Casey Drottar
@caseydrottar.bsky.social
Editorial Producer/words with Major League Baseball. University of Dayton alum. Adjunct Instructor/MSJ ‘21 at Northwestern University Medill School. Grunge enthusiast.
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Casey Drottar
@caseydrottar.bsky.social
· Jul 22
Piazza dreaming big while reshaping baseball’s foundation in Italy
“It all starts with a dream.”
Ask Mike Piazza about his goals for baseball in Italy and he’ll likely find his way back to this thought. The Hall of Fame catcher has already made multiple noteworthy co...
www.mlb.com
Mike Piazza has spent the past few years trying to rebuild the foundation of baseball in Italy. What does a challenge that imposing involve for the Hall of Fame catcher? I spoke with him to find out:
www.mlb.com/news/mike-pi...
www.mlb.com/news/mike-pi...
So I have a couple questions about the length of Fernando Mendoza’s concussion check…
December 7, 2025 at 1:24 AM
So I have a couple questions about the length of Fernando Mendoza’s concussion check…
My Apple Music reminding me I’m a sports journalism cliche that grew up in the 90’s
December 4, 2025 at 10:06 PM
My Apple Music reminding me I’m a sports journalism cliche that grew up in the 90’s
Not surprised the Reds worked to bring Emilio Pagán back to their bullpen. You don't need to talk to him long to realize the value he brings as a leader among their relief corps.
December 4, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Not surprised the Reds worked to bring Emilio Pagán back to their bullpen. You don't need to talk to him long to realize the value he brings as a leader among their relief corps.
It's wild to think Alek Manoah is only three seasons removed from a 6.0 bWAR campaign. Injuries and inconsistency have plagued him ever since, but you've gotta think that All-Star caliber stuff is still in there somewhere, right?
@JeffPassan tweeted
Right-hander Alek Manoah and the Los Angeles Angels are in agreement on a one-year, $1.95 million contract, a source tells ESPN. Manoah, 27, was non-tendered by Atlanta and lands with the Angels on a fully guaranteed big league deal.
Right-hander Alek Manoah and the Los Angeles Angels are in agreement on a one-year, $1.95 million contract, a source tells ESPN. Manoah, 27, was non-tendered by Atlanta and lands with the Angels on a fully guaranteed big league deal.
December 2, 2025 at 10:16 PM
It's wild to think Alek Manoah is only three seasons removed from a 6.0 bWAR campaign. Injuries and inconsistency have plagued him ever since, but you've gotta think that All-Star caliber stuff is still in there somewhere, right?
Ok wow the next time Northwestern considers hyping up a transfer quarterback for an entire offseason maybe don’t instead
November 30, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Ok wow the next time Northwestern considers hyping up a transfer quarterback for an entire offseason maybe don’t instead
He then throws directly to an Illinois defender and I’m telling you it feels like this kid placed a huge bet against himself today
Northwestern’s quarterback tried to blatantly turn the ball over on three straight plays before finally getting the job done and fumbling it away. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t impressed by the dedication to be detrimental to his team.
November 30, 2025 at 3:30 AM
He then throws directly to an Illinois defender and I’m telling you it feels like this kid placed a huge bet against himself today
Northwestern’s quarterback tried to blatantly turn the ball over on three straight plays before finally getting the job done and fumbling it away. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t impressed by the dedication to be detrimental to his team.
November 30, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Northwestern’s quarterback tried to blatantly turn the ball over on three straight plays before finally getting the job done and fumbling it away. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t impressed by the dedication to be detrimental to his team.
Ryan Helsley had a rough go with the Mets, but considering it was the first midseason trade of his career and that Statcast had his expected ERA (3.88) at 62 points lower than his actual ERA (4.50), there’s more than enough reason to be bullish on this signing for the Orioles
November 29, 2025 at 8:25 PM
Ryan Helsley had a rough go with the Mets, but considering it was the first midseason trade of his career and that Statcast had his expected ERA (3.88) at 62 points lower than his actual ERA (4.50), there’s more than enough reason to be bullish on this signing for the Orioles
Yeah the Blue Jays aren’t just assuming they can make minor moves and get back to the World Series.
Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber, Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease. That rotation could be a wagon.
Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber, Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease. That rotation could be a wagon.
November 26, 2025 at 11:26 PM
Yeah the Blue Jays aren’t just assuming they can make minor moves and get back to the World Series.
Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber, Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease. That rotation could be a wagon.
Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber, Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease. That rotation could be a wagon.
The news of Anthony Rendon being on the verge of getting bought out and then retiring solidifies what a massive letdown that monster contract was for the Angels.
Rendon’s best season with the Nationals was worth 7.3 bWAR. In five years *combined* with Los Angeles, he was worth 3.9 bWAR. Just…yikes.
Rendon’s best season with the Nationals was worth 7.3 bWAR. In five years *combined* with Los Angeles, he was worth 3.9 bWAR. Just…yikes.
November 26, 2025 at 8:31 PM
The news of Anthony Rendon being on the verge of getting bought out and then retiring solidifies what a massive letdown that monster contract was for the Angels.
Rendon’s best season with the Nationals was worth 7.3 bWAR. In five years *combined* with Los Angeles, he was worth 3.9 bWAR. Just…yikes.
Rendon’s best season with the Nationals was worth 7.3 bWAR. In five years *combined* with Los Angeles, he was worth 3.9 bWAR. Just…yikes.
Sonny Gray's fastball velo may be on the decline, but he still gets guys to chase a lot, just posted the lowest walk rate of his career and his FIP has been above 3.40 just once in the past six seasons. Him plus Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello makes for a formidable top of the rotation.
November 25, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Sonny Gray's fastball velo may be on the decline, but he still gets guys to chase a lot, just posted the lowest walk rate of his career and his FIP has been above 3.40 just once in the past six seasons. Him plus Garrett Crochet and Brayan Bello makes for a formidable top of the rotation.
Worth noting: Brandon Nimmo has a full no-trade clause in his contract, so he had to give this move a green light in order for the Mets to make it
I just yelled “woah” out loud.
Marcus Semien is on the verge of heading to the Mets in exchange for Brandon Nimmo
Marcus Semien is on the verge of heading to the Mets in exchange for Brandon Nimmo
November 23, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Worth noting: Brandon Nimmo has a full no-trade clause in his contract, so he had to give this move a green light in order for the Mets to make it
I just yelled “woah” out loud.
Marcus Semien is on the verge of heading to the Mets in exchange for Brandon Nimmo
Marcus Semien is on the verge of heading to the Mets in exchange for Brandon Nimmo
November 23, 2025 at 10:22 PM
I just yelled “woah” out loud.
Marcus Semien is on the verge of heading to the Mets in exchange for Brandon Nimmo
Marcus Semien is on the verge of heading to the Mets in exchange for Brandon Nimmo
Northwestern is going to a bowl game? In this economy?
November 22, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Northwestern is going to a bowl game? In this economy?
Adolis García capped off a monster '23 postseason with a walk-off winner in Game 1 of the World Series. A little over two years later, he's been non-tendered by the Rangers. Tough to see such a tumble from a genuinely fun player to watch.
November 21, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Adolis García capped off a monster '23 postseason with a walk-off winner in Game 1 of the World Series. A little over two years later, he's been non-tendered by the Rangers. Tough to see such a tumble from a genuinely fun player to watch.
A little surprised Trent Grisham accepted his qualifying offer. Coming off an age-28 season of career highs in homers, RBIs, slugging and OPS+, figured he might be tempted to test the free-agency waters
November 18, 2025 at 9:05 PM
A little surprised Trent Grisham accepted his qualifying offer. Coming off an age-28 season of career highs in homers, RBIs, slugging and OPS+, figured he might be tempted to test the free-agency waters
Shota Imanaga and Brandon Woodruff both accepting qualifying offers to return to their respective clubs seems like one of those situations that makes sense for literally everyone involved
November 18, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Shota Imanaga and Brandon Woodruff both accepting qualifying offers to return to their respective clubs seems like one of those situations that makes sense for literally everyone involved
Josh Naylor has already proven he’s willing to sacrifice everything to help the Mariners win
a baseball player with the number 21 on his back
ALT: a baseball player with the number 21 on his back
media.tenor.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Josh Naylor has already proven he’s willing to sacrifice everything to help the Mariners win
It took like two weeks for Josh Naylor to gain cult status in Seattle. Him returning to the Mariners felt inevitable.
November 17, 2025 at 1:17 AM
It took like two weeks for Josh Naylor to gain cult status in Seattle. Him returning to the Mariners felt inevitable.
When your team forces five turnovers and still finds a way to lose
November 15, 2025 at 8:47 PM
When your team forces five turnovers and still finds a way to lose
Don’t you go teasing me, Northwestern
November 15, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Don’t you go teasing me, Northwestern
Aaron Judge lands his third MVP Award, but man did Cal Raleigh put up one hell of a fight in the voting. A 20-point difference between first and second place, that's a damn good race.
November 14, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Aaron Judge lands his third MVP Award, but man did Cal Raleigh put up one hell of a fight in the voting. A 20-point difference between first and second place, that's a damn good race.
By the end of the first half of the season, Pete Crow-Armstrong led the NL in fWAR, topping even Shohei Ohtani. Him ending the year finishing ninth in MVP voting goes to show just how significant his second-half struggles really were.
November 14, 2025 at 12:37 AM
By the end of the first half of the season, Pete Crow-Armstrong led the NL in fWAR, topping even Shohei Ohtani. Him ending the year finishing ninth in MVP voting goes to show just how significant his second-half struggles really were.
On top of Shohei Ohtani becoming the first player to win the MVP Award twice in both leagues, and becoming the only player to win the award unanimously more than once, here's a look at MLB players who've won at least four MVP Awards:
Barry Bonds
Shohei Ohtani
(end of list)
Barry Bonds
Shohei Ohtani
(end of list)
November 14, 2025 at 12:24 AM
On top of Shohei Ohtani becoming the first player to win the MVP Award twice in both leagues, and becoming the only player to win the award unanimously more than once, here's a look at MLB players who've won at least four MVP Awards:
Barry Bonds
Shohei Ohtani
(end of list)
Barry Bonds
Shohei Ohtani
(end of list)
Paul Skenes' 10-10 record matches Jacob deGrom (10-9, 2018) for the fewest number of victories for a Cy Young Award-winning starting pitcher in a full season.
Thankfully, everyone again realized a pitcher's win-loss record has become irrelevant.
Thankfully, everyone again realized a pitcher's win-loss record has become irrelevant.
Lord willing we won't have anyone refuse to give Paul Skenes first-place Cy Young Award votes because he had a 10-10 record...
November 13, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Paul Skenes' 10-10 record matches Jacob deGrom (10-9, 2018) for the fewest number of victories for a Cy Young Award-winning starting pitcher in a full season.
Thankfully, everyone again realized a pitcher's win-loss record has become irrelevant.
Thankfully, everyone again realized a pitcher's win-loss record has become irrelevant.