MLB Rumors: Did the Astros get away with one?
Washington Nationals manager Dave Martinez was furious after a walk-off loss to the Houston Astros. The game ended in controversial fashion, as Houston slugger Jake Meyers appeared to be outside the basepaths, thus causing what would become a game-ending error from Nationals catcher Keibert Ruiz.
With a five-man infield, Martinez's defensive adjustment was the right call, as an easy out was made at home plate. Ruiz made an accurate throw to first base, which would have resulted in a double play.
Meyers, however, was in the way of the throw.
The fielder right of way rule, per the MLB rulebook, is meant to give the fielding player every opportunity to make a play on the ball. If a baserunner, or any offensive player or coach, gets in the way, then the runner should be called out:
"Fielders have a right to occupy any space needed to catch or field a batted ball and also must not be hindered while attempting to field a thrown ball.
If any member of the batting team (including the coaches) interferes with a fielder's right of way to field a batted ball, the batter shall be declared out. If any member of the batting team (including the coaches) interferes with a fielder's right of way to field a thrown ball, the runner on whom the play is being made shall be ruled out. In both cases, the ball will be declared dead and all runners must return to their last legally occupied base at the time of the interference. However, a runner is not obligated to vacate a base he is legally permitted to occupy to allow a defender the space to field a batted or thrown ball in the proximity of said base."
Of course, if Meyers is deemed within the basepaths, then it's on the catcher Ruiz to avoid the runner. The rule itself leaves much up to the umpire's interpretation, which doesn't help matters. Martinez was furious after the game, even printing out a still photo of Meyers running to first base.
Martinez is sure to be fined for his antics, but he's right — baseball needs to do a better job defining its rules for all involved.
MLB Rumors: Braves steal another former Oakland Athletics slugger
Atlanta signed former All-Star first baseman Jesus Aguilar on Wednesday, who previously spent time with the Oakland Athletics. Alex Anthopoulos has made a habit of acquiring for A's, including trades for Sean Murphy and Matt Olson.
Aguilar is of a different variety, of course. He signed a one-year prove it contract this offseason in Oakland, but his relatively low average and power output allowed the A's to turn over the first base position to impressive Rule 5 pick Ryan Noda.
Aguilar slashed just .221/.281/.385 with five homers in 115 plate appearances with Oakland. He's set to turn 33 years old later this season. MLB Trade Rumors explained what the A's saw in Aguilar when they signed him initially, and perhaps what the Braves are hoping for this time around:
"During that 2017-21 peak, Aguilar was an All-Star (2017) and consistent power threat, topping out with a career-high 35 dingers back in 2018. At his best, Aguilar walked between 10-11% of his plate appearances and kept his strikeouts at or south of the league's average rate. In 2023, he walked at a sub-par 7% clip and fanned in 27.5% of his plate appearances while delivering career-worst marks in average exit velocity (86.7 mph) and hard-hit rate (29.3%)."
Atlanta doesn't have room for Aguilar on the roster currently. Olson plays a solid first base, while Marcell Ozuna has locked up the DH spot with a hot June. Aguilar reported to Gwinnett, where he'll play first base and serve as stashed depth, just in case.
MLB Rumors: Will Max Scherzer's contract haunt the NY Mets?
New York Mets ace Max Scherzer was booed in his last start, in which he allowed six earned runs against the New York Yankees in the Subway Series.
"We've all got to be better," Scherzer said. "If we're going to be better, we've got to win as a team. Everybody's got to do their part to win as a team."
Scherzer continued, expressing to put the blame squarely on him for that Mets defeat. His slider, specifically, was the problem.
"This is simple: I struggled with my slider," Scherzer said. "Every time I was throwing my slider, it was hanging. I wasn't executing it the way I needed to. I can't believe I was hanging that many sliders in all those situations."
New York doesn't control Scherzer's destiny this offseason, as he can opt into the final year of his contract and make $43.33 million. Now, Steve Cohen has plenty of money to spend, but if Scherzer doesn't improve that contract won't look great from an organizational perspective.
While the Mets did win on Wednesday night, thus splitting the Subway Series, the rotation remains a concern. Scherzer and Justin Verlander haven't pitched up to par so far, and certainly not in consistent fashion.
