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Mariners catcher taking aim at MLB history
There has yet to be a major league catcher who hit 50 homers in a season. Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is looking to carve his name into the history books.
Raleigh entered action on Monday with a career best .276/.383/.659 batting line in 329 plate appearances. His 31 homers lead the majors and set a record for the most home runs by a catcher before the All-Star Break, surpassing Reds legend Johnny Bench.
He also broke the record for most homers for a switch hitter before the All-Star break, passing Yankees legend Mickey Mantle, Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez and Astros outfielder Lance Berkman. Barry Bonds holds the record for most home runs before the All-Star Game, belting 39 homers in 2001.
Raleigh may not be done making history.
Royals backstop Salvador Perez set the record for the most home runs by a catcher in major league history in 2021 as he belted 48 homers, breaking Bench's record set in 1970.
At his current pace, Raleigh could surpass Perez by the middle of August. He is on pace to hit 66 home runs this season, which would make him just the seventh player in MLB history to reach the 60 home run plateau.
The biggest question is whether or not Raleigh can continue his impressive performance this season. He has a career .222/.298/.457 batting line in 884 plate appearances after the All-Star break with 49 home runs. His 5% home-run-per-plate-appearance pace in the second half may be enough to surpass Perez if Raleigh does revert to his previous performance.
Raleigh has put together an impressive showing over the first three months of the season. If he can continue at his current pace, he will carve his name into the history books.
More must-reads:
- Cal Raleigh, Mariners look to take advantage of slumping Twins
- Cal Raleigh hits 31st homer as Mariners hammer Cubs
- The 'MLB home run leaders from 2024' quiz
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Blue Jays: To extend or not to extend Shane Bieber
Early in the off-season, Shane Bieber shocked the baseball world when he opted into his player option for the 2026 season. This year, he’ll earn $16 million before entering free agency after the season ends. Bieber opting in made the Toronto Blue Jays’ off-season slightly easier, because instead of needing two starters, they only needed one. Wednesday’s signing of Dylan Cease solidified their rotation, at least for now. By signing Cease, the Blue Jays have at least two starters locked in for their 2027 rotation. Cease signed a seven-year deal, and Trey Yesavage will have five additional seasons of team control. José Berríos could opt out of his contract, but that doesn’t seem likely. Bieber and Kevin Gausman, who the Blue Jays should also consider extending, are two starters who’ll hit the market barring any re-signings. There’s a strong case to extend Bieber, especially if the Blue Jays believe he can get back to his pre-injury form. In the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Bieber had a 1.63 ERA and 2.07 FIP in 77.1 innings pitched, winning the American League Cy Young. The following two seasons, Bieber produced a 2.97 ERA and 2.92 FIP in 296.2 innings pitched, with a 27.8 K% and 5.8 BB%. Unfortunately, he pitched just 128 innings in 2023 with less-than-ideal results, and then required Tommy John surgery after just two starts in 2024. Those starts were his last with the Cleveland Guardians, as they traded the starter to the Blue Jays before the 2025 trade deadline for pitching prospect Khal Stephen. Upon returning from Tommy John surgery, Bieber authored a 3.57 ERA and 4.47 FIP in 40.1 innings pitched, with a 23.3 K% and 4.4 BB% in 40.1 innings pitched. The 30-year-old’s postseason was a mixed bag, producing several strong starts but getting roughed around in a few and giving up the game-winning home run in Game 7 of the World Series. As a whole, Bieber finished the playoffs with a 3.86 ERA and 4.26 FIP in 18.2 innings pitched, with a 21.7 K% and 7.2 BB%. There’s risk involved for both parties when it comes to extensions. Bieber has missed significant time in 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025 due to injuries. There’s no telling how much time he’ll miss if the Jays extend him, but it’s not a good sign. Moreover, who knows if Bieber will return to the form he showed before the 2023 season? On Bieber’s end, if he has a good 2026 season, he stands to lose money if he signs an extension early. Granted, that goes both ways because he stands to lose money if he has a rough season, if he doesn’t sign an extension. All that being said, the Jays and Bieber will probably let the 2026 season play out and go from there. It’ll be a big season in determining if Bieber returns to the front-end-of-the-rotation starter he was in the past, or a middle-of-the-rotation starter. Surely, they’ll have interest in reuniting with him at the conclusion of the 2026 season.
'I’m Doing It': Scribe on Maple Leafs Trading Future Star in Quinn Hughes Deal
In another world, where the Toronto Maple Leafs have 30 points and are playoff contenders, looking to capitalize on a window to win, does the organization take a run at a generational defenseman that could put them over the top? One host and analyst thinks so, arguing that he would trade just about anything, including Matthew Knies, to acquire Quinn Hughes. Talk about whether the Vancouver Canucks will eventually trade Hughes is everywhere these days. The Canucks have told 31 other teams they are open to moving veterans and are making pending UFAs available via trade. To this point, that doesn’t include Hughes. However, he remains the big name, and the talking point around him is that he looks unhappy. Despite saying he’s committed to the team, it appears he’s moving on at some point. Perhaps the Canucks should get the most they can, while he can fetch a massive return. Would The Maple Leafs Be Interested? Who’s kidding whom? If Hughes becomes available, the Leafs will make a call to find out the asking price. And Bryan Hayes noted recently that if that price is Matthew Knies, he’s doing it. Should Toronto get two possible playoff runs out of Hughes — even if he eventually makes his way to New Jersey as a free agent to play with his brothers — Hughes is such a difference-maker, the Maple Leafs have to consider the trade. Hayes even said he’s throwing in picks and whatever else is required to acquire the second-best defensman in the world. Hayes said: “Let’s say the Leafs are really rocking right now, and it’s going to cost you Matthew Knies, I’m doing it, that’s what I’m telling you. I’m doing that, plus the picks and the prospects, like, that’s how good Quinn Hughes is.” Why Quinn Hughes Would Be A Risk For the Maple Leafs Hayes is suggesting the Leafs move on from arguably their best young forward. And, he’s suggesting they do so, even if they know that Hughes is ultimately not re-signing in Toronto. That makes any theorized deal all about how good Toronto thinks they can be with Hughes and without Knies over the next two seasons. It might not look like it so far this season, but the Maple Leafs’ window to win is now with Auston Matthews and William Nylander in their prime. In fact, that window is closing fast and if the team doesn’t push this season and next, they might be looking at starting over. How much of an impact can Hughes make with this roster? That’s the real question. If you were to describe the ideal fit, Hughes is it. Whether moving on from Knies to get what you need is the right play would be heavily debated. Getting Hughes would be huge. Losing Knies means immediately looking for another player to do what he does and at the same or a lower price. That’s no easy task, given how much the salary cap is rising and with what good forwards are commanding. Winning is the priority, but at what cost? Hughes is a long-term rental, probably nothing more. Hayes is behind the idea that you do what you have to, but is he right? There’s no indication a Hughes trade is close. There’s no sign that the Maple Leafs have eyes on him. But, if the opportunity fell into their lap, does GM Brad Treliving do whatever it takes to make that possibilty a reality?
After missing out on Lane Kiffin, Florida has new top target in coaching search
The Florida Gators won't be hiring Lane Kiffin as their next head coach, but there's a new top candidate in Gainesville. According to ESPN's Pete Thamel, Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall is now the leading candidate for the head coaching position. Sumrall has also reportedly withdrawn his name from consideration for the HC role at Auburn, leaving his options open between remaining at Tulane and moving to Florida. The Gators stand at 3-8 before Saturday's rivalry game against Florida State and have fired former head coach Billy Napier after a 3-4 start to his fourth season in the Swamp. Thamel reported on Friday that Florida had stopped considering Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin as a candidate, amid Kiffin's upcoming decision to either stay at Ole Miss or accept the head coaching job at LSU. Why Florida would be interested in Jon Sumrall According to Thamel, Sumrall is expected to decide by Sunday whether he will stay in New Orleans or move southeast to Gainesville. Sumrall, 43, is in his second year at Tulane, having taken over after Willie Fritz was named head coach at the University of Houston. Sumrall maintained the momentum of Tulane's football program established by Fritz, leading the Green Wave to the American Athletic Conference championship game a year ago. This season, No. 24 Tulane is 9-2 heading into Saturday's regular season finale against Charlotte. A win on Saturday night would secure a home game for the Green Wave in the AAC championship against North Texas. If Sumrall and Tulane win the AAC title, a College Football Playoff spot could be possible. With Sumrall's impressive record as a head coach — 41-11 between his tenures at Troy and Tulane — it's easy to see why the powers that be in Gainesville have identified him as the top target in Florida's coaching search now that Kiffin is out of the running.
Steelers Make Asante Samuel Jr. Announcement Everyone Was Waiting For
The Pittsburgh Steelers are adding a player many have been waiting for just before thier Week 13 matchup with the Buffalo Bills. The team announced that practice squad cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. will be added to the active/inactive list for the game. Samuel Jr. signed to the Steelers' practice squad two weeks ago after being medically cleared to return from spinal contusion surgery. Samuel Jr. played four games last season before being shut down and will now be active for the first time since. " He's been here for a short period of time. He's been working his tail off to not only get in football condition but learn what to do. It's been a good endeavor thus far, but it's too early in the week for me to speculate in that regard," head coach Mike Tomlin told Steelers On SI about Samuel's progression. The Steelers are banged up at cornerback as Darius Slay returned last week from a concussion but played limited snaps and Joey Porter Jr. spent the week dealing with a hip injury that he suffered in Week 12 against the Chicago Bears. James Pierre was also dealing with injuries throughout last week's game. Porter Jr. and Slay are both cleared to play against the Bills but Pittsburgh is adding to their room to ensure that they have quality depth at the position. Since losing DeShon Elliott, the Steelers have moved Jalen Ramsey to safety full-time, leaving Slay, Porter Jr. and Pierre as their outside options with Brandin Echols working the slot. Samuel Jr. comes in to provide added depth on the inside and another notable name to the group. How Will Steelers Use Samuel Jr.? The Steelers could have Samuel Jr. step into a starting role on the inside but will likely have the veteran play behind Echols as the nickelback. Still working his way back into football shape, the limited role will allow Pittsburgh to see where he's at health and stamina wise and adjust accordingly moving forward. Samuel Jr. will likely also play special teams throughout the game, getting to work into the mix with Danny Smith's group as well. With Samuel Jr. being added to the active/inactive roster, he will revert back to the practice squad after the game without having to pass through waivers. As a former second-round pick with plenty of starting experience in the NFL, Pittsburgh will likely need to sign Samuel Jr. to the active roster at some point if they decide to continue using him on defense. Otherwise, other teams will come calling to poach him from the practice squad. Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter for the latest news and updates on the Pittsburgh Steelers
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