Baseball Connection

A qualifying offer is a one-year offer that can be given to impending free agents which is worth the average of MLB's 125 highest paid players. This year's qualifying offer is worth $18.9 million. A player who declines the qualifying offer will become a free agent, but his team will receive draft pick compensation if he leaves. Most players decline the qualifying offer. Six players received a qualifying offer this year (Bauer, Gausman, LeMahieu, Springer, Stroman, and Realmuto).

Several players had their options for 2021 declined by their ballclubs. Some of these players include Ryan Braun, Jon Lester, Carlos Santana, and Chris Archer. Where could each of these players land? Has Ryan Braun played his last MLB game? All this (and more) on today's episode.

The Chicago White Sox have hired Tony La Russa to be their next manager. Chicago now has World Series talent and ambitions, so adding a Hall of Fame manager is a logical next step. Will La Russa be able to mesh with a young ballclub? Just a few days after his season-long suspension ended, AJ Hinch was hired to be the Tigers' next manager. All this (and more) on today's episode.

What should each NL team focus on this offseason? There are many strong options on the free agent and trade markets this year. Fresh off a World Series victory, could the Dodgers pull off another blockbuster? Look for the Cardinals to add an impact bat. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Every team can improve in some way. How will the Astros deal with the fact that all 3 of their outfielders are free agents? Will the Angels finally get a front-line starter? Let's take a look at every American League team's offseason needs.

The LA Dodgers have won the World Series. After falling just short over the past few years, their 32-year drought is over. Corey Seager took home World Series MVP honors. Did Kevin Cash make a mistake by pulling Blake Snell too early? All this (and more) on today's episode.

Joc Pederson and Brusdar Graterol have played well this postseason, but they could easily be watching the World Series from home. After all, both players were involved in trades that were called off last winter. We take a look back at the events that almost landed Pederson in Anaheim and nearly prevented Graterol from leaving Minnesota.

Clayton Kershaw led the Dodgers to a Game 5 victory in the World Series. Kershaw would record 6 strikeouts on his way to passing Justin Verlander on the all-time (playoff) strikeouts list. The Dodgers are one win away from a World Series title. All this on today's episode.

The Rays got a walk off victory in a bizarre series of events to end Game 4 of the World Series. The Dodgers' defensive lapse looked like something from a Little League game, but did Dave Roberts mismanage the bullpen yet again? All this (and more) on today's episode.

Walker Buehler continued his impressive postseason with another dominant outing. The young ace racked up 10 strikeouts over 6 innings of 1-run ball in the Dodgers' World Series Game 3 victory. Randy Arozarena hit his 8th HR o the playoffs and set the rookie record for most hits in a postseason. All this on today's episode.