LEADING OFF: MLB does rain dance, Rays rolling on road
But rain is the forecast for both places Saturday and could make it tough to play the entire series. There's no rush to make up the Mets-Phillies game rained out in Philadelphia because they play each other plenty. ROAD WARRIORSRandy Arozarena and the Tampa Bay Rays try for their eighth consecutive road win when they play at Seattle. Drew Rasmussen (2-1, 3.13 ERA) pitches for Tampa Bay against Marco Gonzales (1-3, 4.05). Correa will be evaluated day to day, and he won’t have to go on the injured list.
wftv.comBraves sign new 1B Olson to $168 million, 8-year contract
Freddie Freeman's tenure with the Atlanta Braves appears to be over after the World Series champions acquired All-Star first baseman Matt Olson from the Oakland Athletics on Monday, March 14, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn, File) (Jed Jacobsohn)ATLANTA — (AP) — One day after cutting ties with Freddie Freeman, the Atlanta Braves signed new first baseman Matt Olson to a $168 million, eight-year contract on Tuesday. Olson was not eligible for free agency until after the 2023 season, but the World Series champions quickly locked down the 27-year-old slugger through at least 2029. Olson will make $15 million this year, $21 million in 2023 and $22 million in each of the following six seasons. I'm here to be Matt Olson.
wftv.comIn hot MLB market, patience takes a backseat to action
(AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn, File) (Jed Jacobsohn)PHOENIX — (AP) — Patience is often rewarded for both free agents and general managers during most Major League Baseball offseasons. The biggest news Monday was when Oakland traded All-Star first baseman Matt Olson to Atlanta in exchange for four players, including promising young outfielder Cristian Pache. Plenty of other teams are getting in on the action over the past few days, preparing for the April 7 opening day. Sometimes there are unfounded rumors and long negotiations as teams and players adopt different strategies and test the market. "I’m really thankful that I’m healthy.
wftv.comTorrens' 2-run single helps Seattle sweep stumbling A's
Mariners Athletics Baseball Seattle Mariners' Abraham Toro, left, celebrates with Kyle Seager after both scored on a two-run single by Luis Torrens during the third inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021. Luis Torrens hit a tiebreaking two-run single, Chris Flexen stayed solid into the seventh inning and Seattle swept a two-game series against the Oakland Athletics with a 5-1 win Tuesday. “Somebody just told me our run differential was minus-nine on this trip but our fun differential was about plus-90,” Servais said, smiling. Mitch Moreland hit an RBI single for Oakland in the first before Jarred Kelenic tied it at 1 with a single of his own in the second. Elvis Andrus hit a two-out double in the seventh and Mark Canha walked to chase Flexen, but Oakland came up empty.
wftv.comSeager brothers go deep, Dodgers rally past Mariners 11-9
It was the 10th time in major league history that opposing brothers both went deep in a game. The teams combined for seven long balls, marking the second straight game there have been seven or more at Chavez Ravine. He had a three-run drive to right field during the second inning that gave Los Angeles a short-lived 6-2 advantage. Los Angeles' Ross Stripling struggled for the second straight outing, allowing three homers and seven runs (six earned) in three innings. Los Angeles RHP Tony Gonsolin (0-0) has not allowed a run over 8 2/3 innings in two previous starts this season.
AP sources: About 10 MLB umpires opt out over virus concerns
(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)About 10 Major League Baseball umpires have opted out this season, choosing not to work games in the shortened schedule because of concerns over the coronavirus. There are 76 full-time MLB umpires and more than 20 of them are age 55 or over. A deal between MLB and its umpires reached during the virus shutdown ensured that if even one regular-season game was played this season, the umps were guaranteed 37.5% of their salaries. Minus 10 or more MLB umpires, many Triple-A umps will work the two-month season. Just as MLB redrew the schedule amid the virus outbreak, umpires are certain to see a shift, too.