The Reds are trying to lock up young left-hander Nick Lodolo after agreeing to a $53 million, six-year deal with Hunter Greene.
Like Greene, Lodolo was a high draft pick, so his $5.4 million signing bonus out of TCU means he doesn’t need to rush into anything. But good to see the Reds trying. …
The Pirates have kept trying to work on that $100 million, seven-year extension with star center fielder Bryan Reynolds since a disagreement over an opt-out held up that potential deal — Reynolds’ side wanted one after four years, the Pirates said no.
The Pirates also at first declined a no-trade request, but it’s believed they may be willing to offer at least a limited no-trade. …
Bryce Harper could be back in a couple weeks, sources say. Amazing since it was late November when he had Tommy John surgery.
First base is a thought but apparently not an immediate one. …
The Astros will be all right once Jose Altuve returns, one rival opined, “He makes them go.” …
The Braves tried to reacquire World Series MVP Jorge Soler twice — once at the deadline (when they asked the Marlins to pay some of his $13M salary) and once over the winter. The Marlins declined one trade suggestion that would have sent Marcell Ozuna back to Miami.
(Their original trade of Ozuna to the Cardinals for Sandy Alcantara and Zac Gallen, who they traded for Jazz Chisholm, remains one of the best trades over the past quarter century).
No surprise the Marlins didn’t want Ozuna back due to his past more than performance. The Marlins did try a couple times for Eduardo Escobar. My guess: They can have him now if they like. …
Yankees scouting director Damon Oppenheimer told us on The Post podcast “The Show” that they were all set to take Mike Trout in the 2009 draft after a great workout he had for them at the Stadium. Trout, who was picked 25th (four spots ahead of the Yankees, who took pitcher Slade Heathcott), was aware he was on their radar.
“Coming here to showcase what I had was cool,” recalled Trout, from Millville, N.J. “It would have been cool” to be a Yankee.
He has no regrets though. “I got picked by the Angels,” he said. “It worked out great.” …
I’m sorry Oakland, but your time was up.