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The 2019 season is officially in the books and the offseason is officially here. Seeing the Washington Nationals claim the World Series trophy will be another bitter pill to swallow for the Atlanta Braves and their fans but that will soon transition into the backdrop of what will be an interesting offseason for Major League Baseball.
Braves News
- We will be discussing the offseason much more starting this week but this is an excellent Rule 5 preview of the roster decisions the Braves will face this winter.
- MLB Pipeline announced the 2019 All-Arizona Fall League Team with Trey Harris garnering a mention as DH runner-up.
- Our 2019 season in review series continued Wednesday with a look at reliever Shane Greene and right-hander Touki Toussaint.
2019 World Series
- Washington Nationals are your 2019 World Series Champions silencing Houston with a 6-2 win in Game 7. Washington trailed 2-0 into the seventh when Anthony Rendon and Howie Kendrick both homered to give the Nationals a lead that they wouldn’t relinquish.
- Stephen Strasburg was named MVP of the series for his exceptional postseason performance.
- Zack Greinke cruised through the first six innings before allowing a home run to Anthony Rendon. After a walk to Juan Soto, A.J. Hinch replaced Greinke despite him having thrown only 80 pitches. Willie Harris entered and gave up the home run to Kendrick that hit the foul pole in right to put the Nationals in front.
- Game 7 starter Zack Greinke once rejected a trade to the Nationals back in 2010 when he was a member of the Royals.
- Former Braves catcher Kurt Suzuki was a late scratch for the Nationals in Game 7. Suzuki hs not played since Game 3 on Friday after suffering an injured right hip flexor.
MLB News
- Not a huge surprise but the Philadelphia Phillies are reportedly planning to pursue free agent starter Gerrit Cole. Cole is a strong bet to land the biggest contract ever given to a pitcher. Expect a number of teams to be after Cole who may actually prefer a return to the west coast.
- The New York Yankees may be dipping into the college ranks for their next pitching coach. New York interviewed University of Michigan pitching coach Chris Fetter on Wednesday and were also slated to interview Arkansas pitching coach Matt Hobbs. The Yankees fired veteran pitching coach Larry Rothschild on Monday.
- Royals quality control coach Pedro Grifol will get a second interview with the Giants for the team’s vacant managerial position. Grifol joins former Phillies manager Gabe Kapler and Astros bench coach Joe Espada as the reported candidates to receive a second interview.
- The Boston Red Sox are expected to name Dave Bush as their new pitching coach. Bush recently served as the team’s minor league pitching performance coordinator.
- Former Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar is reportedly headed to Japan to play for the Yakult Swallos of the NPB.
- The Baltimore Orioles claimed infielder Pat Valaika off waivers from the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday.