Bob Feller served as a Chief with the U.S. Navy during WW2. Navy Chiefs (colloquially known as ‘goats’) were established on April 1, 1893.
I’d like to start this SnakeBytes off with a nod to my many Navy Chief Petty Officer brothers and sisters around the world on this, the Chief’s 132nd birthday. Fair winds and following seas to all active Chiefs and much thanks to all those Chiefs who have come before.
Diamondbacks News
Suárez (4 HR) named NL Player of the Week [DBacks.com]
Previewing Arizona Diamondbacks vs. New York Yankees by Alex D’Agostino [SI]
The Yankees boast a pair of excellent high-leverage relievers in recently-acquired closer Devin Williams, and former Diamondbacks starter Luke Weaver. Williams figures to get the save opportunities, but Weaver is certainly excellent in high leverage.
Five Big Takeaways From Diamondbacks Opening Series with Cubs by Jack Sommers [SI]
The D-backs did not play “Diamondbacks Baseball” through much of the first three games. They committed six errors in those contests. In 2024 Arizona had the lowest error total in MLB with just 62 through the entire season.
It wasn’t just the errors however. There were numerous other plays on defense that could, or even should have been turned into outs that did not get made. There were also outs on the bases including a couple at third base. None were bigger than Garrett Hampson’s base running gaffe to end Saturday night’s game.
Jordan Montgomery May Be Done as a Diamondback, But Brandon Pfaadt Is Sticking Around by Jay Jaffe [FanGraphs]
The ZiPS suggestion for the first five years of [Pfaadt’s] deal is $43.9 million, so this projection is literally just about right on the money. The Diamondbacks, whose $200 million payroll ($226 million for Competitive Balance Tax purposes) is a club record, will have considerable cash coming off the books after the season, with Montgomery, Gallen (who’s making just $13.5 million), and Kelly ($7 million) hitting free agency, along with Eugenio Suárez ($15 million) and Josh Naylor ($10.9 million). Pfaadt’s cost certainty and comparatively low salary should help provide some flexibility when it comes time to restock, ideally if he fulfills his potential as a mid-rotation starter.
Around the League
How the 2025 Opening Day Rosters Were Built by Jon Becker [FanGraphs] {Ed. Note: Lots of fun tables/info here on the roster makeup of all the MLB teams}
The Guardians’ modus operandi for years has been to build homegrown winners, and it’s unsurprising to see the Cardinals right there with Cleveland in that category considering how little St. Louis did this offseason. Conversely, because Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller keeps trading away their homegrown players, there are only three of them on San Diego’s Opening Day roster.
The teams that turn to free agency most are the ones that either have struggled to produce homegrown talent in recent years or, like the Padres, have traded away the top players in their system. Either way, because they lack capable internal options, they rely on the open market to fill out their rosters.
Red Sox, Garrett Crochet Agree to Six-Year Extension by Anthony Franco [MLB Trade Rumors]
The Red Sox and Garrett Crochet have reached agreement on a six-year, $170MM extension, reports Jeff Passan of ESPN. The deal goes into effect in 2026 and includes an opt-out after the fifth season, Passan adds. Robert Murray of FanSided reports that the deal includes an additional $10MM in escalators.
Profar suspended 80 games for PEDs by Mark Bowman [MLB]
MLB announced Profar received the 80-game suspension after testing positive for Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG), a performance-enhancing substance that is in violation of Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program.
The suspension for the 32-year-old Profar, who signed a three-year, $42 million deal with the Braves in January, will run through the end of June. Should the Braves qualify for the postseason this year, Profar will not be eligible to play.
Freddie Freeman slips in shower, out of Dodgers’ lineup [ESPN]
Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman was out of the lineup Monday night against the Atlanta Braves after slipping in the shower and hurting his surgically repaired right ankle.
“He had a little mishap entering the shower,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Kind of swelled up a little bit.”
Question of the Day