November 29, 2021
1. Max Scherzer signs with the Mets
Three years, $130 million. Thirty-seven years old, three Cy Young awards, two no-hitters and a World Series title.
And so, the mess of an offseason that was the last month for the Mets has now turned around — and with Jacob deGrom presumably able to pitch next season, so too has the entire N.L. East projection for 2022.
2. And the Mets supplement the Scherzer signing with a huge Black Friday weekend
Mark Canha. Starling Marte. Eduardo Escobar. And maybe, just maybe (barring an always-possible “LOLMets” turn of events), they’re back into contention.
3. Robbie Ray signs with the Mariners (3:20 ET today)
The news just came out minutes ago, and so the Blue Jays lose their Cy Young winning pitcher just a day after signing Kevin Gausman to a giant five-year deal.
And so, Robbie Ray heads to Seattle. Five years, $115 million.
And it might not stop there, for the Mariners.
4. The other big signings from over the weekend
The stove was red hot from almost the moment Thanksgiving ended — and here were the highlights from around the league in case you missed them:
5. And some of the smaller-name deals, from the hot stove
In case you missed any of the news:
6. The reason for the sudden flurry of signings: The impending expiration of MLB’s collective bargaining agreement
Let us pray, fellow baseball fans, that this all gets worked out.
7. The Rangers are making a big push for Corey Seager
As of this afternoon, here’s the report:
8. The Tokyo Yakult Swallows win the Japan Series
Three games to two, over the Orix Buffaloes (Adam Jones’ team). And after the win, they threw manager Shingo Takatsu up in the air, many times.
Remember him and his “frisbee” pitch on the ’05 White Sox?
9. Wander Franco officially signs his mega-deal
A Ray for life.
10. An view into Shohei Ohtani’s offseason in Japan
The man may never get a chance to rest.
11. The stat of the day: Scherzer’s salary vs. The Guardians’ entire payroll
The Cleveland Guardians of the Spending-Money.
12. Randy Arozarena’s brother started at goalkeeper in the USL Championship last night
Just a mile or two away from The Trop, in downtown St. Petersburg, and the Tampa Bay Rowdies lost in the final at home — at a site where Stan Musial, Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth and many others played for years in spring training.
13. Alex Rodriguez went to the Michigan vs. Ohio State game
And wrote a very long tweet about it.
14. An update on Max Muncy’s injury
And he revealed that it was a torn UCL, from the collision that happened that final week of the regular season.
15. Here’s what ice skating at Dodger Stadium looks like
And Santa.
16. And lastly, happy birthday to the great Vin Scully
