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Around the Horn: News and Notes 11/10

Updated: Dec 20, 2020

What is up ball, boys and girls? I hope you guys are doing super well today. Today we got Around the Horn. We got Leauge News, Free Agency News, Injury News, Trade News, Prospect News to go over today.


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Leauge news: In Leauge wide news today, if you missed it, the Cleveland Indians and Chicago Cubs both earned the inaugural Team Gold Glove awards. The awards are well deserved for both ball clubs as the Cubs had seven award finalists, and the Indians had 3. Congrats to both these clubs.

-The fan vote for the Platinum Glove Awards has concluded; the winners were 3B Nolan Arenado, who won his 4th straight and now retired LF Alex Gordon, who won his 2nd. Both well deserved.

- Congrats to Mariners OF Kyle Lewis and Brewers RP Devin Williams on winning the BBWAA Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Awards. Kyle Lewis won the AL award by a unanimous vote and is the first Mariners since 01 when Ichiro won the award. Devin Williams is the first RP to win the award that didn't start a game or get a save. He is the first RP to win the award since 2011. Congrats to both of the winners, both well-deserved awards!

-Congrats to Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash and Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly on winning the AL and NL Manager of the Year awards. Both were well deserved as Cash finally got his after being a finalist for his 3 times and leading the Rays to a 40-20 record. Mattingly was fantastic in 2020 as he had to make 174 transactions, start guys who they signed off the street, or just claimed the day before. Then he also able to lead this team to the playoffs for the first time since 03, and after 2019 that saw the Marlins lose 105 games.

-Hours after closing the deal and signing on the dotted line. The Steve Cohen and his ownership group took to cleaning the house, firing Exec VP/GM Brodie Van Wagenen, Special Asst to the GM Omar Minya, VP, AGM, Scouting, and Player Development Allard Baird, AGM Systematic Development Adam Guttridge, Exec Director, Player Development Jared Banner are all leaving the Mets. Cohen is hiring Sandy Alderson as president of baseball and business operations. Alderson is back with the team after he served as GM from 2010-2018. Alderson did come out and say that he expects Luis Rojas to stay the team's manager through 2021. Now that the dust has settled for Cohen and the Met's, Cohen said he would be very disappointed if the team doesn't win a World Series in the next 3-5 years. After these comments hours later, Alderson said he had agents calling him to come and play for the Met's. The Met's could be the next hot spot for stars to land.

-Dodgers Free Agent 3B Justin Turner "I will not make any excuses for my conduct." Was the quote as the MLB closes COVID-19 investigation on him.

-Jeff Luhnow is suing the Astros organization for Breach of Contract. Long story short, Luhnow had signed an extension, and the firing cost him $22Mil in guaranteed money. Luhnow's biggest argument is that he ended up being "the scapegoat for the [Astros] organization." "no knowledge of -- or involvement in -- the sign-stealing schemes." More to come on this in the coming weeks.

-The Chicago White Sox new manager Tony La Russa was charged with a DUI after he allegedly ran his car into a curb in February. During the arrest, La Russa said, "Do you see my ring?... I'm a Hall of Famer baseball person. I'm legit. I'm a Hall of Famer, brother." More to come from how the White Sox handle this situation.

-New Red Sox manager Alex Cora "I deserved it.' He came out and said he deserved his suspension for sign stealing and was "humbled by the whole situation." This is really nice to see from a fan's perspective as someone is finally showing some remorse for the situation.


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In Free Agent News:

-The most interesting piece of free agent news revolves around Trevor Bauer as he became the first MLB Brand Ambassador with Lids. There were two pictures released on Twitter 1- The hats showed were: NY Yankees, LA Angels, Boston Red Sox, Houston Astro's, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, LA Dodgers, NY Mets, and Toronto Blue Jays. The next picture showed 3 teams: NY Mets(right on his head), Boston Red Sox, and Cincinnati Reds.

-The Blue Jays, who are expected to be one of the more aggressive teams this winter in free agency, signed SP Robbie Ray to a 1yr-$8Mil deal. Ray showed well enough in his stint with the Blue Jays to earn another year in the rotation. However, we may see him play out of the bullpen. The Jay's rotation is stacking up to be a good one in 2020 with Ryu, Pearson, Roark, Stripling already in the mix. Anthony Kay could be used for spot starts or out of the pen in 2021. The Blue Jay's are interested in top Free Agent OF George Springer and Jackie Bradley Jr. I do like the fir for Springer in particular in terms of young talent, contender, and a place where he can be the star.

- Adam Wainwright may be decided on playing in 2021. tweeting on 11/7, "My son Caleb just pointed at the tv and said, "Daddy ball." Well, that settles it. I should play another year..."

I think one more year for the Cardinals is in play.

-C Erik Kratz will not play in 2021 and beyond as the 40yo said his next game in the MLB would not be as a player. Kratz

-The Red Sox are linked to free-agent SP Tyler Chatwood, Chris Archer, and Garrett Richards to help the rotation. They have also had discussions with Free Agent OF Jackie Bradley Jr. The Red Sox are also linked to SP Matt Shoemaker. Don't be surprised to see the Red Sox in play for nearly every SP on the market this winter.

-The Astro's and Free Agent OF Michael Brantley have had talks on a new contract. Brantley's market is murky because of his limited defensive ability, and we are not sure if there will be a universal DH rule in 2021. Brantley should have a strong market from AL teams looking to add a strong DH.

-"No amount of money " could get Free Agent SP Marcus Stroman to sign with the Chicago White Sox. He ripped the White Sox and said he would never play there because Tony La Russa is the new manager.

-The Yankees and DJ LeMahieu will not be together in 2021 as DJ declined his Qualifying offer. The Yankees are also being connected to and in contact with SS Andrelton Simmons.

In Trade News:

There will be many rumors around SS this winter as Trevor Storey, Javier Baez, Francisco Lindor, Carlos Correa, and Corey Seager. Keep an eye on all these names, but mostly Lindor and Storey, as both will be drawing a lot of interest this winter.

-In SS Francisco Lindor news, the Red Sox are not expected to pursue a deal with the Indians for the SS. New manager Alex Cora and Lindor do have a history of a great relationship, but the Red Sox aren't looking to make a move currently.


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In Injury News:

-Angels DH/SP Shohei Ohtani is rehabbing well from injury as he is throwing from 120ft with about 75-80% effort. The Angels are expected to continue to bank on Ohtani as an SP and DH in 2021 and beyond. However, a move to the OF would be a wise move for the Angels and Ohtani.

In Prospect News:

-Yankees OF and #1 Prospect Jasson Dominguez expects to play his first professional season in 2021. The 17yo is a beast and was signed to a $5.1Mil bonus, and the Yankees should look to have him in the mix sometime in 2021.

-If and when the A's don't resign SS Marcus Semien, it could open the door to the A's teams #2 prospect Robert Puason, #4 SS/2B Nick Allen, and #5 3B/SS Sheldon Neuse to possibly get an extended look in 2021.


Thanks for joining me today, and I hope you enjoy the yearly reviews coming to the rest of this week! So grateful for your time!

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