Mariners Moose Tracks, 12/31/23: Chris Sale, Frankie Montas, and Zach Plesac

Last Moose Tracks of 2023!

Good morning, foLLks, and Happy New Year’s Eve! Whatever you have planned, we hope you have a fun and safe night.

In Mariners news:

• Julio Rodríguez’s birthday was this past Friday, and a fellow standout Seattle athlete was present for the festivities.

Around the league:

• The Red Sox and Braves struck a major deal, with Chris Sale headed to Atlanta in exchange for prized infield prospect Vaughn Grissom. Boston is predictably eating a significant chunk of Sale’s contract, and hey, I guess Alex Cora needs to figure out a new Opening Day starter in Seattle.
• Righty Frankie Montas has signed a one-year with the Reds for $16 million. Montas missed nearly all of 2023 recovering from arthroscopic shoulder surgery, and while that price tag may raise some eyebrows, it could end up being a steal if he can return to form.
• The Blue Jays seem to be trying their hardest to acquire all of the utility infielders, with Ben Nicholson-Smith reporting they have interest in free agent Gio Urshela.
• The Angels have signed Zach Plesac to a big league deal.

Connor’s pick:

• Curious as to what the endgame was for these two.