Diamondbacks News
Mitch Bratt, Kohl Drake of Merrill Kelly trade make Diamondbacks spring debuts by Alex Weiner [Arizona Sports]
The D-backs received strong value from trading Kelly on an expiring deal to the Texas Rangers for Bratt, Drake and David Hagaman, who are considered three of Arizona’s better pitching prospects, paired with Kelly’s eventual return as a free agent.
That set up the unique dynamic of having players just traded for each other in the same clubhouse, youngsters with a veteran to look up to.
“When I introduced myself, I made sure to tell him I got traded for him,” Bratt said. “He thought that was pretty cool, too. But he’s been another guy who’s been awesome to talk to and pick his brain.”
2 Key D-backs Hitters Deliver Statement Blasts in Loss to Guardians by Alex D’Agostino [SI]
Lawlar is now 4-for-6 with a walk on the young Cactus League season, with both home runs coming against off-speed pitches from right-handers — a genre of offering he direly needed to punish more this season.
So far, he appears to be transitioning well to his new outfield role, and the bat is beginning to show flashes of the No. 1 prospect he once was for Arizona.
“We want him to continue to control the zone, have good plate coverage, have awareness on the outer half, check off of spin that isn’t there. We’ve seen that in spurts at different times, and we know what he’s capable of doing,” Lovullo said of Lawlar after his first spring homer.
Torey Lovullo discusses health of Opening Day pitcher Merrill Kelly by José M. Romero [AZ Central]
Around the League
Tigers’ Tarik Skubal says he’ll make one start for U.S. in WBC [ESPN]
“I’m trying to do both things — trying to pitch for Team USA, but I understand the need to be here with these guys [Tigers] and get ready for the season,” Skubal told reporters at spring training in Florida. “I think it’s kind of the best of both worlds in that aspect, and I’m grateful they took me in that capacity.”
Skubal hinted that he’d be making his lone start in pool play, which begins for Team USA at Daikin Park in Houston with games against Brazil (March 6), Great Britain (March 7), Mexico (March 9) and Italy (March 10).
If the U.S. advances to the WBC finals on March 17 in Miami, Skubal told reporters that he’d lobby to rejoin the team — but only as a spectator.
“If they go to the finals, I think I’m going to try and lobby to just go watch and be with the guys,” Skubal told reporters.
Soto determined to snatch MVP from Shohei: ‘I’ve got to find a way to beat him’ by Bryan Hoch [MLB]
Soto’s highest career MVP placement came in 2021, when he finished second to Bryce Harper in the NL while Ohtani won the American League award. Since Ohtani moved to the NL two seasons ago, he has won the MVP both years. Soto finished third in each of those seasons — once in the AL, once in the NL.
Now, he and Ohtani are concurrently under guaranteed contract as NL players through 2033. If Soto wants to add an MVP to his resume anytime soon, he’s going to have to find a way around the Dodgers’ two-way phenomenon, who figures to remain an annual MVP threat.
“I’m going to be there every year, too,” Soto said in response to that notion. “So he better keep doing what he’s doing, because I’m coming.”
The Defense Rests: A Tribute to Bill Mazeroski (1936-2026) by Jay Jaffe [FanGraphs]
In the 121-year history of the modern World Series, just once has a player hit a walk-off home run in the seventh and deciding game. In the finale of the 1960 World Series, Bill Mazeroski, the light-hitting second baseman for the Pirates, connected for a solo homer off the Yankees’ Ralph Terry, driving the ball over the brick left field wall of Pittsburgh’s Forbes Field to deliver a shocking upset and produce one of the most indelible moments in baseball history. While it wasn’t entirely out of character — Mazeroski had already homered once in that World Series and would hit 138 regular season home runs for his career — the 24-year-old second baseman rode the notoriety of that conclusive blast right into Cooperstown. A well-decorated fielding whiz who never managed a league-average season at the plate, he was elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 2001, and a quarter-century later remains a controversial choice.
Mariners Were Reluctant to Discuss Cole Young in Ketel Marte Talks by Anthony Franco [MLB Trade Rumors]
Among players who were not traded this offseason, few found themselves in more rumors than Ketel Marte. Arizona general manager Mike Hazen maintained throughout the winter that a trade was unlikely and said last month that talks never got close to a deal. Nevertheless, the D-Backs took calls from various teams who had interest in their star second baseman.
The Mariners were among the clubs that checked in as they pursued a high-impact infielder. Seattle surely had some interest in Marte, who began his career in the organization before being traded to Arizona over the 2016-17 offseason. Adam Jude of The Seattle Times reports that conversations about bringing Marte back to the Pacific Northwest didn’t progress far. According to Jude, that’s at least in part because the M’s balked at including second-year infielder Cole Young in a deal.
Kyle Tucker Makes Feelings Clear on Signing with Dodgers by Eduardo Razo [Heavy]
Nonetheless, joining a team coming off back-to-back World Series titles rubbed people the wrong way, as Los Angeles continues to be a top destination for free agents looking to win.
As Tucker heads into Year 1 with the Dodgers, the outfielder spoke with MLB Network on Feb. 23 and shared the reasons he chose Los Angeles.
“This is just an organization that I thought was first class from the top down,” Tucker said. “Really good players and a really great fan base. Everyone, from the front office and the coaching staff to the guys that we see in the locker room every day, is committed to winning. So, just taking all that into account, this is just a place that I want to be a part of.”