Tag: 2023 MLB free agency

30 MLB free agents to consider now that Shohei Ohtani is with the Dodgers, including Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Maybe your favorite MLB team will sign one of these free agents after missing out on Shohei Ohtani.

Even though the prize of 2023 MLB free agency is off the board, there are still plenty of good names left in the available pool of players.

Shohei Ohtani’s record-breaking contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers has locked in the game’s best player with the new World Series favorite.

However, non-Dodgers fans can still look out for other impact players to join their roster this offseason. Hint: there are plenty of experienced pitchers out there.

Looking at MLB’s list of top free agents and Spotrac’s MLB contract tracker has given us a good idea of who your team can add after Ohtani’s signing that will help it build out its roster for the upcoming season.

Promising options range from promising pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto to stellar center fielder Cody Bellinger.

Who was on the flight Shohei Ohtani wasn’t? Per report, it was a celebrity and his family

The flight to Toronto may not have been carrying Shohei Ohtani, but there was reportedly a celebrity on board.

Rumors swirled on Friday afternoon of a possible impending signing between star free agent pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani and the Toronto Blue Jays.

Fans fired up the flight trackers, and an early report indicated that Ohtani was en route to Toronto Pearson International Airport, presumably to sign with the Blue Jays.

However, subsequent reports indicated Ohtani was never on that flight and is still at his home in southern California. But while the most sought-after free agent in baseball may not have been on the flight, it was carrying a celebrity, at least reportedly.

Per a report from the CBC, Canadian businessman and Shark Tank star Robert Herjavec was on the flight with his family.

While his presence on the flight has not yet been confirmed, it adds yet another bizarre layer to a story that took over the internet on Friday as we await a decision from Ohtani, a two-time American League MVP.

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Shohei Ohtani reportedly wasn’t in Toronto on Friday as free agency rumors intensify

The Shohei Ohtani free agency saga has taken yet another turn.

For about an hour on Friday afternoon, it appeared that Los Angeles Angels superstar pitcher and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani was going to be a Toronto Blue Jay. And he still could end up with the organization, but we just don’t know yet.

What began as a mere rumor with amateur flight trackers and unverified videos of Ohtani in an airport terminal was brought into the mainstream when it was reported that the free agent was en route to Toronto, though it noted Ohtani’s representative did not confirm that.

While MLB fans waited on the edge of their seats for official word of an agreement, a subsequent report from USA TODAY Sports columnist Bob Nightengale threw everything into flux.

Multiple other reports later confirmed Nightengale’s scoop that Ohtani was never in Toronto and is still in southern California.

It’s been a secretive free agency process so far for the three-time All-Star and two-time American League MVP, and while it seemed like it was heading toward a resolution Friday, the rumor mill only continues to intensify surrounding where Ohtani will play in 2024 and beyond.

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Giancarlo Stanton’s agent responded to Brian Cashman’s remarks by urging players to avoid the Yankees

The Yankees are a chaotic mess and free agency hasn’t even started yet.

Few MLB teams committed as many errors as the New York Yankees in 2023. General manager Brian Cashman has now added to that unfortunate tally of self-inflicted blemishes.

Last week, Cashman talked about the health of designated hitter/outfielder Giancarlo Stanton in an interview with the New York Daily News. While saying that yes, Stanton remained important to the Yankees’ plans, he also made cutting remarks about his player being “injury-prone.” (Note: Stanton has missed at least 50 games in each of the last two seasons.)

Cashman would later clarify these remarks. Still, even while (kind of?) complimenting Stanton’s hitting talents, Cashman seemingly couldn’t help but continue to fan the flames of comments that almost certainly wouldn’t sit well.

More from the New York Daily News:

“We try to limit the time he’s [Stanton] down,” Cashman said. “But I’m not gonna tell you he’s gonna play every game next year because he’s not. He’s going to wind up getting hurt again more likely than not because it seems to be part of his game. But I know that when he’s right and healthy — other than this past year — the guy’s a great hitter and has been for a long time.”

I don’t know what Cashman was thinking because there’s virtually zero chance any rational-minded human being wouldn’t take exception to being critiqued like that in a public setting. Naturally, after catching wind of Cashman’s criticism, Stanton’s agent, Joel Wolfe, responded with a passive-aggressive statement that essentially warned pending MLB free agents from signing with the Bronx Bombers. This is awful news for a team that figured to be a major player in this year’s MLB free-agent period.

Oh, what’s that? Stanton’s agent also represents phenom Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto? Uh-oh.

Well, that’s just about the worst possible outcome for Cashman, isn’t it?

Not only did his disappointing Yankees miss last year’s postseason, he might now have to backpedal his comments about Stanton’s health in order to keep New York’s clubhouse together for a hopeful big rebound in 2024. It’s a good thing the New York media is famously kind and fair and won’t pounce the moment Cashman’s team inevitably falls short of its goals and expectations.

Oh, right. Bravo to Cashman. He has probably brought the Yankees’ coming firestorm upon himself.