San Diego trades for Yu

 

The San Diego Padres' whirlwind offseason continued Monday night as they reportedly acquired right-hander Yu Darvish from the Chicago Cubs as part of a seven-player deal.

The trade, which was first reported by MLB.com, comes one day after San Diego reportedly landed left-hander Blake Snell from the Tampa Bay Rays. The Padres' starting rotation now is set to include Snell, Darvish, Dinelson Lamet, Chris Paddack and MacKenzie Gore, with injured veteran Mike Clevinger is set to return from Tommy John surgery in 2022.

 

The Padres also acquired catcher Victor Caratini from the Cubs, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reported. In exchange, the Cubs acquired right-hander Zach Davies and four minor-league prospects: shortstop Reginald Preciado, outfielder Owen Caissie, outfielder Ismael Mena and shortstop Yeison Santana.

Earlier in the day, San Diego signed free-agent infielder Ha-Seong Kim, 25, to a multi-year deal worth around $7 million a season, according to MLB Network. Kim starred in Korea, where he has hit .307, slugged 49 home runs and swiped 56 bases since 2019. He start at second base for the Padres.

The main prize of Monday night's deal is Darvish, 34, a four-time All-Star who finished second in the voting for National League Cy Young Award in 2020. He finished last season with an 8-3 record and a 2.01 ERA in 12 starts, and he struck out 93 batters in 76 innings.

 

In eight big-league seasons, Darvish is 71-56 with a 3.47 ERA in 182 starts. He spent the past three years in Chicago after starting his career with the Texas Rangers and spending part of one season for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"He's just at a point where he's really comfortable in who he is," Cubs manager David Ross said last season. "There's so much to be said for that."

Caratini, 27, gives the Padres depth behind the plate. He hit .241 with one homer and 16 RBIs in 44 games in 2019, following up on an impressive 2019 campaign in which he hit .266 with 11 homers and 34 RBIs in 95 games.

 

The Cubs have not announced a rebuild, but they have taken steps to break up the core of a team that captured the 2016 World Series title. Joe Maddon left as manager, Theo Epstein left as president and the team recently announced that it would not tender a contract to slugger Kyle Schwarber. Other players who could be moved include Kris Bryant and Javier Baez.

Davies, 27, figures to replace Darvish's rotation spot, and he could give the Cubs a trade chip at the 2021 deadline. He went 7-4 with a 2.73 ERA in 12 starts last season, which was his first in San Diego after five seasons in Milwaukee.

Preciado, Caissie, Mena and Santana provide depth to a Cubs farm system that had been depleted in recent years. The first three players are still teenagers, while Santana is the oldest of the group at age 20.

Go home, Snell you Later

 

 

 

 

 

 

There’s nothing going on in the Oakland A’s world this winter, but something big happened in MLB over the weekend that will affect the entire American League in 2021.

The Tampa Bay Rays traded ace pitcher Blake Snell to the San Diego Padres for four young players led by top pitching prospect Luis Patiño.  The deal is still pending medical reviews before it becomes official.

The Rays are the reigning AL champions, and Snell was a big reason why. The 2018 Cy Young winner put together another nice campaign in the short 2020, and then was even better over six postseason starts. However, the lefty’s final memory in a Tampa Bay uniform is of him being pulled far too early in Game 6 of the World Series — he was dominating into the 6th inning and had thrown just 73 pitches, but got a quick hook and watched his bullpen immediately blow the lead and let the Los Angeles Dodgers clinch the championship.

• Snell, 2020 stats: 3.24 ERA, 50 ip, 63 Ks, 18 BB, 10 HR, 4.35 FIP
• Snell, 2020 post: 3.03 ERA, 29⅔ ip, 37 Ks, 14 BB, 5 HR, team went 3-3

The Rays also lost star righty Charlie Morton from their rotation this winter, after declining his $15 million option; he signed with the Atlanta Braves for the same amount. Snell is due to make $11 million next season and is under contract through the end of 2023.

Without these two heavyweights atop their pitching staff, the Rays will look much different in 2021. They still have a lot of talent in their rotation and pen, and they’re always a threat to identify new stars every summer, but they have two huge sets of shoes to fill immediately if they want to stay among the top AL contenders next season.

To that end, the highlight of their return package could be ready to contribute right away. Patiño is a Top 20 national prospect who made his MLB debut this year at age 20, and his arsenal features three plus-grade pitches including a fastball that averaged 97 mph in his stint in the majors. It would be a tall order to ask him to out-perform Snell right away, but at least the Rays replaced their ace with another premium, MLB-readyish arm.

Tampa Bay got three other players. Catcher Francisco Mejia is a former Top 20 prospect who hasn’t yet panned out in the bigs (in 128 games over four seasons), but he’ll only be 25 next season and still has time. Fellow catcher Blake Hunt hasn’t yet played above Single-A, and righty pitcher Cole Wilcox was a 3rd-round draft pick in 2020.

Baseball people likes the deal for the Rays, Patiño alone would have been nearly enough to match the surplus value of Snell’s three remaining years of control (for which he’ll be paid $41 million), and the whole package comes out around 19% higher than what Tampa Bay gave up.

On the field in 2021, though, this move almost certainly makes the Rays worse. No single subtraction ever fully eliminates a baseball team, but losing a superstar in his prime represents a downgrade even if Patiño has a nice rookie season to partially offset it. That’s relevant to the Oakland A’s, because it weakens one of their primary AL rivals as they try again to chart a path to and through October.

Quoting a Rays fan,

“Overall, this is a devastating loss for a team coming off a World Series appearance, and a possible death knell for a team that also was too poor to keep Charlie Morton despite having his contract option in hand. ... Without drastic, unexpected improvements this is not a World Series rotation, and a sad day to be a fan of the Tampa Bay Rays.”

Meanwhile, how bout them Padres. Their lineup was already ridiculous, and one of their other starters (Dinelson Lamet) finished fourth for NL Cy Young. They made the NLDS this year and clearly have their sights set even higher in 2021.

 Fans always say that, until their team starts winning at an alarming rate, then they hop back on the saddle, and ride their horse again.

Baseball Tidbits

 

 

After being traded from the Padres to the Rays in a multiplayer offseason deal, Hunter Renfroe  didn’t get much of a chance to hit against the AL East in 2020 for a variety of reasons.

He’ll get another chance to do so in 2021

Renfroe signed a one-year deal with the Red Sox on Monday. Alex Speier of the Boston Globe notes that he’s going to get a $3.1 million salary, and there are $600,000 in possible incentives. This is right around what the former first-round pick was projected to earn in Tampa Bay before the Rays decided to non-tender him right before the deadline.

On paper, this is a low-risk, (potentially and relatively) high-reward signing for the Red Sox. Yes, Renfroe was awful in 2020; awful is an understatement after he hit just .156/.253/.393 with a 37/14 K/BB ratio. As bad as those numbers are, it’s important to keep in mind that they came in just 139 plate appearances. The season before with the Padres, the 28-year-old hit 33 homers in 140 games, and he hit 26 roundtrippers in both the 2017 and 2018 campaigns. 

Power has never been an issue for the former Mississippi State star and the 13th pick of the 2013 draft. Hitting for average and getting on-base is another story. Renfroe owns a career .228 average in five seasons, and his .290 on-base percentage shows how little patience he’s shown at the plate going forward. He’s also a solid defender in the outfield, however, and while that won’t help a fantasy roster, it does help him stay in the lineup.

It would probably be a mistake to use a high draft pick on Renfroe because he’s essentially a one-category player, but he’s someone worth keeping an eye on, and when he’s in the lineup against left-handed pitching, he’ll be an intriguing DFS option in 2021. 

 

 

Holland comes back to Royals one one-year deal

The big-name relievers -- yes, there are such things as big-name relievers -- like Liam Hendriks and Kirby Yates remain on the market, but a few options have put pen to paper, and Greg Holland  joined them on Monday by re-signing with the Royals. 

Holland, 34, signed a one-year, $2.75 million contract to stay in Kansas City, with Alec Lewis of The Athletic adding that he can make $1.5 million in performance bonuses. After several years of struggling with injuries and not pitching well when he was able to pitch, Holland reminded of how good he was not all that long ago. He was able to save six games in the truncated campaign, and he registered a 1.91 ERA and 31/7 K/BB ratio over 28 1/3 innings. 

It’s a small sample, but Holland looked the part in 2020, and he should remain the stopper to begin the year for the Royals in 2021.

 

 

LeMahieu, Yankees long ways apart on potential new deal

In terms of just pure offensive ability, there might not be a better bat on the market than DJ LeMahieu . After being underpaid -- relatively, before anyone screams -- for two years with the Yankees while putting up elite numbers, LeMahieu is looking to take advantage, and while a reunion with New York is the most likely landing spot, it might not be happening anytime soon.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that the Yankees and LeMahieu are more than $25 million apart currently. The specifics of what both parties want are unknown, but this is obviously not an insignificant number. The 32-year-old led baseball in average last year with a .364 clip -- the second time he finished in the top spot in his career -- and in his two seasons in the Bronx, the former Colorado infielder slashed .336/.386/.536 with 36 homers, 129 RBI and eight steals over 195 games.

While LeMahieu re-signing with the Yankees has been the most likely outcome, it’s not due to a shortage of suitors. The Blue Jays and Mets have both been mentioned as potential landing spot, with the former being slightly more likely than the latter based on 

Base Hits: Craig Mish of Sports Grid reports Adam Conley has signed a contract with the Rakuten Golden Eagles in Japan … Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times hears the Rays have talked about a reunion with free agent right-hander Chris Archer … Alex Speier of the Boston Globe hears the Red Sox are interested in free agent left-hander Rich Hill and free agent right-hander Jake Odorizzi Both were with the Twins in 2020 … Royals re-signed OF Bubba Starling to a minor league contract … Buster Olney of ESPN reports that Corey Kluber  (shoulder) is expected to throw bullpen sessions for interested teams later this month … Ken Rosenthal reports that Kurt Suzuki "is a free agent of interest" to the Angels. The Angels were reportedly the runner-up for James McCann … Jon Morosi of MLB.com reports that Robert Suarez has re-signed with Japan's Hanshin Tigers on a one-year contract with a player option for 2022 … Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports that the Phillies "drew numerous trade inquiries" on Vince Velasquez prior to their decision to tender him a contract … Red Sox president Chaim Bloom said Monday that Alex Verdugo  would likely be the starting center fielder if the season started today.

 More tomorrow, unless I get snowed in.☃

Cleveland Indians to change their name

 

 

 

 

 

Personally I never equated this logo with racism, but I was naive.

Cleveland will change its team name from "Indians" to another mascot as early as 2022, according to the New York Times, The franchise is expected to announce the change this week.

 A new nickname and logo has not been selected. Cleveland will reportedly keep its current mascot and the uniforms in 2021 before making a change ahead of the 2022 season. 

Cleveland announced in July it would consider changing the team's mascot. Its announcement came hours after the Washington Football Team announced it would undergo a thorough review of the team's name.

We are committed to making a positive impact in our community and embrace our responsibility to advocate social justice and equality," Cleveland's statement read in July. "Our organization fully recognizes our team name is among the most visible ways in which we connect with the community.”

Cleveland was one of the American League's first franchises after being founded in 1901. The team has used the "Indians" moniker since 1915. In 2019, Cleveland  announced it would discontinue the use of the Chief Wahoo logo on its uniform.

"Major League Baseball is committed to building a culture of diversity and inclusion throughout the game,” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “Over the past year, we encouraged dialogue with the Indians organization about the club’s use of the Chief Wahoo logo. During our constructive conversations, [owner] Paul Dolan made clear that there are fans who have a longstanding attachment to the logo and its place in the history of the team."

Cleveland has been one of the American League's best teams in recent seasons. 2020 marked the franchise's fourth playoff appearance in the last five years, though Cleveland has not won the World Series since 1948.

 

Say no more.

Richard Anthony Allen should be in the Hall of Fame

They booed him mercilessly in Philadelphia, they booed him in Chicago, but in the end, the fans respected his talent.
 

 In the long history of Major League Baseball, there’s not another player who was like Dick Allen, who passed away on Monday at the age of 78. 

The slugger -- who played for the Phillies, Cardinals, Dodgers, White Sox, and A’s -- had a swing like no one else. His bat was like nobody's either. He carried a 40-and-change-ounce bat, one of the heaviest to ever be used (Babe Ruth swung a 42-ouncer early in his career). 

When Allen swung that massive lumber, he'd smash legendary home runs -- ones that might still be orbiting the planet as we speak.His most famous came on May 29, 1965, when he launched a home run an estimated 525 feet, over the Coke sign at Connie Mack Stadium:

Pirates slugger Willie Stargell -- who knows a few things about prodigious blasts --said, “Now I know why they boo Richie all the time. When he hits a home run, there's no souvenir.”

He was once caught mid-meal when White Sox manager Chuck Tanner needed a pinch-hitter on July 4, 1972.

 

 

"I was eating a chili dog when I heard Chuck wanted me to hit,"Allen said. "I had chili all over my shirt so I put on a new one and a pair of pants with no underclothes."

What did he do after that?

"Sparky Lyle threw me a slider and it wound up in the seats."

The stories are endless and Allen's numbers were solid -- he hit .292/.378/.534 and he bashed 351 home runs. He was one of the most feared sluggers to ever step to the plate.

But Allen was so much more than the stats on the back of a baseball card. He was also one of the coolest to ever play the game.

His look is iconic -- the large glasses, the mustache and sideburns, the nonchalance -- all combined to make him a symbol of ‘70s cool.

Well, there goes the Hall of Fame

 

In an announcement with significant implications on both Robinson Canó’s career and the Mets’ near-term future, Major League Baseball revealed Wednesday that Canó has received a 162-game suspension without pay for testing positive for Stanozolol, a performance-enhancing substance. Canó will miss the entire 2021 season.

“We were extremely disappointed to be informed about Robinson’s suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program,” Mets president Sandy Alderson said in a statement. “The violation is very unfortunate for him, the organization, our fans and the sport. The Mets fully support MLB’s efforts toward eliminating performance enhancing substances from the game.”

Canó previously served an 80-game suspension in 2018 after violating MLB’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program for the first time. Playing for the Mariners at that time, Canó tested positive for furosemide, a diuretic better known as Lasix, which is often used to help mask banned substances in urine tests.

“I understand that everything that goes into my body,” Canó said in a prepared statement following that suspension announcement. “I’m responsible for that.”

 

 

According to a source, Canó did not plan to release a statement following his latest positive test.

Brodie Van Wagenen had been the Mets' general manager for about five weeks when he acquired Canó, his former client, in a December 2018 trade that also brought Edwin Díaz to New York for top prospects Jarred Kelenic and Justin Dunn, among others. Canó struggled throughout '19, but he rebounded in '20 to hit .318/.352/.544 over 49 games as a 37-year-old. Canó credited his success to an offseason workout program that allowed him to keep his legs in peak shape.

“If I had any concern about what Robby’s physical state or performance ability going forward is, I would not have made the deal,” Van Wagenen said shortly after the trade. “This guy has huge ambition to be able to be great in the coming years. All of us have great confidence that a bat as consistently good as Robinson Canó has been over the years, he’s not going to lose that skill set. And if he continues to work as hard on his body and his defensive mobility, there’s no reason he can’t be a productive defensive player for us as we go forward, too.”

Canó will forfeit the entirety of his $24 million salary in 2021, but he is still due $48 million from '22-23. The Mets are responsible for approximately $40 million of that total, with Seattle picking up the rest.

A career .303 hitter with 2,624 hits and 334 home runs over 16 seasons with the Yankees, Mariners and Mets, Canó would be a borderline Hall of Famer by numbers alone. But voters have historically taken a strict line with players even suspected of PED use, let alone those with documented positive tests.

While Canó’s latest suspension will have a seismic impact on the Mets’ roster and payroll, the team is well-covered at second base in his absence. The simplest option would be to slide Jeff McNeil from left field back to his natural position at second base. That would allow the Mets to shift Brandon Nimmo to left field and sign a free agent -- George Springer and Jackie Bradley Jr. being the most prominent options -- to man center. It would also theoretically improve the Mets’ defense at multiple positions.

 

 

The Mets could also use Andrés Giménez full-time at second base, keeping their current outfield alignment of McNeil, Nimmo and Michael Conforto intact. They could acquire a free agent such as DJ LeMahieu to fill their hole at second base. Or they could move McNeil to second and sign a corner outfielder such as Marcell Ozuna to fill that hole. Without Canó’s money on the books, the Mets can spend up to $20 million more this winter without worrying about the luxury tax threshold.

Those decisions will occur in time, likely after the Mets hire a president of baseball operations to serve under Alderson.

No matter what the Mets choose, Canó’s long-term future is unclear. He remains under contract through 2023 at significant money. It is unknown if the Mets will welcome Canó back following multiple violations of MLB’s drug policy, or if they will move on despite their long-term financial commitment to him.

Welcome to the new management, time to clean up this mess.

 

The biggest move off the 2020 deadline was the Padres' acquisition of Mike Clevinger from Cleveland in a massive nine-player deal at the deadline. Unfortunately for San Diego, Clevinger was limited to just four regular season appearances and was only able to make one postseason start against the Dodgers because of an elbow injury.

We won’t see Clevinger at all in 2021. Unless you see him swimming in the Pacific Ocean. Then tell me.

On the same day that he signed a two-year, $11.5 million contract, it was also announced that Clevinger will miss the 2021 season after undergoing Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery. This will be the second time that the right-hander the operation, as he had the same procedure while a member of the Angels’ organization. 

The fantasy implications here are relatively obvious -- at least in terms of Clevinger’s value for 2021 in redraft leagues: there isn’t any. What’s (potentially) less obvious is the other ramifications. The Padres have some very intriguing young depth in their rotation, and barring a trade, Dinelson Lamet, Zach Davies and Chris Paddack are locks to open the year in that role. That leaves two potential open spots, however, with Clevinger out for the year and Garrett Richards a free agent. That leaves opportunities for young hurlers like Adrian Morejon, but also top prospects like MacKenzie Gore and Luis Patino. Gore is arguably the top pitching prospect in the game, and Patino isn’t all that far behind. It’s certainly possible the Padres will be in the market for another starter on the trade or free agent market -- they might have been even without the Clevinger news -- but it’s much easier to see Gore making a larger impact in 2021 now.

The other question, of course, is what this means for Clevinger in the long-term. The right-hander will turn 30 in December, so the next time we’ll see him throw a competitive pitch will be as a 31-year-old, most likely. When healthy, he has some of the best stuff in the game; and the evidence comes in his 3.19 career ERA with a K/9 of 10.0 in 542 1/3 innings. The issue is durability, and this won’t do it any favors. Clevinger has thrown over 126 innings once, and that’s a troubling figure for a pitcher who is on the wrong side of 30 and coming off his second major procedure. The upside is palpable, but there’s just as much risk as there is reward going forward.

 

Smyly signs one-year, $11 million deal with Braves 

The Braves were among the first to strike in free agency in 2019, and they’ve made an early move for the 2021 campaign as well. 

On Monday, the Braves announced that they had agreed to a one-year, $11 million deal with left-hander Drew Smyly. Smyly spent the 2020 season with the Giants, and he registered a 3.42 ERA in seven games -- five starts -- over 26 1/3 innings. A solid number, but the metrics suggest the 31-year-old was even better than that. He struck out a whopping 42 hitters in that frame against nine walks, and he finished the year with a Fielding Independent Pitching number of 2.01. 

The question with Smyly is the same as Clevinger; can he stay healthy? We haven’t seen him throw more than 150 innings since 2016, and he missed all of 2017-2018 while recovering from Tommy John surgery. That being said, there are things to like here. He’s going to pitch behind one of the best lineups in baseball -- with or without Marcell Ozuna returning -- and his stuff seemed to reach another level this year; posting vastly improved spin rates on his fastball and curve. 

The Braves might be creative in how they use Smyly in 2021 to ensure health down the stretch, but his ability to miss bats will give him some fantasy appeal this summer.

Marlins hire Ng as first female GM in MLB history

Miami filled their general manager position on Friday, and they did it by making history. Miami hired Kim Ng in the role, and she became the first woman GM not only in MLB history, but the first of a North American professional men’s sports team. Before taking this job, Ng has worked for the White Sox, Yankees and Dodgers -- she was a finalist for the Los Angeles job back in 2005 -- and she was MLB's senior vice president of baseball operations for the past nine years. In addition to interviewing for the position with Los Angeles, the 51-year-old was a finalist for several other openings, but she will get her first opportunity to run a club starting in 2021. It’s about time. 

Brewers ‘intend to listen’ on Hader offers

On Monday, Robert Murray of Fansided reported that the Brewers intend to listen to offers on left-handed reliever Josh Hader. Hader, 26, has been one of the best relievers in baseball over the past few seasons, and that is probably an understatement. While he posted a career-high 3.79 ERA last season, half of the runs he allowed came in one outing, and he’s still missing bats with the best of them with a career K/9 of 15.3. Hader also is becoming more expensive, however, and he’ll be paid a raise on the $4.4 million he made in 2020 in his second year of arbitration eligibility. The Brewers will likely need a substantial return in terms of prospects, but it wouldn’t be a shock if Hader was in another uniform this spring. Wherever he goes, the fantasy appeal is obvious, and Williams would see his stock jump up a not insignificant amount as the presumed closer for the Brew Crew in 2021.

 

Quick Bats: Luke Voit said he doesn't expect his plantar fasciitis to be an issue in 2021 … Peter Gammons of MLB.com has been told by Astros sources that Jackie Bradley "is a priority" for them this offseason … Giants outfield prospect Alexander Canario recently underwent surgery to repair a torn left labrum. 

Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports that Tommy Kahnle is considering "multiple" two-year offers. 

Kahne will miss the 2021 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in early August. Mark Buehrle is among the additions to the BBWAA Hall of Fame ballot for 2021. He's one of 11 new names on the ballot, which also includes (in alphabetical order) A.J. Burnett, Michael Cuddyer, Dan Haren, LaTroy Hawkins, Tim Hudson, Torii Hunter, Aramis Ramírez, Nick Swisher, Shane Victorino and Barry Zito.

 According to Ken Davidoff of the New York Post, the Mets are among the teams showing interest in free agent slugger Marcel Ozuna as well there should be, guys a game changer.  Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times believes that Kevin Kermeier is a candidate to be traded this offseason. Topkin cites the financial impact of the pandemic-delayed 2020 season as well as the uncertainty heading into 2021 as to why the Rays may be looking to shed payroll his winter ... Buster Olney of ESPN reports that four teams are showing early interest in free agent right-hander Jake Odorizzi Those four clubs: The Blue Jays, the Giants, the Mets and the Twins … Orioles acquired RHP Miguel Padilla from the Astros to complete the Hector Velazquez trade ... Rays right-handed pitching prospect Nick Bitsko "is likely to soon have surgery to relieve shoulder discomfort," according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times .

 Athletics signed RHP Zac Reininger to a minor league contract . According to Robert Murray of FanSided, free agent right-hander Chase Anderson is drawing interest from "several teams." Why, I don't know, cause the guy can't throw stikes.

 

Kim Ng is the first female GM in North America

 

 

 The Marlins have pledged to build as diverse an organization as possible. On Friday morning, they made history by announcing Kim Ng as their new general manager.

Ng is the first woman to become an MLB general manager. She is also believed to be the first woman hired as a GM by any major professional men's team in North American sports.

 “All of us at Major League Baseball are thrilled for Kim and the opportunity she has earned with the Marlins," MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. "Kim’s appointment makes history in all of professional sports and sets a significant example for the millions of women and girls who love baseball and softball. The hard work, leadership, and record of achievement throughout her long career in the National Pastime led to this outcome, and we wish Kim all the best as she begins her career with the Marlins.”

Ng, who turns 52 on Tuesday, has an extensive background as an executive. She has more than 30 years of experience in Major League Baseball, including 21 in the front offices of the White Sox (1990-96), Yankees (1998-2001) and Dodgers (2002-11).

 With the title of general manager, Ng (pronounced ANG) becomes the highest-ranking woman in baseball operations in the Majors. She also is the fifth person to hold the general manager title in Marlins history.

Ng is also the second person of Asian descent to lead an MLB team, following Farhan Zaidi, the former Los Angeles Dodgers GM and current president of baseball operations for the Giants.

“On behalf of principal owner Bruce Sherman and our entire ownership group, we look forward to Kim bringing a wealth of knowledge and championship-level experience to the Miami Marlins,” chief executive officer Derek Jeter said in a statement. “Her leadership of our baseball operations team will play a major role on our path toward sustained success. Additionally, her extensive work in expanding youth baseball and softball initiatives will enhance our efforts to grow the game among our local youth as we continue to make a positive impact on the South Florida community.”

 The Marlins began the reshaping of their baseball operations department after parting ways with Michael Hill as president of baseball operations on Oct. 18.

 “I entered Major League Baseball as an intern and, after decades of determination, it is the honor of my career to lead the Miami Marlins as their next general manager,” Ng said in a statement. “We are building for the long term in South Florida, developing a forward-thinking, collaborative, creative baseball operation made up of incredibly talented and dedicated staff who have, over the last few years, laid a great foundation for success."

 Hill, who is African American and Cuban, had served in that capacity since the end of the 2013 season, and he had been an executive with the Marlins since ‘02, including being promoted to GM in ‘07. Hill recently interviewed for the Mets’ open GM position.

The Marlins’ decision-making landscape has changed since the ownership group headed by Sherman and Jeter took over after the 2017 season.

Many voices are involved in the process, and the Marlins weren’t looking for someone necessarily to make the final call. Ng will oversee the department and work in unison with Jeter, vice president of baseball operations and scouting Gary Denbo, as well as the pro, amateur and international departments.

 A graduate of the University of Chicago, Ng broke into baseball as an intern with the White Sox in 1990, later advancing to assistant director of baseball operations. She then became the Yankees’ assistant general manager from 1998-2001.

Jeter has helped break the standard of hiring just men.

LaRussa stains the Sox

 He has disgraced himself one too many times, and he should be terminated, immediately.

He has stained one of the oldest franchises on this planet, at least bringng back memoriesof the 1919 Black Sox scandal.

 

Manager Tony La Russa flashed a ring at a police officer arresting him for driving under the influence and said "I'm a Hall of Famer baseball person" while being placed into the back of a cruiser, according to an incident report obtained by ESPN.La Russa, 76, was charged in late October with DUI by the Maricopa County Attorney's Office in Arizona after blood and breath tests taken the night of his February arrest showed his blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over the legal limit of .08.The White Sox said they were aware of La Russa's pending charges, which were filed one day before the team officially hired him on Oct. 29. It is the second drunken-driving arrest for La Russa, who pleaded guilty to misdemeanor DUI in Florida in 2007.

While initial details of the arrest were provided in an affidavit from the arresting officer, the incident report by the Arizona Department of Public Safety fills in gaps and shows La Russa appearing incoherent, referring multiple times to his Hall of Fame credentials and expressing mistrust in blood-alcohol-level tests.

When the officer approached La Russa's car, which was blocking the right-hand lane on State Route 143, La Russa said he had a flat tire. "I hit something once I got on the 43," he said, according to the report.

La Russa said he was returning from a dinner with "friends with the California Angels baseball team." (La Russa was a special adviser for the Los Angeles Angels before the White Sox hired him to manage after a nine-year absence from the dugout.) When the officer asked for identification, according to the report, La Russa continued instead to talk on the phone to a AAA representative. The officer repeated the command, and La Russa tossed cash and cards onto the passenger's seat but did not furnish a driver's license. The officer asked him to hang up his phone and provide the license.

While shuffling through his money and cards, La Russa twice passed over the license before finally handing it to the officer, according to the report.

The officer asked La Russa to exit the car for field sobriety tests. La Russa said he had undergone a hip replacement four weeks earlier and asked: "Why are we doing the tests?" The officer said there was an odor of alcohol emanating from La Russa. When the officer discussed administering a portable breath test, La Russa said: "I don't trust it."

According to the report, La Russa then asked: "What makes you think I don't have control of my facilities?"

He agreed to take the breath test "if it gets me out of here," according to the report. The test registered a BAC of .090.

The officer placed La Russa under arrest for DUI. When read his Miranda rights, La Russa said: "I don't know my rights because you told me once I blow into that thing we'd be done," according to the report. The officer asked if La Russa had any drinks, and he replied that he had one glass of wine at dinner, the report said.

 

Before the arresting officer placed him in a vehicle, La Russa said: "Do you see my ring?" When asked what he meant, La Russa answered: "I'm a Hall of Famer baseball person." He continued: "I'm legit. I'm a Hall of Famer, brother. You're trying to embarrass me." WTF.

Once at the highway patrol station near the incident, La Russa requested a phone call. At 1:07 a.m., around 90 minutes after the arrest, he asked to speak with a supervisor, according to the report. He declined to submit a blood sample to test his BAC, the report said.

"I will not comply with your tests," La Russa said, according to the report. "I don't trust it, brother."

The officer received a warrant to draw La Russa's blood, and the test measured La Russa's BAC at .095.

When reached for comment on Monday night, La Russa told ESPN, "I have nothing to say," and hung up the phone. A message left Tuesday for La Russa's lawyer, Larry Kazan, was not returned.

Christmas may come early for the Blue Jays

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal in an article for The Athletic, rival executives have been anticipating that the Blue Jays would be among the big-spending clubs this offseason. The club made the first notable signing of the Hot Stove season when it inked Robbie Ray to a one-year, $8 million deal, and there could be more to come.

One potential target? Lindor, whom many expect will be traded before Opening Day. Lindor is in his final year of arbitration eligibility after earning a prorated portion of his $17.5 million salary in 2020.

As Rosenthal notes, Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro and general manager Ross Atkins were the Indians’ GM and farm director, respectively, when the team selected Lindor with the eighth overall pick in the 2011 MLB Draft.

The Blue Jays have Bo Bichette at shortstop, but they could move him to third base to fill their hole there if they can swing a trade for Lindor. Leaving Vlad jr at first base.

Jon Heyman: Yanks more likely to pursue FA shortstop than Lindor trade

 After shortstop Gleyber Torres struggled on defense in 2020, the Yankees have been mentioned as a potential landing spot for Lindor, who is expected to be traded before Opening Day. However, MLB Network insider Jon Heyman said on Monday’s episode of the Big Time Baseball Podcast that Yankees officials have downplayed the possibility of a Lindor trade.Heyman thinks if the club does pursue a shortstop, it is more likely to be a free agent such as Andrelton Simmons or Didi Gregorius.

 Is the Indians trading Lindor a matter of "if," or a matter of "when"?

 A report Thursday from USA Today's Bob Nightengale suggests that Lindor will be in a new uniform on Opening Day 2021.

The Indians intend to trade Lindor by Opening Day and have informed several rival teams of those intentions, according to Nightengale.

That lines up with what MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi is hearing, too: A Lindor deal is looking likely this offseason -- but perhaps "unlikely to happen quickly."

One big reason? Cleveland wants as many suitors in play as possible, and the Mets -- who have a good mix of young, cost-controlled big leaguers like Amed Rosario, Dominic Smith, Brandon Nimmo, Andrés Giménez and others -- might be a potential landing spot.

Thing is, new Mets owner Steve Cohen and team president Sandy Alderson must set up a new office and that will take some time as they interview candidates

Lindor is only a year away from free agency -- he's set to headline what could be the best shortstop class ever in the 2021-22 offseason along with Javier Báez, Carlos Correa, Corey Seager and Trevor Story. But the 26-year-old would still command a high price on the trade market, considering the rarity of a superstar shortstop in his prime.

And, of course, anything could happen in the months between now and the start of the 2021 season. The Indians could always decide to hold onto Lindor, the face of their franchise. But if Lindor is indeed on the block, he'll have no shortage of suitors.While this year’s free-agent class has its share of big names, the highest-profile players to change teams this offseason might actually come via trade. MLB Network insider Jon Heyman lists Lindor, Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant and Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado among his top five trade candidates, along with Astros shortstop Carlos Correa and Mets shortstop Amed Rosario.

Lindor, Bryant, Arenado (opt out) and Correa all can become free agents after the 2021 campaign.

Of the five, Lindor may be the most likely to move, as the Indians appear to be cutting costs with revenues down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Tribe declined options on Brad Hand ($10 million), Carlos Santana ($17.5 million) and Domingo Santana ($5 million), choosing instead to pay $1.75 million in buyouts to the three players, though they did pick up Roberto Pérez’s $5.5 million option.

Cleveland listened to trade offers for Lindor last offseason, but ended up retaining him. In his final year of arbitration eligibility, the shortstop is due to receive a raise from his $17.5 million salary in 2020, when he recorded a career-low 102 OPS+.

Bryant and Arenado were also floated as trade candidates last offseason, but they ended up staying put. Like Lindor, Bryant (73 OPS+), Arenado (84 OPS+) and Correa (92 OPS+) didn’t perform up to expectations in 2020, but all four players have strong track records.

Lindor and Correa will be part of a superstar class of free-agent shortstops a year from now, as the Rockies’ Trevor Story and the Dodgers’ Corey Seager are also due to hit the open market.

Rosario is heading into his age-25 season and is under control through 2023, but he took a step back offensively last season and saw rookie Andrés Giménez emerge as a more productive option.

Heyman names the Mets as a potential landing spot for Lindor, with new owner Steve Cohen looking to make a splash right out of the gate.

Free-agent catcher J.T. Realmuto is at the top of many Mets fans' wish lists, but another option for New York could be to sign outfielder George Springer, then Brandon Nimmo or Dominic Smith with Rosario in a deal for Lindor.

 

Vlad has slimmed down

 

 

 

Vlad junior is is ... in great shape? According to the Dominican newspaper El Caribe, it's true. There's even photo evidence.

It was evident during the 2020 season that Guerrero had put on some weight, but he told El Caribe he's already 32 pounds lighter compared to when he reported to Summer Camp, down to around 250 pounds. He shared that he felt the positive effects of refocusing on fitness during the season, and has slimmed down more since then. Meaning his mobility should be quicker.

"I finished the season more or less and put that in mind. I started with the slow swing and when I lost 20 pounds I started feeling better," Guerrero Jr. said.

Guerrero also said he regrets that he didn't show up to Summer Camp following the COVID-19 delay in better shape, and he has apologized to his teammates for not being as prepared as possible for the season.

"I learned after these months of the coronavirus that if you don't work hard, you can't be in the Major Leagues," he said. "Why do [Fernando] Tatis and [Juan] Soto put up good numbers? Because they work hard. I got the hits I got because of the ability that God gave me. But I knew it from the beginning. I know I did it wrong."

Guerrero said he is now eating differently, cutting out fatty foods and ingesting nothing but water after 7 p.m. He is also reportedly working out at the Blue Jays' Spring Training facility where he's hitting, taking ground balls and doing weight training.

The 21-year-old slugger, who is the son of Hall of Fame outfielder Vladimir Guerrero, made his highly anticipated Major League debut in 2019 and has shown his incredible raw power at the plate. But overall, his offensive performance has been somewhat underwhelming, compared to the hype that surrounded his promotion to the big leagues. So far, he has hit .269/.336/.442 with 24 home runs in 183 Major League games.

It's too soon to know if Guerrero's physical transformation continues to translate into better production on the field in 2021. But it's certainly remarkable that he has already shed so much weight and appears to be singularly focused on showing up to Spring Training far more prepared than he was for the 2020 campaign.

"I did not get to the second training well," Guerrero told El Caribe. "And I told myself that this cannot happen again."

If the Jays get a slimmed down Vlad at first, he can field better, run better, but will he hit better, better hope so.

 

Happy Halloween

 

Remember the Lion from  the Wizard of Oz, what did he say exactly , oh yeah "I do believe in spooks,I do belive in spooks, I do I do"

"Yeah, I believe in spooks," Rochester Red Wings GM Dan Mason tells me over the phone. "You know, once in awhile, I'll see lights on in suites, like maybe in the middle of the winter, when there's nobody that has been up there. Or there'll be a TV on in one of those suites. Odd things at odd times. It'll be unnerving."

If you really think about it, baseball should be ripe for hauntings. Boo !

The game is old; it's been around for 150-plus years with millions of players and fans taking part. You'd have to believe a few diehard spirits may have stuck around. Fenway Park and Wrigley Field have been standing for more than a century -- who wouldn't want to come back to roam those magical confines once more? The Ghosts of Yankee Stadium? The Field of Screams? How do you explain this? Well I can't.

While we can speculate and wonder about paranormal activity happening in and around baseball -- there is only one stadium that's been deemed officially haunted. Horror writers have tweeted about its notoriety. It's been called  "the world's first certified haunted sports arena."

It is Frontier Field, home of the Twins' Triple-A team, the Rochester Red Wings, in Rochester, N.Y. The Red Wing blackbird is a well know harbinger of death, well, I just made that up.

There are a few stories as to why spirits have decided to infiltrate a 13,500-seat Minor League ballpark in upstate New York. Rumors are that bones were found when land was being dug out to build the stadium back in 1996. Maybe human, maybe not. Mason, who's been with the team since 1990, isn't sure about the bones story ... but he also isn't not sure.

"I don't know if they found bones, but there were a bunch of buildings on the site where Frontier Field is currently located," Mason says. "One of them was an old warehouse and it actually burned down during the construction. It was actually going to be part of the ballpark. They found some old books, some shoes, I think they dated it back to the early 1900s."

He tells me the warehouse was once an old schoolhouse and everybody knows that old schoolhouses from the early 1900s are almost always haunted. But, according to Mason, that doesn't seem to be where the main ghost of Frontier Field hails from.

 

 

"There was a paper company that was on the site as well that they tore down to build Frontier Field," he says. "Apparently, they said that there was an old janitor that haunted the paper company and that his spirit didn't leave when they tore it down. It still roams the halls here at Frontier Field."

Don't believe Mason? Well, believe Rochester Paranormal Investigations -- the ghost-seeking society that visited Frontier Field in 2004 and officially stamped it as haunted. There was even Amazing Sports Centre recreation special about it.

Both Director J. Burkhart and Psychic Medium Ms. Lee said ghosts were flocking toward them once they got to the field, but some ghosts were different than others.

"A lot of them came to me and they were like, 'Oh don't you love it here, it's such a great place. Have you seen the baseball yet? We get to watch all the games for free,'" Lee says in the SportsCenter clip.

"I found myself being confronted by two to three very hostile entities," Burkhart says. "They were very belligerent, they were very challenging, they were very threatening."

Burkhart took some photosof the spirits he encountered. The first is a "floating head," while the second is some "floating entities." You may think, 'I can't see anything, this isn't real,' but remember, you're also not a professional ghost expert.

If you're still a non-believer, what about stories from the people who work there on a regular basis?

Clubhouse manager Kevin Johnston told the book "Field of Screams" that he's heard noises going up and down on the stadium freight elevator. He was so scared once late at night that he walked around the hallways with a baseball bat. Head groundskeeper Gene Buonomo, a ghost skeptic, once sprinted out of his office after seeing a dark shadow and hearing loud sounds coming from a storage room. He never leaves the stadium by himself anymore.

Mason also talks about the eerie appearance of crows -- you know, the birds that are a well known   -omen of death- between the months of January and February.

"They're here every day and every night," Mason says, a slight chill in his voice. "There's literally thousands of them. So like, when I leave every night to walk to my car, it's akin to the Alfred Hitchcock movie 'The Birds.' There are thousands of crows in our parking lot and in the trees surrounding the ballpark. That is a little bit creepy."

So, if you're able to go to game up in Rochester next season, be sure to watch Williams Ausudillo run and eat one of the town's famous Garbage Plates for breakfast, but also, look around the place. Listen for voices, search for floating heads, say hello to the ghost janitor who may pass by you as you make your way to the bathroom.

Ghosts are just like us. Only, well, they're dead. Or are they ...💀

 

Tony La Russa Returns

 

Tony La Russa enjoyed the opportunities to view baseball from “upstairs” while working for Major League Baseball and during stints in the front offices of the D-backs, Red Sox and Angels since 2012.

But it became increasingly difficult for La Russa to continue thinking about what was really going on downstairs upon leaving the dugout following the Cardinals’ 2011 World Series championship. So on Thursday, following an almost decade-long absence, the 76-year-old La Russa returned to the managerial ranks with the White Sox organization in which his 33-year-career as a manager began in 1979.

The 30th manager in White Sox history officially became the organization’s 41st manager with the two sides agreeing on a multi-year contract.

 “My heart was always in the dugout,” said La Russa during an hour-long Zoom call with the media, alongside general manager Rick Hahn. “To that, when the first inquiry was made about the White Sox, I perked up because being frustrated, being upstairs, but more particularly, I think all managers would understand this, everybody would understand this, how rare it is to get an opportunity to manage a team that's this talented and this close to winning.

“Most of the time, your chances are the opposite. So the combination of looking forward to getting back down there and checking myself to have the energy and all that stuff, and the White Sox making the call with a chance to win sooner rather than later, I'm excited that they made that choice and looking forward to what's ahead.”

 There’s no denying La Russa’s virtually unmatched credentials. He has three World Series titles, six pennants and 2,728 wins to rank third in MLB history, needing 36 victories to pass John McGraw for second. He made 14 postseason appearances and won 12 division titles while managing the White Sox, A’s and Cardinals, and he is a four-time Manager of the Year Award winner.

But this warranted praise can’t come without the questions attached to the hire, questions asked of La Russa and Hahn on Thursday. La Russa and White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf have a familial, brother-like relationship going beyond the bond of friendship. Reinsdorf has stated on numerous occasions how allowing then-general manager Ken "Hawk" Harrelson to fire La Russa during the 1986 season was one of the two biggest mistakes he has made in what is approaching 40 years of White Sox ownership.

Some view Reinsdorf contacting La Russa after the team parted ways with former manager Rick Renteria as a way to right a long-ago wrong. But Hahn stressed it was a decision made by the consensus of himself, Reinsdorf and executive vice president Ken Williams, as is the case on most of their major calls.

“I can tell you this was made with the intent solely on putting us in the best position to win championships,” Hahn said. “In the end, Tony was the choice because it's believed that Tony is the best man to take us, to usher us into what we expect to be a very exciting phase for White Sox baseball.”

La Russa was surprised by Reinsdorf’s initial overtures and still had some reservations after the second conversation based on why he retired in 2011. La Russa had numerous ensuing conversations with Hahn and Williams, and after the longest call with Hahn took place last Saturday, La Russa was the man to take over.

“Being upstairs for nine years, watching the game closely, I described it to my friends as torture, because you’re seeing it and you can’t do anything about it,” La Russa said. “Soon thereafter, I realized I had to either stop complaining about being upstairs or go downstairs. And if you go downstairs and have an opportunity like you have with the White Sox, that’s when it got serious.”

 

 

Other candidates were interviewed by the White Sox, although Hahn wouldn’t specify a total or the names. When La Russa clearly became the focus, Chicago moved in a different direction so as not to mislead any other interested parties.

Personally I believe that LaRussa is just to old and set in his ways to relate to the modern baseball player, the rule changes , analytics, and everything else surrounding the game.Maybe he change the game even more, become the first playing manager in the new millenium.

 

LA state of mind

 

First the Lakers, now the Dodgers, are the Rams next ?

The LA Dodgers won the World Series in 6 games, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 in the decisive game last night.

Kevin Cash decided to pull Blake Snell,and the Dodgers were hungry sharks, they smelled blood in the water.

Super reliever Nick Anderson came into relive Blake Snell in the bottom of the 6th inning, leading the Dodgers to a 2 run turnaround lead in the game.

 

Pete Fairbanks surrendered a sole home run to Mookie Betts in the 8th inning to seal the deal but the secret to this game was not the long ball Dodgers, but the strike out Dodgers.

LA pitching struck out 16 Tampa batters, using 7 Dodger pitchers starting with Tony Gonsolin, ending up with Julio Urias, who fanned 4 in 2 1 rd innings to complete the task.

It has been since 1988, when the Bulldog Orel Hershiser pitched 2 complete game victories on his way to becoming Series MVP.

 

The one downer was Justin Turner's removal from the game due to a positive Covid test, but one hopes he will recover in time to make the ticker tape parade, or at least a visit to the White House, haha.

Corey Seager won the WS MVP honors after batting .400 and 2 WS home runs.

Well that's it for baseball this year, i certainly hope for Covid free spring training, but I fear we shall have to bubble again, like we did last summer. 🙏

 

It's time. It's fitting. It has come to this. The WS begins tonight.

It’s fitting that the Rays and Dodgers are the ones playing in the 2020 World Series. Not only were they the best regular season teams during this unprecedented year, they’re also model franchises — albeit in very different ways.

At the low end of the payroll spectrum, you have the Rays, a team that ruthlessly trades away established stars and reliably develops new ones. They might not spend much, but from the front office to the coaching staff, this team’s always willing to embrace unconventional methods in a tradition-bound sport. That allows them to get the most out of their considerable talent despite their low budget. And with baseball’s best farm system, they aren’t going anywhere.

 

At the other end of the payroll spectrum, you have the Dodgers, a team run by longtime Rays executive Andrew Friedman. Thanks to a player development system that churns out stars year after year, the Dodgers have an enviable young core. But unlike the Rays, they can spend big to supplement their homegrown talent, retaining longtime stars like Clayton Kershaw while extending new ones like Mookie Betts. But for all of their resources, the Dodgers aren’t reckless with their prospects or their money. They’ve won their division eight times in a row

Either team would be a deserving champion after playing so well during an adversity-filled season, but of course only one will win the World Series. For the Dodgers, it would be their first championship since 1988. For the Rays, it would be their first in franchise history. Along the way, these questions will be answered on baseball’s biggest stage…

Maybe you’ve heard by now, but Clayton Kershaw has a history of struggling in the playoffs. Okay, you’ve definitely heard. It’s been an ongoing October storyline for much of the last decade, so the consternation surrounding Kershaw’s playoff performance is nothing new.

What’s different is Kershaw now has a chance to change that narrative. Actually, multiple chances. Since Kershaw wasn’t needed in the Dodgers’ Game 7 NLCS win, he lines up to start Game 1 of the World Series. That would also allow him to start Game 5 against the Rays on regular rest and maybe even pitch out of the bullpen on two days’ rest in a potential Game 7.

Regardless of how the first 177.1 innings of Kershaw’s playoff career have unfolded (4.31 ERA, 193 strikeouts), he now has the opportunity to help the Dodgers win their first World Series in his lifetime. For a pitcher who has achieved everything possible on an individual level, a World Series ring is the only thing missing from a resume that’s already worthy of Cooperstown.

With that in mind, the next seven games have higher stakes for Kershaw than for anyone else.

If the playoffs have been a source of frustration for Kershaw, they’ve been the opposite for Randy Arozarena, the breakout star of the 2020 post-season. And where better to continue that emergence than in the World Series?

When the Rays sent minor leaguers Matthew Liberatore and Edgardo Rodriguez to St. Louis for Arozarena, Jose Martinez and a 2020 supplemental first-round pick, it was Martinez who appeared to be the headliner. That was back in January, and less than a year later, it’s already apparent that the Rays have pulled off another heist.

His regular season numbers were impressive enough – seven home runs with a 1.022 OPS in 23 games – but they pale in comparison to his post-season production. In 14 playoff games, the 25-year-old is hitting .382/.433/.855 with seven more home runs, three doubles and a triple.

Really, this looks like best-case scenario for the Rays. Immediate-term, Arozarena is playing his best baseball when it counts the most. And long-term, the Rays can look forward to years of production from a player whose bat appears to be legit.

 Right around the time the Rays were completing a trade for the future ALCS MVP, the Dodgers were contemplating a trade involving the eventual NLCS MVP. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Los Angeles discussed a three-team trade that would have sent Corey Seager to the Reds, Francisco Lindor to the Dodgers and prospects to Cleveland.

Ten months later, the Dodgers must be thrilled that deal didn’t come together. Nothing against Lindor, who had a good-if-not-great year, but Seager was exceptional in the regular season and has been even better in the playoffs (5 HR, 11 RBI, 1.230 OPS in NLCS). Plus, if the Dodgers had acquired Lindor in January, there’s a good chance they wouldn’t have landed Mookie Betts a few weeks later.

Now, Seager’s peaking at the ideal time, and if he can build on his NLCS performance, the Dodgers will be thrilled. But unlike the Rays, the Dodgers are an exceptionally deep offensive team, so there’s no need to focus on a single player. If Seager falters, the likes of Betts, Cody Bellinger, Justin Turner and Will Smith are all capable of being offensive difference makers, too.

 In the afterglow of a World Series title, teams will so often bring back the players who brought them there.

 

 

The end of a cruel summer

 

It was a poetic showdown, perhaps the inevitable conclusion in this clash of American League East titans who made no secret of their mutual dislike. Aroldis Chapman on the mound and Mike Brosseau at the plate, reprising roles from an incident that cleared the benches a coast away five weeks ago.

That September night in the Bronx, Chapman buzzed a 101 mph fastball over Brosseau, prompting the Rays to warn about their “stable” of elite relievers. Brosseau scored revenge against Chapman on Friday night, connecting for a deciding homer that ended the Yankees’ season with a 2-1 loss in Game 5 of the AL Division Series.

 “I feel terrible,” Chapman said through a translator. “Nobody on our team wants to lose the game. I particularly don’t want to lose. As the closer of this team, that’s my responsibility. It’s tough, but you’ve got to put it aside and keep moving forward.”

 Chapman had been summoned in hopes of recording seven outs, following sharp efforts by Gerrit Cole and Zack Britton. He’d only get four, with Brosseau’s blast coming on the 10th pitch of an at-bat that saw a 100.2 mph heater slugged over Brett Gardner ’s head, reaching the second row of vacant left-field seats at San Diego’s Petco Park.

 Grinding his fist into his glove, Chapman grimaced, again experiencing a turn of events that has grown too familiar for his tastes. One year ago, Chapman watched streamers rain from the roof at Houston’s Minute Maid Park as Jose Altuve rounded the bases for a home run that ended the AL Championship Series and the Yankees’ season. He became the first pitcher in MLB history to allow a go-ahead home run in the eighth inning or later of multiple postseason games with his team facing elimination.

 “That’s tough,” said Cole, who was on the celebratory side of Altuve’s homer. “I could see it in his face when I looked into his eyes. He was able to bounce back from last year, and he’ll bounce back from this series.”

So ends a trying campaign that manager Aaron Boone has described as “heavy,” citing the stresses of playing through a pandemic. Touted in some circles as World Series favorites entering the season, the streaky Yankees never found an answer for the Rays, who bested them in eight of 10 regular-season games before taking the ALDS.

“It’s awful,” Boone said. “The ending is cruel, it really is. There’s so many people I’m grateful for that poured so much into this -- all the players, staff, clubhouse personnel, training staff. Especially in such a crazy year, I’m proud to work alongside so many people who sacrificed so much.”

 

New York had finished the regular season with a 33-27 record, seven games behind Tampa Bay. As the Rays smoked cigars and celebrated on the field, needling their vanquished opponents by dancing to Frank Sinatra’s “Theme from New York, New York” and the Jay-Z/Alicia Keys collaboration “Empire State of Mind,” the Yankees could only shrug.

The latter tune served as the accompaniment for the Bombers’ 2009 World Series run, coinciding with the opening of the new Stadium. It is a time capsule of an exciting time in the South Bronx and a reminder that the search for a 28th championship title is now at 11 seasons and counting.

Cole’s arrival was supposed to change that, the celebrated right-hander realizing his childhood dream of wearing pinstripes after signing the richest deal ever issued to a free-agent pitcher.

Pitching on short rest for the first time in his professional career, Cole channeled a throwback effort on a night in which the Yankees sported Whitey Ford’s uniform No. 16 on their left sleeves.

 Working around two walks and a hit-by-pitch in a shaky first inning, Cole found his groove. The ace retired eight consecutive batters while receiving support from Aaron Judge’s fourth-inning homer off Nick Anderson.

 “I felt good about holding them down,” said Cole, who faced the Rays five times, including the postseason. “It’s just like on a tape recorder with these guys. It’s tough. They put together a good fight. It sucks losing.”

 Showcasing a fastball that crackled as hot as 100 mph and averaged 98 mph, Cole emptied the tank, retiring 12 of 13 Rays before Austin Meadows launched a deep drive toward right field. Judge attempted a leap at the warning track, banging his head on an overhanging part of the scoreboard as the game-tying drive rattled in the seats.

 “I was right there,” said Judge, who had never played a game in San Diego before this series. “I think I’ve got a shot at any ball that gets hit to right field. That’s a tough one, especially with Cole out there competing his butt off. I’ve got to get up there and rob that one.”

 New York managed only three hits, the last of which came on Aaron Hicks’ sixth-inning single. Luke Voit struck out against Pete Fairbanks in that frame, leaving two men on, and the Yanks produced only one more runner before the lights flicked off on their season.

“To come up short the past couple of years is tough,” Judge said. “Those scars are going to continue to make this team stronger, continue to make this team better. It’s just going to make that World Series title so much sweeter in the end.”