MLB Bullets is the most interesting division in the world

I’m a man of few words today. Actually, I have a lot of words. A whole dictionary’s worth, in fact. I’m just choosing not to use most of them.

• The Nationals surprised everyone by agreeing to a six-year, $140 million deal with free agent pitcher Patrick Corbin. Most thought that Corbin signing with the Yankees was close to a foregone conclusion with only the Phillies possibly standing in the Yanks way.
• Craig Edwards evaluates the signing of Corbin. In short, he thinks it should be a terrific deal for the Nats, albeit one with considerable risk. Even a bit more than the normal risk associated with a pitcher.
• Emma Baccellieri looks at Corbin’s ability and concludes that the Nationals now have a “terrifying” starting rotation. Washington just hopes that it’s terrifying for other teams and not them. Their hopes will likely be realized.
• Zach Kram agrees with the strength of the Nats’ top-three starters and emphasizes that Corbin may be the difference in the playoffs for Washington.
• David Schoenfield looks at the Corbin signing but is most struck by how much four of the five teams in the NL East have improved this winter. Schoenfield calls the NL East the “division of death” at the moment.
• Bob Nightengale agrees. The NL East is the most interesting division at the moment.
• Brittany Ghiroli explains what the signing means for the Nationals in general and their pursuit of Bryce Harper in particular. (The Athletic sub. req.) Quick summary on Harper: this deal doesn’t rule the Nats out from re-signing Harper, but the Nats’ front office has to make deals as if Harper isn’t coming back, because there is no guarantee he is.
• Billy Witz writes that Corbin signing with the Nationals is proof that the Yankees can be outbid.
• Bryan Hock looks at which pitchers the Yankees might pursue now.
• The Phillies also wanted Corbin, but Todd Zolecki reports that the Phils will now try to outbid the Yankees for J.A. Happ.
• Mets co-owner Jeff Wilpon said that the Mets acquired closer Edwin Diaz in part to keep the Phillies from getting him. OK then.
• David Schoenfield looks at the Phillies trade for Jean Segura and concludes that it will not stop them from trying to sign free agent Manny Machado at all. But like the Nationals can’t count on re-signing Harper, the Phillies can’t wait to see if they can sign Machado.
• Mike Oz sighs as he notes how the Mariners are following the modern blueprint to building a winning team. First, lose a lot of games.
• Grant Brisbee thinks the Mariners are going about a rebuild in the right way, but that doesn’t mean he likes it.
• Eno Sarris doesn’t have a problem with the Mariners selling assets for future talent, but he thinks the team is blowing it by prioritizing shedding payroll over acquiring the best prospects. (The Athletic sub. req.)
• Jeff Sullivan thinks the Mariners were hindered in their efforts to trade Jean Segura because the Phillies were probably the only team that really wanted him. (Basically, the Phils were the only contending team that needed a shortstop.)
• Tim Brown looks at the entire Mariners fire sale and writes that no one can know at the moment if they’re on the right path. Including GM Jerry DiPoto.
• The Mariners traded off Robinson Cano and his contract to the Mets, but Ben Lindbergh writes that Cano is one of the rare over-30 free agent position players signed to a huge contract who was actually worth more than he was paid.
• With Corbin off the board, Mark Feinsand predicts where the top still five available free agent starting pitchers might sign.
• And David Schoenfield has a list of available pitchers, through free agency and trade, and explains why a team might want the to sign the player or why they might want to stay away. Corbin is still on this list, so it’s a bit old, but his analysis of Corbin is still valid.
• The Diamondbacks have signed free agent pitcher Merrill Kelly for a two years and $5.5 million. There have been some suggestions that Kelly is not a real person and the whole thing is a highly unethical and possibly illegal tax dodge on the part of the D-Backs, but I can assure you that Kelly is a real pitcher who has been in Korea’s KBO the past four seasons. Previously, he was a minor leaguer in the Rays organization. You can get more info in the linked article.
• Maria Guardado looks at the possibility that the Angels will sign Yusei Kikuchi, who was posted by the Seibu Lions, his NPB team, this past week. Kikuchi went to the same high school as Shohei Ohtani.
• The Astros have signed free agent catcher Robinson Chirinos.
• AJ Cassavell explains why the Padres are interested in pitcher Sonny Gray.
• Jon Paul Morosi says the Reds are interested in trading for one of the Indians starting pitchers.
• Jeff Sullivan explains the weird situation that the Indians find themselves in as both sellers and contenders. The Indians probably need to shed payroll this winter, but even if they trade one of their big starters, they’re still good enough to win the weak AL Central.
• Jonah Keri explains the Cardinals’ off-season goals.
• Cliff Corcoran is ranking the uniforms of all 30 teams and here are the teams ranked 30-16. (The Athletic sub. req.) Part II should come out later today. The Cubs are not listed among the bottom 15 teams. Will they be ranked among the top 15? Well, yeah. Obviously.
• Here’s an Al special. In fact, Al sent me the link. Can we find out which baseball game this photograph from the early 20th-Century came from?
• Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer injured himself on his drone again. Sadly, that’s not a euphemism.
• The debate about whether or not Fernando Valenzuela belongs in the Hall of Fame ended as he was inducted yesterday . . .into the California Hall of Fame. Robert Redford, Joan Baez and chef Thomas Keller were also among those inducted.
• And finally, here’s a dog that does a mean Craig Kimbrel impersonation. There was a paucity of light-hearted stories to end with today. So sue me.

And tomorrow will be a better day than today, Buster.