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The most surprising move so far this free agent season was the Angels'  deal with Noah Syndergaard. After 2020 Tommy John surgery, an extended rehab process, testing COVID positive, and pitching just two innings (while not throwing his curveball) at the end of September, the shaggy-haired righthander was hoping the Mets would extend him a Qualifying Offer. The shock was his spurning it and quickly signing with the Angels for one year and $21 million. Capitalism is wonderful, isn't it? But, between us, Thor looks like a pricey Lotto ticket, with a potentially great payoff -- against greater odds.
At the other end of the Jersey Turnpike, and over the Walt Whitman Bridge, Bryce Harper had the kind of season Phillies fans were waiting for. He joined Barry Bonds as only the second player ever to be named National League MVP for two different teams before turning 30.  

Did you notice that the Phanatic looked a bit different the last couple of years? The Phillies made subtle changes to the look of its mascot to deal with a copyright suit by the creature's designers. 
Compare 2021's Phanatic to the one from a couple years earlier. Beside the "Throwback Thursday" uniform top, the socks and shoes changed color, there were now prominent eyebrows and the nose was a bit different.
The original design might return next season after a settlement between the ballclub and the artists Bonnie Erickson and Wayde Harrison.
The least surprising award winner this month is Shohei Ohtani. Claiming American League MVP with a two way brilliance unseen since 1919, Babe Ruth's last season with the Red Sox -- when he pitched regularly along with powering the middle of the lineup.
46 homers and a best-in-the-AL eight triples, 100 RBI AND going 9-2 in 23 starts. Yep, that's Ruthian (29 HR/113 RBI, a .322 average and a 9-5 mark on the mound). 
Lots of juggling last week, as clubs finalized their 40 man rosters leading up to the Rule 5 draft. The Yankees made some tough decisions in order to protect their rising prospects. So it was goodbye to utilitymen Rougned Odor and Tyler Wade, pitcher Nick Nelson and -- the surprise -- outfielder Clint Frazier. Injuries and inconsistency outweighed his potential. The Yanks saw glimpses over parts of six big league season, but never enough sustained production. Now 27, he's gone from starting left fielder in April to a player hoping to catch on elsewhere in 2022.

And this week's Wayback:
Aside from the bumper crop of shortstops, outfielder Starling Marte is one of this winter's most talked-about free agents. Here he is in 2011, a year before his big league debut, playing AA ball for the Altoona Curve against the Trenton Thunder.



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