With just some days to go till the Winter Conferences, listed below are three issues we’ll be keeping track of across the baseball world all through the day at the moment:
1. Abroad gamers formally posted:
Two gamers from throughout the Pacific have simply been posted for main league groups, formally permitting them to hitch MLB’s free agent market: KBO infielder Hyeseong Kim and NPB right-hander Koyo Aoyagi. Kim, 26 in January, is the larger identify of the 2. His posting has been anticipated for the higher a part of a 12 months. The previous double-play accomplice of Ha-Seong Kim, he has ample expertise at each center infield positions however has spent significantly extra time at second base — enjoying solely there in 2024. Whereas the youthful Kim hit a superb .326/.383/.458 in 127 video games for the Kiwoom Heroes this 12 months, that robust slash line figures to come back down considerably on the massive league degree. Even when he initiatives as merely a league common (and even barely under common) hitter, his youth, pace (30 steals in 2024), and powerful protection make him one of many extra attention-grabbing gamers obtainable in a skinny infield market.
Aoyagi, however, will rejoice his thirty first birthday subsequent week. A low strikeout charge may restrict his upside on the massive league degree. Even so, Aoyagi may present an attention-grabbing depth possibility for golf equipment on both a minor league deal or a comparatively cheap massive league deal. It’s additionally attainable that the sidearming hurler may get a glance from an MLB membership in aid, which could assist his stuff play up in comparison with his work in Japan as a starter, the place he posted a 3.69 ERA with a 13% strikeout charge this 12 months.
2. Rays stadium plan to be voted on:
Whereas nearly all of the eye concerning the Rays’ stadium plans is targeted on the 2025 season within the aftermath of Hurricane Milton’s destruction of Tropicana Discipline, the query of the place the membership will likely be enjoying long-term has been put again on the desk as effectively. There must be some motion on that entrance at the moment. Colleen Wright of the Tampa Bay Occasions experiences that the St. Petersburg Metropolis Council is scheduled to vote on approving bonds that will assist finance a brand new stadium for the Rays. The edges had a plan in place final 12 months that will’ve constructed a brand new stadium close to the Trop in time for the 2028 season, however the aftermath of Milton and frustration from native officers in regards to the membership’s resolution to play its house video games in close by Hillsborough County subsequent 12 months reasonably than in a stadium positioned inside Pinellas County alongside the Trop, has led to delays within the approval of bonds for financing the brand new stadium.
Even when at the moment’s vote passes, that received’t assure the stadium plans goes by as meant. The delays have led the Rays to recommend that the stadium could no longer be prepared in time for the 2028 season, leaving the membership skeptical in regards to the deal. What’s extra, the Pinellas County Fee additionally delayed approving their very own bonds that will fund the challenge. Getting approval from the county appears to be a a lot bigger impediment than the town of St. Petersburg, provided that final month’s elections altered the make-up of the fee, with a handful of key votes in favor of the stadium deal now not in workplace.
3. Yankees exploring different top-of-the-market choices:
Whereas all eyes are on Juan Soto as a resolution seemingly looms within the close to future, the Yankees don’t look like placing all their eggs in his basket. Studies yesterday indicated that they’re additionally making efforts with numerous different high-profile free brokers. They’ve met with starters Corbin Burnes and Max Fried, and shortstop Willy Adames has additionally drawn curiosity from the membership lately. May yesterday’s experiences provide a glimpse at which gamers the Yankees may deal with if Soto departs?
