During the so-called Hot Stove season – the time in the MLB offseason when players are being snapped up quicker than ever – we are seeing more deals trickle in to begin 2020 after the festive break put a relative stopper on proceedings.

We start with one deal that is likely to cause a stir in some corners, as Will Harris opts to depart from the Houston Astros, the side with which he reached the World Series final, and instead move to their conquerors, the Washington Nationals.  

The reliever has put pen to paper on a $24m deal spread over three years.

The latest reports indicate that he is the kind of player Washington have been looking for to come in for late innings when they need somebody to take the pressure off.

With the Nationals now showing that they have the ability to take games right to the wire, Harris is sure to get opportunities in their 2020 campaign.

Harris admitted that it could “be awkward for a second or two”, but added that this was the nature of the sport and he would simply like to concentrate on playing baseball rather than getting caught up in the media circus that can often surround these trades between supposed rival teams or ones with a recent history.

Apart from being one of the players to allow the Nationals back in during the seventh game of the World Series, he had an otherwise strong season and was apparently one of the first choices for Washington during their recruitment process.

Meanwhile, Luis Robert has put fresh ink on a deal with the Chicago White Sox, as the valued outfielder continues his association with the side where he made his breakthrough 

A $50m deal has been agreed, spanning over six years, and he now has a chance of being in the opening line-up for their first game of the season.

This is partly because if he did not sign a contract, they could limit his initial play in 2020 and therefore delay when he would hit free agency.

With that barrier removed, he is likely to be more integrally involved with the Chicago set-up.

Rick Hahn, the White Sox general manager, said that there would be speculation about what this meant for the first day of the season, but added that it was more about “having Luis Robert patrolling center field for hopefully at least the next eight years”.

Such a show of confidence is likely to prove a big boost to the player, and the talented Cuban looks set to make the permanent jump to the major leagues.

Words: Mason Crain

Images: PA