Houston Astros' George Springer celebrates his two-run double in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
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The prior week in MLB was about a young player helping his team achieve new heights in the World Series, an outfielder in American League receives an extension, and a veteran player is a free agent.
Astros Win First World Series, George Springer Named World Series MVP
The Houston Astros defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7 of the World Series, which allowed them to capture their first title in franchise history.
This was a very memorable World Series filled with fantastic moments that will be remembered for a long time.
There were a handful of players on the Astros that could have been selected as the Most Valuable Player, but there was only that made sense.
George Springer was named the 2017 World Series MVP, and he made an impact throughout the series.
Who else?
George Springer is your 2017 @chevrolet #WorldSeries MVP. pic.twitter.com/PEOI8SrHwV
— MLB (@MLB) November 2, 2017
He set the tone in Game 7, by leading the game off with a double and crushed a two-run homer in the second inning to give the Astros a five-run cushion.
The home run by Springer was historic as he became the only player in MLB history to homer in four straight games in the same World Series, per Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle.
George Springer is the first player to homer in four consecutive games in a World Series.
— Jake Kaplan (@jakemkaplan) November 2, 2017
He also set a record for extra-base hits (eight) and total bases (29) and tied Reggie Jackson and Chase Utley for the most homers in a World Series with five, per MLB Stat of the Day.
George Springer now holds records for XBHs (8), total bases (29) & HRs (5, tied with Jackson, Utley) in a single #WorldSeries. pic.twitter.com/A22XJkUQ6Q
— MLB Stat of the Day (@MLBStatoftheDay) November 2, 2017
Springer had a fantastic series and was a catalyst for the Astros winning their first World Series.
Angels Ink OF Justin Upton to Five-Year Contract Extension
The Los Angeles Angels have made the first splash of the offseason, by signing outfielder Justin Upton to a five-year extension.
????The #Angels have agreed to terms on a five-year contract with OF Justin Upton. The contract will take Upton through the 2022 campaign???? pic.twitter.com/sLT2WYSD34
— Angels (@Angels) November 2, 2017
The deal will be worth $106 million, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
Justin Upton’s new contract with #Angels: 5 years and $106 million, tacking on one year and $18M from existing deal
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) November 2, 2017
The Angels acquired Upton in August, and he hit .273 with a .901 OPS with 35 home runs and 109 RBIs split between the Detroit Tigers and Angels.
He only .245 with seven homers and 15 RBIs in his time with the Angels, but Upton has always been a talented hitter with plenty of power.
The Angels needed to add some firepower to their lineup to complement Mike Trout, and this deal makes sense.
It’s unknown if Upton will be able to replicate his 2017 season, but the Angels are hopeful that he can.
The other part of this deal is that it sets the market for other free-agent outfielders.
If Upton, who compiled his first 30-homer, 100-plus RBI campaign can get $106 million, just imagine what J.D. Martinez could get?
Marlins Part Ways with Ichiro
The Miami Marlins have decided to part ways with outfielder Ichiro Suzuki. They declined his 2018 team option on Friday, which makes him a free agent, per Joe Frisaro of MLB.com.
Details on @Marlins declining club option on #Ichiro who is now a free agent https://t.co/gJ5XhOBWbo
— Joe Frisaro (@JoeFrisaro) November 3, 2017
The Japanese hit machine accumulated a .255 batting average and .649 OPS in 196 at-bats with three home runs and 20 RBIs last season.
Ichiro just turned 44 this October and believed he can play MLB until the age of 50. I do expect that Ichiro finds a new team for the 2018 season as he’s still a solid hitter, who can be a valuable member of a club.
Author Profile
- Chris is a New Jersey native whose favorite sports team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. He previously attended Western New England College to study Sports Management. Chris has been following the Diamondbacks since he was 12. You can find him on Twitter at @aecanada12.
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