MLB rumors: Cubs' Dan Kantrovitz could be lured to East Coast
MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported that another Cubs executive may be leaving the franchise.
Chicago Cubs vice president of scouting Dan Kantrovitz has reportedly been in contact with the Mets and the two have engaged in discussions about Kantrovitz taking on a high-level position. Per Morosi, such a position would involve "overseeing the Mets' amateur scouting and player development departments," which Kantrovitz would have plenty of experience in.
Should Kantrovitz pursue this external position, he would become the second high-profile Cubs executive to leave Chicago this offseason. Cubs assistant general manager Craig Breslow was hired on Wednesday to become the Red Sox's chief baseball officer, taking over Boston's baseball operations department following Chaim Bloom's sacking.
The Cubs' farm system is currently regarded as one of the best in baseball, and much of its success could be attributed to Kantrovitz's scouting and analytical skillset.
Prior to getting hired by the Cubs in 2019, Kantrovitz served as the A's assistant general manager and as the Cardinals' director of scouting. He's made an indelible mark in Chicago's youth pool in the last four years, and his potential departure would deal another devastating blow to the Cubs franchise ahead of the 2024 season.
MLB rumors: Brad Ausmus, Joe Espada named candidates for Astros' manager position
On Thursday, Astros manager Dusty Baker officially retired. After 26 hard-fought seasons and a 2022 World Series championship, Baker's era is coming to an end. Who will follow him?
USA Today's Bob Nightengale recently proposed two candidates: Brad Ausmus and Joe Espada.
As Nightengale notes, Ausmus finished as a runner-up for the managerial position prior to Baker's hire, and he also finished as a runner-up to Dana Brown for the once-open general manager position last winter.
The former Tigers and Angels manager spent a large portion of his playing career in Houston and has maintained a close bond with Astros exec Jeff Bagwell.
As for Joe Espada, the Astros bench coach could be considered a logical in-house hire as he has already established solid chemistry with the team's core players. Hired back in 2018, Espada would theoretically serve as the most seamless transition for a team that's developed into a modern postseason juggernaut and will be looking for redemption in 2024.
Expect more names to be thrown into the Astros' hat in the coming days.
MLB rumors: Cardinals have reportedly made an offer to Japanese closer Yuki Matsui
The St. Louis Cardinals have set their sights on Japanese lefty reliever Yuki Matsui, who currently plays for the Rakuten Eagles in Japan.
The 27-year-old will become an international free agent this winter and has garnered interest from the Yankees, Red Sox, and Padres. According to the Japanese media site Sports Hochi, the Cardinals have already made an official offer to Matsui and have communicated their intention to bring him to the States.
Matsui has racked up 236 saves in his decade-long career in Japan and is coming off an impressive season in which he recorded 39 saves and a 1.57 ERA.
Bullpen depth is one of St. Louis' most pressing needs going into 2024, and lucky for the Cardinals, Matsui's WBC teammate Lars Nootbaar could help reel the star closer in this winter.