MLB news: Boston Red Sox, Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays

Well, it’s Groundhog Day … again. Before you settle in to watch the Bill Murray classic today, check out some of the latest MLB news and notes, including a surprise with a recent Boston Red Sox transaction, an arbitration settlement with the Seattle Mariners, and a Toronto Blue Jays legend gets the call.

Boston Red Sox news: Matt Barnes talks about “complete blindside”

After being recently designated for assignment by the Red Sox and then traded to the Miami Marlins, Barnes told Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com that the moves were “a complete blindside.” Barnes opens up to Cotillo on the move and why he believes last season was difficult for him.

Logging all nine of his MLB seasons in a Red Sox uniform, Barnes was an All-Star in 2021. However, his numbers crept up in 2022, posting a 4.31 ERA/3.87 FIP/1.437 WHIP in 39.2 innings (44 games) while battling shoulder inflammation.

Following the departure of Xander Bogaerts, Barnes was the longest-tenured member of the team, but he became a casualty of roster size when the Red Sox inked Adam Duvall to a deal. He appeared in 429 games, with 427 coming in a relief role, marking the second-highest number in Red Sox history.

Seattle Mariners news: Diego Castillo loses arbitration case

Pitcher Diego Castillo will earn $2.95 million in 2023 after losing his arbitration case against the Mariners. The 29-year-old right-hander had filed for $3.225 million.

Castillo saw action in 59 games for Seattle last season, finishing 23 of them and logging seven saves. He struck out 53 in 54.1 innings of work, posting a career-low 8.8 strikeouts per nine innings. Castillo has five MLB seasons under his belt, including his time in Seattle which began after a 2021 trade deadline deal sent him to the Pacific Northwest from the Tampa Bay Rays.

Toronto Blue Jays news: Jesse Barfield heading to Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame

The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum has announced its 2023 class, and it includes former Blue Jays outfielder Jesse Barfield. Joining former Montreal Expos left-hander Denis Boucher, former Oakland A’s right-hander Rich Harden, and Canadian coach and executive Joe Wiwchar, Barfield will be part of a class that is inducted at the Hall of Fame grounds in St. Marys, Ontario, on June 17.

According to the official release from the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, “In total, in his parts of nine seasons with the Blue Jays, Barfield played 1,032 games and ranks in the club’s all-time top 10 in several statistical categories, including fourth in WAR (29.5), seventh in home runs (179) and ninth in total bases (1,672) and RBIs (527).”

Another former Blue Jays star will be present at the ceremony as well as John Olerud, who was elected as part of the Class of 2020, will finally take his place in the Hall of Fame.