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When you think Ken Griffey Jr., the first picture that pops into your mind is of the precocious young star who took the game by storm in Seattle. When it comes to Mike Piazza, it’s hard not to settle on him leading the New York Mets to a Subway Series showdown against the Yankees.  

Now, both players will be immortalized forever in those states. Griffey announced Thursday that he’ll go into the Hall of Fame as a Mariner, while Piazza followed suit by announcing his cap will don the Mets logo.

“I think I did most of my damage as a Mariner,” Griffey said, per Lance McAlister of ESPN 1530.

Griffey and Piazza essentially split their primes between two teams. Griffey spent his first 11 MLB seasons in Seattle, earning 10 All-Star appearances, 10 Gold Gloves and the 1997 MVP Award. Three times he led the American League in home runs, and he also led Seattle to its first playoff-series victory in history during the 1995 season.

Griffey subsequently signed with his hometown Cincinnati Reds, where he spent parts of the next nine seasons. While he put up 40 homers and made the All-Star team during his first year with Cincinnati, injuries derailed Griffey’s prime and rendered his overall Reds experience a disappointment.

He made three All-Star appearances and was the 2005 NL Comeback Player of the Year winner, but his contributions paled in comparison to his Mariner days.

Making it all the more obvious is the fact Griffey returned to Seattle for an aborted two-year stint to finish his career. He retired midway through the 2010 season amid ineffective play, although few in Seattle will remember those waning days. They’ll remember “The Slide,” “The Catch” and all those long bombs that went soaring over the Kingdome roof.

Unfortunately, one thing we all remember will not be immortalized: Bob Nightengale of USA Today confirmed Griffey’s hat will be worn forward rather than backward.

Piazza’s decision was a little more murky. The greatest hitting catcher of all time spent his first six-plus seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the team that plucked him from obscurity when no one else would have drafted him. He became a superstar in Los Angeles, racking up five All-Star appearances and as many Silver Sluggers while emerging as a dominant offensive force.

A pair of trades midway through 1998 sent him to New York, where he’d spend part of the next eight seasons. Piazza never quite reached the individual season heights as a Met that he did as a Dodger, but he had far more postseason success. The Mets made the 1999 National League Championship Series and 2000 World Series with Piazza playing a starring role, becoming one of the best players in franchise history.

“Once I just tried to do my best, the fans responded,” Piazza said, per the Hall of Fame’s official Twitter. “I’m blessed to have played here.”

The decisions here in both cases aren’t remotely shocking. However, with Griffey becoming the first Mariner enshrined, the announcement becomes all the more historic.

Follow Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) on Twitter

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Former MLB third baseman Frank Malzone, who made six All-Star teams with the Boston Red Sox, died Tuesday. He was 85.

The Red Sox confirmed Malzone’s death on their Twitter feed.    

“We mourn the loss of a man we all came to know as ‘Malzie,’ who was venerated by Red Sox fans not only for his great glove at third base but for his blue-collar dedication to his craft,” said Red Sox chairman Tom Werner, per the Boston Globe.

Malzone played for Boston from 1955-1965 and was an instant contributor after becoming a full-time member of the big league roster in 1957. He made the All-Star team and was second in Rookie of the Year voting his first full campaign, marking his first of four straight appearances in the Midsummer Classic.

A solid two-way player, Malzone also won Gold Gloves in each of his first three years. He enjoyed his best offensive season in 1962, hitting 21 home runs and driving in 95 runs. Because Malzone was a bit of a late bloomer—he was 27 during his rookie season—his reign near the top of the sport did not last long.

After returning to All-Star form in 1963 and 1964, Malzone’s performance quickly dipped in his final two MLB seasons. He left the Red Sox in 1966 for a stint with the California Angels, playing only 82 games before retiring after the season.

Overall, Malzone finished with 133 home runs, 728 RBI and a .274/.315/.399 slash line. He returned to the Red Sox organization following his playing career, serving as a scout and working in player development for decades.

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Former MLB outfielder Dave Henderson died Sunday, a month after undergoing a kidney transplant. He was 57. 

MLB Communications on Twitter confirmed the news. Henderson played 14 seasons of pro ball with five teams. He made the 1991 All-Star team, won the 1989 World Series with the Oakland Athletics and was a color commentator for the Seattle Mariners after his playing career.

Henderson debuted in 1981 with the Mariners and played his first five-plus seasons in Seattle before a 1986 trade to the Boston Red Sox. In Boston, Henderson became an instant star after helping lead the Red Sox back from a 3-1 deficit against the California Angels in the 1986 American League Championship Series. His ninth-inning home run in Game 5 helped extend the series, and Boston won Games 6 and 7 before losing to the New York Mets in the World Series.

The best stretch of Henderson’s career came during his six-year run with the Athletics. He not only made his only All-Star team, but also helped Oakland to its first World Series title in 15 years. He had four 20-homer seasons with the A’s, including 1988, when he finished 13th in MVP voting.

After a one-season stint with the Kansas City Royals in 1994, Henderson left the game. He finished his career with 197 home runs and 708 runs batted in. Had it not been for injuries—Henderson missed extended time in nearly every season he played in—he may have finished with far better numbers. Still, Henderson remained a beloved figure in Boston, Oakland and Seattle. 

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Winter has finally arrived, but that hasn’t done anything to slow down the MLB hot stove. Talk of moves across baseball continue to carry over into the Christmas holiday, with a number of high-profile free agents and trades making waves across the sport.

Free agency remains particularly potent, as the market is unfolding slower than expected for some players. David Price, Jason Heyward and Zack Greinke may have gotten paid, but they’re the outliers at the moment. The very tiptop of the market and some of the middle have landed their big contracts; it’s the ones who are perhaps a tier down that are still waiting for their nine-figure offers.

With that in mind, let’s take a quick look at rumors from around the sport regarding some of the best players still available.

Howie Kendrick, Daniel Murphy on Nationals’ Radar

With Ian Desmond almost certainly headed elsewhere and Yunel Escobar traded to the Los Angeles Angels, change is coming to the Nationals’ middle infield. The smart money is on Trea Turner getting at least a look at shortstop, and Anthony Rendon is expected to move back to third base.

That leaves second as the biggest gaping hole heading into 2016. William Ladson of MLB.com reported the Nationals have already targeted Howie Kendrick and Daniel Murphy as potential fillers at second. With Ben Zobrist off the market, Murphy and Kendrick are the two best second basemen remaining on the market.

Kendrick, 32, hit .295/.336/.409 with nine home runs and 54 RBI last season. It was his first and likely only campaign with the Dodgers after spending his first nine MLB years with the Angels. Limited to 117 games due to injuries, Kendrick posted just 2.1 wins above replacement, his lowest total since 2010. It was the first time since that same season that Kendrick graded as a below-average defensive player. 

Murphy, 30, hit .281/.322/.449 with 14 home runs and 73 RBI in 2015. On paper, his regular-season numbers have been largely steady for the last half-decade. However, Murphy is riding a high onto the market after one of the best postseason performances in history. Murphy hit seven home runs and drove in 11 runs in the Mets’ 14 playoff games, etching his name in the record book while leading New York to a National League title.

The answer to which one winds up in Washington is anyone’s guess. The Nationals aren’t hurting for funds after allowing Jordan Zimmermann to walk and missing out on Jason Heyward. Both Kendrick and Murphy are on the same plane as players, so it may come down to which one offers a better deal.

Boras Seeking 3-Year Deal for Denard Span

Denard Span couldn’t have picked a worse time to hit free agency. A consistent contributor since the moment he arrived in the bigs, Span was limited to just 61 games due to core muscle surgery and a hip injury.

It’s the second time in his career Span has missed 90-plus games in a season. The first came in 2011, after which he immediately responded with one of his best seasons. He joined the Nationals a year after that and came into his own, posting 7.4 wins above replacement in 2013 and 2014 before his disappointing 2015 campaign.

Making matters worse is Span’s combination of demands and lingering injuries. Mike Puma of the New York Post reported Span won’t be able to work out for teams until January, yet his agent, Scott Boras, is still pushing for a three-year contract in negotiations with teams.

Because he’s Scott Boras and not another agent, there should be healthy optimism from Span’s side. His three-year numbers still compare well to other mid-tier outfielders on the market, and a three-year contract would only take him through his age 35 season. If Span can convince teams the hip problems are a thing of the past—not an easy thing to do—he’ll be worth the contract.

That said, he’ll probably be waiting on the market for a few more months. 

Alex Gordon To Leave Royals

From the “rather obvious” department: Alex Gordon’s has informed the Kansas City Royals that they have “no chance” of retaining their left fielder, per Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.

Gordon, 31, is seen as one of the best outfield options on the market. He hit .271/.377/.432 with 13 home runs and 48 RBI last year as he was limited to 104 games due to a groin strain. It was his worst overall season since 2010, but he remains beloved within the Royals organization.

As Royals manager Ned Yost explained to Jeff Deters of the Topeka Capital-Journal:

If you can make a mold for a baseball player, Alex Gordon would be it, I mean the perfect player. He’s prepared every single day, his routine is impeccable. His will to win is unbelievable. He’s got great talent and ability. It’s really been fun not only for me and Dayton. We believed in this kid when he was struggling. We always felt like he could be this kind of player and we gave him that opportunity to be that player and he became that.

The divorce between the Royals and Gordon was nonetheless inevitable. Gordon’s likely going to get a contract that approaches nine figures. Jim Bowden of ESPN.com reported the Royals are “lowballing” Gordon with a four-year offer in the $13 million per season range. He’ll likely get an additional $7-10 million per season by the time free agency is over. 

Advanced stats courtesy of FanGraphs unless otherwise noted.

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The Houston Astros have outraced the competition to land Carlos Sierra.

Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com reported the Cuban flamethrower has agreed to sign with Houston, though terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

Sierra, 21, will be restricted to a contract under MLB’s international signing rules. He had a showcase for MLB teams in October and has had multiple other workouts where he’s looked impressive. The Astros came away particularly impressed, with Jerad Goodwin complimenting Sierra after going head-to-head against the Homeplate Chilidogs. 

“He was as advertised,” Goodwin said, per Teddy Cahill of Baseball America. “He was very good. Dominated the lower half, hard slider. It was just a tough matchup, especially coming out first game where they traveled and did all that.”

As Sanchez wrote in an April profile, Sierra boasts a fastball he throws in the 90s at three different angles. He also boasts a slider, curve and circle changeup. Though his experience has largely been limited, Sierra most recently played for the Tenerife Marlins in the Division de Honor de Beisbol, Spain’s top baseball division.

Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle put the signing in context:

Sierra will almost certainly start his MLB career in the minors, where the Astros will look to season his four pitches and get him throwing at a more consistent arm angle.

As Drellich notes, this isn’t a massive deal; odds are he tops out as a back-of-the-rotation talent. That said, it’s still a worthwhile move given his age and skill set.   

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The Cincinnati Reds continued their rebuild for the future on Wednesday, trading All-Star third baseman Todd Frazier to the Chicago White Sox in a three-team deal that also includes the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The White Sox announced full details of the trade:

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports initially reported the deal.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports confirmed Frazier is going to Chicago. He added the Dodgers are getting Frankie Montas, Micah Johnson and Trayce Thompson. According to Rosenthal, Cincinnati is getting shortstop Jose Peraza, outfielder Scott Schebler and second baseman Brandon Dixon from the Dodgers.

“We’re not satisfied at this point,” White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said, per Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald. “Still looking for upgrades.” 

Hahn also indicated he is “thrilled to add player of Frazier’s caliber,” per Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times, adding it’s “never easy to give up homegrown quality talent. [You have to] give up something to get something.”

Frazier, 29, hit .255/.309/.498 with 35 home runs and 89 RBI in 2015. He was named an All-Star for the second straight season and became beloved in Cincinnati when he won the Home Run Derby, which was held at Great American Ball Park.   

The Reds had been floating Frazier’s name on the trade market alongside closer Aroldis Chapman for a good part of the offseason. While Frazier and Chapman had served as pillars of the organization since arriving in the big leagues, both are nearing free agency—a no-no for a Cincinnati team in the midst of a rebuild. Frazier and Chapman stand to be among the highest-paid players at their respective positions, and the Reds are coming off a 98-loss season.

It stood to reason, then, that Cincinnati would look to cut bait now for a package that can help the team build for the future.

“If the Reds don’t strip down their team, they’ll probably continue to float somewhere in the middle,” Buster Olney wrote in November for ESPN.com. “Given the limitations of their market and their budget, they’ll never really spend enough to contend with the best teams in the National League, and with Frazier, Votto and the collection of young pitching they have developed, they’ll probably never be so bad that they’ll pick near the beginning of the draft.”

Frazier is set to hit unrestricted free agency following the 2017 campaign and is eligible for arbitration. The White Sox will assume Frazier’s $8.25 million payday for 2016 and as-yet-determined salary for 2017, and they may want to start discussing an extension right now. Frazier was eighth in wins above replacement among third basemen last season and is fifth over the last two, per FanGraphs.

At minimum, Frazier should command a deal on par with or greater than the five-year, $95 million contract the Boston Red Sox handed Pablo Sandoval last winter. He’s a good defensive player who has belted 64 home runs and stolen 33 bases over the last two seasons. While most would prefer he were more patient at the plate—Frazier had over three times as many strikeouts as walks last season—he’s still a boost to any roster he joins.

The White Sox will hope that’s the case after giving up a young, promising pitcher with the goal to win big in 2016.

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter.

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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) has a plan for how the Washington Nationals can recover from their disappointing 2015, and it starts with trading closer Jonathan Papelbon.

“First of all, they need to get rid of Papelbon,” McConnell told Politico on Tuesday (h/t Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com). “Getting in fights with the most valuable player in the National League strikes me as not a team-building exercise.”

Acquired in a midseason trade from the Philadelphia Phillies, Papelbon was apparently an oil-water mix with the Nationals clubhouse after his arrival. The situation culminated with a late-season dugout scuffle with outfielder Bryce Harper. Papelbon was ultimately suspended four games for the incident and recently filed a grievance against the Nationals, looking to recoup lost salary. 

Still, those within the Nationals clubhouse see the issue as being nonexistent.    

“Papelbon and Harper are fine together,” a person within the Nationals organization told Thomas Boswell of the Washington Post. “Harp just wants to win. All he cares about is that we have a 45-save relief pitcher who’s going to help us.”

Clubhouse discord at the very least played a part in the dismissal of manager Matt Williams, who has since been replaced by Dusty Baker. It does not appear the Nationals have any plans of trading Papelbon at this time either, with general manager Mike Rizzo recently telling reporters the current plan is for him to return.

Even if the Nationals were to follow McConnell’s request, they may have a tough time. Papelbon has 17 teams on a no-trade clause, per Crasnick. (Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, Colorado Rockies, Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays.)

The senator offered additional advice, saying the club needs help in the outfield and starting rotation. 

“I think they need a solid, good-hitting outfielder because Jayson Werth is getting older and not playing many games anymore,” McConnell told Politico (h/t Ted Berg of For the Win). “We could use another starter, although I think this young guy, Lucas Giolito, down in the minors, might be their answer to Jordan Zimmermann’s departure.”

At the very least, it appears Washington agrees with McConnell regarding his outfield comment. The club made an aggressive effort to sign Jason Heyward before he agreed to an eight-year deal with the Chicago Cubs. CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman reported the Nationals actually offered Heyward a $200 million contract, which is more than what he signed with in Chicago.

Either way, it’s unlikely the senator’s words will do much to sway Washington’s offseason plans—even if he does sound like a generally knowledgeable fan.

Follow Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) on Twitter.

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Jason Heyward sounds like a man ready to bring the Chicago Cubs their first World Series in more than a century. Introduced at a press conference Tuesday, the newly signed outfielder made his goals for championship glory clear.

“It’d be a beautiful thing to win a World Series for one,” Heyward said, per Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune. “It’s a no-brainer that it would be making history here.” 

Heyward, 26, agreed to an eight-year, $184 million contract on Dec. 11. He chose Chicago over hard pushes from the Washington Nationals and St. Louis Cardinals, with the former reportedly offering him more money, per CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman.         

The Cubs won Heyward over by allowing for player options following the third and fourth seasons, which will likely allow Heyward to maximize his earning potential. Heyman also reported the deal will have a full no-trade clause from 2016-18 and a $20 million signing bonus that’s deferred in case of a work stoppage.

“As far as recruiting they [the Cubs] didn’t have to do too much,” Heyward said, per the Associated Press (via The Score). “They basically let the product on the field speak for itself.”

Heyward spent the 2015 season with the Cardinals, hitting .293/.359/.439 with 13 home runs and 60 runs batted in. He also stole 23 bases and continued to develop a reputation as one of the best defensive outfielders in baseball. FanGraphs ranked him third behind the Tampa Bay Rays‘ Kevin Kiermaier and the Toronto Blue Jays‘ Kevin Pillar.

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The Pittsburgh Pirates continued their offensive retooling Wednesday, sending longtime second baseman Neil Walker to the New York Mets in exchange for pitcher Jon Niese.

The Mets would announce the news on Twitter.

Walker, 30, hit .269/.328/.427 with 16 home runs and 70 RBI in 2015. A Pittsburgh native, he has spent his entire career in the Pirates organization after being taken in the first round in 2004. He’s been in the Major League club since being a September call-up in 2009.

Pittsburgh-based writer Dejan Kovacevic put the move in perspective:

While it’ll be an adjustment for Walker and Pirates fans, his exit has been in the making since the offseason began. Rumors were floated last month about discussions Pittsburgh had with the Baltimore Orioles about Walker, though nothing came to fruition.

Pittsburgh is in the midst of making more moves aimed at the future, particularly with everyday players. The team already non-tendered first baseman Pedro Alvarez, and could make a few more moves this winter to bolster their roster over the next few years. Alvarez and Walker both would have been free agents after next season had they not been let go. 

Niese, 29, went 9-10 with a 4.13 ERA and 1.40 WHIP last season. A seventh-round pick of the Mets in 2005, Niese has been with the club ever since. He’s posted a 61-61 record overall while playing in parts of eight seasons, accruing seven years of service time.

The Pirates will hold club options on Niese for the 2017 and 2018 seasons, valued at $10 million and $11 million, respectively. The flexibility was likely what made Niese appealing to a small market like Pittsburgh. If returns to his previous form—he’d been a two-win player each of the last four years, per FanGraphs—he becomes a bargain in today’s market. If he falters, the Pirates can merely decline his 2017 option and save themselves a ton of money.

Walker will instantly become the Mets’ starting second baseman, and his acquisition should spell the end of Daniel Murphy’s time in New York. Murphy is currently a free agent but is expected to command a big deal after breaking out as perhaps the postseason’s biggest star while leading the Mets to a National League championship.

The Mets understandably took a look at Murphy’s market and decided a one-year rental on Walker, who is roughly on Murphy’s level, was a better investment. 

Follow Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) on Twitter.    

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The 2015 MLB winter meetings get underway in Nashville, Tennessee, on Monday, which should see a number of high-profile names come off the board and perhaps some blockbuster trades.

Continue for updates.

Trevor Cahill Reportedly Re-Signs with Cubs

Monday, Dec. 7

Buster Olney of ESPN reported Cahill’s agreement with the Cubs, adding the pitcher “enjoyed his experience” with the team.

Parra Could Land with Royals

Monday, Dec. 7

Jon Morosi of Fox Sports reported the Royals are “interested” in Gerardo Parra if the club is unable to re-sign Alex Gordon.

Mariners, Red Sox Reportedly Discussing Deal for Starter

Monday, Dec. 7

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reported Seattle and Boston are talking, adding the target is Clay Buchholz or Wade Miley, noting it was “not clear.”

Yankees Considering Cabrera

Monday, Dec. 7

Morosi reported the Yankees “are interested in free agent Asdrubal Cabrera to play second base but continue to say they have tight budget.”

Napoli Receiving Interest from Multiple Teams

Monday, Dec. 7

CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman reported, “[The Boston Red Sox] have had some contact on old friend Mike Napoli.” However, he also mentioned the Seattle Mariners, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers and “maybe” the Pittsburgh Pirates, among other teams, as potential suitors as well.

Tigers Interested in Gordon

Monday, Dec. 7

Heyman reported the Detroit Tigers are “looking” at Gordon.

Tigers, Angels Looking at Cespedes

Monday, Dec. 7

Heyman reported the Tigers are “looking” at free-agent outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News also reported the Los Angeles Angels “may” pursue Cespedes.

The Cuban slugger hit 35 home runs and drove in 105 runs last season, splitting his time with the Detroit Tigers and New York Mets. His 6.7 wins above replacement were more than his last two seasons combined.

The Angels would make an interesting fit given their need for corner outfield help. Mike Trout was surrounded by a largely uninspiring group last season, as Kole Calhoun tops out as slightly above average and David Murphy didn’t do much after coming over from Cleveland.

Signing Cespedes to a long-term deal would be an interesting choice, nonetheless, given the Angels’ recent struggles in free agency. The club would almost certainly rather not have completed Albert Pujols’ massive deal, and last season they gave away Josh Hamilton despite still owing him tens of millions of dollars.

Cespedes‘ 2015 campaign is an outlier. His body of work suggests he’s a very good player but not a building-block talent. But his agents are very astutely going to point to his 2015 numbers and force a team to pay him an MVP-caliber salary. If the Angels are the team that winds up with Cespedes, it might be their third major financial mistake in recent winters.

Rays Considering Baez

Monday, Dec. 7

“The Rays trade talks with the Cubs are said to be focused on getting INF Javier Baez in return for pitching, a major-league source told the Times,” reported Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. “There is no confirmation of any deal, or a clear sense of how far along they are or likely to reach agreement.”

Nationals Looking to Trade Storen

Monday, Dec. 7

Bill Ladson of MLB.com reported the Washington Nationals may look to trade closer Drew Storen at the winter meetings. Storen, 28, went 2-2 with a 3.44 ERA and 1.11 WHIP last season, converting 29 of his 34 save opportunities.

He was in the midst of a strong campaign before the Nationals traded for Jonathan Papelbon at the trade deadline. Before the trade deadline, Storen gave up just seven runs in 38.1 innings and had converted 29 of 31 safes. After the deadline, Storen coughed up 16 runs (14 earned) in his 16.2 innings and saw his season end when he broke his thumb punching a locker.

“I think Storen is going to pitch much closer to the guy before the last month of the season than the guy in the last month,” general manager Mike Rizzo said, per James Wagner of the Washington Post. “It’s important for him to pitch well, for us and I think it’s important for him personally. I think he’s got good stuff, and there’s no reason he should not pitch well.”

There are two general schools of thought here. One being the most obvious: The Nats have to choose between Storen and Papelbon. It was apparent that Storen was unhappy with being unseated from his closer’s role, especially while in the midst of a career-best campaign. Papelbon was an oil-water mix with the clubhouse, with a dugout confrontation with Bryce Harper bringing things to a head.

Rizzo has publicly stated the current plan is for both Papelbon and Storen to be in the bullpen in 2016. That seems unlikely. As for why Storen‘s the more likely exit, it’s simple: He’s going to recoup far more value via trade. Not much analysis needed there.

Reds Make ‘Everyone’ Available

Monday, Dec. 7

Heyman reported have put their entire roster on the trade block, including third baseman Todd Frazier. Closer Aroldis Chapman, who has reportedly been traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, second baseman Brandon Phillips and Frazier are largely seen as Cincinnati’s most attractive pieces.

Frazier, 29, hit .255/.309/.498 with 35 home runs and 89 RBI last season. He also continued his emergence as a beloved figure in Cincinnati by winning the Home Run Derby, and he added a career-high 43 doubles to continue becoming a strong power hitter.

Chapman, 27, is perhaps baseball’s best closer. He shut the door on 33 of 36 save opportunities, posting a 1.63 ERA and 1.15 WHIP. Heading into the last year of his contract, Chapman will likely become the highest-paid closer in baseball history next winter. 

Phillips, 34, hit .294/.328/.395 with 12 home runs, 70 RBI and 23 steals. The running numbers were particularly surprising given Phillips had just seven steals the previous two seasons combined and hadn’t topped 20 steals since 2009. 

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