Domingo German might not have to look far for his next MLB franchise.
This week, MLB insider Mike Rodriguez revealed that the Pittsburgh Pirates had visited with the controversial righty German multiple times and intend to be a finalist for his signing. Rodriguez also mentioned the Los Angeles Angels, who met with German (but have since signed another veteran pitcher).
German, 31, is still unsigned this winter amid a very weak market for starting pitchers. Furthermore, German comes with additional baggage from his recent season with the New York Yankees. Though German threw an unusual perfect game in June of last year, his Yankees time came to an end due to some alarming clubhouse conduct by German, which led to him seeking treatment for alcoholism.
From 2019 to 2020, German was also suspended from Major League Baseball for 81 games for suspected domestic assault against his girlfriend. The Pirates, however, do not appear to be concerned about German’s past and may add him to a club that has already added another contentious ex-Yankee this offseason.
Angels take a risk on former Red Sox champion.
This offseason, the Los Angeles Angels are continuing to look for bargains to enhance.
According to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register, the Angels signed free agent lefty Drew Pomeranz on Tuesday. According to Fletcher, the journeyman Pomeranz will receive a minor-league contract as well as an invitation to big-league camp.
Pomeranz, 35, has been around. He is an 11-year veteran who has previously played for six clubs (Colorado, Oakland, San Diego, Boston, San Francisco, and Milwaukee). Pomermanz’s record includes an All-Star selection (with the Padres in 2016) and a World Series ring (with the Red Sox in 2018).
That was a long time ago, though, as Pomeranz hasn’t pitched since the 2021 MLB season. He had surgery in August 2021 to repair a damaged flexor tendon in his pitching elbow, and he has since suffered several setbacks that have kept him out of the majors for the past two seasons.
For the Angels, pursuing Pomeranz is a low-risk, low-reward play. That has been their front office’s strategy this winter, as they have spent sparingly, preferring to take chances on over-the-hill former All-Stars.
Shohei Ohtani goes viral with amazing batting practice session.
MLB Opening Day is still more than a month away. On Monday, however, Los Angeles Dodgers fans got a first look at Shohei Ohtani’s hitting power in Dodger blue.
Ohtani made his first on-field swings after having surgery in September to mend his damaged elbow. According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, the Dodgers’ slugger threw several baseballs over the fence during batting practice.
Dodgers fans don’t have to imagine what Ohtani’s BP looked like. The team’s official X account caught and shared video of the workout from an incredible vantage point behind home plate. Ohtani absolutely launched multiple baseballs into the stunning blue horizon. Some believe the baseballs are still in the air as of this writing.
The two-way great will be limited to batting in his debut season with the Dodgers after his second Tommy John surgery eliminated the possibility of his pitching in 2024. However, if Ohtani can execute at the plate like he did last season, he may still cause considerable damage as the Dodgers’ designated hitter.
Ohtani hit.304 in his final season with the Los Angeles Angels. His.412 on-base percentage led the American League, while his.654 slugging percentage and 1.066 OPS ranked first in the majors.
Despite his superstar performances and a $700 million contract, Ohtani is apparently not acting like a generational talent as he adjusts to his new Dodgers teammates.
