Latest news with #NationalLeagueWildCard
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why the Cardinals president wants ‘complicated' trade deadline
The post Why the Cardinals president wants 'complicated' trade deadline appeared first on ClutchPoints. The St. Louis Cardinals weren't supposed to contend in 2025. But as of June 3, they are 33-26 and firmly in the National League Wild Card hunt. That means with just under two months before the trade deadline, the organization isn't quite sure what its approach will be. Advertisement And according to team president of baseball operations John Mozeliak, that's a good thing. 'I hope July 31 is complicated for us,' he told MLB Network's Brian Kenny. 'Looking at how we're playing right now, if we can keep this up, I do think ownership will let us look to add pieces that make us stronger.' He added that the Cardinals have been competitive all season and that there's no reason to think it can't continue. 'When you look at how we've lined up with some of the better clubs this year, we've competed with them,' Mozeliak said. 'Our club as a whole has a lot of internal confidence so who we play, I don't think we're scared of.' Advertisement This is Mozeliak's final season with the Cardinals after three decades with the club. He told Kenny that when he looks back at his tenure he'll be proud of what he accomplished, though he's not quite done yet. 'I'm hoping 2025 is something that we look back on and say we weren't planning on being great but we became great,' he said. Theres no ill will between the Cardinals and Nolan Arenado Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images Heading into what was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Cardinals, Nolan Arenado's time in St. Louis appeared to be coming to an end. Mozeliak also discussed how the team approached trying to trade him and then reconciling with the veteran third baseman after he vetoed a trade to the Houston Astros. Advertisement 'When I met with him at the end of last season we talked about trying to find a solution or the possibility of a trade for him, which we ultimately did with Houston, but then he used his no trade and didn't go,' Mozeliak said. 'We got to Spring Training, we hugged it out, we understand where we all are. I think right now he's really enjoying being a part of this club and the way we're playing.' At 34, Arenado's best hitting days are behind him, but his glove has partially offset an 88 OPS+. Baseball Savant still ranks him as an above average third baseman.
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Jordan Lawlar joins Diamondbacks roster with uncertain playing time ahead
Image Source: Getty The Arizona Diamondbacks are calling up their top prospect, Jordan Lawlar , to the major league level as the 22-year-old shortstop climbs the ranks in his career. The team in the hunt for a National League Wild Card is getting a versatile infielder at a good time. But how much he will be a part of the starting 11 is, of course, still up for debate. Jordan Lawlar's journey to the Major League Baseball A sixth overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, Lawlar has been among the best in the Diamondbacks' farm system. While injuries limited his playing time in 2024, he showed flashes of his potential by excelling in Triple-A Reno, where he hit 354 with six homers and 30 RBIs. Those sparkling numbers placed him on the Baseball America Top 10 list of minor league prospects. One of Lawlar's strongest aspects has been the versatility he has developed. Mostly a shortstop, the D'backs have given him some looks at second base and third base to give him some versatility. This versatility could come in handy as the team figures out its square pegs in the infield. Navigating playing time and development for Jordan Lawlar The Diamondbacks team is cognizant of finding the right balance between developing Lawlar and aiding their current squad. 'We've got to give him regular at-bats,' general manager Mike Hazen said, indicating a utility role with sporadic at-bats might not be best for his development. In that sense, Lawlar might be available for the team to find the best way to get him into the lineup. The Lawlar addition also saw other corresponding moves made, adding up to roster space being made available, including the designation for assignment of veteran shortstop Nick Ahmed. This is the latest sign that the organization is ready to mix its young players into the team as it hopes to make a push for the playoffs. The Diamondbacks are hitting a critical stretch of the season, and it will be interesting to see Lawlar's performance and his versatility. Something that may prove just crucial for the team as they embark upon the final stretch. Also Read: 'Teamwork is how you win the games'- Diamondbacks' star Gabriel Moreno credits team effort for defeating
Newsweek
27-04-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Phillies Predicted to Target $8.2 Million All-Star Closer in Blockbuster Trade
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Philadelphia Phillies will need to do better with their bullpen if they hope to get back to the playoffs for a fourth straight season. Entering Sunday's MLB slate, Philadelphia stood at 14-13, 4 1/2 games behind the streaking New York Mets and tied with two other teams for what would be the third National League Wild Card spot. Relief pitching, or lack of it, is a main reason for the Phillies' sluggish start. Their bullpen ERA of 5.46 ranks 18th of MLB's 30 teams, while their 1.55 WHIP is 28th and .285 opponents' batting average puts Philly dead last. MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 14: Manager Joe Girardi #25 and President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski of the Philadelphia Phillies look on during batting practice prior to the game against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot... MIAMI, FLORIDA - APRIL 14: Manager Joe Girardi #25 and President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski of the Philadelphia Phillies look on during batting practice prior to the game against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on April 14, 2022 in Miami, Florida. MorePhiladelphia relievers have recorded seven saves, five of them credited to closer Jose Alvarado, who has yet to blow a save opportunity. But Alvarado has given up 13 hits in 12 2/3 innings, and walked two. Clearly, Alvarado can't handle the entire bullpen load himself. That's why, according to USA Today MLB insider Bob Nightengale, president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski will attempt to extract Ryan Helsley from the St. Louis Cardinals in a trade. The 30-year-old, seven year veteran posted a career year last season, saving an MLB-best 49 games and earning his first All-Star selection. As the Cardinals continue with their rebuilding project, Helsley "will likely be dealt by the trade deadline," Nightengale wrote. "Yet, the Phillies are adamant they will not include top prospects Andrew Painter or Aidan Miller in any trade." More MLB: Cardinals' Bullpen Struggles Holding Back Scorching Redbird Offense Painter, a right-handed pitcher who is described by MLB Pipeline as "one of the best high school arms in the 2021 draft class," is the Phillies' current No. 1 prospect. Miller, the Phillies' 2023 first-round draft pick, 27th overall, out of J.W. Mitchell High School in New Port Richey, Florida, is a power-hitting shortstop who is rated by MLB Pipeline as the organization's No. 2 prospect. Helsley is pitching on a one-year, $8.2 million contract with the Cardinals and is eligible for free agency following this season. But the St. Louis 2015 fifth-round pick is, like his team, off to a halting start with two blown saves already in six opportunities. More MLB: More Bad News For Injury-Riddled Twins as Rookie Sensation Breaks Arm
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
As Luisangel Acuña flashes his skillset, he's leaving Mets with difficult decision
Luisangel Acuña is making a looming choice about the Mets' roster construction particularly difficult for the club's decision-makers. Before the 2025 season began, it seemed as though the 23-year-old prospect might need some more development time in the minor leagues despite a rousing introduction at the end of 2024. New York Mets shortstop Luisangel Acuna (2) blows a bubble during the ninth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals on April 20, 2025, at Citi Field. An oblique injury to Jeff McNeil two weeks before Opening Day thrust Acuña onto the major league roster in a platoon with Brett Baty to start the season. And now, after some initial struggles to begin 2025, Acuña has proven the promise he could provide if he remains with the club. Advertisement "I was obviously thrust into very important games, so I was able to grow my confidence through the success that I had," Acuña told through an interpreter last week. "When I came here for spring training, I already had that confidence built in and the guys that really helped me to continue to grow and really hone in as a baseball player." Luisangel Acuña at the plate New York Mets second baseman Luisangel Acuna (2) hits a double against the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning on April 19, 2025, at Citi Field. When Francisco Lindor jammed his back after lunging for second base on Sept. 14, 2024, there was a collective sense of worry surrounding the Mets. For Acuña, it meant an opportunity to play on the grandest stage. He made his major league debut with the Mets holding a one-game advantage for the final National League Wild Card spot and rose to the occasion. In 14 games, Acuña was 12-for-39 (.308), belted three home runs and made one error in 43 chances. Advertisement It also helped the Mets coaching staff, who had not seen him firsthand following a trade from the Texas Rangers at the 2023 deadline, begin to get familiar with him. "The more you know someone the better. Some familiarity to get to understand how he thinks," Mets hitting coach Jeremy Barnes said. "I'm trying to learn certain words in Spanish and be able to help those kind of things out. It's good. "He's a great kid, open-minded, can't ask for anything more than that. Getting to see him continue to mature and develop is fun." After opening this season 2-for-17 with one double, two runs, one stolen base and four strikeouts, Acuña is 11-for-28 with four doubles, eight runs, one RBI and five stolen bases in his last 10 games. Advertisement Recently, he's delivered in big moments, tying the series finale with the Twins with an eighth-inning RBI single on April 16 and doubling and scoring the go-ahead run during Saturday's win over the Cardinals. Barnes sees a player that is getting more and more comfortable. For Acuña, he's credited a recent run of success with honing in on his routine. "It's doing things and angles and arm slots to keep behind the ball," Barnes said of Acuña's routine. "We have one dialed in that kind of blends everything that he wants to feel and work on that checks the boxes. That's a big thing for a young guy is dialing in that routine to where it's kind of keeping in check and get some of the feels that he wants to have on a daily basis." Carlos Mendoza: 'He could be dangerous' New York Mets shortstop Luisangel Acuna (2) steals second base during the seventh inning against the Miami Marlins on April 8, 2025, at Citi Field. In the series opener against the Twins on April 14, Acuña saw his opening. Advertisement The 23-year-old speedster delivered a picture-perfect bunt up the third-base line , forcing reliever Jorge Alcala to throw wide of first base. Two batters later, Juan Soto tagged a two-run home run to right field. This season, Acuña, who once had a bet with his brother Ronald Jr. on who could steal more bases in 2023, is 6-for-6 on his stolen base attempts. His 10 runs trail only Pete Alonso, Soto and Lindor on the Mets. "There's a lot of different ways he can help you win a baseball game, put pressure on their pitchers, on their defense by not only stealing a base but taking an extra base, going first to third, first to home," Mendoza said. "Having him on the bases, he adds some extra pressure. Not only the defense, the versatility, he's having good results, getting good at-bats but when he gets on base, he could be dangerous." Acuña's sprint speed is the eighth-fastest in Major League Baseball, and his baserunning acumen has provided the Mets' coaching staff, including first-base coach Antoan Richardson, with an added weapon at the bottom of the lineup. Advertisement "Every time he gets to first base, we kind of like laugh and joke because he's like, 'Watch me on a double or a single,'" Richardson said. "I think his mindset and his intent, he wants to be really good at it. I think that's refreshing." Another position for Luisangel Acuña? New York Mets shortstop Luisangel Acuna (2) forces out St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Lars Nootbaar (21) at second base during the first inning on April 20, 2025, at Citi Field. Despite breaking in as a shortstop out of Venezuela, Acuña has been showcasing his glove at second base throughout the early portion of this season. "His ability to slow the game down – the game clock," Mendoza said about what stands out with Acuña's defense. "I feel like he's got a really good awareness of who the runner is, the situation of the game. Advertisement "He's got plus, plus range, but not only he gets to balls but he also has the ability to set his feet and control the tempo. He's not rushing plays and that's good to see from an infielder that young." That speed and defensive awareness could set up Acuña for his latest challenge. With Jose Siri sidelined with a fractured tibia, Acuña's name has been floated as an option to play center field. Acuña spent 31 games in the heart of the outfield with Triple-A Syracuse last season and has begun shagging flies at the position. Now, the Mets are trying to get him comfortable in one more spot at the major league level. "I think giving him everything that he needs and nothing more," Richardson said. "I think especially a young player with a lot on his plate, trying to be able to hit in the major leagues, trying to be able to hit in the major leagues, trying to figure out how to play the middle infield, which is very demanding, for me, it's just trying to simplify it as much as possible." Advertisement With a proven ability to perform at the major league level, the Mets appear to be searching for ways to give Acuña an opportunity to play. Soon, when McNeil returns, the Mets will have to make a call whether Acuña stays. The 23-year-old is making a loud case to stay. As McNeil nears a return, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza wants Acuña and Baty "We're still a few days away. The good thing is if we are having these discussions, it's a good thing," Mendoza said. "That means Baty continues to play well, that means Acuna continues to play well and they're making that decision very tough on us. That's what we want." This article originally appeared on NY Mets: Luisangel Acuña showcasing talent early in 2025 seaosn
