September is here in significant league baseball. Contenders start to separate themselves, and teams begin to fade out. Here are the 10 best news in the MLB this week
NL Central shortstop moved to outfield amid struggling defensive season
While it came as a surprise to many, it was evident that the time for Oneil Cruz to last at the shortstop position was going to be short. The Pirates announced early in the week that Cruz will transition full-time to center field for the remainder of the season. Cruz has been at the top of the league in errors this season, posting 24 in his time as the Pirates shortstop, which ranks second in the league. Isiah Kiner-Falefa is expected to become the new full-time Pirates shortstop for the remainder of the season. Cruz will use the rest of the season to learn the basics of the center field position, as the Pirates have not found a consistent one this year thus far.
MLB agent called out by ace pitcher for debacle of free agency
Undoubtedly, Scott Boras' clients did not have a good offseason last year. From pitchers like Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery not getting long-term contracts to hitters like Cody Bellinger and Matt Chapman re-signing at shorter deals than expected, it was not a good offseason for Boras. Montgomery, one of the players who signed a short-term contract in Arizona, who seemed frustrated by Boras, has fired him as his agent in hopes of gaining this free agency long-term deal. Montgomery displayed his frustrations with the longtime MLB agent, stating, "I don't know, obviously Boras kind of butchered it, so I'm just trying to move on from the offseason and try to forget it."
Padres pick up catcher amid roster shuffling
Eliaz Diaz was one of the few surprises put on waivers this year. The Colorado Rockies chose not to trade him at the deadline this year, only to put him on waivers a month later. Diaz has been picked up by the San Diego Padres and is expected to become a contributor to a team in a playoff push. Diaz had a recent slump at the plate after a strong start, but it is a good depth for a team that does not have a proper answer to who the catcher is come playoff time.
Yankees free agent expected to get north of $500 million in free agency
Juan Soto has declined crazy contracts before. In 2022, he refused a 15-year, $440 million contract from the Washington Nationals. It surprised many then, but the gamble paid off big time for Soto, and executives expect him to get a contract well over $500 million. Soto was traded to the Yankees in the offseason, and he has excelled in New York for his lone season for the Pinstripes, hitting .291 with 37 home runs and a 1.004 OPS. Many teams will want Soto in the offseason, and he will have the choice of who he wants to play for.
Houston signs veteran outfielder
Roster reasons are why Jason Heyward was looking for a new team. With the Dodgers finally becoming healthy and reinforcements on the way, Heyward had no role in Los Angeles. The 35-year-old outfielder has signed with the Houston Astros for the remainder of the season. This is an outstanding pickup from Houston, as it gives them another veteran option in the outfield and a good bench piece to work with in October. Limited by injuries this season, Heyward has hit .207 with a .677 OPS.
Reds call up top pitching prospect
The Rhett Lowder era is officially here for the Cincinnati Reds. Lowder debuted on Friday against the Milwaukee Brewers, going four innings, allowing two hits and only one run. Lowder was the seventh overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft, quickly worked through the minors, and is expected to be a significant addition to an already good pitching staff. Lowder joins the NL Central, whose young pitching has been great this season. Paul Skenes looks like a future ace, and Shoto Imanaga has been dominant thus far for the Cubs. The former Wake Forest product will join a 65-73 Cincinnati Reds team well out of the playoff picture.
Legendary manager's son makes MLB debut and gets first hit
Darren Baker has come a long way from the 2002 World Series. Baker was famous as the bat boy on that team, and he was in a renowned situation where he went to retrieve the bat while the play was still going on. Fast forward 22 years later, and Darren Baker is now playing in the big leagues. He was called to the Washington Nationals on Sunday and debuted on the same day. He recorded his first hit of his MLB career, lining a single in the ninth inning of a 14-1 loss to the Chicago Cubs. Dad and former MLB manager Dusty Baker was in the crowd to see his son get his first hit.
Cardinals release veteran outfielder
Tommy Pham's stint with the St. Louis Cardinals is over. Pham was acquired at the trade deadline but could never find his groove at the plate. In his stint with St. Louis, he hit .206 with a .653 OPS. Pham was signed by the Kansas City Royals in the hope of reviving his bat and making a playoff push for the Royals. Pham was a big part of the Arizona Diamondbacks World Series run last year, and Kansas City hopes they can get that same production this year.
Yankees activate first baseman from 60-day IL
Anthony Rizzo is officially back. The Yankees reinstated Rizzo from the injured list on Sunday. Rizzo was put into action right away against the St. Louis Cardinals, hitting seventh and going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI in the 14-7 loss over St. Louis. Rizzo suffered a right forearm fracture back in June, and it was a slow-moving recovery for him to get back healthy. Rizzo joins a Yankee team that will be playing in October but still has glaring needs. Rizzo will give New York a true first baseman for the remainder of the season.
Padres outfielder making rookie of the year decision in the NL interesting
Jackson Merrill or Skenes? There has been the argument last month's argument that one of these superstars will win the NL Rookie of the Year. Skenes got off to a rapid start but has cooled down in the last month. On the other hand, Merrill has just been getting better and better as the season progresses. Merrill is hitting .289 this season with 21 home runs and a .813 OPS. Merrill has been critical to the Padres' success the past couple of months, as he has been one of the better hitters on the team for San Diego. The Rookie of the Year race will most likely come down to the month of September. If Merrill keeps hitting like he is, there's no doubt he should win the NL Rookie of the Year.
White Sox 14 more games from history
The Chicago White Sox are 14 games away from breaking Major League baseball history. With 24 games remaining, the White Sox are expected to break the record for most losses in MLB history, recently held by the expansion Mets. The White Sox were swept by the Mets this weekend and maintain a 31-107 record this season, a franchise record for most losses. They have lost 40 of their past 44 games and will likely break the record for most losses. The number is only 14, and then the expansion Mets can take a deep breath.
Team of the Week
NL: Chicago Cubs
The Cubs are playing their best baseball of the season as of late. Going 5-1 this week with a sweep over the Pirates, the Cubs are now only 3.5 GB of the wild card. Could Chicago pull some magic together in the final month of the season?
AL: Detroit Tigers
The Tigers continue to play good baseball. With a 5-2 record and series wins over the Angels and the Red Sox, they continue to win with less this season. Detroit is five games back of a wild card spot.
Player of the Week
NL: Paul Goldschmidt
Paul Goldschmidt has looked like his former self this past week. Goldschmidt is hitting a ridiculous .556 with five home runs and a 1.500 OPS in just 27 at-bats. Goldschmidt is looking like his former MVP self.
AL: Lawrence Butler
Has anyone else had a more surprising year than Lawrence Butler? Not only has he had a great year overall, but his past week was unlike any other. In 28 at-bats, Butler hit at a .500 average, six home runs, and a 1.767 OPS.
HN's NFL Power Rankings: Week 16
