In case you missed it, Bleacher Nation is now an official partner of Obvious Shirts – you know, the ones that say things like JAVY BAEZ IS GOOD AT BASEBALL and other things like WILLSON CONTRERAS WILL THROW YOU OUT, and one of my personal favorites: THE GREATEST GAME EVER PLAYED WAS ON A WEDNESDAY IN CLEVELAND.
You probably already saw our post on it earlier, but I want to remind you that we’re doing a 20% off promotion this week with the code BLEACHERNATION. It’s also worth mentioning that they have free shipping and free returns *all the time* which I always liked – it just makes shopping for new stuff feel that much safer. Anyway, you should go and buy some … maybe even start with the official Bleacher Nation shirts. Just a thought.
Alright, time for a quick trip around the league …
It’s extremely sad how often I have to write up stories like this: Odubel Herrera was arrested Monday night after a report of domestic violence. According to the police report, the victim, Herrera’s girlfriend, had “visible signs of injury to her arms and neck,” which just makes you sick. As it was with Addison Russell, Roberto Osuna, Aroldis Chapman, and, most recently, Julio Urias, Herrera has been placed on administrative leave as investigations get underway.
Although this is purely speculative, I’m starting to get the sense that Dallas Keuchel might have a deal lined up that he can sign quickly after the June 2nd date that untethers his future team from giving up a draft pick upon signing. Rumors suggest that he’s willing to ink a one-year deal and he’s already thrown multiple simulated games, theoretically to help him get going as soon as possible. I have no reason to believe he’ll sign with the Cubs (maybe they’ll have better luck with Craig Kimbrel), but where he signs can absolutely impact them, so this is something we’ll want to follow very closely over the next week or so.
Not a huge fan of Derek Dietrich or any Reds right now, but I am a fan of this:
Of course, the attitude on that slow trot out of the batters box against the Pirates comes with a history: “Dietrich, you’ll remember, did the same thing after hitting a ball out of PNC Park April 7, only for Chris Archer to intentionally throw at him.” Dietrich said he was a little scared he’d be thrown at again, but it didn’t happen. Also funny: Yasiel Puig hit a home run immediately afterwards, but sprinted around the bags … lol. Way to “pick him up.” There’s a lot of beef in the NL Central right now, eh? I love it.
Speaking of the NL Central: The Brewers have reinstated starter Jimmy Nelson from the injured list, but he’s not heading up to the big league team just yet. Instead, he’ll continue his work at Triple-A (4.74 ERA through 19.0 IP) until they feel he’s ready. In fact, it’s entirely possible that they convert him to a reliever for a short while, but that remains unclear. Obviously, the Brewers would prefer to have him in the rotation (2.8 combined rotational WAR, 21st in MLB) than the bullpen (1.4 combined relief WAR, 11th in MLB), but if he’s not ready … he’s not ready. This’ll be another big story to follow, because when he’s healthy, Nelson can be very good.
Remember that top prospect who signed in Japan for more money, avoiding the draft and potentially earning more while reaching free agency sooner? Well he’s a Scott Boras client (naturally), and you can read all about the decision from Boras here at CBS Sports. I bet we’ll see more of these moves over the coming years, until the CBA changes something.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, and San Diego Padres have all received subpoenas from the Department of Justice for records related to the scouting and signing of players from Latin America – specifically, because the trafficking of Cuban players has expanded in recent months. First of all, OF COURSE, those are the teams involved. Each has dealt with their own personal amateur player/roster-related controversies lately, so it’s not much of a surprise, even if it remains disappointing. And this feels like a good time to remind you that open relations with Cuba is especially crucial in the effort to reduce human trafficking – a dangerous, terrifying ordeal many young players are forced to endure. Obviously, you hope teams don’t encourage – let alone AID in – this kind of behavior, but there are ways the government can limit the volume and frequency of such practices.
Here’s a headline that needs no further sell for your click: Born without a left hand, rehabbing a torn UCL, Parker Hanson presses on. How can you NOT read that?
And finally: Cody Bellinger is currently the best offensive player in baseball by a WIDE MARGIN: .383/.469/.761. Indeed, his 216 wRC+ is WAY better than the second-best offensive player in baseball, Christian Yelich (188 wRC+). But, oh yeah, he can also do THIS:
NEWSLETTER
