Cespedes hit 2nd HOME RUN of Spring Training

Saturday March 19, 2022

The Cleveland Guardians (former Indians) remained undefeated in the current Spring Training. On the afternoon of this March 19 they comfortably defeated the Chicago White Sox 11 runs by two with a definitive nine-run rally in the fourth inning.

Five Cubans came to play for the White Sox in the nine inning game: Yoan Moncada, Luis Robert, José Abreu, Yoelqui Céspedes, and Yasmani Grandal. The first score for the boys from the South of Chicago came in the eighth inning as a result of a solo home run by Céspedes.

The man from Granma entered the game in the sixth inning, replacing fellow Cuban Luis Robert as the second batter in the lineup and played center fielder. At the end of that same inning he struck out but got even in the eighth. On a no-ball strike, the young prospect homered to left field off reliever Thomas Ponticelli at Camelback Ranch in front of 4,070 spectators. Now Céspedes is 3-for-5 with two homeruns, three RBIs and a 2,400 OPS.

At the end of the game, he offered statements to the press:

“I feel so happy because I never expected to be able to play this year in spring training. In my mind, I was going to be in the minor league camp. I'm playing with the Major League players right now. It feels so good," said the youngest of the Céspedes brothers in very acceptable English.

BOX SCORE:

https://www.mlb.com/gameday/guardians-v ... ame=707003

The D-backs have signed lefty Oliver Perez to a minor league contract, Perez himself tells Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic (Twitter thread). Perez is a client of the Boras Corporation.

The deal with Arizona represents a change of plans for the veteran Perez, who’d previously been slated to play with los Toros de Tijuana in the Mexican League for the upcoming season. Perez announced that he planned to retire after spending the season with the Toros, although that signing and the announcement by Perez came while the MLB lockout was still in place. For now, Perez will shift his focus and instead take aim at an incredible twentieth MLB season.

More interested in Francisco Perez, 15 year younger lefty who had a fine AA and AAA season last year and debuted with the Indians very briefly and they foolishly let go in roster clearance. He's with the Nationals this spring.

MLB free agency winners and losers: Five teams that improved, five teams that didn’t

The Rockies ponied up for a seven-year, $182 million deal for new face of the franchise Kris Bryant

By KYLE NEWMAN | knewman@denverpost.com | The Denver Post

PUBLISHED: March 22, 2022 at 1:46 p.m. | UPDATED: March 22, 2022 at 2:03 p.m.

Winners

Twins — Signed all-star SS Carlos Correa to three-year, $105.3 million contract (the biggest deal Minnesota’s ever given to a free agent) and also added right-hander Sonny Gray (via trade with the Reds), third baseman Gio Urshela and catcher/DH Gary Sanchez (both via trade with the Yankees). After finishing last in the AL Central in 2021, Minnesota re-loaded.

Rockies — No, the Rockies likely won’t compete within the competitive NL West this year. But GM Bill Schmidt is making moves on the open market, most notably a seven-year, $182 million deal for new face of the franchise Kris Bryant. The World Series champion with the Cubs will play left field and provide power to the middle of the lineup. Schmidt also added arms (starter Chad Kuhl, reliever Alex Colome) and a shortstop, although Jose Iglesias is no Trevor Story.

Rangers — Texas scooped up several high-profile free agents in shortstop Corey Seager (10 years/$325 million), middle infielder Marcus Semien (seven years/$175 million) and right-handed starter Jon Gray (four years/$56 million). After finishing in the cellar of the AL West for two years running, the Rangers significantly bolstered their roster, though they still need more pitching.

Dodgers — With an already-potent roster, Los Angeles didn’t need to do much to remain an NL frontrunner. But the Dodgers took a huge swing anyway by landing MVP first baseman Freddie Freeman on a six-year, $162 million deal. Los Angeles also brought back free agent outfielder Chris Taylor (four years/$60 million) and future Hall of Fame southpaw Clayton Kershaw (one year/$17 million).

Cubs — Chicago added right-hander Marcus Stroman on a three-year, $71 million deal, and also gave catcher Yan Gomes a two-year, $13 million contract to serve as depth behind starter Wilson Contreras. But Chicago’s big catch was Japanese star Seiya Suzuki, who signed a five-year, $85 million deal. The slugging outfielder hit 182 homers in Nippon Professional Baseball.

Losers

Yankees — New York’s front office has been quiet this season aside from its one significant move of signing first baseman Anthony Rizzo to a two-year, $32 million deal. The Yankees were supposed to be in contention to land one of the premier shortstops in Seager, Correa or Story, but that never materialized.

Diamondbacks — For a team that’s finished last in the NL West two years running, not a lot of improvement has been made. Arizona’s most notable signing is veteran closer Mark Melancon, a Golden High School graduate who got a two-year, $14 million deal after coming off an all-star season with the Giants last year.

Pirates — Pittsburgh is typically one of the lowest spenders in baseball and that’s again holding true this offseason. The Pirates finished last in the NL Central the past three years, but the biggest contract they’ve handed out is a one-year, $5 million deal to catcher Roberto Perez. Last year with Cleveland, Perez hit .149 with seven homers in 44 games.

Angels — Los Angeles gave a one-year, $21 million deal to right-hander Noah Syndergaard, who has started two games over the past two years due to injuries. The Angels also signed closer Raisel Iglesias to a four-year, $58 million deal. But more moves were needed in the lineup to complement superstars Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout.

White Sox — After Chicago won the AL West last year, the White Sox beefed up their bullpen by adding right-handers Joe Kelly (two years/$17 million) and Kendall Graveman (three years/$24 million). They also handed out a three-year, $16.5 million contract to utilityman Leury Garcia. But what’s missing in an underwhelming offseason is the addition of a power bat (or two) to help take the team to the next level.

Cleveland doesn't make the bottom 5 since I guess at least we didn't make any bad deals. And then they probably met expectations.

Can't make bad deals sitting on your hands.

Of course this sounds like a much more positive off season than doing absolutely nothing

"not a lot of improvement has been made. Arizona’s most notable signing is veteran closer Mark Melancon, a Golden High School graduate who got a two-year, $14 million deal after coming off an all-star season with the Giants last year."

Perhaps the author forget that Cleveland still has a team

civ ollilavad wrote:Of course this sounds like a much more positive off season than doing absolutely nothing

"not a lot of improvement has been made. Arizona’s most notable signing is veteran closer Mark Melancon, a Golden High School graduate who got a two-year, $14 million deal after coming off an all-star season with the Giants last year."

Perhaps the author forget that Cleveland still has a team

Maybe they were 6th.

MLB: Angels skipper thrilled by reports of new 'Ohtani Rule'

March 23, 2022 (Mainichi Japan)

TEMPE, Arizona (Kyodo) -- Los Angeles Angels manager Joe Maddon welcomed reports Tuesday that Major League Baseball has agreed to let two-way stars like Shohei Ohtani stay in the batting order as the designated hitter after they leave the mound.

"I think it's probably true. It's wonderful news for us," Maddon said at the Angels' spring training camp outside Phoenix.

The reports, by the Associated Press and New York Post, said the new rule was agreed to by MLB and its players union ahead of the 2022 season, but still needs formal approval.

Ohtani, a unanimous selection for American League MVP in 2021, went 9-2 as a pitcher and was third in the AL in home runs. Maddon often put him in the Angels' batting lineup as a pitcher, giving up the right to use a designated hitter in those games.

The rule is similar to the new one adopted for him at last year's All-Star Game, when Ohtani was allowed to stay in the game and bat after he finished pitching.

"It's deserved based on what he's able to do...that he is a true two-way player," Maddon said. "It just makes sense. Part of it is the allure of him."

The rule was made possible because the designated hitter rule will become universal in both MLB leagues this season. Last year, when Ohtani pitched and hit, the Angels would lose his potent bat. Seven times he moved briefly to the outfield in order to squeeze in another at-bat.

"You could make the argument that he might be the only guy who actually gets to utilize that with any kind of consistency," Maddon said. "If he has a bad outing, he's able to stay in the game longer."

Asked whether the rule should be named after Ohtani, Maddon answered with a play on Ohtani's nickname, "Sho-Time," and MLB's nickname, "The Show."

"It should be the 'Sho Rule,' a new definition of the show," Maddon said.

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MLB

Every MLB Team's Franchise Cornerstone Heading into 2022 Season

ZACHARY D. RYMER MARCH 25, 2022

Unlike, say, basketball and football, there's only so much that one player in Major League Baseball can do to win games for his team. It really takes a village.

And yet, every team in MLB nonetheless has that one guy it's building around.

With the start of the 2022 season bearing down, we've taken a fresh look at each team's cornerstone player. These are generally established stars—typically on the young side, but not exclusively—who are under control for the long haul. In others, they're super-prospects whose major league debuts are nigh.

From Juan Soto to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to Wander Franco and a handful of others, some choices were all too obvious. Others were frankly hard to make, and are therefore quite debatable.

We'll go division by division, starting in the American League East and ending in the National League West.

American League East



Baltimore Orioles: CF Cedric Mullins

Though top prospects Adley Rutschman and Grayson Rodriguez are just about ready for the majors, the Orioles already have a central superstar in Mullins. He was an unlikely candidate for the role going into 2021, but then he emerged as an All-Star and ultimately claimed the first 30-30 season in club history. He's at a prime age at 27 years old, and his club control runs through 2025.

Boston Red Sox: 3B Rafael Devers

It arguably should be shortstop Xander Bogaerts in this spot, but Boston's signing of Trevor Story is a signal the team is preparing for Bogaerts to opt out of his contract after 2022. Luckily, Devers is just 25 and due to stick around through at least 2023, pending a possible contract extension. He's topped 30 homers in two of the past three years, and he is one of MLB's leading hard-contact merchants.

New York Yankees: RHP Gerrit Cole

It's not that we don't see Aaron Judge, but we can't help but focus on how he's due for free agency after this season. As his contract runs through 2028, Cole is the guy the Yankees will be building around for a while. He's finished second in the AL Cy Young Award voting twice in the past three seasons, and he nearly set a club record for strikeouts in 2021. So even at 31, he's firmly among baseball's top aces.

Tampa Bay Rays: SS Wander Franco

When a guy only has 70 major-league games under his belt, you don't sign said guy to an 11-year, $182 million contract unless you believe he's capable of greatness. And Franco, who's only 21, surely is. Despite his youth and inexperience, he took off with a .323/.382/.503 line in his final 50 games of 2021 and then badgered the Red Sox in the playoffs. Did we mention he's a shortstop? Because he's a shortstop.

Toronto Blue Jays: 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Contrary to Franco, Guerrero says the Blue Jays have not yet approached him with an extension offer. They'd better get on that before his club control runs out in 2025. It may have taken Guerrero two seasons to find his bearings in the majors, but all he did in his third was hit .311/.401/.601 with 48 home runs and a mile-high pile of hard-hit balls. Not bad for a guy who only just turned 23 on March 16.

American League Central



Chicago White Sox: CF Luis Robert

The White Sox's decision to extend Robert before he even debuted in 2020 is looking pretty good. It would even be looking great if he hadn't missed significant time with a hip injury in 2021, but at least he dominated with a .350/.389/.622 line and 12 homers in 43 games after he got healthy. Offense like that combined with his Gold Glove-winning defense from 2020 would put the 24-year-old in MVP territory.

Cleveland Guardians: RHP Shane Bieber

Jose Ramirez is one of the best position players in baseball, but his contract with the Guardians is down to a lone option for 2023. Bieber is due to stick around through at least 2024 and, health permitting, his upside as a pitcher is as high as Ramirez's as third baseman. The 26-year-old showed as much in 2020 when he won the AL Cy Young Award on the strength of a 1.63 ERA and 5.8 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Detroit Tigers: 1B Spencer Torkelson

Granted, Torkelson hasn't yet taken his place for the Tigers at first base. But courtesy of Miguel Cabrera's willingness to move into an everyday role at designated hitter, the job is there for him. The 22-year-old, who was Detroit's No. 1 pick in 2020, merely has to take it. Considering that he posted a .935 OPS with 30 home runs across three levels of the minors last year, this task can be described as "doable."

Kansas City Royals: SS Bobby Witt Jr.

Meanwhile in Kansas City's camp, Witt is looking to lock down a gig in the Royals infield. By the look (and sound) of things, it's going well. For now, you can find the 21-year-old in the No. 1 spot in MLB.com's prospect rankings on account of how he has all five tools. Like Torkelson, he also excelled in the minors last year by hitting 33 homers and stealing 29 bases to go with a .936 OPS.

Minnesota Twins: CF Byron Buxton

In Carlos Correa, the Twins have a brand new $105.3 million man at shortstop. But because he has opt-outs after 2022 and 2023, it's doubtful he'll be sticking around for long. Buxton, on the other hand, will only leave Minnesota before the end of his contract in 2028 if he's traded. Perhaps it'll come to that, but not if (fingers crossed) the 28-year-old stays healthy and makes full use of his prodigious power and blazing speed.

American League West



Houston Astros: RF Kyle Tucker

Alex Bregman sure looked like Houston's cornerstone by the end of his AL MVP runner-up season in 2019, but less so now after two forgettable years. It's a good thing the Astros have Tucker, who's only 25 and just beginning to come into his stardom. He was the best hitter in baseball after May 8 last year, tallying a a .329/.394/.620 line with 25 homers and 12 steals. He's under club control through 2025.

Los Angeles Angels: CF Mike Trout

This is the one that made us say, "Oof." But we ultimately sided with Trout over fellow MVP Shohei Ohtani for two reasons. For one, Trout has three MVPs to Ohtani's one. For two, Ohtani is slated for free agency after 2023, while Trout's contract runs through 2030. As he's now 30 years old with just 477 games to his name over the past five seasons, the only question is how Trout will hold up physically.

Oakland Athletics: C Sean Murphy

Given how frequently star players leave the organization before their club control is up, "Who is the A's franchise player?" is kind of a trick question. But Murphy is the best they have for now. He's a Gold Glove-winning catcher whose offensive upside is higher than last year's performance (i.e., a 98 OPS+) indicates. Because he's controlled through 2025, the 27-year-old might even still be with Oakland come next season.

Seattle Mariners: LHP Robbie Ray

This spot should perhaps belong to Jarred Kelenic, who used to be an elite prospect, or Julio Rodriguez, who is very much an elite prospect right now. We've given it to Ray because he's actually an established ace who was an All-Star in 2017 and the AL Cy Young Award winner last year. If his five-year, $115 million contract is any indication, the Mariners are bullish on the 30-year-old remaining an ace for a while still.

Texas Rangers: SS Corey Seager

Elsewhere on the topic of big contracts in the AL West, the Rangers made a 10-year, $325 million roll of the dice on Seager prior to baseball's lockout. It's a huge commitment to a guy who hasn't always been healthy, but a healthy Seager is indeed an elite player. The 27-year-old has put up a .306/.381/.545 slash line over his last 147 games, which isn't counting his MVP-winning turn in the 2020 World Series.

National League East



Atlanta: RF Ronald Acuna Jr.

Perhaps Atlanta didn't need Acuna to win the World Series last year, but it's not exactly fair to hold that against him. Even despite last year's ACL tear, he's still one of just six players to hit 100 home runs and steal 70 bases by the age of 23, and one of five to also do so with a 130 OPS+. Even if he isn't quite 100-percent healthy upon his return this year, no biggie. He's under contract through as far as 2028.

Miami Marlins: RHP Sandy Alcantara

The Marlins already have an impressive young core even though there's still talent left to mine from their farm system. For now, Alcantara is the guy in the middle of it all. The Marlins ensured as much by extending him in December, and they got an absolute steal in doing so for just $56 million through 2026. That's pennies for a guy with a 100 mph fastball and a 134 ERA+ across the last two seasons.

New York Mets: RHP Jacob deGrom

Even we have reservations about labeling a 33-year-old hurler with an iffy elbow as a "cornerstone." But unless Francisco Lindor snaps out of his two-year funk and starts living up to his $341 million contract, things are going to keep revolving around deGrom in Flushing. To wit, the Mets went 46-37 while the two-time Cy Young Award winner was healthy last year, compared to 31-48 after he got hurt.

Philadelphia Phillies: RF Bryce Harper

There was a palpable "Gee, I don't know about this" feeling in the air when the Phillies signed Bryce Harper to a 13-year, $330 million contract three years ago. Well, he's since won another MVP and hit 83 more home runs to further boost a career resume that's starting to look Hall of Fame-worthy. And amazingly, he won't even turn 30 until Oct. 16 of this year.

Washington Nationals: RF Juan Soto

It's not for lack of trying that the Nationals have yet to extend Soto, as he says they made him a 13-year, $350 million contract before the lockout. They'll have to do better than that, though. In baseball's modern era, Soto's .432 on-base percentage is the best among all players who took at least 2,000 plate appearances through the age of 22. Literally the best. In well over 100 years. Pay the man.

National League Central



Chicago Cubs: RF Seiya Suzuki

Even as recently as a week ago, the Cubs arguably didn't have a cornerstone player in place. Now they do in Suzuki, who signed a five-year, $85 million contract. It bodes well enough that he models himself off Mike Trout, and even better that he looked the part in Japan. For six years, his baseline performance was roughly a 1.000 OPS and 30 home runs. Plus, he's only 27 years old.

Cincinnati Reds: 2B Jonathan India

Over at The Athletic, C. Trent Rosecrans rightfully wrote that the Reds aren't so much as rebuilding as they are simply slashing payroll. But, hey, at least they still have India. Not that he ever was going to go anywhere after winning the 2021 NL Rookie of the Year by way of a .376 OBP and 21 homers, of course. Yet it's still good to know that the 25-year-old gives the team at least one player to build around.

Milwaukee Brewers: RHP Corbin Burnes

Though Christian Yelich is signed through 2028, he's fallen too far from his MVP-caliber seasons in 2018 and 2019 to be called a cornerstone. It's more so the hurlers who stand out in Milwaukee, and especially Burnes. He was absolutely electric in winning the 2021 NL Cy Young Award, posting a 2.48 ERA with an even better 1.99 xERA. The Brewers will have the 27-year-old atop their rotation through 2024.

Pittsburgh Pirates: CF Bryan Reynolds

Don't look now, but Oneil Cruz and Ke'Bryan Hayes sure look like keepers on the left side of the Pirates infield. Yet in Reynolds, the team also has one of the more overlooked superstars in baseball out in center field. He's hit over .300 in both of his full seasons, and with 67 extra-base hits last year. The 27-year-old is controlled through 2025, and perhaps longer if the team offers him an extension to his liking.

St. Louis Cardinals: 1B Paul Goldschmidt

Though there is some exciting young talent in St. Louis, it's really the veterans that make the Cardinals go. Goldschmidt, in particular, was the better part of the club's dynamic corner infield duo in 2021. The 34-year-old hit .294/.365/.514 with 31 homers, which was kind of a ho-hum affair by his standards. Since his first full season back in 2012, he's been the most valuable hitter in baseball short of Trout.

National League West



Arizona Diamondbacks: 2B Ketel Marte

With a 110-loss 2021 season fresh in their wake, the Diamondbacks' current core might not necessarily be in for the long haul. Yet there is hope for a turnaround in 2022, and that much more so if Marte lives up to what he showed as an MVP contender in 2019 and again in brief spurts throughout a 90-game sample in 2021. If so, the D-backs can keep building around the 28-year-old through as far as 2024.

Colorado Rockies: INF/OF Kris Bryant

Prior to signing Bryant to a seven-year, $182 million contract, the Rockies didn't really have a signature star in their lineup. Now it's all on him, for good or ill. While this could end up being another Ian Desmond-ian misstep by the Rockies, there's perhaps a non-zero chance of the 30-year-old Bryant reverting back to his MVP-caliber form of 2015-2017, when he averaged 6.1 rWAR and 31 homers.

Los Angeles Dodgers: RF Mookie Betts

There's no shortage of stars in Los Angeles, but there's only one who's signed all the way through 2032. Courtesy of a bothersome right hip, Betts had his ups and downs in 2021. Yet, he still made his fifth All-Star team and tacked on a strong postseason performance. Health permitting, the 29-year-old should have a few more years left as one of the best—if not the best—players in all of baseball.

San Diego Padres: SS Fernando Tatis Jr.

It sure seems like Tatis broke his wrist in a motorcycle accident in December, which is not a good look. Yet it's understandable that the Padres aren't going to void the 23-year-old's $340 million contract, which runs through 2034. He's young enough to learn from the incident, and certainly too talented to cast aside. To wit, he's the only shortstop in history with 80 homers and 50 steals through his first three seasons.

San Francisco Giants: RHP Logan Webb

The Giants are sort of in between cores at the moment, but Webb figures to be as much a part of the next one as he was part of last year's Buster Posey-led group. He arose as a proper ace, riding his utterly nasty sinker-slider combination to a 2.40 ERA over his last 20 regular-season starts and then allowing just one run in 14.2 innings in two playoff outings. He's just 25 and controlled through 2025.

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Mike Clevinger (elbow) is scheduled to pitch in a minor-league spring game Wednesday against Angels farmhands, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Though Clevinger believes he's made a full recovery from Tommy John surgery and expects to be part of San Diego's Opening Day rotation, the Padres will ease him back into action against a collection of lesser-established Angels players in what will mark the right-hander's first game action since Oct. 6, 2020. Clevinger will likely only cover an inning or two in the appearance, but if all goes well, he should make his Cactus League debut at some point early next week. Even if Clevinger avoids any setbacks with his elbow as big-league camp progresses, the Padres will still likely want to make sure his velocity and command are up to snuff in his spring outings before confirming him for the Opening Day rotation. Padres manager Bob Melvin previously said last week that Clevinger is "set in stone" for the rotation if 100 percent healthy, according to AJ Cassavell of MLB.com.

POSTER'S NOTE: With opening day on April 7, that means Mike will be [if all goes well] pitching his first spring training innings about 3 days before the start of the season. It seems doubtful that he will be "part of the opening day rotation"

Jake Bauers
Sent to minor-league camp
1BCincinnati Reds AAA
March 30, 2022
Bauers was reassigned to minor-league camp Wednesday, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

ANALYSIS

Bauers served as a non-roster invitee to begin spring training, and he went 6-for-17 with two homers, eight runs, five RBI, four walks and seven strikeouts across eight Cactus League appearances. The 26-year-old will begin the season at Triple-A Louisville but has some defensive versatility and will be an option to provide major-league depth in 2022.

That's about as good as Jake ever hits; if he were still in the other Goodyear camp he'd probably beat out Bradley again

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Cactus League starts on the mound mean something.

They are the tune-ups every pitcher needs, outings every team uses as a measuring stick in the weeks leading up to Opening Day. In some ways, they offer a snapshot of what is to come during the regular season and beyond.

With that in mind, what the Padres saw from Mike Clevinger on Tuesday afternoon in his Cactus League debut during an 11-6 loss to the Giants was more important than his pitching line. They witnessed the picture of health from a pitcher who worked his way back into game action.

“It felt real, especially when the bats started cracking,” Clevinger said. “It’s been 17 months of waiting for that. It didn’t go as planned, but the only way to go is up from here.”

Clevinger, who had Tommy John surgery after the 2020 season, was charged with eight runs on seven hits in 1 2/3 innings against the Giants. He struck out three and walked two batters. He loaded the bases in the second inning and was replaced by Luke Westphal. The next hitter, Tommy La Stella, cleared the bases to make it 4-0.

“My arm was really late today,” Clevinger said. “I was moving too fast toward the plate, and that translates to bad command. And these guys know how to hit bad pitches.”

Clevinger was correct. The right-hander re-entered for the third inning -- Spring Training rules -- and gave up a pair of two-run home runs as the Giants increased their lead to 8-0.

“The big thing here was getting out here and competing at the Major League level,” Clevinger said. “I think once I get my feet wet a little bit, I’ll get back to being comfortable again.”

Clevinger should get at least one more Spring Training start. Although it’s uncertain when he will pitch in the regular season, we do know that he will have workload restrictions as he builds his arm up. He threw 51 pitches Tuesday.

“I’ll be ready once the lights turn on,” Clevinger said. “It’s going to be different once the season comes around. It will be more of a plan of attack and not just feeling it out. Being acclimated and it’s going to be ‘Go time’ -- and that’s going to be a big difference maker for me.”

Mike can pitch, he'll get himself back in game shape soon. The only concern with him is that he not push himself too hard, overthrow and hurt himself again; I am going to guess that this is the learning moment that will keep him more contained within and will stay successful for the next several years.

No reason he can't be another Cleveland-developed Cy Young winner in 2023