{"id":568197,"date":"2026-04-06T17:00:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T17:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/568197\/"},"modified":"2026-04-06T17:00:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T17:00:09","slug":"jo-adells-unbelievable-outfielder-achievement-plus-why-hoerners-mega-extension-made-sense","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/568197\/","title":{"rendered":"Jo Adell\u2019s unbelievable outfielder achievement. Plus: Why Hoerner\u2019s mega extension made sense"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Windup Newsletter \u26be | This is The Athletic\u2019s MLB<\/a> newsletter. Sign up here<\/a> to receive The Windup directly in your inbox.<\/p>\n

Jo Adell had a redemption night for the ages, \u201cPocket pancakes\u201d have been replaced by a tortoise and the Rays are going back home (for now). Plus: Ken on Nico Hoerner\u2019s extension. I\u2019m Levi Weaver, here with Ken Rosenthal \u2014 welcome to The Windup!<\/p>\n

Redemption: Adell steals 3 homers<\/p>\n

Prior to this week, if you googled \u201cJo Adell defense,\u201d there\u2019s a good chance you would have landed on a very Jose Canseco-esque moment when the Angels outfielder turned a routine line drive out into a\u00a0thoroughly confusing home run<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But on Saturday night, Adell had one of the best outfield defensive nights\u00a0of all time.\u00a0He robbed not one, not two, but\u00a0three\u00a0home runs<\/a>\u00a0in a game that was absolutely determined by those defensive plays\u00a0\u2014\u00a0a 1-0 win over division-favorite Seattle.<\/p>\n

There was some questions about the third catch, since Adell went into the stands (check out\u00a0this amazing photo<\/a>) \u2014\u00a0especially since the broadcasters indicated that it\u00a0must\u00a0be a home run after the tumble over the wall. But that\u2019s not necessarily the case. As long as the outfielder makes the catch\u00a0before\u00a0going into the stands,\u00a0it\u2019s an out<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ken Rosenthal talked to Angels hitting coach Brady Anderson, who had this to say about Adell\u2019s three home run robberies:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe first two were very good. Really good \u2014 time your jump and it feels easy. And considering the score of the game, even better. The last one was a truly great play. One of the best I\u2019ve\u00a0 seen; a nearly impossible play. He did everything perfectly. He had the wherewithal to get behind the ball slightly which is hard because the ball seemingly moves faster as you approach foul territory at nearly full speed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Anderson should know. He was around for a catch that \u2014\u00a0while not technically a \u201crobbery\u201d \u2014\u00a0was an all-timer.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe best catch I ever saw in person was the catch (Ken) Griffey (Jr.) made in Seattle off Kevin Bass with Randy pitching and the bases loaded. I had a terrific view of it from the dugout, which was field level in Seattle, and saw him tracking it and sort of knew he could catch it but wasn\u2019t sure he\u2019d want to.\u00a0He did want to and broke his arm<\/a>. The catch by Jo gave me that same thrill of admiration of another\u2019s play. Singular great plays are rightfully impressive. That game was an accomplishment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Speaking of defense, over to Ken.<\/p>\n

Ken\u2019s Notebook: Yes, Hoerner\u2019s $141 million deal made sense<\/p>\n

From\u00a0my latest column<\/a>:<\/p>\n

CLEVELAND \u2014 The contract would have been unthinkable 10 years ago. Even now, just over a week after becoming official, it remains surprising, bordering on staggering.<\/p>\n

Second baseman Nico Hoerner\u2019s\u00a0six-year, $141 million extension<\/a>\u00a0with the Cubs reflects something of a perfect storm. But in the context of today\u2019s game, with its advanced metrics and adjusted rules that boosted the value of all-around players, it also makes perfect sense.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s hard to put into words how deserving he is,\u201d said Hoerner\u2019s double-play partner, Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson.<\/p>\n

Strong words, considering that Hoerner has hit only 36 career home runs, no more than 10 in a season and just seven in each of the past two years. But Hoerner, who turns 29 next month, is a top defender and baserunner, and some with the Cubs believe he still might evolve into more than a slightly above-average hitter.<\/p>\n

Still, $141 million, or even a reported $137.5 million in net present value when accounting for deferrals? The fourth-largest guarantee for a second baseman, behind only Robinson Can\u00f3 ($240 million), Marcus Semien ($175 million) and Jose Altuve ($163.5 million)?<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s why it made sense:\u00a0Defense.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is where you have to say data has helped us,\u201d Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. \u201cWe\u2019re better at agreeing on who the best defenders are. And I think the whole industry agrees how valuable defense is.\u201d<\/p>\n

Defensive metrics still are not perfect, and probably never will be. But the public numbers generally are revealing, and teams use their own proprietary measures that presumably are even more granular \u2014 and necessary. The banning of shifts prior to the 2023 season only enhanced the value of accomplished defenders at up-the-middle positions.<\/p>\n

The Cubs, dating back to their signing of outfielder Jason Heyward to a $184 million free-agent deal in December 2015, have placed considerable emphasis on defense. Their four biggest current contracts \u2013 Swanson at $177 million, third baseman Alex Bregman at $175 million, Hoerner and center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong at $115 million \u2013 all belong to defenders who are either above-average or elite.<\/p>\n

Crow-Armstrong led all players last season in Statcast\u2019s Outs Above Average. Hoerner ranked 12th, and from 2021 to 2025 was fourth overall behind Reds third baseman Ke\u2019Bryan Hayes, Blue Jays shortstop Andr\u00e9s Gim\u00e9nez and Swanson.<\/p>\n

He is not defined by his slugging percentage.<\/p>\n

\u201cI still want to improve. I want to add to my game. I want to be the best version of myself,\u201d Hoerner said at the news conference<\/a>\u00a0announcing his extension.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I\u2019m also proud that my game in a lot of ways hasn\u2019t changed that much since I was in high school and in college. You\u2019re always improving around the edges, but I feel like I\u2019ve stayed pretty true to myself. And I\u2019m really grateful that\u2019s valued in this game.\u201d<\/p>\n

For the rest, click here<\/a>. Back to you, Levi.<\/p>\n

Bits: Pocket pancakes are temporary. But this?<\/p>\n

Last year, Brewers manager Pat Murphy was caught pulling a pancake from his hoodie for a mid-game snack, and \u201cpocket pancakes\u201d was born as a great Brewers bit. Harmless, exactly weird enough to be loved by all, and also: pancakes!<\/p>\n

This year, though, Murphy has decided to not just one-up last year\u2019s theme but raise the stakes exponentially. On Friday, in an interview with sideline reporter Tricia Whitaker, Murphy introduced a \u201cpocket turtle.\u201d One named Bobby Jr., at that.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was told, under no uncertain terms, no pocket pancakes,\u201d Murphy said\u00a0in the interview<\/a>. \u201cI\u2019ve got a special guest that I want you to meet today.\u201d<\/p>\n

At that point, Murphy pulled out a shelled animal that anyone would reasonably guess was a turtle. But on Saturday, Whitaker had an update.<\/p>\n

\u201cGuys \u2026 there have been significant developments to this story,\u201d Whitaker tweeted<\/a>. \u201cApparently I don\u2019t own a turtle. I own a Sulcata tortoise. Which grows to 100 pounds \u2026 and lives 70 years.\u00a0So Pat Murphy didn\u2019t just hand me a reptile \u2026 he handed me a long-term commitment and I am now a tortoise mom.\u201d<\/p>\n

Looking back at the Brewers\u2019 history, there is really only one name that is appropriate for this tortoise. Seventy years? That\u2019s\u00a0Bob Uecker territory<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Alas, it\u2019s hard to travel with a tortoise, as American Airlines has a strict no reptiles policy. So Bobby Jr. will live in the Kauffman Stadium visitor\u2019s clubhouse<\/a>\u00a0for the time being, with the plan to find him a good home soon.<\/p>\n

Renovations: Tropicana Field\u2019s grand return<\/p>\n

It feels a little unbelievable to say it, but it\u2019s already been about a year and a half since Tropicana Field was waylaid by Hurricane Milton. Since then, the Rays played a full season at a Yankees-owned field and \u2014 oh, right \u2014 were sold for $1.7 billion after previous owner Stu Sternberg bought it for $200 million in 2004.<\/p>\n

(Man, if only owners could get a salary cap, then maybe they could have some financial security!)<\/p>\n

Anyway, after a three-city trip to open the season, the Rays are set to\u00a0return to The Trop tonight<\/a>\u00a0for their home opener,\u00a0facing the Cubs. But despite the city of St. Petersburg paying $60 million to help cover the repairs, it does not appear that the Rays will be in the stadium for much longer.<\/p>\n

The latest plan: to be in their new stadium, \u201cForever Home,\u201d by 2029. But while the\u00a0plans seem exciting<\/a>, it\u2019s not like we\u2019ve never seen renderings for a new Rays ballpark before. Remember the \u201cfinal hurdle<\/a>\u201d they cleared in 2024? (To be fair, that was before a hurricane made a mess out of everything).<\/p>\n

For now, it\u2019s just nice to see the Rays back in their home \u2014 forever or otherwise.<\/p>\n

Handshakes and High Fives<\/p>\n

I have never seen a catch quite like this one from Cody Bellinger:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

When Jos\u00e9 Ramirez takes the field tonight, it will be his 1,620th game as a member of the Guardians. That\u2019s\u00a0more than anyone else<\/a> in the history of a franchise that has been around since 1901.<\/p>\n

Want to know what teams, umpires and players are thriving (or struggling) in the ABS era so far? Johnny Flores Jr. has you covered<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In Pittsburgh, Konnor Griffin\u2019s debut went, well,\u00a0about what you might expect<\/a>\u00a0for the sport\u2019s top prospect.<\/p>\n

For Framber V\u00e1ldez, it seems like his first year in Detroit is a \u201cso far, so good<\/a>\u201d situation.<\/p>\n

The Dodgers will be without the services of Mookie Betts for \u2026\u00a0well, we\u2019ll see<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Marlins have been testing a somewhat-radical strategy: pitch-calling from the dugout.\u00a0Don\u2019t expect the Yankees<\/a>\u00a0to adopt this plan any time soon.<\/p>\n

The Reds aren\u2019t scoring much.\u00a0They\u2019re winning anyway<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Remember the MLBPA mutiny from a couple years ago? Harry Marino has\u00a0broken his silence about it<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Far be it from me to jump to conclusions, but it doesn\u2019t seem that things are going super great\u00a0in San Francisco<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0in Boston<\/a>\u00a0so far.<\/p>\n

And speaking of early overreactions, here\u2019s Jim Bowden with some\u00a0small-sample observations<\/a>\u00a0on the 2026 season so far.<\/p>\n

Most-clicked in our last newsletter:\u00a0Jayson Stark\u2019s\u00a0Weird & Wild column<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 we don\u2019t have poll results yet, but we\u2019ll keep you posted.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udceb Love The Windup? Check out\u00a0The Athletic\u2019s other newsletters<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Windup Newsletter \u26be | This is The Athletic\u2019s MLB newsletter. Sign up here to receive The Windup…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":568198,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[65],"tags":[363,99],"class_list":["post-568197","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-mlb","tag-mlb","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/568197","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=568197"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/568197\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/568198"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=568197"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=568197"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=568197"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}