Baseball Connection

Nick Markakis has announced his retirement. The often underrated right fielder played 15 seasons between Baltimore and Atlanta. Markakis was a model of consistency and durability. An on-base machine, elite defender, and professional hitter, we tip our hat to Nick and congratulate him on an excellent career.

Major League Baseball will be experimenting with a lot of new rules down in the Minor Leagues this year. Larger bases, no shifts, pickoff limits, and more. The goal is to inject more action on the basepaths, improve pace of play, and increase balls in play. Which of these rules do we want to see up in the Majors soon?

Mickey Moniak got a brief taste of MLB action last year, but the baseball world still hasn't really seen who he is. Drafted #1 overall in 2016, Moniak is the Phillies hopeful centerfielder of the future. His game has developed and his body has transformed in the 5 years since, so what does his MLB future look like?

Byron Buxton has major tools and everybody knows it. The main knock on him is the fact that he's injury-prone. When on the field, Buxton has shown continued improvement with his power metrics in recent years while continuing to play elite defense and rank at the top of speed charts. Will the Twins extend him before he becomes a free agent in two years?

The Nationals are planning to offer contract extensions to Juan Soto and Trea Turner. Neither player will come cheap, but it's a wise idea for the franchise to secure their young position player talent. What kind of money might be necessary?

When you're coming off a Cy Young season and fresh contract, you can make yourself feel quite comfortable at Spring Training. That's what Trevor Bauer has been doing as he experiments with different techniques. Bauer pitched with one eye closed during part of his three-inning outing. Forrest Whitley might need Tommy John. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Jake Odorizzi has finally found a team. He'll join the Astros on a two-year deal with a player option for 2023. Odorizzi can be an innings eater for Houston, and they'll really need it since Framber Valdez might be out for the year.

Eduardo Rodriguez took the mound in a game setting for the first time in 359 days. After a breakout 2019 season, Rodriguez was poised to make an Opening Day start for Boston in 2020. Will he get that honor this year? Lorenzo Cain will still be the Brewers' center fielder. Luis Severino should help the Yankees tremendously when he returns this year. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Jackie Bradley Jr. will be taking his talents to Milwaukee. He's the last big domino to finally fall as he secured a 2-year, $24 million deal with the Brewers. The Brewers already have a strong outfield, including another strong center fielder in Lorenzo Cain, so it's not quite clear exactly how they'll juggle the pieces. However, it is a good problem for them to have.

It's always exciting to catch a glimpse of the future as top young prospects take the center in the early days of Spring Training. We take a look at how the game's best prospects like Wander Franco, Jarred Kelenic, Adley Rustchman, etc. have fared in the early going.