Elly De La Cruz Among Young MLB Talent Gracing Cover of “MLB The Show 25” Video Game

Posted on January 28, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Elly De La Cruz is getting in the (video) game…

The 23-year-old Dominican professional baseball shortstop for Major League Baseball’s Cincinnati Reds is among three athletes being featured for the first time on MLB The Show 25.

De La Cruz, Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson and Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes grace the cover as the video game embraces a “dynamic era” of young MLB talent.

The decision to go with younger stars coincides with the video game franchise celebrating its 20th anniversary with its release on March 18.

“Historically, we’ve chosen a single cover athlete for MLB The Show, someone who is at the pinnacle of the sport,” Todd Liss, group manager of MLB The Show’s global marketing team, told ESPN. “However, with the unprecedented young talent coming into the league, we wanted to represent the changing current climate of baseball and showcase it on our cover. These three players are changing what’s possible in baseball, and we’re changing how many players can be on the cover of The Show.”

De La Cruz debuted in the majors in June 2023, appearing in 98 games. Last season, he became the youngest player in MLB history to hit 25 home runs and steal 60 bases.

In his first full season in 2023, Henderson hit 28 home runs with 82 RBIs, aiding in Baltimore’s first playoff berth since 2016. Last season, Henderson earned All-Star honors for the first time with 37 home runs and 92 RBIs.

Skenes, the National League Rookie of the Year, is the first full-time pitcher on the global cover of the game.

Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ two-way star, appeared on the cover of MLB The Show 22, and others to get the honor include Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (2024), Fernando Tatis Jr. (2021), Bryce Harper (2019) and Aaron Judge (2018).

The Pirates brought Skenes up to the majors last May, and the 22-year-old phenom posted an 11-3 record with a 1.96 ERA. In July, he became the fifth rookie pitcher to start an MLB All-Star Game.

“Testament to the guys that have been drafted and gone through the minor leagues to get to this point,” Henderson told ESPN about the up-and-coming group. “They don’t brag about it, and they just go out there and continue to work hard and try to be the best player that they can [be]. I feel like that’s what you want as a fan and that’s what we try to go do each night out.”

Skenes referred to his fellow cover stars as “so dynamic.” He jokingly said Henderson seems like “just a good old country boy from Alabama,” and he highlighted De La Cruz’s work ethic and ability to make “unbelievable plays all the time.”

“Just a guy that you don’t really want on the basepaths because he’s just gonna wreak a lot of havoc,” Skenes said.

All three players agree on the impact that placement on the video game’s cover can potentially have on baseball’s youth.

“There are a lot of other guys who weren’t finalists for Rookie of the Year or MVP or anything like that who are very, very good young players that aren’t as well-known as guys like me or Elly or Gunnar,” Skenes told ESPN. “But it’s just the talent pool is so deep from young guys, and it’s cool to kind of see.”

De La Cruz said it sends a message to other young talent in the minors to keep working hard to achieve their dreams.

Skenes, who grew up a fan of the Los Angeles Angels, said current young stars are benefiting “a little bit” from past athletes, using Mike Trout as an example of a player that has helped pave the way for younger stars.

“Those guys making a difference in the big leagues and growing the game from a very early point in their career, I think that’s kind of [what] put us in this position,” Skenes said. “So, I think it’s kind of our job to continue that so that the next generation can reap the benefits as well.”

Henderson and De La Cruz said they played the video game growing up, and Henderson said he frequently took in the “Diamond Dynasty” mode, where users can collect cards to build their team. De La Cruz said MLB The Show 15, which featured Cuban-born outfielder Yasiel Puig on the cover, and MLB The Show 17, which had Ken Griffey Jr., are his favorites.

Skenes, on the other hand, admitted he didn’t play the game consistently.

“I’m not very good at it, to be honest,” he quipped.

Jarren Duran & Boston Red Sox Avoid Arbitration with One-Year Contract Guaranteeing $3.85 Million

Posted on January 18, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Jarren Duran is seeing red…

The 28-year-old Mexican American professional baseball, an MLB All-Star in 2024, and the Boston Red Sox have avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract guaranteeing $3.85 million, a deal that includes an $8 million team option for 2026.

Duran gets a $3.75 million salary for this year, and the option has a $100,000 buyout.

The option price would increase to $9 million if he finishes among the top 20 in MVP voting, to $10 million if he is among the top 10, to $11 million if among the top five and to $12 million if he wins the honor. If he is not among the top 20 and is picked for second team All-MLB, the option price would be $8.5 million.

He can earn $150,000 in performance bonuses this year for plate appearances: $50,000 each for 450, 500 and 550.

If he is traded, the option would be eliminated and the receiving team would owe him a $100,000 assignment bonus.

Eligible for arbitration for the first time, Duran had asked for a raise from $760,000 to $4 million and had been offered $3.5 million when figures were exchanged last week.

Duran was eighth in MVP voting last year after hitting .285 with 21 homers, 75 RBI, 34 steals, 48 doubles and 111 runs.

Fifteen players remain on track for arbitration hearings.

Dominican Teen Elian Peña Signs with New York Mets for $5 Million Bonus

Posted on January 15, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Elian Peña is celebrating a deal for the ages…

The 17-year-old Dominican shortstop has agreed to a $5 million bonus with the New York Mets; it’s the largest amount on the first day of the 2025 international signing period.

Peña was rated the No. 3 prospect in the international class for this year by MLB.com behind Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki, who must agree to a deal by January 23, and Dominican shortstop Josuar De Jesus Gonzalez, who agreed with the San Francisco Giants to $2,997,500.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays, all hoping to sign Sasaki, did not finalize any contracts with bonuses of more than $10,000, which count against their signing bonus pools.

Just half of the 30 teams finalized deals of more than $10,000 in the opening hours of the signing period.

Dominican outfielder Cris Rodriguez, ranked fourth, signed with the Detroit Tigers for $3,197,500, and Andrew Salas, a shortstop and outfielder ranked fifth, signed with the Miami Marlins for $3.7 million. Salas was born in the U.S. and moved to Venezuela.

Hoping to become a two-way player just like Shohei Ohtani, 18-year-old Shotaro Morii made the rare decision to bypass Japanese professional baseball entirely and agreed with the Athletics at $1,510,500.

Other agreements included Dominican infielder Johan De Los Santos and the Pittsburgh Pirates ($2.25 million), Venezuelan catcher Gabriel Davalillo and the Los Angeles Angels ($2 million), Venezuelan infielder Brayan Cortesia and the Washington Nationals ($1.92 million), Dominican infielder Darell Morel and Pittsburgh ($1,778,600), Venezuelan infielder Leon Santiago and the Minnesota Twins ($1,697,500), Dominican outfielder Maykel Coret and the Tampa Bay Rays ($1.6 million), Venezuelan outfielder Breyson Guedez and the Athletics ($1.5 million), Dominican outfielder Elian De La Cruz and the Arizona Diamondbacks ($1.1 million), Dominican shortstop Christopher Acosta and the Milwaukee Brewers ($1.1 million), Dominican infielder Raymer Medina and Tampa Bay ($1.1 million), Venezuelan catcher Daniel Hernandez and Washington ($1.1 million) and Dominican infielder Warel Solano and Tampa Bay ($1.05 million).

Players born from September 1, 2007, through August 31, 2008, are eligible to sign during this year’s period, which ends December 15.

Teams have signing bonus pools ranging from about $5.1 million to $7.6 million; signing bonuses of $10,000 and under don’t count against a team’s cap.

Prime Video Announces Third & Final Season of Meagan Good’s “Harlem”

Posted on January 8, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Meagan Good is bidding adieu to Harlem…

Prime Video’s Harlem, starring the 43-year-old part-Puerto Rican actress, will end with its upcoming third season, it was revealed with the trailer release on Wednesday.

The news comes as a surprise following November’s announcement that Season 3 would premiere on January 23 and the drop of first-look photos, but no mention it would be ending.

However, the good news is that the whole gang is back for a lot more drama and fun before it’s time to say goodbye including Angie (Shoniqua Shandai), Quinn (Grace Byers), Camille (Good) and Tye (Jerrie Johnson).

From creator, writer and executive producer Tracy Oliver, Harlem follows the core four women on the precipice of change like never before.

Whether it’s motherhood, singlehood, sisterhood, complicated career journeys, or even more complicated families, the stylish and ambitious best girlfriends strive to choose themselves above all else. Season 3 picks up following the shocking cliffhanger from last season.

“I’m beyond grateful to the whole team at Amazon for giving me the chance of a lifetime to tell these four Black women’s stories and shoot it in the city I love: Harlem. It’s been an incredible journey, and I’m honored to see the impact it’s made in the culture, as well as the impact it’s had on all of us who’ve been blessed to work on it,” Oliver shared. “A huge thank you to everyone who’s watched the show. I’m excited to finally share our best season yet.”

The core quad will be joined by newcomers Kofi Siriboe, Logan Browning, Robin Givens and Gail Bean who will appear in recurring roles.

Siriboe will portray Seth, an MLB player whose confident, charming, and sweet mannerisms land him a spot in one of the ladies’ hearts. Browning will portray Portia, an edgy and beautiful woman from Ian’s (Tyler Lepley) childhood, whose return to Harlem causes a stir. Givens will portray Jacqueline, Eva’s no-nonsense mother. Bean will portray Given’s daughter Eva, a driven, yet playful, venture capitalist who has started working with Tye (Johnson).

Amed Rosario Agrees to One-Year Contract with Washington Nationals

Posted on January 8, 2025 by Tom Castaneda

Amed Rosario is heading to The District.

The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms with the 29-year-old Dominican professional baseball and utility player on a one-year contract.

Financial terms haven’t been disclosed, but MLB.com reported the deal is worth $2 million.

Rosario, 29, batted .280 with three home runs, 32 RBIs and 13 steals in 103 games between the Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds in 2024.

A versatile defender, Rosario manned several different positions — including playing 27 games at second base, 26 in right field, 15 at third base and 14 at shortstop last season.

Rosario is a career .273 hitter with 63 homers, 366 RBIs and 449 runs scored for the New York Mets, (2017-20), Cleveland Guardians (2021-23), Dodgers (2023-24), Rays (2024) and Reds (2024).

Patrick Sandoval Agrees to Two-Year, $18.25 Million Contract with Boston Red Sox

Posted on December 20, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Patrick Sandoval is seeing red (sox)…

The 28-year-old Mexican American professional baseball player, a left-handed pitcher, has agreed to a two-year, $18.25 million contract with the Boston Red Sox, per ESPN sources.

The deal unites the veteran who was non-tendered in November with a team looking to shore up its pitching depth this year and beyond.

Sandoval underwent Tommy John surgery in June and is not expected to pitch until the second half of 2025.

Boston nevertheless paid a well-over-market rate to get Sandoval, cognizant of the heavy price of free agent starting pitchers this winter and hopeful that Sandoval can be a solid mid-rotation starter upon his return.

Sandoval’s estimated arbitration salary for 2025 was around $5.5 million, and rather than trade him, the Los Angeles Angels non-tendered him. Had Sandoval been offered a contract, his arbitration number for 2026 likely would have been a minimal raise because of the lack of volume due to the injury.

His free agency, however, led to significant interest among teams — and a big raise in 2026. Sandoval will make $5.5 million in 2025 and $12.75 million in 2026, sources said.

Sandoval illustrated his ceiling in 2022, when he posted a 2.91 ERA over 27 starts, throwing 148⅔ innings, striking out 151 and walking 60. He followed with 28 starts and a 4.11 ERA in 2023 but struggled last season with a 5.08 ERA in 16 starts before needing the surgery for elbow ligament replacement.

Boston, seeking starting pitching help this winter, swung a trade for ace Garrett Crochet with the Chicago White Sox. Like Sandoval, he will hit free agency again after 2026. Others in the Red Sox’s rotation mix next season include right-handers Tanner Houck, Lucas Giolito, Brayan Bello and Kutter Crawford.

Also invited to spring training are catcher Seby Zavala, infielder/outfielder Nate Eaton and righties Isaiah Campbell, Bryan Mata and Wyatt Mills. Mata was Boston’s top pitching prospect before missing most of 2023 with an injury.

Netflix to Premiere Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias’ New Comedy Special “Legend of Fluffy” in January

Posted on December 11, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias is opening up about his Legend(ary) status…

Netflix has announced plans to globally premiere the 48-year-old Mexican-American stand-up comedian and actor’s new stand-up special, Legend of Fluffy on January 7, 2025.

It’s Iglesias’ first special to emerge from a two-special deal with the streamer, which was announced earlier this year .

The special finds Iglesias in his 27th year in comedy, reminiscing on the perils of life: from dating, to home break-ins, to turbulent plane rides.

Shot at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, it’s his fourth for the streamer on the heels of Gabriel Iglesias: Stadium Fluffy (2022), where he made history as the first comedian to perform at and sell out Dodger Stadium, the largest MLB stadium in the U.S., as part of Netflix Is a Joke Fest.

His other specials there include Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias: One Show Fits All (2019) and Gabriel Iglesias: I’m Sorry for What I Said When I Was Hungry (2016).

Manny Rodriguez directed, with Iglesias executive producing alongside John Bravakis and Joe Meloche. Fluffy Shop Studios and Triage Entertainment produced.

One of the world’s highest grossing comedians, Iglesias is also one of the most watched on YouTube with over 2 billion views, and boasts over 34.6 million fans across social media. One of the few to headline and sell-out Madison Square Garden in New York, Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, and The Sydney Opera House in Australia, he was previously in business with Netflix as the executive producer and star of its multi-cam Mr. Iglesias, which ran for two seasons.

Previously executive producing and hosting Comedy Central’s Stand-Up Revolution, Iglesias did the same for the docuseries Fluffy’s Food Adventures, which ran for three seasons on Fuse TV. Also previously putting out the Comedy Central special Aloha Fluffy, among others, he’s additionally been seen in series like The Santa Clauses and Lopez vs. Lopez, as well as the Magic Mike franchise and other films.

Jonathan Loaisiga Agrees to One-Year Contract with New York Yankees

Posted on December 11, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Jonathan Loaisiga has a new deal…

The 3-0-year-old Nicaraguan professional baseball layer, a right-handed pitcher, has agreed to a one-year contract with the New York Yankees, with a team option for 2026, per ESPN sources.

The deal is pending a physical for Loaisiga, who has been hampered by elbow and shoulder injuries in recent years. He has appeared in 163 games over the past seven seasons with the Yankees.

In 2022, Loaisiga missed nearly two months because of shoulder inflammation. In 2023, arthroscopic surgery to remove a bone spur in his right elbow limited him to 17 appearances. Last season, he appeared in three games in 2024 before undergoing season-ending elbow surgery in April. He is expected to be cleared to pitch in late April.

When healthy, however, Loaisiga’s ceiling is high. He boasts electric stuff, highlighted by a 98 mph sinker, which made him an appealing free agent option for several clubs, including the New York Mets, San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays.

Loaisiga enjoyed his best season in 2021, when he posted a 2.17 ERA in 57 appearances across 70⅔ innings.

He returns to a Yankees bullpen that lost All-Star Clay Holmes to the Mets last week and could also lose Tommy Kahnle and Tim Hill in free agency this winter.

Loaisiga is the second player to agree to a deal with the Yankees since Juan Soto chose to sign with the Mets. He joins two-time MLB All-Star left-hander Max Fried, who reached an agreement on an eight-year, $218 million contract Tuesday.

The Yankees also announced Wednesday they have traded catcher Carlos Narvaez to the Boston Red Sox for minor league right-hander Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz and international signing bonus pool money.

Toronto Blue Jays Agree to Deal with Cleveland Guardians for MLB All-Star Andrés Giménez

Posted on December 10, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Andrés Giménez is feelin’ blue (jays)…

The Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a deal with the Cleveland Guardians for the 26-year-old Venezuelan professional baseball second baseman, an MLB All-Star, per ESPN sources.

Infielder Spencer Horwitz, 27, will head to Cleveland as part of the deal, per sources. The other elements of the trade were not immediately known.

The deal comes as Toronto is trying to retool its roster after a disastrous 2024 season and in the aftermath of its unsuccessful attempt to sign superstar Juan Soto.

Gimenez is in the midst of a seven-year, $106.5 million deal that runs through the 2029 season, with a club option for 2030.

He has won three Gold Gloves and is widely regarded as one of the sport’s best middle infielders.

He stole 30 bases for the Guardians last season but batted .252 with a slugging percentage of .340 and was moved down into the lower half of the Cleveland lineup.

In an era in which executives highly value offensive production, other teams had started to view Gimenez as perhaps overpriced for the small-market Guardians, with rival executives speculating earlier in this offseason that he might be on the move.

The Blue Jays went 74-88 last season and are facing a franchise crossroad ahead, which is why they took a shot — a long shot, it appeared from the outset — at signing Soto.

First baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the team’s best hitter, will be eligible for free agency next fall, and to date, the Blue Jays haven’t been able to work out a contract extension. Associates of Guerrero say that as the player weighs his options, he’s not sure about the direction of the franchise.

Shortstop Bo Bichette is also eligible for free agency after next season.

The Blue Jays appear to be foregoing a significant rebuild and, according to agents and rival executives, have indicated they will do everything they can to rebound in the very competitive AL East in 2025. The Jays made a significant offer to Soto before being outbid by the New York Mets, and they have had talks with other free agents and teams about possible deals.

They were among the teams involved in the bidding for pitcher Max Fried before Fried, according to sources, agreed to an eight-year, $218 million deal with the New York Yankees.

Félix Hernández Among 14 New Candidates on the Baseball Hall of Fame Ballot

Posted on November 19, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Félix Hernández is on the ballot.

The 38-year-old Venezuelan former professional baseball pitcher, nicknamed “King Félix,” is among 14 new candidates on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot released on Monday, joining 14 holdovers.

Hernández, the 2010 American League (AL) Cy Young winner and a six-time MLB All-Star, won the 2010 and 2014 AL ERA titles.

He was 169-136 with a 3.42 ERA and 2,524 strikeouts for Seattle from 2005-19. Hernández pitched the 23rd perfect game in Major League Baseball history against the Tampa Bay Rays on August 15, 2012.

Hernandez isn’t the only Latino to become a first-time candidate.

Outfielder Carlos González, reliever Fernando Rodney and infielder Hanley Ramírez also are among the Latino newcomers on the ballot.

González was a three-time MLB All-Star, three-time Gold Glove winner and the 2010 National League (NL) batting champion. He hit .285 with 234 homers, 785 RBIs and 122 stolen bases for Oakland (2008), Colorado (2009-18), Cleveland (2019) and the Chicago Cubs (2019).

Pedroia was a four-time MLB All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner, helping Boston to World Series titles in 2007 and 2013. He batted .299 with 140 homers, 725 and 138 steals for the Red Sox from 2006-19, winning the 2007 AL Rookie of the Year and 2008 AL MVP.

Ramírez was voted the 2006 NL Rookie of the Year and won the 2009 NL batting title, becoming a three-time MLB All-Star. He hit .289 with 271 homers, 917 RBIs and 281 stolen bases for Boston (2005, 2015-18), the Florida and Miami Marlins (2006-12), Los Angeles Dodgers (2012-14) and Cleveland (2019).

Other Latino holdovers include steroids-tainted stars Alex Rodriguez (134 votes, 34.8%) and Manny Ramirez (125, 32.5%) along with Carlos Beltran (220, 57.1%), Omar Vizquel (68, 17.7%), Bobby Abreu (57, 14.8%) and Francisco Rodríguez (30, 7.8%).

Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) members with 10 or more consecutive years of membership are eligible to vote. Ballots must be postmarked by December 31 and results will be announced January 23. Anyone elected will be inducted on July 27 along with anyone chosen December 8 by the hall’s classic baseball committee considering eight players and managers whose greatest contributions to the sport were before 1980.

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

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