Astros reportedly interested in Craig Counsell
The Houston Astros blew a 3-2 lead in the American League Championship Series and lost in Game 7 to the Texas Rangers. While most of their main pieces will return next season, they need a new manager. Dusty Baker, who took over as their manager in 2020 and led the team to one World Series title and two AL pennants, announced his retirement from managing. Now, they have to find someone to replace him. It shouldn't be hard, considering how the roster is set for the future.
But who are the Astros looking at to replace Baker?
According to Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Astros have expressed interest in Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell, but notes "it's unclear how serious their pursuit would be."
While it's unknown how much the Astros are willing to pursue Counsell, there are two teams that have already interviewed him -- the New York Mets and Cleveland Guardians.
Counsell's contract with the Brewers officially ran out on Oct. 31, which means he is now a free agent as of this writing.
The Mets have long been linked to Counsell. The team was looking to hire David Stearns, the Brewers' former president of baseball operations, for the same role ever since Steve Cohen officially bought the team in 2020. Just before the end of the 2023 season, the Mets officially hired Stearns. Given the working relationship between the two, Counsell is an obvious top choice as manager.
Meanwhile, the Guardians are looking to replace Terry Francona, who retired after this season. There was a lengthy list of external candidates, which included Seattle Mariners bullpen coach Stephen Vogt, Los Angeles Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough, New York Yankees bench coach Carlos Mendoza, San Francisco Giants bullpen coach Craig Albernaz, and Counsell.
According to MLB Network Jon Morosi reports Counsell is evaluating his options, including returning to the Brewers. Morosi also reports that Counsell is more likely to manage in 2024 than take the year off.
Unless the Astros call Counsell in for an interview, it appears they are on the outside looking in.
Cubs linked to Phillies ace Aaron Nola this offseason
The Chicago Cubs entered a slump at the worst possible time -- at the end of the regular season as they were fighting for a playoff spot. Instead, they failed to clinch the final Wild Card spot by one game, losing it to the eventual National League Champions, the Arizona Diamondbacks.
This offseason, the Cubs watch outfielder Cody Bellinger hit free agency and will likely command a huge contract from interested teams. Not to mention, they will have to wait to see if starting pitcher Marcus Stroman opts into the contract. But could they be in the running for a pitcher to add to their rotation in 2024 and beyond?
Tim Kelly of Phillies Nation wrote about five trade candidates Philadelphia should consider if they lose ace Aaron Nola to free agency. Kelly mentioned the Cubs as a team that makes sense to sign Nola this offseason.
"The St. Louis Cardinals haven't been shy about their interest in Nola, while the Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants, Baltimore Orioles, and Chicago Cubs are among the contenders who make sense as possible suitors for Nola," writes Kelly.
Nola is perhaps the most consistent starting pitcher available this offseason. Ever since being called up by the Phillies in 2015, Nola has shown to be a durable starting pitcher throughout his tenure and has been, for the most part, good.
This season, Nola struggled a bit, recording a 4.46 ERA, a 1.151 WHIP, a 12-9 record, 202 strikeouts, and 45 walks in 193.2 innings. Nola had a strong postseason with the Phillies during their run to the NLCS. In four starts, Nola recorded a 2.35 ERA, a 0.96 WHIP, a 3-1 win-loss record, 23 strikeouts, and four walks in 23.0 innings.
Adding Nola would be huge for the Cubs, but it's unknown how seriously they are in pursuing him. Besides, Nola will likely command a ton of interest from teams if he doesn't re-sign with the Phillies.
Braves listed as fit for free agent Sonny Gray
The Atlanta Braves saw their season end in the Division Series at the hands of their rivals, the Philadelphia Phillies, for the second consecutive year. This comes despite the Braves tying the single-season home run record with 304. There is some uncertainty in the starting pitching rotation. Charlie Morton has a $20 million club option, while Max Fried is set to become a free agent after next season.
That leaves the question of if the team will be in serious contention to get one of the top starting pitchers available in free agency.
Jim Bowden of The Athletic (subscription required) predicted the contracts and listed the team fits for the top 40 free agents this winter. Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Sonny Gray is listed as a fit for the Braves, and Bowden predicts he could get a three-year, $64 million contract this offseason.
"Sonny Gray had an excellent platform year and is expected to at least finish in the top five in the AL Cy Young Award voting," writes Bowden. "He went 8-8 with a 2.79 ERA over 32 starts, striking out 183 in 184 innings. That was the most innings Gray has thrown since 2015. He finished in the 99th percentile in both pitching run value and breaking run value as opposing batters hit just .097 against his newfound sweeper, which was a difference-maker."
Gray has shined since leaving the New York Yankees after the 2018 season. He made his second All-Star Game in the subsequent year with the Cincinnati Reds. But after three years in Cincinnati, Gray signed a two-year deal with the Twins, and he has been very consistent for the AL Central squad.
Through his two seasons as a Twin, Gray recorded a 2.90 ERA, a 1.139 WHIP, a 16-13 win-loss record, 300 strikeouts, and 91 walks in 303.2 innings (56 starts).
Gray, on paper, would be a good addition to the Braves rotation as they look to bolster it to make it through the crowded National League field to get back to the Fall Classic. But Gray will be a hot commodity this offseason, given the price tag.