DAILY DIRT: Winter’s coming … and Isiah Kiner-Falefa is going

Daily Dirt for Friday, Nov. 11, 2022

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow…Not! Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 446 of The Daily Dirt.

1. With the temperatures taking a serious downward spiral this weekend, it’s only a matter of time until the snow starts falling.

That brings us to today’s medal-winning thoughts about this time of the year and the not-too-distant future.

Gold medal: “To appreciate the beauty of a snowflake it is necessary to stand out in the cold.” — Aristotle.

My thought: Not really, Aristotle. Not really.

Silver medal: “O, wind, if winter comes, can spring be far behind?” — Percy Bysshe Shelley, 19th century romantic poet.

My thought: I’d say about five months, Percy. Five long months.

Bronze medal: “Winter forms our character and brings out our best.” — Tom Allen, author and historian.

My thought: Our best what, Tom? It’s winter. It’s cold. It’s soon to be miserable.

2. This week’s nasty food offering comes from China, where regions of the country serve donkey penis as a sort of fast food.

Yes, you read that correctly. In America, we order a Big Mac. In parts of China, you can order donkey penis. It’s considered a delicacy. I presume the word “delicacy” is used rather loosely in this case.I think I’ll stick to the Big Mac.

3. MLB free agency is officially underway, so keep your fingers crossed that your favorite team will open up its checkbook.

Here are the five free agents I think will command the most attention:

Outfielder Aaron Judge: I’ll be surprised if the contract he signs is for less than an average of $45 million per year. He’ll probably get at least a six-year-deal, but more likely closer to eight years. Judge will be entering his age 31 season. Most likely destinations: He’ll either return to the Yankees or sign with the Giants. And if the Giants can land him, that per-season price tag might be as much as $50 million.

Pitcher Jacob deGrom: The hard-throwing right-hander has battled injuries parts of the past two seasons. He’s also entering his age 35 season, but should still be able to land a five-year deal north of $200 million. Most likely destinations: He’ll probably re-sign with the Mets, but if not, keep an eye out for the Rangers.

Shortstop Trea Turner: Arguably the second-best best overall offensive talent available, Turner, a shortstop, is an east-coast guy who would obviously be a perfect fit in New York. And since he’s only entering his age 30 season, look for beaucoup bucks to be thrown the way of a player who who is both a home run and stolen base threat, plus a .300ish hitter. I’m thinking 10 years is not out of the question at about $35 million per. Most likely destinations: It seems like a lock he will not be returning to the Dodgers. This could be a bidding war between the Yankees and Mets. If the Yankees lose Judge, they will will likely spend any amount to land Turner. And depending on what happens with free-agent shortstop Xavier Bogaerts, the Red Sox could be a major player. Both the Yankees and Red Sox need to make a big off-season splash to appease a disgruntled fan base.

Pitcher Carlos Rodon: The big lefty picked a perfect season to have a career year and should reap the benefits. He’s entering his age 30 season and will have his choice of all the major players. Most likely destinations: I think the Dodgers will be a major player here, considering their 2022 injury problems with their starters. The Dodgers are also clearing several major dead-weight contracts off their books, which should allow them the 30-plus million per season it will cost for Rodon. I would guess he gets a six-year deal.

Shortstop Carlos Correa: The shortstop opted out of what would have been a $30 million deal in 2023 with Minnesota, so he is confident of increasing his payday. He’s also the youngest (age 28 season upcoming) of these five, so a lucrative contract of five years, $175 million is hardly out of the question. Most likely destinations: If Turner does not land with Yankees, Correa might be an excellent bet. Correa’s power would be a major draw for the Yankees, especially after a year of Isiah Kiner-Falefa at shortstop. If the Yanks fail landing either Turner or Correra, Xander Bogaerts or Dansby Swanson might also be possibilities. The one real certainty, however, is that Isiah Kiner-Falefa will not be playing shortstop in 2023 at Yankee Stadium.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — Isiah Kiner-Falefa only hit four more home runs than I did this year.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. His nickname for Isiah Kiner-Falefa is “The Kinky Falafel”.