MLB Rumors: Astros, Dusty Baker have some unwanted Chas McCormick drama
Dusty Baker doesn't want to play Chas McCormick regularly in center field for reasons the fanbase doesn't quite understand. Baker is old school, that much is clear, and in his eyes McCormick hasn't earned the right to take everyday reps.
Despite McCormick's statistics rating as better than Julio Rodriguez so far this season, Baker incorrectly compared his center fielder to the Mariners star, suggesting this was why he could not play him quite as often.
"It's easy if you got a Julio Rodríguez, you just put him out in center field," Baker told reporters, per The Athletic.
Against, McCormick spent the majority of this week with an OPS 50 points higher than Rodriguez. This isn't to say that he's a better overall player, but there is surely an argument to be made, at least this season.
"He ain't a big boy yet," Baker continued, digging himself into an even deeper hole. "It's hard to be a big boy right out the gate. What is this, Chas' third or fourth year? The big boys are Altuve, Bregman, Tucker, those are the big boys. The other boys are approaching big boys."
To his credit, McCormick has done a great job taking the criticism in stride. Both Baker and McCormick made it clear his lack of playing time has nothing to do with some extra weight he put on during his time on the injured list. Baker is an old-school manager who likes to play the matchups. That is something McCormick can respect.
"I've been with (Baker) for a couple years now so I know his agenda. I know that he likes to play everyone. Obviously I want to be out there every night. But he does a good job," McCormick said. "I think that's what he goes off, the best matchups and how he sets things up. I haven't really spoken to him. He's the manager. He does what he wants. I don't think I have any right to ask what his deal is. He's been in the league for a while and has a good plan."
McCormick, who has home runs in both the World Series and ALCS on his resume -- one of which came off Gerit Cole -- should receive plenty of looks this postseason.
MLB Rumors: Did the Baltimore Orioles just get even better?
The Baltimore Orioles are closing in on 100 wins and could very well finish the regular season as the No. 1 seed in the American League, clinching homefield in the process. It's been awhile since the O's have been this good, and plenty of fans around baseball will be watching the young Orioles for the first time this October.
Yet, this Baltimore team is not a finished product. The rotation could improve quite a bit in the coming week. Former AL All-Star and ace John Means is expected to rejoin the starting rotation at some point. While Means hasn't pitched at an elite level in quite some time thanks to injury, he's looked good in his rehab starts, and should earn every opportunity to make the postseason roster in some capacity. MASN's Roch Kubatko noted the importance of Means's return:
"Means can be an impactful addition to the pitching staff, and at no cost. Reminds me of former executive Pat Gillick referring to the unexpected signing of veteran starter Aaron Sele by the Mariners in 2000 as "a star falling out of the sky," because the veteran right-hander had an agreement with the Orioles that dissolved due to concerns over his physical. Means is a star who has landed in the Orioles' laps. It's his time to shine."
It's no guarantee that the return of Means goes according to plan, but for a team that is already one of the best in baseball, having too many starting pitchers is a productive problem.
MLB Rumors: What's the latest on Nationals and Stephen Strasburg?
In a recently-deleted tweet by Jim Bowden of The Athletic, Stephen Strasburg and the Nationals had agreed the organization would pay out the remainder of his contract, which is set to run through 2026, despite his looming retirement. Rob Manfred thought that set a bad precedent.
Because Bowden has since deleted that post, it's unclear exactly how true it is, or if Manfred is really the culprit. However, the Nationals rescheduled Strasburg's retirement press conference for now while the two sides hammer out the financial details regarding his retirement. It seems Washington is hoping to avoid being on the hook for the remainder of his deal. As cheap as that may sound, we shouldn't be surprised. This is Mark Lerner, after all.
Strasburg signed a new contract with Washington -- a seven-year, $245 million deal -- after winning a World Series and shutting down the Houston Astros. Since, his career has been derailed by injuries, and he hasn't been the same pitcher. Strasburg's pitching career is over, and his off-field life hasn't been the same, either. His harrowing tale includes the reported inability to pick up his own children without pain.
Hopefully, this situation will resolve itself rather quickly. The longer this goes, the worse it looks for the Nats.
