The Daily Chop: Sean Newcomb to get another chance as a starter

Previously this week we discussed the decisions that the Atlanta Braves will have to make in regards to four players with team options. When discussing Julio Teheran, I mentioned that the team would have to consider the 174 innings pitched and how they would go about replacing that should they opt to part ways.

Looking at next season’s potential rotation, only Mike Soroka, Max Fried and Mike Foltynewicz appear to be penciled in. Mark Bowman mentioned another candidate in his latest mailbag saying that the Braves are planning on letting Sean Newcomb compete for a rotation spot in Spring Training.

Newcomb walked 10 batters in just 15 innings as a starter. He walked just 19 more in 53 1/3 as a reliever. If he can carry that into a starting role, then the Braves could have themselves another quality starter that not many people are talking about. That wouldn’t necessarily preclude them from bringing Teheran back since the decision on him will have to be made shortly after the World Series, but it is another option to add to the discussion. Atlanta also has a number of young pitchers that could be ready to claim a rotation spot next season.

That is just some of the backdrop that will go into the decision on whether or not to exercise Teheran’s $12 million option.

Braves News

• Here is a great article by Ben Lindbergh at The Ringer on the new young faces of Major League Baseball and the controversies that have unfolded over just “letting the kids play.”

MLB Playoffs

• Following Wednesday’s rainout, the Houston Astros will go with Zack Greinke in Game 4 and Justin Verlander in Game 5 of the ALCS. The extra day of rest will allow Greinke to start on full rest. The Yankees will go with Masahiro Tanaka in Game 4 and most likely James Paxton in Game 5.
• While the rainout was probably more beneficial to the Astros, it does allow Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton another day for treatment on his strained quadriceps. Stanton suffered the injury during the second inning of Game 1 and was out of the lineup for Games 2 and 3.
• The Nationals punched their ticket to the World Series and are an example for why all teams should actually try to win.

MLB News

• The Los Angeles Angels have officially hired Joe Maddon to be their next manager. Maddon’s contract is for three-years and $12 million. The Angels were long thought to be the favorite to land Maddon given his previous ties to the organization. The Angels are also reportedly considering hiring Mike Butcher as the team’s pitching coach. Butcher spent the last four seasons with the Diamondbacks and was with Tampa back in 2006 while Maddon was the manager.
• The Pittsburgh Pirates are still searching for a manager and will sit down with Twins bench coach Derek Shelton this week. A’s bench coach Ryan Christenson has also interviewed for the position.
• USA Baseball announced on Wednesday that Scott Brosius will replace Joe Girardi as Premier12 manager. Girardi was named as manager in August but stepped down due to his pursuit of several managerial openings around Major League Baseball.
• Finally, ESPN’s Jeff Passan on the MLB’s controversy surrounding the baseball and whether it has been altered for the postseason.