2025 Misc MLB News Thread

[sveumrules]

Jackson Merrill extends with SDP for $135M guaranteed and a potential max value of $204M.

Considering Chourio got $82M guaranteed with a potential max value of $130M looks like the Brewers saved around $50M to $70M by extending him before year one versus after. 

[titletownking]

57 minutes ago, sveumrules said:

Jackson Merrill extends with SDP for $135M guaranteed and a potential max value of $204M.

Considering Chourio got $82M guaranteed with a potential max value of $130M looks like the Brewers saved around $50M to $70M by extending him before year one versus after. 

Both deals are team friendly but the Brewers deal with Chourio is a gamble paid off. 

[wallus]

Blue Jays extend Vlad Jr for 500 million. That will look like a terrible contract sooner than later. 

[wiguy94]

10 minutes ago, wallus said:

Blue Jays extend Vlad Jr for 500 million. That will look like a terrible contract sooner than later. 

I'm in disbelief that the Blue Jays caved. There's no money deferred as well so this is the second biggest net present contract in the MLB history behind Soto. Soto for reference has a career 158 wRC+ and his last 4 seasons put up 164, 146, 154, 180 wRC+. Vlad Jr has a careeer 137 wRC+ and his last 4 seasons put up 166, 132, 118, 165 wRC+. I'm with you that this contract ages very poorly and I would not be surprised if this eventually went down as one of the worst contracts ever.

[nate82]

I am not sure if this was the Blue Jays caving as they have been trying to sign both Bichette and Vlad Jr for awhile now.  They have also tried to sign Soto and Ohtani along with others who have turned them down.  I think Toronto is just trying to spend money on any “star” player they can find and are willing to sign.

[liveforoctober]

The legend that is Caleb Boushley has returned...

https://x.com/mlbtraderumors/status/1909695726021472267

[Team Canada]

Sad news: Both Octavio Dotel and the sister of Nelson Cruz among those dead in a nightclub roof collapse incident.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/44591287/ex-mlb-pitcher-octavio-dotel-dies-nightclub-roof-collapse

[Frisbee Slider]

That is very sad. I really liked Dotel. A very good reliever for 13 teams.

[sveumrules]

Sad indeed. They said on the news that Henry Blanco was at the club earlier in the evening but left before the collapse.

[sveumrules]

Often mentioned potential offseason target Yoan Moncada placed on the 10 Day IL today with a thumb sprain.

He has hit 190/370/286 (105 wRC+) with a 29.6 K% through his first 27 PA with the Angels.

[HarryDoyle]

So, Yankees fans are not enjoying the Devin Williams experience so far.

[Playing Catch]

16 hours ago, HarryDoyle said:

So, Yankees fans are not enjoying the Devin Williams experience so far.

His aloof nature and beard may not pair well with poor performance in the Bronx.

[liveforoctober]

For our sake, hopefully this is a Jeremy Jeffress 2.0 situation. I don't wish that for him though..

[Playing Catch]

36 minutes ago, liveforoctober said:

For our sake, hopoefully this is a Jeremy Jeffress 2.0 situation. I don't wish that for him though..

I agree. I wish Devin a long, healthy, fruitful career. His performance with the Brewers was imperfect, but there was enough perfection scattered throughout his time to make the flaws worth it.

[Frisbee Slider]

9 minutes ago, Playing Catch said:

His performance with the Brewers was imperfect, but there was enough perfection scattered throughout his time to make the flaws worth it.

1.83 career ERA with Milwaukee makes his collective performance among the greatest relief pitchers of all time. I agree that he may have the absolute most nerve wracking 1.83 ERA ever.

[Playing Catch]

20 hours ago, Frisbee Slider said:

1.83 career ERA with Milwaukee makes his collective performance among the greatest relief pitchers of all time. I agree that he may have the absolute most nerve wracking 1.83 ERA ever.

But he'll be remembered for punching a wall, and giving up Alonso's dinger.

[nate82]

William Contreras named NL Player of the week.

https://www.mlb.com/video/william-contreras-is-named-the-nl-player-of-the-week

[Jopal78]

On 4/11/2025 at 11:30 AM, Frisbee Slider said:

1.83 career ERA with Milwaukee makes his collective performance among the greatest relief pitchers of all time. I agree that he may have the absolute most nerve wracking 1.83 ERA ever.

But also one of the softest. Maybe the pressure of New York will prove too much 

[markedman5]

When in doubt fire the hitting coach!

 

[LouisEly]

Hensley "Bam Bam" Meulens???  The over-hyped former Yankees prospect?

[Underachiever]

14 hours ago, LouisEly said:

Hensley "Bam Bam" Meulens???  The over-hyped former Yankees prospect?

Did someone say over-hyped prospect turned hitting coach?

[markedman5]

https://athlonsports.com/mlb/yankees-fans-demand-massive-change-after-embarrassing-collapse-saturday

[yfinn6]

I just thought I would check in on Jackson Holliday's 2025. I know 2024 was a little ugly as he was getting used to MLB pitching and I rarely see Orioles' games. 

In 59 ABs in 2025, Jackson Holliday is hitting .220, .270 OBP, .373 SLG, for an OPS of .643. He has 1 double, 1 triple, and 2 homers. 

Very early in his career but I wonder if there is any concern amongst Orioles FO or fans that he might not hit. 

 

[LouisEly]

Triston McKenzie DFA'd by the Guardians.

Not long ago he was one of the top prospects and young pitchers in the game, 4 bWAR pitcher in 2022.  Seems like he couldn't get over an elbow sprain from 2023. 

[TURBO]

Yankees manager Aaron Boone confirmed Sunday that Devin Williams has been removed from the closer role for now.

 

Boone added that Luke Weaver will “get a lot” of the save opportunities moving forward, but didn’t rule out the possibility that he could still be used in critical high-leverage spots earlier than the ninth inning. The decision to remove Williams from the role comes after he melted down on Saturday in an ugly blown save against the Blue Jays, which left him with a calamitous 11.25 ERA in his Yankees debut. He’ll operate in lower-leverage spots for now and we’re not dismissing the possibility he turns things around and reclaims the role. 

 

Source: Gary Phillips