As Spring Training continues, here are three things worth keeping an eye on for MLBTR readers around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Nootbaar awaiting test results:
Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar has been sidelined in recent days by soreness in his torso, with Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch adding that Nootbaar underwent a CT scan yesterday, with the club expecting to have a better idea of a timetable for his return sometime today. Nootbaar, 26, has slashed a strong .247/.356/.430 with a wRC+ of 120 over the past two seasons but was limited to just 117 games last year by back and abdomen issues. If Nootbaar were to face a notable absence, he’d run the risk of joining both staff ace Sonny Gray and center fielder Tommy Edman on the shelf to open the season. With both Edman and Nootbaar at risk of missing time, the club would likely turn to Dylan Carlson in center field with the likes of Alec Burleson and Brendan Donovan among the options to take over for Nootbaar in left.
2. Peraza sent for imaging:
Nootbaar wasn’t the only young position player to undergo imaging yesterday, as MLB.com notes that Yankees infielder Oswald Peraza has done the same after battling shoulder issues in recent weeks. The 23-year-old youngster was a consensus top-50 prospect in the game last year but struggled in 52 games in the Bronx last year, hitting a paltry .191/.267/.272 in 191 trips to the plate. Despite those struggles, Peraza still figures to be key future piece for the Yankees alongside Anthony Volpe in the club’s infield, though the likes of DJ LeMahieu and Gleyber Torres leave him blocked from regular starts in the majors for the time being. Headed into the 2024 season, Peraza figures to compete with the likes of Jorbit Vivas and Jahmai Jones for the final spot on the club’s bench alongside Jose Trevino, Oswaldo Cabrera, and Trent Grisham, though his shot at a bench role in the majors could be complicated by an absence of note with less than three weeks until Spring Training.
3. Offseason in Review series begins:
MLBTR’s annual Offseason in Review series began yesterday, with MLBTR’s Anthony Franco discussing the offseason of the reigning NL champion Arizona Diamondbacks as well as the Atlanta Braves, who had the league’s best record last year. Both clubs added a veteran southpaw to the middle of their rotation this winter while also making notable additions in the lineup. MLBTR readers have generally regarded both clubs as having done a solid job this winter, with around three-quarters of respondents grading both offseasons as a “B” or higher. The series, which will cover all 30 clubs in the coming weeks, will continue today with MLBTR’s Darragh McDonald’s discussion of what has been a relatively quiet offseason for the New York Mets.
looks like the Atlanta link is pointing to the Arizona
What grade will Boston get ? D or F ? We shall see.
@Shawn W.
Depends on what the needs were in the offseason. Might get an A.
Also can’t say Giolito needing TJ should alter their grade. That’s something you can’t see when you sign a guy. As a Red Sox fan I’m bummed, but also not “angry” they signed him. Had to replace Sale. Toss of the dice with pitchers nowadays.
Peraza needs to start the year in AAA. Get healthy and get the daily ABs. His time will come but not need to rush
Definitely. He needs all the ABs he can get and won’t get them riding the pine in the majors.
I think he’s gong to start the year on the 60 day IL so the Yankees can pick up some more waiver wire relief pitchers
It’s a shoulder issue which only effects his ability to throw well.
They will be selling Nootbaars in the stands, just like Reggie bars back in the day.
Hope they’re better than those Reggie Bars were. Those things were awful.
So Noot and Tommy are hurt and that leaves the injury prone and inconsistent Carlson as the lone option in CF. I’m sure I said something about the Cardinals need for CF depth several times this offseason.
Michael A. Taylor could probably be signed for a cheap deal since it’s already Spring Training, he might not be asking for as much now.
Taylor would be ok. Ideally it would be a LH hitter. Seems like they had a guy named Palacios who would have fit the bill.
Donnie, I’ll save you a trip to the market if you’re interested in a Mercado… a slightly used and hot-hitting Oscar Mercado, that is.
Maybe they’ll give Victor Scott a chance, depending on how he plays the rest of spring training.
Victor Scott! His defense and speed alone make him a viable alternative. Hard to say about offense, but his minor league and Arizona fall league numbers are encouraging.
They have three options already on the roster for center field. How much more depth could you expect them to get? Who would want to sign there knowing they would be the fourth choice to start?
The torso? That’s a pretty vague description… Nootbaar to the IL with an inflamed torso
Are the Cardinals planning to play lawn bowling this year?
Their pitching staff does qualify to live in a Retirement community complete with shuffle board leagues.
@Phree4u
I like it. I’d fly to St. Louis to watch that.
The first month schedule for STL is a nightmare, even if healthy. If not healthy they could be 10 games out by May 1st.
“With less than three weeks until spring training”
“I’m back-I’m back from the future”…
Are the Cubs in first place after the first two months of the season?
Holy time warp, Batman!
Waiting for one of the usual dummies to chime in about how can Nootbaar be a good offensive player with a 247 batting average
@Hammerin’ Hank
You’re talking about a 26 y.o. with a career .246/.351/.429 triple slash in 974 PA over 3 seasons…. and last season he had 503 PA (better known as more than half of his career PA) with a .261/.367/.418 triple slash line, while also running a below average K% (19.7%; 64th percentile) and a 95th percentile BB% (14.3%; which is REALLY good)
All of those stats being backed by peripherals that suggest he was a bit “unlucky” to “only” have those numbers, while also having slightly above average sprint speed and high efficiency base-stealing numbers (even if low volume). Oh yeah, he also plays a passable CF (where the offensive bar is a bit lower than the COF). What about that doesn’t sound like a strong offensive player?
Did your dog choke on an Almond Joy and leave you with a disdain for anything even vaguely sounding like “nut bar”?
P.S. not sure who “the usual dummies” are, but using batting average in the year of our Lord 2024 as the sole argument as to whether or not a player is good offensively kind of reminds of an old saying about “glass houses”