Bases Covered is a roundup of the most interesting stories in baseball. During the off-season, we take a look at the latest news and rumours around MLB.
Goodbye to Big Papi
Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz has announced that he’ll retire after the 2016 season. So will the 40-year-old embark on a farewell tour in the vein of other recently retired greats? And, more importantly, will Big Papi make the Hall of Fame?
Here’s a wonderful appreciation of Papi: “David Ortiz is a marvel,” writes Grant Brisbee. “He is the human representation of Good-Ass Timing, arriving for the Red Sox after nearly a century of desperately needing him. And considering that baseball is basically an exercise in Good-Ass Timing, Ortiz is basically baseball by extension.”
San Francisco for the long haul
Shortstop Brandon Crawford signed a six-year, $75 million contract extension with the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday. The 29-year-old recently became the first Giant since Barry Bonds to win a Silver Slugger and a Golden Glove in the same season.
Trading Fernandez
Rumours are swirling that the Miami Marlins could be looking to shop their 23-year-old ace, Jose Fernandez. Marlins beat reporter Joe Frisaro, though, tweeted that trade talks aren’t in the works.
Maddon hoping for a big role
Cubs manager Joe Maddon said recently that he’d like to be involved in his team’s off-season acquisitions. “We’re going shopping at Pitchers ‘R Us,” he joked during his appearance on The Spiegel and Goff Show.
The Cubs are looking at adding to the front end of their rotation. Maddon, whose pre-existing relationship with free agent David Price is thought by many to give him a leg-up when it comes to wooing the free agent to sign with his team, said he hadn’t yet tried to talk Price into coming to Chicago.
Dodgers’ quest
The Dodgers’ search for a new manager continues. All indications suggest that Gabe Kapler (a former outfielder and currently the Dodgers’ director of player development) and Dave Roberts (bench coach for the San Diego Padres) are the remaining candidates, according to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick.
