Latest news with #Cooperstown-bound
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Clayton Kershaw isn't what he was — but the Dodgers need him all the same
CLEVELAND — The flecks of gray in Clayton Kershaw's beard matched the overcast Ohio sky as the 37-year-old lefty readied himself atop the mound. At home plate stood Guardians leadoff man Steven Kwan, who was just 8 years old when the Dodgers drafted Kershaw in June 2006. For the first time in the third start of his 18th MLB season, the future Hall of Famer launched into his trademark herky-jerky windup. The fastball clipped the top of the zone, but was called a ball. Then came the more sobering truth, displayed on the Progressive Field scoreboard beside a smiling headshot of Kershaw: 89 miles per hour Two decades ago, Kershaw was a can't-miss prospect who regularly threw 95. The second strikeout of his career, for instance, came on a 97 mile per hour heater. But time, and the ailing it brings, has chipped away at Kershaw's power. He has not touched 95 since Game 7 of the 2017 World Series. On Wednesday, in Los Angeles' 7-4 defeat against Cleveland, he topped out at 90.6 and averaged 89.4. Such humbling realities come for every hurler, every human. The aches of aging are a bittersweet blessing — the price and the gift of still being here. That Kershaw is even playing at 37 is an accomplishment. But even in this reduced state, he can still be a useful, competent starter. That was on display against the Guardians' tame offense, as Kershaw covered five innings while surrendering just one run. It was an act of survival. He gave up six hits. He worked behind in counts. His command wavered. But he dodged disaster. If not for a Los Angeles bullpen implosion, Kershaw would have tallied career win No. 213 on Wednesday. And for a Dodgers team forced to overcome a thinned-out, injury-riddled staff, Kershaw's small step forward was a welcomed development. In a twist few saw coming, this star-studded roster suddenly needs everything Kershaw can give them. That would have seemed preposterous when Kershaw re-joined the team on Feb. 13 after waiting out a free agency that always pointed toward Chavez Ravine. Having added Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki to join a staff featuring Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow and a host of others, Los Angeles had accumulated an embarrassment of riches on the pitching side. Kershaw, fresh off two winter surgeries and the worst statistical season of his career, was an afterthought. At least from an on-field perspective. The legendary lefty was a clubhouse fixture for the Dodgers as they stampeded through October, even though he did not appear in a game after Aug. 30. He spoke at the World Series parade, triumphantly proclaiming that he planned to remain a Dodger for life. But it was no secret, given his statistical decline, that this comeback was more for Kershaw than it was for the Dodgers. Anything he could give them would be a nice bonus. The Cooperstown-bound hurler had earned his tenure, but the team was not planning to rely on Kershaw as it had year after year, October after October. 'I think any baseball player would wanna go out on their own terms.' Kershaw said on MLB Network last week before his first start of the year. 'For me, I just didn't want an injury to be the reason that I stopped playing.' Kershaw has always thirsted for control. His meticulous pregame routine is the stuff of legend. Baseball's randomness forces its participants to learn to let go, to surrender agency. Kershaw has always resisted that. The hurler of a generation was never going to slink away quietly. But a barrage of Dodgers pitching injuries has placed the spotlight on Kershaw once more. Los Angeles currently has 14 hurlers on its big league injured list. Yamamoto, the NL Cy Young favorite, and red-headed righty Dustin May are the only still-healthy starters from the club's Opening Day roster. Kershaw has made three starts since his return from a pair of offseason surgeries. The first was a five-run stinker at home against the Angels, the second a rain-marred two-inning outing in Queens that offered no real insight into his progress. But on Wednesday against Cleveland, the Big Guy battled. It was a far cry from the dominance of his prime, but Kershaw navigated his way through with guts and savvy. Still, Kershaw didn't seem encouraged afterward. 'I think I've created some bad habits, you know, just with not feeling my best,' Kershaw told reporters afterward. 'I haven't pitched in a while, you know, I haven't pitched in a long time. So there's just some growing pains, I think, with the first few. Physically, feel great. Just keep throwing and figuring it out.' It's possible that Kershaw, with more reps, rediscovers some form. Only two seasons ago, he led the 2023 Dodgers in innings, finishing with a 2.46 ERA. He achieved that mark despite a fastball that averaged 90.7. But he ended that campaign with a disastrous implosion in the NLDS against Arizona. That winter, he underwent shoulder surgery, the first surgery of his career. There's reason to hope things get better. There's also reason to doubt it ever will. The Dodgers have no choice but to give him the chance to find out. 'Still trying to find his way, wasn't his best stuff,' Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after the game. 'Willed himself through five innings.' It is inspiring and sobering to watch this version of Kershaw. Nobody stays young forever. Father Time, undefeated, comes for us all. That feeling is universal. To watch him rage against the dying of the light is an admirable act of defiance. The golden glow of his Cooperstown-bound legacy casts this version of him in sepia tones — familiar, venerable, but unmistakably aged. It's strange to hear Roberts describe Clayton Kershaw as someone 'finding his way.' For nearly two decades, Kershaw was the way — the standard, the pillar. It's a reminder that the Dodgers skipper is talking about a completely different version of Kershaw. The Dodgers will take whatever this version can give them.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Clayton Kershaw isn't what he was — but the Dodgers need him all the same
CLEVELAND — The flecks of gray in Clayton Kershaw's beard matched the overcast Ohio sky as the 37-year-old lefty readied himself atop the mound. At home plate stood Guardians leadoff man Steven Kwan, who was just 8 years old when the Dodgers drafted Kershaw in June 2006. For the first time in the third start of his 18th MLB season, the future Hall of Famer launched into his trademark herky-jerky windup. The fastball clipped the top of the zone, but was called a ball. Then came the more sobering truth, displayed on the Progressive Field scoreboard beside a smiling headshot of Kershaw: Advertisement 89 miles per hour Two decades ago, Kershaw was a can't-miss prospect who regularly threw 95. The second strikeout of his career, for instance, came on a 97 mile per hour heater. But time, and the ailing it brings, has chipped away at Kershaw's power. He has not touched 95 since Game 7 of the 2017 World Series. On Wednesday, in Los Angeles' 7-4 defeat against Cleveland, he topped out at 90.6 and averaged 89.4. Such humbling realities come for every hurler, every human. The aches of aging are a bittersweet blessing — the price and the gift of still being here. That Kershaw is even playing at 37 is an accomplishment. But even in this reduced state, he can still be a useful, competent starter. A battered Dodgers rotation means L.A. needs quality innings out of 37-year-old Clayton Kershaw. (Photo) (Elsa via Getty Images) That was on display against the Guardians' tame offense, as Kershaw covered five innings while surrendering just one run. It was an act of survival. He gave up six hits. He worked behind in counts. His command wavered. But he dodged disaster. If not for a Los Angeles bullpen implosion, Kershaw would have tallied career win No. 213 on Wednesday. Advertisement And for a Dodgers team forced to overcome a thinned-out, injury-riddled staff, Kershaw's small step forward was a welcomed development. In a twist few saw coming, this star-studded roster suddenly needs everything Kershaw can give them. That would have seemed preposterous when Kershaw re-joined the team on Feb. 13 after waiting out a free agency that always pointed toward Chavez Ravine. Having added Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki to join a staff featuring Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow and a host of others, Los Angeles had accumulated an embarrassment of riches on the pitching side. Kershaw, fresh off two winter surgeries and the worst statistical season of his career, was an afterthought. At least from an on-field perspective. The legendary lefty was a clubhouse fixture for the Dodgers as they stampeded through October, even though he did not appear in a game after Aug. 30. He spoke at the World Series parade, triumphantly proclaiming that he planned to remain a Dodger for life. But it was no secret, given his statistical decline, that this comeback was more for Kershaw than it was for the Dodgers. Anything he could give them would be a nice bonus. The Cooperstown-bound hurler had earned his tenure, but the team was not planning to rely on Kershaw as it had year after year, October after October. Advertisement 'I think any baseball player would wanna go out on their own terms.' Kershaw said on MLB Network last week before his first start of the year. 'For me, I just didn't want an injury to be the reason that I stopped playing.' Kershaw has always thirsted for control. His meticulous pregame routine is the stuff of legend. Baseball's randomness forces its participants to learn to let go, to surrender agency. Kershaw has always resisted that. The hurler of a generation was never going to slink away quietly. But a barrage of Dodgers pitching injuries has placed the spotlight on Kershaw once more. Los Angeles currently has 14 hurlers on its big league injured list. Yamamoto, the NL Cy Young favorite, and red-headed righty Dustin May are the only still-healthy starters from the club's Opening Day roster. Kershaw has made three starts since his return from a pair of offseason surgeries. The first was a five-run stinker at home against the Angels, the second a rain-marred two-inning outing in Queens that offered no real insight into his progress. Advertisement But on Wednesday against Cleveland, the Big Guy battled. It was a far cry from the dominance of his prime, but Kershaw navigated his way through with guts and savvy. Still, Kershaw didn't seem encouraged afterward. 'I think I've created some bad habits, you know, just with not feeling my best,' Kershaw told reporters afterward. 'I haven't pitched in a while, you know, I haven't pitched in a long time. So there's just some growing pains, I think, with the first few. Physically, feel great. Just keep throwing and figuring it out.' It's possible that Kershaw, with more reps, rediscovers some form. Only two seasons ago, he led the 2023 Dodgers in innings, finishing with a 2.46 ERA. He achieved that mark despite a fastball that averaged 90.7. But he ended that campaign with a disastrous implosion in the NLDS against Arizona. That winter, he underwent shoulder surgery, the first surgery of his career. There's reason to hope things get better. There's also reason to doubt it ever will. The Dodgers have no choice but to give him the chance to find out. Advertisement 'Still trying to find his way, wasn't his best stuff,' Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after the game. 'Willed himself through five innings.' It is inspiring and sobering to watch this version of Kershaw. Nobody stays young forever. Father Time, undefeated, comes for us all. That feeling is universal. To watch him rage against the dying of the light is an admirable act of defiance. The golden glow of his Cooperstown-bound legacy casts this version of him in sepia tones — familiar, venerable, but unmistakably aged. It's strange to hear Roberts describe Clayton Kershaw as someone 'finding his way.' For nearly two decades, Kershaw was the way — the standard, the pillar. It's a reminder that the Dodgers skipper is talking about a completely different version of Kershaw. The Dodgers will take whatever this version can give them.
New York Post
22-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
The Yankees' offseason decisions that kept a disastrous spring from spiraling
Access the Yankees beat like never before Don't miss Greg Joyce's text messages from The Bronx and beyond — he's giving Sports+ subscribers the inside buzz on the Yankees. Sign Up Now Somehow, the Yankees' spring from hell is transitioning into a summer of fun. Brian Cashman — on the wrong (and unfair) end of slings, arrows and worse for years — isn't heading to his 28th straight winning season as GM on a fluke. But, considering the devastating spring that saw ace Gerrit Cole, Cooperstown-bound slugger Giancarlo Stanton and Rookie of the Year Luis Gil go out — Cole's gone for the year, the others still recovering — it's still impressive they are five games up in a formerly formidable AL East. Advertisement Here's a rundown of the best of the big decisions … 1. Max Fried Sure, their pockets were full after Juan Soto surprised them by turning down $760 million and leaving, but they look very wise to move quickly from their seven-year, $190M or so bid for Fried to meet the Cy Young leader's $218M, eight-year request to beat the rival Red Sox and Rangers, who were also offering seven.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Top 50 people who will impact the 2025 MLB season: Nos. 25-1
This is a list not of the 50 best players in MLB — Rob Manfred does not play baseball — but, rather, of the top 50 people set to influence the 2025 MLB season. Think of these individuals as the predominant characters in your favorite TV show, with the season premiere airing on Thursday. On this list are All-Stars, prospects and some players you've maybe never heard of, as well as owners, managers, front-office execs and four guys named Jackson (that's one more than last year). The hope is that this list — here's the first half, Nos. 50-26 — helps you sort out what to know and whom to care about as the 2025 MLB season begins. Advertisement [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2025 MLB season] Famous Dodgers 25. Mookie Betts, Dodgers shortstop 24. Freddie Freeman, Dodgers first baseman Neither of these Cooperstown-bound icons appeared in the Tokyo Series against the Cubs. Betts was sent back to the States due to a serious stomach issue that caused him to lose 18 pounds. He's only now starting to turn a corner. Freeman was a late scratch due to a rib problem, the same ailment he played through during the World Series. Both are expected to be in the lineup on Opening Day, but these early-season hurdles are a reminder that Betts and Freeman aren't young bucks anymore. Advertisement Betts, who turns 33 in October, will be the second-oldest every-day shortstop in baseball this season, behind only San Diego's Xander Bogaerts. Freeman, 36 in September, is the third-oldest first baseman, behind Cleveland's Carlos Santana and New York's Paul Goldschmidt. Eventually, age-based decline will arrive, as it does for every player. And with age, injuries become more frequent. Is this the year that happens for either Betts or Freeman? Because at this point, time seems to be the only force powerful enough to stop Mookie, Freddie and the Dodgers. An old 'Stro and a young 'Stro 23. Cam Smith, Astros right fielder 22. José Altuve, Astros left fielder Smith was just 4 years old when Altuve joined the Astros as an international free agent back in 2007. In the nearly two decades since, the diminutive Venezuelan has completely reshaped the organization that took a chance on him — two World Series titles, seven ALCS appearances, seven AL West crowns and, one day, a statue outside the stadium. But the tides of change are crashing all around Altuve, the only holdover from the 2017 championship squad. After stalwarts Alex Bregman and Kyle Tucker departed in the winter, Altuve, who turns 35 in May, is tasked with keeping the Astros' competitive window propped open. Advertisement Smith should help that cause. Drafted 13th overall by the Chicago Cubs in 2024, the Florida State product has had quite the supersonic rise. Despite appearing in just 32 minor-league games for Cubs affiliates last season, Smith was the key return in the trade that sent Tucker out of Houston. Offensively, Smith looked like a game-changer in spring training and made the big-league club out of camp. Smith played third in college and during his brief pro stint last year but has since moved to right field, where things will surely be a little choppy as he gets used to his new surroundings. Still, the bat could be magic. Astros teammate Mauricio Dubon even referred to Smith as 'the next 60-homer guy.' That's preposterously high praise considering that only six players have ever cranked 60 in a year, but it shows just how much hype there is around Smith right now. [2025 MLB preview: Expert picks for World Series, Cy Young, MVP, more] The man tasked with jump-starting the Cubs 21. Kyle Tucker, Cubs right fielder The Cubs are one of only three teams to not have a single player with an fWAR above 5.0 since 2021 (the lowly White Sox and injury-plagued Twins are the others). That stat perfectly encapsulates the problem on the North Side — and why the Cubs pushed the chips in to acquire Tucker, who will be a free agent at season's end. Advertisement He's not the most scintillating personality, but Tucker rakes like a true superstar. His .888 OPS since 2021 is 10th in baseball behind a cavalcade of MVP candidates such as Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts. Another superb campaign should put Tucker, still only 28 years old, on the precipice of a landmark contract that should eclipse the $300 million mark. What that means for the Cubs is anyone's guess. Where can I watch the game? 20. Rob Manfred, MLB commissioner 19. Jimmy Pitaro, president of ESPN The four-letter network has been carrying MLB games since 1990, but it opted out of that contract in February, which means 2025 could be the final season of Sunday Night Baseball. There's still a chance that ESPN and MLB renegotiate a new deal for a smaller figure; part of the rationale behind the network's opt-out was the $550 million per year price for MLB rights. That's a massive sum compared to the $85 million per year that MLB charges AppleTV and the $10 million it charges Roku. Advertisement Elsewhere in the TV right world, things are very much in flux. For fans, however, 2025 presents a refreshing, encouraging new era of ballwatching. Fans of 27 teams (all but Houston, Baltimore and Washington) can watch their favorite clubs in-market on without the infuriating blackouts that for so long frustrated fans across the country. That, amidst all the confusion around local TV carriers, bankruptcies and the ESPN situation, is unequivocally a good thing. The ace? 18. Jacob deGrom, Rangers starting pitcher 17. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Rangers starting pitcher Being an ace in this economy? Preposterous. These days, pitchers are trying with all their might on every single pitch. That means starters run out of gas more quickly than ever, and teams are wary of letting starters work three times through a lineup. As such, starting pitchers are throwing fewer and fewer innings. That dynamic makes it significantly more difficult to bestow the 'ace' label on any given hurler. Advertisement But here are two dudes who, by the end of the season, could be members of the upper, upper echelon. DeGrom, of course, has been there before. His run with the Mets from 2018 to 2021 was historically dominant: 1.94 ERA across 91 starts, with 774 strikeouts in 581 innings. Since then, however, injuries have limited him to 20 starts. But during spring training, deGrom looked like deGrom. If — and that's an if the size of Jupiter — he stays healthy, watch out. For Yamamoto, it's a similar deal. The Japanese 26-year-old was phenomenal in his debut season last year, but he spent a stretch on the IL and finished the season with just 90 innings across 18 starts. That 5 IP per start rate is well below what anybody would consider the 'ace' threshold. Still, the stuff is so scintillating that if the Dodgers let Yamamoto off the leash, he could certainly challenge for the NL Cy Young Award. The ace! 16. Tarik Skubal, Tigers starting pitcher Ask a big leaguer who the best pitcher in the world is, and most will say Skubal. Some will say Zack Wheeler or Paul Skenes or 'healthy deGrom,' but Skubal is easily the most common answer. That's because the reigning AL Cy Young has two different, elite fastballs that sit around 97 mph, with a devastating changeup to boot. Advertisement A year ago, Skubal's brilliance helped carry an undermanned Tigers team to a surprise postseason run. What can he do for an encore? Here's the list of pitchers to win consecutive Cy Youngs: deGrom, Max Scherzer, Clayton Kershaw, Tim Lincecum, Randy Johnson (four straight), Greg Maddux (four straight), Jim Palmer, Roger Clemens and Pedro Martinez. It's also worth noting that Skubal is set to hit free agency after the 2026 season. Another stupendous year should put him in line for either a massive extension with the Tigers or a huge deal in free agency. Considering the uncertainty swirling around the 2026 CBA negotiations, which appear likely to initiate a lockout, perhaps Skubal will look to play it safe and cash in soon. The Red Sox 15. Alex Bregman, Red Sox third baseman 14. Alex Cora, Red Sox manager 13. Rafael Devers, Red Sox third baseman Here's a ranking of most games started at third base since 2017. Advertisement Nolan Arenado Eugenio Suárez Matt Chapman Alex Bregman Rafael Devers Baseball has changed a lot over the years, but it still holds that only one (1) individual can play third base at a time. Unless that changes before Opening Day, the Red Sox have a fascinating situation on their hands. When the Sox signed Bregman this offseason, it was generally assumed that he would move to second and Devers would stay at the hot corner. But Devers' history of defensive mediocrity coupled with the breakout of infield prospect Kristian Campbell means that Bregman now projects to be the every-day third baseman. Devers, when asked about that possibility early in spring training, gave a firm 'no' about moving to DH. And yet here the Red Sox are, on the cusp of the season, with their Plan A revolving around Devers as the regular designated hitter. This storyline has been a bizarre, perplexing undercurrent to what has otherwise been an invigorating offseason in Boston. The Red Sox, no matter how they're aligned, should be really good! But if Cora, one of the game's most respected skippers, can't keep everyone happy, this could get a bit messy. Either way, it'll be fun to follow. Young superstar shortstops 12. Gunnar Henderson, Orioles shortstop 11. Elly De La Cruz, Reds shortstop 10. Bobby Witt Jr., Royals shortstop Henderson and De La Cruz were featured on this year's 'MLB The Show' cover alongside Paul Skenes, a good sign that they've officially ascended to superstardom. That Witt wasn't included probably points to him getting his own cover at some point. This trio of small-market shortstops, all of whom are young enough to remain on their parents' insurance, is not the future of baseball. These dudes are the present. Advertisement Henderson and Witt both made the Full Leap™ in 2024. De La Cruz, who led MLB in strikeouts, did more like a half-leap, though 25 homers and 67 steals are nothing to sneeze at. And while Henderson was excellent, Witt posted a truly all-time great season, a season that, if Aaron Judge didn't exist, certainly would've earned him AL MVP. Since the beginning of the Integration Era, here's the list of players Witt's age (24) or younger to post an fWAR higher than the 10.4 he delivered last year: Mickey Mantle, 11.5 fWAR, 1956 As the kids say: That's it. That's the list. Even so, you could rank this trio in any order heading into this season. De La Cruz, chase issues and all, probably still has the highest ceiling of this group. Henderson's offensive numbers could take another little step forward with the Orioles moving their left-field wall in. Witt was the second-least efficient base stealer in MLB last year, despite being the fastest player in the league. This preposterous triumvirate is just getting started; a clutch playoff moment or two, and they'll enter a whole other echelon. Roki Sasaki 9. Roki Sasaki, Dodgers starting pitcher The 23-year-old Japanese flame-thrower dominated the non-Soto portion of the offseason because (1) he's immensely skilled and (2) he was available at a supremely low price, thanks to the international amateur market. In the end, unsurprisingly to many, the Dodgers secured yet another generational Japanese pitching talent. But at this point, Sasaki is significantly less polished than his teammate Yamamoto was upon joining the Dodgers last winter. As showcased in his tantalizing yet volatile outing in the Tokyo Series against the Cubs, Sasaki is overflowing with ability and rough around the edges. His fastball sat in the upper 90s but had spotty command. His butterfly splitter is a unicorn offering, but he doesn't always know where it's going. Sasaki could be a runaway Rookie of the Year, or he could get sent to Triple-A to iron some stuff out. He's going to be great eventually, but what happens in Year One is a total mystery. The Braves 8. Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves right fielder 7. Spencer Strider, Braves starting pitcher In 2023, this swashbuckling duo was stupendous. Strider led MLB with 281 strikeouts. Acuña stole 73 bases, smashed 41 taters and won NL MVP. Atlanta finished with 104 wins, the best record in baseball. In 2024, Strider made just two starts before ligament damage in his elbow required season-ending surgery. Six weeks later, Acuña tore his left ACL while running the bases. The Braves, without a top-five hitter and top-five pitcher on the planet, went on to win just 89 games. Neither of these players will be on Atlanta's Opening Day roster. Strider, who made two spring training starts, is expected back by late April. Acuña's comeback should be complete by early summer. How these two play upon their returns will have an enormous impact on the Braves and, by proxy, the entire league. Paul Skenes 6. Paul Skenes, Pirates starting pitcher At this time last year, Skenes was in Indianapolis. He made seven Triple-A starts — including one in Toledo witnessed by just 2,805 fans — before earning the call on May 11. From that point forward, Skenes was a sensation, a mustachioed mountain with a triple-digit fastball. His starts, particularly his starts at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, were Events. Skenes started the All-Star Game, won the NL Rookie of the Year and established himself not just as one of the game's best arms but also as one of the faces of the sport. All that in just 23 starts. So what does the encore look like? Skenes is capital-F famous now; he went on Seth Meyers and guest-hosted College Gameday and attended the Super Bowl in the offseason. He enters the new year with two new pitches: a two-seam fastball and a cutter. Everyone and their step-cousin is picking him to win the NL Cy Young — and for good reason. None of that can or will make the Pittsburgh Pirates a competitive baseball team. As a starting pitcher who plays once a week, Skenes can do only so much. Last year showed us that even if the Pirates stink, every Skenes start is relevant. But if the Buccos can hang around the playoff picture and Skenes remains excellent in Year Two, it'll raise the entertainment value even more. Stars slowly running out of time 5. Bryce Harper, Phillies first baseman 4. Aaron Judge, Yankees right fielder Neither of these future Hall of Famers is getting worse at baseball. Judge will turn 33 in April; Harper will be 33 in October. The Phillies slugger remains a lock for an OPS around .900, while the Yankees captain is coming off perhaps the greatest offensive season ever by a right-handed hitter. Aging, in the physical sense, still feels a few years off for this pair. Yet the grains of sand inch ominously down the hourglass. That's because both Judge and Harper are missing something important: a championship. The Yankees and Phillies enter 2025 with title aspirations and the rosters to actualize them, but there's an unfortunate possibility that this duo already missed their best shot — Harper in 2022, Judge in 2024. Winning a World Series is incredibly difficult. Ted Williams never did it, nor did Ken Griffey Jr. or Tony Gwynn. Their legacies aren't sullied as a result. They remain legends of the sport, enshrined forever in upstate New York. But for Harper and Judge, the stakes feel different. Maybe that's a product of the demanding markets in which they play. Maybe it's because they've been the faces of baseball for years. This will be Harper's seventh season in Philly, equaling his tenure in Washington. Judge will be the second-oldest position player on New York's Opening Day roster. And while both are hamstrung by the realities of this sport — one superhero does not a parade make — Judge's and Harper's palmarès remain unsatisfyingly incomplete. And they'd be the first to tell you as much. Juan Soto 3. Juan Soto, Mets right fielder $765 million. That number, that unthinkable, ludicrous, convention-pretzling number, will follow Soto for the rest of his life. Anytime he fails — a strikeout, a baserunning flub, an outfield misplay — somebody in the crowd or watching on TV will unleash a quip about the price. Such is life as a well-paid public figure. A fair price, you'd think, for $765 million. For so long, any conversation about Soto unavoidably routed back to his impending free agency. How much could he make? How long would the contract be? Where would he go? Now, with those questions finally answered, Soto (and the rest of us) can turn the focus elsewhere. Because success for Soto and the franchise to which he'll be linked for the next 15 years will be defined on the diamond. Mets owner Steve Cohen has not been shy about his dream of biting into the Yankees' Big Apple stranglehold. Outbidding the crosstown rivals for Soto was a landmark moment in Queens, but only dog piles and parades will truly turn the tide. Which brings us back to Soto, who earned that generational wealth because he's a generational force. For the Mets to validate the project and live up to the supersonic expectations, they'll need the $765 million man to earn his keep. Considering Soto's track record, that's a damn good bet. Whatever Shohei Ohtani does this season will make headlines. Same goes for Rafael Devers, Paul Skenes and Vlad Guerrero Jr. (Stefan Milic/Yahoo Sports) (Stefan Milic/Yahoo Sports) Vlad Jr. 2. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays first baseman Guerrero's 2025 will resemble Soto's 2024, except in Toronto instead of New York City. The Blue Jays and their star first baseman failed to reach an extension before a self-imposed February deadline. Both parties have said they don't expect to resume negotiations during the season, so as to avoid any major distractions. Just last week, Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro told reporters, 'I think we're going to sign him. I think we're going to extend him.' But that optimism, at this point, doesn't feel particularly grounded in reality. Toronto has failed, time and time again, to secure a major free agent to pair with Guerrero. The organization's inability to secure him to an extension before he reaches the open market must be seen as an institutional failure born of near-sighted procrastination. And now, they'll have to bid against the financial juggernauts of the sport. If the Jays, projected by most systems as a .500 club, are supremely out of the playoff picture by the trade deadline, Guerrero's name will dominate headlines. If Guerrero, who finished sixth in MVP voting last year, puts together another impressive season, his price will only increase. He won't catch Soto's $765 million, but $500 million is certainly in play. The obvious top spot 1. Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers two-way player There are endless avenues to explain the scope and scale of Ohtani's influence, but let's keep it simple. Here is a human being whose athletic greatness has energized nations, reshaped local economies and rewritten the rules of the sport itself. One of the many wonders of Ohtani is the constant newness he brings. That he could launch 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season was inconceivable 12 months ago. Then he did it. This year, Ohtani's story once again contains a new chapter: his return to the mound. The two-way dynamo hasn't pitched in an MLB game since undergoing elbow surgery in September 2023. He has thrown bullpen sessions but has not yet faced live hitters as the Dodgers continue to slow-play his pitching comeback. How Ohtani balances his two existences will be fascinating to watch. Can he handle the logistical and physical rigors of building his arm back up while simultaneously maintaining such offensive excellence? Are there enough hours in the day to do both? Is there enough fuel in the tank? Doubting Ohtani, at this point, seems futile and ill-advised. But this is a genuinely new challenge for the man who has already conquered so much However it plays out, Ohtani will dominate headlines and highlight reels all season. And we, the viewing public, lucky to live through this, will follow every last turn in the tale.
New York Times
17-02-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Jose Altuve's new position prompts his same selflessness: ‘I think that's honorable'
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Field 1 at the Houston Astros' spring training complex can be complicated. The swirling south Florida wind sometimes feels more pronounced, often pausing the batting practice power shows fans flock to see. Shagging the fly balls that fall short is even more of an adventure, perfect to conduct the first test of such a fascinating experiment. Advertisement On Monday morning, nine mile per hour winds from the northeast greeted Jose Altuve, an infielder initiating the next act of his storied career. Altuve tracked fly balls from a fungo bat, caught popups over his shoulder and practiced his first step. The nine-time All-Star second baseman flashed a smile after finishing his first public show in left field. 'It comes natural to him,' manager Joe Espada said afterward, 'and I'm not surprised because Jose Altuve is just an elite athlete.' The next six weeks will determine whether it is enough for a total change of direction. What once looked like a last-ditch effort to lure Alex Bregman is becoming part of the Astros' post-Bregman reality. Moving Altuve off second base is under serious consideration, a fate this scene on Monday morning helped to underscore. When it ended, Houston transitioned to drills with its middle infielders. Jeremy Peña patrolled shortstop and Mauricio Dubón took ground balls at second base. Altuve sat on a bucket in foul territory, watching his teammates from afar. 'Spring training will tell us a lot about it,' Altuve said of his ability to handle left field. 'Later on, I can give you a better answer, but from now on, I just want to prepare, get ready everywhere I play and focus to be 100 percent and be ready for the season.' Jose Altuve is taking fly balls in left field during his first day in Astros camp — Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) February 17, 2025 Nothing anyone said on Monday strayed from the club's monthlong stance on Altuve's defensive future. Espada reiterated that Altuve will play both left field and second base in spring training, but declined to divulge any other absolutes about the Astros' plan for him. Altuve avoided putting a number on playing any games in left field, saying it depends 'on what they request.' Asked if he had a preference of where he plays, Altuve said he does not. Advertisement 'I want to play. I want to be in the lineup. I want to help this team win, keep hitting doubles and triples and homers for this team,' Altuve said. 'It doesn't really matter where I play. I'm going to try to do my best.' Selflessness is a hallmark of Altuve's career, but still so rare for someone of his stature. Rafael Devers' comments on Monday afternoon only accentuate things. That Altuve even accepted the club's choice to explore another position for him is a luxury few other clubs could ever count on from a Cooperstown-bound player. 'His willingness to do what the team needs is most important,' said first baseman Christian Walker, a teammate of Altuve's for all of one day. 'I think that's honorable.' Altuve said the Astros approached him after last season with the idea of moving to the outfield. He did not reveal the team's rationale other than to say 'they just thought I could play a good left field.' 'I'm trying not to make this a big deal or a focus,' said Altuve, who spoke for nearly 10 minutes inside Houston's clubhouse. 'I think that's the main thing, I want to get rid of this left field conversation, try to answer every question possible and just move on and start preparing for what we all care about, which is preparing for the season and start winning.' Little about Altuve's future in left field will be known until later in spring training. Houston hasn't even held its first full-squad workout, which is scheduled for Tuesday, and Altuve doesn't even own an outfield glove. Yordan Alvarez loaned Altuve his for Monday's workout. Afterward, Altuve jokingly blamed it for the one fly ball he dropped. 'He's an athlete. People don't realize how good he moves,' said Dubón, who has made a career out of playing both infield and outfield. 'Out of all these people, he's the one that can go from second to the outfield. Sometimes he makes it look easy — it's not that easy. It's hard. Catching ground balls then the next one has to go to the outfield. But out of all people, Jose can do it.' Jeremy Peña at shortstop, Mauricio Dubón at second base, Jose Altuve off to the side chatting with Joe Espada — Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) February 17, 2025 Though he will turn 35 in May, Altuve still covered 27.1 feet per second when he sprinted last season. The league average is 27.2. Both Altuve and team officials believe he has enough speed to chase down anything in his vicinity while his natural athleticism will help his first step and reads. Altuve had one of the weakest infield arms in baseball last season. Adding more distance won't help that, though there's optimism that the momentum Altuve can generate prior to his throws will help mask it. So will having Jake Meyers, an American League Gold Glove finalist last season, in center field most nights. Advertisement Still, it's not a perfect setup. Altuve has never played a professional inning in the outfield. Experiments like this aren't normal for teams with championship aspirations, which Altuve is adamant this one will have. 'The goal remains the same, which is winning,' Altuve said. 'We're going to go ahead and do it.' Three more of Altuve's longtime teammates departed this winter — one for a better payday and two others the Astros themselves weren't interested in paying. Altuve implored his bosses to buck that convention for Bregman, a man he claimed 'made this entire organization better' across his nine-year career. Owner Jim Crane acknowledged Altuve's words 'carried weight' with both him and general manager Dana Brown. Still, the team's six-year, $156 million offer fell short of what both Boston and the Detroit Tigers offered Bregman. 'He signed a great deal, man. $40 million (average annual value), not a lot of players can get that and he got it,' Altuve said. 'We're happy for him, but we have to move on and focus on the players we have here. 'We offered him a good deal, but with free agents, you never know. You don't know. At the end, he signed a great deal. I'm super happy and I know everyone in here is happy for him. He deserved it. He worked hard for that and he got it.' As a result, Altuve stands alone. No other position player remains from the 2017 Astros, the polarizing club that catalyzed this golden era. No better ending to that season existed than Altuve scooping Corey Seager's ground ball at second base and sending his team into delirium. The eight years that have elapsed have felt like 80. Scandal threatened to derail the dynasty. So did the departures of everyone around Altuve, who will still author seminal moments, but maybe never from that same spot on the dirt. 'As long as I'm in the lineup,' Altuve said, 'I'll be happy and ready to play.'
