MLB Power Moves

MLB Power Moves

By David A. Avila

A cosmic shift took place as National League powers the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves reloaded rosters and others wrangled moves to ramp up their respective rosters for the upcoming season.

Shots were fired across the bough with the Dodgers signing free agent Freddie Freeman formerly of the Braves. Then the Brave retaliated by inking free agent Kenley Jansen from the Dodgers.

And just to let both teams know they still exist, the San Francisco Giants signed Joc Pederson who played for both the Dodgers and Braves.

As the week progressed other power teams such as the Houston Astros reportedly lost their shortstop and club leader Carlos Correa to the Minnesota Twins. Speaking of shortstops, the Colorado Rockies lost Trevor Story to the Boston Red Sox. And the New York Yankees grabbed infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa in a three-way trade with Minnesota and Texas. He replaces Gio Urshela while the Yanks also picked up Josh Donaldson and catcher Ben Rortvedt by sending Gary Sanchez to Minnesota.

New York also traded first baseman Luke Voit to San Diego because he had no position after the Yanks signed free agent Anthony Rizzo. The team also picks up pitcher Justin Lange in the deal.

Breakdown

With the Dodgers signing Freeman to a six-year $162 million dollar deal, the lefty hitting superstar replaces Cory Seager who signed for $325 million dollars and a 10-year contract with the Texas Ranger.

It was a simple matter of math that forced the Dodgers to be outbid by the Rangers, even with Freeman costing half of Seager’s cost, the L.A. team surpassed the luxury tax ceiling. But they still pick up a major left-handed power-hitter and Gold Glove first baseman.

Atlanta picked up a first baseman and hitting star in Matt Olson for eight years at $168 million. They also signed Dodger killer Edwin Rosario to a two-year $18 million contract. And to make matters clear that Los Angeles is on their mind, the Braves grabbed Kenley Jansen the Dodger’s closer for the past seven seasons. It was the clinching move to emphasize the important of maintaining pace in the nuclear arms race between two National League superpowers.

Pitching calling device

The always inventive Tampa Bay Rays experimented with an electronic device to send signals to the pitcher during a game between them and Atlanta recently.

Instead of the catcher putting down fingers to designate the desired pitch whether it be fastball, curve or split-finger, the manager or coach can deliver it via the device.

The device developed by PitchCom was used successfully last season in the Minor Leagues. A small device with buttons is used by the catcher to signal the desired pitch to the pitcher and infielders. A voice is activated by the button and the intended pitch is announced.

Players and umpires noticed that it increased the tempo of the game.

It could be a winner if some team doesn’t learn to intercept the signs.