Happy Friday folks! You’ve made it! Here’s your reward:
In Mariners news...
- Corey Brock at The Athletic wrote a really cool feature on Marco Gonzales and got the left-hander’s thoughts on his role in the Mariners’ rebuild. ($)
- Evan White is getting some love!
The resurgence of first-base prospects is evident in our new list of #MLB's Top 10 1B prospects, which features last year's @MiLB HR & RBI leader, one of the best defenders in the Minors and a two-way player: https://t.co/Y3oH6mSKPC pic.twitter.com/79EMMoumX4
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) January 18, 2019
Around the league...
- There’s a lot of star power behind the push for baseball in Portland.
Remember how the MLB to Portland effort was saying money was not a problem? Well, $1.3 billion in financial agreements have been shown the mayor and MLB. Here's a list of the seed investors. https://t.co/Q4SBcMrJhX
— Maury Brown (@BizballMaury) January 17, 2019
- Another one bites the dust.
Royals lefty Eric Skoglund was suspended 80 games for testing positive for a banned PED. Here’s Dayton Moore’s statement: pic.twitter.com/HxtmtMLnVV
— Rustin Dodd (@rustindodd) January 16, 2019
- Another former Rockie heads to New York.
Adam Ottavino's deal with the New York Yankees is for three years and $27 million, league sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 17, 2019
- Travis Sawchik at FiveThirtyEight notes that MLB hitters are doing their part to remove the shift from the game on their own.
- Here’s a health update on a former Mariner...
Dombrowski: "It'll be a while" before Carson Smith will be able to pitch in games. Hopeful he can start a throwing program during spring training. Don't expect him available for early part of season. (NRI)
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) January 17, 2019
- Speaking of former Mariners, the Nationals have agreed to a deal with Vidal Nuño while the Marlins have brought Hector Noesi aboard.
Anders’ picks...
- Well, this certainly could have gone better.
Only the Bulls, I swear pic.twitter.com/PlClAbk0PG
— CJ Fogler (@cjzero) January 18, 2019