News and Notes for Saturday, November 23rd, 2024.
It does not fail that a decent amount of pre-Winter Meetings news arrives when I am out of town and unable to monitor social media like the chronically online millennial I am. Around this time last year the Scott Barlow/Enyel De Los Santos trade dropped in a similar fashion as yesterday’s news. Let’s take a look at the most recent updates.
The Cleveland Guardians picked up a great coach from the San Francisco Giants. Alyssa Nakken, the first female full-time MLB coach, has joined the Cleveland organization as an assistant director within player development. Nakken served as an assistant coach for the Giants and made MLB history when she was substituted in mid-game as a 1st base coach after an ejection - the first woman to coach in a MLB game.
Thursday’s news had Triston McKenzie avoiding arbitration. Friday’s news has both Sam Hentges and Ben Lively avoiding arbitration too!
Sam Hentges, Guardians settle at $1.337 million, avoiding arbitration, per his agents @WSM_Baseball. Hentges will miss the 2025 season rehabbing from shoulder surgery and will return in 2026.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) November 22, 2024
Guards avoid arbitration with RHP Ben Lively by signing him to a year deal worth $2.25 million. Also non-tendered George Valera and Connor Gillispie.
— paul hoynes (@hoynsie) November 23, 2024
Hentges will be missing the entire 2025 season after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder in September. He is predicted to return in time for the 2026 season. Hentges ended the 2024 season early but with a 3.04 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP. Hentges had a 10.27 K/9 rate for a 29.7 K%. He only walked 1.90 per 9 for a 5.5 BB%.
Ben Lively was foundational to the 2024 starting rotation. Providing a veteran presence, Lively went 13-10 with the Guardians sporting a 3.81 ERA, a 1.25 WHIP. Lively struck out 18.7% and walked 7.8% of the batters he faced in his 2024 campaign.
The Pittsburgh Pirates picked up Peter Strzelecki, who was DFA’d to make room for Rule 5 protections, for cash considerations.
Allegedly the team has offered deals to a few players but could not reach deals.
This is from Hoynes. I know it's Hoynes because he's the only one still trying to make "the G's" a thing lol https://t.co/wxKzKgfvru
— Covering the Corner (@CovertheCorner) November 23, 2024
Pedro Ávila sat down with MLB Venezuela and built his ideal team from his fellow Venezuelans. He, of course, included three of his 2024 Cleveland teammates!
Pedro Ávila se atrevió a dar su equipo ideal de venezolanos en Las Mayores. pic.twitter.com/M1TF7KjCnL
— MLB Venezuela (@MLBVenezuela) November 22, 2024
The Kansas City Royals also made a couple of moves with the Cincinnati Reds. The Royals have acquired IF Jonathan India and OF Joey Weimer for RHP Brady Singer.
The Minnesota Twins have tendered contracts to multiple players:
We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/xwfZoUx4qU
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) November 22, 2024
The Rockies have non-tendered former Cleveland Guardian RHP Cal Quantrill.
What's better than 4 Canadians? https://t.co/qi7yZuWNqB
— Nicole ⚾ (@Guardians_As) November 23, 2024
