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Left-hander James Paxton and the Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to an $11 million, one-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. Paxton can earn up to $13 million if he is healthy during the early part of the season and starts at least 20 games. Paxton can earn $1 million in performance bonuses for starts: $250,000 each for 16 and 18, and $500,000 for 20. A 35-year-old left-hander, Paxton was 7-5 with a 4.50 ERA last year in his only season with the Boston Red Sox. He signed a $10 million, two-year contract with Boston and returned to make seven minor league appearances late in the 2022 season.

Persons: James Paxton, Paxton, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Walker Buehler, Tommy John, Bobby Miller, Emmet Sheehan, spender, Shohei Ohtani, Yamamoto, Teoscar Hernández, didn't, ___ Organizations: Los Angeles Dodgers, Associated Press, Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, Seattle, Boston, New York Yankees Locations: Los Angeles, Boston

☆ Shohei Ohtani's $700 million contract sparks concern about taxes on deferred income for high earners
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-09 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Japanese baseball player Shohei Ohtani attends a press conference on his presentation after signing a 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on Dec. 14, 2023. Roughly a month after Shohei Ohtani signed a $700 million contract with Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers, California's controller is calling for "immediate and decisive action" from Congress to limit deferred income for higher earners. The Japanese pitcher's record-breaking deal defers $680 million for 10 years and has raised questions about future state taxability — especially if Ohtani eventually leaves California. Deferring $68 million annually for 10 years could save Ohtani $98 million over the life of his contract, according to an estimate from the California Center for Jobs and the Economy. However, the estimate uses several assumptions, and the exact terms of Ohtani's contract are unknown.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, Ohtani, Malia Cohen, Jan Organizations: Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodgers, Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers, Finance, California Center, Jobs Locations: Los Angeles , California, California

☆ Shohei Ohtani’s $700M Dodgers contract is huge — but its actual value is much lower
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-15 | by ( David K. Li | Kate Dore | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Japanese baseball player Shohei Ohtani attends a press conference on his presentation after signing a 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on Dec. 14, 2023. At first glance, Shohei Ohtani's $700 million, 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers is nothing short of a Ruthian blockbuster, topping all other free agent pacts. The deal was originally reported as a $700 million, 10-year deal, which drastically tops all previous MLB contracts in terms of total compensation and average annual value. And on the other side of the spectrum, annual inflation was consistently less than 2% for much of the 2010s. For him, the decision to sign the deal with the Dodgers had more to do with earning things on the field than off.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, Colin Gerrety, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Chavez, we've, Christopher Woods, Woods, he's, It's, I'm, Ohtani, David K, Li Organizations: Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodgers, NBC, Wealth, Los Angeles Angels, MLB, The Dodgers, Star, Silvis, Labor Department, Federal Reserve Locations: Los Angeles , California, Vienna , Virginia, Charlotte , North Carolina, L.A

☆ Shohei Ohtani — deferring $680 million of his contract for 10 years — may face some financial risks, advisors say
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-14 | by ( Kate Dore | Cfp | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Shohei Ohtani, formerly of the Los Angeles Angels, pitches during a game in Anaheim, California, on July 6, 2021. Shohei Ohtani made history this week with a 10-year, $700 million contract to play for Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers. The Japanese superstar will receive $2 million per year over the 10-year agreement, which defers $68 million annually. But Ohtani will receive the bulk of his contract, $680 million in payments, between 2034 and 2043, without interest. For 2024, California's top tax rate climbs to 14.4%, which includes a 1.1% payroll tax on all income.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, Ohtani, Bobby Bonilla, Ken Griffey, Eric Bronnenkant, Bronnenkant Organizations: Los Angeles Angels, Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB, Finance Locations: Anaheim , California, California

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels will not trade three-time AL MVP Mike Trout, general manager Perry Minasian confirmed at MLB's winter meetings on Tuesday. “Mike Trout will not be getting traded, 100%,” Minasian told MLB.com and other outlets. Trout is under contract through 2030, and he makes $35.45 million annually with a full no-trade clause. Ohtani met with the Dodgers in the past few days, their general manager, Dave Roberts, said Tuesday. The Angels will play next year under new manager Ron Washington, who said last month that Trout and Anthony Rendon are key leaders and players for the club.

Persons: Mike Trout, Perry Minasian, Minasian, Arte Moreno's, ” Minasian, Trout, —, ” Trout, Shohei Ohtani, Ohtani, Dave Roberts, Ron Washington, Anthony Rendon, Rendon, ___ Organizations: Los Angeles Angels, Angels, Dodgers, Los Angeles Locations: Tenn, Anaheim, Los Angeles, Los

After saying he had not met with Ohtani, Counsell was asked whether anyone in the Cubs front office had. Counsell replied: “I have not.”Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, another prized free agent, could be sought by the New York Yankees and Mets, who set payroll records this year in their third season under owner Steve Cohen. The Mets' projected final 2023 payroll is about $346 million and their luxury tax roughly $102 million. Political Cartoons View All 1283 Images“I don’t know if anybody can compete with Steve Cohen,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. He's had a lot of success and built an empire which has allowed him to do things like the Mets.

Persons: — Dave Roberts, Shohei, Roberts, Bob Fosse, Ross Atkins, I’m, Craig Counsell, Ohtani, Counsell, “, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Steve Cohen, ”, Brian Cashman, He's, ” Cashman, Juan Soto, Preller, Mike Shildt, Cashman, Alex Verdugo, Greg Weissert, Chris Devenski, Erick Fedde, he’s, Yamamoto, AP Sports Writers Teresa Walker, Jay Cohen, ___ Organizations: Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto, ” New Chicago Cubs, Cubs, New York Yankees, Mets, ” Yankees, Padres, New Padres, Soto, Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Tampa, NC Dinos, Chicago White Sox, Associated Press, Cleveland, MLB, Dodger, Dodgers, Orix Buffaloes, Lotte Marines, AP Sports Writers Locations: Tenn, ”, San Diego, Miami, South Korea, Japan

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani met with the Los Angeles Dodgers a few days ago at Dodger Stadium, manager Dave Roberts revealed Tuesday at the winter meetings. Ohtani, a unique two-way star, is expected to command a record contract of $500 million-plus on the free agent market. “We want to respect Shohei’s wishes as far as being private,” Roberts said, "but obviously people talk. I like to be honest and so we met with Shohei and we talked and I think it went well. I think it went well, but at the end of the day, he's going to do what's best for himself, where he feels most comfortable.”___

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, Dave Roberts, ” Roberts, Shohei’s, Roberts, “, ”, Shohei Organizations: Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodger Locations: Tenn

Big-name free agents appear in no hurry to strike deals at the winter meetings, biding time until Shohei Ohtani potentially breaks the record for richest contract set 4 1/2 years ago by Mike Trout. “It's probably a little slower from a conversation standpoint at a winter meetings than it normally would,” New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns said Monday. Behind Ohtani in the hitters free-agent pecking order are Cody Bellinger and Matt Chapman, both represented by the sport's biggest agent, Scott Boras. Among starting pitchers, the market includes Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery, also represented by Boras. “He’s going to make other pitchers better.”___AP Sports Writer Teresa M. Walker contributed to this report.

Persons: ., Shohei, Mike Trout, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, “ It's, ”, David Stearns, hasn't, ” Ohtani, Nez, Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman, Scott Boras, Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery, Farhan Zaidi, “, Ross Atkins, Atkins, San Diego, Juan Soto, Jarred Kelenic, Marco Gonzales, Evan White, Cole Phillips, Jackson Kowar, Gonzales, White, Eugenio Suárez, Carlos Vargas, Seby Zavala, Scott Servais, “ That’s, Jackson Chourio, “ There’s, I’m, ” Chourio, Milwaukee, Wade Miley, Pat Murphy, “ He’s, Teresa M, Walker, ___ Organizations: ” New York Mets, Los Angeles Angels, Creative Artists Agency, Gaylord, Convention, Boras, San Francisco Giants, CBA, Blue Jays, San, Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners, Atlanta, Seattle, ” Mariners, Brewers Locations: Tenn, Nez Balelo, ” Toronto, Nashville, Seattle, Arizona, Milwaukee

☆ Yoshinobu Yamamoto: Japan’s pitching sensation is set to become MLB’s next star
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Watch out baseball fans; Japan’s next big star looks to be on the move. Pitching sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto is set to make a high-profile switch to Major League Baseball (MLB) during the offseason, after he was posted as a free agent by Japan’s Orix Buffaloes on Monday. The 25-year-old is expected to attract the attention of the league’s biggest franchises and could receive a highly-lucrative contract worth around $200m, per Reuters. Yamamoto has certainly impressed during the early part of his career, being awarded the Eiji Sawamura Award – given to the top starting pitcher in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) – on three occasions. Yamamoto is set to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Ichiro Suzuki, Hideki Matsui and current star Shohei Ohtani who have made the switch from Japan to the MLB.

Persons: Japan’s, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Yamamoto, Eiji Sawamura, –, Ichiro Suzuki, Hideki Matsui, Shohei Ohtani Organizations: CNN, Major League Baseball, Japan’s Orix Buffaloes, Reuters, Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, Triple Crown –, NPB’s Pacific League, Tokyo, The Athletic, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, LA Dodgers, MLB Locations: Japan

Aaron Nola is returning to the Philadelphia Phillies on a seven-year deal, according to a person familiar with the agreement. The 30-year-old Nola was a first-round draft pick by the Phillies in 2014, debuted with Philadelphia the next year and has been there his entire career. Nola helped Philadelphia secure an NL wild card in 2023, and then went 3-1 with a 2.35 ERA in four playoff starts. Nola made five postseason starts when Philadelphia made it to the 2022 World Series before losing to Houston. Nola is 90-71 with a 3.72 ERA in 235 career starts over nine seasons — all with Philadelphia.

Persons: Aaron Nola, Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Sonny Gray, Jordan Montgomery, Eduardo Rodriguez, Nola, He's, ___ Organizations: Philadelphia Phillies, Associated Press, ESPN, Phillies, Philadelphia, NL, Arizona, Houston, LSU Locations: Philadelphia, Baton Rouge , Louisiana

He was a unanimous MVP in 2021 and finished second to the Yankees' Aaron Judge in voting last year. This was just the 20th unanimous MVP vote since the award was established in 1931. Corey Seager was second with 24 second--place votes and 264 points, and Texas teammate Marcus Semien was third with five second-place votes and 216 points. Ohtani last spoke with reporters on Aug. 9, two weeks before he hurt the elbow while pitching against Cincinnati. Ohtani won AL Rookie of the Year in 2018 after leaving the Pacific League’s Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters to sign with the Angels.

Persons: Ohtani, Aaron Judge, Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Babe Ruth, Ruth batted, Atlanta's Ronald Acuña Jr, Tommy John, Nez Balelo, ___ Organizations: American League, Los Angeles Angels, Baseball Writers ’ Association of America, Yankees, Rangers, AL, Boston, Ohtani, Baseball, Cincinnati, Pacific, Ham Fighters, Angels, Pacific League's Locations: Texas, Hokkaido Nippon

☆ Shohei Ohtani and Ronald Acuña Jr. named unanimous MLB MVPs
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Homero De La Fuente | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Ohtani becomes the first player ever to be named unanimous American League MVP twice and joins Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera as the only foreign-born players to win the award multiple times. Earning a total of 420 points, Ohtani beat out Texas Rangers teammates Corey Seager with 264 points and Marcus Semien with 216 points. Additionally, Acuña led the majors with 149 runs, 217 hits, an on-base percentage of .416) and a 1.012 OPS. “I feel really happy and privileged to be here with my family,” Acuña said in Spanish on MLB Network, surrounded by friends and family. Prior to Thursday, there had never been two unanimous MVPs announced by the writers’ association in the same season, dating back to 1931.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, Ronald Acuña Jr, Ohtani, Albert Pujols, Miguel Cabrera, Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Aaron, Judge, ” Ohtani, Seager, congrats, Acuña, ” Acuña, ”, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, MVPs Organizations: CNN, Atlanta Braves, Baseball Writers ’ Association of America, American League, Texas Rangers, MLB Network, Los Angeles Angels, Angels, New York, NL, Los Angeles Dodgers Locations: Spanish, Venezuela, Latin America

☆ Ohtani wins second American League MVP award in unanimous vote
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aug 30, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) hits an RBI single against the Philadelphia Phillies in the fifth inning at Citizens Bank Park. He is the first player to win the MVP Award unanimously more than once, having also done so in 2021. Ohtani finished second in voting last year behind New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge . "Obviously I wanted to win last year but Judge had a spectacular season and, deservedly so, he won it. So I wanted to come back stronger and try to win this year," Ohtani said via an interpreter.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, Kyle Ross, Ohtani, Corey Seager, Marcus Semien, Babe Ruth, Aaron Judge, Judge, Ohtani's, Ronald Acuna, Acuna, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Amy Tennery, Frank Pingue Organizations: Los Angeles Angels, Philadelphia Phillies, Bank, USA, Major League Baseball, American League, Writers ' Association of America, Texas Rangers, MLB, New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodgers, Braves, Thomson Locations: Philadelphia , Pennsylvania, USA, Venezuelan, New York

NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani was among seven players who turned down $20,325,000 qualifying offers from their former teams Tuesday and remained on free agent market to pursue more lucrative contracts. In addition to Ohtani saying no to the Los Angeles Angels, others who declined to accept were outfielder Cody Bellinger (Chicago Cubs), pitchers Josh Hader and Blake Snell (San Diego), Aaron Nola (Philadelphia), Sonny Gray (Minnesota) and third baseman Matt Chapman (Toronto). A team signing the player could lose one or two draft picks. Qualifying offers began after the 2012 season, and only 10 of 131 offers have been accepted. Ohtani heads a free agent class that also includes starting pitchers Eduardo Rodriguez and Jordan Montgomery, along with Nola, Snell, Gray and Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who is not attached to draft-pick compensation.

Persons: Ohtani, Cody Bellinger, Josh Hader, Blake Snell, Aaron Nola, Sonny Gray, Matt Chapman, Eduardo Rodriguez, Jordan Montgomery, Snell, Gray, Yoshinobu Yamamoto Organizations: Los Angeles Angels, Chicago Cubs, Qualifying Locations: San Diego, Philadelphia, Minnesota, Toronto, Nola

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Two-way star and coveted free agent Shohei Ohtani is donating about 60,000 baseball gloves to Japanese elementary schools. Ohtani, a free agent who has spent the past six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, announced Wednesday on Instagram that he's donating the youth gloves to schools throughout Japan. “I’m happy to announce that I will be donating approximately 60,000 youth gloves to every elementary school in Japan,” Ohtani said. “That comes out to around 20,000 elementary schools. I’m hoping the kids can spend their days happily with a lot of energy through baseball.”The gloves Ohtani is donating are from New Balance, one of his corporate partners.

Persons: Shohei, “, ” Ohtani, Tommy John Organizations: Los Angeles Angels, I’m Locations: ANAHEIM, Calif, Japan

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — The race to add two-way baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani in a blockbuster free agency deal is off to a clandestine start. “Special player, that’s all I’ll say,” said Chris Young, general manager of the World Series champion Texas Rangers. “We may ask some questions, but I can’t tell you we’re diving all in,” Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown said. Privately, they're surely discussing the developing Ohtani sweepstakes, which could cost the winning team upward of $500 million. “You have to have Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, Plan D, so on and so forth.

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, ”, Chris Young, “ We’re, Brian Cashman, “, Dana Brown, they're, “ There's, Perry Minasian, We've, Tommy John, Nathan Eovaldi, Jameson Taillon, Daniel Hudson, Jason Isringhausen, Walker Buehler —, TJ, —, Ohtani, He’s, There’s, he’s, Brown, ” Ohtani, Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman, Tim Anderson, Aaron Nola, Sonny Gray, Jordan Montgomery, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Mike Trout, ” Minasian, We're, Ichiro Suzuki, Seattle GM Jerry Dipoto, ” Dipoto Organizations: Texas Rangers, New York Yankees, ” Houston Astros, Major League Baseball, Privately, Los Angeles Angels, ” Angels, He’s, MLB, Current Dodgers, Astros GM, Cubs, Former Angels, Seattle Mariners, Seattle GM, Mariners Locations: SCOTTSDALE, Ariz, Scottsdale, ”, Arizona

NEW YORK (AP) — Two-way star Shohei Ohtani was among seven players who received $20,325,000 qualifying offers from their former teams Monday as the free agent market opened for 168 players. In a sign of the relative weakness of the free agent class, half as many players received qualifying offers as last year. Qualifying offers began after the 2012 season, and 10 of 124 offers have been accepted. The Braves declined options on outfielder Eddie Rosario ($9 million) and right-handers Collin McHugh ($6 million) and Kirby Yates ($5.75 million). Miami declined options on right-handers Johnny Cueto ($10.5 million) and Matt Barnes ($9 million).

Persons: Shohei Ohtani, Cody Bellinger, Josh Hader, Blake Snell, Aaron Nola, Sonny Gray, Matt Chapman, Eduardo Rodriguez, Jordan Montgomery, Snell, Gray, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Milwaukee's Colin Rea, Charlie Morton, Eddie Rosario, Collin McHugh, Kirby Yates, Rosario, Yates, Mark Canha’s, Blake Holub, Michael Wacha, Johnny Cueto, Matt Barnes, Cueto, Barnes, Alex Cobb, Brooks Raley, Blake Treinen, Javier Báez, Michael Conforto, Ross Stripling, Josh Bell, Drew Smyly, Báez, Conforto, Bell, Stripling, Adam Ottavino, ___ Organizations: Los Angeles Angels, Chicago Cubs, Qualifying, Braves, Milwaukee Brewers, San, Miami, Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Tigers, Giants, Cubs, Detroit, Cleveland, Marlins Locations: San Diego, Philadelphia, Minnesota, Toronto, Nola, Atlanta, Detroit, Blake Holub . Milwaukee, San Francisco, Miami

Minnesota prevented outfielder Max Kepler and infielder Jorge Polanco from going free, exercising a $10 million option on Kepler and and $10.5 million option on Polanco. Political Cartoons View All 1233 ImagesPlayers may start negotiating with any team at 5 p.m. EST Monday, also the deadline for teams to make qualifying offers. Players may receive a qualifying offer if they spent the entire season with the team and have not previously received a qualifying offer. The Brewers declined a $7.25 million option on left-hander Andrew Chafin and a $2.5 million option on left-hander Justin Wilson. Washington declined a $3.3 million option on outfielder Victor Robles, who would be eligible for arbitration if tendered a contract.

Persons: Ohtani, Cody Bellinger, Jordan Montgomery, Blake Snell, Aaron Nola, Max Muncy, Joe Jiménez, Colin Rea, Sonny Gray, Josh Hader, Matt Chapman, Jorge Soler, J.D, Max Kepler, Jorge Polanco, Joc Pederson, San, Muncy, Jiménez, Rea, Andrew Chafin, Justin Wilson, Victor Robles, ___ Organizations: Texas Rangers, Polanco, Qualifying, Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta, Milwaukee, The Brewers Locations: Martinez . Minnesota, San Francisco, Texas, Wilson . Washington

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Phil Nevin will not return as the Los Angeles Angels' manager next season. Nevin was promoted to the Angels’ top job in June 2022 when Joe Maddon was fired in the middle of a 14-game losing streak. But the Angels didn’t win for him, finishing 46-60 after he took over in 2022 and going 73-89 this season for the franchise’s eighth straight losing record. Although the club didn't formally confirm it, general manager Perry Minasian is apparently staying for a fourth season with the Angels. The club is mired in streaks of eight straight losing seasons and nine straight non-playoff seasons, both the longest active skids in the majors.

Persons: — Phil Nevin, Nevin, Mike Scioscia, Arte Moreno, Joe Maddon, ” Nevin, Francisco’s Gabe Kapler, Buck Showalter, Ohtani, Mike Trout, Moreno, Halos, Trout, Anthony Rendon, Taylor Ward, didn't, Perry Minasian, Minasian, ___ Organizations: Los Angeles Angels, The Angels, Angels, New York Mets, AL West, Ohtani Locations: ANAHEIM, Calif, Angeles, Orange County, Anaheim

☆ Ohtani becomes first Japanese player to have top-selling MLB jersey
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Japanese two-way baseball player for the Los Angeles Angels Shohei Ohtani attends a news conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo, Japan November 15, 2021. REUTERS/Issei Kato/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 29 (Reuters) - Los Angeles Angels two-way standout Shohei Ohtani had the top-selling jersey in Major League Baseball this season, marking the first time a Japanese player topped the list, according to data released by the league and MLB Players Association on Friday. Ohtani produced one of the greatest individual seasons in MLB history this year with a .304 batting average and 44 homers while also going 10-5 as a pitcher with a 3.14 ERA. The list tallied sales of Nike player jerseys from MLBShop.com since the season began in late March. Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Los Angeles Angels Shohei Ohtani, Issei Kato, Shohei Ohtani, Ohtani, Ronald Acuna Jr, Aaron Judge, Fernando Tatis Jr, Mookie Betts, Frank Pingue, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Los Angeles Angels, Japan National Press Club, REUTERS, Major League Baseball, MLB, Atlanta Braves, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, Nike, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, United States, Toronto

☆ The job Americans would most like to see replaced by robots
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Joseph Bien-Kahn | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +26 min

In a survey of jobs Americans would most like to see replaced by robots, the umpire would surely rank near the top. (The MLB league official tells me that legalized gambling has not been a factor in implementing ABS.) Frustratingly, the subjective has infiltrated what initially felt like a technological problem: What does the perfect strike zone even look like anyway? The MLB league official agrees, telling me the Jetson Robot Home Plate Ump is not in their plans. "Growing up, my parents would go, 'Oh, the umpire's strike zone was small!'

Persons: Jordan Pacheco, Pacheco, John McEnroe, —, Billy Beane, maniacally, Houston, it's, Ben Hurian, Paul Hawkins, Goltz, Tyler Le, Justin Goltz, he's, there's, rears, Tyler Fitzgerald, Fitzgerald, who's, FanGraphs, Bagwell crouch, Miguel Yajure, Phillip Evans, Evans, X, they'd, Dylan Yep, what's, we're, Rob Manfred, — England's, Calvin Baker, Baker, Drew Strotman, Billy Evans, Strotman, Greg Maddux, MIT grads, steph, klay thompson, alf, hite, mudge, hird, ove, ahn Organizations: Lexington Legends, Twitter, Major League, ump, MLB, Sony, NASCAR, Triple, Albuquerque, Colorado Rockies, Astros, Companies, English Premier League soccer, Rugby, NFL, NBA, ABS, Sutter Health Park, Cats, San Francisco Giants, River, Reno Aces, AAA, Atlantic League, Big, of Fame, Seton Hall Sports, MIT, hawkeyes, ust Locations: OKC, California, Sacramento, uman

CHICAGO (AP) — There is Shohei Ohtani, and then there is the rest of baseball's soon-to-be free agents. The right-hander also went 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA in 23 starts on the mound. Here's a closer look at a couple more of baseball's best potential free agents:1B/OF CODY BELLINGERBellinger also was a free agent in 2022. He is a .240 career hitter with 153 homers and 424 RBIs in seven years in the majors. He's 10-11 with a 3.25 ERA over 182 2/3 innings this season overall and will turn 31 during the offseason.

Persons: Ohtani, Tommy John, CODY BELLINGER Bellinger, Bellinger, Belllinger, Wrigley, LHP BLAKE SNELL Snell, Cy Young, Snell, Bob Gibson, AARON NOLA, Nola, JOSH HADER Craig Kimbrel, Aroldis Chapman, Hader, MATT CHAPMAN, Chapman, Jordan Montgomery, Louis, He's, Sonny Gray, Jeimer Organizations: CHICAGO, Los Angeles Angels, AL, Cincinnati, Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Atlanta, Cubs, San, Cy, NL, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Toronto, Rangers Locations: baseball's, San Diego, Tampa Bay, St, Minnesota

☆ Marcus Stroman rejoins Cubs' rotation to face Rockies
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Field Level Media | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Marcus Stroman will make his first start in nearly two months on Saturday when the Cubs try for a second consecutive victory over the Colorado Rockies, who have lost their past eight road games. In a surprising twist, Chicago manager David Ross ended his press conference following the Cubs' 6-0 victory over the Rockies on Friday by proclaiming Stroman (10-8, 3.76 ERA) as his Saturday starter. Stroman went 9-4 with a 2.28 ERA through his first 16 starts, but he went 1-4 with a 9.00 ERA in his next seven starts before landing on the IL. In his past 34 games, Suzuki is batting .359 (46-for-128) with nine homers, 29 RBIs and a 1.112 OPS. Suzuki went 2-for-2 against Chris Flexen, Colorado's scheduled Saturday starter, during the Cubs' 6-4 loss to the Rockies on Sept. 12.

Persons: Marcus Stroman, David Ross, Stroman, hasn't, Jameson Taillon, Ross, Seiya Suzuki, Suzuki, Hideki Matsui, Shohei Ohtani, Chris Flexen, Colorado's, Dansby Swanson, Kris Bryant, Bryant, Bud Black, Elias Diaz Organizations: Chicago Cubs, Cubs, Colorado Rockies, Rockies, Cincinnati Reds, Colorado ., Miami Marlins, National League, Marquee Sports Network, Chicago, Flexen, Stroman, Wrigley, Thomson Locations: Chicago, Arizona, Pittsburgh, Colorado . Chicago, Colorado

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Twins clinched the AL Central title Friday night with an 8-6 victory over the Los Angeles Angels. Pablo López (11-8) pitched six innings for the Twins, allowing three runs and five hits with seven strikeouts. It’s their 15th trip to the postseason since the Washington Senators moved to Minnesota in 1961 and became the Twins. The Twins have lost 18 straight postseason games, mostly to their postseason nemesis, the New York Yankees. Minnesota hasn’t won a postseason game since 2004, taking the first game of the Division Series 2-0 in New York with Johan Santana on the mound.

Persons: Alex Kirilloff, Rocco Baldelli, Pablo López, Jhoan Duran, Kirilloff’s, Kirilloff, Minnesota hasn’t, Johan Santana, Kyle Farmer, Jorge Polanco, Davis Daniel, José Suarez, Daniel, Mike Trout, Ohtani, Logan O’Hoppe, Luis Arraez, He’s, López, Toronto’s Kevin Gausman, Trout, … LHP Aaron Loup, Royce Lewis, Lewis, Sonny Gray, Gray, York’s Gerrit Cole, LHP Kenny Rosenberg, ___ Organizations: Minnesota Twins, AL Central, Los Angeles Angels, Twins, Minnesota, Target, Washington Senators, The Twins, New York Yankees, Houston Astros, Yankees, Triple, Chicago White Sox, AL Locations: MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, New York, Los Angeles, Miami

☆ Cubs big up pivotal win, drub Rockies
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Field Level Media | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

September 22 - Jameson Taillon struck out seven while going six innings and Seiya Suzuki clubbed a two-run homer for one of his three hits, and had three RBIs, as the Chicago Cubs beat the visiting Colorado Rockies 6-0 on Friday. Taillon (8-10) certainly helped the cause, though he was far from dominant while yielding four of Colorado's six hits and four walks. The Cubs loaded the bases with one out in the first against Colorado rookie starter Noah Davis (0-3), but managed only a run via Suzuki's RBI single. Rockies left fielder Nolan Jones cut down Ian Happ trying to score a second run on the same play to end the inning. In his first major league start since June 20, Davis lasted five innings, allowing three runs, four hits, walking three and striking out four.

Persons: Jameson Taillon, Seiya Suzuki, Taillon, Elias Diaz, it's, Noah Davis, Nolan Jones, Ian Happ, Suzuki, Hideki Matsui, Shohei Ohtani, Jared Young's, Colorado's Gavin Hollowell, Davis Organizations: Chicago Cubs, Colorado Rockies, NL, Pittsburgh Pirates, Rockies, Cubs, Colorado, Davis, Marquee Sports Network, Thomson Locations: Chicago, Taillon

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