On the heels of some massive information out of San Francisco, listed below are three issues we’ll be keeping track of across the baseball world all through the day at present:
1. Will some other offers come collectively this September?
Whereas the final rule of thumb is that in-season extensions are uncommon, they’ve change into a bit extra widespread in current seasons, significantly close to the tip of the yr. Chapman’s deal final night time was the thirteenth extension signed in September or October going again to 2022, a yr that noticed main offers between Luis Castillo and the Mariners in addition to Spencer Strider and the Braves come collectively within the season’s remaining months. Blockbuster extensions are hardly the one sort that may happen simply earlier than the offseason begins: veterans Charlie Morton and Charlie Blackmon, for instance, have each signed one-year extensions simply earlier than they have been scheduled to hit free company in recent times.
In Chapman’s case, the deal was absolutely spurred on partly by the approaching opt-out in his contract, which he was all however sure to train. Chapman wasn’t the one participant on that observe this yr, nonetheless. Lefty Sean Manaea is anticipated to decide out of his take care of the Mets and return to free company this winter, and Chapman’s personal teammate Blake Snell seems very more likely to do the identical on the heels of a dominant second half with the Giants.
2. Robert exits with damage:
It’s been a brutal season for heart fielder Luis Robert Jr. and the White Sox. Issues went from unhealthy to worse yesterday when the membership’s 8-1 win over the Orioles, simply their thirty second victory of the season, was soured by Robert exiting the sport attributable to tightness in his proper hamstring. Per MLB.com’s Damage Tracker, interim supervisor Grady Sizemore informed reporters following the sport that the hamstring difficulty first began on Tuesday and that he made the choice to drag Robert when he noticed the outfielder working the bases extra gingerly than typical.
Given Robert’s significance to the membership as one in every of their few potential influence items and the staff’s dismal 32-109 file, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Sox prioritize Robert’s long-term well being and place him on the injured listing to make sure his hamstring heals absolutely. It’s been a tricky yr on the plate for Robert, who has slashed simply .219/.274/.398 (86 wRC+) with defensive metrics in heart discipline which might be nearer to league common than the elite numbers he posted in earlier seasons. The membership figures to show to Dominic Fletcher in heart discipline within the occasion that Robert misses time nursing his ailing hamstring.
3. Tucker nearing return:
Astros outfielder Kyle Tucker has been on the shelf since early June, and it just lately got here to mild that even supposing Houston brass persistently referred to his damage as a bone bruise all through his prolonged rehab course of, Tucker had really suffered a fractured shin. Whatever the uncommon messaging from membership officers relating to Tucker’s damage, it seems that a return is on the horizon. Supervisor Joe Espada informed reporters (together with these at MLB.com) yesterday that Tucker is “actually, actually shut” to being activated from the injured listing and will return to the membership’s lineup as quickly as at present, though Espada did warning {that a} return to motion tomorrow was the extra seemingly consequence.
Tucker obtained out to a scorching begin this yr with a .266/.395/.584 slash line (175 wRC+) in 60 video games previous to his placement on the IL. Ben Gamel and Jason Heyward have been dealing with proper discipline within the star’s absence, and it’s potential that Tucker’s return may create a roster crunch that impacts a type of veterans. Corresponding strikes will should be made to make room for Tucker on each the 40-man and lively rosters earlier than he could be activated.
