MLB Roundup 11/20: The Arizona Fall League season has ended

Peoria wins the Arizona Fall League championship

The Arizona Fall League came to its conclusion over the weekend, and Peoria won the championship. This is the team that included Red Sox prospects, so it’s particularly exciting for Boston’s organization (along with the other teams who made up the roster). The standout player for the Red Sox, of course, was Michael Chavis, who had a particularly strong game in the championship and was one of the best hitters in Peoria’s lineup all fall long. With the end of the AFL, we also have the official end of Chavis’ breakout year, and now it all becomes about whether or not the prospect will be able to carry his success over to the 2018 season and a full season in the upper minors. Elsewhere on the roster, the Braves prospects had a hell of year. Ronald Acuna, also on the Peoria roster, is perhaps the top prospect in baseball and took home the league’s MVP award. Austin Riley, Alex Jackson and Max Fried played well for Peoria as well.

• Speaking of the Braves, the investigation into their organization is almost over. According to Peter Gammons, the team fully expects to lose Kevin Maitan, who is only a year removed from being one of the most exciting international prospects in the game. He had a rough 2017 and Atlanta is reportedly down on his potential at this point, but that won’t stop just about every team in the league from pursuing the 17-year-old infielder if/when his contract with Atlanta is voided.
• Alex Cobb has been among the most popular free agents early on in this offseason. The Boston native and longtime Ray has already been connected to the Orioles, Rangers, Yankees and Cubs. Gammons indicates that the latter two are the favorites at this point, though.
• The Red Sox can expect to have some company in the Carlos Santana sweepstakes. According to Jon Morosi, Boston and Philadelphia have been in contact with the first baseman. Last week, I explained why Santana would be one of my top targets for the Red Sox this winter. While there is expected to be some competition for his services, we can likely rule the Mariners out after they traded for Ryon Healy to become their everyday first baseman.
• Mike Napoli and the Rays have “mutual interest,” per Marc Topkin. Good for Napoli for potentially getting a key role after a rough year at the plate, but it might kill me to see him in Tampa Bay.