Author: Passion MLB

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World Series: Drake motivates the Dodgers

Exactly one week ago, we were still recovering from the emotions of the final game of the 2025 World Series won by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

And now, one of the heroes of the Dodgers’ comeback has spoken of the extra motivation his club had to come back in the series as well as in duel number seven.

Indeed, after the Toronto Blue Jays won Game 5 of the Fall Classic in Los Angeles to take a 3-2 series lead, Canadian rapper Drake troll Shohei Ohtani with two posts on Instagram.

One was an image of the three-time MVP winner being foiled by young Trey Yesavage, and the other taken during a Nippon photo shoot with the caption “ONE MORE !!!!!!!”

Those words definitely backfired on the Blue Jays. Miguel Rojas, who hit the tying home run with one out in the top of the 9th inning to tie the game at four-all, talked about it with TMZ.

I try to stay humble, not talk too much. But, I mean, it doesn’t go unnoticed, you know. Like, when you do something like that, when you disrespect the best player in the world a little bit, without understanding the quality of the person and what the guy has done for baseball….

Then, Kiké Hernandez, during his speech at the Dodgers World Series parade, couldn’t resist throwing a not-so-subtle jib at Drake, referencing one of the 39-year-old artist’s songs, “Big Rings”.

Maybe Drake shouldn’t have sold the bear before killing it. Ohtani and the Dodgers then finished the job and the rapper once again looks like a cabochon.

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Steve Cohen missed his target

Five years ago, after the 2020 season, Steve Cohen officially acquired the New York Mets.

The man who had tried to get his hands on the Dodgers in the past had a clear goal: to make the Mets the #1 team in New York and the Dodgers of the East Coast.

So he invested a lot of money in his club. Whether on the field or in other areas of the organization, he didn’t cut corners, and he used his wealth to make the Mets… interesting.

The race between the Yankees and Mets for Juan Soto a year ago is a good example.

But to become the Dodgers, it not only takes money, it takes spending that pays off. The big names signed by the Dodgers help the club’s culture.

But with the Mets, the results are slow in coming.

For example, in 2023, the club took a big step backward by missing the playoffs. That was the year the big sale took place and Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander were traded.

In 2024, the club played beyond expectations and made it to the Final Four in October… but in 2025, the lack of depth on the mound hurt the Mets, who once again missed the playoffs.

Why do we say all this?

Because the MetsMuse Twitter account reminds us that five years ago, Steve Cohen said he wanted to win the World Series within five years, otherwise it would be considered a certain failure.

And when I look at my watch, I see that it’s… five years later.

This will be a very, very important winter for the Mets. Will the club, which signed Juan Soto to play in the playoffs and win the World Series, achieve its boss’s goals? We shall live and see.

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MLB en bref : Des tatouages sur les fesses | Freddie Freeman était choqué

Des tatouages sur les fesses

Plusieurs joueurs des Dodgers ont célébré leur Série mondiale ainsi, selon Miguel Rojas.

Kodai Senga sur le marché?

Il sera un nom à surveiller cet hiver.

Où signera Alex Bregman?

Son cas retient l’attention sur le marché de l’autonomie.

La menace du lock-out plane se fait déjà sentir

Attendez-vous à voir des équipes être tranquilles cet hiver pour cette raison.

Les plus grands récipiendaires du Bâton d’argent

Mike Trout mène toujours la charge parmi les joueurs actifs.

Freddie Freeman était choqué

Il n’en revenait pas de voir Yoshinobu Yamamoto se réchauffer dans l’enclos lors du match #7.

Du boulot pour Tony Mansolino

Celui qui était gérant par intérim des Orioles débarque à Atlanta.

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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. receives a hero’s welcome in the Dominican Republic

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has had a busy 2025. The Blue Jays star, who began the season without a long-term contract, finally signed a 14-year deal that will keep him in Toronto for the rest of his career.

Then, a few months later, he led his team to the World Series… during which he would most likely have been named MVP had Miguel Rojas not changed the course of the series in the ninth inning.

His regular season wasn’t always easy, but in the playoffs, he was sparkling.

And following his crazy year, Vladdy took the time to thank fans via his Instagram account. He talked about a special year that changed his life.

So Guerrero Jr. is enjoying a bit of a vacation… and he’s back in his hometown in the Dominican Republic, Don Gregorio.

And what you notice when you see footage captured at the time of his return is that he was given a hero’s welcome.

After a year like that, it makes sense… even if he wasn’t able to lift the big trophy.

It’s safe to assume that Vladdy will spend some time with his family and loved ones over the next few weeks, then start preparing for next season. Because next season comes faster than usual when you get to the World Series.

In short, a good dose of love for Guerrero Jr. who has by no means stolen it following his big series. Let’s see if he can repeat his exploits in 2026, now.

  • Myles Straw also thanked the fans.

  • Speaking of the Jays.

  • Carlos Carrasco back in Atlanta (with a minor league contract).

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Munetaka Murakami: the Blue Jays are one to watch

On Friday, we learned that Munetaka Murakami was now available to MLB teams. The Japanese star has 45 days (as of Friday) to sign a contract with a Manfred Tour team if he wishes to make the jump to America.

Murakami will therefore have signed before the holidays, at the latest.

Naturally, he’s a name that makes people sit up and take notice. He’s made quite an impression in Japan in recent years thanks to his power, and it will be interesting to see which team gets hold of his services. And more importantly, at what price.

The Dodgers, Yankees and Mariners are often mentioned in this context… but according to Ben Nicholson-Smith(Sportsnet), executives across the majors are keeping an eye on two teams in particular for Murakami.

They are the Yankees… and the Blue Jays.

We know that Ross Atkins, in his end-of-season press briefing, mentioned that the club doesn’t want to close the door on signing a player who is primarily a designated hitter. And that’s interesting in view of the fact that Murakami, even though he played third base in Japan, could well only be a first baseman or designated hitter in America.

And with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first base, let’s just say the position is… occupied.

That said, we know that George Springer is primarily a designated hitter at this stage of his career… and Anthony Santander, who still has several years left on his contract, is likely to become one at some point.

So you have to wonder if there’s really room for Murakami in town… but obviously, there are executives across MLB who seem to believe there is. He’ll obviously be a name to keep an eye on, then.

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Death of his daughter: Alex Vesia explains why he missed the World Series

Sad news in the sports world.

Alex Vesia, the Dodgers pitcher who was unable to pitch in the World Series against the Blue Jays due to a personal situation, has given more details about his family situation.

In a post on social networks, the pitcher announced that his daughter had passed away on October 26, right in the middle of the World Series. If the photo accompanying the post is anything to go by, she really wasn’t that old.

So he and his wife are in terrible mourning. And watching his Dodgers win the World Series won’t help ease the pain.

In a lengthy post, he took the time to pay tribute to his daughter, but also to thank the Dodgers and the baseball world for all the messages of support.

In particular, he named the Blue Jays, and you’d think it was because the Dodgers’ World Series opponents paid tribute to Vesia. Toronto relievers had the L.A. pitcher’s #51 on their caps, at one point.

The medical team who cared for the family were also thanked.

It’s hard to think of a worse tragedy for a family. The next few months (so the off-season for Vesia) will be difficult and our thoughts are with them as things continue.

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MLB en bref : Kevin Gausman remercie les fans | Pas un bon signe pour les Rockies

Kevin Gausman remercie les fans

Il voulait rendre la ville de Toronto fière.

Le budget des Giants

Signer un lanceur à long terme n’est pas réaliste.

Pas un bon signe pour les Rockies

Paul DePodesta n’était pas aimé par les fans des Browns de Cleveland.

Trevor Story s’explique

Il ne voulait pas quitter Boston.

Luis Robert Jr. chez les Yankees?

C’est une possibilité.

L’importance de Chris Bassitt

Les Blue Jays doivent-ils le ramener?

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Here’s why Bo Bichette might consider a short-term contract

A free agent in his prime normally wants to sign a long-term contract. However, as we’ve seen in recent years, some guys have to sign for the short term.

Why? Because the market won’t give them the contract they want.

We imagine that Bo Bichette, whether in Toronto or elsewhere, will want a long-term contract. A seven- or eight-year deal will undoubtedly be in his sights, after hitting quite a few safe shots in 2025.

But what if he only gets a five-year offer at $26 million a year, for example? Because according to Ben Nicholson-Smith, it’s possible.

If so, Bichette could sign a short contract (with opt-outs) to become a free agent again at 29, not 33, when the offers aren’t as good on his table.

Reading the text by Kiley McDaniel (who also talks about $130 million over five years for Bichette), we understand that, if his market develops poorly, it would be to his advantage to sign in the short term. Or at least, to consider the idea.

In fact, if he proves that his knee is healthy (in Toronto or elsewhere) in 2026, it could help him earn more money in 2027. Even though he’s been healthy for most of the season, he’s been injured in the past and missed a significant part of the race and playoffs.

Bo Bichette could also demonstrate his defensive versatility by moving to second base and proving that he’s not necessarily a negative defensively.

And finally, with no qualifying offer in a year’s time, his market could be more robust.

But hey. Since he was good in 2025 and a work stoppage seems imminent in a year’s time, I can see him pushing hard for his long-term contract right now. But I say all that in case things go badly on the market this year.

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Munetaka Murakami to be released today

As the MLB free agent market opened yesterday (Thursday), a new name will be added to the showcase.

Japanese Munetaka Murakami will be made available by the Yakult Swallows today (Friday), as reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Starting Saturday, Murakami will have 45 days to negotiate a deal with a Major League Baseball team and begin his career in North America.

Nippon and has hit 265 home runs so far in his career in the Land of the Rising Sun, including 56 in 141 games in 2022, when he won the Nippon Baseball League MVP award. The 25-year-old was also a member of the 2023 World Baseball Classic champions.

If you’re tired of hearing about the Los Angeles Dodgers, this isn’t where things are going to change. Despite having exercised the $10 million option on Max Muncy’s contract, the California outfit will once again be in the derby.

The Seattle Mariners, who were so close to a World Series appearance, will also be in line to acquire Murakami’s services, especially if Eugenio Suarez doesn’t return to Washington State. With a very solid starting rotation, the priority this winter will be offense, just as it was at the last trade deadline.

Still in the American League, the New York Yankees are in desperate need of a third cushion and will certainly be scrambling to lure the Japanese to the East. In fact, if Murakami doesn’t play in the West next year, there’s a good chance it will be with the Bombardiers, who have already expressed an interest.

To be continued over the next month and a half.

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Kyle Tucker: Blue Jays favorite

Last Saturday, the Toronto Blue Jays were two outs away from winning their first World Series title, before it all fell apart. Less than a week later, however, it’s already time to look ahead to the 2026 campaign.

And one name to keep an eye on in the coming weeks in connection with the Blue Jays is Kyle Tucker. The Chicago Cubs acquired him at a high price a year ago, but are likely to let him leave the Windy City.

In fact, according to BetOnline, the representatives of the Ontario metropolis would even be the favorites to get their hands on the star outfielder, with odds of +300. The Los Angeles Dodgers, of course, come in second with odds of +350.

In the best of all possible worlds, Tucker is expected to initial a contract in the $500 million range after being selected to the All-Star Game for the fourth consecutive year.

Tucker’s potential is immense, as he was one home run away from joining Jeff Bagwell and Carlos Beltran as the only members of the Houston Astros to record a season of 30 long balls and 30 stolen bases in 2023.

However, the 28-year-old has missed more than a hundred games due to injury over the past two seasons and has yet to hit more than thirty home runs.

For the Blue Jays, adding a talent like Tucker to their line-up would help immensely, with the left-handed slugger coming off a campaign in which he posted a .266 batting average with 22 home runs and 73 runs produced.

If Bo Bichette were to leave Toronto, Tucker would make up for that loss in the offensive role, and this kind of signing would show the whole league that the Blue Jays are here to stay as big-league contenders.

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