MLB

MLB Offseason Weekly Recap: Rare Early Trade, Pirates Claim Their Former Draft Pick

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1 day ago

November 3, 2024

This is a weekly update highlighting the notable news and transactions from the 2024-25 Major League Baseball offseason.

The Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series over the New York Yankees in five games on Wednesday which means the offseason is officially underway.

It usually takes some time before deals come to fruition, but there was already a notable trade between the Los Angeles Angeles and Atlanta Braves this week. The Angeles acquired slugger Jorge Soler to help bolster their lineup with right-hander Griffin Canning going the other way.

Soler split his 2024 season between the Braves and San Francisco Giants and hit .241 with a .780 OPS and 21 home runs in 142 games. Canning struggled this past season but went 7-8 with a respectable 4.32 ERA in 24 appearances/22 starts in 2023.

Soler fills the Angels’ need at designated hitter and provides some protection for Mike Trout as he returns from a season-ending injury. For the Braves, Canning helps to stabilize their rotation with Charlie Morton and Max Fried both impending free agents.

White Sox Hire Manager

The Chicago White Sox hired Will Venable as their manager, replacing interim Gardy Sizemore after he took over when Pedro Grifol was dismissed during an abysmal season on the South Side.

Venable a nine-year Major League veteran who played for three teams, had been serving as the Texas Rangers’ associate manager for the past two seasons.

It’s a tall task for Venable to try and turnaround the White Sox, who finished in last place in the American League Central with a 41-121 record. It can only go up from there, right?

Pirates Claim 2017 Draft Pick

The Pittsburgh Pirates made their first move of the offseason when they claimed infielder Tristan Gray off waivers from the Oakland A’s on Thursday.

Gray was selected by the Pirates in the 13th round of the 2017 draft. He spent one year in the Pirates’ system before he was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays along with Daniel Hudson for Corey Dickerson during the following offseason.

Gray appeared in 17 games over the last two seasons between the Rays, Marlins and A’s and has five hits in 33 at-bats with a home run.