Justin Turner has four options on the table that would put him in a contender, with the Dodgers and Blue Jays two of the four, by MLB Insider Jon Heyman (via Twitter) Still, notes Heyman, the Dodgers are confident they will be able to bring Turner back to Chavez Ravine. The delay continues for the duration of the agreement, as Los Angeles targets a two-year pact, while the 36-year-old seeks four years. Speculatively speaking, the search for other potential landing points naturally leads to the NL East, where any of the Braves, Nationals, Mets or Marlins could theoretically find space for Turner. Somewhere else…
- The Nationals responded today with a statement to the recent cuts made by the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network. The Nats’ long headache over MASN – the local sports network co-owned by the Nationals and Orioles, but controlled by the Orioles – took another turn this week as personalities in the air Dan Kolko, Bo Porter, and Alex Chappell were dismissed without notice to the Nats, by Ben Strauss and Jesse Dougherty of the Washington Post. In the Nacional statement, provided by Atlético Britt Ghiroli (via Twitter), they wrote, “… To say that we are incredibly disappointed and upset by MASN’s decisions would be a gross understatement. To be clear – these decisions were made by MASN and against our will … ”Porter, of course, coached Nacional from 2011 to 2012 and later managed Astros in the 2013 and 2014 seasons. He joined Kolko in pre-season programs and post-game since 2019, during which time Chappell served as a reporter.
- Omar Minaya will accept a post as ambassador at Mets to be a public presence for the organization, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post (via Twitter) Minaya’s relationship with Mets dates back to childhood, but his professional career began to draw attention during his time as assistant general manager from 1998 to 2001. He became general manager of Mets from 2004 to 2010, when he was succeeded by Sandy Alderson . After four years with the Fathers and some time working for the MLBPA, Minaya returned to serve as one of Alderson’s lieutenants in 2017. He remained with the team during the Brodie Van Wagenen era, but was dismissed as part of cleaning the house in Steve Cohen’s new property. Minaya now returns for his fourth stint with the team. It does not appear that Minaya will have any impact on baseball operations.