Dodgers’ Max Muncy Gets $30 Million Contract Update Amid Question of Future in L.A.

If the Los Angeles Dodgers want to move on for Max Muncy during the offseason, they’ll have an opportunity to do so. The left-handed hitting infielder has a team option for next year, with some suggesting that the Dodgers could go that route because of Muncy’s injuries.

It’s also worth noting that when Muncy has been healthy throughout the campaign, despite playing only 90 games, he has struggled those times. As a whole, however, he’s been more than fine, considering he’s really swung the bat at a high level after a very slow start.

But prior to his better showings before going down with another injury, which he returned from on Monday, Muncy wasn’t worried about whether the Dodgers would move on from him or not. He noted that he’s a veteran in this league and trusts himself to figure things out.

“No. At this point in my career, no. If I was younger, it definitely would be in my head,” Muncy said to Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register. “At this point, I’ve accomplished a lot. I’ve been able to do almost all of it in a Dodgers uniform and that’s something that’s very special to me. Obviously I’ve made it very clear I want to retire as a Dodger. But that’s not always in your hands.”

Does Dodgers 3B Max Muncy Have a Market?

If the Los Angeles Dodgers decide to move on for Muncy, there will be another team in Major League Baseball interested in acquiring him, and there’s no question about that. 

All he’s done for much of his career is swing the bat at a high level, and that can’t go unnoticed. 

According to Spotrac, they have Muncy coming in at a two-year, $30.0 million deal if the Dodgers move on from him. 

If they part ways, Jim Bowden of The Athletic believes the Dodgers could replace him with a player like Alex Bregman. 

“Bregman, who is making $40 million this year and signed for two more years at that rate, will likely opt out of his contract and seek a longer-team deal. He missed time this season with a quad injury but has hit .299/.379/.542 in 327 plate appearances. It appears Boston would be his first choice in free agency, but he is an obvious fit with several other contending teams including the Phillies, Yankees, Tigers, Dodgers, Mariners and even the Mets,” he wrote.

Are Los Angeles Concerned Over Max Muncy’s Injuries?

Regarding Muncy’s injury, which is the most important aspect for the Los Angeles Dodgers now, everything looks good. 

He missed 23 games because of an oblique injury, but according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, he feels healthy and is expecting him to make a massive return for Los Angeles in its pursuit of another World Series title. 

“It’s a big boost,” Roberts said. “We’ve been waiting for this one for a long time, not to add any pressure to Max.”

“The body feels in a good spot,” he said before the game. “This is kind of one of those rare rehab assignments where you’re not entirely worried about results. You’re just more worried about how is your body coming out of it.”

Anthony Rizzo, 36, to retire as Chicago Cub, become team ambassador

Anthony Rizzo will officially retire as a member of the Chicago Cubs on Saturday and will join the organization as team ambassador.

The 36-year-old Rizzo spent 10 of his 14 major league seasons with Chicago. The infielder hit .272 with 242 home runs and 784 RBIs for the Cubs and helped them win the World Series in 2016.

“Anthony Rizzo was the face of one of the most successful eras in Chicago Cubs history, and we are so excited he will be a part of our organization for many years to come,” Cubs executive chairman Tom Ricketts said in a statement.

Rizzo was a three-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove winner, one-time Platinum Glove winner and one-time Silver Slugger award winner for the Cubs. He played his rookie season with the San Diego Padres and spent his final seasons with the New York Yankees. He completes his major league career with 1,644 hits, 303 home runs and 965 RBIs in 1,727 games played.

The Cubs said Rizzo, who survived Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, has raised millions of dollars through the Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation for cancer research and to help families dealing with the disease. He received the 2017 Roberto Clemente Award, the league’s highest community service honor.

Other Cubs ambassadors are Andre Dawson, Ryan Dempster, Fergie Jenkins, Lee Smith, Billy Williams, Kerry Wood and Ben Zobrist. In memoriam ambassadors include Ernie Banks, Ryne Sandberg and Ron Santo.