Orioles prospect Kevin Gausman has had a stressful few days

By Craig CalcaterraNov 20, 2012, 11:32 AM EST
16 Comments

Last week Hostess announced it was going to cease operations.  Yesterday, some hope emerged in the form of a judicially-ordered mediation, but it’s still unclear what will happen.

It’s likely that even if Hostess liquidates, their brands and products will still live on with another company.  But that’s cold comfort for addicts.  Addicts like Orioles first-round draft pick Kevin Gausman. Why?  The Baltimore Sun passed that info along over the summer. Go to the 30 second mark:

For those of you who can’t watch that video, know that Gausman eats four powdered mini-donuts before each inning. Not before each start. BEFORE EACH INNING. He prefers Hostess’ powdered Donettes.

This led to consternation last week:

But now that there is hope, he’s happy again:

Phew, looks like his in-game routine will go on uninterrupted.  And in ten years I’ll enjoy writing the “Kevin Gausman is in The Best Shape of His Life” post.

Padres may have more interest in Dallas Keuchel than Bryce Harper

Dallas Keuchel
Getty Images
By Ashley VarelaFeb 23, 2019, 7:15 PM EST
1 Comment

An interesting tidbit today from The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, who noted that ongoing talks between agent Scott Boras and the Padres have focused more on starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel than slugger Bryce Harper. Earlier this week, there were conflicting reports on the Padres’ level of interest in Harper — MLB Network’s Jon Heyman heard the club had not ruled out another big signing after getting Manny Machado, while Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune talked to multiple sources who believed otherwise — but any agreement between the two is looking unlikelier by the day.

As for Keuchel, Rosenthal cautions that a potential deal is still a “longshot,” especially as the team has other, cheaper options in mind. The 31-year-old southpaw turned down a qualifying offer from the Astros last year and is likely angling for something north of the five-year, $90 million contract extension he rejected from the club in 2016. He’s coming off of another solid performance in Houston, where he went 12-11 in 34 starts with a 3.74 ERA, 2.6 BB/9, 6.7 SO/9, and 3.6 fWAR through 204 2/3 innings in 2018.

While Keuchel has failed to garner substantial interest around the league this offseason, Heyman points out that the Phillies are looking to establish themselves as frontrunners for the lefty — and they’re far less likely to have hang-ups about his asking price, too.