Shuhei Ohtani for the Dodgers? Juan Soto extended? 23 Bowden Predictions for the 2023 MLB Season

With the opening date only a few days away, it’s time to score again with predictions for the 2023 season and beyond in the off-season. While we wait for the season to kick off, here are 23 bold (and not so bold) predictions for the year. Like all preseason predictions, some will come out and others will flop. Let me know what you think, and share your predictions, in the comments section. 1. Juan Soto, who turned down a 15-year, $440 million offer from the Nationals before he was traded…

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Minors Madness: Round 1, Hoo-Hoos and Gasbags regions

The bracket of 64 teams is set. Let’s admire it: As you can see, Friday’s vote in the Gasbags didn’t result in a single surprise. It was the least dramatic round of voting yet. Good fare for the Senators, Fightin Phils, Braves, Aviators, Cubs, Missions, Threshers, Redbirds, Clippers, Braves (again), Bandits, Dodgers and Baysox. The closest match was between Emeralds No. 16 and Blue Rocks No. 17, which was determined by a margin of 53.8-46.2 percent. But, before we looked forward, a quick shout out to the defeated Blue Rocks.…

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Baseball Hall of Fame ballots 2023: The Athletic’s voters reveal their selections

Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens and Curt Schilling no longer dominate the annual conversation around Hall of Fame voting, having collectively fallen off the ballot in their final years of eligibility. But that doesn’t mean everything is suddenly straightforward, especially with this year’s addition of Carlos Beltrán, so inexorably tied to the 2017 Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal. Meanwhile, with those big names gone, candidates like Scott Rolen, Andruw Jones, and Billy Wagner could see the gains made in recent years accelerate. We asked some of The Athletic’s writers who vote for…

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The Year in Strange But True: Judge! Ohtani! And MLB’s 20 most mind-blowing hitting, pitching feats

Hey! I know you’re about to join your friends and loved ones to sing a Champagne-drenched chorus of “Auld Lang Syne.” But first, did you know that the definition of Auld Lang Syne has something to do with “fondly remembering old times”? No kidding. So here’s an idea. Let’s all fondly remember the Strange But True baseball season of 2022. In which … A guy taking his first swing in the big leagues hit a foul ball to his mother. … And another guy got called up and then debuted before he…

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Top 25 remaining MLB free agents: Which teams will land Correa, Rodón, Swanson?

MLB teams have already spent more than $2.5 billion on free agents, but some clubs are just getting started. Nineteen of the top 25 free agents from my original ranking in early November have signed, but the new top 25 of remaining free agents will likely receive another billion dollars in this hot market. Two of the elite free-agent shortstops have signed, but Carlos Correa and Dansby Swanson are still on the board. Two of the top-tier starting pitchers have inked new deals, but Carlos Rodón is still available. Where will…

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Rosenthal: What I hear in the MLB Hot Stove about the Dodgers, Brewers, and more

The Dodgers are able to pivot in almost any direction, which is exactly what they like. Including the return of Clayton Kershaw, whose financial deal awaits, the Dodgers are about $45 million under the first luxury tax Threshold of $233 million. And if their history under Andrew Friedman is any indication, they’re willing to strike a short-term, high-dollar deal with any free agent who might be interested – Justin Verlander, for example – although some players clearly prefer it more than others. One possible scenario: Trade for the Brewers’ second…

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MLB Hot Stove matchmaking: A free-agent fit for all 30 teams ahead of the Winter Meetings

Happy week before the Winter Meetings! It’s been a slow free-agent signing season so far, with only six players from my top 25 list off the board. José Abreu and Tyler Anderson landed three-year deals with the Astros and Angels, respectively, while Edwin Díaz, Anthony Rizzo, Clayton Kershaw and Martín Pérez (accepted the qualifying offer) re-signed with their teams. Now, as people around baseball pack their bags and get ready to fly to San Diego for the meetings, we’re all eagerly waiting for the next free-agent shoe to drop, which…

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Angels acquire Hunter Renfroe for 3 pitchers: Will LA get all-out?

Last season, the Angels didn’t get any production out of their left fielders, with a .208/.259/.339 composite line that featured plenty of Brandon Marsh since traded, so even Renfroe is an upgrade, though he could use A partner to face the right hard. What does this say about angels Angels will all enter at this point. This is a good move for the Angels’ chance at the competition in 2023. There is, however, a natural skepticism toward the Angels who are constantly using the same strategy to mess up. However,…

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Rosenthal: Angels’ bleak options with Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers’ possible interest in Carlos Correa and more

What are the Angels doing? The question remains pertinent, even after general manager Perry Minasian tried to provide an answer Monday, saying the team would not trade Shohei Ohtani this offseason. At the deadline, during the offseason, at any time of year, really, fans should not treat pronouncements from baseball people as gospel. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said he would not trade Juan Soto on June 1, then traded him on Aug. 2. So, while Minasian’s statement seemingly was definitive, it’s entirely reasonable for a person to respond, “We’ll…

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MLB offseason cheat sheet: The 3 biggest needs for each team as hot stove season begins

MLB’s annual general manager meetings are underway in Las Vegas and hot stove season has already begun before the start of free agency. The Mets were first out of the gate, agreeing to a record five-year, $102 million deal with closer Edwin Díaz, who opted against testing the market. All eligible free agents will be able to sign with teams on Thursday. (Here is my ranking of the top 25 free agents with contract predictions and best team fits.) In the meantime, presidents and GMs will meet over the next…

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