The Dodgers front office is quite busy during the off-season. The team and 2-time AL MVP Shohei Ohtani agreed to a historic 10-year deal. After signing with Ohtani, the Dodgers didn’t stop. Also, they agreed to a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays. In the trade, the Dodgers sent Ryan Pepiot and Jonny DeLuca to the Rays. At the same time, they acquired Tyler Glasnow, Manuel Margot and cash from the Rays.
The 2023 Topps Heritage high number was released in mid-December 2023. When it was released, I didn’t realize that this product was available. However, on the day of the release, I coincidentally went to a sports card shop. The shop owner told me that the 2023 Topps Heritage high number just arrived, and I could give it a try.
The 2023 Topps Chrome Update was released in mid-November. This product has become popular because many collectors are looking for rookie debut patch autograph baseball cards. Well, those rookie debut patch autographs are one of one. It’s not that easy to find.
For the Dodgers fans, the 2023 season was a disappointing one. However, in the off-season, the Dodgers signed 2-time AL MVP Shohei Ohtani. With Ohtani in the lineup, the Dodgers certainly have one of the best lineups in the majors. Well, Dave Roberts might have to figure out how to construct the lineup. Nonetheless, without many doubts, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani will be the top 3 batters in the lineup.
On December 10, 2023, two-time MVP Shohei Ohtani announced that he decided to join the Los Angeles Dodgers after playing 6 seasons for the Angels. It’s certainly the biggest news in baseball or even in the world of sports. In early December, lots of fans were following the news to see where Shohei Ohtani would eventually go. In the end, Ohtani didn’t go too far. He still stays in Southern California.
In late December, I was just exploring if there’s something interesting on Twitter (X), well, I still call it Twitter. Of course, there were many rumors of trades or free agent signings on Twitter. However, suddenly, a highlight truly drew my attention. It was a highlight of Barry Zito’s curveballs.
Last December, the Boston Red Sox sent outfielder Alex Verdugo to the New York Yankees and acquired Richard Fitts, Nicholas Judice and Greg Weissert from the Yankees. The Red Sox-Yankees rivalry is one of the most famous rivalries in the world of sports. However, these 2 teams would agree to a deal, sometimes. While reading the news that Verdugo was traded to the Yankees, I was just thinking about the trades between the Red Sox and the Yankees.
In early December, the Milwaukee Brewers decided to ink a one-year deal with veteran pitcher Wade Miley. Last season, Miley made 23 starts for the Brewers, posting a 3.14 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP over 120.1 innings. Additionally, opponents batted .223 against him.
Before the 2021 season started, top shortstops Francisco Lindor and Fernando Tatis Jr. each agreed to a contract extension. Lindor and the Mets agreed to a 10-year, $341 million deal. Fernando Tatis Jr. and the Padres decided to ink a 14-year, $ 340 million contract.
In early December, the Atlanta Braves and the Seattle Mariners agreed to a shocking trade. In the trade, the Mariners sent Jarred Kelenic, Marco Gonzales, Evan White and cash considerations to the Braves. At the same time, the Braves sent Cole Phillips and Jackson Kowar to Seattle.
In late November, Kenta Maeda and the Tigers agreed to a 2-year deal. With this new contract, Maeda will stay in the AL Central. Maeda made his MLB debut in 2016 and will turn 36 in April. While reading the news, I’m just wondering if the Tigers made a great decision to sign Kenta Maeda.
In December, Luis Severino decided to stay in New York. However, this time, he’s not wearing pinstripes. The New York Mets and Luis Severino agreed to a 1-year deal. Severino tossed 89.1 innings in 2023, posting a 6.65 ERA and a 1.65 WHIP. Additionally, opponents batted .301 against him. Severino certainly didn’t have a great 2023 season. Hence, I’m just wondering if the Mets really made a good decision on signing him.
The MLB Comeback Player of the Year award debuted in 2005. Since then, we have seen several players who have re-emerged on the field to win the award. In 2023, the NL Comeback Player of the Year award winner is Cody Bellinger. Meanwhile, in the AL, Liam Hendriks won the award.
In late November, Sonny Gray and the St. Louis Cardinals agreed to a 3-year deal. Gray made 32 starts for the Minnesota Twins in 2023, posting a 2.79 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP over 184 innings. Gray was great on the mound last year. He was selected to the All-Star game and finished 2nd in the AL Cy Young voting.
