Pete Alonso took heat when he defended his year by pointing out he was on pace for close to 40 home runs. Some talking heads (and surely fans as well) can’t get past his unsightly .209 2024 average with RISP. Alonso’s better case (for free agency, anyway) is that he still has a .260 average and upper-echelon .930 OPS with RISP since 2022 (and .249 and .877 lifetime). 

It’s been a great six years in Queens with Alonso (who has a .250 average and .878 OPS since the break), but at this point, I might not bet against the Cubs, who need a bopper. The Astros, who have Alonso’s Tampa Plant High teammate Kyle Tucker, would fit, too. The Mariners, as well. He also looks pretty good in Denver (two home runs Thursday).

Sean Manaea is having a quietly brilliant season and barring injury is sure to void his $13.5M 2025 salary and become a free agent.

I like the considered lineup switch for Juan Soto and Aaron Judge. Scout: “It’s the only way [Judge] is going to get pitched to … and Soto loves to walk anyway!”

If anyone sees DH as a solution for all-time great Mike Trout (59 percent of games 2021-24), Trout’s a career .215 hitter DHing, compared to .299 overall.

Tyler Anderson remained with the Angels as he wasn’t as coveted as his 2.90 ERA at the time would suggest. Secondary stats and middling velo (90-91 mph) kept interest cool. … 

Many panned the Astros trading three well-known prospects for Yusei Kikuchi but none ranked in the top 100, and Kikuchi, with 98 mph velo, is an “analytics darling.” Some also believe Kikuchi was tipping pitches, leading to a 6.87 ERA his last 12 Jays starts. I’d just say Houston knows what it’s doing. … 

If you can review obstruction at the plate, you should be able to review it at third base.

Hunter Wendelstedt is the new Angel, and not in a good way.