MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred is pleased with the 2024 All Star Game logo which will be held in Texas next season. Manfred was in Arlington on Thu Jul 20, 2023 for the unveiling. Things have been going well for Manfred and he is expected to be re-elected that will take him as Commissioner through 2030. (AP News photo)

On the MLB podcast with Stephen:

#1 MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred is no doubt going to be elected according to a dependable source said. Manfred needs 16 of 30 votes by MLB teams to be reelected and the source it won’t even be that close he’s a slam dunk to be re-elected. Once re-elected his new term will run five years or ending in 2030.

#2 Manfred has received criticism from the media and fans alike over his handling of the Oakland A’s relocation and if there was any doubt that the owners are split on the A’s relocation Manfred’s predicted slam dunk re-election might be an indication that the owners are together and will vote to relocate the A’s to Las Vegas.

#3 Former Oakland A’s pitcher Shintaro Fujinami said that Japanese players are rarely traded in Japan but Fujinami was prepared for anything when he signed wit the A’s for two years at $3.25 million. Yet and still Fujinami was dealt to the Baltimore Orioles last Wednesday.

#4 Fujinami’s value had improved over the last 12 appearances and his ERA had gone down the Orioles who are in the thick of the hunt saw that and got a deal with the A’s sending double A pitcher Easton Lucas in exchange for Fujinami.

#5 Will the Los Angeles Angels deal two way player Shohei Ohtani? The Angels had said they want to keep Ohtani and Ohtani said he was open to stay in Anaheim but both sides are also listening to offers. The Angels said they would absolutely not deal Ohtani to the Los Angeles Dodgers but money and talented players talk. Amongst some of the top teams named in the Ohtani sweepstakes, the Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants and the San Diego Padres.

Stephen Ruderman does MLB podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com