Latest news with #BaseballOperations
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Washington Nationals fire manager Dave Martinez and GM Mike Rizzo in astonishing move before draft
The Washington Nationals have fired manager Dave Martinez and GM Mike Rizzo in a stunning move ahead of next week's draft. In a statement on Sunday, the Nationals' Managing Principal Owner Mark Lerner said: 'On behalf of our family and the Washington Nationals organization, I first and foremost want to thank Mike and Davey for their contributions to our franchise and our city. 'Our family is eternally grateful for their years of dedication to the organization, including their roles in bringing a World Series trophy to Washington, D.C. 'While we are appreciative of their past successes, the on-field performance has not been where we or our fans expect it to be. 'This is a pivotal time for our Club, and we believe a fresh approach and new energy is the best course of action for our team moving forward.' The statement also confirmed that 'Senior Vice President & Assistant General Manager, Baseball Operations, Mike DeBartolo has been named Interim General Manager. 'DeBartolo will oversee all aspects of baseball operations, including the upcoming MLB First-Year Player Draft, alongside other key members of the department. An announcement will be made on the interim manager sometime on Monday'.
Newsweek
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Cubs Team President Reiterates Chicago's Plan for Trade Deadline
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Chicago Cubs are off to their best start since the ever-so memorable 2016 season that saw the team break all the curses in the world. Chicago is a true threat in the National League this season and is well on its way to a postseason berth for the first time since the COVID-shortened 2020 season. The team will need upgrades prior to the trade deadline and team president Jed Hoyer has made it clear what those plans will be. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JULY 01: President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer of the Chicago Cubs is interviewed prior to the game against the Cleveland Guardians at Wrigley Field on July 01, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JULY 01: President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer of the Chicago Cubs is interviewed prior to the game against the Cleveland Guardians at Wrigley Field on July 01, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois."We've had a lot of conversations with teams," Hoyer said in a 25-minute meeting with reporters on-site in Chicago. "We'll continue to have a lot of conversations, but these things ramp up." More often than not, the trade deadline truly doesn't ramp up until after the All-Star break is complete and front offices begin to look ahead to the second half of the season. Chicago certainly needs replacements on its bench unit as well as both starting and relief pitching. Hoyer knows that is the case and told reporters upgrading those positions of need is his main focus. "You're going to have injuries in the second half, and you have to be able to address those," Hoyer told reporters. "We're also looking to kind of raise our replacement level and raise our talent level. And that's really the challenge, I think, acquiring guys that provide depth. I know we can do that" There have already been rumors surrounding Chicago's interest in starting pitchers Edward Cabrera, Sandy Alcantara and Mitch Keller. There have also been rumors surrounding the Cubs' interest in current Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes and closer David Bednar. Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez has been a name floated around on the hot stove and that seems to be the one player that all of Cubs fans across social media can agree on wanting to bring to the North Side of Chicago. Whatever the decisions may be, it is clear that Hoyer and the rest of the Chicago front office are going to make all the moves to help the Cubs make a run to the World Series for the first time in nine seasons. More MLB: Diamondbacks Trade Deadline 'Rental' Would Bring Back Solid Prospect Return
New York Times
03-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Are the Twins headed for another inactive trade deadline as ownership uncertainty looms?
Trade deadline month is here, but any discussion about what the Minnesota Twins will do between now and July 31 should start with what they've done — or more accurately, haven't done — at the previous two deadlines. Last season, the Twins were 58-47 on deadline day, good for the American League's fourth-best record and in prime position for a playoff spot with 57 games remaining. FanGraphs calculated the Twins' chances of reaching the playoffs at 78.6 percent, also fourth-best in the league. Advertisement Coming off their first playoff success in two decades, the Twins were again winning games, giving fans reason to believe another exciting October was possible, and they seemingly had an obvious need for veteran rotation help, among other potential weak areas on the roster to address. So what did the Twins do? Nothing. Well, that's not quite true. They made a last-minute deal for journeyman middle reliever Trevor Richards, acquiring the 31-year-old right-hander with a career 4.51 ERA from the Toronto Blue Jays for marginal High-A infield prospect Jay Harry. Writing about the Richards pickup the next morning, I called it 'the least consequential trade the Twins could have made' and 'far closer to making an inexpensive, low-stakes trade simply to be able to say you made a trade than an actual meaningful upgrade.' President of baseball operations Derek Falvey defended the Twins' lack of deadline activity by suggesting they pursued starting pitchers only to find selling teams were asking more from them than from other suitors. He also downplayed the impact payroll constraints had on their deadline plans. Richards didn't even make it to September with the Twins, who sent him to the minors after a disastrous four-week stretch in which he totaled 11 walks and seven wild pitches in 13 innings. And the rotation predictably struggled as the Twins collapsed down the stretch, missing the playoffs. Had to grab this and sync it with the video — CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) August 24, 2024 Two years ago, at the 2023 deadline, the Twins were just 54-53, but that was enough to lead the historically inept AL Central by one game and carry 71.7 percent playoff odds, per FanGraphs. Despite the team being in first place following back-to-back losing seasons, the Twins did next to nothing. Six days before the deadline, they traded Jorge López to the Miami Marlins for Dylan Floro in a swap of underperforming relievers. And then they sat out the deadline entirely, choosing not to make any additional moves. Floro didn't even make the playoff roster after posting a 5.29 ERA in 17 innings. Advertisement Leading up to the 2023 deadline, Falvey said the Twins 'want to find ways to upgrade' and would target 'complementary pieces.' After doing nothing, he rationalized it by saying some presumed sellers changed plans late, and the Twins didn't want to bump players off their roster for non-upgrades. To the Twins' credit, they went 33-22 after the trade deadline in 2023 to win the division with ease over four losing teams. And then they won a playoff series for the first time since 2002, defeating the Blue Jays in back-to-back games at Target Field before falling to the Houston Astros in the ALDS. Would it have made a difference in October if the Twins had addressed their most obvious pre-deadline needs by trading for a reliever they actually felt comfortable using or adding a right-handed hitter to the outfield mix? We'll never know, because the front office sat on its hands at the deadline. I mean… what do you expect when you cover the Walls in targets? — Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) September 12, 2023 Every season is different, and every trade deadline has its own set of unique circumstances. But if the front office wasn't willing/able to bring in help for a 58-47 team with 78.6 percent playoff odds in 2024, or for a first-place team with 71.7 percent playoff odds in 2023, why would the Twins be buyers now? With four weeks until this season's deadline, the Twins have the AL's fifth-worst record at 41-45, including 15-25 since their 13-game winning streak in May. They trail the Detroit Tigers by double-digit games in the division and sit eighth in a race for three wild-card spots, with 20.6 percent playoff odds. '(Selling) is not my focus right now by any means,' Falvey said last week. 'If we have to cross that bridge, we'll cross that bridge later. But that's not at all our focus right now. It's to figure out how to get this team right back to where it needs to be.' Advertisement Beyond the disappointing on-field results, the ownership situation isn't any different nine months after the Pohlad family put the team up for sale. And if anything, owners who failed to spend for the past two offseasons and past two deadlines seem especially unlikely to do so on their way out the door. For a front office that hasn't made any substantial moves for going on three years, it's only natural to assume this season's trade deadline approach will involve standing pat or tinkering on the roster's margins. And if the Twins do decide to get aggressive, selling makes more logical sense than buying. However, selling is also complicated by the uncertain ownership situation. New owners often bring in their own front-office group, and the Falvey-led front office missing the playoffs four times in five seasons wouldn't provide much results-based motivation to retain the Pohlads' people. If the front office is worried about job security, it could be motivated to fight for a playoff spot despite poor odds and wouldn't be inclined to trade veterans. And if the front office may not be sticking around, why empower it to make big trades — buying or selling — with future ramifications? This uncertainty is tricky, and a prime example of how a team's ownership situation being up in the air can have a wide-ranging, negative effect on the front office's decision-making process and big-picture approach that is well beyond simply setting payroll limitations. (Photo of Derek Falvey: Abbie Parr / Associated Press, File)
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'A dream come true.' Chase Burns discusses his Cincinnati Reds debut vs. New York Yankees
Aaron who? That's not quite how Chase Burns reacted to a question about inevitably having to face Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees slugger, during his MLB debut, but the Cincinnati Reds rookie wasn't awed by the task ahead of him. Advertisement "I know he's there," Burns said. "Haven't really thought about it too much. I'm kind of just enjoying the moment. Once it comes to that point, I'll lock in." That response accurately captured Burns' demeanor on the eve of his June 24 MLB debut at Great American Ball Park against the defending AL champion and current AL East-leading Yankees. Holding court with about two dozen media members June 23 just outside of the Reds clubhouse, Burns was a picture of measured confidence, appreciation for the moment and self-awareness. "I'm just excited. It's a dream come true," Burns said. "Actually being a big leaguer. All my work's paid off, so I'm excited to be here." Reds pitchers Rhett Lowder (25) and Chase Burns (81) have a conversation with a staff member during spring training in February. Burns, 22, the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2024, is ranked the No. 1 prospect in the Reds organization, the No. 3 pitching prospect in baseball and the No. 11 prospect overall, according to MLB Pipeline. Advertisement Hopes and expectations with the Reds organization are that Burns will be an immediate, impact major-league player. While addressing reporters on the separate matter of parting with Jeimer Candelario, President of Baseball Operations Nick Krall said he viewed the Burns call-up as a statement of intent to win. 'This is a statement of intent. Bringing Chase Burns is a statement of intent. We want to win games,' Krall said. 'We felt that these are the moves that give us the best chance to win games.' Burns made his own statement of intent on Monday, agreeing with the suggestion that he would use his first big-league stint to prove he wouldn't need more seasoning in the minors. The Cincinnati Reds selected right-handed pitcher Chase Burns from Wake Forest No. 2 overall in the 2024 MLB draft. "Yeah, 100%," Burns said. "I have no idea what they're gonna do with me. I haven't talked about it yet but I'm gonna give 100% effort, see how it goes from there." Advertisement Burns steamed through the Reds' minor league system, earning the call-up after just 13 appearances. His professional debut was April 4 for the Single-A Dayton Dragons. He'd log three appearances there (0-2, 3.09 ERA) before moving to Double-A Chattanooga. That's where the bulk of his minor league experience − eight appearances (6-1, 1.29 ERA) − occurred. It's not as though Burns was a finished product all the way through he brief tour of the minors. He just happened to pick things up quickly, and apply them successfully. For instance, he was encouraged to add a changeup to his arsenal in Chattanooga. "I hate throwing it sometimes but I think now it's been a plus-pitch," Burns said. "When I was in Double-A, they told me I needed to throw it more, so kind of just trusting it. Now, it's something that's effective against lefties." Chase Burns pitches for the Chattanooga Lookouts against the Knoxville Smokies. After Chattanooga, Burns was deemed ready for MLB action after two starts at Triple-A Louisville (1-0, 2.19 ERA). Advertisement "I talked about it a lot, wanting to move up quick and making an impact," Burns said. "When it actually happens, it's surreal. Just the other day, I felt like I was in Dayton making my first professional start." Is Burns ready? For the Yankees and the opponents that follow? "I guess we'll find out," he said. "Go out there, be healthy and help the team win." This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Chase Burns discusses MLB for Reds vs. Yankees on June 24
New York Times
24-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Twins' Rocco Baldelli has team option picked up for 2026 season: Sources
MINNEAPOLIS — Not only is Rocco Baldelli's job not in immediate danger, but the Minnesota Twins manager is under contract for next season, too. Though the timing of the Twins' decision is unclear, multiple sources confirmed the club picked up its team option for 2026 on Baldelli, who's currently in his seventh season as manager. Advertisement With the Twins in a nosedive, club president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said the opinion of the front office is Baldelli and his coaching staff are doing everything they need to help turn around a club that entered Monday losing 13 of its last 17 games. As he's done for the past few years, Falvey declined to comment on Baldelli's status with the club, saying the team doesn't openly discuss contracts for personnel. But Falvey did endorse Baldelli when asked if the manager, who earlier this season was on the hot seat after a 7-15 start, is back under the microscope. 'It's just making sure no one runs away from the work that is right in front of him, and Rocco is not running away from any of the work,' Falvey said. 'My focus has been on how do I support him with that, because I do believe he's got the players' best interests at heart, and he's trying to figure out how to solve a challenging equation that we're all trying to navigate through. He's not alone in that. We're all side by side with him, as is the staff and as our core players. We're trying to figure it out together.' There's been a steady increase in the public calls for Baldelli to lose his during the club's 4-13 stretch, one rife with horrible pitching, ugly defense and huge, early deficits. In the aftermath of injuries to starting pitchers Pablo López and Zebby Matthews, Minnesota's pitching staff is struggling. Over their previous 17 games, Twins pitchers carried a 7.22 ERA, allowing 128 runs (118 earned) in 147 innings. Position player Jonah Bride has appeared in four games during the run, and Twins pitchers have yielded nine runs seven times. It's the second time this season the Twins have melted down following a 12-27 collapse at the end of the 2024 season, one also driven by injuries to key players. Despite their struggles, Baldelli is determined to make this work, suggesting the Twins could use the opener strategy more often as they try to get their starting rotation back on track. Advertisement 'You've got to continue to prepare and you've got to wear it sometimes when it isn't going the way you want,' Baldelli said. 'But there is always a game tomorrow to focus on and think about. Probably a few nights where I'm not sleeping quite the way I want, but I get to play with my kids. I can't think about baseball when I'm home playing with my kids. 'That's probably the easiest way for me to get over whatever goes on at the field. I look forward to getting on a hot streak and living the life at that point because that's what it feels like. It feels unbelievable when you're walking around with your chest out, but you still have to walk around with your chest out and head up even when things aren't going good.' In response to missing the playoffs in 2024, Baldelli's staff revamped the way it runs spring training this year, a plan which included more exhibition game action for anyone who was slated to make the roster. Even so, the Twins stumbled out of the gate and calls for Baldelli's job were frequent in a period in which Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Colorado all made managerial changes. Both during the offseason, and again early in the 2025 campaign, the Twins were decidedly vague when it came to Baldelli's status, which led to more speculation he could be fired. Even earlier in the season, it was believed Baldelli was operating as a lame duck with the team mulling whether or not to pick up his option. But when Falvey was asked about Baldelli on Monday, he quickly ruled out the possibility. While there's no telling what he may have to do if the Twins dropped well out of contention, Falvey thinks the club will find a solution and Baldelli is the person to lead them. Instead, the focus remains on how to improve a starting staff with three of five members struggling to tread water. Advertisement 'I'm around them a lot, I see them every day and we spend time talking on the phone when we're not together,' Falvey said. 'It's what are you doing every day to show up to try to put this team in the best position to be successful win or lose the night before. You can't do anything about yesterday or the week before. You have to try to figure out ways.'
