Category: MLB

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: No one will touch Bauer now; Only a miracle now can prevent A’s from leaving Oakland; plus more news

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Former Los Angeles Dodger Trevor Bauer was not claimed on waivers and the Dodgers could be on the hook for Bauer for $22.5 million if Bauer is not picked up by another big league club (AP file photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer who was unclaimed on waivers. Bauer’s leaving will cost the Dodgers $22.5 million which he will be owed if he not claimed by another club. Bauer if picked up by another big league club will be paid the MLB minimum at $720,000 that would offset the $22.5 million. The Dodgers as it looks right now will be on the hook for the balance as Bauer is persona non grata after several sexual misconduct allegations were made against him.

#2 The Oakland A’s will not see any kind of funding money in the neighborhood of $180 million in federal funds and now it’s a question of how the City of Oakland can finance the A’s ballpark at Howard Terminal at Jack London Square. The federal department of Megaprojects may not grant some of the monies or none of it at all.

#3 Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis expressed how Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas has now become less of a home field advantage for the Raiders because more fans travel to visit the visiting team than home fans that turn out. Also Davis observed that local fans in Las Vegas aren’t coming out to support the Raiders during the season home games.

#4 The Miami Marlins announced on Tuesday that they have come to an agreement with veteran pitcher Johnny Cueto to a one year deal with an option. Cueto formerly pitched for the Chicago White Sox last season going 3.35 ERA, 158 1/3 innings with 102 strikeouts and 33 walks. Cueto could get as much as $8.5 million this season from the Marlins.

#5 The Toronto Blue Jays keep on dealing they signed five players including a 16 year old pitcher named Emmanuel Bonilla who signed for $4.1 million the biggest contract for a bonus in Blue Jays history.

Join Amaury for News and Commentary podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Cuban Pitcher No.5 International Prospect selected by the A’s

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Luis Dany Morales Cuban National pitcher and the No.5 International Prospect selected by the Oakland A’s (photo by Diario De Cuba)

Cuban Pitcher No.5 International Prospect selected by the A’s

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González.

Since 1968, first year in Oakland, the Oakland A’s had many Latin American players, like Dabogerto Blanco (Campy) Campaneris, José Canseco, Miguel Tejada, Tony Armas and many others. Today between 30-33 % of all players in the major leagues are born in Latin America.

The Oakland A’s agree to terms with 17 International prospects, all the 17 from Latin America. Among the 17, the No.5 prospect by MLB right handed pitcher Luis Dany Morales out of Cuba. Morales pitched for Sancti Spiritus in Cuba’s Serie Nacional in 2021 and was 3-3 with a 5.95 ERA in 11 games, nine starts.

He struck out 58 in 42.1 innings and walked 30 while surrendering just two home runs as an 18-year-old. Major League team traveled to watch Morales pitch in Mexico City earlier this year. He has a fastball that can reach the high 90s and a breaking ball that “projects to be above average” according to scouts.

In 2021 Morales was arrested by Cuban authorities, along with his parents trying to escape Cuba. But at the end the 18-years old Morales succeeded and was the one that lead a bunch of other Cuban players defect from Cuba as they were playing in México.

Others were Yeiniel Zayas, Ubert Mejias, infielder Miguel Antonio González, catcher Loidel Rodríguez and outfielders Reynaldo Lazaga and Diasmany Palacios. pitcher Brayan Chi, and also outfielders Loidel Chapelli and Yandy Yanes joined. Among all these Cubanos, only Morales was signed by the A’s.

After Morales and all these other Cuban players defected while playing in México, the Cuban Baseball Federation released an official statement blaming the last two US Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden for the defections. This is normal for the communist country and that is how their propaganda machine operates. When in doubt, blame the US.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead Spanish play by play announcer for the Oakland A’s with broadcast partner Manolo Hernandez Douen heard on flagship 1010 KIQI San Francisco and Amaury does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Who is buying the Los Angeles Angels?

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Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob is exploring the possibility of buying the Los Angeles Angels. (USA Today News photo)

Who is buying the Los Angeles Angels?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Arturo (Arte) Moreno bought the LA Angels in 2003 for $184 million. It is now worth about $2 billion. Moreno’s is the first Hispanic-American ever to own an MLB franchise, and now they are for sale. Among the people looking to buy the Angels is Joe Lacob, owner of the Golden State Warriors, who has previously expressed interest in buying an MLB team.

Mr. Lacob once offered to buy the Oakland A’s and said he believes the team belongs in Oakland. According to an interview with John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle, Lacob told Shea his offer to buy the A’s was for $180 million in 2005. How much are the A’s worth today? Most MLB teams are worth a minimum of $1 billion.

Warriors owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber could have some competition from other interested parties like LA Rams owner Stan Kroenke, LA Lakers part owner Dr.Patrick Soon-Shiong, a Japanese consortium, and even a minority group of LA Dodgers owners, maybe in the picture. Or somebody else could also be out there with a potential offer.

It makes all the sense for Moreno to sell (if the price is right) to the owners of the Golden State Warriors, the most successful sports franchise in the past 10 years in the NBA and in the Bay Area, bringing the Warriors to an elite level of teams in the NBA with multiple championships and a great fan base.

The Warriors always had a good fan base. I covered them when they first won an NBA Championship in Oakland 1974-75 under coach Al Attles and the ownership of the great Franklin Mieuli. In the 1990s during the Chris Mullin era under owner Jim Fitzgerald, and as their play-by-play (Español) for all their games, I remember all the excitement that they brought to Oakland and Bay Area fans.

Those were very exciting teams, and although they never won an NBA championship, their front office was very much involved with the community, The Oakland Arena was sold out most of the time during those years. David McGahey an innovator in Marketing and Broadcasting in the Bay Area for various media outfits, who passed in 2002, was a great VP of Broadcasting.

At that time the Warriors were one of the first NBA teams to broadcast all their games, home and away on the radio in Spanish language, only the Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, LA Lakers, and Chicago Bulls at the time had Spanish radio.

Arturo Moreno greatly improved his team since he bought them in 2003. One of his first moves was to sign Vladimir Guerrero (now in the Hall of Fame) and later other superstars like Mike Trout and Japanese phenom Shohei Ohtani. Moreno bought the team from Disney one year after they won the World Series against the San Francisco Giants in 2002, but the Angels have not been able to win again.

Lots of frustrations for a team whose lineup seems to be always very formidable but their consistent lack of pitching has been their Achilles heel drowning their hopes for the big trophy in October. In baseball, many things change, like stadiums, salaries, and rules changes, and even Mr. Moreno changed his team’s name from Anaheim to Los Angeles, but there is one thing that has never changed “without pitching, you cannot win”.

It’s too bad Arturo Moreno’s LA Angels could not win a World Series. Now, sooner or rather, the new owner(s) will be taking over the franchise in Orange County. In any sport winning is the key. Like the great NY Yankees owner, the ever-present George Steinbrenner used to say; “Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing”.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: MLB Big Winter Free Agents Signings

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Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani walks to the dugout after pitching against the Oakland Athletics during the fifth inning at Oakland Coliseum on Wed Oct 5, 2022. Ohtani will be a free agent after the 2023 season (AP News photo)

MLB: Big Winter Free Agents Signings

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

The $500 Million man?

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

Nobody so far has signed a $500 million contract in Major League Baseball, yet, but hold under your hat, because LA Angels Japanese mega-star Shohei Ohtani will be a Free Agent after the 2023 season and he might be the first ever to sign such a contract,

However, Othani’s teammate and good friend in Anaheim Mike Trout did sign a $400 million deal a few years ago (below). Ohtani, a superstar pitcher, and hitter is going to get an out-of-this-world offer. Rumors have been circulating that Steve Cohen, owner of the NY Mets wants Othani to be wearing a Mets uniform in 2024 for at least a decade. The Mets will pay a luxury tax larger than the actual total payrolls of team like the A’S and Pirates.

The Past: The $400 million man:

During Spring Training in March of 2019,m Mike Trout signed a 12-year, $426,500.000 contract with the LA Angels including a $20 million signing bonus. $426,500,000 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $35,541,667. In 2023, Trout will earn a base salary of $35,450,000, while carrying a total salary of $37,116,666. The LA Angels are currently for sale.

Big Winter Free Agent Signings after 2022.

Right after the Baseball Winter Meetings in San Diego in December. The biggest signings were made by teams in the east; Yankees, Mets and Phillies, followed by some other teams closing their deals.

1-The biggest signing was by the New York Yankees as they kept slugger Aaron Judge the 2022 AL MVP in the American League and AP Male Athlete of the Year. and new home run champion with 62. Hal Steinbrenner owner of the Yankees gave Aaron Judge a 9-year $360 million contract and also make him the 16th Captain team’s history.

He will spend the rest of his baseball career with the Bronx Bombers. The Yankee deal was challenged by the San Francisco Giants, who went hard after the man born in Northern California and offered the 6’7″ outfielder also $360 million.

However, it was learned later the San Diego Padres offered Judge $400 million, but at the end he chose to stay with the Yankees. Ex-Giants lefty Carlos Rodón also signed with the Yankees for 6-years and $162 million, Rodón struck out 237 batters, third best in all of baseball.

2-The New York Mets Owner Steve Cohen dealing with Carlos Correa’s super agent Scott Boras offered Correa a 12 year deal with the Mets estimated to be $315 million, but that deal (at the time of this article) is on hold for medical reason. Days before, the Giants were just a couple of hours away from announcing Correa’s signing in a Press Conference at Oracle Park, which never took place because a physical examination of Correa showed a “medical situation”.

There was a disagreement between Correa and the Giants, who then withdrew the offer. The Giants who were looking for a superstar to please their fans struck out twice, with Judge and Correa. Not what the Giants had in mind this off-season. More on the Giants below.

The NY also Mets signed to an 8-year extension outfielder Brandon Nimmo of $162 million, and extended their closer Edwin Díaz to 5-years for $102 million, the largest contract extension for a relief pitcher in history. Mets signed Japanese import rookie right handed pitcher Kodai Senga for 5-years and $75 million.

3-Philadelphia Phillies signed free agent shortstop Trea Turner, who was a Free Agent after playing the last two seasons in LA for the Dodgers. The National League Champions Phillies gave Turner 11 years and $300 million.

4-San Diego Padres signed free agent shortstop Xander Boagerts for 11-years and $280 million.

5-Texas Rangers. Signed free agent pitcher Jacob d’Grom to a 5-year $185 million and also starter Nathan Eovaldi for 2-years and $34 million

6-Chicago Cubs signed free agent shortstop Dansby Swanson for 7-years and $177 million.

7Boston Red Sox signed outfielder Masataka Yoshida for 5-years and $90 million.

8-Atlanta Braves, two weeks after trading for A’s regular catcher Sean Murphy extended his contract for 6 years and $73 million

9-World Champion Houston Astros signed José Abreu ex-first baseman of the Chicago White Sox for 3-years and $58.5 million.

By the Bay:

San Francisco Giants looking to improve their defense (overall Giants were 23rd among all 30 teams) signed ex-Mariners outfielder Mitch Haniger for 2 years and $43.5 million. He has been often injured, with his best season of his previous six years in Seattle in 2021 when he hit .253 with 39 home runs and 100 runs batted in.

The Giants also signed ex-Mets Michael Conforto on a 2-year deal worth $36 million (with an opt-out option after 2023) why the opt-out option? Conforto did not play last season and in April underwent right shoulder surgery. Giants also signed ex A’s and Padres left-handed starter Sean Manaea as well as Ross Strippling a right-handed pitcher for two years with Toronto, giving the Giants more depth on their starting rotation since they lost lefty Carlos Rodón to the Yankees during December. Giants also acquired reliever Taylor Rodgers to a 3-year $33 million contract who now joins his twin-brother Tyler in San Francisco’s bullpen.

Oakland A’s signed Jace Peterson, a veteran who played for nine years with teams in both leagues to a 2-year contract for $9,5 million, he can play infield and outfield. Free Agent Aledmys Díaz, previous with Houston signed a two year $14.5 million; just like Peterson he is a utility player.

Traded catcher Sean Murphy to Atlanta in a three-team swap in which they acquired catcher Manny Piña and pitching prospects Kyle Muller, Freddy Tanok and Royber Salinas from Atlanta and outfield prospect Esteury Ruíz from Milwaukee. As of this article, the versatile Chad Pinder still a free agent.

The Crums left: The LA Dodgers signed veteran DH JD.Martínez to a 1-year $10 million contract…Corey Kluber, who won two Cy Young Awards for Cleveland signed a 1-year $10 million with the Boston Red Sox…After playing five years with the Giants, the team opted out to pay him the $5 million buyout, instead of picking up his $13 million club option, Longoria signed a 1-year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks for $4 million. Yankee utility player Marwin González signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal to play in Japan with the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball.

As we begin the New Year there are still players available, not the super star kind of players but some good players with experience like Giants first baseman Brandon Belt who still a Free Agent; however Belt who has been with the Giants for the past 12 years is in a difficult situation after he underwent another right knee surgery (number three for him) in early September which ended his season.

Happy New Year!

Amaury does News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Will Mets reduce Correa’s pay and years after latest physical?; Latest physical vindicates Giants

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Superstar shortstop Carlos Correa has yet to confirm if the New York Mets will confirm him to try on their uniform as contract negotiations have turned tide from the $315 million 12 year offer to something that could be significantly less after he failed a physical with the Mets (photo image from ESPN)

By Morris Phillips and Michael Duca

SAN FRANCISCO–To what degree is Carlos Correa damaged goods and will the New York Mets seek a reduced contract in years and salary after confirming what the San Francisco Giants had found when Correa failed his physical in San Francisco on Tuesday. Granted the Giants were accused of reneging on the deal and their was a cloud of suspicion over the Giants motives and was the failed physical of Correa at the time believable.

Some newspaper reporters said that the Giants credibility was shot after making the decision to back out on signing Correa and that the organization was not to be trusted and that this concludes why they can’t sign big name stars like Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, Giancarlo Stanton, and Shohei Ohtani. Whatever happened in not signing those other players the Giants in the case of Correa were of good faith and up front that yes indeed Carlos Correa does have an injury that prevented San Francisco from signing the superstar shortstop.

While the Giants are vindicated amongst those who doubted them there was this push in the press on Giants team president Farhan Zaidi, a doubt at his word and a question why did Zaidi call off the press conference at the 11th hour on Tuesday morning, if Correa was so injured why wasn’t his injury disclosed? What was Zaidi really hiding in calling off Correa’s introduction and did the Giants really want out of the deal? Zaidi could not disclose the medical condition because of HIPAA laws that protect doctor-client privacy.

Now that the New York Mets have confirmed what Zaidi has said all along let there be little doubt that the Giants are vindicated by their medical staff’s findings. The Mets medical staff’s findings like a second opinion now confirm that Correa did have a pre existing issue but rather than send Correa packing they are exploring ways to work a new deal out with his agent Scott Boras and Correa.

One option might be that the Mets can reduce that 12 year $315 million offer to something for example in the neighborhood of four years and $60 million per say based on performance and staying healthy. As it was reported Correa had suffered a lower right leg injury when he broke a fibula while making a slide single A high ball back in 2014.

It also should be noted after the Giants voided the contract proposal Boras approached the Minnesota Twins this being after he and Correa turned down the Twins ten year offer to Correa after the 2022 season. The Twins after learning of Correa’s not passing the physical with the Giants took a turn at taking a pass on Correa and now the Mets and Correa are trying to “work through” a possible new deal for Correa for 2023 which most likely will be much less than what the Twins were offering after the 2022 season.

Morris Phillips and Michael Duca cover the San Francisco Giants for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Mets sign Correa, San Francisco drops him after failing physical due to undisclosed reasons

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Former Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa failed two physicals according to the San Francisco Giants thus forfeiting a $350 million deal. Correa came to terms with the New York Mets later on Tues Dec 20, 2022 signing Correa to a $315 million 12 year deal after the Giants deal fell through (AP News file)

By Morris Phillips and Michael Duca

SAN FRANCISCO–Carlos Correa who had signed a $350 million with the San Francisco Giants but the deal was annulled due failing two physicals. Correa who had past back problems it was reported that was not the reason why he failed his physicals.

The Giants and Correa could have negotiated for a lower salary number but that will not be necessary after learning the Giants had decided to drop Correa due to the failed physicals the New York Mets came in and signed Correa to a $315 million 12 year contract.

The Giants were set to introduce Correa to the media on Tuesday morning at 11 AM but the presser was canceled after learning of Correa’s physical results. The Giants would not disclose the specifics of why Correa failed his physical but it sure didn’t make a difference to the Mets who grabbed him right away after learning the Giants no longer were interested in his services.

Upon learning the news about the Giants and Correa no longer doing business together many in MLB and those who cover Correa were shocked upon learning the news on Tuesday. Once Mets owner Stephen A Cohen learned of Correa being back on the free agency market it didn’t take long for the Mets to reach out to him with an offer that he quickly agreed to and signed.

The Mets during the Correa sweepstakes weren’t able to sign him because the Giants had upped the offer to $350 million to the Mets $315 million. The Mets kept the number the same but figuring it was known that Correa failed two physicals and the Mets believed in Correa regardless signed him and hope to rehabilitate Correa inspite of his injuries.

Cohen was in Hawaii when the deal went down, “We need one more thing, and this is it,” Cohen said “This was important … This puts us over the top. This is a good team. I hope it’s a good team!” The Mets general manager Billy Eppler meanwhile kept busy and on Tuesday they also signed another big name pitcher Justin Verlander who had just won the 2022 World Series with the Houston Astros.

Eppler who was at the baseball winter meetings earlier this month on Dec 4-7 in San Diego pursued Verlander and with pitcher Max Scherzer in the rotation the Mets have two of the best starters in baseball for the 2023 season.

Michael Duca and Morris Phillips both cover SF Giants baseball for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Carlos Rodón from Giant to Yankee

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Former San Francisco Giant Carlos Rodon will be delivering pitches for the New York Yankees for the next six years for $162 million (AP News file photo)

Carlos Rodón from Giant to Yankee

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

SAN FRANCISCO–The New York Yankees signed Carlos Rodón to a 6-year $162 million contract.

Carlos Rodón had the best year of his career in the 2022 season with the San Francisco Giants, ended with a 14-8 record and 2.88 ERA with 237 struck outs in 178 innings. The lefty born in Miami who has been in the major leagues since 2015 with the Chicago White Sox, and in 2022 with the San Francisco Giants signed a 6-years $162 million deal with the New York Yankees.

Rodón is now second in the Yankee rotation behind Gerrit Cole, who led the major leagues in strikeouts with 257, while Rodón (now his teammate) was #3 in major league in strikeouts with 237.

Giants got the best of Rodón and were lucky the lefty was healthy during the whole season, which in his case was the main reason he got the Yankees to that six year deal. Rodón dealt with shoulder injuries in 2016 and 2021 and in between had Tommy John surgery. And even with his best season in 2022 with the Giants, making 31 starts he averaged just 5 2.3 inning per start, which was his career high.

Many say the Yankees overpaid Rodón, but the same could be said about the Giants for Carlos Correa giving him a 13 year deal for $250 million. We must have in mind Correa played most of his career with the Houston Astros (previous to his one season in 2022 with Minnesota) and with the Astros he was surrounded by some great players like José Altuve, Alex Bregman and Yuliesky Gurriel.

Starting in 2023 we will see if Carlos Correa can become the leader of the Giants. The Giants are still in need of that big slugger, like the one they went after in Aaron Judge.

While the Yankees were able to keep their slugger Aaron Judge and now acquiring left handed pitcher Carlos Rodón, among all these big names some might have forgotten that the Giants a few weeks ago signed Bay Area native outfielder Mitch Haniger, although a few injuries have limited him over the years,

Haniger when healthy was one of the Mariners best hitters for a decent average and good power, having a couple 25+ Home Run seasons including 39 in 2021. As a matter of fact Correa has never hit 39 home runs or driven 100 runs in a single season, something that Mountain View native Haniger has done with the Seattle Mariners in 2021.

The Giants also signed Haniger to a three-year $43.5 million contract on the second day of the 2022 MLB Winter Meetings in San Diego. Haniger’s has an opt-out clause in 2024. That deal, not as big as the Correa’s, could prove to be much productive for the Giants. The one downside to Haniger is that he is prone to injury, but when healthy he is very much underrated and could be a key for the Giants if they want to compete next season.

As far as I am concerned, the Giants are probably to finish again in third place. The San Diego Padres are loaded, with great pitching and one of the best lineups in the game and the LA Dodgers still formidable division winners, and they know how to win.

I am still not totally sold on that the Giants fans are very happy with Correa’s signing, but Giants management had to do something after missing on Aaron Judge they when after the next best option. Nobody in history before has signed an infielder to that type of a contract.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Giants “nervous money” goes to Correa

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Carlos Correa joins the San Francisco Giants on Tue Dec 13, 2022 for 13 years and a deal worth $350 million (photo from ESPN)

Giants “nervous money” goes to Correa

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

SAN FRANCISCO–National baseball reporter Jon Heyman said about the Giants signing Carlos Correa for 13 years and $350 million; “Grossly overpaid, and so not worth it”.

A few weeks ago the Giants told their fans and the whole baseball world they were going after Aaron Judge, the Yankee slugger who established a new home run record in the American League this past season, hitting 62 home runs, that they (Giants) had all the money to make the 6′ 7 Judge a San Francisco Giant.

Among the reporters in San Diego Jon Heyman covering the winter meetings, wrote the news that the Giants had signed Aaron Judge, a few minutes letter he had to apologize as he retracted the so-called breaking news. Judge is the guy the Giants needed, to create that buzz that is not there anymore at Oracle Park, a true slugger with devastating power to all fields.

At the end, Judge decided to stay in the Bronx with the Yankees, the legacy of the most famous franchise in American history. Let’s face it, the Giants haven’t had a good farm system since GM Brian Sabean, so they were desperate to give this no opt-out, full-no trade deal to Carlos Correa, whose agent is Scott Boras, the best there is.

The San Francisco Giants needed a power bat, a hitter with power of around 40 home runs and 100 runs batted in. As good as a shortstop Correa has been, he is not your typical slugger, of that kind. But the Giants had “nervous money” that had to be given to a player in order to try to please their fan base that have been waiting for that home run, that offensive savior since they had Barry Bonds, who retired in 2007 with 762 home runs.

Giants are feeling the pressure and they want to bring another title to San Francisco, especially now when just three blocks away the Warriors play at Chase Center and have become the most successful team in San Francisco. The Giants want to recoup that “mojo” they had when they won three World Series in a six-year span. But this signing might not do it. Carlos Correa is a great defensive shortstop and a very good hitter, but he is no Aaron Judge.

The 13-years $350 million contract is the largest for an infielder in history of baseball. Correa will be 41 years old when he retires. In the history of the game only Los Angeles Angels Mike Trout ($426.5 million) Los Angeles Dodgers Mookie Betts ($365 million) and New York Yankees Aaron Judge ($360 million) have been guaranteed more in a contract.

Giants and the Western Division. The San Diego Padres lineup is indeed a scary one: Manny Machado, Juan Soto, Fernando Tatís Jr. and Xander Bogaerts, not necessarily in that order, but all very productive and dangerous hitters. Tatis Jr. will miss the first 32 games of the 2023 season as he will complete his 80 game suspension from last season when he proved positive for illegal substances. San Diego manager Bob Melvin might be the team to beat in 2023 in the west.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants report: Stripling joins Manaea in the latest of signings

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By Morris Phillips and Michael Duca

Former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Ross Stripling throws against the Philadelphia Phillies in the second inning at Citizen’s Bank Park in Philadelphia on Tue Sep 20, 2022. Stripling joined the Giants signing a two year $25 million deal with a option for 2024 (AP News photo)

SAN FRANCISCO– Not waiting for the end of the year the San Francisco Giants made moves this week on Monday they signed former Oakland A’s left hander Sean Manaea who was anchor in the A’s bullpen when he pitched there. Manaea who signed a $25 million for two years with 2024 being a option year.

Manaea pitched for Oakland from 2016 until the end of the 2021 season. He joined the San Diego Padres soon after his former manager Bob Melvin went to manage in San Diego. Manaea’s 2022 season record 8-9 ERA 4.96. Manaea is being considered for the fourth or fifth spot in the Giants rotation. The Giants despite Manaea’s struggles in San Diego say they like what he brought to the Bay Area when he pitched here and he can adjust and the Giants are confident they can get him back on track.

Ross Stripling signing: On the heels of the Manaea signing the Giants signed right hand pitcher Ross Stripling in a $25 million two year deal. The contract call for an opt out after the first season. If Stripling pitches anything like he did in 2022 the Giants may not even give that opt out even a second thought. With Toronto Blue Jays Stripling went 10-4 with impressive 3.04 ERA in 134 plus innings.

Stripling 33, gets a $5 million signing bonus and will receive a $7 million salary for the 2023 season and Stripling who can reach for the brass ring and get a second year will get $12.5 million for the 2024 season. The Giants are looking to replace an effective pitching staff from the 2021 season in the pitchers of Alex Cobb, Anthony DeSclafani, Alex Wood and the Giants are looking for Alex Wood with Logan Webb, Jakob Junis, and Sean Hjelle to fill that void.

Now with Stripling and Manaea joining the pitching staff they could very well get an effective performance that the Giants have been looking for in their rotation. No doubt about it Stripling and Manaea bring lots of experience to the pitching staff. Manaea had had some arm problems in the past when he pitched in Oakland and was looking forward to working that out when he was in San Diego but will get a chance to work with Giants pitching coach Andrew Bailey.

Michael Duca and Morris Phillips both podcast Giants baseball for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Have A’s really thrown in the towel by dealing Murphy?

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Oakland Athletics catcher Sean Murphy, left, tries to tag Chicago White Sox’s Adam Engel (15), who scored the tying run during the ninth inning at the Oakland Coliseum Sep 9, 2022 (AP file photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary:

#1 Amaury, the recently traded Sean Murphy heads from the Oakland A’s to the Atlanta Braves how much is this a reflection of the A’s pretty much throwing in the towel for the 2023 season?

#2 Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos said that while it’s hard to trade players away this is a great opportunity to get some great defense in a catcher like Murphy.

#3 Amaury, The Milwaukee Brewers are getting All Star catcher William Contreras and the A’s are getting catcher Manny Piña and pitchers Kyle Muller, Freddy Tarnok and Royber Salinas who are prospects from Atlanta and from the Brewers outfield prospect Esteury Ruiz.

#4 Murphy was third ranked amongst catchers only trailing the Phillies J.T. Realmuto and the Baltimore Orioles Adley Rutschman. Murphy hit .250, 134 hits, 18 home runs, and 66 RBIs in 2022. Besides his bat the Braves main reason for Murphy’s acquisition is defensive prowess.

#5 Murphy’s resume is incredible coming to the Braves he won the 2021 Gold Glove Award and was fourth in voting for the AL Rookie of the Year in 2020. The A’s are going to miss Murphy behind the plate and in the clubhouse.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez and Manolo Hernandez Douen are the Oakland A’s Spanish radio play by play announcers on flagship station 1010 LeGrande KIQI San Francisco and Amaury does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com