MLB News & Moments You Should Know – 7/17

Stay updated on everything baseball with our morning MLB News & Moments articles. We’ve got you covered to keep you in the know.

 

Today’s Headlines

 

Juan Soto on the Move?

Nationals’ outfielder sent shockwaves through MLB yesterday when news broke that he had declined the Nats’ extending offer of $440 million over 15 years. That amounts to about a 29 million a year deal, which is a bit lower than what his superstar counterparts have been able to get in recent years. So, with Soto standing firm on his value, the Nats are apparently shopping him. At just 23 years old, Soto has one year remaining with the Nats before getting a record-breaking deal. Will a playoff team trade for him now? Or wait to have him so they can avoid trading away their farm system?

 

New Additions to the MLB All-Star Game

A few relief pitchers were added to the MLB All-Star roster early Sunday, with Liam Hendriks, Devin Williams, and Jordan Romano all rightfully punching their ticket to the game in Los Angeles on Tuesday.

 

Three players have been added to the 2022 All-Star rosters, including @whitesox RHP Liam Hendriks, @BlueJays RHP Jordan Romano & @Brewers RHP Devin Williams. They replace Gerrit Cole of the @Yankees, Justin Verlander of the @astros & Max Fried of the @Braves (all inactive @ ASG). pic.twitter.com/D1XT7gKSUY

— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) July 17, 2022

 

Best Moments From Yesterday

 

Mets Take 2

The Mets needed to continue to win as the All-Star game approached. The Atlanta Braves continue to keep pace with them in the standings, so the Mets could not afford to lose a single game in Chicago. Three out of four games in, they have done just that and winning in a dramatic fashion.

They faced off against infamous trash talker Marcus Stroman yesterday, and while unsuccessful against him, got to the Cubs’ bullpen late and snuck a victory in the opener of the doubleheader. But the headline wasn’t the win against a rebuilding Cubs team. It was the defensive gem that allowed them to have a chance to grab the win. In the bottom of the 10th, with the game-winning run at third, Eduardo Escobar made a diving stop to prevent a hit and threw to the newly minted first baseman, JD Davis, who made a tremendous pick to keep the game tied.

 

Play of the year for the Mets no doubt. Diving stop by Eduardo Escobar followed by an insane scoop by JD Davis 🤯 pic.twitter.com/C48aYw4t7x

— Mets'd Up Podcast (@MetsdUp) July 16, 2022

 

Mariners Win their 13th in a Row

The Mariners did not begin the 2022 season like many had thought they would. They were under .500, their newly acquired and reigning Cy Young winner, Robbie Ray, was underperforming, and their star outfielder, Mitch Haniger, was hurt. It was hard to imagine them being competitive. Yet, as the season progressed, they improved and are now currently enjoying a 13-game winning streak. Currently, Fangraphs puts them at a 63% chance of making the playoffs. While not a shoo-in, not losing in 2 weeks will help solidify your chances to represent the AL West in the playoffs.

 

https://twitter.com/Mariners/status/1548459658930561025?s=20&t=v9O7XjTaDaoWxDAe0uh6dQ

 

Matt Carpenter and Aaron Judge Continue to Mash

The Red Sox are the latest team to learn about Matt Carpenter’s legend status. On Saturday night, Carpenter drove in seven runs for the Yankees and earned his first curtain call at Yankee Stadium.

 

Matt Carpenter 👨: 6 Red Sox: 1

His 2nd 3-run blast today extends the @Yankees lead! pic.twitter.com/lhTJeXrAoi

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 17, 2022

 

Aaron Judge didn’t miss out on the fun either, as he took advantage of the blowout, adding 2 homers to his league-leading stats. Judge now has 34 homers on the year and is on pace to have 59 home runs. A few more multi-homer days, and he could get to that elusive 61 Roger Maris mark.

 

Update: Aaron Judge is on pace for 59 home runs this season. 👀 @MLBNetwork pic.twitter.com/kzuHs9Tjsw

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 17, 2022

 

The Hardest Throwers Aren’t Pitchers Anymore

We all bore witness to O’Neill Cruz’s 97mph throw from shortstop last month, but now, there’s an even harder thrower in town. The St. Louis Cardinals‘ prospect Masyn Winn showed his arm is ready to compete in the majors yesterday at the MLB Futures Game. The Cardinals’ shortstop prospect threw a ball over 100 mph yesterday.

 

WOW!!! @Cardinals prospect Masyn Winn threw 100.5 mph bullet from short in the Future's Game 🔥

(via @MLBPipeline)pic.twitter.com/YJfXIrQ7gT

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 17, 2022

 

Injuries

Red Sox’ current second baseman and 2023 shortstop(?) Trevor Story was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday.

Antonio Senzatela was placed on the 15-day IL and will miss Sunday’s start against the Pirates.

Mike Trout was scratched from Saturday’s lineup, reporting back spasms.