Cal Raleigh propelled the Seattle Mariners to an 8-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays with a two-run homer in the first inning, marking his ninth of the season and tying him for the league lead with Tyler Soderstrom. The Mariners exploded for six runs in the first, aided by Dylan Moore's leadoff homer. The loss spoiled the major-league debut of Blue Jays reliever Paxton Schultz, who struck out eight but was ultimately part of a bullpen effort that couldn’t stop Seattle’s 12-hit attack.

Rowdy Tellez contributed a pinch-hit two-run shot in the seventh inning, capping a strong series with three homers. Luis Castillo earned the win, allowing three runs over five innings, while the Blue Jays' Easton Lucas struggled, yielding six runs in his short outing. This win secured the series for Seattle, improving their record to 12-10, while Toronto fell to the same mark. Up next, the Blue Jays face the Astros and Yankees, with Kevin Gausman slated to start against Hunter Brown.

As the MLB season progresses, teams are starting to reveal their true colors with contenders solidifying their positions and rebuilders failing to keep pace. Among standout players are Casey Mize of the Detroit Tigers, who is showing promise early in the season, and Zebby Matthews, a potential call-up for the Twins following an injury to Pablo Lopez. Toronto's Easton Lucas has stepped up in the rotation, while Mitchell Parker of the Nationals is impressing with solid performances against tough teams.

Relief options like Tommy Kahnle of the Tigers are gaining traction as potential closers, while the Braves' Sean Murphy is making a comeback after a disappointing previous season. Young talents like Dillon Dingler are seizing opportunities due to injuries, and players like Ben Rice and Jorge Polanco are reclaiming their spot in fantasy rosters with promising starts. The article outlines FAAB targets, emphasizing the importance of securing these players as the season continues.

The Toronto Blue Jays are taking a methodical approach in selecting their leadoff hitter for the upcoming season, with second baseman Andrés Giménez emerging as a potential candidate. Acquired from the Cleveland Guardians, Giménez brings an intriguing profile despite a subpar performance last year, hitting just .252 with a .298 on-base percentage. This raises questions as George Springer, a previous leadoff mainstay, recorded a .303 OBP last season. Nonetheless, manager John Schneider highlights Giménez's ability to work pitches and make contact, which could complement the middle of the lineup, featuring the likes of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Anthony Santander.

Despite last season’s struggles, hopes are high that Giménez can regain his 2022 form, where he boasted a .297 average and a .371 OBP. Meanwhile, Adam Macko will undergo a significant recovery from a meniscus surgery, sidelining him for an undetermined time, a setback for the pitching depth. The Blue Jays are also finalizing their spring training rotation, with promising arms like Easton Lucas and José Berríos set to take the mound in a series of upcoming games.

The Boston Red Sox have made significant moves in the pitching market this offseason, acquiring Garrett Crochet via trade and signing Walker Buehler, Aroldis Chapman, and Patrick Sandoval in free agency. With a strong collection of pitchers already, including Chapman and Liam Hendriks, the team appears secure in its pitching lineup, though they may seek additional offensive support before Spring Training.

Amidst speculation, the San Diego Padres could be open to trades involving starter Michael King and closer Robert Suarez. Analysts suggest that the Red Sox could leverage the Padres' need to shed talent to improve their own pitching depth. However, while this idea is intriguing, the Red Sox may be better served focusing on bolstering their offensive capabilities rather than engaging in complex trades.

The St. Louis Cardinals face a narrowing trade market for star third baseman Nolan Arenado, with the Boston Red Sox emerging as the sole team interested in acquiring him before the 2025 season. According to reports, the Red Sox are also looking to sign free-agent Alex Bregman, which could influence their pursuit of Arenado. If Boston fails to sign Bregman, they may consider trading for Arenado, but this would likely involve moving Rafael Devers to first base and potentially trading Triston Casas.

Arenado, a ten-time Gold Glove winner and eight-time All-Star, had a solid 2024 season, playing 152 games with a .272 batting average, 16 home runs, and 71 RBIs. His desire for a World Series title complicates his situation, as the Cardinals have missed the playoffs for two consecutive years. Meanwhile, the Red Sox have not reached the postseason in three years and are looking to strengthen their roster after recently acquiring Garrett Crochet and signing pitchers Walker Buehler and Patrick Sandoval.