Fast Ball Feed

  The Major League Baseball offseason is in full swing as the Winter Meetings approach rapidly. The Oakland A's have surprised many by taking an assertive stance in the free-agent market, despite the prevailing focus on ownership's impending relocation to Las Vegas. Contrary to expectations, the team has yet to demonstrate clear signs of actively seeking additions to their roster. However, on Wednesday, the organization revealed its plans by announcing 22 non-roster invitations to spring training. These invitations extend to players who are not currently part of the 40-man roster. The Oakland A’s announced 22 non-roster invitees to Spring Training today. The list includes 13 players who were in the A’s organization last year and nine players signed to minor league contracts this offseason. The complete list: pic.twitter.com/TyklMTViS8 — Oakland A's Communications (@AthleticsPR) November 29, 2023 Each year, teams bring non-roster players to spring training, which includes...

 Dominican pitcher Luis Severino has reportedly finalized a deal to join the New York Mets, as confirmed by a source familiar with the team. This move puts an end to the ongoing speculation surrounding Severino's future, having spent the past eight years of his career with another New York team. The agreement is set for a single season, with the negotiation amounting to $13 million. This signing marks one of the initial additions made by the Mets' new general manager, David Stearns. Right-hander Luis Severino and the New York Mets are finalizing a one-year, $13 million contract, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN. Severino, 29, will join the Mets and a rotation in significant need of help after spending his eight-year career with the New York Yankees. — Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 29, 2023 Severino has been part of the Yankees since they joined the majors in 2015, amassing a notable record of 57 wins and 37 losses. His standout year was in 2018, where he achieve...

  Former American League Cy Young winner Shane Bieber is approaching the final year of his contract, and the Guardians are exploring potential trade scenarios involving the 28-year-old right-handed pitcher with the Cubs and Reds, according to MLB.com's Jon Morosi. The Cubs have also shown interest in Rays ace Tyler Glasnow. Bieber's 2023 season was considered one of his less impressive performances, primarily due to forearm and elbow issues that limited him to 128 innings. Despite the challenges, he maintained a solid 3.80 ERA when healthy and averaged over six innings per start. However, Bieber's fastball velocity has gradually declined since his 2020 Cy Young win, dropping to an average of 91.6 mph last year—almost three miles per hour slower than in 2020. His strikeout rate also decreased significantly, from 41.1% in 2020 to 20.1% in 2023. While Bieber's walk and ground-ball rates remain strong, his swinging-strike and opponents' chase rates fell below the league...

  According to a recent ESPN article by Alden Gonzalez, there's a plausible scenario in which the two-way standout Shohei Ohtani extends his tenure with the Los Angeles Angels for at least one more season. Gonzalez speculates that Ohtani might consider a contract with multiple opt-out clauses, potentially allowing him to enter free agency again after the 2024 World Series. The Angels are identified as the "most logical fit" if Ohtani's team is genuinely interested in a short-term deal, with Gonzalez emphasizing the importance of comfort in retaining Ohtani, who reportedly enjoys living in Orange County. Despite initial expectations that Ohtani would pursue a lucrative deal with teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers or New York Mets when he announced his intention to explore free agency after the 2023 season, circumstances have changed. Ohtani underwent elbow surgery in September to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament, and he is not anticipated to return to competitiv...

  The New York Yankees are looking to bolster their outfield this offseason, aiming to bounce back from a disappointing 82-win season. With plans to invest significantly, the Yankees are targeting improvements in the middle of the lineup, strengthening the outfield, and enhancing the starting rotation. While the team has been linked to outfielder Cody Bellinger, there's speculation about the potential addition of Colorado Rockies star Charlie Blackmon in free agency, as suggested by SNY's Anthony McCarron. Despite Blackmon's 37 years and the likelihood of him re-signing with the Rockies, his skills as a professional hitter and impressive lefty swing make him an intriguing option. McCarron acknowledged Blackmon's age but highlighted his consistency as a hitter, noting a slash line of .279/.363/.440 in the previous season, which was his 13th in the league. Although Blackmon hasn't reached the home run heights of his 2019 season, where he belted 32 homers, he has maint...

 Pablo Sandoval, a highly accomplished MLB player with three World Series championships, a World Series MVP, and two All-Star appearances, added another milestone to his career on Saturday. He became the first player in the Middle East and South Asian-based Baseball United to hit a six-run home run. During the Baseball United "All-Star Showcase," Sandoval stepped up to the plate with two runners on base and no outs in the top of the fifth inning. The score was tied at two when he connected with a moneyball, a special ball in play during the game. Hitting a home run off a moneyball meant it counted for double the usual points. Sandoval's powerful swing resulted in a historic six-run blast to right-center field. This remarkable six-run homer proved to be the deciding factor in the game, as the "United East" All-Star team, led by Sandoval, defeated "United West" with a final score of 9-5. The victory concluded the two-day showcase event on a high note. No...

 Ron Hodges, a seasoned Major League veteran with a 12-year career, passed away at the age of 74, as announced by the New York Mets. Notably, Hodges dedicated his entire career to the Mets, despite initial attempts by other teams to draft him. Before joining the Mets, Hodges was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the sixth round of the 1970 draft, but he did not sign with them. In 1971, he was drafted by both the Kansas City Royals and Atlanta Braves in January and June, respectively, yet he did not commit to a team until the Mets chose him in the second round of the secondary phase in the January 1972 draft. Hodges quickly ascended to the Major League club, making his debut in June 1973. During his rookie season, Hodges primarily served as the club's backup catcher and a pinch-hitter. He made the postseason roster in 1973 but did not play in the NLCS against the Reds. However, he appeared in Game 1 of the World Series against the A's as a pinch hitter, drawing a walk in his ...

  The New York Yankees are reportedly expressing interest in free-agent outfielder Cody Bellinger, but recent reports suggest they may have reservations about the former MVP. Bellinger experienced a significant resurgence last season after signing a one-year deal with the Chicago Cubs. Posting impressive numbers, he achieved a batting average of .307, along with 29 doubles, 26 home runs, and an .881 OPS. Despite finishing 10th in NL MVP voting and earning a Silver Slugger award, concerns about Bellinger's hard-hit rate have emerged among some Yankees insiders. The worry within the Yankees organization is that Bellinger's high batting average may have been influenced by luck rather than sustained skill, given the correlation between hard-hit balls and a player's ability to consistently produce hits. Bellinger's early career accomplishments include winning the NL Rookie of the Year in 2017 and securing the NL MVP title two years later with the Dodgers. His remarkable perf...