MLB news: Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees, Cubs vs. Cardinals

Let’s take a look at some of the latest MLB news and notes, including a bold goal from a Pittsburgh Pirates rising star, a New York Yankees pitcher potentially taking a shot at San Francisco Giants fans, and another point of division between St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs fans over Willson Contreras.

MLB news: Oneil Cruz of Pittsburgh Pirates sets lofty 2023 goal

The 24-year-old Cruz made his first real impact on the Pirates last season, smacking 17 home runs and recording 10 stolen bases. However, now firmly entrenched as the starting shortstop in Pittsburgh, Cruz has bigger plans for 2023, especially with the larger bases and new pitching rules that have been introduced as a part of the upcoming campaign.

“I’m looking for 30-30,” Cruz told MLB.com, “or 40-40 this year. The one that is going to be under my control this year is to go play hard and put on a good show for the people who go out to Pittsburgh to see me play.”

While it’s fully expected Cruz will improve his numbers this season, that would be a jump that would put him in the conversation for MLB’s most improved player. It would also put a jolt into a Pirates franchise that seems to be building momentum … if it can figure out the direction it will take with All-Star outfielder Bryan Reynolds. Will it be a trade or contract extension, something the two sides have been far apart on this offseason?

New York Yankees news: Did Carlos Rodón take a dig at the San Francisco Giants?

Rodón, the biggest free agent pitching acquisition for the Yankees this offseason, made himself right at home by embracing the “care” that New York fans express in their team. The 30-year-old southpaw was clear that the Bronx will be a completely different environment than Oracle Park, where he headlined a Giants pitching staff with a 2.88 ERA and MLB-leading 2.25 FIP and 12.0 strikeouts per nine innings.

“The fans here want to win. They care. They care a lot,” Rodón said on Saturday.

“Giants fans are invested, but not like in New York,” Rodón said. “Win or lose, you’re not going to get booed in San Francisco.”

Rodón seems ready for the pressure cooker in the Bronx, and it will certainly be a different feel the first time he walks off the mound after a bad inning. However, Rodón and his competitive nature seems to shrug it off.

Check out the rest of his comments about pitching for the Yankees here.

St. Louis Cardinals news: Willson Contreras talks Chicago Cubs

Contreras, who went from Wrigley Field to Busch Stadium over the offseason and will take over Yadier Molina’s spot behind the plate in St. Louis, talked to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription required) about some of the stinging comments made about his catching and preparation while with the Cubs.

“I was like, ‘OK, I think my job is done here,'” Contreras told Rosenthal. “Whatever they do will take a while for me to heal, to get over it. But at the same time, I knew I did a really good job in the last six years.”

At the heart of the frustration for Contreras is this paragraph…

"Still, Contreras’ approach occasionally frustrated Cubs manager David Ross, a former catcher, and the team’s coaching staff, according to sources with knowledge of the situation who were granted anonymity to speak candidly. Contreras prepared. He worked hard. But he did not always prepare and work in the way the coaches wanted."

It sounds like Contreras will have plenty of fuel when the two NL Central rivals collide again this season. You can read the in-depth interview with plenty of thoughts about the past and future of the 30-year-old backstop here.