Latest news with #PlatinumGlover
Newsweek
a day ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Astros' $200M Superstar Sends Nolan Arenado Message After Trade News
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 Houston Astros pulled off perhaps the most surprising move of the baseball season last month when they reacquired superstar Carlos Correa, but it might have only been possible because another star player refused to join them. Looking to reload their infield and return to the playoffs, the Astros attempted to acquire Nolan Arenado from the St. Louis Cardinals this past offseason. But Arenado blocked that deal in the 11th hour. "Arenado nixed a trade to the Astros, multiple sources told The Athletic, refusing to waive his full-no trade clause — at least for now — to join a franchise that has reached the playoffs each of the last eight years," according to The Athletic's Katie Woo. "One league source described the deal as 'on the 1-yard line' ... with the Astros agreeing to pay a majority of Arenado's remaining contract." Instead, the Astros slotted Isaac Paredes into the third base role for much of the season and then acquired Correa from the Minnesota Twins at the deadline and moved him to third base for the first time in his career. MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JUNE 13: Nolan Arenado #28 of the St. Louis Cardinals before the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on June 13, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty... MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JUNE 13: Nolan Arenado #28 of the St. Louis Cardinals before the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on June 13, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by) More Fisher/Getty Now, as Correa learns the position, he is studying some of the game's best active third basemen. And that includes the veteran who refused a trade to the team a few months ago. "The accuracy of Arenado's throws, no matter where a play takes the six-time Platinum Glover, amazes Correa," according to The Athletic's Chandler Rome. "So does an internal clock Correa called 'the best of anyone in the league.'" As Correa adapts to the hot corner in the third season of his six-year, $200 million contract, the Astros can hope his praise for Arenado leads to some similar aptitude on defense. In addition to his Platinum Glove Awards, Arenado is a 10-time Gold Glove Award winner and he leads Major League Baseball with a .988 fielding percentage so far this year. If Correa can take at least some of that skill by watching the player he just praised, maybe losing out on Arenado will ultimately benefit the Astros. More MLB: Yankees Fans Hope Latest Aaron Boone Ejection Precursor to Firing
New York Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New York Times
How is Carlos Correa learning to play third base? By studying the league's best
Carlos Correa is a baseball connoisseur. Conversations with him often include offhand mentions of advanced metrics or other minutiae he's gleaned from watching players across the league. Baseball's best third basemen stay low before a pitch is released, Correa has learned, allowing them ample time to gauge a ground ball's trajectory. Advertisement 'At shortstop,' Correa explained last week, 'you have to stand taller because you have to move more.' For two years, Correa sought a switch to third base. On the day he secured it, Correa opened YouTube and started studying. He searched for highlights of the three players who pass a Platinum Glover's eye test, those who will assist a lifelong shortstop in this long-awaited transition. Nolan Arenado, Matt Chapman and Manny Machado 'look like they are the best at the position,' according to Correa. The 17 Gold Gloves and eight Platinum Gloves among them support the claim. Each stays low, snares everything in sight and has set a standard for third base defense during the modern era. 'When I look at them and the way they play, the way they attack the ball, the way they attack the angles, the way the arm slot is when they make the throws, it just looks right,' Correa said. Correa looks right on the left side of any infield. He has won both a Gold Glove and Platinum Glove, but only as a shortstop, the position where he made each of his first 1,190 defensive starts as a major leaguer. Reuniting with the Houston Astros fulfilled Correa's wishes to play third base, where less movement is required and injury risk can be diminished. That he arrived back in Houston worth minus-11 defensive runs saved as a shortstop this season can't be overlooked, either. Correa will turn 31 in September and, if he converts the four options in his complicated contract, could remain with the Astros through his age-37 season. Longevity matters to Correa, especially after a myriad of injuries, including missing 76 games last year, during his Minnesota Twins tenure. To learn the nuances of his new position, Correa is studying plays from each of Arenado's, Chapman's and Machado's Gold Glove seasons. He streams their highlights on YouTube during his downtime, such as the four flights he took during the 10-game trip Houston just completed. If the Cardinals, Giants or Padres are playing on an Astros off day or around their schedule, Correa will watch their third basemen on a team-issued iPad. Advertisement 'For me, it's about seeing how deep they play with slow runners, fast runners, double plays, infield in, guys that bunt, all that,' Correa said. 'Just analyzing all the little details so I can get more comfortable at the position. 'Those are obviously things I have to keep practicing before the games so in the games they feel natural. But by watching film, I can anticipate before plays happen what I will do depending on where the ball is going to be hit.' Each of the three offers a different attribute for Correa to analyze. The accuracy of Arenado's throws, no matter where a play takes the six-time Platinum Glover, amazes Correa. So does an internal clock Correa called 'the best of anyone in the league.' Machado's different arm angles are instructive for Correa, as is his uncanny ability to know pre-pitch where a ball may be hit, especially with runners on Machado has also alternated between shortstop and third base is helpful, Correa said. 'I watch Chapman the most,' Correa said, a byproduct of seeing him so often while both played in the American League West. During his five seasons with the A's, Chapman stole more hits from Correa than he cares to remember. 'I'm flattered that he's watching my video and looking at things that I do. That's a compliment to me,' said Chapman, who called Correa 'one of the best infielders in the major leagues. 'For him, I don't really have any advice. He's such a good baseball player. Just trust his instincts. He has great instincts. I imagine it's going to be a pretty quick transition, easy transition for him.' Without prompt, Chapman agreed with Correa's initial analysis that third basemen must get lower before a pitch is released. Correa's biggest adjustment, Chapman said, will be the angles he takes to ground balls and refining his pre-pitch positioning. Chapman himself is helping the transition. 'I watch his film and I analyze the depth that he plays at, I analyze pre-pitch movement, the different slots that he uses depending on where the ball is hit,' Correa said. Correa isn't attempting to mimic any of the aforementioned third basemen. Doing so would be difficult — Correa, at 6-4, stands at least two inches taller than all of them and still has some habits that none of them display. Some of Correa's routes, for example, have resembled those of a shortstop instead of a traditional third baseman. Shortstops make somewhat of a semicircle when approaching ground balls hit straight at them, creating an ideal angle to throw across the diamond. A straight-line path is more efficient for third basemen. Advertisement 'That's going to be more important when I take my reps during practice to make it more natural for me,' Correa said. 'For me, the super slow rollers — the tappers you have to go full-speed on and throw across your body — those are going to be the most difficult plays, especially when you have to go barehanded. I never went barehanded at shortstop.' Correa never needed to. He fielded primarily with one hand as a shortstop, which Astros manager Joe Espada said will ease his transition to third base, where that is the norm. Correa's arm strength will allow the club to play him farther back, too, giving him more time to read ground balls coming quicker than ever before. 'His game presence and his game savvy will help him at third base,' said Astros infield coach Tony Perezchica. 'The ball is coming at him at a different rate, more of a top spin hooking away from him. At shortstop, you kind of get everything right at you a little bit more. Those are the things he just has to see. You can practice it all day, but he has to see it in a game.' Correa is insistent on it. He arrived at loanDepot Park on Wednesday aware of a planned day off for Jeremy Peña, Houston's heir apparent to him at shortstop. Correa could've reprised his role in Peña's he did tb during his second game back in an Astros uniform. Instead, for the sixth, Correa asked to remain at third base. He needs all the exposure possible, but that Correa even played at all is evidence that the benefits of this switch are beginning to emerge. The Miami Marlins' ballpark has artificial turf. Correa had not played three consecutive games on the surface in the past three years. 'You can look it up,' Correa said on Thursday. 'I always go two and (then) an off day because the turf is tough on me when I was a shortstop. Today, I feel fantastic after playing three days on turf.' 'I played six in a row, and I know I played one of those at shortstop, but I feel fresh. That's something I knew would happen when I made the move to third and I felt like it would give me more longevity in my career if I made that move sooner rather than later.' Advertisement The Athletic's Andrew Baggarly contributed reporting to this story. (Illustration: Demetrious Robinson / The Athletic; Photos: Houston Astros / Getty Images / Rich von Biberstein / Icon Sportswire via Associated Press / Thurman James / Cal Sport Media via Associated Press / Dustin Bradford / Icon Sportswire via Associated Press) Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
Newsweek
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Yankees Blockbuster Trade Idea Solves DJ LeMahieu Dilemma With 8-Time All-Star
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Since his return from the injured list, DJ LeMahieu has been the team's primary second baseman. However, his struggles are reaching a breaking point. LeMahieu has been playing second base because it's where he is most comfortable, according to The Athletic's Chris Kirschner. However, the Yankees' catering to his needs is forcing Jazz Chisholm Jr. to play third base, where he himself has admitted he is not the best defender. If LeMahieu was swinging a good bat, the Yankees may be able to live with the move. However, he is slashing .250/.326/.328 with 30 strikeouts in 40 games. FanSided's Rucker Haringey suggested the Yankees swing a blockbuster trade for Nolan Arenado to fix their infield. DUNEDIN, FLORIDA - MARCH 08: DJ LeMahieu #26 of the New York Yankees throws the ball to first base in the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays during a 2024 Grapefruit League Spring Training... DUNEDIN, FLORIDA - MARCH 08: DJ LeMahieu #26 of the New York Yankees throws the ball to first base in the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays during a 2024 Grapefruit League Spring Training game at TD Ballpark on March 08, 2024 in Dunedin, Florida. MoreArenado has two more years on his eight-year, $260 million contract. He has shown some signs of decline as well, but would still be an upgrade for the Yankees. "On the other hand, the Cardinals may be willing to let him go for pretty close to nothing on the trade market," wrote Haringey. "Shedding his salary might be enough to allow New York to land him at the cost of an unheralded prospect. Trading for Arenado isn't going to alter the Yankees' future but it might give them the short-term boost they need in 2025 to end their title drought." Arenado is slashing .247/.306/.395 with 10 home runs. His OPS is still better than LeMahieu's, and his defense would help the Yankees significantly. He would slot in as the everyday third baseman, playing better defense than Chisholm at third. That would allow Chisholm to play second base, where he would perform better than LeMahieu has. Arenado is an eight-time All-Star, 10-time Gold Glover, six-time Platinum Glover and five-time Silver Slugger. He could be a great addition for the Yankees, who are not playing good baseball right now. More MLB: Red Sox Predicted To Cut Ties With Bounce-Back $10 Million Star
Newsweek
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Insider Links Yankees to Trade for 8-time All-Star With Full No-Trade Clause
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 New York Yankees have had DJ LeMahieu playing second base and Jazz Chisholm Jr. in the hot corner on a regular basis. However, it may be time for a change. LeMahieu has a .658 OPS and Chisholm is a better defender at second base than in the hot corner. The Yankees could upgrade their bench by moving LeMahieu out of the regular starting lineup and acquiring a starting third baseman. ESPN's Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan linked the Yankees to a trade for Nolan Arenado of the St. Louis Cardinals. Arenado started off the year strong, but now he is hitting .251 with a .718 OPS. While he is not as great as he once was, he still plays elite defense and would be an upgrade over LeMahieu offensively. ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - AUGUST 28: Nolan Arenado #28 of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off single against the San Diego Padres in the tenth inning at Busch Stadium on... ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - AUGUST 28: Nolan Arenado #28 of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk-off single against the San Diego Padres in the tenth inning at Busch Stadium on August 28, 2024 in St Louis, Missouri. MoreArenado is arguably the best third baseman of this generation. He is an eight-time All-Star, five-time Silver Slugger, 10-time Gold Glover and six-time Platinum Glover. He has two-plus years left on his eight-year, $260 million deal. A defense with Chisholm back at second base and Arenado manning the hot corner would be significantly better than the Yankees' current alignment. Additionally, LeMahieu would then be on the bench, giving Aaron Boone a better option than Oswald Peraza. While a trade for Arenado may solve the Yankees' infield woes, it would not be easy to pull off. Arenado has a full no-trade clause, and the Yankees were not on his original list of teams from the offseason that he would be willing to waive the clause for. More MLB: Astros Pushing for Left-Handed Bats; Could $100 Million Slugger be Good Fit?
Newsweek
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Ex-Yankees Starter Now Mentoring Young Player on Division Rival
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles have been having polar opposite seasons. The Yankees have looked like one of the best teams in baseball, while the Orioles have disappointed their fans and underachieved. The Orioles have Coby Mayo playing first base in the wake of Ryan Mountcastle's injury. Mayo had 73 starts at first base in the minor leagues, but playing the position in the big leagues is a different story. However, according to the Baltimore Sun's Matt Weyrich, May has a former Yankee mentoring him in Anthony Rizzo. "When I got drafted, (Rizzo) immediately wanted to start working out with me," Mayo told The Baltimore Sun's Weyrich. "He pushed to work out with me. He wanted to kind of get me in his corner, and it's been nice to have somebody like that, a potential Hall of Famer, World Series winner, a great guy in the clubhouse, just be with him and how hard he works. He's just an unbelievable person." BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JUNE 01: Coby Mayo #16 of the Baltimore Orioles reacts after striking out against the Chicago White Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 01, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JUNE 01: Coby Mayo #16 of the Baltimore Orioles reacts after striking out against the Chicago White Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 01, 2025 in Baltimore, said Rizzo is "in his corner," and he's a great person to lean on. Rizzo is a four-time Gold Glover, Platinum Glover and three-time All-Star. His time with the Yankees was not as glamorous. Some injuries derailed his tenure with the Yankees. Ultimately, he played in 370 games across four seasons, slashing .234/.326/.409. Mayo is a young player and has made most of his starts in the big leagues at third base. However, he is now having to adjust to being a first baseman until Mountcastle is back. Mountcastle is a trade candidate as the Orioles continue to struggle. If he is dealt, Mayo could see even more time at first base. Luckily for him, he has a strong relationship with one of the best first basemen of this generation. More MLB: Mets Insider Shares Concern For 25-Year-Old's Shocking 'Sudden Downfall'
