Around the Horn: News and Notes

How are you guys doing today? Thanks for clicking over to the post today. I would love it if you followed the Facebook or told a friend about the blog today. Facebook.com/ballboyblog THE BIGGEST NEWS of the last couple days is The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed OF Mookie Betts to a 13 year contract worth 365 million which would pay him 30.41Mil annually. The contracts includes the 2020 season so its for the next 12 seasons. Betts will be in Dodgers blue until 2032 and until he is age 39. I think personally this is kind of shady for Betts to do. He was offered 10 years for 330 million from the Boston RedSox, which would have given him 33 million a year. Now he is going to make just under 30 mil a year. The contract with LA has him loosing 40 million! Overall, its a great move for the Dodgers as they now open up a little bit more room going forward and room to continue the dynasty. With this contract between Betts and Trout are signed for a combinded 806.5 Million. We will find out if Betts is even close to as worth the same money that Mike Trout is. Remember each team values their players differently.Speaking of Trout he said finally "I am playing" after a summer camp of uncertantiy, he will be playing this season. I am happy the best player is playing. The MLB and MLBPA are talking about an expanded playoff of 16 teams. This is so interesting with the trade deadline only 5 weeks into the season. We could see a surprise champion if this happens. I am all for it. More baseball! The agreement would need to happen before opening day on THURSDAY, and this news came out TUESDAY!!! Its time to get into some news and notes from around the MLB once again today. We are going to start with the endless news source of the Yankees. The team decided to option top pitching prospect, Clarke Schmidt. The move itself confuses me as Boone said, "He has delivered in every way/" That is a vote of confidence for me as I now expect to see him again this season. The Yankees are hoping to get SP Mashiro Tanaka back from a concussion by the 31st of July. The news is great for the Yankees as Tanaka is a crucial part of the rotation. In other New York news The Mets have signed INF Brian Dozier and OF Juan Lagares to minor leauge contracts. Giving them to very solid depth options. However, that depth on the pitching side is hurting now after Stroman lands on the IL with a tear in his calf. This is going to require surgery and his status is week-to-week. Look for Erasmo Ramierez, Corey Oswalt and David Peterson to possibly see action as well as a rumor of Matt Harvey getting a call. The Philidelphia Phillies also optioned their top pitching prospect in Spencer Howard. The move is expected, but not at the same time. The Phillies aren't in a bad spot with pitching, but if they have an injury, Howard should be the first man up. The Phillies also optioned: P Mauricio Llovera, P Addison Russ, and C Logan O'Hoppe. In other moves for the Phillies, they released veteran IF/OF Josh Harrison as he is free to look for a new team. Staying out East the Toronto Blue Jays are without a park to play in! Canada said no, Pittsburg said no. Who knows where this team is going to play at this point. My goodness. The Chicago Cubs got Anthony Rizzo back on the field today. Rizzo is expected to start in the final exhibition game Wednesday after missing time with back soreness. Great news for the Cubs as Rizzo is a cornerstone of the team's success. Going out West to the AL, The Houston Astros star 2B Jose Altuve is day-to-day with a leg contusion. The injury happened after being hit by a pitch in an exhibition versus the Kanas City Royals. I see this becoming a possibly regular occurrence for the Astros. The injury won't hold Altuve out long unless it develops further complications. Sticking in the AL West young Athletics P AJ Puk will be out "quite a while" after getting a cortisone shot in his shoulder. The original injury was a shoulder strain, and getting a shot is an obvious first step to help heal quickly, but more often than not, we see the surgery happen. Karma caught up to the Royals however as IF Hunter Dozier tested positive for COVID-19 Staying out West the SF Giants made HISTORY! Alyssa Nakken is the FIRST woman to be a 1B coach. This is incredible and great of the Giants to be setting the stage. Don't forget that Rachel Balkovec was the first full-time female hitting coach. She is in the NY Yankess Organization. The Seattle Mariners starting catcher Tom Murphy will miss the start of the season due to a left foot fracture. Look for the likes of Joe Husson and maybe even Cal Raliegh to get some time with the club.