:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67810534/usa_today_13191747.0.jpg)
Good morning everyone! We’re still in that pre-offseason phase where teams are laying down the building blocks to their winter plans. But things are starting to simmer just a little bit. Let’s get to it.
In Mariners news...
- Here’s some neat footage of M’s prospects as the Fall League wraps up.
Putting in that work.
— Mariners Player Development (@MsPlayerDev) November 17, 2020
That’s a wrap on the 2020 Fall League. pic.twitter.com/IfHBlia7JT
Around the league...
- Olivia Witherite at The Athletic wrote about Kim Ng and the importance of representation. ($)
- The winner of what is probably the least-covered yearly award was announced yesterday.
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman named Executive of the Year. White Sox’s Rick Hahn second, Rays’ Erik Neander third. Award given by MLB and results from voting among the 30 clubs, each of which cast a vote prior to the postseason.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 17, 2020
- Mike Petriello at MLB provided some interesting statistics on what happens when a position player takes the mound.
- Maria Torres at The Los Angeles Times profiled new Angels GM Perry Minasian.
- In a very surprising move, Theo Epstein announced that he has stepped down from his role with the Cubs.
- Epstein claimed that he plans to take the 2021 summer off, but that didn’t stop the speculation.
Have heard word Phillies and Mariners (and surely others) have at least considered Theo. However, the separation with the Cubs has apparently been in the works for a bit, and word for now is that he’s not looking to dive back in on anything that’s currently in play.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 17, 2020
- Jed Hoyer, who now steps into Theo’s role in Chicago, looks to be in Fire Sale Mode.
"The Cubs have told other teams that 'significant turnover' is coming."
— Brandon Wile (@Brandon_N_Wile) November 16, 2020
Darvish: 3 years, $59M
Hendricks: 3 years, $43.5M
Contreras: 2 more years of arb
Rizzo: 1-year, $16.5M
Bryant: Final year of arb
Baez: Final year of arb
Schwarber: Final year of arb https://t.co/h1EEif4t6F
- Speaking of weird stuff happening with executives (Mike Chernoff is Cleveland’s GM).
Could Chris Antonetti and Sandy Alderson agree on a trade that sends Francisco Lindor and Mike Chernoff to the Mets for a package of players going to Cleveland? Would be a fascinating negotiation. Chernoff was a good infielder for the @PUTIGERS . . . @MLBNetwork @MLB @Cut4
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 17, 2020
- Oh man, Cody.
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger underwent surgery Tuesday to repair the right shoulder he dislocated celebrating a home run in Game 7 of the NLCS, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 17, 2020
Bellinger is expected to miss 10 weeks, which would put him on track to return by spring training.
- Jessica Kleinschmidt caught up with Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, who surprisingly still says he doesn’t rule out returning to baseball.
- Potential Mariners free agent target Kolten Wong apparently turned down a multi-year offer from St. Louis.