6/17 - Now Warming Up…MLB

Let's start with the Opener.

***Rafael Devers, the $313.5 million man, was traded to San Francisco to shock two teams in their respective playoff races.  Of course, there were a lot of bumpy roads with Devers and the Red Sox this season, with Rafael becoming Boston’s designated hitter after they signed Alex Bregman, and then the team asked him to play first base to fill in for injuries.  But I never expected this type of deal.  First-year San Fran GM, and future Hall-of-Famer, Buster Posey, made a bold move, and a statement, that he is there to build a winner…now! How Devers hits in the spacious, windy ballpark on the water in The City By The Bay will determine if this is a good move for the Giants, who have not had a 30 home run hitter since Barry Bonds played. What do you think?

Now to the Set Up Man.

***Look out!  Shohei Ohtani is about to begin pitching for the Dodgers in his second year with the team.  This guy was the first designated hitter to ever win an MVP Award (while in the National League, which makes it feel weirder for those of us who are still traditionalists) while being the first player with 50 or more home runs and stolen bases in a season.  Now, add his ability to start games for Los Angeles.  I cannot recall a more dominant player in MLB in my 50 years of fandom.  One thing to note, though, is that Ohtani struggled mightily as a pitcher when he first returned to the Angels after his Tommy John recovery; look for a few rough outings on his way back to the mound in 2025.

Now the Closer.

***The AL East, second-place team, the Tampa Bay Rays, swept the NY Mets in Queens this past weekend, putting Tampa back in postseason contention.  The Mets had enjoyed a 27-7 record at CitiField in New York before the Rays came and took their milk money.  Tampa has a pitching staff that is coming together after several arms are recovering from injuries, and the offense is a fun, scrappy team that is scoring runs to a +62 run differential, so far. Every team except the Orioles is above .500 in the AL East , currently.  Looks like it will be an interesting summer as these teams position for a shot at October.

 "Remember these two things: play hard and have fun." - Tony Gwynn