Minor Leaguer | Bluebird Banter: While we were busy with the Hall of Fame results, the Blue Jays continued their successful offseason by signing Marcus Semien to a one-year, $18 million deal. This is roughly what the A’s declined to extend their shortstop at the outset of the offseason which allowed the Blue Jays to scoop him up without losing a draft pick.
Roger Cormier | Baseball Prospectus $: Before having one of the greatest MLB careers of any player in history, the late Hank Aaron briefly played in the Negro Leagues for the Indianapolis Clowns. As an 18-year-old shortstop, Aaron lived in Josh Gibson’s shadow until he moved to a league that wasn’t aware of the shade.
Tom Krosnowski | Pinstripe Alley: For the first time since 2014, the Red Sox and Yankees pulled off a trade. On Monday night, the Yankees traded Adam Ottavino and Frank German to the Red Sox for sweet, sweet salary relief. Here’s the Yankees’ rationale for doing so.