Spring training is just around the corner, with pitchers and catchers heading to camp in less than a month. Baseball fans won’t have to wait much longer for their first taste of action in 2024.
The Cubs and Dodgers will kick things off early with a special series in Japan, though the official Opening Day is set for March 27.
The Toronto Blue Jays made an interesting move Friday, picking up outfielder Myles Straw from Cleveland along with about $2 million in international bonus money and some cash. They’re giving up either a player to be named later or cash in return.
Straw’s an interesting case. He’s won a Gold Glove in center field, but his bat has been pretty quiet lately – he hit just .229 over the past three seasons with Cleveland. He’s not cheap either, with at least $15.25 million coming his way over the next two years.
The Blue Jays haven’t said if they’ll keep Straw on the roster or if this was mainly about getting that international bonus money.
Speaking of international moves, the San Diego Padres just signed 17-year-old lefty Carlos Alvarez. That’s got people talking because the Padres are supposedly in the running for Japanese star Roki Sasaki, along with the Dodgers and Blue Jays.
Here’s why this matters: Most teams chasing Sasaki have been holding onto their international money. The Dodgers even let some other prospects sign elsewhere while they wait for Sasaki’s decision. So the Padres spending money now might hint at where things stand with Sasaki.
Alvarez isn’t just some throw-in signing though. MLB.com ranks him as the 39th best international prospect this year. He’s already throwing in the low 90s with a nice slider and changeup – pretty impressive for a teenager.
The young pitcher’s got the kind of raw talent that makes scouts sit up and take notice, even if he’s still got plenty of developing to do.
