MLB podcast with Charlie O: Automatic strike out has impact on first day of spring training games; plus much more news

San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado took the first auto strike in baseball history Sat Feb 25, 2023 against the Seattle Mariners. Here is Machado  following through on an RBI-double during the third inning in Game 2 of a baseball NL Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Oct. 12, 2022, in Los Angeles (AP file photo)

On the MLB podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Charlie needless to say lots of changes in baseball we’ll start with living and dying with the clock how much of a factor will the clock play that could decide a big game or even knock a team out of playoff contention?

#2 Charlie Saturday was the first day of the automatic strike call rule and that’s how the Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves ended their game. With the bases loaded, two outs and a full count Braves second baseman Cal Conley was called out on strikes when the batter’s clock ran out on him thus the game was called in a 6-6 tie.

#3 San Diego Padres superstar third baseman was called for the very first automatic strike in MLB history when plate umpire Ryan Blakney called him for the strike for not being ready as the eight seconds ran out. Machado did end up going 2-2 against the Seattle Mariners none the less.

#4 Charlie lots of choices for Oakland A’s manager to make particularly in the outfield first JJ Bleday play left, center or right. Seth Brown will platoon between first and left field, Esteury Ruiz is slated for center and Ramon Laureano in right.

#5 The Minnesota Twins Carlos Correa who returned to Minnesota with a six year $200 million said “I could sit down and cry about it (not passing the physicals and loss of salary money with the Giants and Yankees) or I could keep working” and Correa has returned can he live up to the expectations even with the lower leg injury?

Join Charlie O for the MLB podcasts Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Correa close to signing six year $200 million with Twins pending physical; Curry to return tonight after missing 11 games for Golden State; plus more

Minnesota Twins shortstop Carolos Correa is expected to rejoin the team pending passing physical. Correa seen here on Thu Sep 29, 2022 against the Chicago White Sox is now dealing with his third club since failing two previous physicals. (AP News file photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 The Minnesota Twins have put a six year $200 million deal on the table if free agent Carlos Correa can pass a physical. Correa injured his leg in 2014 and failed two previous physicals with the San Francisco Giants and the Minnesota Twins. The Twins are expected to accept the deal and work with doctors regarding Correa’s physical condition.

#2 The Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry whose been out with a shoulder injury since Dec 14th is expected to return tonight against the Phoenix Suns at Chase Center in San Francisco. Curry got injured when battling for a rebound and has missed 11 games.

#3 Amaury the Brazilian Football Confederation has made it no secret that they have condemned far right rioters who wore Brazilian national soccer uniforms while using police barricades to smash windows at some of Brazil’s government buildings. Thousands of protestors smashed Brazil’s congress, presidential palace to protest the Brazilian election results in protest for former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro who lost the election.

#4 One Championship fighter Victoria Lee death cause is being kept private many fans and call in shows speculate anything from suicide, CTE, to head trauma could have been the cause. Amaury talk about the dangers of someone young like Lee to die at the age of 18 years of participating in a risky sport like ultimate fighting?

#5 Amaury, the 2023 Caribbean Series which starts Feb 2-10 will be the 53rd annual series this time being held in Venezuela. The games will be played at Estadio Forum La Guaira. The series started as a five team event and now has grown this years games will include a record high eight teams with Curacao added and Cuba returning after three years absence.

#6 The San Francisco Giants have made it perfectly clear that they will not include former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer to their pitching staff. Bauer who had been suspended from baseball for two seasons is currently looking for a team who will sign him. Bauer’s last outing was June 2021 and was accused by multiple women of physical abuse.

Join Amaury for News and Commentary podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Bills Hamlin vitals normal on breathing tube; Nevin acquired by Tigers for cash; Plus more news

Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin (right) takes a hit from the Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (left) in Cincinnati on Monday Night Football Mon Jan 2, 2023 (still photo from ESPN Monday Night Football)

On That’s Amaury podcast:

#1 Amaury, We’ll start the podcast with the tragic Monday Night Football story as last night the Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin took a hit that appeared to be in head and upper body area from Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins who was charging full speed on a carry. Hamlin got up after the hit and then collapsed, medics applied CPR and he was taken immediately to a local Cincinnati hospital where it was learned that Hamlin listed in critical condition and was out to sleep to have a breathing tube down his throat according to his marketing agent Jordan Rooney.

#2 Staying with football Amaury, this a rough and tumble game if you stand on the sidelines no matter what league it is the CFL, Arena football, high school, college, or the NFL it’s a collision sport and guys know a serious injury can result and medics have to make quick decisions how to treat a player such as the case in Damar Hamlin last night.

#3 We switch to MLB, the Detroit Tigers have acquired infielder Tyler Nevin from the Baltimore Orioles for cash last Saturday. Nevin hit .197 in 58 games for the Orioles hit two home runs and 16 RBIs. Nevin is the son of Los Angeles Angels manager Phil Nevin.

#4 San Francisco Giants team president Farhan Zaidi said that the move to end their agreement with the Carlos Correa was not an 11th hour decision and that the Zaidi said the Giants that as soon as the Giants had the information regarding Correa not passing the physical he shared it with the media.

#5 The Giants are ready for the Taylor and Tyler Rogers bullpen show to begin. Taylor who did a introduction call with the media on zoom said that this was a too good to be true situation and that this just so happens to be with the Giants and he said that if happens great if not great too.

#6 New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge named as the 16th captain in Yankees history has been voted the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year for 2022. Judge who set the American League record for the most home runs with 62 edged out other pro athletes Shohei Ohtani Los Angeles Angles who finished second and Golden State’s Stephen Curry finished in third.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Will Mets reduce Correa’s pay and years after latest physical?; Latest physical vindicates Giants

Superstar shortstop Carlos Correa has yet to confirm if the New York Mets will confirm him to try on their uniform as contract negotiations have turned tide from the $315 million 12 year offer to something that could be significantly less after he failed a physical with the Mets (photo image from ESPN)

By Morris Phillips and Michael Duca

SAN FRANCISCO–To what degree is Carlos Correa damaged goods and will the New York Mets seek a reduced contract in years and salary after confirming what the San Francisco Giants had found when Correa failed his physical in San Francisco on Tuesday. Granted the Giants were accused of reneging on the deal and their was a cloud of suspicion over the Giants motives and was the failed physical of Correa at the time believable.

Some newspaper reporters said that the Giants credibility was shot after making the decision to back out on signing Correa and that the organization was not to be trusted and that this concludes why they can’t sign big name stars like Aaron Judge, Bryce Harper, Giancarlo Stanton, and Shohei Ohtani. Whatever happened in not signing those other players the Giants in the case of Correa were of good faith and up front that yes indeed Carlos Correa does have an injury that prevented San Francisco from signing the superstar shortstop.

While the Giants are vindicated amongst those who doubted them there was this push in the press on Giants team president Farhan Zaidi, a doubt at his word and a question why did Zaidi call off the press conference at the 11th hour on Tuesday morning, if Correa was so injured why wasn’t his injury disclosed? What was Zaidi really hiding in calling off Correa’s introduction and did the Giants really want out of the deal? Zaidi could not disclose the medical condition because of HIPAA laws that protect doctor-client privacy.

Now that the New York Mets have confirmed what Zaidi has said all along let there be little doubt that the Giants are vindicated by their medical staff’s findings. The Mets medical staff’s findings like a second opinion now confirm that Correa did have a pre existing issue but rather than send Correa packing they are exploring ways to work a new deal out with his agent Scott Boras and Correa.

One option might be that the Mets can reduce that 12 year $315 million offer to something for example in the neighborhood of four years and $60 million per say based on performance and staying healthy. As it was reported Correa had suffered a lower right leg injury when he broke a fibula while making a slide single A high ball back in 2014.

It also should be noted after the Giants voided the contract proposal Boras approached the Minnesota Twins this being after he and Correa turned down the Twins ten year offer to Correa after the 2022 season. The Twins after learning of Correa’s not passing the physical with the Giants took a turn at taking a pass on Correa and now the Mets and Correa are trying to “work through” a possible new deal for Correa for 2023 which most likely will be much less than what the Twins were offering after the 2022 season.

Morris Phillips and Michael Duca cover the San Francisco Giants for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Mets sign Correa, San Francisco drops him after failing physical due to undisclosed reasons

Former Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa failed two physicals according to the San Francisco Giants thus forfeiting a $350 million deal. Correa came to terms with the New York Mets later on Tues Dec 20, 2022 signing Correa to a $315 million 12 year deal after the Giants deal fell through (AP News file)

By Morris Phillips and Michael Duca

SAN FRANCISCO–Carlos Correa who had signed a $350 million with the San Francisco Giants but the deal was annulled due failing two physicals. Correa who had past back problems it was reported that was not the reason why he failed his physicals.

The Giants and Correa could have negotiated for a lower salary number but that will not be necessary after learning the Giants had decided to drop Correa due to the failed physicals the New York Mets came in and signed Correa to a $315 million 12 year contract.

The Giants were set to introduce Correa to the media on Tuesday morning at 11 AM but the presser was canceled after learning of Correa’s physical results. The Giants would not disclose the specifics of why Correa failed his physical but it sure didn’t make a difference to the Mets who grabbed him right away after learning the Giants no longer were interested in his services.

Upon learning the news about the Giants and Correa no longer doing business together many in MLB and those who cover Correa were shocked upon learning the news on Tuesday. Once Mets owner Stephen A Cohen learned of Correa being back on the free agency market it didn’t take long for the Mets to reach out to him with an offer that he quickly agreed to and signed.

The Mets during the Correa sweepstakes weren’t able to sign him because the Giants had upped the offer to $350 million to the Mets $315 million. The Mets kept the number the same but figuring it was known that Correa failed two physicals and the Mets believed in Correa regardless signed him and hope to rehabilitate Correa inspite of his injuries.

Cohen was in Hawaii when the deal went down, “We need one more thing, and this is it,” Cohen said “This was important … This puts us over the top. This is a good team. I hope it’s a good team!” The Mets general manager Billy Eppler meanwhile kept busy and on Tuesday they also signed another big name pitcher Justin Verlander who had just won the 2022 World Series with the Houston Astros.

Eppler who was at the baseball winter meetings earlier this month on Dec 4-7 in San Diego pursued Verlander and with pitcher Max Scherzer in the rotation the Mets have two of the best starters in baseball for the 2023 season.

Michael Duca and Morris Phillips both cover SF Giants baseball for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Giants “nervous money” goes to Correa

Carlos Correa joins the San Francisco Giants on Tue Dec 13, 2022 for 13 years and a deal worth $350 million (photo from ESPN)

Giants “nervous money” goes to Correa

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

SAN FRANCISCO–National baseball reporter Jon Heyman said about the Giants signing Carlos Correa for 13 years and $350 million; “Grossly overpaid, and so not worth it”.

A few weeks ago the Giants told their fans and the whole baseball world they were going after Aaron Judge, the Yankee slugger who established a new home run record in the American League this past season, hitting 62 home runs, that they (Giants) had all the money to make the 6′ 7 Judge a San Francisco Giant.

Among the reporters in San Diego Jon Heyman covering the winter meetings, wrote the news that the Giants had signed Aaron Judge, a few minutes letter he had to apologize as he retracted the so-called breaking news. Judge is the guy the Giants needed, to create that buzz that is not there anymore at Oracle Park, a true slugger with devastating power to all fields.

At the end, Judge decided to stay in the Bronx with the Yankees, the legacy of the most famous franchise in American history. Let’s face it, the Giants haven’t had a good farm system since GM Brian Sabean, so they were desperate to give this no opt-out, full-no trade deal to Carlos Correa, whose agent is Scott Boras, the best there is.

The San Francisco Giants needed a power bat, a hitter with power of around 40 home runs and 100 runs batted in. As good as a shortstop Correa has been, he is not your typical slugger, of that kind. But the Giants had “nervous money” that had to be given to a player in order to try to please their fan base that have been waiting for that home run, that offensive savior since they had Barry Bonds, who retired in 2007 with 762 home runs.

Giants are feeling the pressure and they want to bring another title to San Francisco, especially now when just three blocks away the Warriors play at Chase Center and have become the most successful team in San Francisco. The Giants want to recoup that “mojo” they had when they won three World Series in a six-year span. But this signing might not do it. Carlos Correa is a great defensive shortstop and a very good hitter, but he is no Aaron Judge.

The 13-years $350 million contract is the largest for an infielder in history of baseball. Correa will be 41 years old when he retires. In the history of the game only Los Angeles Angels Mike Trout ($426.5 million) Los Angeles Dodgers Mookie Betts ($365 million) and New York Yankees Aaron Judge ($360 million) have been guaranteed more in a contract.

Giants and the Western Division. The San Diego Padres lineup is indeed a scary one: Manny Machado, Juan Soto, Fernando Tatís Jr. and Xander Bogaerts, not necessarily in that order, but all very productive and dangerous hitters. Tatis Jr. will miss the first 32 games of the 2023 season as he will complete his 80 game suspension from last season when he proved positive for illegal substances. San Diego manager Bob Melvin might be the team to beat in 2023 in the west.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com