Mining the News (12/23/23)

American League

Athletics

• Sean Newcomb had a second knee surgery since he last pitched.

A's announce LHP Sean Newcomb underwent right knee arthroscopic surgery with Dr. Will Workman today in San Ramon. This is separate from the left knee surgery Newcomb underwent in September. He's expected to be ready for Spring Training.

— Martín Gallegos (@MartinJGallegos) December 20, 2023

Orioles

• The plan is to have prospects Chayce McDermott and Cade Povich spend some time in AAA before joining the major league rotation.

“Our plan with McDermott and Povich is hopefully we can bring enough in on the Major League side to where we can prioritize their development,” Elias said at the Winter Meetings. “They both got to Triple-A [Norfolk], but I don’t think their work there is done, at least from what we’ve seen so far.”

With plenty of solid big league starting options, Baltimore has the luxury of not rushing the top arms on its farm. McDermott and Povich likely have bright futures ahead of them — as they’ve shown in the Minors — but both just completed their first full season in the O’s system after being acquired at the 2022 Trade Deadline.
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It’s up to the O’s, and because of that, both McDermott and Povich will open the 2024 season in the Minors (barring any unforeseen circumstances or injury situations).

However, either could force his way into the picture later this year, as a team’s rotation landscape is always changing and evolving.

Rays

• As the season went on, Ryan Pepiot created a new slider.

Additionally, Pepiot’s breaking ball took on a new shape. He threw it harder, at an average of 88.8 mph compared to 86.7 mph in 2022, with less vertical movement. The revamped slider generated a .239 wOBA and 32.6 percent whiff rate, making it a solid third offering alongside a mid-90s fastball with good carry and an excellent changeup that’s been his calling card to this point.

Yankees

• The team is hoping for a leaner, more athletic Giancarlo Stanton next season.

However, Boone indicated that Stanton’s plan to trim weight should help him be “more athletic on the bases and not just an option in the outfield, but a good option in the outfield. I think that’s something important to him.”

• The team mentioned Will Warren, Luis Gil, and Chase Hampton as major league starting pitcher options.

Boone mentioned prospects Will Warren, Luis Gil and Chase Hampton as upper-level pitchers who could help fill in the starting pitching depth. Clayton Beeter is also expected to be in the mix.

National League

Cardinals

• Alec Burleson is the odd man out for playing time.

Speaking to MLB Network Radio earlier this month, Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said his outfield would likely be Lars Nootbaar, Tommy Edman and Walker, with Dylan Carlson as the primary backup. Not mentioned was first baseman/outfielder Alec Burleson, who struggled enough on defense that his -9 OAA was second-weakest on the team ahead of only Walker, who as we said was still transitioning to the outfield. It’s not clear what his role is on the 2024 Cardinals, if any; while his left-handed bat might be missed, his glove was not a strength.

Dodgers

• There is a slim chance Shohei Ohtani might play some outfield once his arm is healed.

Designated hitter has been Ohtani’s traditional spot as a position player, but that in fact may not be the only position he plays with Los Angeles. Roberts left open the possibility that Ohtani could see time in left field.

“There was even a little talk with Shohei about, come September when he can pick up a baseball and throw, would he be open to taking some balls out there in left field?” Roberts said.

“[Ohtani] said, ‘If it works and my arm feels OK, I’m open to it.’ So we’ll see, but we’ve got a lot of time before we get to that point.”

Marlins

• Max Meyer is adding a sinker.

Armed with a four-seamer, slider and changeup, Meyer has been working on a sinker with slower velocity – similar to a “really hard changeup.” He also has been able to control the cut on his four-seamer more.

Pirates

• Rowdy Tellez played through an arm injury that affected his performance.

“I just had a really good start to the season,” Tellez said, “and I think that once that happened — and then trying to deal with the injuries and not saying anything and just being that guy that goes out every day whether it’s right or wrong — just kind of rolling through it really affected me. But once we got to the offseason, it was a huge focus on getting healthy.”