Report: Espada will meet Seattle about manager job

Bohm probably makes more sense as a first baseman on a lesser team than for whatever the Yankees might have in mind here. He doesn’t work as a third baseman on a team that wants to improve defensively, and while he’d probably be fine as a platoon starter at first base against lefties, it seems doubtful that he’ll need to settle for that kind of role just yet.

Cristopher Sánchez finished second, a mere one point ahead of Chris Sale. Sánchez got six more second-place votes than Sale (17-11), but only three voters listed Sale lower than third, compared to seven for Sánchez. Behind Sánchez at 99 points and Sale at 98 were Yoshinobu Yamamoto at 63 points and Jesús Luzardo at 34. Mason Miller (four fifth-place votes) and Eduardo Rodriguez (two fifth-place votes) were the only other pitchers named on ballots. Misiorowski joins Rollie Fingers (1981), Pete Vukovich (1982) and Corbin Burnes (2021) as Brewers to win the Cy Young Award. Fingers and Vukovich, though, got the AL version of the award before the Brewers switched leagues in 1988.

Miller was an easy call here after posting a 1.67 ERA and striking out a whopping 129 batters on his way to tying for the NL lead with 38 saves. Jhoan Duran was the runnerup for the inaugural edition of the award, placing second on 24 ballots and third on the rest. Trevor Megill barely topped Adrian Morejon for third place, beating him 66 points to 64 even though Morejon had more second place (4-2) and third-place votes (12-11). Alas, five voters couldn’t overlook his lack of saves and left him off their ballots entirely. Raisel Iglesias was a distant fifth at 17 points.

Varland got 16 first-place votes and finished with 146 points to top Cade Smith (seven firsts, 133 points) and Bryan Baker (six firsts, 111 points). The remaining first-place vote went to Josh Hader, though he still finished fifth behind Aroldis Chapman. Varland posted a 1.27 ERA in 78 innings and saved 35 games after replacing Jeff Hoffman as Toronto’s closer last season. Smith and Baker both had six more saves apiece, but Varland still seemed like the right choice here.

Cease received 22 second-place votes, with Messick receiving seven and finishing third. Drew Ramsussen got the remaining second-place vote and finished fourth, with Sonny Gray in fifth place. Closers Cade Smith and Bryan Baker got two and one fifth-place votes, respectively. Schlittler is the 13th unanimous AL Cy Young winner and the seventh Yankee to win the award. Gerrit Cole in 2023 and Roger Clemens in 2001 were the only Yankees to win since 1980.

At least that’s what he’s hearing from sources with rival teams. The 27-year-old Goodman hit homers last season and is under control for three more years, so he’d net quite the hefty return if the Rockies aren’t planning on trying to contend any time soon. The Yankees, Rays and Red Sox were among the teams thought to be interested in him at the deadline, though the Red Sox can probably be crossed off the list now after acquiring Adley Rutschman.

Fenstermaker singled out catcher and, with Evan Carter unavailable for the start of the year after hip surgery, center field. At catcher, the Rangers will have Danny Jansen back to finish up a two-year deal, and they’re also currently employing Logan O’Hoppe, though he seems like an obvious non-tender candidate. They should have some interest in Carson Kelly in free agency, but with limited funds available, perhaps Jake Rogers or Austin Hedges would make sense.

Harris said he got some video of Olson throwing just a couple of days ago and “he looks great.” Olson has a 3.60 ERA in 53 starts and three relief appearances since debuting with the Tigers in 2023. If healthy, he’ll definitely be in contention for a rotation spot in spring training, though he does have options remaining if he needs some extra time.

Happ would be a cheaper alternative to his former Cubs teammate Seiya Suzuki, but Suzuki’s right-handed bat would certainly be a better fit in a lefty heavy Seattle lineup. Happ is a switch-hitter, but he’s considerably better against right-handed pitching and he finished out last season as a platoon guy for the Cubs.

Imai opted into an $18 million salary next year after struggling to a 4.93 ERA over 76 2/3 innings in his first season in Houston. “This guy has great ability,” Boras said. “Obviously, the consistency you want to improve. We’re continuing to have meetings about it and getting him more locked in to a routine that fits in well for the Astros and us.” It’s unclear how much faith Houston has in Imai’s ability to bounce back, but one imagines he’ll get a chance to contend for a rotation spot in spring training.