Gideon Clarke
@gideonclarke.bsky.social
Like my father before me, I have on more than one occasion been physically ejected from the corporate offices of the Chicago Cubs baseball club.
I’m not saying the Dodgers bought themselves a World Series. But if a team were to buy a World Series, this is probably what it would look like.
The final CBT payrolls with the Dodgers paying record taxes
December 19, 2025 at 11:39 PM
I’m not saying the Dodgers bought themselves a World Series. But if a team were to buy a World Series, this is probably what it would look like.
Gotta say, for all the hand-wringing we did over Baz's inclusion in that lopsided Rays-Pirates deal (the Chris Archer debacle), Baz really only had one solid season for Tampa (2024, in just 79 IP) and overall, 3.4 fWAR in 54 starts over 286 innings. He never became the monster many of us feared.
December 19, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Gotta say, for all the hand-wringing we did over Baz's inclusion in that lopsided Rays-Pirates deal (the Chris Archer debacle), Baz really only had one solid season for Tampa (2024, in just 79 IP) and overall, 3.4 fWAR in 54 starts over 286 innings. He never became the monster many of us feared.
Bo Bichette sending a Christmas card to Jorge Polanco today.
December 13, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Bo Bichette sending a Christmas card to Jorge Polanco today.
The Blue Jays are paying Hoffman and Rogers a combined $25 million. The Dodgers are paying Diaz alone $23 million. I like ours better.
December 13, 2025 at 2:36 AM
The Blue Jays are paying Hoffman and Rogers a combined $25 million. The Dodgers are paying Diaz alone $23 million. I like ours better.
Literally just this afternoon, I was looking at the list of FA relievers and thinking, man, Tyler Rogers would be a perfect fit for the Jays. I should always tweet these things when I’m thinking about them….
December 13, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Literally just this afternoon, I was looking at the list of FA relievers and thinking, man, Tyler Rogers would be a perfect fit for the Jays. I should always tweet these things when I’m thinking about them….
At a quick glance, a serviceable back-of-the-pen depth arm and useful Triple-A reliever. Too HR-prone to get excited about.
December 12, 2025 at 10:12 PM
At a quick glance, a serviceable back-of-the-pen depth arm and useful Triple-A reliever. Too HR-prone to get excited about.
I too need to check with my wife to confirm how many children we have.
Díaz said he checked with his wife, and chose number 3 because they have 3 kids
December 12, 2025 at 10:08 PM
I too need to check with my wife to confirm how many children we have.
Aside altogether from the on-field performance and even the RC/Dunedin renos, I feel like Shapiro has significantly upgraded the organization's infrastructure and professionalism. An MLB club is both a multinational businesses and a public trust, and I think he's infused both with clear values.
News: The #BlueJays have renewed the contract of president and CEO Mark Shapiro for 5 years.
December 12, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Aside altogether from the on-field performance and even the RC/Dunedin renos, I feel like Shapiro has significantly upgraded the organization's infrastructure and professionalism. An MLB club is both a multinational businesses and a public trust, and I think he's infused both with clear values.
I would’ve felt very comfortable going 3/$45M or even higher for Robert Suarez, so I’m a little surprised the Jays didn’t. They’re paying Jeff Hoffman, a lesser closer, 3/$39M. A few potential reasons that I can see:
December 11, 2025 at 6:49 PM
I would’ve felt very comfortable going 3/$45M or even higher for Robert Suarez, so I’m a little surprised the Jays didn’t. They’re paying Jeff Hoffman, a lesser closer, 3/$39M. A few potential reasons that I can see:
Reposted by Gideon Clarke
The Orioles weren’t as good as they looked in 2024, but they also aren’t as bad as they looked in 2025. Alonso makes them better, and they’re not done yet. It’s an overpay, but that payroll (and owner) can afford a lot of overpayment. Keep an eye on them.
December 10, 2025 at 6:19 PM
The Orioles weren’t as good as they looked in 2024, but they also aren’t as bad as they looked in 2025. Alonso makes them better, and they’re not done yet. It’s an overpay, but that payroll (and owner) can afford a lot of overpayment. Keep an eye on them.
Same.
John Schneider, reflecting on the 2025 World Series, says he’s very proud of his team but adds:
“I’ll think about it until the day I leave this earth”
“Every time I go down a rabbit hole, I end up in a new rabbit hole”
“I’ll think about it until the day I leave this earth”
“Every time I go down a rabbit hole, I end up in a new rabbit hole”
December 9, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Same.
If Barry Bonds had retired after 1998, he'd have finished with 400+ HRs, 400+ SBs, a 950 career OPS, 3 MVPs, and 8 Gold Gloves in 13 seasons (8,000 PA). The unjuiced Bonds was a Hall of Famer before he turned 34.
December 8, 2025 at 10:23 PM
If Barry Bonds had retired after 1998, he'd have finished with 400+ HRs, 400+ SBs, a 950 career OPS, 3 MVPs, and 8 Gold Gloves in 13 seasons (8,000 PA). The unjuiced Bonds was a Hall of Famer before he turned 34.
And zero steroid allegations. Put him in the Hall.
For the decade spanning 1997-2006, the *average* season for Carlos Delgado was:
37 HR
116 RBI
.287/.397/.571
.969 OPS
148 OPS+
4.2 bWAR
Delgado has been overlooked by HoF voters before but he has a real case for Cooperstown. One of eight players being considered for HoF entry today.
37 HR
116 RBI
.287/.397/.571
.969 OPS
148 OPS+
4.2 bWAR
Delgado has been overlooked by HoF voters before but he has a real case for Cooperstown. One of eight players being considered for HoF entry today.
December 7, 2025 at 4:50 PM
And zero steroid allegations. Put him in the Hall.
Whoa.
Blue Jays are outrighting Yariel Rodriguez off their 40-man roster, sources tell Shi & me
Francys Romero was the first to say Yariel was coming off the 40-man
Francys Romero was the first to say Yariel was coming off the 40-man
December 6, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Whoa.
Honestly, if the Jays have enough money to pay Tucker, I think I’d prefer they signed Bichette and Diaz and extended Varsho instead.
December 4, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Honestly, if the Jays have enough money to pay Tucker, I think I’d prefer they signed Bichette and Diaz and extended Varsho instead.
The Jays’ 2026 payroll currently sits at $267M, per FanGraphs. For luxury tax purposes, it’s $281M. Tucker is widely believed to be getting at least $38M/yr for 10 years. I have no idea if the Jays will sign him. But the fact they’re serious enough about him to get to this point is mind-blowing.
December 4, 2025 at 2:28 AM
The Jays’ 2026 payroll currently sits at $267M, per FanGraphs. For luxury tax purposes, it’s $281M. Tucker is widely believed to be getting at least $38M/yr for 10 years. I have no idea if the Jays will sign him. But the fact they’re serious enough about him to get to this point is mind-blowing.
Fantastic choice, immensely deserved.
Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae has been named the winner of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s 2025 Jack Graney Award.
Congratulations to her!
She is a most deserving winner.
is.gd/FArQ3D
Congratulations to her!
She is a most deserving winner.
is.gd/FArQ3D
Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae named winner of Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame’s Jack Graney Award - Cooperstowners in Canada
Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae has been named the winner of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s 2025 Jack Graney Award.
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December 3, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Fantastic choice, immensely deserved.
You’re at The Captain.
I need you at Tennille.
I need you at Tennille.
You're at Smashing.
I need you at Pumpkins.
I need you at Pumpkins.
You're at Oates.
I need you at Hall.
I need you at Hall.
December 3, 2025 at 2:18 AM
You’re at The Captain.
I need you at Tennille.
I need you at Tennille.
I like the Ponce signing. Basically, he’s Berríos insurance: If Berríos doesn’t bounce back, Ponce takes his rotation spot this year; if he does bounce back and opts out, Ponce takes his spot in ‘27-‘28 (assuming he’s effective, of course). Worst case, they move him to the pen and bump up his velo.
December 3, 2025 at 12:23 AM
I like the Ponce signing. Basically, he’s Berríos insurance: If Berríos doesn’t bounce back, Ponce takes his rotation spot this year; if he does bounce back and opts out, Ponce takes his spot in ‘27-‘28 (assuming he’s effective, of course). Worst case, they move him to the pen and bump up his velo.
I guess we’ll find out if Devin Williams’s issue was playing in New York or playing for the Yankees.
December 2, 2025 at 2:32 AM
I guess we’ll find out if Devin Williams’s issue was playing in New York or playing for the Yankees.
Last year, the Blue Jays waited for the market. This year, they’re setting it. Completely different and amazing vibe shift. Sends a message to everyone around the league – including but not limited to Bichette’s camp. You want to win? Right here, right now.
November 26, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Last year, the Blue Jays waited for the market. This year, they’re setting it. Completely different and amazing vibe shift. Sends a message to everyone around the league – including but not limited to Bichette’s camp. You want to win? Right here, right now.
Pretty decent return for clearing $40M off the books. Still a good trade for the Red Sox, though.
The St. Louis Cardinals will receive LHP Brandon Clarke and RHP Richard Fitts in return for Gray, per Jeff Passan. Clarke was the Red Sox's 5th-ranked prospect.
November 25, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Pretty decent return for clearing $40M off the books. Still a good trade for the Red Sox, though.
MLB FA predicted years/salaries:
MLB Trade Rumors
- Tucker: 11/$400M
- Bichette: 8/$208M
- Imai: 6/$150M
ESPN
- Tucker: 11/$418M
- Bichette: 5/$130M
- Imai: 6/$157M
Fangraphs
- Tucker: 10/$370M
- Bichette: 7/$203M
- Imai: 5/$100M
Give me Bo + Imai over Tucker alone every single time.
MLB Trade Rumors
- Tucker: 11/$400M
- Bichette: 8/$208M
- Imai: 6/$150M
ESPN
- Tucker: 11/$418M
- Bichette: 5/$130M
- Imai: 6/$157M
Fangraphs
- Tucker: 10/$370M
- Bichette: 7/$203M
- Imai: 5/$100M
Give me Bo + Imai over Tucker alone every single time.
November 24, 2025 at 11:54 PM
MLB FA predicted years/salaries:
MLB Trade Rumors
- Tucker: 11/$400M
- Bichette: 8/$208M
- Imai: 6/$150M
ESPN
- Tucker: 11/$418M
- Bichette: 5/$130M
- Imai: 6/$157M
Fangraphs
- Tucker: 10/$370M
- Bichette: 7/$203M
- Imai: 5/$100M
Give me Bo + Imai over Tucker alone every single time.
MLB Trade Rumors
- Tucker: 11/$400M
- Bichette: 8/$208M
- Imai: 6/$150M
ESPN
- Tucker: 11/$418M
- Bichette: 5/$130M
- Imai: 6/$157M
Fangraphs
- Tucker: 10/$370M
- Bichette: 7/$203M
- Imai: 5/$100M
Give me Bo + Imai over Tucker alone every single time.