 30 starts (2018, 2023), he won a Cy Young Award both times.

    This year he dealt with injuries early but performed well after returning in July; he finished with a 3.12 ERA and 2.43 FIP over 20 starts. Snell will pitch at age 32 next year and I think his lack of durability — he’s pitched more than 130 innings in a season only once since 2018 — will again prevent him from getting a long-term contract. However, after opting out of his $30 million player option, he’ll be able to sign a better deal.

    Best team fits: Yankees, Orioles, Mets, Braves, Giants
    Salary comps: Aaron Nola (7 years, $172M); Carlos Rodón (6 years, $162M); Patrick Corbin (6 years, $140M); Tyler Glasnow (5 years, $136.5M); José Berríos (7 years, $131M); Sonny Gray (3 years, $75M)

    Contract prediction: 3 years, $105 million

    9. Freddy Peralta, RHP

    Age: 28
    HT: 6-0 WT: 202
    2024 (Brewers): 2.6 WAR
    Career: 8.9 WAR
    Agent: Rep 1 Baseball 2024 salary: $5.7 million

    Freddy Peralta will not make it to free agency but I’ll include him in this list until the Brewers exercise their $8 million team option for 2025. Peralta pitched to a 3.68 ERA over 32 starts this season, with 200 strikeouts in 173 2/3 innings. Milwaukee also holds an $8 million team option for 2026.

    Prediction: Brewers will exercise $8 million team option for 2025


    Anthony Santander hit 44 homers, finishing behind only Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani on the major-league leaderboard. (Tommy Gilligan / Imagn Images)

    10. Anthony Santander, RF

    Age: 30
    B: B T: R HT: 6-2 WT: 230
    2024 (Orioles): 2.9 WAR
    Career: 11.1 WAR
    Agent: GSE Worldwide 2024 salary: $11.7 million

    A lot of teams are looking for corner outfielders with power and there won’t be a lot of those players available via free agency or trades. This season Santander had 44 home runs, 102 RBIs and 91 runs scored, all of which were career highs. He’s hit 105 homers over the past three seasons and is still only 30.

    Best team fits: Orioles, Nationals, Reds, Blue Jays, Mariners
    Salary comps: Brandon Nimmo (8 years, $162M); George Springer (6 years, $150M)

    Contract prediction: 7 years, $150.5 million

    11. Willy Adames, SS

    Age: 29
    B: R T: R HT: 6-1 WT: 219
    2024 (Brewers): 3.1 WAR
    Career: 21.5
    Agent: CAA Sports 2024 salary: $12.25 million

    I expected Willy Adames to be traded to the Dodgers after Corey Seager departed as a free agent in 2021, but it never happened because the Brewers remained a contender and never made him available. With Adames now reaching free agency, the Dodgers should be viewed as heavy favorites to land him. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman had Adames in his organization for a couple of years when he was GM of the Rays and has always been a big fan of the player. Adames is a perfect fit for the left side of the Dodgers’ infield.

    Best team fits: Dodgers, Brewers, Braves
    Salary comps: Dansby Swanson (7 years, $177M); Javier Báez (6 years, $140M); Trevor Story (6 years, $140M)

    Contract prediction: 6 years, $150 million

    12. Marcell Ozuna, DH

    Age: 33
    B: R T: R HT: 6-1 WT: 225
    2024 (Braves): 4.3 WAR
    Career: 27.7 WAR
    Agent: CAA Sports 2024 salary: $18 million

    Marcell Ozuna was the Braves’ best offensive player this season, slashing .302/.378/.546 with 31 doubles and 39 home runs, and was the league’s second-best designated hitter behind Ohtani. The Braves hold a club option for $16 million for 2025 and they’re expected to exercise it, which will remove Ozuna from my next ranking.

    Prediction: Braves will exercise $16 million club option for 2025

    13. Christian Walker, 1B

    Age: 33
    B: R T: R HT: 6-0 WT: 208
    2024 (Diamondbacks): 2.6
    Career: 15.1 WAR
    Agent: CAA Sports 2024 salary: $10.9 million

    Christian Walker is one of the best first basemen in the sport. Despite his years of production, he’s never made an All-Star team; I thought he was the biggest All-Star snub this summer. The two-time Gold Glove Award winner is in line to win his third after leading NL first basemen in outs above average.

    Despite missing more than a month with an oblique injury, he finished the season with 26 home runs and 84 RBIs in 130 games. It was the third year in a row he’s hit at least 25 bombs and posted an OPS+ over 120. Several teams have early interest in Walker, with the Astros and Mariners being the best early team fits.

    Best team fits: Astros, Mariners, Diamondbacks, Yankees, Mets
    Salary comps: Paul Goldschmidt (5 years, $130M); Anthony Rizzo (2 years, $40M)

    Contract prediction: 3 years, $72 million

    14. Cody Bellinger, CF

    Age: 29
    B: L T: L HT: 6-4 WT: 203
    2024 (Cubs): 2.2 WAR
    Career: 24.5 WAR
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $30 million

    Cody Bellinger didn’t get the long-term deal he sought last offseason and again will probably have to take a shorter-term deal with a higher average annual value if he opts out of his three-year deal. The reason: He’s hit 20 or more home runs only once in five years and his production varies dramatically from year to year.

    Bellinger has won an MVP, a Rookie of the Year, two Silver Slugger awards, a Gold Glove Award and has been an All-Star twice in his eight-year career. However, his slash line over the past three seasons has been a roller coaster ride, which makes it difficult for teams to assess which version they would be getting in the coming years. Bellinger’s ability to play above-average defense at all three outfield positions and first base improves his market value.

    Best team fits: Cubs, Mariners, Giants, Blue Jays, Angels, Astros, Pirates, Phillies, Nationals
    Salary comps: Brandon Nimmo (8 years, $162M); George Springer (5 years, $150M); Paul Goldschmidt (5 years, $130M); Nick Castellanos (5 years, $100M); Kyle Schwarber (4 years, $79M)

    Contract prediction: 4 years, $112 million

    15. Shane Bieber, RHP

    Age: 29
    HT: 6-3 WT: 200
    2024 (Guardians): 0.7 WAR
    Career: 17.7 WAR
    Agent: Rosenhaus Sports Representation 2024 salary: $13.13 million

    Shane Bieber will likely be my pick for best value signing this offseason because of his upside. The AL Cy Young Award winner in 2020, he finished fourth in the voting in 2019 and seventh in 2022. He’s a two-time All-Star and a former Gold Glove winner.

    He made only two starts this year before undergoing Tommy John surgery, which will put him out of service until at least next summer. However, if he comes back healthy, whoever signs him might have a Cy Young-caliber pitcher for the second half of the season.

    Best team fits: Dodgers, Rangers, Guardians, Padres
    Salary comps: N/A. I don’t see a good comp for Bieber in his specific situation.

    Contract prediction: Low base salary with incentives for games started and innings pitched, plus option years


    Sean Manaea boosted his value with a career year. (Brad Penner / Imagn Images)

    16. Sean Manaea, LHP

    Age: 32
    HT: 6-5 WT: 245
    2024 (Mets): 3.0 WAR
    Career: 15.1 WAR
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $14.5 million

    I don’t think there’s another player who increased his free-agent value more this year than Sean Manaea, who did so thanks to significant mechanical changes that led to a crossfire-type delivery. Manaea went 12-6 with a 3.47 ERA and 184 strikeouts in 181 2/3 innings. He had a .185 batting average against and 0.938 WHIP in the second half of the season, then largely pitched well in three of his four postseason outings, including a dominant NLDS start against the Phillies in which he allowed one run and three hits in seven innings. He has a $13.5 million player option for 2025 that he will decline.

    Best team fits: Mets, Orioles, Twins
    Salary comps: Hyun Jin Ryu (4 years, $80M); Eduardo Rodriguez (4 years, $80M); Sonny Gray (3 years, $75M); Chris Bassitt (3 years, $63M); Miles Mikolas (3 years, $55.75M)

    Contract prediction: 3 years, $68 million

    17. Jack Flaherty, RHP

    Age: 29
    HT: 6-4 WT: 225
    2024 (Tigers, Dodgers): 3.1 WAR
    Career: 13.2 WAR
    Agent: CAA Sports 2024 salary: $14 million

    Jack Flaherty was the best starting pitcher traded at the deadline after logging a 2.95 ERA with 133 strikeouts and 19 walks in 18 starts for the Tigers, who dealt him because he was an impending free agent and they didn’t think they were a contender. (What a run they had!)

    The Tigers had a preliminary trade agreement in place with the Yankees, but New York backed out of the deal over concerns about his medical records. Flaherty was then traded to the Dodgers, who had no problem with the medical risk. He delivered for the Dodgers and was their best starter for the rest of the regular season, going 6-2 with a 3.58 ERA in 10 starts.

    He showed his ability to miss bats this season with 194 strikeouts (in 162 innings), his highest total since 2019, when he finished fourth in the NL Cy Young Award voting. He’s only 29. If teams aren’t concerned about the medical risk associated with his back issues, he should land a three-year pact.

    Best team fits: Dodgers, Mets, Twins, Tigers
    Salary comps: Lance McCullers Jr. (5 years, $85M); Mitch Keller (5 years, $77M); Sonny Gray (3 years, $75M); Pablo López (4 years, $73.5M); Kyle Hendricks (4 years, $55.5M)

    Contract prediction: 3 years, $68 million

    18. Tomoyuki Sugano, RHP

    Age: 35
    HT: 6-1 WT: 198

    Tomoyuki Sugano has gone 136-75 with a 2.45 ERA and 1,596 strikeouts in 12 NPB seasons with the Yomiuri Giants. This year he logged a 1.67 ERA and 0.945 WHIP in 24 starts. He is a two-time winner of the Sawamura Award, which in Japan is equivalent to the Cy Young Award. Sugano has a six-pitch mix and he pounds the strike zone with elite command and control.

    Best team fits: Padres, Rangers, Dodgers, Orioles, Guardians, Mets
    Salary comps: N/A

    Contract prediction: None at this time

    19. Michael Wacha, RHP

    Age: 33
    HT: 6-6 WT: 215
    2024 (Royals): 3.5 WAR
    Career: 16.6 WAR
    Agent: CAA Sports 2024 salary: $16 million

    Michael Wacha has been superb and consistent over the past three years, posting ERAs between 3.22 and 3.35 with double-digit wins each season, all while pitching on short-term contracts. His downward plane and changeup (.169 batting average against) are special. He ranked in the 99th percentile in offspeed run value and in the 92nd percentile in hard-hit rate. Wacha has a $16 million player option for 2025 that I expect he’ll decline so he can enter free agency and land a multiyear contract.

    Best team fits: Royals, Pirates, Orioles, Twins, Tigers
    Salary comps: Jameson Taillon (4 years, $68M); Miles Mikolas (3 years, $55.75M); Jon Gray (4 years, $56M); Chris Bassitt (3 years, $63M)

    Contract prediction: 3 years, $54 million

    20. Nathan Eovaldi, RHP

    Age: 34
    HT: 6-2 WT: 217
    2024 (Rangers): 2.2 WAR
    Career: 21.0 WAR
    Agent: ACES 2024 salary: $16 million ($20 million player option for 2025)

    Nathan Eovaldi had a 3.80 ERA over 29 starts and recorded 12 wins for the second consecutive season with the Rangers. He is expected to opt out of his contract, which was set to pay him $20 million in 2025, and instead will receive a $2 million buyout. I think he’ll get a two-year contract in free agency. Every contending team should be interested in him.

    Best team fits: Rangers, Red Sox, Orioles, Padres
    Salary comps: Sonny Gray (3 years, $75M); Blake Snell (2 years, $62M); Seth Lugo (3 years, $45M)

    Contract prediction: 2 years, $42 million with a team option


    Teoscar Hernández posted a 137 OPS+, his highest mark in a full season. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Imagn Images)

    21. Teoscar Hernández, LF

    Age: 32
    B: R T: R HT: 6-2 WT: 215
    2024 (Dodgers): 4.3 WAR
    Career: 17.1 WAR
    Agent: Republik Sports 2024 salary: $23.5 million

    Teoscar Hernández made a smart move last offseason in signing with the Dodgers. He accepted a one-year deal with a high AAV and got to join a loaded lineup filled with future Hall of Famers. Hernández then did what he does best — hit home runs, a career-high 33 of them, to go with 99 RBIs. He’s a below-average defender in left field but a strong clubhouse presence with his energy and enthusiasm.

    Best team fit: Dodgers, Nationals, Tigers, Royals
    Salary comps: George Springer (6 years, $150M); Nick Castellanos (5 years, $100M); Starling Marte (4 years, $78M); Jorge Soler (3 years, $42M)

    Contract prediction: 3 years, $75 million

    22. Walker Buehler, RHP

    Age: 30
    HT: 6-2 WT: 185
    2024 (Dodgers): -1.3 WAR
    Career: 12.2 WAR
    Agent: Excel Sports Management 2024 salary: $8.025 million

    The way Walker Buehler pitched for much of the regular season (1-6, 5.38 ERA), it didn’t appear he would regain his past form after returning from a second Tommy John surgery. But he made a big impression in Game 3 of the NLCS, when he dominated the Mets over four shutout innings. Buehler will probably have to sign a one-year contract with a mutual option, then show he can pitch a full season healthy and rebuild his value.

    Best team fit: Dodgers
    Salary comps: None

    Contract prediction: 1 year, $10 million with incentives

    23. Tanner Scott, LHP

    Age: 30
    HT: 6-0 WT: 235
    2024 (Marlins, Padres): 3.9 WAR
    Career: 8.6 WAR
    Agent: MVP Sports Group 2024 salary: $5.7 million

    Tanner Scott will be the best left-handed high-leverage reliever on the free-agent market. He can be deployed at any time and in any role — closer, set up, match up — to get left- or right-handed hitters out. He had a banner year, registering a 1.75 ERA in 72 appearances with 22 saves. Batters hit .134 against his four-seam fastball and .231 against his wipeout slider.

    Best team fits: Padres, Orioles, Rangers, Tigers, Royals, Nationals, Giants
    Salary comps: Raisel Iglesias (4 years, $58M); Robert Suarez (5 years, $46M)

    Contract prediction: 4 years, $60 million

    24. Jurickson Profar, LF

    Age: 31
    B: B T: R HT: 6-0 WT: 184
    2024 (Padres): 3.7 WAR
    Career: 8.5 WAR
    Agent: MVP Sports Group 2024 salary: $1 million

    Jurickson Profar was one of the best value signings of the 2023-24 offseason. He inked a one-year contract with the Padres for a base salary of $1 million, then had a career year, finishing second in the NL with a .380 on-base percentage. He hit .280 with 24 home runs, 29 doubles and 10 stolen bases. He also made his first All-Star team. A multiyear deal awaits.

    Best team fits: Padres, Twins
    Salary comps: Mitch Haniger (3 years, $43.5M); Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (3 years, $42M); Michael Conforto (2 years, $36M)

    Contract prediction: 3 years, $44 million

    25. Eugenio Suárez, 3B

    Age: 33
    B: R T: R HT: 5-11 WT: 213
    2024 (Diamondbacks) 3.1 WAR
    Career: 23.6 WAR
    Agent: Octagon 2024 salary: $11.285 million

    The Diamondbacks acquired Eugenio Suárez from Seattle last offseason in hopes of improving their power. Suárez certainly delivered with 30 home runs and 100 RBIs. He finished in the 96th percentile in sweet spot percentage and played solid defense at the hot corner, finishing in the 82nd percentile in range (outs above average). The Diamondbacks hold a $15 million option for 2025 ($2 million buyout) that they’ll likely pick up.

    Best team fits: Diamondbacks, Blue Jays
    Salary comps: Matt Chapman (6 years, $151M); Chris Taylor (4 years, $60M); Max Muncy (2 years, $24M)

    Contract prediction: Diamondbacks exercise $15 million team option for 2025

    26. Jordan Montgomery, LHP

    Age: 31
    HT: 6-6 WT: 228
    War: -1.4
    Career: 11.2 WAR
    Agent: Wasserman 2024 salary: $25 million

    Jordan Montgomery ended up being the worst free-agent signing of last year’s class. He turned down a four-year offer from the Red Sox, instead agreeing to a one-year, $25 million deal with the Diamondbacks that included a $22.5 million player option for 2025. He had a disastrous year.

    He went 8-7 with a 6.23 ERA and averaged just 6.4 strikeouts per nine innings, the worst rate of his eight-year career. Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick publicly said he hopes Montgomery doesn’t exercise his player option, but the lefty has little choice as no team would offer him a similar contract in free agency this offseason.

    Best team fits: Orioles, Red Sox, Tigers, Twins, Nationals
    Salary comps: None

    Prediction: Montgomery exercises 22.5 million player option and then the Diamondbacks try to trade him

    27. Ha-Seong Kim, SS

    Age: 28
    B: R T: R HT: 5-9 WT: 168
    2024 (Padres): 2.6 WAR
    Career: 15.3 WAR
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $8 million

    Ha-Seong Kim underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in September to repair a “small tear” in the labrum of his right (throwing) shoulder. He sustained the injury Aug. 18 while diving back to first base on a pick-off play. This season manager Mike Shildt moved Kim from second base, where he won a Gold Glove Award last year, to shortstop, which was a significant defensive upgrade for the Padres. However, Kim hit just .233 with 11 home runs and 22 stolen bases before going on the injured list. He might have to sign a “pillow contract” to show he’s recovered from the injury, then produce like he did in 2023, when he hit 17 home runs and stole 38 bases.

    Best team fits: Padres, Brewers, Dodgers, Pirates
    Salary comps: J.P. Crawford (5 years, $51M); Jeff McNeil (4 years, $50M); Nico Hoerner (3 years, $35M); Orlando Arcia (3 years, $7.3M)

    Contract prediction: 1 year, $10 million with incentives and award bonuses

    28. Gleyber Torres, 2B

    Age: 27
    B: R T: R HT: 6-1 WT: 205
    2024 (Yankees): 1.8 WAR
    Career: 16.1 WAR
    Agent: Octagon 2024 salary: $14.2 million

    Gleyber Torres has wanted to sign a long-term contract with the Yankees but there have never been serious negotiations to keep him in the Bronx for years to come. He is a below-average defender at second base with limited range. He hit .257 with 15 home runs and a 101 OPS+ on the season but batted over .300 when he was moved to the leadoff spot in September and has performed in October, slashing .297/.400/.432 in the playoffs.

    Best team fits: Yankees, Mariners, Blue Jays, Marlins
    Salary comps: Jeff McNeil (4 years, $50M); Nico Hoerner (3 years, $35M); J.P. Crawford (5 years, $51M)

    Contract prediction: 4 years, $44 million


    Tyler O’Neill is coming off his best season since 2021. (Bob DeChiara / Imagn Images)

    29. Tyler O’Neill, OF

    Age: 29
    B: R T: R HT: 5-11 WT: 200
    2024 (Red Sox): 2.7 WAR
    Career: 12.6
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $5.85 million

    Tyler O’Neill is like Blake Snell and Cody Bellinger — when he can stay healthy and play up to his potential, he delivers. This year he slashed .241/.336/.511 with 31 home runs in 113 games. However, it was only the second somewhat healthy successful season of his seven-year career — his last one was in 2021 when he hit 34 home runs with the Cardinals, finished eighth in NL MVP voting and won his second Gold Glove Award.

    O’Neill had multiple stints on the injured list this year and has played more than 100 games only twice. Despite coming off a productive season, that lack of availability will force him to sign another short-term contract.

    Best team fit: Red Sox
    Salary comps: Starling Marte (4 years, $78M); Andrew Benintendi (5 years, $75M); Ian Happ (3 years, $61M); Jorge Soler (3 years, 42M); Michael Conforto (2 years, $36M)

    Contract prediction: 2 years, $32 million

    30. Yusei Kikuchi, LHP

    Age: 33
    HT: 6-0 WT: 210
    2024 (Blue Jays, Astros): 1.4 WAR
    Career: 4.1
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $10 million

    Yusei Kikuchi was 4-9 with a 4.75 ERA over 22 starts with the Blue Jays, who dealt him to Houston at the trade deadline. The Astros quickly changed his pitch sequencing and usage and the results were astounding — he went 5-1 with a 2.70 ERA and 3.07 FIP over 10 starts (60 innings). Kikuchi would be smart to re-sign with the Astros and the feeling should be mutual based on his results and the prospect package they traded to land him.

    Best team fits: Astros, Orioles, Tigers, Twins
    Salary comps: Chris Bassitt (3 years, $63.3 million; Miles Mikolas (3 years $55.75M); Seth Lugo (3 years; $45M); Tyler Anderson (3 years; $39M); Nathan Eovaldi (2 years, $34M)

    Contract prediction: 3 years, $42 million

    31. Brandon Lowe, 2B

    Age: 30
    B: L T: R HT: 5-10 WT: 185
    2024 (Rays): 2.4 WAR
    Career: 16.0 WAR
    Agent: The Bledsoe Agency 2024 salary: $8.75 million

    Brandon Lowe is another player who just can’t stay off the injured list; he’s played more than 110 games just once in his seven-year career and has averaged 108 games over the last two years. However, his power has been consistent during that span as he hit 21 homers in both years.

    He’s only 30, and if he can stay healthy, his power plays, as it did in 2021 when he hit 39 home runs. He finished in the top 10 in AL MVP voting in 2020 and 2021 so there’s no denying his potential.

    Tampa Bay holds a $10.5 million team option for 2025 ($1 million buyout) and an $11.5 million option ($500,000 buyout) for 2026. The Rays could certainly pick up the option, but if they don’t, Lowe could be a smart high-risk, high-reward type signing this winter.

    Best team fits: Rays, Yankees, Mariners, White Sox, Blue Jays
    Salary comps: Jeff McNeil (4 years, $50M); Brandon Drury (2 years, $17M); Jorge Polanco (5 years, $25.75M)

    Contract prediction: 2 years, $24 million

    32. Nick Martinez, RHP

    Age: 34
    HT: 6-1 WT: 201
    2024 (Reds) War: 4.0 WAR
    Career: 8.7 WAR
    Agent: RMG Baseball 2024 salary: $14 million

    Nick Martinez continues to improve and should land a three-year contract as a free agent this winter. He’s coming off a career-best year after going 10-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 16 starts and 26 relief appearances. Martinez hopes to become a full-time starter with his next team and he deserves that opportunity. He has posted an ERA below 3.50 in each of the past three seasons.

    Best team fits: Reds, Padres, Tigers, Orioles, Twins, Red Sox
    Salary comps: Seth Lugo (3 years, $45M); Tyler Anderson (3 years, $39M)

    Contract prediction: 3 years, $40 million

    33. Charlie Morton, RHP

    Age: 40
    HT: 6-5 WT: 214
    2024 (Braves): 1.1 WAR
    Career: 17.3 WAR
    Agent: Wasserman 2024 salary: $20 million

    Charlie Morton is Mr. Consistency. In 2024 he reached the 30-starts mark for the sixth straight season. He posted a 4.19 ERA with 9.1 strikeouts per nine innings. He’s weighed retirement in recent offseasons, will turn 41 in November and despite another solid season, the consensus around the Braves is that he will call it a career. But if he decides to return for his 18th major-league season, a one-year contract with Atlanta similar to his recent deals could work for both sides.

    Best team fit: Braves
    Salary comps: Frankie Montas, (1 year, $16M)

    Contract prediction: 1 year, $20 million

    34. Joc Pederson, OF/DH

    Age: 32
    B: L T: L HT: 6-1 WT: 220
    2024 (Diamondbacks): 2.9 WAR
    Career: 15.1 WAR
    Agent: Excel Sports Management 2024 salary: $12.5 million

    Joc Pederson embraces his platoon role, excelling against right-handed pitching with an impressive .275/.392/.531 slash line and 22 homers in 407 plate appearances this season with the Diamondbacks. He has a $14 million mutual option for 2025 with a $3 million buyout, and I think it makes sense for him to take the buyout and try to sign a two-year deal on the open market.

    Best team fit: Diamondbacks, Reds, Rockies
    Salary comps: Rhys Hoskins (2 years, $34M); Mitch Garver (2 years, $24M); Justin Turner (1 year, $13M); J.D. Martinez (1 year, $12M); Charlie Blackmon (1 year, $13M

    Contract prediction: 2 years, $26 million


    Carlos Estévez (Gregory Fisher / Imagn Images)

    35. Carlos Estévez, RHP

    Age: 31
    HT: 6-6 WT: 275
    2024 (Angels, Phillies): 2.1 WAR
    Career: 4.8 WAR
    Agent: Premier Talent Sports and Entertainment 2024 salary: $6.75 million

    Carlos Estévez had a strong free-agent walk year, posting a 2.38 ERA with the Angels before being traded at the deadline to Philadelphia, where he put up a 2.57 ERA over 20 games. He finished the season with 26 saves and 0.909 WHIP, but also averaged 7.7 strikeouts per nine innings, the lowest rate of his career.

    Estévez has 82 career saves and will generate plenty of interest from teams looking for high-leverage relievers. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has said it’s unlikely the club will bring back both Estévez and Jeff Hoffman, who is ranked 43rd on this list.

    Best team fits: Phillies, Orioles, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Pirates
    Salary comps: Kendall Graveman (3 years, $24M); José Alvarado (3 years, $22M); Joe Jiménez (3 years, $26M); Ryan Pressly (2 years, $30M); Taylor Rogers (3 years, $33M)

    Contract prediction: 3 years, $33 million

    36. Luis Severino, RHP

    Age: 30
    HT: 6-2 WT: 218
    2024 (Mets): 1.6 WAR
    Career: 13.4 WAR
    Agent: Rep 1 Baseball 2024 salary: $13 million

    Luis Severino had a strong comeback season, making more than 30 starts for the first time since 2018. He went 11-7 with a 3.91 ERA over 31 starts and struck out 161 in 182 innings. The two-time All-Star also was solid in the postseason (3.24 ERA in 16 2/3 innings), which can only increase interest in free agency.

    Best team fits: Mets, Tigers, Orioles, Pirates, Red Sox
    Salary comps: Chris Bassitt (3 years, $63M); Miles Mikolas (3 years, $55.75M); Seth Lugo (3 years, $45M); Zach Eflin (3 years, $40M); Lucas Gioloto (2 years, $38.5M); Marcus Stroman (2 years, $37M); Nathan Eovaldi (2 years, $34M); Reynaldo López, (3 years, $30M)

    Contract prediction: 2 years, $32 million

    37. Jose Quintana, LHP

    Age: 35
    HT: 6-1 WT: 220
    2024 (Mets): 2.5 WAR
    Career: 30.5
    Agent: Wasserman 2024 salary: $13 million

    Jose Quintana was brilliant in his first two starts of this postseason, adding, subtracting and hitting his spots; he allowed no earned runs in 11 combined innings against the Brewers and Phillies.

    The soft-tossing lefty pitched to a 3.75 ERA over 31 starts in the regular season, finishing in the 83rd percentile in overall pitching run value and in the 89th percentile in fastball run value. He has good late movement downward that leads to groundballs, ranking in the 79th percentile in ground-ball rate. Over his last 76 starts across three seasons, he has a combined ERA of under 3.50.

    Best team fits: Mets, Pirates, Tigers, Twins
    Salary comps: Tyler Anderson (3 years, $39M); Tyler Mahle (2 years, $22M); Sean Manaea (2 years, $28M); Michael Wacha (2 years, $32M)

    Contract prediction: 2 years, $28 million

    38. Blake Treinen, RHP

    Age: 36
    HT: 6-0 WT: 224
    2024 (Dodgers): 1.4 WAR
    Career: 12.4 WAR
    Agent: Apex Baseball 2024 salary: $1 million ($4.5M AAV for two-year, $9M deal)

    After missing most of 2022 and all of 2023 because of a torn capsule in his right shoulder that eventually required surgery, Blake Treinen miraculously returned this season as the dominant high-leverage reliever he was in 2021. His sinker is back to the mid-90s with serious drop, and his sweeper is a wipeout pitch that batters hit just .120 against. He posted a 1.93 ERA in 50 appearances.

    Best team fits: Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Cubs
    Salary comps: Emilio Pagán (2 years, $16M); Wandy Peralta, (2 years, $16.5M)

    Contract prediction: 2 years, $17 million

    39. Alex Verdugo, LF

    Age: 28
    B: L T: L HT: 6-0 WT: 210
    2024 (Yankees): 0.7 WAR
    Career: 11.8
    Agent: MVP Sports Group 2024 salary: $8.7 million

    Alex Verdugo is well-liked and respected by his teammates, brings high energy to the clubhouse, plays with an edge and is a solid defender in left field. Offensively, he had a down season, slashing just .233/.291/.356. His power is pretty consistent as he has provided between 11 and 13 home runs in the last five full seasons. He plays every day, never complains and is the definition of an average major-league player.

    Best team fits: Yankees, Twins, Athletics, Mariners
    Salary comps: Michael Conforto (2 years, $36M); Mark Canha (2 years, $26.5M); Manuel Margot (2 years, $19M); Hunter Renfroe (2 years, $13M)

    Contract prediction: 2 years, $26 million

    40. Jose Iglesias, 2B

    Age: 34
    B: R T: R HT: 5-11 WT: 195
    2024 (Mets): 3.1 WAR
    Career: 14.8 WAR
    Agent: MVP Sports 2024 salary: $983,871

    I’ll admit it: I love Jose Iglesias’ song “OMG.” And all I can say is OMG when it comes to his season, which put him in the conversation for NL Comeback Player of the Year, though the award will probably go to Chris Sale.

    After not playing in the majors in 2023, Iglesias signed a minor-league contract with the Mets but was their starting second baseman by the end of year, playing in more than half of their games and slashing an amazing .337/.381/.448 (137 OPS+) with 16 doubles. He impressed with his approach at the plate — going the other way and grinding throughout at-bats — and his elite defense in the middle of the infield. Iglesias would be a good pickup for several teams, but a reunion with the Mets just makes too much sense for all parties.

    Best team fit: Mets
    Salary comps: Brandon Drury (2 years, $17M); Isiah Kiner-Falefa (2 years, $15M); Miguel Rojas (2 years, $11M)

    Contract prediction: 2 years, $12 million


    Paul Goldschmidt (Gregory Fisher / Imagn Images)

    41. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B

    Age: 37
    B: R T: R HT: 6-3 WT: 224
    2024 (Cardinals): 1.3 WAR
    Career: 62.8 WAR
    Agent: Excel Sports Management 2024 salary: $26 million

    Nothing in baseball makes me sadder than to watch superstar players significantly decline. Time is undefeated, but they want to keep playing because they can still contribute.

    In his prime, Paul Goldschmidt was the best first baseman in the sport. Just two years ago he was the NL MVP, leading the league with a .981 OPS. The seven-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove winner and five-time Silver Slugger is obviously no longer at the level. His on-base percentage has plummeted over the past three years, from .404 to .363 to .302.

    He still played more than 150 games this season, which he’s done in nine consecutive full seasons, but perhaps it’s time to reduce that number and try to improve production with more rest and more time as a designated hitter. The Cardinals are not expected to re-sign Goldschmidt, and for the first time in his career, he needs to brace himself for a significant pay cut and a one-year deal.

    Best team fits: Yankees, Mariners, Diamondbacks, Brewers
    Salary comps: Anthony Rizzo (2 years, $40M); Josh Bell (2 years, $33M)

    Contract prediction: 1 year, $15 million

    42. Rhys Hoskins, 1B/DH

    Age: 31
    B: R T: R HT: 6-4 WT: 240
    2024 (Brewers): -0.2 WAR
    Career: 11.0 WAR
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $16 million

    Rhys Hoskins held his own in his first year back from ACL surgery, providing much-needed power in the middle of the Brewers’ lineup. He slashed .214/.303/.419 with a career-low .722 OPS but did hit 26 homers and drive in 82 runs. I expect him to be a lot better next season, with the benefit of an extra year of recovery for his left knee.

    Hoskins signed a two-year, $34 million deal with Milwaukee last winter and can opt out after this season. He’ll need to sign another short-term contract to try to rebuild his value.

    Best team fits: Brewers, Mariners, Twins
    Salary comps: Anthony Rizzo (2 years, $40M); Josh Bell (2 years, $33M); Mitch Garver (2 years, $24M)

    Contract prediction: 2 years, $34 million

    43. Jeff Hoffman, RHP

    Age: 31
    HT: 6-5 WT: 235
    2024 (Phillies): 2.0 WAR
    Career: 3.5 WAR
    Agent: CAA Sports 2024 salary: $2.2 million

    Jeff Hoffman had the best year of his career, making the All-Star team and tallying a 2.17 ERA and 0.965 WHIP in 68 games. He struck out 89 in 66 1/3 innings (12.1 strikeouts per nine). However, he fared poorly in this postseason, allowing six runs in 1 1/3 innings over three games. The Phillies are unlikely to bring back both Hoffman and Carlos Estévez.

    Best team fits: Phillies, Orioles, Yankees, Red Sox, Royals, Giants
    Salary comps: Taylor Rogers (3 years, $33M); Joe Jiménez (3 years, $26M); Kendall Graveman (3 years, $24M); Emilio Pagán (2 years, $16M); Wandy Peralta (2 years, $16.5M); Matt Strahm (2 years, $15M); Chris Martin (2 years, $13.5M)

    Contract prediction: 3 years, $27 million

    44. Matthew Boyd, LHP

    Age: 33
    HT: 6-3 WT: 230
    2024 (Guardians): 0.7 WAR
    Career: 9.9 WAR
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $10 million

    Matthew Boyd really increased his value in the postseason as he logged a 0.77 ERA over three starts (11 2/3 innings). With a deceptive delivery and an arsenal that includes a fastball, changeup and slider, Boyd commands the strike zone well, adding and subtracting with unique shapes and sizes. He underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2023 but now looks healthy with a good mindset.

    Best team fits: Guardians, Tigers, Orioles, Padres, Braves, Red Sox
    Salary comps: Lance Lynn (1 year, $11M); Kyle Gibson (1 year, $13M)

    Contract prediction: 1 year, $10 million

    45. Clay Holmes, RHP

    Age: 31
    HT: 6-5 WT: 245
    2024 (Yankees): 0.7 WAR
    Career: 4.2 WAR
    Agent: Wasserman 2024 salary: $6 million

    Clay Holmes appeared in more than 60 games for the third consecutive season, posting 30 saves before losing the closer job in August to Luke Weaver. However, he rebounded near the end of the season and performed well in high-leverage spots in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings. He allowed only one run in his final eight appearances of the regular season and finished with a 3.14 ERA.

    Best team fits: Yankees, Orioles, Red Sox, Royals, Phillies
    Salary comps: Ryan Pressly (2 years, $30M); Taylor Rogers (3 years, $33M); Wandy Peralta (2 years, $16.5M)

    Contract prediction: 2 years, $18.5 million

    (Top image: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic. Photos: Corbin Burnes: G Fiume / Getty Images; Juan Soto: Mary DeCicco / MLB Photos / Getty Images; Pete Alonso: Daniel Shirey / MLB Photos / Getty Images)

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  • MLB will air local games for Guardians, Brewers and Twins next season

    MLB will air local games for Guardians, Brewers and Twins next season

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    Major League Baseball announced Tuesday it will produce and distribute local broadcasts for the Cleveland Guardians, Milwaukee Brewers and Minnesota Twins next year. All three teams had contracts with Diamond Sports Group that expired at the end of the regular season.

    The Texas Rangers, whose deal also expired last month, also announced they will no longer be partnering with Diamond. They are assessing their options for next season.

    The addition of the Guardians, Brewers and Twins means MLB will be handling the production and distribution of at least six teams going into 2025.

    MLB took over broadcasts of the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks during the 2023 season and the Colorado Rockies this year.

    Rick Schlesinger, the president of business operations for the Brewers, said he expects more teams could be partnering with MLB by the opening of next season.

    “This has been a long process. It’s a very deliberative process,” he said. “We’ve done this through a lot of work, a lot of analysis. I think this is going to be a huge game changer for us, for our content.”

    By taking over the broadcasts, MLB expects to increase the market reach of its teams by at least 2 million households in each market. The Diamondbacks went from being available in 930,000 households on a regional sports network to 5.6 million homes through a combination of being on local cable systems, satellite and direct-to-consumer streaming.

    “With the media landscape continuing to evolve, Major League Baseball is committed to serving our fans by ensuring they can see their favorite clubs, removing blackouts where we can, and ultimately growing the reach of our games,” Noah Garden, MLB deputy commissioner for business and media, said in a statement.

    The Twins took a public relations hit in Minnesota for cutting their 2024 player payroll coming off a division title and their first postseason series win in 22 years, in light of the reduced rights fee coming from Diamond. They will lose the rights fee altogether with this MLB-produced model, but team president Dave St. Peter said this announcement would not have an effect on player spending for the upcoming season.

    “We’ve spent a tremendous amount of time with Major League Baseball trying to better understand this marketplace, trying to better understand what a model like this will ultimately provide to the team. We also have studied closely what’s happened in San Diego, in Arizona and in Colorado. We’ve gotten comfortable in those economics. They are where they are,” St. Peter said.

    “We do expect that there will be a reduction in local revenue coming to the Twins in 2025. I think that’s a fact. That said, over the long haul we have tremendous confidence in our content and believe, while maybe we’ll take a dip for ’25, that over time the viewership and those economics related to that viewership will increase.”

    Cleveland games were available on approximately 1.45 million households on its regional sports network. That reach is expected to increase 235% to 4.86 million households. Minnesota’s will go up 307% from 1.08 million homes to 4.4 million.

    Schlesinger said the Brewers had 800,000 households that could receive games this past season, but he also expects to see significant growth with the new model.

    “From a fan perspective, it’s great because you’re going to have total access and no blackouts,” he said. “There’s a lot of staffing, a lot of infrastructure, a lot of decisions have to be made, a lot of people to be hired, a lot of sponsors to contact. This is the right time to do this. It’s a good jumping point, platform to make sure when the calendar turns to 2025, we’re already fully immersed in this and that we know when the first game starts, that we’re ready to go and the product’s going to be outstanding.”

    MLB could be taking over more teams as Diamond Sports Group continues to go through bankruptcy proceedings. The nation’s largest owner of regional sports networks could be down to doing only Atlanta Braves games in 2025.

    The operator of the Bally Sports regional networks presented its reorganization plan in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Houston last week. As part of the reorganization, Diamond plans to void the contracts of the Detroit Tigers and Tampa Bay Rays and to attempt to rework the deals of the five franchises that are partial owners of their regional sports networks — the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals.

    St. Peter said he expects more teams to sign onto the model in the future.

    “Starting to build that direct-to-consumer foundation, which clearly is the future of the way our games will be distributed — it’s time to get on with that and we’re excited about that,” St. Peters said. “Our ownership understands the consequences of that, but I think over time there’s way more upside than short-term downside.”

    A final hearing on Diamond’s reorganization plan is scheduled for Nov. 14. Diamond also has the rights to 13 NBA and eight NHL teams.

    Diamond Sports Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group bought the regional sports networks from The Walt Disney Co. for nearly $10 billion in 2019. Disney was required by the Department of Justice to sell the networks for its acquisition of 21st Century Fox’s film and television assets to be approved.

    ___

    AP sports writers Dave Campbell in Minneapolis and Steve Megargee in Milwaukee contributed to this story.

    ___

    AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

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  • Orioles wrap up top AL wild-card spot, ending Twins’ playoff hopes with 7-2 victory

    Orioles wrap up top AL wild-card spot, ending Twins’ playoff hopes with 7-2 victory

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    MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Cade Povich pitched shutout ball into the sixth, Ryan O’Hearn and Colton Cowser homered and the Baltimore Orioles eliminated the Minnesota Twins from postseason contention with a 7-2 victory Friday night.

    The Orioles wrapped up the top AL wild-card spot, and will host either Detroit or Kansas City in the opening round next week.

    “To get home field through the wild card is huge,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. “We’re going to be pumped to play in front of our fans. There’s going to be a lot of energy and excitement in the ballpark.”

    By the fifth inning, the Twins knew the Tigers had won and the Royals had lost, meaning a victory would keep their playoff hopes alive. But they could only muster two hits through the first eight innings and trailed 7-0.

    At their high-water mark of the season on Aug. 17, the Twins were 70-53 and had a five-game cushion in the wild-card race. Since then, they are 12-25.

    “It was clearly beyond a disappointing way to end a run and what was, and appeared to be, a promising season that we had going,” said Twins manager Rocco Baldelli, whose team was the defending AL Central champions.

    Povich (3-9) gave up just two hits and walked one while striking out two in 5 2/3 innings. The rookie left-hander was making his first career start against the team that selected him in the third round of the 2021 draft. The Twins traded him to Baltimore a year later as the centerpiece of a package used to acquire reliever Jorge Lopez.

    “I’m just treating every start like it’s kind of a tryout for the postseason,” said Povich, who went 2-2 with a 2.60 ERA in five September starts.

    Twins starter Pablo López (15-10) allowed two runs on six hits with three walks and eight strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.

    “It’s tough,” López said about the Twins’ collapse. “We were riding the high for so long. Everything was going well. Things were fun. Things were clicking. And then nothing was clicking.”

    O’Hearn started the scoring for the Orioles with a two-run homer to deep right in the second inning.

    The Orioles loaded the bases with one out in the fifth. But López struck out Ramón Urías on his career-high 111th pitch of the night. Then reliever Caleb Thielbar retired Gunner Henderson on a grounder to keep it 2-0.

    Cowser tagged Thielbar’s pitch for his 24th homer of the season in the seventh. Baltimore tacked on four more runs in the eighth on five singles off reliever Kody Funderburk.

    The Twins broke up the shutout in the ninth on Carlos Santana’s two-run single.

    Now, the Twins are looking at an offseason spent trying to figure out what went wrong and how to avoid a repeat in the future.

    “You don’t react emotionally in these moments. Really, you look at it big-picture,” Baldelli said. “You look at how the season went as a whole. We’re also going to look at how the last six weeks went, because that’s what a lot of us are feeling right now.”

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  • Twins game against Red Sox postponed by rain, doubleheader set for Sunday

    Twins game against Red Sox postponed by rain, doubleheader set for Sunday

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    Digital morning headlines from Sept. 21, 2024


    Digital morning headlines from Sept. 21, 2024

    01:11

    The game between the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox scheduled for Saturday was postponed because of rain.

    A split doubleheader is planned for Sunday at Fenway Park, where the regularly scheduled game was moved from 1:35 p.m. to 12:35 p.m. The rained-out game will be the second game, with the first pitch scheduled for 5:35 p.m.

    Minnesota right-hander Pablo Lopez (15-8, 3.84 ERA) and Boston righty Kutter Crawford (8-15, 4.19) were originally scheduled to start Saturday, with Zebby Matthews (1-3, 6.30) and Nick Pivetta (5-11, 4.37), also righties, set to go Sunday in the season series finale.

    The Twins began Saturday in the American League’s third and final wild-card spot. The Red Sox were five games back with eight to play, behind the Detroit Tigers and the Seattle Mariners.

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  • Twins drop in AL Central standings after 5-0 loss to Royals

    Twins drop in AL Central standings after 5-0 loss to Royals

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    Morning headlines from Sept. 6, 2024


    Morning headlines from Sept. 6, 2024

    04:37

    The Minnesota Twins lost to the Kansas City Royals 5-0 on Friday night with the teams switching places in the AL Central and wild card standings.

    The Royals now hold a half-game lead for second place in the division and the second wild card spot.

    Michael Massey had three hits, including a home run, for the Royals.

    Ragans (11-9) scattered four hits in six scoreless innings. He won for the first time since a 4-1 victory in Minneapolis on August 14, the Royals’ lone win in Minnesota this season.

    Zebby Matthews (1-3) took the loss. He allowed four runs on nine hits in five innings.

    Ragans picked up his third strikeout of the game — and 200th of the season — to end the third inning, making him the fifth pitcher in Royals history to post 200 strikeouts in a season. He is the first Royals pitcher since Zack Greinke in 2009 to accomplish the feat.

    The Royals plated a run in the third. Kyle Isbel drew a one-out walk and scored from first when Tommy Pham yanked the ball into the left field corner. The Twins answered with an almost identical play in the top of the fourth. Austin Martin ripped a two-out double to the wall in left, but Pham threw a relay to Bobby Witt Jr., who fired a strike to Salvador Perez to retire Kyle Farmer at the plate.

    Massey then extended the lead in the bottom of the fourth on a 408-foot solo home run into the bullpen in right.

    The Royals used their speed to add on in the fifth. Witt avoided a double play on a comebacker to Matthews and went to third on a single by MJ Melendez. Melendez stole second and both runners scored on a single by Hunter Renfroe.

    Yuli Gurriel’s sacrifice fly in the eighth scored the final run.

    UP NEXT

    The Twins and Royals will play the second game of their three-game series. The Twins will start RHP Bailey Ober (12-6, 3.95 ERA) against Royals RHP Alec Marsh (7-8, 4.70 ERA).

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  • MLB Power Rankings: Dodgers, Rays rebound; Checking in on sneaky-good seasons

    MLB Power Rankings: Dodgers, Rays rebound; Checking in on sneaky-good seasons

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    By Grant Brisbee, Kaitlyn McGrath and Stephen J. Nesbitt

    Every week,​ we​ ask a selected group of our baseball​ writers​ — local and national — to rank the teams from first to worst. Here are the collective results.

    We’re approaching the business end of the season. With six weeks remaining, the postseason races are coming into focus as are the finalists for the annual awards.

    Bobby Witt Jr. and Aaron Judge are each making a strong case for the American League MVP, while Shohei Ohtani is proving that even when he’s held to only hitting, he can be the heavy favorite to win his first National League MVP and third overall. Corbin Burnes and Tarik Skubal are the leading candidates for the AL Cy Young Award, while in the NL, Chris Sale and Zack Wheeler are favored for the honor.

    We can all name plenty of players having standout seasons and getting deserved recognition — but what about those players flying just under the radar? In this week’s power rankings, we set out to identify those players having sneaky good seasons for their respective ball clubs.

    Record: 74-52
    Last Power Ranking: 3

    Sneaky-good season: RHP Gavin Stone

    The Dodgers would be absolutely hosed without Stone. Bobby Miller and Walker Buehler have combined for 17 erratic and ineffective starts this season, and Clayton Kershaw rejoined the team only recently. Tyler Glasnow is on the 15-day IL, Yoshinobu Yamamoto is on the 60-day IL with shoulder issues and River Ryan needed Tommy John surgery right as he was starting to impress.

    Without Stone and his modestly successful 22 starts (3.63 ERA, 4.04 FIP), there would be a lot more panic surrounding the Dodgers. They probably weren’t expecting an NL West race this close, and they definitely weren’t expecting to need 17 different starting pitchers (and counting) this season. The peripheral stats suggest that Stone won’t be dominant until he returns to missing bats like he did in the minors. The Dodgers needed one of their gaggle of young starters to be sneaky good this season, and they needed it in the worst way. — Grant Brisbee

    Record: 73-52
    Last Power Ranking: 1

    Sneaky-good season: RHP Michael Tonkin

    After the opening month he had, who would have thought the 34-year-old Tonkin would have a 2.73 ERA with the Yankees? After signing a split contract with the Mets and breaking camp with them, the journeyman reliever was DFA’d then traded to the Twins only to be DFA’d by them and picked up again by the Mets, who subsequently DFA’d him once more after which he was claimed by the Yankees — all before the end of April. But after a blown save in his Yankees debut, Tonkin has found a home in the Bronx and earned his way into Aaron Boone’s circle of trust. Upping the usage of his two-seam fastball along with some runway to get comfortable seems to be the recipe Tonkin needed to put together a sneaky good season after a chaotic start. — Kaitlyn McGrath

    Record: 73-51
    Last Power Ranking: 4

    Sneaky-good season: RHP Orion Kerkering

    Jeff Hoffman and Matt Strahm have been the standouts from the Phillies bullpen — and both received well-earned All-Star nods because of it. But behind them, having a season just as good, though perhaps more under the radar has been rookie Orion Kerkering, who has a 2.51 ERA in 47 appearances with 53 strikeouts in 46 2/3 innings. He’s succeeded especially by limiting hard contact, holding the opposition to a 31.4 percent hard-hit rate that ranks in the 92nd percentile in the majors. Kerkering shot through the Phillies system last year, and made his MLB debut last September. Expectations were high for Kerkering this season, and he has lived up to them. — McGrath

    Record: 73-53
    Last Power Ranking: 2

    Sneaky-good season: 1B/OF/DH Ryan O’Hearn

    O’Hearn had five unremarkable years with the Kansas City Royals, compiling a .683 OPS, before he was DFA’d and landed with the Orioles in 2023 in a make-or-break year for his career. The first baseman broke out and he’s carried that success into this season, too. The left-handed hitter has a .801 OPS in 107 games and has been particularly effective against right-handed pitching, with an .818 OPS and all 12 of his home runs coming in situations where he has the platoon advantage. On a team with many big hitters, O’Hearn is making the most of his part-time role and for that reason, he’s authoring one of the best sneaky good seasons. — McGrath

    Record: 72-52
    Last Power Ranking: 6

    Sneaky-good season: 3B Joey Ortiz

    The seriously good Brewers have had no shortage of sneaky good seasons — we’ve previously noted Jackson Chourio and Bryan Hudson and Brice Turang — so we’re going with a guy who’s mostly flown under the radar. After going to Milwaukee in the Corbin Burnes trade last offseason, Ortiz has played plus defense at third base and been a steady contributor at the plate: .248/.345/.401, eight homers, seven steals. There’s more power in the bat than he’s shown so far this season, but in the meantime, he’s getting on base and displaying exceptional plate discipline to help lengthen the Brewers lineup. A 3 WAR rookie season won’t win hardware, given the competition, but it’s still sneaky good. — Stephen Nesbitt

    Record: 72-52
    Last Power Ranking: 5

    Sneaky-good season: RHP Hunter Gaddis

    Sorry Cade Smith, but once you get the Ken Rosenthal notebook treatment you’re not sneaking by anyone anymore. So let’s go with the Guardians’ other set-up guy. Gaddis entered this season with a 6.57 ERA in almost 50 innings in the majors. That stinks! So when he started the season with 13 consecutive scoreless relief outings, that was a surprise. Then when he served up six runs across his next three outings, that was not a surprise. And yet, entering this week, Gaddis has allowed only four earned runs since the start of May. That’s an 0.84 ERA in 42 2/3 innings, cutting his season ERA to 1.40. Good luck staying sneaky good at that rate. Just look at this stuff! — Nesbitt

    Record: 71-55
    Last Power Ranking: 8

    Sneaky-good season: C Kyle Higashioka

    Sometimes you have the kind of season where almost nothing goes right. Like, say, most of the seasons in Padres franchise history. But sometimes you have the kind of season where even the backup catcher is contributing. Higashioka’s on-base skills still leave a lot to be desired, but he’s hit 14 home runs in just 189 plate appearances, which is more than anyone in the Yankees’ infield this season.

    The Padres were just looking for a catcher who wouldn’t mess things up, but they stumbled onto an accidental dinger machine, which is just how this team is rolling right now. — Brisbee

    Record: 70-55
    Last Power Ranking: 9

    Sneaky-good season: 1B Carlos Santana

    None of the other first basemen who were free agents last offseason have come close to matching the 38-year-old Santana’s value this season. Not Cody Bellinger. Not Rhys Hoskins. Not Rowdy Tellez or Joey Gallo or Matt Carpenter. The Twins signed Santana for $5 million, and he’s delivered a .241/.330/.432 slash line (112 OPS+) with 18 homers while playing outrageously good defense. He has accrued 13 outs above average, which is No. 1 among first basemen and twice as many as any first baseman not named Christian Walker (11 OAA). Pairing that defense with an excellent eye and solid switch-hitting pop, I don’t see why Santana wouldn’t keep finding one-year deals and play into his 40s. — Nesbitt

    Record: 70-56
    Last Power Ranking: 7

    Sneaky-good season: Justin Martínez

    Martínez has a National League Championship ring from his time with the Diamondbacks last season, but that doesn’t mean that he actually contributed. He walked 11 batters in 10 major-league innings, which was only slightly worse than the 48 batters he walked in 49 1/3 innings in Triple A. It would have been possible to make a list of “The 50 players who are likely to contribute to the 2024 Diamondbacks” without including Martínez.

    Stuff is stuff, though, and Martínez has stuff. He’s one of the only pitchers who averages 100 mph on his fastball, and his Baseball Savant page is dripping with red ink (the good kind). If the Diamondbacks are going to get back to the World Series, they’ll need relievers. Here’s a sneaky good one. — Brisbee

    Record: 68-56
    Last Power Ranking: 11

    Sneaky-good season: C Victor Caratini

    Boy, did Astros fans deserve this one after suffering through three straight miserable offensive seasons from Martín Maldonado. The former Astros catcher had 1,212 plate appearances over the last three seasons, with a .183/.260/.333 slash line. He was under the Mendoza Line in all three. You might be thinking that he made up for all this with his speed, but that’s a common misconception. He actually wasn’t very fast at all.

    The Astros found their primary catcher of the future last season, Yainer Diaz, and he’s having another excellent season. But when it’s time to rest him and keep him fresh, the Astros can turn to Caratini without losing too much offense. That’s the dream for every team. They all want a backup catcher who can hit a little, but that’s incredibly difficult to find. Here’s a fan base that appreciates it even more than others might. — Brisbee

    Record: 70-55
    Last Power Ranking: 10

    Sneaky-good season: The starting rotation

    When The Athletic’s Jim Bowden ranked every starting rotation before the season, the Royals were 23rd. MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince didn’t even give them an honorable mention in his preseason top 10, either. Both writers were dead on about the Mariners and Phillies, who rank first and second, respectively, in rotation ERA this season. But third? That’s the Royals, at 3.56.

    The current rotation stacks up like this:

    Seth Lugo: 3.04 ERA, 3.49 FIP, 1.09 WHIP, 159 2/3 IP
    Cole Ragans: 3.18 ERA, 2.95 FIP, 1.15 WHIP, 147 1/3 IP
    Brady Singer: 3.18 ERA, 3.66 FIP, 1.21 WHIP, 141 2/3 IP
    Michael Wacha: 3.33 ERA, 3.86 FIP, 1.21 WHIP, 127 IP
    Michael Lorenzen: 2.87 ERA, 4.76 FIP, 1.28 WHIP, 15 2/3 IP

    Ragans-Lugo-Singer isn’t the most intimidating starting three for a wild-card series, but, boy, they’re going to give the Royals a good chance to win. — Nesbitt

    Record: 66-58
    Last Power Ranking: 13

    Sneaky-good season: RHP Jesse Chavez

    We know what you’re thinking. Is Jesse Chavez still pitching? Is he pitching well? For the Atlanta Braves? The answer to those three questions is a resounding yes! The 40-year-old continues to be a reliable arm out of the bullpen for Atlanta, where he’s cultivated a legend status and earned the nickname “coach” in the clubhouse. In his 17th (!) season pitching in the majors — a career that includes stops with nine teams — Chavez has a 2.85 ERA in 39 appearances with 47 strikeouts in 53 2/3 innings. The veteran has been particularly effective with runners in scoring position, holding the opposition to a .127 batting average in those situations. — McGrath

    Record: 65-59
    Last Power Ranking: 14

    Sneaky-good season: RF Wilyer Abreu

    When former Red Sox GM Chaim Bloom dealt Christian Vázquez to the Astros at the 2022 trade deadline for prospects Enmanuel Valdez and Abreu, there was consternation from the fanbase for moving on from the fan-favorite catcher. Two years later, however, the deal looks like a win for Boston, thanks in part to the play of Abreu. (Although apologies to Bloom will have to be forwarded to St. Louis, where he is now an advisor after being fired by the Red Sox.) The right-fielder had a .836 OPS through 96 games with 14 home runs, including a pair of emotional ones earlier this month. As the Red Sox try to desperately stay in the mix for a wild-card spot this year, Abreu at least looks like he’ll be a part of the solution in Boston for years to come. — McGrath

    Record: 64-62
    Last Power Ranking: 12

    Sneaky-good season: CF Victor Robles

    Quick, how old do you think Robles is? I would have guessed 30, and that he was a Nationals prospect a decade ago, if not more. Heck, he was a prospect for so long, you could have convinced me he was in the Expos’ system.

    He just turned 27. While he’s probably not going to turn into an All-Star, he’s currently one of the only Mariners hitters with any idea how to hit a baseball, which makes him a precious gem. A .345 OBP with 14 steals and strong defense? Break out the rye bread and the salami, grandma, because you’re going to need to eat something while you’re hammering out a 12-year contract extension for the guy. — Brisbee

    Record: 65-60
    Last Power Ranking: 15

    Sneaky-good season: LHP Sean Manaea

    In the crowded NL wild-card race, we don’t know yet whether the Mets can make a late charge for the last spot. But what we do know is that starter Manaea has likely pitched his way into a neat multi-year deal this winter. The left-hander has a 3.46 ERA in 24 starts. According to ERA+, this has been his best season since 2018, when he had a 3.59 ERA in 27 starts for the Oakland Athletics. A free agent in the winter, Manaea has made the most of his platform year, while also helping the Mets at least remain competitive down the stretch. As one of the top left-handed starters available, Manaea’s sneaky good season could pay off big in the offseason. — McGrath

    Record: 62-62
    Last Power Ranking: 19

    Sneaky-good season: LHP Garrett Cleavinger

    This is what the Rays do. They take a relatively unknown pitcher, perhaps a guy who bounced around, and make him into one of the game’s most feared arms out of the bullpen. Enter this year’s example, Cleavinger, who previously pitched for the Phillies and Dodgers before finding a home in Tampa Bay. In 54 appearances, the left-hander has a 2.81 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 48 innings. His 29 percent strikeout rate ranks in the top 20 of qualified AL relievers and his average exit velocity of 86.5 mph ranks in the top 10 percent of the majors, making him one of the toughest relievers to square up. Thanks to advice from fellow Rays pitcher Drew Rasmussen, Cleavinger has found success splitting his breaking ball into two pitches — his previous slider and a new sweeper that’s held batters to a .275 slugging percentage. Cleavinger is yet another reminder of the Tampa Bay Way. — McGrath

    Record: 64-63
    Last Power Ranking: 16

    Sneaky-good season: LHP Erik Miller

    Miller is a left-handed reliever who’s built like a power forward or tight end and throws 100 mph with occasionally nasty secondary pitches. The Giants got him from the Phillies for Yunior Marte, and it’s looking like a steal so far.

    Don’t blame the Phillies (too much) for giving up on Miller. His stuff was obvious, but his command and control were dreadful, and he had a career 5.8 BB/9 in the minors. Something clicked for him, though, and since the beginning of May, he’s had a 2.90 ERA, with 47 strikeouts in 40 1/3 innings. The walks still need to come way, way down, but he’s been a large part of a Giants bullpen that’s gotten more reliable as the season has progressed. — Brisbee

    Record: 61-64
    Last Power Ranking: 18

    Sneaky-good season: 1B Michael Busch

    We’ve really rankled Cubs fans lately by not mentioning Busch among the top NL Rookie of the Year candidates. “If he were a Yankee,” one reader wrote, “the clarion call from the Bronx would be deafening.” Consider this your clarion call, Chicago! After arriving in a trade from Los Angeles, Busch started the season white hot and has been remarkably steady all summer. He’s providing standout defense at first base and a blend of on-base and power at the plate. It remains concerning that Busch has struck out in 31.2 percent of his plate appearances in the majors, but odds are that will come down slightly over time. — Nesbitt

    Record: 61-63
    Last Power Ranking: 17

    Sneaky-good season: 1B/DH Alec Burleson

    If you’d have told a Cardinals fan this spring that Burleson in his sophomore season would hit .280 with about 25 dingers and 10 steals, they’d have asked if they could give you a big ol’ hug. That’s a great year! Burleson has some obvious flaws in his profile, but there’s been a lot more good than bad. The biggest knock against Burleson: his atrocious defensive numbers. He played out of position much of the summer, bouncing between left and right field despite having no business being out there. Burleson could wind up being on the large side of a platoon, as he’s struggled mightily against lefties, but with his bat-to-ball skills and barrels he should remain a useful hitter for years to come. — Nesbitt

    Record: 61-64
    Last Power Ranking: 20

    Sneaky-good season: RHP Nick Martinez

    Martinez has been sneaky good since returning in 2022 from a four-year stint in Japan. He had a 3.45 ERA over 216 2/3 innings for the Padres across the 2022 and 2023 seasons, and has seen similar success in a bulk role with the Reds this season: 3.25 ERA in 97 innings. Martinez is a soft-contact savant. What’s changed this year, though, is that he’s simply not permitting walks. He’s the only MLB pitcher (minimum 90 innings) averaging less than a walk per nine innings this year; he has not allowed multiple walks in any outing. Cincinnati is a hard place to pitch, and Martinez has a much worse ERA at home (4.42) than away (1.71), but limiting walks and homers is a great recipe anywhere. — Nesbitt

    Record: 61-64
    Last Power Ranking: 23

    Sneaky-good season: CF Parker Meadows

    A sneaky good stretch has saved Meadows’ season. One of the most gifted defensive outfielders in the game, Meadows was optioned to Triple A in May because he was batting .096. He returned to Detroit in July and had four hits in a series sweep of Cincinnati, then suffered a hamstring strain. He recovered, returned and hasn’t stopped hitting. He’s 20-for-57 (.351) with eight extra-base hits in 15 games since being recalled from the minors, and the Tigers are 12-3 in those games. After tallying three hits, including a walk-off single, in the leadoff spot against the Yankees on Sunday night, Meadows saw his season batting average rise above .200 for the first time all season. Considering where Meadows was a few months ago, the Mendoza Line never looked so impressive. — Nesbitt

    Record: 58-66
    Last Power Ranking: T-21

    Sneaky-good season: C Joey Bart

    The Pirates’ inability to identify their catcher of the future is not a new issue. They haven’t drafted one, haven’t signed one. When they added Bart, who’d busted in San Francisco, in a minor trade this spring, few thought they’d found a long-term contributor. But Bart has been one of the Pirates’ best hitters this season, with a .351 OBP, .882 OPS and career-high 12 homers. Bart’s defensive numbers are poor, so perhaps he’s a short-term solution at catcher, but if he hits like this the Pirates will gladly take him as the first baseman of the future. — Nesbitt

    Record: 58-68
    Last Power Ranking: T-21

    Sneaky-good season: RHP David Robertson

    Try to find another candidate for a sneaky good season on the Rangers. Go on, I dare you. The story of their season has been a surfeit of aggressively lousy seasons, nothing sneaky about it. So we’ll go with Robertson, who was in the same draft class with Max Scherzer and Joba Chamberlain, roughly six decades ago. He was teammates with a rehabbing Roger Clemens on the 2007 Trenton Thunder, and Clemens was in the Red Sox organization when Carl Yastrzemski was still playing. You can get from Robertson to Babe Ruth in five steps.

    Robertson is also having a sneaky good season. Again. Not bad for a 39-year-old who had to pitch for the High Point Rockers a couple years ago just to get teams to notice him. — Brisbee

    Record: 58-67
    Last Power Ranking: 24

    Sneaky-good season: RHP Chad Green

    Green survived the Blue Jays’ purge at the trade deadline, and it’s a good thing he did because he has been far and away their best reliever. The veteran right-hander has a 1.82 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 39 2/3 innings. With their regular closer Jordan Romano on the 60-day IL and backup closer Yimi García traded to the Mariners at the deadline, Green stepped into the closer role and has gone a perfect 13-for-13 in save opportunities. There hasn’t been much good to come out of this season for Toronto, but Green’s first full season back after Tommy John surgery has been a bright spot and he’s also signed through next season. — McGrath

    Record: 56-69
    Last Power Ranking: 25

    Sneaky-good season: RHP Jake Irvin

    A year ago, Irvin looked like he might be a guy who could at the very least fill innings for the Nationals which is useful, if not spectacular. But this season, the 27-year-old right-hander has shown more promise and moved in the right direction. In 26 starts, Irvin has a 3.81 ERA and his 151 innings pitched lead all pitchers on the Nationals while his 2.7 bWAR is behind only CJ Abrams for the most on the team. A key to his success has been cutting his walk rate nearly in half, from 10.2 percent last season to 5.7 percent this season. If the Nationals are going to return to relevancy again, they’ll need the likes of Abrams, James Wood and MacKenzie Gore to perform. But after this sneaky good season, Irvin is showing that he too can be a key part of the future. — McGrath

    Record: 54-71
    Last Power Ranking: 27

    Sneaky-good season: RHP Osvaldo Bido

    Sometimes it’s good to be a team without a chance at the postseason. Experimentation is encouraged, if not necessary, and that’s how the A’s can follow a hunch and convert a 28-year-old minor-league free-agent reliever into a starter. Let’s not go overboard with his success in six starts, but the early returns are encouraging. Last year, he struggled with his command in the Pirates organization. This year, he’s allowing some of the weakest contact in the league. He has the lowest hard-hit percentage in the game. Exit velocity data is just as encouraging.

    There will be an adjustment from the rest of the league. Each start will give opponents new ways to attack him. After another month, we’ll have a better idea if Bido is for real. My suspicion is that his command will need to improve for him to be a bonafide starter, but he’s done well so far. — Brisbee

    Record: 53-72
    Last Power Ranking: 26

    Sneaky-good season: SS Zach Neto

    Angels fans probably don’t think that Neto’s season needs an adjective. He’s just been good. He has a .779 OPS, which is 15 percent better than the average hitter, except he’s doing it as an excellent defensive shortstop. It’s less a sneaky good season and more of a sneaky great season.

    We’ll let it qualify for this exercise because we’ll stretch the exercise to allow Neto’s breakout season to feel sneaky good about the Angels franchise as a whole. No, seriously. They drafted Neto 13th overall just two years ago, and he’s already thriving in the majors and looking like a franchise cornerstone. The organization has a long way to go, but developing an excellent shortstop is a heckuva start. Go on. Be a little positive about the Angels. As a treat. — Brisbee

    Record: 46-79
    Last Power Ranking: 29

    Sneaky-good season: 1B/3B Jake Burger

    It didn’t always look like Jake Burger would be on this list. As the Marlins were off to their dreadful start, the 28-year-old infielder had a .635 OPS with only 10 home runs in 73 games during the first half. But Burger has turned it on in the second half. In 28 games since the All-Star break, Burger has hit .321 with a 1.161 OPS. He’s hit 14 home runs in that span — including a stretch of eight games in August where he homered seven times. Thanks to the hot stretch, Burger has his season wRC+ back up to 113 which is in line with the rest of his career. It hasn’t been a memorable season in Miami, but Burger may have found a way to salvage his. — McGrath

    Record: 46-79
    Last Power Ranking: 28

    Sneaky-good season: 1B/OF Michael Toglia

    Toglia is an extremely large, switch-hitting first baseman who was drafted in the first round in 2019, only to get sucked into the COVID-19 maelstrom that cost minor leaguers a full season of proper development. He’s behind schedule compared to the typical first-round first baseman, but it’s not hard to guess why.

    He’s up now, though, and he’s raking in the second half. His strikeouts are down, his walks are up and he’s already hit 20 homers. The most exciting part for the Rockies might be that he’s been even better on the road, which isn’t supposed to happen. The organization’s future is still dull and frustrating, but getting value out of first-round picks, even if it takes a few years, is how they’re going to get out of this mess. — Brisbee

    Record: 30-96
    Last Power Ranking: 30

    Sneaky-good season: RHP Jonathan Cannon

    Do you understand what you’re asking of me? The White Sox don’t have a position player above 0.5 fWAR. Their only pitcher above 1 fWAR is All-Star Garrett Crochet, who was the talk of July and therefore not at all sneaky.

    There really is only one option, other than the under, and that’s Cannon. The former Georgia Bulldog has had a couple starts go sideways, but the overall line — 4.02 ERA, 4.70 FIP, 1.30 WHIP in 80 2/3 innings — is solid enough. Cannon has command but lacks swing-and-miss stuff. We’ll see how that goes. Normally Cannon would just be a bright spot for a bad team. But he has a big job the rest of the way: helping the White Sox try to avoid the most losses in modern history. — Nesbitt

    (Top photo of Brandon Lowe: Julio Aguilar / Getty Images)

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    The New York Times

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  • Joe Mauer to get bronze statue outside Target Field in 2025

    Joe Mauer to get bronze statue outside Target Field in 2025

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    NEXT Weather: 6 p.m. forecast for Saturday August 8, 2024


    NEXT Weather: 6 p.m. forecast for Saturday August 8, 2024

    03:56

    MINNEAPOLIS — Minnesota baseball legend and National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, Joe Mauer, will have his own bronze statue at Target Field. 

    The Minnesota Twins made the announcement Saturday night during an on-field ceremony celebrating Mauer’s Cooperstown induction. 

    “Joe Mauer is a Hall of Fame player and person, and one of the best to ever wear a Minnesota Twins uniform,” said Joe Pohlad, club executive chair. “Joe is one of us, and we all went along for the ride as the kid from St. Paul earned his rightful place in Cooperstown as the best-hitting catcher in baseball history. The memories he created for a generation of his fellow Minnesotans will always be cherished, and it is only fitting that our ballpark has a permanent celebration of our hometown baseball hero.”    

    The location of the statue will be determined during the 2025 major league season. 

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    Chloe Rosen

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  • Houston Astros Release 2025 Schedule, Open at Home vs Mets

    Houston Astros Release 2025 Schedule, Open at Home vs Mets

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    Someday, Major League Baseball will figure out what the National Football League has already figured out — if your fans are engaged, you can turn almost anything into a really big deal. The NFL has practically turned the schedule release into a national holiday. MLB? Not so much.

    To wit, MLB released its 2025 schedule on Thursday, with the calendar all to themselves, to no fanfare, with no TV coverage of it. For Astro fans, it was an email from the team unveiling the schedule. YIPPEE! Anyway, I am actually very excited about the unveiling of the schedule! If you haven’t seen it yet, here you go:

    Okay, a few observations on what will hopefully be the defense of the Astros’ third World Series championship in team history. Dare to dream!

    The opening week is a little weird
    Opening Day in MLB is still something that they generally do better than the other sports. It is still sacred. The Astros will open at home, once again. Whereas last season they opened at home against the Yankees, in 2025 they will open against New York’s other team, the Mets. That’s followed up by a series with the San Francisco Giants. Two series against National League teams to being the season feels a little strange, and lacking in juice.

    The Astros will be the opponent for the Minnesota Twins in the Twins’ home opening series
    I realize this is something that may only matter to me, but I had major issues with some Twins fans last week when i visited there for the Astros’ series with the Twins:

    Needless to say, I will be there.

    Trips to Sacramento in June and September to face the Drifter A’s
    The A’s will be moving out of Oakland this offseason, as they continue their trek toward Las Vegas later this decade. The plan is to have them play in Sacramento in a minor league ballpark, with no city designation. They will just be “The Athletics.” Yes, it’s weird as hell. However, if you’ve never been to Sacramento, June and September will provide the ideal time to cross it off your bucket list, as the Astros travel there to face the A’s

    Want to celebrate 4th of July weekend? Head to Los Angeles!
    We love America, and we hate the Dodgers! What better dynamic than to head to Los Angeles for 4th of July weekend. and a series with the Dodgers?

    Between August 1 and mid-September, the schedule is a bear
    In baseball, the pennant race begins to really heat up in August, after the trade deadline has come and gone. Beginning August 1, the Astros embark on a 41 game period where they play 25 games on the road, and those 25 games are separated into two 9-game road trips and a 7-game road trip. That will be a real test. But then….

    After September 15, IT IS ON!
    From September 15 on, the Astros finish their season playing division foes the rest of the way, with one series each against the Rangers (home), Mariners (home), A’s (Sacramento!), and Angels (road).

    Listen to Sean Pendergast on SportsRadio 610 from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. weekdays. Also, follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/SeanTPendergast, on Instagram at instagram.com/sean.pendergast, and like him on Facebook at facebook.com/SeanTPendergast.

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    Sean Pendergast

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  • MLB midseason awards: MVP and LVP, Cy Young and Cy Yuk, top rookies and more

    MLB midseason awards: MVP and LVP, Cy Young and Cy Yuk, top rookies and more

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    We interrupt your mid-July search for your favorite tube of sunscreen for this important announcement: Somehow or other, the All-Star break is going to arrive in like 15 minutes.

    So yes, it’s that time again — time for me to hand out my coveted midseason awards. Best I can tell, this year’s awards ceremony once again will not be hosted by Hugh Grant, Hugh Jackman, Reggie Jackson, Samuel L. Jackson, Juan Samuel, Juan Pierre or Pierre Cardin. So I’ll just have to do this myself. Ready? The envelopes, please!

    AL MVP of the half-year: Aaron Judge, Yankees


    Aaron Judge looks to the dugout after launching another long ball. (John Jones / USA Today)

    Gunnar Henderson is a both-sides-of-the-ball game-changer. But he’s not the American League MVP. Bobby Witt Jr. and Juan Soto can play for my team any time. But they’re not the AL MVP, either.

    No, the AL MVP is one of those rare humans who feels larger than life, larger than the Empire State Building, larger than the sport he plays. Aaron Judge towers over everyone and everything these days. So I appreciate that he made at least one of these awards soooo easy to pick.

    Has it dawned on us yet where Judge is headed over these next few months? And by that I mean: Toward one of the most spectacular offensive seasons of our time, or any time. His current pace is absolutely mind-warping:

    OPS+ HR  AVG OBP SLUG RBI

    202

    55

    .307

    .424

    .672

    143

    (through Wednesday)

    Just so you know, only two other men have ever had that year:

    PLAYER  AVG OBP SLUG  OPS+ HR  RBI

    Babe Ruth, 1921 

    .378

    .512

    .846

    239

    59

    168

    Babe Ruth, 1927 

    .356

    .486

    .772

    225

    60

    165

    Jimmie Foxx, 1932

    .364

    .469

    .749

    207 

    58

    169

    (Source: Baseball Reference / Stathead)

    Mickey Mantle (1961), Barry Bonds (2001), Mark McGwire (1998) and the 2022 version of Judge himself were near-misses. But you get the picture. And I haven’t even mentioned that Judge is also on pace for 92 extra-base hits, a number that only Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio and Alfonso Soriano have reached in the history of the Yankees.

    But the other reason Aaron Judge is the MVP revolves around what he means to a Yankees lineup that depends on every ounce of superhero magic Judge has in him, especially as his team has unraveled over the past few weeks. Take a look at how Judge’s production compares with what this juggernaut is getting from all other Yankees not named Juan Soto:

    JUDGE  OTHERS

    AVG

    .307  

    .235

    OBP 

    .424  

    .299

    SLUG 

    .672 

    .370

    OPS   

    1.096  

    .669

    With every category, the gap between Judge and his non-Soto-esque teammates gets not just wider, but wilder. A 302-point difference in slugging? A 427-point gap between his OPS and theirs? This isn’t the Oakland A’s lineup we’re talking about. This is the lineup of a $303 million baseball team.

    So with the utmost respect for any other candidate you’d like to make a case for … sorry! Here comes the Judge — again — to collect another prestigious midseason MVP award. Why is anybody throwing this dude a strike?

    MY AL MVP TOP FIVE: Judge, Henderson, Witt, Soto, Steven Kwan.

    NL MVP of the half-year: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers 


    A third MVP award for Shohei Ohtani? He’s on his way. (Jonathan Hui / USA Today)

    Isn’t it funny how Shohei Ohtani MVP debates aren’t like anyone else’s MVP debates? Then again, maybe that’s just how it works on Planet Unicorn. But let’s explain anyway.

    The 2021-23 version of this debate went: If he’s going to pitch and hit, you might as well give him this thing every darned year because nobody can compete with that. Only Aaron Judge, the 2022 62-homer edition, was able to power through that logic.

    But now, here in 2024, it’s all flipped on Shohei: If he’s not going to pitch and he’s not going to play the field and he’s only a DH, how can he possibly win this award? Isn’t that the question? If David Ortiz never did, if Edgar Martinez never did, then maybe no DH ever will — or should — win an MVP trophy. Right?

    Ehhh, wrong. We should never have unshakeable, illogical rules like that — especially when we’re talking about this man. He’s currently rocking along with a 190 OPS+. And is that good? If he keeps that up, it would merely be the best offensive season any DH has ever had.

    The only other DH who even approached that was Edgar, with a 185 OPS+ in 1995. So how’d he fare in that ’95 MVP race? The voters rewarded him with a third-place finish and four first-place votes. And that’s how it seemingly always works for guys who play no position, no matter how prodigiously they’re mashing.

    Not that we have many comparable players or seasons. Even if we drop the bar to a 170 OPS+, it’s an exclusive group — and the MVP voters didn’t seem interested in anybody in it.

    We won’t include the 60-game pandemic season of 2020. And it’s hard to count Ohtani’s 2023 season, because he also had this side gig where he was busy piling up more strikeouts on the mound than Justin Verlander. So that leaves only three true DHs who had a qualifying season with an OPS+ of 170 or better: Ortiz (171) in 2007, Victor Martinez (172) in 2014 and Travis Hafner (181) in 2006.

    Want to guess how many first-place MVP votes they got? Zero would be a fine guess.

    Even Ortiz, who was productive enough to roll up six seasons with a top-six MVP finish, only collected 17 first-place votes in his whole career: 11 in 2005 (when he finished second to Alex Rodriguez), four in 2003 and one each in 2004 and 2016. In fact, over the five seasons from 2003-07, Big Papi had the highest OPS of any hitter in the American League (1.014) while his team was winning two World Series — and got no MVP trophies out of it.

    But is that Shohei Ohtani’s problem? No, it is not. Is that our problem as voters, or awards-column authors? Nope. Not our problem, either.

    As we speak, Ohtani leads his league in home runs, extra-base hits, OPS, slugging and runs scored (among other things). And how many DHs have ever led their league in all of those categories over a full season? None. Naturally.

    But you should know that over the past 70 years, only eight players have done it at any position: Judge (2022), Mickey Mantle (1956), Carl Yastrzemski (1967), Frank Robinson (1966), Albert Pujols (2009), Mike Schmidt (1981), George Foster (1977) and Ryan Braun (2012).

    So as exceptional as Bryce Harper has been in Philly this year, with a bat and glove, it’s still apparently impossible for anyone to compete with the unique greatness of Ohtani — a man unleashing his wrecking ball on everything we ever thought one baseball-playing human was capable of.

    MY NL MVP TOP FIVE: Ohtani, Harper, Mookie Betts, Marcell Ozuna, Elly De La Cruz.

    AL LVP of the half-year: Bo Bichette, Blue Jays 


    What happened to Bo Bichette? (John E. Sokolowski / USA Today)

    I can’t believe I’m even typing this. I’ve always thought of Bo Bichette as a star, a natural-born hit machine, a face of his franchise. How he turned into this guy — the Least Valuable Player in the entire American League — is a mystery. Not just to me. To pretty much everyone I asked.

    He has spent the past three months playing like a fellow who would rather be somewhere other than Toronto. And the irony there is, if that’s how he actually feels, probably the worst way to inspire somebody to trade for you is to go out and make yourself the odds-on LVP favorite.

    Before I recite Bichette’s unsightly numbers, I should remind you that this award is not the same thing as saying someone is the worst player in the league. Javy Báez — a guy with an OPS+ of (gasp) 29 — has that distinction locked up in Detroit for the third straight year. But the LVP isn’t an “honor” I automatically bestow on guys like him.

    No, I look at the Blue Jays as the most disappointing team in the whole sport. So Bichette swoops in here because I’m not sure that would be possible without the massive underachievement of their once-charismatic shortstop.

    Check out just a few of Bo Bichette’s inexplicable “achievements” and you’ll see what I’m talking about.

    He can’t hit! This is a guy who led the league in hits two years in a row, and was headed for three in a row last year until he got derailed by knee and quad issues. Now he’s spitting out a gruesome .222/.275/.321 slash line, with fewer home runs (four) than Ernie Clement (six). But here’s the biggest shocker. There are 68 AL hitters with enough at-bats to qualify for the batting title. Who has the worst OPS+? Yup. Bo Bichette (at 70).

    He can’t even hit a fastball! Everybody knows you should never, ever throw a first-pitch fastball to Bo. Oh, wait. Check that! Take in the view of his year-by-year average against fastballs (in all counts), according to Statcast:

    2019 — .357
    2020 — .351
    2021 — .310
    2022 — .309
    2023 — .328
    2024 — .226

    One of these years is not like the others.

    He can’t hit left-handers! Bo eats left-handers for breakfast. That’s just a fact … um, I mean that used to be a fact.

    2019-23 — Hit .321 and slugged .537 versus left-handers.

    2024 — Hitting .153 and slugging .196 versus left-handers, with no home runs and only two extra-base hits in three months. Average versus left-handed starters: .106! What the heck.

    In other news … He’s hitting .115 in the first inning this season, with no extra-base hits. … He’s hitting only .209 and slugging .254 after he gets ahead in the count. … And in 35 plate appearances in the late innings of close games, he’s gotten only five hits all season (all five of them singles).

    I feel like I’m writing this in some bizarro universe where everything has turned upside-down. But these are the times I need to remind myself there’s a term to describe when something like this happens: L-V-P!

    MY AL LVP “TOP THREE”: Bichette, Báez, Gleyber Torres.

    NL LVP of the half-year: Tim Anderson, unemployed


    It’s been a steep fall for Tim Anderson, whom the Marlins released on July 5. (Sam Navarro / USA Today)

    It’s not that hard to remember a time when we used to look at Tim Anderson as … what’s that word again? … Oh, right. Good. An actual good, productive baseball player.

    He was an All-Star in 2022 and 2021, a year when he hit a walk-off homer into a corn field. He was a top-seven MVP finisher the year before that. He was a batting champ in 2019. He hit 20 homers and made the stolen base leaderboard in 2018. He was even a productive player for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic as recently as 16 months ago.

    So … who the heck shortstop-napped that guy?

    There was some dude wearing Tim Anderson’s uniform for the Marlins this year — for three months, anyway. But I hope you covered your eyes when you watched him, because it reminded me of, well, this.

    Except in this case, there was nowhere for Tim Anderson to hide. So as the Marlins’ once-hopeful season descended into a flame pit, they just kept running him out there, until they couldn’t convince themselves to do that anymore. So on July 5, they released him, possibly because of unreal stuff like this:

    He was the all-time Zero Hero in June! Have you ever heard of this? A guy who started 21 games in a calendar month and emerged from that month with zero walks and extra-base hits? Yeah, Tim Anderson just had that month. Only one other player in the past 60 years has had a calendar month like that: the legendary Steve Jeltz for the 1988 Phillies (but in a September with 20 fewer plate appearances). So wait. Make that two players!

    He played Beat the Streak! But that stretch didn’t just begin in June. Would you believe this guy somehow went two months, and 38 games in a row, without an extra-base hit? And he went 23 games in a row — we’re talking nearly 100 straight plate appearances — without a walk? That. Happened. The 23 consecutive games he started without a walk or an extra-base hit was the longest streak of dueling goose eggs in more than 30 years, since Darren Lewis went walk-less and XBH-free for 27 games in a row for the 1993 Giants.

    He also had more errors than walks! Nine errors, seven walks. Is that good? Or how about this: More errors than extra-base hits and stolen bases combined (9-7). Holy Mario Mendoza! How’d that happen?

    But let’s also mention … that Anderson “slugged” .226 and had an OPS+ of 30! … and that he hit .164 with runners in scoring position … and that he went 2-for-20 with runners in scoring position and two outs … and that he went 3-for-32 against the Braves and Phillies.

    I’m honestly just scratching the surface of those grisly numbers. Whatever. What I still can’t figure out is what the heck happened.

    “Look at his numbers since The Punch,” said a high-ranking decision-maker on one NL team … so I did!

    Since José Ramírez flattened Anderson in their fabled boxing match at second base, on Aug. 5, 2023, guess what player has the worst slugging percentage (.257) and OPS (.514) in baseball? Did I just hear thousands of you readers shouting, “Tim Anderson”? Heck, yeah, I did. You’re the best LVP students ever.

    MY NL LVP “TOP THREE”: Anderson, Kris Bryant, Jeff McNeil.

    AL Cy Young of the half-year: Tarik Skubal, Tigers


    Tarik Skubal gets the nod over Corbin Burnes, Garrett Crochet and Seth Lugo. (Lon Horwedel / USA Today)

    That sound you hear, off in the distance, is the thumbs of thousands of Orioles fans, reading this and pounding out story comments that go something to the effect of: If you don’t think Corbin Burnes deserves the Cy Young Award, you know less about baseball than my garden hose.

    Well, I’ve never met your garden hose. But I promise I spent more time thinking about this than all the hoses in your neighborhood combined. Now here’s what I think: If this was the Most Pivotal Trade of the Year award, you’d all be right. Because Corbin Burnes has been exactly that.

    He has also been as irreplaceable as any great starter on any contender in baseball. Which, come to think of it, is why the Orioles made that trade. But here’s an important thing to remember before we get any further:

    That’s not what Cy Young debates are made of!

    This is not the Most Valuable Pitcher award. It’s about performance, period. It’s about who has pitched the best, period. And if that’s the question, Tarik Skubal is the answer.

    It seems almost incomprehensible that only three Tigers starters have ever won a Cy Young Award: Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer and Denny McLain. That means Jim Bunning, Jack Morris, Mickey Lolich, Mark Fidrych, David Price, Frank Tanana and Rick Porcello were among the many Tigers aces who never did. But Tarik Skubal? He’s well on his way.

    I took a lot of time digging in on the excellent cases for Burnes, Garrett Crochet and Seth Lugo. But if this is just about who has pitched the best, I think I picked the right man. Here’s why:

    Skubal versus Burnes: These two guys are so close in ERA (2.43 for Burnes, 2.37 for Skubal), that’s not a factor. But Skubal leads Burnes in WHIP, strikeout rate, opponent OPS, opponent slugging and opponent average. And once Skubal makes his last start before the All-Star break, their workloads will be virtually the same.

    Skubal versus Lugo: Lugo is No. 1 in the league in ERA and batters faced. So he’s been tremendous for a Royals team that signed him, dreaming of this. But Skubal has a hefty lead in strikeout rate, FIP, WHIP and opponent OPS. So if Domination Factor is a useful tiebreaker in Cy Young debates, Skubal runs that table.

    Skubal versus Crochet: Crochet ranks in the top three in the AL in both WHIP and strikeout rate, which always rockets a guy to the top of my list. But wait. So does Skubal. And Skubal’s ERA (2.37) is seventh-tenths of a run lower than Crochet’s (3.08). As fantastic as Crochet has been for the White Sox, I don’t see the argument for placing him ahead of Skubal.

    And I bet you didn’t know that … Skubal has the third-best strikeout rate in the league plus the best walk rate (1.6 per nine innings). So he’s filling up the strike zone and still not getting hit … Speaking of which: Left-handed and right-handed hitters are batting under .200 against him. … And opposing cleanup hitters are hitting .109/.160/.130 against him (with one extra-base hit). That computes to an OPS+ of minus-18!

    Finally, who has a more overpowering pitch mix than Tarik Skubal? This dude throws five pitches — and hitters have a batting average under .200 against four of them. But hold on, because … none of those are even his wipeout pitch, because he also throws a changeup with a 47 percent whiff rate (49 strikeouts, 29 hits against that dastardly invisi-ball).

    So Skubal’s manager, A.J. Hinch, tipped his cap to all the other candidates out there, but made the case for his ace this way:

    “I love the way Tarik has dominated the strike zone. As the attention grew on him, he has continued to throw strikes, miss bats and keep the ball in the ballpark. He’s been the definition of a Cy Young candidate.”

    And as much as I appreciate everything about Burnes, Crochet and Lugo, I agree!

    MY AL CY YOUNG TOP FIVE: Skubal, Burnes, Crochet, Lugo, Logan Gilbert.

    NL Cy Young of the half-year: Chris Sale, Braves


    At age 35, in his 14th MLB season, is this the year Chris Sale wins a Cy Young? (Dale Zanine / USA Today)

    Who’s the best active pitcher who has never won a Cy Young Award? It’s pretty much a dead heat between Zack Wheeler and Chris Sale. Isn’t it? So how perfect is it that that’s almost exactly how I see this NL first-half Cy Young race?

    But first, can I mention that, in retrospect, Wheeler should already own one of those awards? Remember 2021? It now seems so clear that Wheeler deserved to win that year. In fact, this spring, another team’s ace — with no connection to either Wheeler or the NL winner in ’21, Corbin Burnes — went on an unprompted rant about it to me.

    I don’t think that’s true of Sale, but he has a different claim to fame. He once somehow ripped off six straight top-five Cy Young finishes (2012-17) without ever winning once. Want to guess how many other active starters have done that? None. Obviously.

    These two guys also rank 1-2 in ERA among all active starters with no Cy Young trophies. So it’s time that changed — for one of them. But it’s hard to figure out which one, because of course it is.

    I decided the best argument for Wheeler is that he’s emerged as baseball’s most consistent front-of-the-rotation dominator for a Phillies team that wouldn’t have the best record in the sport without him. And, as always, he combines brilliance with volume. He has faced 55 more hitters than Sale has. And yeah, that matters.

    But here, I think, is where Sale inches ahead:

    He’s crushed it against the best teams. How about this stat: Against teams that are .500 or better, Sale is 5-0, with a 1.27 ERA — the best ERA in baseball against the best teams. (Wheeler in that same category: 3-2, 3.47.)

    WHIP and strikeout rate don’t lie. When I do my Cy Young analysis, those two metrics are where I start. So when you find a guy who ranks in the top two in his league in both, as Sale does, that’s telling.

    K/9 IP

    Sale — 11.7
    Wheeler — 9.7

    WHIP

    Sale — 0.94
    Wheeler — 0.97

    FIP happens. I’m always wary of delving too deeply into Fielding Independent Pitching in my Cy Young process for one important reason: FIP tells us more about what should have happened (theoretically) than what actually happened. And Cy Youngs are about performance, not projection. But I do look at FIP as a potential tiebreaker when a race is this tight. And there is such an eye-opening difference between Sale’s FIP and Wheeler’s FIP, it’s hard to ignore.

    2024 FIP

    Sale — 2.22
    Wheeler — 3.32

    For once, let’s not ignore “The Win”: Like virtually all voters in this evolving age we live in, I barely look at “wins” anymore. But Sale has 12 of them. And of his three losses, one was a 1-0 game, another was a 2-1 game, and he has a better strikeout rate, plus more innings per start, in the losses than the 12 wins.

    Listen, I have nothing but immense respect for Zack Wheeler and the way he handles the responsibilities of acehood, every minute of every day, from April through Halloween. But remember:

    The Cy Young is not the Most Valuable Pitcher award. It’s about who has pitched best. And I think the answer, as of this moment, is Chris Sale. But I also think this is about as tight as Cy Young races get.

    MY NL CY YOUNG TOP FIVE: Sale, Wheeler, Ranger Suárez, Tyler Glasnow, Reynaldo López.

    AL Cy Yuk of the half-year: Kenta Maeda, Tigers


    Kenta Maeda’s gnarly numbers have Cy Yuk written all over them. (David Butler II / USA Today)

    I just wish my friends from STATS Perform could tell me if the same team has ever produced a Cy Young and Cy Yuk in the same season. I’m going to guess no on that. But if things don’t change in the next couple of months, I may have a trip down a Cy Yuk rabbit hole ahead of me.

    So stay tuned for that, because Kenta Maeda has charged to the top of the Cy Yuk leaderboard. In fact, he has charged toward the top of the all-time Cy Yuk leaderboard.

    Welcome to the 7.00 ERA Club! Sixteen starts into his first season as the Tigers’ highest-paid starter (with a $24 million guarantee over this season and next), Maeda is sitting on a 7.26 ERA. Do you think he wants to know that in the live-ball era, only two qualifying starters have ever finished a full season with an ERA that started with a “7?”

    Jack Knott, 1936 Browns —  7.27
    Les Sweetland, 1930 Phillies — 7.71

    So the American League “record” is 7.27 — almost exactly matching Maeda’s mark. And call me an alarmist, but I don’t think this is trending well for Kenta. His ERA over his past five starts: 10.13. His ERA over his last three starts: 13.11.

    Ah, but his manager, A.J. Hinch, may have just rescued him from the pursuit of Jack Knott, by gonging him from the Tigers’ rotation “for the foreseeable future.” So there’s that.

    Central casting! It’s amazing that the Tigers have a winning record against their division, considering they’ve spent the past three months letting Maeda pitch against it. His record in six starts against the Central: 0-2, with an 11.90 ERA!

    That’s not right! Almost 90 percent of the world’s population is right-handed. I’m guessing that’s not Maeda’s favorite factoid about the world’s population, considering he has spent this year essentially turning the entire right-handed portion of the sport into 1936 Joe DiMaggio:

    HITTER(S) OBP  SLUG OPS

    DiMaggio, 1936

    .352

    .576

    .928

    RHHs vs Maeda, 2024

    .359

    .578

    .936

    Don’t tune into this FastCast! Scouts who have seen Maeda talk about his inability to get swings-and-misses on pretty much any pitch. But it all starts with the fastball — and hey, that’s going well.

    According to Baseball Savant’s Pitch Arsenal leaderboard, Maeda’s four-seam fastball is basically the fifth most-pummeled pitch in baseball. It’s transforming all hitters who swing at it into Babe Ruth, 1926.

    HITTER(S) AVG.  SLUG

    Ruth, 1926

    .372

    .737   

    vs. Maeda fastball, 2024

    .375

    .732  

    As always, this sport was filled with many deserving Cy Yuk candidates. But it’s hard to beat a guy turning an entire sport into Babe Ruth!

    MY AL CY YUK “TOP THREE”: Kenta Maeda, Michael Soroka, Reid Detmers.

    NL Cy Yuk of the half-year: Blake Snell, Giants


    Blake Snell, from Cy Young to Cy Yuk. (John Hefti / USA Today)

    Not all Cy Yuk profiles are created equal. And that explains how Blake Snell wound up in this space.

    He’s here, in part, because he’s 0-3, with a 7.85 ERA, after seven starts as a Giant. He has made it through the fifth inning exactly once. He’s averaging more than 20 pitches an inning. And if his miraculous 84 percent rate of stranding base runners last year seemed unsustainable, he’s shown why this year.

    BASE RUNNERS*  SCORED

    2023

    202

    32

    2024 

    47 

    22

    (*hits plus walks plus hit-by-pitches, minus home runs)

    But in truth, that isn’t why he’s here in the Cy Yuk winner’s circle. He’s here because we need to consider the context of how he became a Giant, for the bargain price of $32 million a year, plus a $30 million player option he can exercise for next year.

    Blake Snell is a Giant because the Giants had designs on contending, and assembling a potentially dominant rotation seemed like a good plan to do so.

    But in a related development, Blake Snell is a Giant because Robbie Ray can’t pitch until the second half, because Alex Cobb can’t pitch until the second half and because the Giants couldn’t safely project Jordan Hicks to make it through a whole season as a starter.

    So hey, what a lucky break that the incumbent NL Cy Young Award winner was still looking for work in the third week of March. Unless …

    Unless, of course, he wasn’t ready to pitch after missing virtually all of spring training.

    Unless, of course, he rushed back into the rotation on April 8 without facing a single minor-league hitter on a rehab start. (His choice.)

    Unless, of course, he was so out of whack that he went 0-3, with an 11.57 ERA and 1.97 WHIP, in his first three starts (all blowout losses).

    Unless, of course, he then strained a groin and wound up on the injured list for a month.

    Unless, of course, he then found himself winless with three days left until the All-Star break.

    So perhaps you might be thinking: Look, stuff happens — to everybody. He didn’t have much of a spring training. It’s not fair to be handing out Cy Yuks to well-meaning folks like this.

    All of that is true, except for the fact that missing spring training wasn’t just some happenstance. It was a choice.

    Snell and his agent, Scott Boras, had certain expectations. It wasn’t all their fault that nobody wanted to meet those expectations until the Giants came along. But what has happened since was always a potential consequence of holding out all those weeks.

    So in the end, Blake Snell got the money, and I’m happy for him. But he also got this midseason Cy Yuk award. Life is complicated like that sometimes.

    MY NL CY YUK “TOP THREE”: Snell, Jordan Montgomery, Dakota Hudson.

    Rookies of the Year: Mason Miller, A’s, and Paul Skenes, Pirates

    Is it me, or do these Rookie of the Year categories get harder every year? This sport is bursting with so many electrifying young shooting stars, it’s easier to figure out what to order at the Cheesecake Factory than it is to figure out who to pick for Rookie of the Year.

    So feel free to fire off your arguments for Shota Imanaga, Luis Gil, Jackson Merrill, Michael Busch, Joey Ortiz, Wyatt Langford, Masyn Winn and a dozen more rookies. There are no wrong answers on this quiz.

    I gave up trying to separate them all from one another — and went with my two favorite rocket-launchers.


    Paul Skenes. Take a whiff. (Benny Sieu / USA Today)

    Paul Skenes! I know he arrived in Pittsburgh for his big-league debut only two months ago. But I’m starting to think he’s pretty good.

    Roy Halladay struck out 82 hitters in his entire rookie season (in 149 1/3 innings). Skenes has struck out 89 in two months (in 66 1/3 innings).

    Mariano Rivera, the first unanimous Hall of Famer, gave up 17 runs in the first 15 innings of his career. Skenes has given up 14 runs in two months.

    Randy Johnson and Max Scherzer combined for two starts in their entire Hall-worthy careers with zero hits allowed and 11 strikeouts or more. Paul Skenes now has two of those in the first 11 starts of his career.

    So what we’re seeing here isn’t just a Rookie of the Year. It’s history.


    Mason Miller likes triple digits. (Paul Rutherford / USA Today)

    Mason Miller! There aren’t many reasons to watch the A’s this summer, unless your idea of fun is counting empty seats. But when Mason Miller lopes out of that Oakland bullpen, I highly recommend you stop whatever you’re doing to watch this guy spit lightning bolts.

    He’s already thrown 286 pitches this season at 100 mph or faster. I don’t know how to put that in perspective for you, so how about this: That’s more pitches at 100-plus, in three months, than Gerrit Cole, Tyler Glasnow, Shohei Ohtani and Spencer Strider have combined in their whole careers (280). And that’s out of nearly 50,000 total pitches for those four.

    Or maybe this will drive my point home: Miller already has fired up five saves this season with at least three strikeouts and no hits allowed. Remember that Mariano Rivera guy? Would you believe he never had more than three saves like that in any season of his career? Believe it.

    If you read this section and only come away with the impression that Hey, maybe Mariano Rivera wasn’t that good, that wasn’t the idea here at all. We’re just providing perspective on two rookie pitchers who are already headed to their first All-Star Game … because they’re doing stuff even the legends of yesteryear never did.

    MY AL ROOKIE OF THE HALF-YEAR TOP THREE: Miller, Gil, Langford.

    MY NL ROOKIE OF THE HALF-YEAR TOP THREE: Skenes, Imanaga, Merrill.

    Managers of the half-year: Stephen Vogt, Guardians, and Rob Thomson, Phillies


    Stephen Vogt has led the Guardians to the AL’s best record. (David Richard / USA Today)

    Here’s another impossible award to pick. I could easily have talked myself into Alex Cora, Matt Quatraro, Pat Murphy or Mike Shildt as the managers of the year — and then spun an eloquently convincing case for why you should pick them, too. But that’s not what I did. Was it? Instead …

    Stephen Vogt: I’ve said many times that Terry Francona was the greatest manager of his generation. So naturally, he retired and turned the Guardians over to a guy who had never managed … and Stephen Vogt then led that team to a better 90-game start than any team Francona ever managed — in Cleveland, Boston or Philadelphia.

    I haven’t changed my mind about Francona. But I’m blown away by the magic Vogt and his staff have worked with the Guardians. The youngest team in the league. A team we thought might make fewer home run trots than Aaron Judge. A team that has had almost everything about its vaunted rotation go wrong.

    Instead, that team has the best record in the American League. And the manager has his pulse on everything about it. Pretty cool story.

    Rob Thomson: I know this isn’t how us savvy baseball writers usually pick a manager of the year. Usually, we look at the standings, find the team we were most wrong about and conclude: Whoa, what a brilliant job that manager is doing, huh?

    But that doesn’t describe the Phillies’ manager at all. I don’t know how many of us thought the Phillies would have the best record in baseball right now, or would find themselves 9 1/2 games ahead of Atlanta. But we knew this team would be good, possibly great.

    I just think it’s time to recognize the manager’s big part in that success. Rob Thomson waited a lifetime to do this job. And from day one, he was so good at it. He can run a game and juggle a bullpen as if he’d been doing this as long as Tony La Russa. But that’s not his greatest talent.

    The word I keep coming back to is trust. I think about it all the time when I watch him go about his job and listen to him talk. He shows total trust in his players, often without saying a word, and they feel it.

    So, in a season in which the Phillies have lost J.T. Realmuto, Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Brandon Marsh and Taijuan Walker (among others) to injuries, they’ve gotten unforeseen mileage out of Garrett Stubbs, Rafael Marchán, Kody Clemens, David Dahl, Spencer Turnbull and a bunch of guys who were never supposed to be central figures on the best team in baseball.

    The manager makes them all feel like they’re a part of it. He promotes a clubhouse culture where the stars do that. There’s a calm about his team that’s unmistakable. And you can connect every one of those dots to the guy in the manager’s office. Amazing to think he spent three decades working in this sport and almost never got this chance.

    MY AL MANAGER OF THE HALF-YEAR TOP THREE: Vogt, Cora, Quatraro.

    MY NL MANAGER OF THE HALF-YEAR TOP THREE: Thomson, Murphy, Shildt.

    go-deeper

    GO DEEPER

    Baseball Hall of Fame tiers: Which active players are on course for Cooperstown?

    (Top image: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic. Photos: Aaron Judge: Stacy Revere / Getty Images; Chris Sale: Rich von Biberstein / Icon Sportswire / Associated Press)

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    The New York Times

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  • Twins fall 7-1 to Giants as Harrison pitches five strong innings

    Twins fall 7-1 to Giants as Harrison pitches five strong innings

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    Kyle Harrison pitched five strong innings, Brett Wisely had three hits and two RBIs, and the San Francisco Giants beat the Minnesota Twins 7-1 on Friday night.

    The Giants had lost four of five coming into the game, but Harrison (5-4) improved to 4-2 in starts following a Giants loss. Wisely went 3 for 3 with a walk, finished a home run shy of the cycle and made a leaping grab at shortstop in the fifth to take away a run.

    Harrison’s off-speed pitches were working well, according to manager Bob Melvin.

    “It was the fastball quality at the top of the zone and mixing his changeup and his breaking ball in — and throwing some for strikes too,” Melvin said.

    Harrison, helped by stellar defensive plays from Wisely and Heliot Ramos, kept the Twins – who came into the game second in the American League in batting average – off the scoreboard into the fifth inning.

    Harrison, in his first full big league season, said he had a pretty healthy workload in the first half.

    “I think I think there’s room to improve on a lot of things — just strike throwing, punching guys out, I think that’s my target for the second half: To get those punchies up, but I think pretty good overall,” Harrison said.

    San Francisco led two batters into the first after Jorge Soler led off with a triple and LaMonte Wade Jr, drove him in with a sacrifice fly. Wisely and Mike Yastrzemski knocked in runs in the second, and Soler had an RBI single in the fifth to give the Giants a 4-0 lead. Michael Conforto hit a two-run double in the seventh to pad the advantage to 7-1.

    Wisely entered the game hitting .171 over his previous 10 games.

    “Today, I just tried to go out there and play the kids game,” Wisely said. “Get out of my own way and just have fun with it. Sometimes when that happens you get results, but I wasn’t chasing results. I was trying to have fun and just enjoy myself.”

    Twins starter Joe Ryan (6-6) allowed five runs in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out six, and also recorded his 500th career strikeout. Willi Castro knocked in Minnesota’s lone run in the fifth on an RBI ground out.

    Ryan said his pitches were working well, but admitted to being tired with long innings.

    “Don’t get to go as deep into a game because of that, and I just gassed out a little quicker,” Ryan said.

    A HOMECOMING (OF SORTS)

    Twins star Carlos Correa was greeted by boos from Giants fans, who remembered the shortstop agreed to a $350 million, 13-year deal with the Giants in 2022 only to have it fall apart the morning of the introductory press conference when issues surfaced around Correa’s ankle during his physical. Correa then quickly signed with the Mets, who also reneged for similar reasons before he ended up back with the Twins.

    Correa, who played in San Francisco on Friday for the first time since the fiasco, said he is happy with the Twins. He entered the game batting .310 with 13 home runs, and made the All-Star team for the third time.

    “I was excited to explore the city,” Correa said. “I was looking for houses and all that. So that part was exciting. But once it fell through, then it was time to move on.”

    TRAINER’S ROOM

    Twins: 3B Jose Miranda, originally in the lineup, was scratched prior to first pitch with lower back tightness. … INF Kyle Farmer (right shoulder strain) was placed on the 10-day injured list, and catcher Jair Camargo was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul.

    UP NEXT

    Giants RHP Hayden Birdsong (1-0, 4.40 ERA) is scheduled to pitch against Twins RHP Simeon Woods Richardson (3-1, 3.48 ERA) on Saturday.

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  • The non-all-star All-Stars: Lindor, Gil and other MLB snubs at each position

    The non-all-star All-Stars: Lindor, Gil and other MLB snubs at each position

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    Look, I know how these guys feel. Here at The Athletic, a handful of writers were chosen to wax poetic about the superstar players who made this year’s All-Star team. And the rest of us were left out, our rightful place on the roster outrageously overlooked due to some weird, overly complicated selection process.

    We are the snubs. And we’re all in this together.

    Here, then, is our non-all-star All-Star team, the most worthy players at each position who didn’t hear their names called Sunday night and were not — at least, so far — selected for the midsummer classic.

    Note: Starting position players are selected via fan vote, and players vote for eight pitchers plus one backup at each position. The league selects the final few players to round out the rosters, ensuring every team has a representative.

    Catcher

    Patrick Bailey, San Francisco Giants

    Neither league is carrying a third catcher this season (and it’s pretty easy to argue that each league picked the correct two guys behind the plate), but Bailey would have been a worthy addition (the league instead chose outfielder Heliot Ramos and ace Logan Webb as the Giants’ representatives). Throwing and framing metrics have Bailey as one of the best defensive catchers in baseball, and wRC+ puts him basically on par with Salvador Perez offensively. Bailey debuted just last year. He’s going to make an All-Star team at some point.

    GO DEEPER

    Heliot Ramos, Logan Webb selected as the Giants representatives for the 2024 All-Star Game

    First base

    Christian Walker, Arizona Diamondbacks

    A word of advice for anyone trying to make an All-Star team: Try not to play in the same league, at the same position, as Bryce Harper and Freddie Freeman. Those two were selected to their eighth All-Star teams this season. Walker has yet to make one. He has the third-most homers in the NL (behind All-Star DHs Shohei Ohtani and Marcell Ozuna), and he ranks 10th in the NL in wRC+ (but that’s still behind both Harper and Freeman). Walker could still make the team if Harper’s hamstring strain keeps him out of the All-Star Game, but the Phillies seem to expect Harper to return this week.

    Second base

    Brice Turang, Milwaukee Brewers

    WAR is not a perfect metric, but it’s useful shorthand for a player’s all-around impact. By the Baseball Reference version of WAR, Turang is the fourth-best player in the entire National League. The FanGraphs version isn’t quite so bullish, but it still has him 20th in the NL, which is 30 spots higher — and more than 1.5 WAR better — than the NL’s backup second baseman, Luis Arraez. Turang doesn’t have Arraez’s batting average, but he does have more power, more stolen bases and far superior defensive metrics. The players, though, chose Arraez.

    Shortstop

    Francisco Lindor, New York Mets

    Had Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner (who’s missed considerable time with an injury) not been voted in as the NL starter, there might have been room for Lindor, who ranks seventh in the league in fWAR. But the Cincinnati Reds’ Elly De La Cruz (as a replacement for injured Mookie Betts) was chosen by the players, and the league chose CJ Abrams as the lone representative of the Washington Nationals, which left no room for Lindor or Willy Adames of the Milwaukee Brewers. A total of 40 players have at least 2.5 fWAR so far this season, and nine of them are shortstops (11 if you count multi-positional Willi Castro of the Minnesota Twins and Josh Smith of the Texas Rangers). Shortstop snubs were inevitable, even with seven chosen between the two rosters.

    Third base

    Jordan Westburg, Baltimore Orioles

    Five third basemen rank in the top 18 in American League fWAR, and there simply wasn’t room for all of them on the roster. The fans voted for José Ramírez, the players voted for Rafael Devers, and the league chose Isaac Paredes as the Tampa Bay Rays’ representative. That left Westburg as the odd man out. He might have made it had he been listed as a second baseman — he’s played about a third of his games at second — but Westburg, Paredes and Smith have fairly similar numbers, and there just wasn’t room for all of them.

    Outfield

    Willi Castro, Minnesota Twins
    Colton Cowser, Baltimore Orioles
    Brandon Nimmo, New York Mets

    Castro doesn’t fit neatly onto an All-Star ballot. He’s played at least 20 games at five different positions — second base, third base, shortstop, center field, left field — sometimes getting turns at multiple spots in a single game. Despite all that moving around, he’s produced a 130 wRC+ and the sixth-highest fWAR among all qualified outfielders in either league. Yet, he didn’t make the AL team. Neither did Orioles rookie Cowser (or his teammate, Anthony Santander) or any number of defensive standouts (notably, Daulton Varsho of the Toronto Blue Jays). The NL outfield was a little more wide-open, but Nimmo had at least as good a case as any outfielder on the NL bench.


    Brent Rooker rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the Orioles. (D. Ross Cameron / USA Today)

    Designated hitter

    Brent Rooker, Oakland A’s

    David Fry is one of the most surprising standouts of the first half. He’s made double-digit starts at catcher, left field and designated hitter — with a handful of innings at first base, third base and right field — and he’s helped keep the Guardians in first place with the 10th-best wRC+ among players with at least 200 plate appearances. Rooker, though, has similar offensive numbers (155 OPS+ to Fry’s 161) while getting almost 100 more plate appearances and hitting more than twice as many home runs (18 vs. 8).

    Starting pitchers

    Ronel Blanco, Houston Astros
    Jack Flaherty, Detroit Tigers
    Luis Gil, New York Yankees
    George Kirby, Seattle Mariners
    Cristopher Sánchez, Philadelphia Phillies

    If you last checked in three weeks ago, you might have assumed Gil was a lock for the AL staff. As of mid-June, he had a 2.03 ERA through 14 starts and seemed a worthy replacement for injured Gerrit Cole atop the Yankees’ rotation. But Gil’s past three starts — heading into a Sunday night matchup against the Red Sox — resulted in three straight losses and a 14.90 ERA, which pushed his season ERA down to 3.41, 15th-best in the AL. Four starters with an ERA below 3.00 failed to make either team (Blanco, Sánchez, Brady Singer of the Kansas City Royals and Jake Irvin of the Nationals). Same for the major-league leader in strikeout-to-walk ratio (Kirby) and the leader in xFIP (Flaherty) who also has the third-best strikeout rate and the fourth-best expected ERA. Inevitably, though, a few selected starters will opt out, which means some of the initial snubs will ultimately make it.

    go-deeper

    GO DEEPER

    Phillies exit Atlanta with 7 All-Stars, Schwarber and Harper back soon, and a debut to ponder

    Relief pitcher

    Trevor Megill, Milwaukee Brewers

    The first-place Brewers landed two players in the NL starting lineup, but no one on the bench (three of their infielders deserved consideration) and no one in the bullpen (they have the fourth-best bullpen ERA in the majors). Closer Megill and setup man Bryan Hudson rank fifth and sixth in Win Probability Added, and either one would have been a justifiable addition, but the NL Players’ Ballot selected two non-closers (Matt Strahm and Jeff Hoffman of the Philadelphia Phillies), forcing the league to use five of its six at-large spots to find lone representatives of the Mets (Pete Alonso), Nationals (Abrams), St. Louis Cardinals (Ryan Helsley), Chicago Cubs (Shota Imanaga) and Miami Marlins (Tanner Scott). The one truly at-large selection in the NL went to Webb.

    (Top photo of Francisco Lindor: Nuccio DiNuzzo / Getty Images)

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    The New York Times

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  • MLB City Connect: All 29 uniforms ranked, from the so-so to the sublime

    MLB City Connect: All 29 uniforms ranked, from the so-so to the sublime

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    Editor’s note: This column has been updated to include the Los Angeles Dodgers’ second City Connect entry, which was introduced Monday afternoon.

    When the Minnesota Twins took the field last Friday, they became the 28th team to debut their MLB City Connect uniforms, capping off the first round of Nike’s planned three-year cycle of city-inspired fits. (It will begin again this week as the Dodgers debut their second iteration.) The two teams not participating in this round were the New York Yankees, who don’t mess around with their classic look, and the Oakland Athletics, who are in a complicated situation with the city they are supposed to connect with.

    Eight teams debuted new uniforms this season: the Twins, Cleveland Guardians, Detroit Tigers,  New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays.

    GO DEEPER

    MLB City Connect series: All 20 uniforms ranked, including the newest ones from 2023

    With each new uniform set introduced, many opinions have been espoused online and at the ballpark. All versions seem to have their detractors and defenders, stirring up purists and progressives alike.

    It’s hard to find a consensus for something like this, but our panel — featuring MLB writers C. Trent Rosecrans, Tyler Kepner and Stephen J. Nesbitt and Culture writer Jason Jones — took the baton from last year’s cohort and made a case for its favorites, discussing the good, the bad and the ugly of the complete City Connect slate.

    Our writers ranked each uniform using a scoring system of 1-30 (1 being the best), and those totals then were averaged and ranked. Here are their takes:


    Joe Kelly. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea / USA Today)

    The uniforms, in addition to showing love to the Hispanic community, celebrate Fernando Valenzuela and his outstanding rookie season in 1981, which resulted in a World Series championship.

    On-field debut: Aug. 20, 2021

    C. Trent Rosecrans (29): Just lazy. While I’m not an all-out hater of dark jerseys on dark pants, the switch to white pants from blue pants was an improvement. But the fact they needed to change it tells you all you need to know about how much effort was put into these.

    Tyler Kepner (29): With all of Hollywood to use as a theme, slapping “Los Dodgers” on a blue jersey (over blue pants, no less) was almost aggressively dull.

    Stephen J. Nesbitt (29): Odds are, if you go to a game at Dodger Stadium and sit at least 10 rows back, you’ll forget these are City Connects. It’s hard to miss them when they’re gone if you barely noticed them in the first place.

    Jason Jones (16): I like “Los Dodgers” but as a Los Angeles native, “Los Doyers” would have been better. They’re not terrible, but not great. Kinda in the middle. More black on the jersey might have helped.

    go-deeper

    GO DEEPER

    Dodgers unveil Fernandomania ‘City Connect’ uniforms

    28. Detroit Tigers (24.75)


    Tarik Skubal. (Junfu Han / USA Today)

    An homage to the Motor City’s ingenuity, these unis feature several car-inspired details, including tire treads, VIN tags and road signs.

    On-field debut: May 10, 2024

    Rosecrans: (26): At least in other hype videos, they pretend to like the new uniforms, but in this one half the people are wearing regular Tigers gear and they rap about the Old English D, which only has a cameo on the uniform’s sleeve patch. The tire tracks look like the people wearing this have been run over, which may be an appropriate metaphor for the last decade or so of Tigers baseball, but it’s hardly inspiring.

    Kepner (27): This predictable “Motor City” theme is begging for the Jaws of Life. It’s yet another dark jersey over dark pants combo, with a cap that looks like a mid-level prize option at a carnival.

    Nesbitt (27): In case the “Motor City” nickname didn’t get the theme across, you’ve got tire tracks down the placket (?), a VIN tag on the cap and helmet (??), and a sleeve patch designed like the M-1 road sign (???). We get it! Cars! It could have been worse, I guess. Shocked that the designers didn’t just slap “SOUTH DETROIT” across the chest while they were at it.

    Jones (19): I’m fine with “Motor City” but it goes overboard with the car references. Who wants a jersey with tire marks?! Might as well have used a license plate for names on the back.

    go-deeper

    GO DEEPER

    Behind the Tigers’ City Connect jersey design: Paying homage to the Motor City


    Connor Joe. (Charles LeClaire / USA Today)

    Incorporating the colors of black and gold is a Pittsburgh sports thing. Also, notice in the shirt the asteroid, which references the city’s “steelmark” logo.

    On-field debut: June 27, 2023

    Nesbitt (25): These are bright and loud, but not novel. Going with black and yellow in a city where every team wears black and yellow is safe. That’s fine. But this franchise has a rich history of interesting and unusual uniforms from which inspiration could have been drawn.

    Kepner (16): The yellow-over-black works really well; it’s the combo the Pirates wore in their last World Series victory, Game 7 in 1979 World Series. But “PGH” is just so lazy. Give us a new pirate, or go back to that rugged rapscallion from ’79.

    Rosecrans (28): There’s no better example of being so close yet so far away than this thing. It’s much like the Braves in that it’s almost more of a throwback than a City Connect, but at least the Braves’ uniform looks good on its own. This does not.

    Jones (29): I guess it’s illegal for teams from Pittsburgh to not wear black and yellow. The huge “PGH” feels like someone’s initials. These are too basic.

    26. Philadelphia Phillies (23.5)


    Bryson Stott. (Bill Streicher / USA Today)

    Taking its palette from the city’s official flag, the blue-and-yellow kit incorporates some of Philly’s most famous historical iconography.

    On-field debut: April 12, 2024

    Nesbitt (23): These were billed as “unapologetically Philly.” Nothing says Philly like a font pulled from our founding fathers’ documents. Nothing says Philly like a disconcerting blue gradient. Nothing says Philly like a numeral style that makes Trea Turner’s number look like a question mark. So edgy. So historic. So unapologetically Philly.

    Rosecrans (20): This is one where I think it’s important to see the uniform on the field. I defended this when it was announced and we saw the studio pictures. I was wrong. Seeing this on the field, it’s, well, a series of choices. The biggest difference between glamor shots and game action is just how utterly ridiculous the gradient from blue to black looks with the jersey going into the pants. The hat is elite, but it’s not enough to save everything beneath it.

    Kepner (26): The stylish caps can’t save this hot mess. From the jagged wordmark to the bizarre numerals to the ridiculous color scheme, it’s a certified phiasco. According to the official press release, “Philly has always been a place unafraid to revolutionize, start anew and work hard to make change.” Maybe so, but it’s also a place that sees through pandering nonsense like this.

    Jones (25): Nothing about these really makes me think “Philly.” I guess the Liberty Bell on the hat? Keep this uniform on Phillie Phanatic and I’m fine. It looks like a costume for the mascot.


    Brett Wisely. (Sergio Estrada / USA Today)

    The Golden Gate Bridge is on the sleeves of the jersey. There’s also a story with the fog gradient throughout the uniform.

    On-field debut: July 9, 2021

    Kepner (14): There was real potential here with the bridge-and-fog theme. It’s a clean look, but without another color, it seems unfinished. Subtle black accents would have punched it up.

    Rosecrans (19): These have always looked incomplete to me. Still do.

    Nesbitt (28): Devastatingly poor execution. Using fog as a gradient theme is, in theory, an inspired choice. But these come out looking awkward and cheap. The bridges look bad. The fonts of the “SF” and “G” logos clash. It all just looks like a big L.

    Jones (27): Players look like containers of orange sherbet on the field. The bridge had real potential if these were designed knowing the A’s would be leaving Oakland after this season. Welp, it’s a swing and a miss.

    go-deeper

    GO DEEPER

    San Francisco Giants’ City Connect uniforms feature Golden Gate Bridge, fog


    Gunnar Henderson. (Tommy Gilligan / USA Today)

    Basic black uniforms connecting with the city’s arts culture courtesy of mosaic designs. “You can’t clip these wings.”

    On-field debut: May 26, 2023

    Rosecrans (11): My initial reaction was that it was a bit generic, as if it should have a UPC sleeve patch, but it’s grown on me. It’s fine.

    Kepner (21): It’s a boring jersey — the kaleidoscope of colors is mostly hidden on the inside collars and sleeves — but the set looks much better now that the team has switched from black pants to white. The “B” on the hat is sharp; they should use this style (rendered in orange), as their alternate insignia instead of “O’s,” with its upside-down apostrophe.

    Nesbitt (26): At least the Reds tried. The Orioles’ all-black unis are readable, but the only interesting elements are the socks and the sleeve piping.

    Jones (28): Yawn. The colorful parts are barely noticeable.

    go-deeper

    GO DEEPER

    Unveiling the Orioles’ City Connect uniforms: Odd, slightly clever, underwhelming


    Jordan Wicks. (Matt Marton / USA Today)

    In an attempt to unite Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods, “Wrigleyville” was born.

    On-field debut: June 12, 2021

    Kepner (19): I like how the “Wrigleyville” lettering mimics the famous marquee outside the ballpark. But those dark pants — ugh! They should ditch them for white pants with a stripe of green Wrigley ivy crawling up the side.

    Rosecrans (23): I lump this one with the White Sox because they both look more like bad souvenir stand jerseys than actual uniforms. The use of the star from the Chicago flag inside the C on the cap is solid, but that can’t make up for the rest.

    Nesbitt (21): For such a storied franchise, in an iconic stadium and a colorful city, this is remarkably unspectacular. If I were a Cubs fan going to a game and they were wearing this boring all-blue (yet not Cubbie blue) uni, I’d be bummed.

    Jones (18): It’s not bad. It’s also not spectacular. I don’t hate it. But it doesn’t do much for me.

    go-deeper

    GO DEEPER

    Cubs unveil Wrigleyville ‘City Connect’ uniforms

    22. Minnesota Twins (20.0)


    Jorge Alcala. (Matt Krohn / USA Today)

    The blue and yellow color scheme and ripple pattern on the jersey pay tribute to the elements of the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

    On-field debut: June 14, 2024

    Kepner (28): There’s so much they could have done to weave in the natural beauty of a Minnesota summer, but by plunging into the deep waters of a “ripple effect,” the whole thing drowns. As for the postal code “MN” wordmark, I’d stamp it: RETURN TO SENDER.

    Rosecrans (21): This has big end-of-the-cycle energy, when all enthusiasm for a project is over and you just want to put something out so it’s done. While not terrible, it’s just … there. Here are a few suggestions I think could help:

    1. White pants.
    2. Remove “10,000 LAKES” from the side of the hat.
    3. Sleeve patch as primary logo.

    Boom. You’re not getting an A if you make those changes, but you don’t have to worry about bringing down your final grade so far that it gets uneasy.

    Nesbitt (16): Forgot how many lakes? It’s on the side of your cap, in 10,000-point font.

    Jones (15): Fan of the details on the jersey, even though these could be mistaken as knock-off Seattle Mariners jerseys at a glance. A top-tier decision would have been to go with purple for Prince.

    go-deeper

    GO DEEPER

    ‘They are sick’: Twins ditch traditional colors as City Connect jerseys finally unveiled


    Justin Verlander. (Troy Taormina / USA Today)

    Houston has a respected reputation for its space education. “Space City” has similar font as the NASA logo from the 1970s.

    On-field debut: April 20, 2022

    Kepner (20): Do people in Houston ever say they’re from “Space City”? Wouldn’t that name work better for a self-storage facility? I love the lettering and numerals, which evoke the NASA wordmark. But given the Astros’ history of innovation — like the glorious “Tequila Sunrise” jerseys of the 1970s-80s — they should have used something more whimsical than navy-over-navy.

    Nesbitt (11): Each element of this City Connect uni is, on its own, quite agreeable. The yellow-to-orange gradient is everywhere from the cap to the socks. The NASA “worm” font is fun. The uni number on the pants is a nice throwback touch. But the dark blue background steals from all that goodness. If Nike reprints this as a white jersey, it would soar up these rankings.

    Rosecrans (22): When Ronel Blanco was throwing his no-hitter, I was distracted by the way the placket fell between letters and looked like it said “SPACIE CITY.” I like elements of this one, but it’s just too much blue. Maybe using an orange hat, or at least an orange crown with a blue bill would break up all the blue a little.

    Jones (20): The colors are great. Space City? I could do without that. How about “H-Town” on the front? The “H” on the hat is the best part.

    20. New York Mets (18.0)


    Jose Quintana. (Brad Penner / USA Today)

    An homage to all boroughs, these unis take inspiration from the people, bridges and transit that power the city. 

    On-field debut: April 27, 2024

    Kepner (15): It’s better up close than in action, because the names and numbers are hard to read in the black-over-dark-gray style. I love the bridge on the hats and helmets, but they should have leaned into the purple a little more, especially for the cap emblem.

    Rosecrans (13): They look better on the field — the purple accents are great — but the helmet alone bumps up their ranking. While I don’t like the bridge motif on the hat, I love it on the batting helmet. The best part is the subway map in the lining of the hat. As is the case with too many of the City Connects, the best parts are hidden from view.

    Nesbitt (22): Why go with “NYC” across the chest? “Queens” is right there. It’s only faintly Metsy. And it’s a flop, for me.

    Jones (22): The “NYC” style lettering and colors remind me of a Negro Leagues jersey. Feels like this was a missed opportunity not going with “Queens” and leaning more into the purple accents. More Queensbridge could have led to a great partnership with rap legend Nas.

    go-deeper

    GO DEEPER

    Behind the Mets’ new City Connect jersey design: Why is it NYC instead of Queens?

    19. Toronto Blue Jays (17.75)


    Tim Mayza. (Dan Hamilton / USA Today)

    These ‘Night Mode’ themed uniforms feature vibrant colors meant to reflect Toronto’s energetic nightlife and illuminated skyline.   

    On-field debut: May 31, 2024

    Kepner (24): White outlines could have accentuated the fun skyline motif, but without them, we’re left with an illegible blur from more than a few feet away. And have I mentioned that black jersey/black pants is a tired act?

    Rosecrans (16): The evolution of my reaction to this one:

    Hat leaks: So good! This could be the best one yet!

    Jersey leaks: So bad! This could be the worst one yet!

    Official release: Oh yeah, not good.

    On-field debut: Better than expected.

    Nesbitt (19): Cool colors. Entirely illegible. Rinse, repeat.

    Jones (12): I really like the design. It probably would have worked better against a white, gray or light blue backdrop, but I still like it. Maybe it is just because I really like Toronto as a city and seeing the skyline makes me happy.

    go-deeper

    GO DEEPER

    Blue Jays unveil City Connect uniforms


    Jesús Tinoco. (Jim Cowsert / USA Today)

    The uniform is a nod to Texas’ independence day. The jersey also features a peagle, a mythical creature blended from the minor-league logos of the Dallas Eagles and Fort Worth Cats (originally called the Panthers).

    On-field debut: April 21, 2023

    Kepner (12): The hat is a jumbled mess, and the number “0” looks weird, but this set does have an 1800s-Texas kind of vibe; you could picture a cowboy wearing it as he struts through the double doors of a saloon. Also, they created an animal! It’s a panther-eagle mix called a peagle. I’m all in on the peagle.

    Rosecrans (10): I think this uniform is similar to my feelings about the movie “Talladega Nights” — the parts are better than the whole. You can tell a team is onto something when the merchandise associated with the uniform is more successful than the uniform itself. If the peagle hoodie were black instead of navy, I’d already own it.

    Nesbitt (24): When the headliner of your City Connect is the mythical creature you created for a sleeve patch, and the warm-up act is a lid with a hilariously oversized “TX,” you’ve swung and missed.

    Jones (24): Looks like the jersey was meant to be worn with Wrangler jeans and an oversized belt buckle. Don’t get me started on the peagle. It just confuses me.


    Justin Martinez. (Joe Camporeale / USA Today)

    “El Camino de las Serpientes”: The way of the serpent. These uniforms show love to the Sonoran Desert and Arizona’s Hispanic culture.

    On-field debut: June 18, 2021

    Nesbitt (20): The “Serpientes” script is nice. Really nice. But there’s a missed opportunity for a snake logo on the cap, and overall the uniform is overwhelmed by the desert-sand backdrop.

    Rosecrans (18): There are maybe five people on Earth who remember the movie “Megaforce,” but it was some weird early-80s paramilitary fantasy movie that featured some weird desert camouflage and everything was that sand color. This reminds me of what Megaforce’s softball uniforms would look like. That’s not a compliment.

    Kepner (25): I can see what they’re going for with the sand color scheme, but they take it too far when they use it for the pants, too. Credit, at least, for using the Spanish word for “snakes” rather than the lazy “Los _______” format we often see in MLB and the NBA.

    Jones (7): “Serpientes” on the jersey is one of the best things in the City Connect series. Especially with a snake used to spell out the word. It also leans into the Hispanic culture of the region, and the gold jersey is different.

    16. St. Louis Cardinals (16.75)


    Dylan Carlson. (Jeff Curry / USA Today)

    A more traditional and understated take on a City Connect, save for the center-stage homage to St. Louis’ favorite son, Nelly.

    On-field debut: May 25, 2024

    Nesbitt (18): Having studied all 28 designs, I’ve come to appreciate a safe approach. This looks like a Cardinals jersey. It’s not better than what they already have, but not atrocious, either.

    Kepner (18): What a shame they didn’t perch the birds on the Gateway Arch, as designer Cameron Guzzo suggested on Instagram. And while the younger demographic in St. Louis might use the phrase “The Lou,” to everyone else, it means “the bathroom.”

    Rosecrans (27): Milquetoast and uninspired. It’s a spring training jersey and an airport souvenir stand hat.

    Jones (4): Nelly’s music introduced me to St. Louis culture in the early 2000s. He said, “I’m from The Lou and I’m proud!” So just like “The A” for Atlanta, this Cardinals jersey resonates. This isn’t overly creative, and I’m fine with it.

    What can I say? City nicknames on City Connect jerseys work for me — except for Space City.


    William Contreras. (Benny Sieu / USA Today)

    “Brew Crew” always has been a team nickname. MKE is the abbreviation for Milwaukee’s international airport. Look closely and notice the city’s area code within the MKE.

    On-field debut: June 24, 2022

    Nesbitt (12): I like these! The grill is genuinely great. The caps are a bit of a bother. I once came home from Milwaukee with a free Brewers T–shirt that had “MKE” across the chest. No one knew what it meant. Stop trying to make airport codes happen.

    Kepner (13): The MKE/414 mashup and the pointy wordmark don’t do it for me. I’d have preferred an all-out, gut-busting tribute to sausage varieties. Nothing goes better with brew.

    Rosecrans (24): I’ve always hated “Brew Crew” as a nickname, but it’s even worse seeing it here. The airport code/area code hat logo is just too forced and jumbled. This one would jump about five places if the hat used the same grill logo that’s on the sleeve.

    Jones (11): Brew Crew is one of the more fun nicknames in baseball (I know Rosecrans disagrees). The “MKE” on the hat isn’t my favorite, but the colors are vibrant and different enough from the usual Brewers look for me.

    go-deeper

    GO DEEPER

    Brewers reveal new City Connect uniforms

    14. Cincinnati Reds (14.75)


    Alexis Diaz. (Katie Stratman / USA Today)

    Cincinnati’s uniforms represent a modern-day visual of the city. Looking to the past is the opposite of what they tried to do here.

    On-field debut: May 19, 2023

    Rosecrans (2): Yep, I’m going full-on homer with this one. I was skeptical when I first heard that the Reds’ City Connect was going to be all black, in part because I hate the black drop shadows on the Reds’ regular uniforms … but man, it’s been a breath of fresh air, even for a team that wore 29 uniform combinations in one season.

    Nesbitt (17): The all-black look is fabulous in studio lighting or framed on your wall. But designers need to take pains to make an all-black uniform work in games, and this doesn’t pass that test. The “CINCY” and number font are unreadable.

    Kepner (23): Black hats, black jersey, black pants — lighten up, guys! The new logo is a nifty, modern twist on the classic wishbone-C, but the whole thing is just too dark.

    Jones (17): The cap is cool, but the more I look at it, the more the uniform reminds me of something I’d create in a video game.

    go-deeper

    GO DEEPER

    Reds’ City Connect uniforms give an often nostalgic team opportunity to look forward

    13. Tampa Bay Rays (14.25)


    Yandy Diaz. (Mady Mertens / USA Today)

    A skateboard-influenced design meant to evoke the counterculture energy of the team’s home.

    On-field debut: May 3, 2024

    Rosecrans (3): I ordered my hat the day it was announced. I absolutely love it. The green accents are fantastic and I think if the numbers were that same color and more visible, this might take the top spot. The hat logo is the best the Rays have ever had and it should exist well beyond the three-year cycle.

    Kepner (22): Using black letters and black numbers on black jerseys makes no sense. Paired predictably with black pants, the whole thing just looks like a black void from a distance, like a Spinal Tap album cover. And yes, I understand that referencing a 40-year-old movie proves the point that these unis are made for a younger generation.

    Nesbitt (9): Stitch for stitch, this is one of the coolest designs yet, with a dope logo, a cap tip to skateboard culture and neon flourishes all over. Worn best when players are decked out in colorful belts, sleeves and high socks. Without those, the look loses much of its sizzle.

    Jones (23): I feel the glow with this one. I don’t mean that in a good way. Reminds me way too much of the New Orleans Pelicans’ fusion of black and neon this season, which I was not too fond of either.

    12. Los Angeles Dodgers II (13.25)


    Freddie Freeman. (Courtesy of Jon SooHoo / Los Angeles Dodgers)

    A second wave of City Connect Dodgers uniforms pays homage to the city and its ties to the organization since moving from Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1958 — including the front workmark and the number typefaces.

    On-field debut date: June 22, 2024

    Rosecrans (25): What do you get when you combine the branding of Disney and Pop Tarts? Well, the new Dodgers Brand Connect! But hey, at least they didn’t make it “The Doyers.”

    Kepner (8): You gotta love the nonsensical “storytelling” that accompanies each of these uniforms. The Dodgers say their front typeface has an “upward trajectory (that) speaks to the city’s pursuit of what’s above and beyond.” Also, that upward trajectory looks exactly like the DirecTV typeface. The uniforms feature a “galaxy of stars,” we’re told, which represent “the brilliance and diversity of Los Angeles.” Also, they look like sprinkles on an ice cream cone. Laughable explanations aside, I actually really like this one, as City Connects go. As a one-off, the name-under-number style on the back is kind of fun, and the Dodgers still look like the Dodgers, which is more than most teams can say.

    Nesbitt (15): For a second effort, it’s not a home run. But the sprinkles look should at least sell well at the team store, and the cap logo, name-on-back positioning and color scheme are all moderately interesting elements.

    Jones (5): This is a much better effort. Love the blend of the old and the new. The blending of the “LA” and “D” is nice. The look feels very Hollywood and futuristic. It’s baseball meets “Star Trek.” The hat is the best part, but I like the overall look.


    Kenley Jansen. (Bob DeChiara / USA Today)

    Going against the grain — no red — Boston pays homage to Patriots’ Day, as well as the Boston Marathon.

    On-field debut: April 17, 2021

    Rosecrans (8): You know the theory about how your first pizza will always be your ideal pizza? This is kind of like that — it was the first City Connect and as such, it’s what I think of when I think of the City Connect. That said, I still actually like it. While it’s a huge departure, it makes sense with so many of the Patriots’ Day touches and the marathon. I like that it’s completely different and is more about the city than the ballclub.

    Kepner (17): Yes, these are the colors of the Boston Marathon. So maybe do it as a one-off on Patriots’ Day. Any more than that, and it’s out of step for a city and ballpark with many more sources of inspiration.

    Nesbitt (14): As a two-time Boston Marathon attendee (not to brag), I think this is a cool idea and unique look. But there’s so much history in Boston — and so much Red Sox uni history — that I think if designers took another crack at this, they’d come up with something more evergreen.

    Jones (13): No red on a Red Sox jersey is bold. I’m sure there’s a UCLA alum somewhere with this cap who doesn’t care that it represents Boston or has anything to do with the Boston Marathon.


    Hunter Renfroe. (Jay Biggerstaff / USA Today)

    Dark blue meshing with light blue. It’s a tip of the cap to why it’s called the “City of Fountains.”

    On-field debut: April 30, 2022

    Kepner (10): A rare conservative offering with the KC emblem patterned on the city flag and rendered like a fountain. And this has my favorite unseen element: “HEY HEY HEY HEY” on the inside collar, in tribute to the Beatles’ Little Richard cover that plays after every home win.

    Nesbitt (13): This one doesn’t demand deep analysis. The fountain-inspired logo is neat, but the overall look doesn’t sing. It’s all right, but tame for an alternate. Nothing grabs your attention.

    Rosecrans (17): Nez is right.

    Jones (10): I’m a big fan of the color scheme. Give me all shades of blue.

    9. Cleveland Guardians (12.25)


    José Ramírez. (Ken Blaze / USA Today)

    The classic color scheme, textured pattern and Art Deco influences are a nod to Cleveland’s famous Guardians of Traffic.

    On-field debut: May 17, 2024

    Kepner (1): I’ve felt all along that the Guardians should do more with the actual “guardians” — the bridge statue figures near the ballpark — to help folks embrace the 2021 rebrand. It’s hard to rally around a “flying G” insignia, after all, and this set includes a new logo that should become permanent. As for the uniform itself, the racing stripes are a welcome callback to the “Major League” era, the art deco font is classy, and I love how they weave little home plates into the CLE lettering.

    Rosecrans (14): One of the things I’ve liked about the City Connects is trying to get away from the tired red, white and blue color scheme that is too prominent in baseball. Cleveland had a chance to do something new when they renamed themselves but just did the same old, same old.

    Nesbitt (8): The more I see this one in action, the better it is. Each element is distinct and in agreement with the rest of the design. No one’s asking for the organization to lean harder into the “Guardians of Traffic” bridge pillars, but I’m digging the Art Deco font and the 1990s vibes.

    Jones (26): I imagine it’s not easy figuring out what to do with the Guardians’ name because there isn’t much history with it yet. They tried, but ultimately these feel like the pants from the movie “Major League” and a jersey that’s still in the works.

    go-deeper

    GO DEEPER

    Behind Guardians’ City Connect design: A nod to an iconic Cleveland landmark

    8. Chicago White Sox (8.75)


    Jared Shuster. (Kamil Krzaczynski / USA Today)

    Dark gray, white pinstripes and gothic font prove to be a winner. Notice the “Chi” — also in gothic lettering — where “Sox” normally is on the cap.

    On-field debut: June 5, 2021

    Kepner (9): The White Sox claimed black-and-white as their color scheme in late 1990, and they’ve owned that look ever since, setting a trend that far too many teams have clumsily tried to imitate. I’ll make one exception for dark-jersey-over-dark-pants, and this is it.

    Nesbitt (10): It’s very White Sox. If you like that, great. If you don’t, you still probably find this design inoffensive.

    Rosecrans (15): I get why they did it and why some people like it, but it looks like a knock-off White Sox jersey you’d find on a clearance rack. And the hat? Huge downgrade, even if it’s just the three letters. It seemed cool when they did it, but it hasn’t aged well.

    Jones (1): The black White Sox jerseys have long been a favorite. My affinity goes back to Snoop Dogg wearing a team jacket in the “Deep Cover” video in 1992, followed by Dr. Dre wearing the cap in the “Nuthin But A G Thang” video. I’m not from Southside Chicago, but if I was, I’d proudly wear this jersey to the ballpark.


    Kevin Pillar. (Kiyoshi Mio / USA Today)

    There’s a California beach theme within these uniforms. The left sleeve has asymmetrical stripes that remind some of retro surfboards.

    On-field debut: June 11, 2022

    Kepner (3): This feels straight out of SoCal in the ’60s, when the Angels arrived on the scene. The swirly, bubbly letters, the beach-blanket sleeve stripes — it looks like something you’d see on “Gidget.” Fun, fun, fun.

    Nesbitt (4): Just delightful. It’s simple yet sharp, winking at the surf and skate culture while not completely throwing out the classic Angels look.

    Rosecrans (6): You could’ve told me this was the team’s new everyday uniform and I’d just think they upgraded. It doesn’t feel City Connect-y enough but it’s hard to knock it for being just a good, solid baseball uniform. And hey, it’s better than the Dodgers, and how often can you say that about the Angels?

    Jones (21): Feels very old-school in a way that doesn’t work for me. Could it be my Dodgers bias? Probably. I don’t like the Angels claiming Los Angeles from Orange County. Lean into Anaheim and the OC next time.

    go-deeper

    GO DEEPER

    Angels unveil City Connect jerseys on a beach

    6. Seattle Mariners (7.5)


    Luis Castillo. (Stephen Brashear / USA Today)

    This uniform honors the city’s original MLB team, the Pilots, and it features Mount Rainier on the sleeve and a trident on the cap.

    On-field debut: May 5, 2023

    Nesbitt (1): There’s this line from a radio program I listened to as a kid: If you’re going to borrow, borrow from the best. That’s what the Mariners have done, bringing the Seattle Pilots back to life. For all the wildness, weirdness and wackiness of Seattle baseball, the Pilots got the look right. The trident logo. The chest font. The piping. Chef’s kiss.

    Kepner (6): The jersey and hat are so sharp that the black pants (while horrible) don’t ruin it for me. The 1969 Pilots and the early Mariners teams didn’t win very much, but I’m always in favor of honoring a city’s baseball history. And I’m a sucker for the trident.

    Rosecrans (9): I love the Pilots-inspired wordmark, but I don’t like the black, especially on the bill of the cap. There are very few caps I like where the bill is a different color than the crown and going from the blue to the black is jarring. There is just way too much black and blue together for me.

    Jones (14): The cap is top-notch. It’s my favorite part of the uniform. The colors and font on the chest are all nice touches. And it’s a bit of a throwback. That’s big for someone who loves throwback jerseys and still wears them when relaxing.

    go-deeper

    GO DEEPER

    ‘My Oh My’: Mariners’ City Connect uniforms capture essence of future nostalgia


    Ha-Seong Kim. (Denis Poroy / USA Today)

    A binational fan base is celebrated with these uniforms. Many of the team’s fans hail from San Diego, Tijuana, Mexico and Baja California.

    On-field debut: July 8, 2022

    Nesbitt (5): Wonderfully whimsical color scheme. Bravo. Pink and mint dominate the design. There’s yellow trim and name-on-back lettering, and most accessories seem to be yellow. It’s a lot. But it all works on the white uni. Different sleeve colors — who woulda thought!

    Rosecrans (7): I’m not sure this would work anywhere else, but in San Diego it’s fantastic.

    Kepner (11): Before they finally switched back to brown, the Padres’ uniforms had gotten so maddeningly boring that I can’t complain about their wacky City Connects. These uniforms are pretty silly, but they’re also lively and fun. Nothing wrong with that.

    Jones (6): This is perfectly San Diego. That’s the best way to summarize this look.

    go-deeper

    GO DEEPER

    Padres release City Connect uniforms


    Lane Thomas. (Geoff Burke / USA Today)

    “Back in bloom”: The Nationals use a well-known signature of the city in their alternate uniforms.

    On-field debut: April 9, 2022

    Rosecrans (4): Pink is underutilized in sports uniforms. Gray has been overutilized, especially in the last decade. These two work in harmony on this gorgeous set. While I’m not a fan of airport codes (or what looks like airport codes) on uniforms, the rest is enough to make up for it. (If they’d just used “DC” on the breast, it’d be an easy No. 1 for me.)

    Kepner (7): The cherry blossoms work perfectly here — distinctively D.C. and a new element to a baseball uniform. The pink-and-gray combo is a welcome contrast to Nike’s default dark, tough-guy costumes. Don’t love “WSH” though.

    Nesbitt (7): Heartbreaking that this set is going away after the 2024 season. It’s a beauty.

    Jones (8): I’m usually meh with gray uniforms. For some reason, I like the pink and gray combo. It’s a great combination for a suit-and-tie for church and works surprisingly well for the uniform.

    go-deeper

    GO DEEPER

    Nationals reveal new City Connect jerseys

    3. Atlanta Braves (5.5)


    Matt Olson. (Mady Mertens / USA Today)

    Hank Aaron chasing his 715th home run in 1974 reminds many of this uniform. “The A” offers a look of nostalgia for older fans. 

    On-field debut: April 8, 2023

    Kepner (5): You’ve gotta appreciate a uniform that honors Hank Aaron breaking the home run record in 1974. I’ve never cared for the lowercase “a” from those caps, so I love that they replace it here with the current “A.” Extremely well done.

    Nesbitt (2): Most City Connects feel as if the design process began with outlawing anything remotely signature about the team’s current look. Not here. Crisp white unis with blue and red accents and hidden tributes to Hammerin’ Hank? Looks sublime. That’s all I care about here.

    Rosecrans (12): So close to being good — the ’70s Braves uniforms are gorgeous. But there’s something about the unoriginality that makes me dislike it. But what I really dislike is the “The A.” I think there’s a difference between City Connects, throwbacks and alternates. This one is more throwback than City Connect.

    Jones (3): Adding “The” next to the “A” puts this one over the top and makes it one of the best of the bunch. Almost all my friends say they are going to “The A” and not Atlanta. I know this is a tribute to Hank Aaron, but “The A” gives it just the right amount of modern flavor.


    Josh Bell. (Rhona Wise / USA Today)

    The uniform is a slightly modified tribute to the Cuban Sugar Kings, a Triple-A team that won a championship in 1959.

    On-field debut: May 21, 2021

    Rosecrans (1): Wonderful. No notes. Better than what they normally wear and anything they’ve worn before. The story makes it even better.

    Kepner (4): It’s the only red jersey I can think of with white pinstripes, so it pulls off the rare trick of being unique yet uncluttered. Love the crown on the cap.

    Nesbitt (6): The crown logos are a nod to the Havana Sugar Kings, a Cuban team that was the Cincinnati Reds’ Triple-A affiliate from 1954 to 1960. It’s bold and it works. Miami, baby!

    Jones (9): I’m a sucker for jerseys with heavy historical connections. The nod to the Havana Sugar Kings is a winner here. The colors are bold, as they should be when representing Miami.


    Ryan Feltner. (Rhona Wise / USA Today)

    The Rocky Mountains, a predominantly green appearance and the letter font have these uniforms looking similar to the state of Colorado’s license plate.

    On-field debut: June 4, 2022

    Kepner (2): It doesn’t try to do too much: it’s the Colorado license plate, with matching wordmark and mountain range — not Rockies colors, but richly evocative of the state. Bonus points for the clever flourish of a double-black diamond ski patch on the sleeve.

    Nesbitt (3): I don’t want an alternate uniform that feels like it was drawn up by a dozen creatives in a conference room. I want one that feels like it came from the days when everyone sent in designs to the local newspaper, and a sixth grader would win with something garish and unreasonable and … perfect. That’s what this is. A beer-league softball uniform in the big leagues.

    Rosecrans (5): The hat looks like it was made by Patagonia and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I liked them better with the green pants, which is probably an unpopular opinion. Green is underused in baseball, so it’s nice to see it.

    Jones (2): This is nothing like the traditional Rockies uniform. No black, gray or purple and that’s what makes this edition stand out. It’s distinctly Colorado from the cap on down. No complaints here.

    go-deeper

    GO DEEPER

    Rockies unveil City Connect alt uniform

    (Illustration by Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; photos by Megan Briggs and Scott Kane / Getty Images, and Nic Antaya / MLB Photos)

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    The New York Times

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