MLB

MLB Offseason Round-UP: MOTYs, Two Notable Names in DFA Limbo

Published

6 months ago

November 15, 2023

Cal Quantrill, Pittsburgh Pirates, MLB Offseason

The MLB offseason awards week continued on Tuesday as the Manager of the Year in both the American and National League was named.

In the A.L., Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde was the runaway winner over fellow finalists Bruce Bochy (Rangers) and Kevin Cash (Rays). Hyde led the Orioles to 101 wins and the American League East crown.

In the Senior Circuit, rookie manager Skip Schumaker of the Miami Marlins was the recipient. The other two finalists were ex-Brewers and now-Cubs manager Craig Counsell and Braves manager Brian Snitker. Schumaker guided the Marlins to a surprising playoff appearance after they finished the season 84-78.

Up next in awards week is the Cy Young. Winners in both leagues will be unveiled on Wednesday night.

Two Notables DFA’d

There were a pair of notable names designated for assignment on Tuesday in Washington Nationals first baseman Dominic Smith and Cleveland Guardians starter Cal Quantrill.

Smith was in his first season with the Nationals after he was let go by the Mets. The 28-year-old appeared in 153 games with the Nats and hit .254 with a .692 OPS, 21 doubles, 12 home runs and 46 RBIs. For his career, Smith has compiled a .248/.313/.407 slash line with 58 home runs and 225 RBIs across an even 600 games.

Quantrill, meanwhile, went through an injury-riddled 2023 season that saw him struggle on the mound. In 19 starts for Cleveland, the right-hander went 4-7 with a 5.24 ERA. Quantrill is not far removed from a successful run. From 2021-22 with the Guardians, the 28-year-old posted a 23-8 record with a healthy 3.16 ERA in 72 games/54 starts.

Easy Calls on the QOs

Tuesday was the deadline to either accept or decline the qualifying offer and all seven recipients this MLB offseason declined it, as expected. Those seven players are — Shohei Ohtani (Angels), Cody Bellinger (Cubs), Aaron Nola (Phillies), Sonny Gray (Twins), Matt Chapman (Blue Jays), Blake Snell (Padres) and Josh Hader (Padres).