Latest news with #Terry Francona
Yahoo
26-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
MLB trade deadline: Reds' Terry Francona's only focus is winning with the current players
Once the MLB trade market got going ahead of the July 31 deadline (6 p.m. ET), it really got going. The Seattle Mariners on July 24, made what felt like the first big move of the annual trading frenzy, and that seemed to serve as prelude to more big moves across baseball July 25. Both New York clubs made moves, with the Yankees acquiring Colorado Rockies third baseman Ryan McMahon and the Mets grabbing left-handed reliever Gregory Soto. Also, more hype and conversation built up around former Reds slugger Eugenio Suarez's status (he's still an Arizona Diamondbacks player for now). Reds starting rotation Nick Lodolo 'Huge': How Cincinnati Reds Nick Lodolo went from IL regular to playoff-minded workhorse Reds starting rotation Chase Burns Can Chase Burns grow into key for Cincinnati Reds down stretch? 'That's the goal' The Cincinnati Reds (53-50), now at two games back of the third National League Wild Card spot entering play of July 25, haven't made a move yet. It remains to be seen if and how the Reds might involve themselves in the trade-deadline activity. One thing is almost guaranteed for the Reds regardless of whether they make moves or not: As dominoes continue to fall in the trade market, the Reds clubhouse will endure a potentially tense period as players wait to see how any possible moves might affect their lives. Reds manager Terry Francona said he's trying to keep the focus on the actual games in order to try to head off some of the likely tension ahead of deadline day. "I think when you know you're like a seller, there can be distractions," Francona said. "I get it. I mean, you're uprooting people's lives and their families. I think the more you can just keep it on baseball, the better everybody is. What I care about is us winning. Those guys upstairs (in the front office), I know they're making phone calls like every team does. For probably for every hundred or 200 things you hear about, one happens, so I think you're better off just trying to win." While the Reds are within striking distance of the Wild Card places in the standings, and there's ample incentive for Cincinnati to legitimately chase those positions in every way possible, Francona said he concerns himself primarily with his players. You won't see or hear Francona stumping for a move between now and when the trade window closes. "I like our guys. I think I've been pretty open about that," Francona said. "You'll never hear me say, 'we need this' or 'we need that' because I think it's directly saying that somebody out there (in the clubhouse) isn't good enough. I'll never do that... My responsibility is these guys in this room and I'll keep it that way." This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: MLB trade deadline: Reds' Terry Francona's only focus is winning
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 MLB trade deadline date, potential trade targets
The MLB trade deadline is always a wonder for fans of the sport. Prospects change hands, stars move across the country, and borderline contenders become favorites. We might have already seen the biggest trade of the season, though, when the San Francisco Giants landed former Boston Red Sox slugger Rafael Devers (who has done anything but slug since joining the team). Oftentimes, the most impactful moves of the deadline are the quiet ones, the short-term trade for a reliever who ends up throwing 18 shutout innings in the postseason and helps a team win a title. That doesn't mean big names are not impactful. In the last decade we've seen players like Justin Verlander (2017), Aroldis Chapman (2016), and Jorge Soler (2021) get dealt at the deadline and go on to be massive centerpieces of championship teams. So, with the trade deadline drawing near, is a similar outcome on the table? Here's everything to know about the 2025 MLB trade deadline. MLB News: Terry Francona 'proud' of Cleveland for changing team name to Guardians When is the MLB trade deadline? The 2025 MLB trade deadline is set for 6 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 31. In recent years, the deadline had been on the same date, but at 4 p.m. ET. But the date is not set in stone year by year. Per the commissioner has the authority to set the deadline at any date and time between July 28 and Aug. 3, depending on which date and time will conflict with MLB games the least. Who are the biggest trade targets this year? 3B Eugenio Suarez, Diamondbacks SP MacKenzie Gore, Nationals SP Joe Ryan, Twins SP Seth Lugo, Royals RP Jhoan Duran, Twins RP David Bednar, Pirates RP Emmanuel Clase, Guardians SP Sandy Alcantara, Marlins SP Zac Gallen, Diamondbacks Could Paul Skenes get traded? A name that has been thrown around all year has been Pittsburgh Pirates ace and National League All-Star Game starter Paul Skenes. The former No. 1 overall pick has posted a 1.91 ERA on the season, the best in baseball. Despite the great numbers, though, Skenes has a record of 5-8, which has fans clamoring for him to be moved. Skenes would surely bring in an absolute haul of prospects, but the organization has repeatedly stated it has no intent of trading a generational talent like Skenes. In early July, ESPN's Jeff Passan said the Pirates will not entertain offers for Skenes. MLB News: Phillies make history with bizarre walk-off, extra-inning win vs. Red Sox This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When is the MLB trade deadline? Date, targets for contenders
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Terry Francona 'proud' of Cleveland for changing team name to Guardians
WASHINGTON — Terry Francona did not make the decision to change Cleveland's franchise name to the Guardians, and he's no longer their manager, and will be half a state removed from any thoughts of revising it. But the Cincinnati Reds manager was in the room where it happened before the 2022 season - and remains adamant owner Paul Dolan made the right decision. Even in the wake of President Donald Trump insisting Cleveland and the Washington football franchise change their names back to their previously offensive monikers. 'I wasn't the one that had to kind of have the (fortitude) to do it,' Francona said before the Reds' game against the Washington Nationals. 'Paul Dolan ultimately was the one that had to pull the trigger. 'I was really proud of him, because I don't think it was real popular with a segment of probably the older fans that kind of, I guess like Trump, 'Why can't it be like it used to be?' 'And I guess my retort would be, 'There's probably a lot of people in this country who don't want it like it used to be.' And if you're white, (you're) probably just fine.' 'That's not how it's supposed to work. Like, I didn't even care what they made the name in Cleveland. I really didn't. I just know how I was in on those conversations, and we were trying to be respectful. And for that, I gave those guys a lot of credit.' After Trump's social media screed on the team nicknames, Guardians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti told reporters Sunday that revising the club name was not something he was 'paying a lot of attention to.' 'We've gotten the opportunity to build the brand as the Guardians over the last four years and are excited about the future," says Antonetti. Francona concurs, and believes the franchise he managed to a 2016 World Series appearance can continue to do what it believes is right. 'Not everybody's gonna be happy. "That's never gonna be the case,' he said. 'But I think as long as what you're trying to do is respectful, you can go ahead and let people complain.' This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cleveland Guardians: Terry Francona 'proud' of team's name change
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Weeks like this are why Cincinnati Reds chose to pay Nick Martinez $21 million
Forget what Nick Martinez did on the mound for eight innings against the San Diego Padres. Check out the pacing from one end of the dugout to the other after every inning that the Cincinnati Reds right-hander pitches, start after start after start. 'I love it. That's what he does,' teammate Spencer Steer said. 'His little whistle is a little annoying.' Martinez: 'I know it's a pain in the ass. I can't control that.' If anything, the pacing (and whistling) might be a natural byproduct of a competitive nature and focus level that contributed not only to the no-hit bid he took to the ninth inning Friday, June 27 but also the value to this team that prompted the Reds to pay him $21 million this year. Reds Padres Nick Martinez The Reds almost beat the San Diego Padres in the rarest of rare ways Reds Padres Spencer Steer Cincinnati Reds' Spencer Steer falls one homer short in MLB record bid Reds Big Red Machine 'We captured the imagination': Why Big Red Machine secured unique sports, cultural legacy 'It's why you want veteran leaders on your ballclub. There's a reason for that,' Reds manager Terry Francona said. If the Reds have the kind of second-half success they envision, it's hard to imagine one of the better storylines for their success won't be Martinez — the veteran right-hander who reinvented himself during four seasons in Japan, returned as primarily a reliever for the Padres, then signed as a free agent with the Reds. And became last year's Reds pitcher of the year in his first season, before opting out of the second year of the deal — and ultimately accepting a $21.05 million qualifying offer that many in other corners of the industry thought was a crazy overpay for the Reds. Team president Nick Krall said at the time he saw no risk in the QO. He did see value. 'He took the ball whenever you wanted him to, and had no issues with whatever role you put him in,' Krall said then. 'He was a great team guy, really good guy in the clubhouse. But it was the lead-by-example guy that you really just want to watch.' Seven months later, that's what first-year Reds manager Francona and second-year teammates saw over the past week. After a rough, short start against the Twins on June 19, he said he'd pitch out of the bullpen before his next start, and delivered two scoreless innings over the weekend against the Cardinals. When Chase Burns subsequently was called up for a debut and dropped into Martinez's day, it pushed Martinez back one day — until Brady Singer wanted to stay on his routine. At which point, Martinez volunteered to move his start to Friday and pitch out of the bullpen again — for another scoreless inning Monday against the Yankees. Then eight no-hit innings "They say good things happen to good people,' Francona said. 'It's incredible,' said center fielder TJ Friedl, who got a bird's-eye view from center of what he called a 'surgical' job of pinpointing all his pitches Friday. 'He deserves everything he gets for what he does for this team,' Friedl said. 'And he's done it the past two years. Whenever we need him in whatever spot, he's willing to do whatever for the team. He's one of the most selfless teammates I've ever played with.' A veteran, a mentor, an upbeat presence in the clubhouse, Martinez also is as versatile as it gets on the roster, even beyond the starter-reliever abilities. One day in New York last season, a New York writer needed help interviewing a Spanish-speaking player, and Martinez walked by and offered to do it for the writer. Afterward, the writer asked Martinez for his name and title. 'Nick Martinez,' he said. 'Pitcher.' Even after the no-hit bid, Martinez deferred to Steer's three-homer night. 'There was a lot of luck in mine,' Martinez said. 'But it's pretty hard to hit three home runs.' Steer said it's 'super impressive' what Martinez has done for the team since arriving last year between the bullpen and rotation, mentioning the 'selflessness' of making the relief appearances the club needed. 'He doesn't have to do that. He can say, 'I'm just a starter, find somebody else to fill that role,' ' Steer said. 'But he's embraced the challenge. And it looks like he's having a blast every time he's out on the mound. When you see that, it's easy to play defense behind him. 'And obviously, it's easier to root for his success.' Even if the whistle is annoying. 'It's been two years. I'm used to it by now,' catcher Tyler Stephenson said, smiling. 'He almost gives me anxiety just by walking back and forth. It's OK to sit.' Maybe not after 30 years without a postseason win – that would make anybody pace. Especially if they're trying to do something about it. 'The kid, what he did this week going to the bullpen,' Francona said, 'he deserved that (Friday success). 'I think sometimes when you have your head in the right place and your attitude in the right place things end up being in the right place,' Francona said. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: This is why Cincinnati Reds chose to pay Nick Martinez $21 million
