Colorado Rockies 1995 Draft: Todd Helton or a Hall of Fame pitcher?

The New York Mets signed a veteran pitcher thanks to injuries to Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer. They need all the help they can get. With Scherzer the latest big-name Met to get hurt, the Queens ball-club needs some reinforcements. That’ll come way on the minor leagues, of course, as New York has plenty of options.

Chicago Cubs catcher Willson Contreras was ejected for arguing balls and strikes with the home plate umpire. Yet, he was actually right to do so. Electronic strike zone, anyone? The system currently being tested in MLB-affiliated leagues could make its way to the bigs if moments like the one in Friday afternoon’s game between the Cubs and Diamondbacks continue to occur with regularity.

David Ortiz says it “would be stupid” if the Boston Red Sox allowed shortstop Xander Bogaerts to walk after this season. Ahead of the start of the 2022 season Boston Red Sox fans waited for updates that revealed that the team and shortstop Xander Bogaerts agreed to terms on a contract extension. That did not come to reality, as the team did sign Trevor Story to a six year contract and would play second base for the 2022 season. With Bogaerts carrying a player opt-out at the end of the campaign, one has to wonder if this will be it for his time in Boston.

Expect plenty of MLB rumors about the Chicago Cubs shopping Willson Contreras to any of these five favorites to land him. Willson Contreras is one of several Chicago Cubs players who should get shopped at this year’s trade deadline and headline many MLB rumors this summer. His chances are greater than most of his teammates. As a catcher, he might be easily the best available option for teams to pick up at the deadline and improve the position offensively, defensively, or both. Also just a rental, he’s a candidate any team could use to temporarily plug in behind the plate or even give some starts to as the DH.

The Houston Astros look like one of the best baseball teams yet again in 2022 and should already be scouting these three potential trade deadline targets. The Houston Astros have made some tremendous headway in FanSided’s MLB Power Rankings but more importantly in the American League standings. The team was slow to start this year but have come roaring back in recent weeks to give the Los Angeles Angels some competition.

The Atlanta Braves have made a surprising lineup change with William Contreras ahead of Monday night’s matchup against the Phillies. Per MLB.com Braves beat writer Mark Bowman, the Braves are going to be giving young catcher William Contreras his first ever (major league) start in the outfield, as he will bat second and play left field in tonight’s game.

The St. Louis Cardinals could be down another starting pitcher in free-agent acquisition Steven Matz. If Matz has to miss time, a trade is a must. The Cards rotation was already a weak spot, and a sore point for most fans who expected more from the front office to address that need this offseason.

Steven Matz was one of the Cardinals’ high-priced free agent addition this past offseason. Against the Pirates on Sunday morning, he was removed with an injury. Matz was just four pitches in to his eighth start of the season. The early happenings of his St. Louis career have not been positive, as he’s 3-3 with an ERA over six.