Latest news with #JonHeyman
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6 hours ago
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MLB rumors: Kyle Tucker linked to Cubs, Red Sox in early free agency report
The post MLB rumors: Kyle Tucker linked to Cubs, Red Sox in early free agency report appeared first on ClutchPoints. While Chicago Cubs star Kyle Tucker and his future are in doubt with the team he's currently on, MLB insider Jon Heyman provides some insight into his early free agency report. With many teams besides the Cubs in the Tucker sweepstakes, there is one team that should be heavily considered, as they need to get back some talent. Advertisement The team that Heyman mentions on MLB Network is the Boston Red Sox, who just made immense headlines by trading Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants. Looking at it from Chicago's point of view, Heyman would say that the team won't likely get a new contract done with Tucker this season, leading to a free agency pathway. 'Glad you mentioned the Red Sox. That is a possibility,' Heyman said. 'Certainly, this guy is going to be a free agent at this point. We thought maybe there would be some discussions. Maybe they tried, and maybe it didn't work. We had Jed Hoyer with Joel Sherman on the podcast for the New York Post, and he said, basically, it's very difficult to sign up a guy who was about to be a free agent of his stature, to me, that was a pretty big hint that they're not going to be able to do it in the season.' 'So it's going to have to be after the season,' Heyman continued. 'That makes sense. I mean, looking at him. He's not a pitcher. There's no risk. He was a number five overall pick. He's made a lot of money.' Other teams besides the Cubs that would go after Kyle Tucker Sam Navarro-Imagn Images It has been noted that the Cubs had pressure to sign Tucker to a contract extension to prevent any bidding war, but it seems it's heading that way. While Chicago will look to retain him, Heyman would mention San Francisco as being an aggressive team after getting Devers and Boston looking to 'make up' for the aforementioned trade. Advertisement 'He is one of the most, if not the most, consistent hitter in baseball,' Heyman said. 'So it's going to be very difficult. But the Cubs are, you know, it's a big market team. They're doing very well. They need to give it a try. That said, once the guy's a free agent, he's only been there a year. There are going to be other teams in there.' 'Never count the San Francisco Giants at this point,' Heyman continued. 'They look like an aggressive team, as we've seen. And the Red Sox, now, the Red Sox have a lot of outfielders, but we've heard of Duran potentially on the market there. They would be a possibility as well, because they do need to do something to make up for Devers.' It remains to be seen what Tucker's future looks like and if it'll be in Chicago. Related: MLB rumors: Rival exec suggests Red Sox make Brewers trade Related: MLB rumors: Padres, Diamondbacks refuse to sell at trade deadline
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6 hours ago
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Insider: Yankees could chase elite closer if seller emerges in al central
Insider: Yankees could chase elite closer if seller emerges in al central originally appeared on Athlon Sports. When it comes to relievers, the New York Yankees know how to expose a weakness—and they know how to fix them. Emmanuel Clase, the Guardians' flamethrower closer, has endured an up-and-down 2025: 16 saves, a 3.69 ERA, 34 strikeouts in 33 appearances. He is well off his dominant career 1.86 ERA and 174 saves, but one MLB Insider thinks that he would be a good fit for the Yankees. Advertisement On the surface, Yankees fans would scratch their heads. They remember Clase from last year's playoffs. In last year's ALCS, New York battered Clase for two runs in the ninth of Game 4, seizing an 8–6 victory and a commanding 3–1 series lead . Overall, Clase has a 6.00 ERA across five postseason appearances against the Yankees—six strikeouts, two blown saves. May 28, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Emmanuel Clase (48) throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Progressive Blaze-Imagn Images That history hasn't gone unnoticed. In his latest trade-deadline column, New York Post columnist Jon Heyman named Clase a viable target. 'He isn't having his usual year after a rough offseason but Clase would be coveted if the perennially over‑achieving Guardians sell' Advertisement For the Yankees, this ticks several boxes. Their rotation—anchored by Fried, Rodón and Schmidt—is solid. But their bullpen ranks just 10th in MLB with a 3.52 ERA, and they could use a high-velocity late-inning arm. Clase delivers triple-digit heat with a 99–100 mph cutter and late-inning experience, when sharp, he is one of the game's most feared ninth-inning arms . Clase is only 27 years old and is under team control through the 2026 season, so he would not come cheap. Still, if Cleveland opts to sell at July's deadline, Clase could be the high-leverage complement the Yankees are missing. And based on postseason results? It wouldn't come without a little extra swagger. Advertisement Related: Yankees' Clarke Schmidt Thinks He would Have Finished Off the No-Hitter Related: Can One Slow Roller Change the Yankees' Struggling Shortstop's Season? This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
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9 hours ago
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Red Sox Named Top Suitor for Impending $500M Free Agent
Red Sox Named Top Suitor for Impending $500M Free Agent originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Boston Red Sox are in a peculiar situation. After trading Rafael Devers, the team is back above .500, and after an 8-2 stretch in their last 10 games, are only 4.5 games behind the NL East lead. Reinforcements are also on the way to stabilize the offense. Wilyer Abreu returned on Friday, and third baseman Alex Bregman's ankle rehab is moving at a steady pace. Advertisement However, it is hard to ignore the All-Star size gap left by Devers, but with his $250 million off the books, Boston is in a position to be a prime free-agent destination in a class headlined by outfielder Kyle Tucker. On Friday, MLB Network's Jon Heyman mentioned the Red Sox as one of three potential suitors for Tucker's services. Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker (30)© Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images "Yeah, I'm glad you mentioned the Red Sox," Heyman said. "That is a possibility, certainly. This guy is going to be a free agent at this point. We thought maybe there would be some discussions, maybe they tried, and it didn't work. The [Chicago] Cubs are a big market team, and they are doing well. They need to give it a try." Advertisement "That said, he's a free agent, he's only been there a year, and there are going to be other teams. Never count out the San Francisco Giants at this point. They look like an aggressive team. The Red Sox have a lot of outfielders, but we have heard of (outfielder Jarren) Duran possibly on the market. They are a possibility as well because they really have to do something to make up for (Rafael) Devers." Tucker is setting himself up for a massive payday this offseason. Slashing .284/.395/.908 this season with 13 home runs and 43 RBIs, the three-time All Star is projected to sign a $500 million contract, according to Spotrac. Although he is another left-handed hitting outfielder, the Red Sox could move another piece to clear space to make a run at Tucker and insert the superstar in the middle of their lineup. Related: David Ortiz Appears to Clap Back at Pedro Martinez Over Devers Fiasco This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
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a day ago
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Yankees linked to surprising ex-player as trade deadline chatter grows
Yankees linked to surprising ex-player as trade deadline chatter grows originally appeared on Athlon Sports. As the trade market heats up, one name familiar with the New York Yankees is making the rounds: Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Advertisement According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, the Pirates are likely to deal the former Yankees utilityman before the deadline. And given how much the Yankees valued his versatility during his two seasons in the Bronx, a reunion can't be ruled out, especially with the infield still unsettled. With questions surrounding DJ LeMahieu's bat, Oswald Peraza's ceiling, and Jazz Chisholm Jr.'s fit at third, IKF could again represent exactly what the Yankees need: someone who can handle multiple positions and not crater the bottom third of the order. Pittsburgh Pirates second base Isiah Kiner-Falefa participates in spring training workouts at Pirate Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images This time around, it wouldn't be about making IKF a starter. It would be about raising the floor. And frankly, that might be necessary in a year when depth is being tested nightly. Advertisement Kiner-Falefa entered Thursday slashing .244/.304/.371 for the Pirates with six home runs and 20 RBIs in 64 games. He's played second, short, third, and even outfield. While not flashy, he's reliable, and he knows what it means to handle the pressure of New York. Heyman also noted the Pirates could be one of the more active sellers at the deadline. They aren't moving ace Paul Skenes, but Andrew Heaney is likely to be dealt. And depending on how far they're willing to go, names like Mitch Keller and Ke'Bryan Hayes could enter the conversation. For the Yankees, they all are interesting, but a low-cost, familiar fit like Kiner-Falefa might make the most sense. And this time, expectations would be more aligned with reality. Advertisement Related: Clint Frazier's Favorite Clubhouse Wasn't in the Bronx Related: Max Fried Reveals Which Yankees Star Made Him Nervous This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
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6 days ago
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Mariners' Cal Raleigh gets eye-opening ‘number 1 catcher' claim
The post Mariners' Cal Raleigh gets eye-opening 'number 1 catcher' claim appeared first on ClutchPoints. Despite injuries impacting their elite starting rotation, the Seattle Mariner remain atop the AL West. Last season, the offensively challenged Mariners were unable to stave off the Houston Astros, who won the division with a second-half surge. This year, Seattle has been more impressive at the plate, thanks in large part to a scorching-hot start by Cal Raleigh. Advertisement However, Raleigh is anything but a one-dimensional player as he's earned high praise for his overall defense, pitch framing, ability to throw out runners and handling of the pitching staff. Raleigh is a complete catcher and he's performed at an elite level offensively and defensively in 2025. 'There's no debate, he is the number one catcher in baseball,' insider Jon Heyman said of Raleigh per MLB Now on X. 'It is such an advantage to have a catcher with these kind of stats… It's huge because there's a lot of catchers… who are just defensive catchers, who are outstanding defensively but don't have half the stats, one-tenth the stats of Cal Raleigh,' Heyman added. Mariners' Cal Raleigh stakes claim as baseball's best catcher Neville E. Guard-Imagn Images The Mariners clearly agree with this assessment as the team wisely signed Raleigh to a six-year, $105 million extension at the start of the season. The new deal will keep the Gold Glover in Seattle through 2030. Advertisement Raleigh burst onto the scene in 2022, displaying rare power for a catcher right off the bat. He improved each year since and finished last season with 34 home runs, 100 RBI, 73 runs scored, a 118 OPS+ and 4.7 bWAR for the Mariners. He also was awarded the Platinum Glove for his defensive efforts in 2024. This season he's been even better at the plate. Raleigh is not a great hitter for a catcher, he's just a great hitter. He's been in a season-long competition with Aaron Judge for the AL home run lead and recently surpassed the Yankees' slugger again. Raleigh has 19 homers on the season, tops in the American League and one behind Dodgers' star Shohei Ohtani. He also is sporting a .966 OPS, 182 OPS+ and is already up to 2.9 bWAR in May. When you combine that with his strong showing in defensive runs saved, defensive runs above average and caught stealing over the last two seasons, Raleigh appears deserving of the title of baseball's best catcher. Now the Mariners need the pitching staff to get healthy for a strong second half. The team is 30-24 but only has a half-game lead over the Astros in the division. Seattle has made the playoffs once in the last 23 years. Fans are counting on Raleigh leading the team back to the postseason.
