MLB Weekly Digest: January 6th Edition: German Receives Suspension

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The last week in MLB was about a player receiving a suspension, reliever signs a deal with a National League team and a young outfielder signs a multi-year contract.

New York Yankees Starting Pitcher Domingo German Suspended 81 Games for Domestic Violence

New York Yankees starting pitcher Domingo German has been suspended 81 games for violating MLB’s joint domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse policy, per an announcement by MLB several days ago.

MLB officially announces Germán suspension: pic.twitter.com/o3YzWAZWzI

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) January 2, 2020

The suspension is retroactive to Sept. 19, when German was first placed on administrative leave due to an investigation, which means he’ll miss 63 games for the 2020 season.

The pitcher is ineligible to participate in spring training but will be allowed to play in the postseason next year, per Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.

Per @feinsand, Domingo German will not be permitted to participate in 2020 Spring Training. He is eligible for the 2020 postseason.

— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) January 2, 2020

The other aspect of the suspension is that German agreed to contribute to Sanctuary for Families, a non-profit based in New York City that works with victims of domestic violence.

He decided not to appeal the suspension and will undergo further treatment.

Washington Nationals Sign Reliever Will Harris to Three-Year Deal

The Washington Nationals made a significant addition to their bullpen by signing reliever Will Harris to a three-year contract, per a club announcement.

https://twitter.com/Nationals/status/1213182530393952261

The deal is worth $24 million, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Source confirms: Harris deal with #Nationals is three years, $24M. First with terms: @BNightengale.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 3, 2020

Harris had a phenomenal 2019 season for the Houston Astros as he posted a 1.50 ERA in 60 innings pitched (68 games) with 62 strikeouts, 14 walks yielded, six home runs surrendered, a 3.15 FIP, and a 0.93 WHIP.

He remained robust in the postseason last year for the Astros, by compiling a 1.86 ERA in nine and 2/3 innings pitched (12 games) with 11 strikeouts, allowing two home runs and limiting opposing hitters to a .222 batting average.

The Nats needed to add a reliever as Daniel Hudson is currently a free agent.

The signing of Harris was a smart move as he’s someone the club can rely on to preserve leads in the later innings.

The duo of Harris and Sean Doolittle provides the Nationals with a chance to defend their World Series title next season.

Chicago White Sox Sign Outfielder Luis Robert to Six-Year Contract

The Chicago White Sox have agreed to a six-year, $50-million contract with outfield prospect Luis Robert, per a club announcement.

2020: The Year of t̶h̶e̶ ̶R̶a̶t̶ La Pantera pic.twitter.com/wjuzdd5OF0

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) January 2, 2020

The contract also includes a pair of club options for the 2026 and ’27 seasons worth $20 million for each season, per Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY.

Luis Robert's record 6-year, $50 million contract breakdown with #WhiteSox:
2020: $1.5 million
2021: $3.5M
2022: $6M
2023: $9.5M
2024: $12.5M
2025: $15M
2026: Club option for $20M or $2M buyout.
2027: Club option for $20M or $2M buyout.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 2, 2020

Robert will begin the season with the White Sox, and there will be no service-time manipulation, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Outfielder Luis Robert and the Chicago White Sox are in agreement on a six-year, $50 million contract that includes two club options, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN.

Robert will begin the season in Chicago. No service-time manipulation necessary. Sox are gonna be good.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 2, 2020

Robert is the No. 3 ranked prospect on MLB Pipeline and was stellar in 2019.

The outfielder had a .328 average and 1.001 OPS in 122 games with 31 doubles, 11 triples, 36 stolen bases, 108 runs scored, 32 home runs and 92 RBIs across three minor league levels last year.

The White Sox signing a talented player to a significant deal without any service time in the majors isn’t new for them.

They did a similar thing with outfielder Eloy Jimenez the last offseason.

Jimenez hit 31 home runs and posted a .828 OPS in his rookie campaign.

The White Sox have been busy this offseason to become a contender for the 2020 season, as they’ve signed catcher Yasmani Grandal, veteran hitter Edwin Encarnacion, left-handed starters Dallas Keuchel and Gio Gonzalez, re-signed first baseman Jose Abreu and traded for outfielder Nomar Mazara.

The team has spent over $240 million during the offseason, and only time will tell if the spending was worth it.

About Post Author

Chris Lacey

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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