NEWSLETTER
MLB Notes — We’re 34 days from the MLB trade deadline, and while things are still lukewarm at best today, the Independence Day holiday, MLB Draft, and MLB All-Star Game are sure to have the hot stove season in full burn effect before you even notice it.
Trade Deadline Watch: White Sox, Mason Miller, More
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal has thoughts on what we might be in store for in his latest column on Tuesday.
Among those thoughts, Rosenthal sees the White Sox as a team with no shortage of suitors for a handful of players that may be available between now and July 30. According to Rosenthal, the White Sox have recently assigned top scouts to focus on the Padres’, Dodgers,’ and Mariners’ farm systems. All three clubs have shown interest in Sox players but are far from the only suitors for players like Luis Robert Jr., Garrett Crochet, Michael Kopech, and Tommy Pham.
“As previously reported, White Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet is a Padres target. Reliever Michael Kopech and outfielder Tommy Pham are among the other potential fits, and Padres GM A.J. Preller remains aggressive — or is it impatient? — in discussions.
“The Dodgers also like Crochet as well as center fielder Luis Robert Jr., major-league sources said. The Mariners, whose combined outfield OPS ranks 23rd in the majors, clearly could use Robert. But unless Robert gets hot, the White Sox fear that if they trade him at the deadline, they will be selling low.”
Rosenthal has more on the White Sox trade pieces, Mason Miller, and the dwindling starting pitching market in his column.
Benches Clear, Bean Balls, and Angry Bombs in San Deigo
The San Diego Padres topped the Washington Nationals on Monday thanks to a walk-off by Jurickson Profar in the 10th inning. Profar said after the game that he felt disrespected by the Nationals’ decision to walk Luis Arraez in front of him. Jurickson let the Nationals know as much on Monday night when he yelled at their dugout after his walk-off.
Last night, Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz had a few words for Profar before his first-inning at-bat at Petco Park. It was more than a few, so much so that Manny Machado felt the need to intervene before both dugouts cleared and assembled around home plate in the bottom of the first inning.
Benches cleared between the Nationals and Padres after a heated exchange in the first inning
Jurickson Profar was hit on the next pitch and Mike Shildt was ejected pic.twitter.com/wMviMwO5GP— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 26, 2024
The very next pitch, former Padre Mackenzie Gore drilled Profar with a pitch, and to Mike Shildt’s dismay, wasn’t ejected despite warnings being issued to both dugouts after the benches cleared.
On the next pitch, Manny Machado drilled Mackenzie Gore’s offering into the left field seats to drive home Profar and himself and make it 2-0 Padres.
Manny Machado then came to the plate and immediately homered https://t.co/qn5fBYYD48 pic.twitter.com/XlqEJXhGSq
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 26, 2024
Jim Schlossnagle Tales the Texas Job Less than 24 Hours After “Unfair” Question About His Future with the Aggies
Listen, in a vacuum, I have no issue with the result here. But I can’t help but feel like new Texas baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle is kind of a turd after the way he handled the last 24 hours.
After leading Texas A&M to the College World Series finals and coming up short against Tennessee, Texas A&M coach Jim Schlossnagle denied being linked to the head coaching vacancy at rival Texas. He was asked to address the Texas job that opened Monday and his future in College Station after the Aggies’ 6-5 loss at Charles Schwab Field.
“I think it’s pretty selfish of you to ask me that question, to be honest with you,” Schlossnagle said. “I left my family to be the coach at Texas A&M. I took the job at Texas A&M to never take another job again. And that hasn’t changed, in my mind. That’s unfair to talk about something like that. … I understand you gotta ask the question, but I gave up a big part of my life to come take this job and I’ve poured every ounce of my soul in this job and I’ve given this job every single ounce I can possibly give it. Write that.”
Schlossnagle got up and left the podium after that answer, which would have been no issue; it was a heat-of-the-moment type of thing. However, less than 24 hours later, he contradicted his hasty response by taking the Texas job.
Here’s where he calls the question of why he called the previous question unfair and why he seemingly intentionally misled the Texas A&M fan base and program less than 24 hours prior:
Jim Schlossnagle is a GREAT baseball coach.
He’s also a complete scumbag. Anyone in this profession who isn’t brave enough to tell you that isn’t giving you what you deserve.
The truth. pic.twitter.com/32BLAi4ycw— Chris Phillips (@CPhilly19) June 26, 2024
