MLB Weekly Update - 3/11/21

We are one third of the way through Spring Training games, which means that Opening Day is that much closer. A couple of players signed contracts who could have a big impact on their teams in 2021, a manager underwent heart surgery, and fans are coming back in a big way in Texas. Let’s get to it! 

Two more free agents signed contracts last week. The first was Jackie Bradley Jr. who signed a 2-year $24 million deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. The former Red Sox outfielder is regarded as one of the best defensive players in baseball. His bat is not why the Brewers signed him but this move has arguably made Milwaukee the best defensive team in baseball. The second free agent to find a home is former Twins starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi who signed a 2-year $20.5 million contract with the Houston Astros. This is a big move for Houston who really needed starting pitching depth. Odorizzi was injured most of last season but he was an All Star in 2019. If healthy, Odorizzi will be a major contributor to this Astros rotation. 

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone took a medical leave of absence last week to get a pacemaker for his heart. The surgery went successful and Boone is feeling great. He will return to the helm as Yankees skipper as soon as he clears his quarantine. This is Boone’s second heart surgery, the first was back in 2009. We want to wish Boone a full recovery and look forward to seeing him back in the dugout yelling at umpires. 

The Texas Rangers announced that they will allow 100% seating capacity for Opening Day. As most teams are struggling to get even limited capacity at games, it seems that Texas just doesn’t give a fuck. Globe Life Field had its inaugural season in 2020. It was also host to the NLDS, NLCS, and World Series in which fans were allowed in limited capacity. It will be wild to see a 40,000 seat stadium at full capacity on Opening Day. After that however, the Rangers announced that they will go back to a limited capacity seating arrangement. Masks will be required for all games. The Rangers open their season against the Toronto Blue Jays on April 1.  

That’s all for now. I hope everyone is enjoying Spring Training! See you next week for another MLB Update here at TLDR. 

Tyler