MLB Rumors: Mets could add another top prospect soon
The New York Mets need some offense, and they could make an addition by subtraction. If New York were to call up Ronny Mauricio, previously one of the team’s top shortstop prospects and ranked No. 90 overall by MLB Pipeline, he would play another position.
In the minor leagues, Mauricio has spent the last several games at second base, which could explain where the Mets see him playing once he’s ready to make the jump. Mauricio’s bat is not the problem, as he’s one of the more complete hitters in their system. He’d be an immediate upgrade over some regulars in the Mets lineup.
New York is ranked 17th in baseball in slugging, 19th in home runs, and 17th in ISO. So far in the minors, Mauricio is slashing .321/.363/.585 with six home runs, 16 RBI, 19 runs, and four stolen bases. He’s earned a promotion.
Shortstop is occupied by Francisco Lindor long-term, so a position change has been looming for Mauricio. Second base makes a lot of sense for now. While it’s Jeff McNeil’s primarily position, he also has experience in the outfield. A lineup with Mauricio in it would likely ask McNeil to move to the outfield, so the 22-year-old can take his spot at second base.
MLB Rumors: What to make of Justin Verlander’s return to Detroit?
Six years after trading Justin Verlander to the Houston Astros, and the Tigers are in the same spot, stuck in neutral. Detroit traded away one piece after another, with Chris Ilitch tearing down his father’s empire brick by brick.
It was a sad time to be a Tigers fan. Heck, it still is, albeit with a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Even Verlander admitted that those Detroit teams were the “glory days”, while the reality is far worse. Detroit, like most major-league cities, could have winning baseball if ownership consistently invested in the on-field product. Mike Ilitch proved that prior to his death. His son Chris doesn’t have the same priorities.
Even Verlander saw the looming collapse coming.
“It doesn’t surprise me,” Verlander said. “Everybody kind of saw it coming as pieces started to be traded away.”
JV has long rooted for the Tigers after they dealt him elsewhere. He’s as beloved as they come in MoTown, and while Comerica Park is often empty these days when the Tigers play baseball, perhaps there is hope for a decent crowd when he and Max Scherzer — another former All-Star in Detroit — face their former team this series.
“I’m always rooting for the best for the organization,” Verlander said. “It seems like they’re bringing in some pieces to start turning things around.”
Hopefully, Verlander’s optimism is the reality. A new general manager, Scott Harris, has a vision for this organization. Should it come to a reality and mirror the San Francisco Giants — Harris former employer — it will be a rousing success.
But I know better than to buy false hope just yet.
MLB Rumors: Could the Cubs extend Cody Bellinger already?
If Cody Bellinger continues to hit like this, he could be one of the best free agents on the market next offseason.
Bellinger signed a one-year contract with the Cubs this winter with a mutual option for another season. In order for that option to kick in, both parties must agree to it. Belliinger is slashing .303/.377/.596 with seven home runs in 26 games. If he keeps hitting like this, odds are he will exercise an opt out, as the extra year is worth just $12 million and he could earn far more on the open market.
Chicago took a flyer on Bellinger, which looks like a great move now. If they can get Bellinger’s agent to the negotiating table early, perhaps they can sign him to an extension, rather than leave things to chance this offseason.
Of course, there is always the risk that Bellinger regresses to the mean. The thought of extending him now is that the Cubs have that bargaining chip, whereas if they wait, they provide Bellinger’s team with more ammo to use, which will likely lead to a far larger contract number.
It’s a dilemma, and a good one to have at that. Neither the Cubs nor baseball pundits expected this kind of output from the former Dodgers star right away.
“Every day is a grind just because the game is so hard,” Bellinger said. “Just wake up and prepare the best I can and get my body in position to help this team win.”
Whatever Bellinger is doing is working. Every home run helps his team win, and increases his overall value.