Former Cincinnati Reds outfielder Nick Castellanos was named to the All-MLB second team yesterday. Castellanos was the only Reds player from last season to make either the first or second team. He hit .309 with 34 home runs and 100 RBI in 2021, but he is currently a free agent.
The St. Louis Cardinals are bolstering their starting rotation. ESPN reports the Redbirds have reached a four-year, 44-million-dollar contract with left-hander Steven Matz. The 30-year-old had a stellar year in his first and only season in Toronto, going 14-and-7 with a 3.82 ERA. Matz spent the first six years of his career with the New York Mets and has a lifetime 4.24 ERA.
The Tampa Bay Rays locked up 20-year-old shortstop Wander Franco for a dozen years. ESPN reports the 12-year deal has about 185-million-dollars in guaranteed money with a maximum value of 223-million. It’s the largest contract ever for a player with less than one full year in the big leagues. Franco burst onto the scene this past season, hitting .288 with seven home runs and 39 RBI in just 70 games.