The MLB Daily Dish is a daily feature we're running here at MLBDD and rounds up roster-impacting news, rumors, and analysis. Have feedback or have something that should be shared? Hit us at @mlbdailydish on Twitter.
Good morning baseball fans. The Kansas City Royals took a 2-0 series lead last night over the New York Mets, as Johnny Cueto threw a complete game. There is no baseball today, with these two teams meeting up again Friday night at Citi Field.
The big news from yesterday is that the Washington Nationals have apparently found their next manager, and that manager is Bud Black. The team had the candidates down to Black and Dusty Baker. Even though the news has been leaked, the Nationals don't intend on making an official announcement until the end of the World Series.
Boston is opening to trading some top prospects, especially if it means acquiring an ace.
While Dombrowski could dip into the free agent market as Jon Heyman points out, at least for now, it appears that Boston is more comfortable trading for a starter, rather than signing one to a new contract. Heyman also notes that top prospects Yoan Moncada, Andrew Benintendi, and Anderson Espinoza won't be made available, but "other than that trio, it is believed Boston would listen."
Max Rieper ranked the greatest Royals postseason games from the last two seasons.
What could Jason Heyward's next contract look like? Ben Humphrey of Viva El Birdos tried to break that down.
Heyward is one of the best all-around players in MLB today. He would fit in well with the Whiteyball Cardinals of the 1980s, with his excellent baserunning and elite defense. What's more, he's no slouch with a bat. In 2015, his batting line was 21% better than the major-league average after adjusting for home park effects, which is roughly in line with his career production at the plate. If Heyman's preseason survey of MLB front office is to be believed, Heyward's underwhelming power numbers and all-around value might very well make him an undervalued free agent. The Cardinals would do well to sign Heyward to a deal worth between $153 million and $200 million.
Today in Baseball History: Willie Mays severed all ties to MLB in 1979 after signing a deal with the Bally Corporation, a company that is involved with legalized gambling in Atlantic City.