Part 2/13:
The day kicked off with several noteworthy but smaller pieces of news. The Guardians’ Josh Naylor finalized a five-year, $92.5 million deal, a contract that Mariners fans are quite pleased with. Interestingly, reports indicate that the Pirates once offered Naylor nearly $80 million, highlighting how much interest there was in his services. Yet, the Pirates are now pivoting toward Kyle Schwarber, recognizing the fast-approaching arbitration clock for star third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes. As Hayes is on the verge of entering arbitration—thanks to the CBA's service time rules—the Pirates are opting to lock in Schwarber, who is coming off an impressive season. This move signals their intent to spend before Hayes’s arbitration costs escalate, a strategic shift making Pirates fans hopeful.