Gambling NewsSports Betting News

MLB News and Notes: Yelich Agrees To Extension

The countdown has begun to Opening Day on March 26. Teams are starting to cut their rosters as regulars start to get more playing time and reps in spring training games as they prepare for the season.

Still, as the season is set to begin in just a couple weeks, teams are making news around the league. Between extensions, signings and dealing with injuries, teams have been busy. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the news stories from around the league from this past week.

Brewers, Yelich Agree On Extension

One of the best players in the league received some security this season as outfielder Christian Yelich and the Milwaukee Brewers have agreed to a seven-year extension for $188.5 million. Yelich was already signed through the 2021 season.

With his salary being just $12.5 million this season and $14 million next season, he has been an incredible bargain for the Brewers. The extension will pay him $26 million per season once it kicks in with an additional $4 million in deferrals. He also receives a mutual option for $20 million that has a $6.5 million buyout with it.

While there are no opt-outs in the deal, it does come with a full no-trade clause.

Having won an MVP Award in 2018, Yelich was well on his way again last season until an injury derailed the finish to his season (he fractured his kneecap after fouling a ball off of his leg). Despite missing time, he still hit .329/.429/.671 with 44 home runs, 97 runs batted in, 100 runs scored and 30 stolen bases in just 489 official at-bats.

While some argue that he probably should have gotten more money, this is an incredible payday for one of the game’s best that comes at a decent price for the ball club. It just continues to be a trade that pays off for the Brewers.

Milwaukee sent Lewis Brinson, Isan Diaz, Jordan Yamamoto and Monte Harrison to the Marlins in exchange for Yelich. Again, it was a trade that has paid off for the Brewers in the immediate and will now pay off for them for the next nine years to come.

Moncada, White Sox Agree To Extension

The Milwaukee Brewers aren’t the only ones that agreed to an extension with one of their stars. The Chicago White Sox extended yet another young star in Yoan Moncada. The two sides agreed to a five-year, $70 million extension that includes a club option for 2025.

The agreement certainly escalates throughout the years. In 2020, Moncada will make just $1 million, but by the last year of the term, he will make $24 million (plus a $25 million option for 2025). In total, it is an average annual value of approximately $14 million.

Moncada came over in the Chris Sale trade, and last year, he finally showed what all the hype was about. In 511 at-bats, Moncada hit .315/.367/.548 with 25 home runs, 79 runs batted in, 83 runs scored and 10 stolen bases.

The White Sox are hoping that he can consistently put those numbers together as part of a solid young core.
Speaking of that solid young core, the White Sox have been one of the best at locking them up long-term. They have already agreed to extensions with youngsters Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert and Aaron Bummer.

Throw on top of that the extension for veteran first baseman Jose Abreu and the signings of players like Yasmani Grandal and Dallas Keuchel (among others), and this is a team definitely on the rise.

Knowing Chicago’s knack for extending young players, it will be interesting to see if the White Sox brass are still looking to extend players like Lucas Giolito or Nick Madrigal. Regardless, they got a great value locking up a potential superstar in Moncada.

Red Sox Sign McHugh

The Boston Red Sox announced this week that they have signed pitcher Collin McHugh to a deal that will pay him $600,000 while also giving him the opportunity to make just over $3.5 million in incentives. In a corresponding move, the Red Sox designated Hector Velazquez for assignment.

McHugh has spent the last several years with the Houston Astros. The 32-year-old dealt with some elbow injuries last year and has just been cleared to start throwing again. Still, when right, the high-spin rate pitcher can certainly be effective as either a bullpen option or stretched out as a starter.

Last season, dealing with injuries, McHugh went 4-5 with a 4.70 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 35 games (8 starts). He had 82 strikeouts in 74.2 innings pitched.

In 2018, though, McHugh was dominant. In 72.1 innings that year, he had a 6-2 record with a 1.99 ERA and 0.91 WHIP. In those innings, he had 94 strikeouts in 58 appearances.

For the Red Sox, this could be as insurance for Chris Sale, who has been hampered with arm issues in spring training, or it could simply be getting good value in a pitcher that has the potential to be well above average.

Judge Diagnosed With Stress Fracture

On the one hand, the New York Yankees are happy to finally have an answer to Aaron Judge’s discomfort this spring training. On the other hand, though, they are probably not thrilled with the diagnosis. Judge has been diagnosed with a stress fracture in his ribs.

While the Yankees hope to avoid surgery, that is certainly a possibility if rest is not working. Regardless, Judge will not be ready for Opening Day, adding to a list of injuries the Yankees have sustained early, including Giancarlo Stanton, Luis Severino and James Paxton.

The club hopes this is not a long-term issue, but they will play it cautious early just to be safe.

Last year, Judge also dealt with injuries and amassed just 378 at-bats. In those at-bats, though, he hit an impressive .272/.381/.540 with 27 home runs, 55 runs batted in, and 75 runs scored.

The Yankees would love to get that production back into their lineup, but unfortunately, it won’t be at the beginning of the year.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Check Also
Close