Baseball Connection

The Royals have signed Salvador Perez to a four-year $82 million extension. Great hitters like Salvy don't come around too often at the catcher position. He's also a fan favorite and clubhouse leader, so this move was a no-brainer for Kansas City. Jo Adell and Bobby Witt Jr. will open the season in the minors to get some more seasoning.

No player likes being labeled as "injury prone", but it's the reality for some. There are players who just can't seem to stay off the injured list. Although they are highly effective when available, their teams could use their help more often. We discuss key players who need to have a healthy season.

The top of the MLB Draft's first round will feature two Vanderbilt teammates. Starting pitchers Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter have formed a lethal 1-2 punch for the Commodores. Rocker, the favorite to go #1 overall has been high on MLB radars for a few years. Leiter, the son of former Yankee lefty Al, tossed a no-hitter today and continues to see his draft stock rise.

Carlos Carrasco will be out for 6-8 weeks after tearing his right hamstring. The back of the Mets rotation will need some help at the beginning of the year. Indians owner Paul Dolan answered questions about the team, including plans for a new name, trading Lindor, and Terry Francona's job. All this on today's episode.

Noah Syndergaard is throwing 96 mph off the mound in his bullpen sessions. He likely won't be ready for Opening Day though. The Mets aim to get him back in the early summer. Some "forgotten" pitchers like Julio Teheran, Felix Hernandez, and Nick Pivetta might make their team's major league rosters.

The White Sox are looking into contract extensions for Lucas Giolito and Andrew Vaughn. Giolito is their ace and i's in their best interest to extend him sooner rather than later because another strong season will make his price tag jump. Vaughn hasn't yet played in the Majors, but the White Sox are no strangers to locking in deals for top prospects - as they did for Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert over the past two years.

Ryan Braun visited Brewers camp yesterday. He didn't suit up, as he remains unsigned and uninterested in playing at this time. Braun said he is strongly leaning towards retirement. The Reds need help at shortstop, so they might use Eugenio Suarez there. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Maikel Franco will suit up for the Baltimore Orioles. Franco agreed to a deal with the O's after choosing them over the Mets and Braves. Jordan Hicks made his first appearance in 2 years and it was quite a battle. Luis Guillorme worked a 22-pitch walk against him. Clayton Kershaw is set to make his 9th Opening Day start for the Dodgers - a franchise record.

The Braves anticipate that Mike Soroka will rejoin the rotation sometime next month. That will be a major boost to an already stacked squad seeking another deep playoff run. Billy Hamilton was released by the Indians, but expect to see him on an MLB roster soon. Hamilton's speed will offer enough value for somebody.

The Indians have a big void to fill at SS now that Francisco Lindor is a Met. It seems they will call on Andres Gimenez - a standout defender in his own right. There are plenty of innings up for grabs in Pittsburgh, so they signed Trevor Cahill to a one year deal.