All articles tagged with #ken rosenthal
Ken Rosenthal rejects the 'ridiculous' narrative that Team USA didn't care about the World Baseball Classic, insisting American players were passionate and bonded, even as the U.S. fell 3-2 to Venezuela in the final and faced scrutiny over prep and team culture.
The Boston Red Sox have emerged as a surprising contender in the race to sign star outfielder Juan Soto, competing against the New York Mets and Yankees. While the Mets are seen as favorites due to owner Steve Cohen's willingness to outbid rivals, the Yankees are keen to pair Soto with Aaron Judge. The Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays are also in the mix but are considered less likely to secure Soto. The decision is expected before the MLB Winter Meetings in Dallas.
The Philadelphia Phillies are considering trading Alec Bohm this offseason, as they look to make significant roster changes. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Bohm is seen as a "good but not great player" in the trade market, with the Seattle Mariners potentially interested. However, Bohm's inconsistent performance after April and his contract status, including a projected $8.1 million salary arbitration, may complicate trade negotiations. At 28, Bohm's potential for further development is uncertain, which could affect his trade value.
The Chicago Cubs are reportedly considering trading Cody Bellinger, despite challenges posed by his high salary. Bellinger, who has a guaranteed $32.5 million contract, had a solid 2024 season but saw a decline in his defensive performance. The New York Yankees, who have previously shown interest in Bellinger, are mentioned as a potential destination, especially if they miss out on acquiring Juan Soto.
Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner faces criticism from MLB insiders like Ken Rosenthal for suggesting the team may not afford to sign All-Star outfielder Juan Soto due to luxury-tax penalties, despite the Yankees being the most valuable team in baseball. Steinbrenner's comments have raised doubts about the team's financial claims, especially as Soto aims to reset the market with a potential $550M free agency offer. Fans, who praised Steinbrenner for re-signing Aaron Judge, are unlikely to accept losing Soto over financial constraints.
With just two days until the Cubs' Spring Training opener, the focus is on the Boras Four, with Cubs manager Craig Counsell and Cubs owner Tom Ricketts making remarks about playing Christopher Morel at third base and refraining from talking to agent Scott Boras. Lead baseball executives from the Giants, Rangers, and Blue Jays have also made statements suggesting that they are moving on from pursuing the Boras Four, with veiled shots at Boras. This article serves as an open thread for baseball discussion until the Spring Training opener.