MLB Trade Rumors and News: Rays slug their way to Wild Card win over Oakland

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• The second Wild Card was not as dramatic as the Brewers-Nats game, but it was still quite enjoyable as the Rays went into Oakland and hit four homers in route to a 5-1 victory that did not feel that close. Yandy Diaz hit two of the Rays’ four homers because baseball is a weird sport.
• At the ripe age of 20, Juan Soto became arguably the most impactful postseason hitter in Nationals history, coming through with a three-run base hit in the eighth inning to lift the Nats past the Brewers and help them win their first-ever playoff series (albeit of the one-game Wild Card variety). They now advance to face the Dodgers and will hope to win an NLDS for the first time in five tries since moving to Washington D.C.
• The Nationals, who already saw Bryce Harper walk away last offseason to the rival Phillies, have reportedly offered star third baseman Anthony Rendon a seven-year contract extension worth around $210 million. This is going to be an important offseason for the Nationals as Rendon will be a free agent and it sounds like Stephen Strasburg will opt out of his contract as well. Whether they figure out an extension for these guys or they hit the free agent market to try and replace them, the Nationals appear poised to be VERY busy this offseason yet again.
• Much has been made in recent days and weeks about the fate of Angels manager Brad Ausmus. The fit was always a tough one and the team did not perform well this season, although a good chunk of that was beyond his control. However, the axe did come down Monday, as Ausmus was relieved of his duties as manager of the Angels.
• The regular season is over and with that comes analysis of all of the match-ups in the playoffs. Our own Andersen Pickard took a stab at it as he ran down each of the division series coming up with some predictions as to what will go down.
• After five years in Chicago, the Cubs have parted ways with outspoken manager Joe Maddon. With a record of 471-338, the 65-year old leaves his mark as the fifth-winningest manager in Cubs history.
• Up next on the list of managers officially getting their walking papers: the Pirates have fired manager Clint Hurdle. This is particularly surprising considering a week ago it was being reported that Hurdle would stay with the team next season, which turned out to be a massive miscommunication that seemed to fit right in with the season Pittsburgh had this year.
• Here’s your shining hope for 2020, Mets fans: Rookie Pete Alonso slammed his 53rd home run of the season, thus breaking Aaron Judge’s rookie record. Someone brush up on the Animorphs books, because Alonso just transitioned from a polar bear to a goat (please stop throwing things).
• The Phillies had a pretty lousy year considering the high expectations they had coming out of the offseason after all of the wheeling and dealing they did. All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto chose to end his season a few days early in order to undergo knee surgery.
• In another managerial shake up, Royals manager Ned Yost announced his retirement. For a team that is in the middle of its rebuild, their choice of manager after Yost could have ramifications for a long time, particularly as they look to develop a lot of young players.
• The Padres fired manager Andy Green after almost four seasons with the club. Despite adding Manny Machado to the roster and developing young phenom Fernando Tatis Jr., Green’s all time 274-366 record was enough for both the fans and upper management to lose faith in him. Stay tuned as we watch for the smoke signals to see who the Padres have elected as their new manager.
• Yankees starter Domingo German was placed on administrative leave after allegations surfaced that he struck his girlfriend.
• The Marlins, coming off back-to-back seasons where they have finished dead last in the NL East, decided to give manager Don Mattingly a two-year contract extension. Some may be puzzled by this move given the Marlins’ lack of success, but it worth noting that the Marlins aren’t going to be winning much of anything over the next two years, which puts less onus on getting the right guy in there at the moment.
• In an extremely disturbing development, Pirates All-Star closer Felipe Vazquez has been arrested and denied bond after being charged with possession of child pornography, providing obscene material to minors, and soliciting a child. He’s been placed on administrative leave by MLB.