It’s finally happened. A moment that a part of me has dreaded for years has arrived. The end of Rich Hill’s career is here.

Wait, why does that matter?

Hill is the last player in the big leagues with a birthdate before my own. And in a fitting coincidence, today (it was Tuesday when I wrote this section, at least) happens to be my birthday. This wasn’t the gift I asked for!

Seriously, though, this decision was a long time coming, and good for Hill for being able to make it on his own. Hill shared the news (and a hint at his future plans) with Rob Bradford’s “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast.

Hill spent 21 seasons in the big leagues, playing with 14 different franchises, while going 90-76 with a 4.02 ERA (106 ERA+) in 1418.0 IP.

I’m now 44. Hill, coincidentally, wore No. 44 four times in his career.

Just three players have ever had the No. 44 retired in their honor, but two of them have the distinction of having the number retired twice: Henry Aaron (both the Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers), Reggie Jackson (both the Oakland A’s and New York Yankees), and Willie McCovey (San Francisco Giants).

Speaking of things finally happening ….

The Chicago White Sox have finally agreed to trade center fielder Luis Robert Jr. ESPN’s Jeff Passan first reported the news late Tuesday night, with the teams confirming it shortly thereafter. Chicago had traded Robert to the New York Mets for infielder Luisangel Acuña and right-hander Truman Pauley.

Robert arrived in Chicago with enormous promise, enough so that the White Sox signed him to a lucrative contract extension before he even made his MLB debut. Initially, the deal appeared to be a steal for the team, but as Chicago continued to field a last-place roster, Robert’s name began to surface in trade rumors.

Those rumblings have persisted for at least two years now, with most experts believing the team missed the opportunity to trade him when his value was the highest. Robert struggled to a .223/.288/.372 (85 OPS+) line across 856 PA since the start of the 2024 season, limiting how many teams were willing to meet Chicago’s asking price in return.

Robert, 28, makes a lot of sense for the Mets given their reported desire to add another outfielder. The team had been connected to Cody Bellinger in free agency, but Robert’s one-year, $20 million commitment is far more manageable. The addition allows the team to start Carson Benge in left field rather than asking the rookie to take over center field. Plus, if Robert can bounce back at the plate, the Mets could benefit next offseason by extending him a qualifying offer (they’ll recoup a draft pick if he leaves and signs elsewhere).

The immediate cost for New York isn’t excessive, making this deal look like a steal for the Mets early on. The Mets already appeared to have a loaded infield mix even before signing Bo Bichette as a free agent. His addition further limited the potential playing time available for Mark Vientos, Luisangel Acuña, and Ronny Mauricio. Mauricio is the only one from the group with a minor league option remaining. Someone was going to get traded before Opening Day.

Acuña, who turns 24 in March, is the one on the move. His statline over parts of two seasons in New York wouldn’t suggest much — Acuña has slashed just .248/.299/.341 in 233 PA — but he does bring promise to the White Sox’s infield mix (though with Chase Meidroth and Colson Montgomery seemingly locked into starting roles up the middle, Acuña may start the year in a utility role). For a franchise with low expectations like the White Sox, he’s a solid addition.

Acuña has shown similar power potential to his brother, Atlanta outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. The younger Acuña recently had a four-homer game in the Venezuelan Winter League, a first in the league’s 80-year history.

Pauley was the Mets’ 12th-round pick in last summer’s draft out of Harvard University. The 22-year-old made three appearances with New York’s Class-A affiliate after signing (1 ER, 0 H, 4 BB, 3 SO in 4.1 IP).

The BBWAA announced the results of this year’s Hall of Fame voting on Tuesday evening, with outfielder Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones reaching the 75% threshold for election. The duo will join Jeff Kent, selected last month by the Era Committee, at the induction ceremonies on July 26.

A record 425 ballots were submitted this year. Beltrán appeared on 84.6%. Jones was named on 78.4%.

I won’t dive too far into their career highlights and accolades; I’ve done that already.

Some notable highlights from the full BBWAA voting results:

Of the 12 first-time candidates on this year’s ballot, only one received the necessary 5% to be eligible again next year: Cole Hamels (23.8%).

Felix Hernández was named on 46.1% of ballots, after appearing on just 20.6% last year. The 25.56% gain is the largest single-year gain from one year to the next since 1967, according to the HOFTracker’s Ryan Thibodaux (he and his team deserve a separate shout-out for their work tracking public ballots over the last month, even if it took some of the drama out of today’s announcement). Andy Pettitte saw a 20.6% increase, 11th on Thibodaux’s list, while Chase Utley saw a 19.3% gain (16th).

Jones was named on just 7.3% in his first year of eligibility. That’s the lowest debut total for a player who eventually was elected by the BBWAA vote.

Jones is the first Hall of Famer born in Curacao. Beltrán is the sixth from Puerto Rico.

Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz will skip the WBC and turned down a club-record contract extension last spring.

Boston’s collection of infielders still carries a ton of promise.

Yasiel Puig’s trial for lying to federal prosecutors about his involvement in illegal sports betting began on Tuesday in Los Angeles. He is facing up to 20 years in prison if found guilty on all charges.

Just days after announcing his retirement, Ryan Pressly has been hired by the Twins in a player development role that will have him working with both major and minor leaguers. The team also brought recently retired outfielder Michael A. Taylor aboard as an outfield instructor.

Plans for a new Rays stadium in Tampa appear to be moving forward, as trustees for Hillsborough College unanimously voted to approve a proposal to redevelop the college’s Dale Mabry campus. The multiphase project will include “a new stadium, hotels, housing, retail and new academic facilities for the college,” per a report from Tampa’s WTSP. The team, city, and college will now have 180 days to sort out financing plans, a construction schedule, and other details.