The Astros had a “very excessive” quantity of curiosity in Nick Pivetta previous to the commerce deadline, MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo stories. No deal was labored out between Houston and Boston, naturally, because the Crimson Sox have been nonetheless in rivalry and opted towards transferring Pivetta or another impending free brokers. The Astros as a substitute pivoted to touchdown Yusei Kikuchi from the Blue Jays in what was arguably essentially the most impactful commerce of deadline season, as Kikuchi’s dominance dominance since coming to Houston has been a key issue within the Astros’ run to the AL West crown.
Pivetta made his closing begin of the 2024 marketing campaign yesterday, and the right-hander finishes his eighth MLB season with a 4.14 ERA over 145 2/3 innings, in addition to very sturdy strikeout (28.9%) and stroll (6.1) charges. Pivetta’s success was restricted by a propensity for permitting exhausting contact and a number of house runs, however all in all, he has made a strong case for himself as he enters free company upfront of his age-32 season. On paper, the Astros’ mixture of youthful arms and veteran starters getting back from damage ought to assist the workforce make up for the potential departures of Kikuchi and Justin Verlander in free company, but the “you’ll be able to by no means have sufficient pitching” cliche is a persuasive counter-argument. Bolstering the group with a mid-tier possibility like Pivetta could possibly be a lovely choice to the Astros this winter.
Another objects from the AL West…
- A CT scan on Josh Jung’s surgically-repaired proper wrist revealed no structural injury, Rangers supervisor Bruce Bochy instructed reporters (together with Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning Information). Jung missed many of the season after present process the surgical procedure in early April, and was nonetheless bothered by some discomfort in his wrist after returning to the sector in late July. The Rangers ended Jung’s season with an IL placement earlier this week, and Bochy mentioned that the third baseman’s shutdown interval will contain “full relaxation for a few weeks after which we’ll take a look at it and see the place he’s at.” Jung hit solely .248/.278/.367 in 169 plate appearances following his surgical procedure.
- The Mariners’ offense has been probably the greatest in baseball since Edgar Martinez assumed hitting coach duties on August 23, but it isn’t clear if Martinez will likely be again within the job subsequent season. The Seattle Occasions’ Adam Jude writes that the membership has already began on the lookout for a brand new hitting coach, although the M’s would seemingly love having Martinez return, if he’s keen to tackle the every day grind of a training function over a full season. The chance exists that the Mariners might each rent a brand new prime hitting coach and nonetheless retain Martinez, as Jude means that Martinez might keep on as a coach for simply house video games, with a purpose to reduce down on the journey.
