Star first-baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is staying in Toronto after all. According to multiple reports, the Blue Jays and Guerrero Jr. came to an agreement on a new long-term contract. 

ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that Guerrero Jr. signed a 14-year, $500 million deal with no deferrals attached. This becomes the third-largest contract in MLB history, following Juan Soto’s 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets and the 10-year, $700 million deal that Shohei Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Blue Jays and Guerrero Jr. have been engaged in contract talks for several years now. The negotiations intensified after the 2024 season, but the two sides failed to come to an agreement before spring training, at which point Guerrero Jr. decided to halt the talks. However, they eventually returned to the table and managed to hammer out a deal that satisfied both sides.

Guerrero Jr., who was scheduled to hit the free agency next winter, started 2025 slower than usual. In 10 games so far, he has a .256 batting average and three RBI while still waiting on his first homer.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the son of Angels’ legend and Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, signed with the Blue Jays in 2015 as an international free agent. Guerrero Jr. made his majors debut in 2019 and received his first All-Star nod in 2021 when he also led the league in homers and finished second in MVP voting. He would go on to earn three more All-Star appearances and two All-MLB First Team nods.

Since debuting in MLB, Guerrero Jr. is batting .287 and has 160 home runs and 511 RBIs.

The post Blue Jays and Star 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Agree on a 14-Year, $500 Million Contract appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The San Diego Padres opted to lock their All-Star outfielder Jackson Merrill to a contract extension sooner rather than later. The franchise announced that Merrill inked a nine-year deal that ties him to San Diego through at least the 2034 MLB season.

The Padres confirmed the agreement, which also comes with a club option for 2035, on their social media without revealing the financial terms.

According to reports, Merrill’s extension, which kicks off in 2026, has a base value of $135 million. He can also earn more money through various incentives with the contract maxing out at $204 million.

This is far less than analysts predicted for Merrill based on his performance in the majors so far, but he appears to be content.

“An opportunity to sign with the San Diego Padres is enough for me. But I also feel like there comes a line where you know your worth, you know your value,” Merrill said ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians. “Listen, I know there are contracts out there that are beyond absurd, there’s super amounts of money. But having a relationship with a real human being and a real team like I have here, you can’t beat that.”

Merrill, who was selected 27th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, receives the extension following an outstanding rookie season in 2024. He batted .292 with 24 home runs, 90 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases to earn an All-Star nod and finish second place in NL Rookie of the Year voting.

Merrill also started strong in 2025, having a .400 batting average with one homer and six RBIs through the first six games of the campaign.

The post San Diego Padres Sign All-Star OF Jackson Merrill to 9-Year, $135 Million Extension appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Pittsburgh Pirates didn’t tinker too much when it came to choosing their Opening Day starter for the 2025 MLB season. The team announced on Saturday that Paul Skenes, the reigning NL Rookie of the Year, will take on the assignment when the Pirates open their season against the Miami Marlins on March 27.

The Pirates made the announcement via video shared on their social media. In the clip, Skenes visits manager Derek Shelton in his office, who proceeds to tell him the news after a brief conversation.

Skenes was somewhat of an obvious choice considering he delivered one of the best rookie seasons in recent memories in 2024. Despite being promoted to the majors in May, Skenes compiled an 11-3 record as a starter and finished the season with a 1.96 ERA and 170 strikeouts. He earned an All-Star nod, was named the National League Rookie of the Year, and finished in the top 3 of Cy Young Award voting. 

“I think he deserves it from what he did last year, the way he’s performed. I think we have a really good rotation with some other guys who can do it. Mitch [Keller] has done it in the past and has done a really good job. Just felt like Paul was the best choice,” Shelton said about his decision.

When he takes the mound against the Marlins, Skenes will be the youngest Opening Day starter for the Pirates since at least the beginning of the 20th century at the age of 22 years and 302 days.

 “It was a goal, for sure,” Skenes added. “Cool thing to put on the record, but it doesn’t mean anything if we don’t go out there and win, so I’ve got to go out there and pitch well.”

The post Pirates Name Paul Skenes Their Opening Day Starter Against the Marlins appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Boston Red Sox finally made the splash free agent signing that their fans expected since the start of the offseason. According to multiple reports, the Red Sox agreed to a deal with All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman.

Bregman, who was considered the best remaining player on the free agent market, will reportedly ink a three-year, $120 million deal. The agreement between the two sides contains opt-outs after each of the first two years and comes with deferred money.

Bregman played in 145 games with the Houston Astros last season, batting .260 with 26 home runs and 75 RBIs. He received a one-year, $21.05 million qualifying offer from Houston, where he spent his entire MLB career, at the end of the campaign, but rejected in favor of exploring free agency.

While Bregman remained unsigned for longer than expected, it wasn’t for lack of offers as several teams pursued him heavily. The Astros tried to retain him with a six-year, $156 million offer while the Detroit Tigers offered a six-year, $171 million.

Eventually, the Red Sox swooped in with a shorter deal but one that had a significantly bigger average yearly salary. Boston’s head coach Alex Cora reportedly insisted on singing Bregman, with the two previously working together when Cora served as Astros’ bench coach in 2017.

Bregman played most of his career at third base, but will likely transition to second base with the Red Sox. The move will allow the franchise’s star third baseman Rafael Devers to stay at his preferred position.

Alex Bregman made his MLB Debut in 2016. He has two All-Star appearances and an All-MLB Second Team selection from 2019 while winning two World Series with the Astros. Bregman’s career stats include a .272 batting average, 1,132 hits, 191 homers, and 663 RBIs.

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The National Baseball Hall of Fame announced the class of 2025, and they made some pretty historic choices this time around. Ichiro Suzuki became the first Japanese player to enter the MLB Hall of Fame, while CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner also made the cut.

Suzuki is the ten-time All-Star, who spent the majority of his MLB career with the Seattle Mariners, and he missed being elected unanimously by just one vote. He’s definitely the biggest star of the class of 2025 and the first Japanese-born player elected to Cooperstown.

“I don’t think anybody in this whole world thought that I’d be a Hall of Famer. As a baseball player, this is the highest honor you can achieve,” he said in a statement following the announcement.

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CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner also made the cut, while Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones came up a few votes shy of election. CC Sabathia is a six-time All-Star, who played 19 seasons in MLB and won a World Series ring in 2009 with the New York Yankees. As for Billy Wagner, he gained entry to the Hall of Fame in his tenth and final year of eligibility, after pitching for five teams over 16 seasons in MLB.

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After a short stint with the San Diego Padres, Tanner Scott is getting ready to become a Dodger! One of the best relief pitchers in free agency agreed to a four-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, worth $72 million.

The 30-year-old pitcher will join the Dodgers after signing a four-year deal that includes a $20 million signing bonus and $21 million in deferred payments, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. He’s off of an epic 2024 season, after posting a 1.75 ERA, 2.92 FIP, 10.5 K/9, and reaching his first All-Star Game. 

Tanner Scott kicked off his MLB career as the sixth-round pick with the Baltimore Orioles and established himself as a dominant relief pitcher in recent years. He was named an All-Star for the first time during his time with the Miami Marlins before being traded to the San Diego Padres last summer.

Even before signing Scott, the Dodgers have been one of the most active teams of the offseason, and we’ve seen them sign several epic deals. The defending World Series champions also signed Roki Sasaki, Blake Snell, Michael Conforto, and Hyeseong Kim, in addition to bringing back Teoscar Hernández and Tommy Edman.

Scott’s deal puts the Dodgers’ luxury tax payroll in the neighborhood of $375 million, about $70 million ahead of the second-placed Philadelphia Phillies.

The post Tanner Scott Agrees to 4-Year $72 Million Deal With LA Dodgers appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Arizona Diamondbacks finally made a move in the offseason and made sure it was a big one. According to multiple reports, the Diamondbacks have agreed to a deal with right-hander Corbin Burnes.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that Burnes received a six-year, $210 million deal. The 2021 NL Cy Young winner was previously considered the best pitcher available on the free agency market.

Burnes spent the 2024 MLB season with the Baltimore Orioles and received his fourth consecutive All-Star nod. He made 32 starts and went 15-9 with a 2.92 ERA and 181 strikeouts.

Burnes received a lot of interest around the league, but it was the Diamondbacks that made the best offer. He received a deal with the highest average for a pitcher this winter while also having the option to opt-out after two years and perhaps chase an even better deal. On top of that, Burnes lives in Arizona, so being able to play half of his games in the state was reportedly attractive to him.

With the addition of Burnes, the Diamondbacks now have one of the best pitching groups in baseball, at least on paper. He will join a stacker rotation that also includes Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Brandon Pfaadt, and Eduardo Rodriguez.

The post Diamondbacks and Cy Young-Winner Corbin Burnes Agree to 6-Year, $210 Million Deal appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Pittsburgh Pirates will keep their legendary slugger, Andrew McCutchen, around for at least one more season.

McCutchen, who became a free agent after the 2024 campaign, agreed to return to the Pirates on a one-year, $5 million deal for the 2025 season. The Pirates confirmed the news on their social media on Monday.

“It was important for me and for everyone within our organization that Andrew remains in a Pirates uniform. It is where he belongs,” Pirates owner Bob Nutting said in a statement released by the team. “In my conversations with Andrew, he made clear his strong desire to help the team in every way he can, both on the field and in the clubhouse. I am glad he is back.”

Andrew McCutchen made his MLB debut with the Pirates in 2009 and went on to earn five All-Star selections and NL MVP honors in his first nine years with the franchise. The Pirates would go on to trade McCutchen ahead of the 2018 season to the San Francisco Giants. He later went on to play for the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and Milwaukee Brewers as well.

McCutchen ended up returning to the Pirates in 2023 and proved to be a valuable clubhouse addition for a young team in need of leadership. He also put solid performance on the field, batting .232 with 20 home runs and 50 RBIs in 120 games.

However, the upcoming season might be the last for the 38-year-old slugger. When McCutchen re-signed with Pittsburgh ahead of the 2024 season, he said that he hoped to play for a couple more seasons and then retire with the franchise.

The post Pirates Legend Andrew McCutchen Re-Signs on a 1-Year, $5 Million Deal appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The New York Yankees made another big move on Tuesday as they tried to revamp their roster following the exit of superstar slugger Juan Soto. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Yankees acquired 2019 NL MVP Cody Bellinger in a trade with the Chicago Cubs.

The Yankees will send right-hand pitcher Cody Poteet to the Cubs while receiving $5 million in cash and Bellinger in exchange. Bellinger has one year left on his contract, which pays him $27.5 million in 2025, alongside a $25 million player option for 2026.

Passan adds that the $2.5 million of the $5 million in cash the Yankees received will be used for Bellinger’s salary for next season. The remaining $2.5 million will go towards Bellinger’s $5 million buyout if he rejects the 2026 or his salary if he accepts it.

Bellinger received his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017 and had an impressive start to his career in the majors. He earned an All-Star nod in his rookie year and followed that up with an NL MVP honors in 2019 and a World Series championship in 2020.

However, Bellinger experienced a drop in performances coupled with a string of injuries in 2021 and 2022, prompting the Dodgers to let him walk in free agency. He ended up signing a one-year deal with the Cubs for the 2023 campaign and enjoyed a bounce-back campaign that helped him land a three-year, $80 million deal.

In 2024, Bellinger once again had an underwhelming year, batting .266 with 18 home runs and 78 RBIs. The Cubs then decided to shop him around in an effort to free up some payroll and look for reinforcements elsewhere.

While there are obvious concerns about Bellinger’s ability to be a consistent performer, the Yankees were ready to roll the dice on him. His versatility might prove crucial if the team experiences a rough stretch with injuries while he still remains an above-average defender.

The post NY Yankees Acquire 2019 NL MVP Cody Bellinger in a Trade with Cubs appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The baseball that came off Freddie Freeman’s bat in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series and resulted in a walk-off grand slam has sold for a whopping $1.56 million at an auction organized by SCP Auctions over the weekend.

Freeman’s walk-off grand slam baseball has now become the third most expensive baseball in the world. It only trails baseball, which saw Shohei Ohtani reach 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases, which sold for $4.392 million earlier this year, and Mark McGwire’s 70th home run baseball in the 1998 season, which sold for $3 million in 1999.

“We are so honored to have handled one of the most important artifacts in World Series history, dating back to 1903,” SCP Auctions president David Kohler said in a statement.

Game 1 of the 2024 World Series saw Freeman’s Los Angeles Dodgers trailing the New York Yankees by one run at their home ballpark. Freeman came to the plate in the 10th inning, facing two outs with bases loaded. Yankees’ lefty Nestor Cortes threw a fastball, which Freeman connected with and sent it to the stands. The Dodgers won the game 6-3 and ended up winning the whole thing in five games.

Dodgers fan named Nic Ruderman was the one who caught Freeman’s walk-off grand slam baseball with the help of his 10-year-old son Zachary. When the baseball hit the stands, it rolled under Zachary’s seat, and the boy batted it toward his dad, who jumped on it to secure it.

The post Freddie Freeman’s Walk-Off Grand Slam Baseball from 2024 World Series Sells for $1.56 Million appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Star first-baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is staying in Toronto after all. According to multiple reports, the Blue Jays and Guerrero Jr. came to an agreement on a new long-term contract. 

ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that Guerrero Jr. signed a 14-year, $500 million deal with no deferrals attached. This becomes the third-largest contract in MLB history, following Juan Soto’s 15-year, $765 million contract with the New York Mets and the 10-year, $700 million deal that Shohei Ohtani signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Blue Jays and Guerrero Jr. have been engaged in contract talks for several years now. The negotiations intensified after the 2024 season, but the two sides failed to come to an agreement before spring training, at which point Guerrero Jr. decided to halt the talks. However, they eventually returned to the table and managed to hammer out a deal that satisfied both sides.

Guerrero Jr., who was scheduled to hit the free agency next winter, started 2025 slower than usual. In 10 games so far, he has a .256 batting average and three RBI while still waiting on his first homer.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the son of Angels’ legend and Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, signed with the Blue Jays in 2015 as an international free agent. Guerrero Jr. made his majors debut in 2019 and received his first All-Star nod in 2021 when he also led the league in homers and finished second in MVP voting. He would go on to earn three more All-Star appearances and two All-MLB First Team nods.

Since debuting in MLB, Guerrero Jr. is batting .287 and has 160 home runs and 511 RBIs.

The post Blue Jays and Star 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Agree on a 14-Year, $500 Million Contract appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The San Diego Padres opted to lock their All-Star outfielder Jackson Merrill to a contract extension sooner rather than later. The franchise announced that Merrill inked a nine-year deal that ties him to San Diego through at least the 2034 MLB season.

The Padres confirmed the agreement, which also comes with a club option for 2035, on their social media without revealing the financial terms.

According to reports, Merrill’s extension, which kicks off in 2026, has a base value of $135 million. He can also earn more money through various incentives with the contract maxing out at $204 million.

This is far less than analysts predicted for Merrill based on his performance in the majors so far, but he appears to be content.

“An opportunity to sign with the San Diego Padres is enough for me. But I also feel like there comes a line where you know your worth, you know your value,” Merrill said ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Cleveland Guardians. “Listen, I know there are contracts out there that are beyond absurd, there’s super amounts of money. But having a relationship with a real human being and a real team like I have here, you can’t beat that.”

Merrill, who was selected 27th overall in the 2021 MLB Draft, receives the extension following an outstanding rookie season in 2024. He batted .292 with 24 home runs, 90 RBIs, and 16 stolen bases to earn an All-Star nod and finish second place in NL Rookie of the Year voting.

Merrill also started strong in 2025, having a .400 batting average with one homer and six RBIs through the first six games of the campaign.

The post San Diego Padres Sign All-Star OF Jackson Merrill to 9-Year, $135 Million Extension appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Pittsburgh Pirates didn’t tinker too much when it came to choosing their Opening Day starter for the 2025 MLB season. The team announced on Saturday that Paul Skenes, the reigning NL Rookie of the Year, will take on the assignment when the Pirates open their season against the Miami Marlins on March 27.

The Pirates made the announcement via video shared on their social media. In the clip, Skenes visits manager Derek Shelton in his office, who proceeds to tell him the news after a brief conversation.

Skenes was somewhat of an obvious choice considering he delivered one of the best rookie seasons in recent memories in 2024. Despite being promoted to the majors in May, Skenes compiled an 11-3 record as a starter and finished the season with a 1.96 ERA and 170 strikeouts. He earned an All-Star nod, was named the National League Rookie of the Year, and finished in the top 3 of Cy Young Award voting. 

“I think he deserves it from what he did last year, the way he’s performed. I think we have a really good rotation with some other guys who can do it. Mitch [Keller] has done it in the past and has done a really good job. Just felt like Paul was the best choice,” Shelton said about his decision.

When he takes the mound against the Marlins, Skenes will be the youngest Opening Day starter for the Pirates since at least the beginning of the 20th century at the age of 22 years and 302 days.

 “It was a goal, for sure,” Skenes added. “Cool thing to put on the record, but it doesn’t mean anything if we don’t go out there and win, so I’ve got to go out there and pitch well.”

The post Pirates Name Paul Skenes Their Opening Day Starter Against the Marlins appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Boston Red Sox finally made the splash free agent signing that their fans expected since the start of the offseason. According to multiple reports, the Red Sox agreed to a deal with All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman.

Bregman, who was considered the best remaining player on the free agent market, will reportedly ink a three-year, $120 million deal. The agreement between the two sides contains opt-outs after each of the first two years and comes with deferred money.

Bregman played in 145 games with the Houston Astros last season, batting .260 with 26 home runs and 75 RBIs. He received a one-year, $21.05 million qualifying offer from Houston, where he spent his entire MLB career, at the end of the campaign, but rejected in favor of exploring free agency.

While Bregman remained unsigned for longer than expected, it wasn’t for lack of offers as several teams pursued him heavily. The Astros tried to retain him with a six-year, $156 million offer while the Detroit Tigers offered a six-year, $171 million.

Eventually, the Red Sox swooped in with a shorter deal but one that had a significantly bigger average yearly salary. Boston’s head coach Alex Cora reportedly insisted on singing Bregman, with the two previously working together when Cora served as Astros’ bench coach in 2017.

Bregman played most of his career at third base, but will likely transition to second base with the Red Sox. The move will allow the franchise’s star third baseman Rafael Devers to stay at his preferred position.

Alex Bregman made his MLB Debut in 2016. He has two All-Star appearances and an All-MLB Second Team selection from 2019 while winning two World Series with the Astros. Bregman’s career stats include a .272 batting average, 1,132 hits, 191 homers, and 663 RBIs.

The post Boston Red Sox Agree to a Deal With Free Agent All-Star Alex Bregman appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame announced the class of 2025, and they made some pretty historic choices this time around. Ichiro Suzuki became the first Japanese player to enter the MLB Hall of Fame, while CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner also made the cut.

Suzuki is the ten-time All-Star, who spent the majority of his MLB career with the Seattle Mariners, and he missed being elected unanimously by just one vote. He’s definitely the biggest star of the class of 2025 and the first Japanese-born player elected to Cooperstown.

“I don’t think anybody in this whole world thought that I’d be a Hall of Famer. As a baseball player, this is the highest honor you can achieve,” he said in a statement following the announcement.

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CC Sabathia and Billy Wagner also made the cut, while Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones came up a few votes shy of election. CC Sabathia is a six-time All-Star, who played 19 seasons in MLB and won a World Series ring in 2009 with the New York Yankees. As for Billy Wagner, he gained entry to the Hall of Fame in his tenth and final year of eligibility, after pitching for five teams over 16 seasons in MLB.

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After a short stint with the San Diego Padres, Tanner Scott is getting ready to become a Dodger! One of the best relief pitchers in free agency agreed to a four-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, worth $72 million.

The 30-year-old pitcher will join the Dodgers after signing a four-year deal that includes a $20 million signing bonus and $21 million in deferred payments, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. He’s off of an epic 2024 season, after posting a 1.75 ERA, 2.92 FIP, 10.5 K/9, and reaching his first All-Star Game. 

Tanner Scott kicked off his MLB career as the sixth-round pick with the Baltimore Orioles and established himself as a dominant relief pitcher in recent years. He was named an All-Star for the first time during his time with the Miami Marlins before being traded to the San Diego Padres last summer.

Even before signing Scott, the Dodgers have been one of the most active teams of the offseason, and we’ve seen them sign several epic deals. The defending World Series champions also signed Roki Sasaki, Blake Snell, Michael Conforto, and Hyeseong Kim, in addition to bringing back Teoscar Hernández and Tommy Edman.

Scott’s deal puts the Dodgers’ luxury tax payroll in the neighborhood of $375 million, about $70 million ahead of the second-placed Philadelphia Phillies.

The post Tanner Scott Agrees to 4-Year $72 Million Deal With LA Dodgers appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Arizona Diamondbacks finally made a move in the offseason and made sure it was a big one. According to multiple reports, the Diamondbacks have agreed to a deal with right-hander Corbin Burnes.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that Burnes received a six-year, $210 million deal. The 2021 NL Cy Young winner was previously considered the best pitcher available on the free agency market.

Burnes spent the 2024 MLB season with the Baltimore Orioles and received his fourth consecutive All-Star nod. He made 32 starts and went 15-9 with a 2.92 ERA and 181 strikeouts.

Burnes received a lot of interest around the league, but it was the Diamondbacks that made the best offer. He received a deal with the highest average for a pitcher this winter while also having the option to opt-out after two years and perhaps chase an even better deal. On top of that, Burnes lives in Arizona, so being able to play half of his games in the state was reportedly attractive to him.

With the addition of Burnes, the Diamondbacks now have one of the best pitching groups in baseball, at least on paper. He will join a stacker rotation that also includes Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Brandon Pfaadt, and Eduardo Rodriguez.

The post Diamondbacks and Cy Young-Winner Corbin Burnes Agree to 6-Year, $210 Million Deal appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The Pittsburgh Pirates will keep their legendary slugger, Andrew McCutchen, around for at least one more season.

McCutchen, who became a free agent after the 2024 campaign, agreed to return to the Pirates on a one-year, $5 million deal for the 2025 season. The Pirates confirmed the news on their social media on Monday.

“It was important for me and for everyone within our organization that Andrew remains in a Pirates uniform. It is where he belongs,” Pirates owner Bob Nutting said in a statement released by the team. “In my conversations with Andrew, he made clear his strong desire to help the team in every way he can, both on the field and in the clubhouse. I am glad he is back.”

Andrew McCutchen made his MLB debut with the Pirates in 2009 and went on to earn five All-Star selections and NL MVP honors in his first nine years with the franchise. The Pirates would go on to trade McCutchen ahead of the 2018 season to the San Francisco Giants. He later went on to play for the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and Milwaukee Brewers as well.

McCutchen ended up returning to the Pirates in 2023 and proved to be a valuable clubhouse addition for a young team in need of leadership. He also put solid performance on the field, batting .232 with 20 home runs and 50 RBIs in 120 games.

However, the upcoming season might be the last for the 38-year-old slugger. When McCutchen re-signed with Pittsburgh ahead of the 2024 season, he said that he hoped to play for a couple more seasons and then retire with the franchise.

The post Pirates Legend Andrew McCutchen Re-Signs on a 1-Year, $5 Million Deal appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The New York Yankees made another big move on Tuesday as they tried to revamp their roster following the exit of superstar slugger Juan Soto. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Yankees acquired 2019 NL MVP Cody Bellinger in a trade with the Chicago Cubs.

The Yankees will send right-hand pitcher Cody Poteet to the Cubs while receiving $5 million in cash and Bellinger in exchange. Bellinger has one year left on his contract, which pays him $27.5 million in 2025, alongside a $25 million player option for 2026.

Passan adds that the $2.5 million of the $5 million in cash the Yankees received will be used for Bellinger’s salary for next season. The remaining $2.5 million will go towards Bellinger’s $5 million buyout if he rejects the 2026 or his salary if he accepts it.

Bellinger received his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2017 and had an impressive start to his career in the majors. He earned an All-Star nod in his rookie year and followed that up with an NL MVP honors in 2019 and a World Series championship in 2020.

However, Bellinger experienced a drop in performances coupled with a string of injuries in 2021 and 2022, prompting the Dodgers to let him walk in free agency. He ended up signing a one-year deal with the Cubs for the 2023 campaign and enjoyed a bounce-back campaign that helped him land a three-year, $80 million deal.

In 2024, Bellinger once again had an underwhelming year, batting .266 with 18 home runs and 78 RBIs. The Cubs then decided to shop him around in an effort to free up some payroll and look for reinforcements elsewhere.

While there are obvious concerns about Bellinger’s ability to be a consistent performer, the Yankees were ready to roll the dice on him. His versatility might prove crucial if the team experiences a rough stretch with injuries while he still remains an above-average defender.

The post NY Yankees Acquire 2019 NL MVP Cody Bellinger in a Trade with Cubs appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The baseball that came off Freddie Freeman’s bat in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series and resulted in a walk-off grand slam has sold for a whopping $1.56 million at an auction organized by SCP Auctions over the weekend.

Freeman’s walk-off grand slam baseball has now become the third most expensive baseball in the world. It only trails baseball, which saw Shohei Ohtani reach 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases, which sold for $4.392 million earlier this year, and Mark McGwire’s 70th home run baseball in the 1998 season, which sold for $3 million in 1999.

“We are so honored to have handled one of the most important artifacts in World Series history, dating back to 1903,” SCP Auctions president David Kohler said in a statement.

Game 1 of the 2024 World Series saw Freeman’s Los Angeles Dodgers trailing the New York Yankees by one run at their home ballpark. Freeman came to the plate in the 10th inning, facing two outs with bases loaded. Yankees’ lefty Nestor Cortes threw a fastball, which Freeman connected with and sent it to the stands. The Dodgers won the game 6-3 and ended up winning the whole thing in five games.

Dodgers fan named Nic Ruderman was the one who caught Freeman’s walk-off grand slam baseball with the help of his 10-year-old son Zachary. When the baseball hit the stands, it rolled under Zachary’s seat, and the boy batted it toward his dad, who jumped on it to secure it.

The post Freddie Freeman’s Walk-Off Grand Slam Baseball from 2024 World Series Sells for $1.56 Million appeared first on SportzBonanza.