Rangers GM Chris Young stated earlier this week that Evan Carter’s recurring back problems would likely end his 2024 season, and Carter confirmed as much when speaking with Shawn McFarland of the Dallas Morning News (X link) and other reporters today. Carter said he doesn’t think surgery will be required to address the lumbar strain in his back, and he should have a normal offseason and a regular path to the start of Spring Training once he begins swinging in 9-10 weeks.
Carter’s official rookie season will now end with 45 games played, and a .188/.272/.361 slash line over 162 plate appearances. It was a tough follow-up to Carter’s incredible run in 2023 after his late-season MLB debut, but hopefully a full offseason of rest and recovery can help him move past the back problems that ruined his year.
More from around the AL West…
- The Angels intend to activate Anthony Rendon on Tuesday, so the lower-back inflammation that sidelined Rendon will result in just a minimal stint on the 10-day injured list. Rendon already missed around two and a half months earlier this season due to a hamstring strain, so the veteran third baseman has clocked just 33 games this season. Hitting only .227/.289/.273 over 142 PA, Rendon has plenty of time to post more respectable numbers the rest of the way, but 2024 is looking like another lost year for Rendon in the fifth season of his seven-year, $245MM deal with the Halos. Rendon has hit only .245/.349/.380 over his 999 PA in an Angels uniform, and a variety of injuries have limited him to 233 games.
- Jacob Wilson’s first Major League game on July 19 was cut short by a hamstring strain, and reporter Jessica Kleinschmidt writes (via X) that the Athletics don’t yet have a concrete timeline on when Wilson might be able to return to action. That said, the shortstop has been taking part in baseball activities and has ramped up his running drills, so Wilson looks to be making progress. The sixth overall pick of the 2023 draft, Wilson earned the quick call-up to the Show due to a huge .438/.475/.687 slash line in 200 PA at three different minor league levels this season. Returning in relatively short order and getting some more exposure against big league pitching would further help Wilson establish himself as a cornerstone of the Athletics’ future.
- The Astros didn’t add any first base help at the trade deadline, and in fact subtracted from their depth by moving Joey Loperfido to the Blue Jays as part of the Yusei Kikuchi trade package. In an appearance on the Astros’ pregame radio show today, GM Dana Brown said that the club could continue to look within to bolster their first base ranks, as Zach Dezenzo and Shay Whitcomb could be called up from the minors to make their MLB debuts. Both are right-handed hitters that could team with the left-handed hitting Jon Singleton in a platoon situation, and Dezenzo might be the preferred choice of the two prospects because he has more experience than Whitcomb as a first baseman. (Hat tip to Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle.)
Since the start of 2021, Anthony Rendon has 659 PA for an average of 85 OPS+. He has 1.1 WAR in that time.
Very bright to copy all those stats.
At least his comment was productive and useful, aragon.
For Frodo
I think a majority of Angel fans would be happy if Rendon was sent to Mordor.
Condolances to Rendon and his family on his pending reactivation.
Anthony Rendon was just hurt again cashing his paycheck.
When was the last time someone cashed a paycheck?
“When was the last time someone cashed a paycheck”..Since there are currently over 13,000 check cashing locations in America alone, it’s a good bet that someone, somewhere cashed a paper check in America mere seconds ago.
Do you think it was Rendon?
“It was Rendon”…I doubt it. I don’t “cash” checks either, but the Walmart check cashing window had at least 7 people waiting in line when I left Walmart a couple hours ago.
Can you imagine going to Walmart and trying to cash a $38M check?
When was the last time someone cashed a paycheck?
probably 2 mins ago its a big country and world and not everyone is digital. My dad 78 sends a rent check every month along with his other bills since he cant get used to digital age.
Do you think it was Rendon?
Yes, Since Rendon is a concierge at a high rise in jersey, i would expect Anthony Rendon probably cashes checks … especially during the holidays as gifts from people.
You do realize they do other functions at that counter?
No because he would have suffered a paper cut and missed the rest of the season.
You do realize they do other functions at that counter?
you do realize check cashing services are quite different than banks or credit unions in that they generally offer few services other than providing temporary loans at a considerably high rate of interest and cashing paychecks.
so no they really dont.
hahaha … I am trying to imagine this…
wait, wtf were we on about originally?
He popped his hammy when his check direct deposited?
But at least he’s livin that beach bum kind of life on Art’s 5 billion nickels.
Before signing any free agent, the question should be asked “Do you enjoy playing the game of baseball, or is it just a paycheck to you?” If they answer that question the wrong way, I would think hard before signing that player to a long term contract.
while i agree with what you are trying to get at, but I guarantee no matter who you ask even someone that loathes the sport. (Well maybe not marshawn Lynch but damn that was funny.)
“Of course baseball i love this game.”
Just like if you ask a player, do you see yourself signing with your current team?
“I see myself as being with this team forever. This is my home”
Current team offers 5M per year new team offers 5m and 25cent.
“It was a great time here and im sorry to leave this city with the wonderful fans and management. You will forever be in my heart.”
PR is king on and off the field as you gotta get them endorsement deals.
Doesn’t really work like that when you’re trying to hire elites. Pro athletes, C-level execs, top doctors, Hollywood talent, etc. You sell them on why they should join your org bc they have plenty of other options and a team of people helping them make the choice.
Yeah I agree those sort of questions are not outright asked, but I think on the (down-low) more investigations into a person’s character, background, ethics, etc. would seem to be a logical box to check off before investing hundreds of millions into someone. However I know when an elite athlete gets to a certain level of mastery these character issues cease to be a concern i.e. Dodgers signing Trevor Bauer. Or seem to be less of a concern.
“Do you enjoy playing the game of baseball
=========================
Or simply look at the guy’s birth certificate. When you sign a guy for ages 30-37, you have to know that most of that will involve declining years. It turned out worse that it should’ve, but the Angels always, always get the worst end of the stick on aging.
Since baseball is relatively low on Rendon’s list of priorities, I wonder if he’d cut a deal with the Angels to go ahead and retire, at a reduced salary. He could spend more time with his family and maybe the Angels could save a little money.
They should make him a bench player going forward to either earn the starting job or motivate him to retire. Worse than the Chris Davis contract.
They owe him $77M over 25-26. Maybe he’d take $56M-$57M at the start of 2025 to just go home.
“He’d take $56M-57M”…It makes total sense and there’s definitely a deal to be struck there. Buyouts of 70-80 cents on the dollar happen all the time in the NBA. But in MLB, I believe the main reason it’ll never happen is the MLBPA & the current CBA. I remember how the MLBPA went nuts(probably a decade+ ago) when Alex Rodriguez was offering to take a slight discount on pay, to facilitate a trade to the Boston Redsox(from the Tx Rangers). Arod & the Redsox agreed to the arrangement, but the MLBPA completely scuttled that particular trade because they don’t want ANY player taking less than 100% of his FULL contract.
He goes home either way.
@MLB The NBA often has contracts just being traded its not even about talent in many situations. The rules on contracts and rosters have become very convoluted and full of clauses and rights. Which you fail to mention.
You also fail to mention that ARod who at the time was under the richest contract ever, might ve been willing to break that current CBA. The vast majority of those who agreed to that CBA making far less likely felt otherwise.
You say it as though it was the NLBPA being reluctant to bend on one particular issue. That is woefully understated, neither the MLB or MLBPA would just give up contractual rights nor are they necessarily even legal allowed to for one particular player.
Rendon has no motivation to be great at baseball, let alone play baseball. He could care less if he’s moved to the bench,
I have no idea what Rendon’s insurance policy looks like. From the Angel’s perspective, they’ll be better off rolling the dice to expect Rendon to miss significant time again from injury and collect insurance. Moreno gets to pocket that money while saying he has a $35MM player on payroll and is looking forward to his IL return. I say that bc Moreno will not reinvest that insurance money in long-term starting pitching. If he cuts a deal with Rendon, fans will expect him to replace him with another big-ticket position player to keep fans coming through the gates.
Good point about the insurance. Trout as well. I bet State Farm is kicking itself.
11th in overall MLB attendance and 14th in payroll. I’m over-simplifying but that appears to be a profitable balance without taking significant risks. And Trout and Rendon has barely played.
Insurance for these contracts are usually only on 3 year terms. So as the contract ages it becomes more expensive to insure. It’s possible that only a fraction of Rendon’s remaining contract is insured at this point, if at all.
interesting, I’d always wondered about that. where did you see that info?
I just web searched professional sports contracts and found a handful of articles written over the last 10-15 years. I had researched it a bit when NY and Ellsbury were having issues. Wasn’t a lot of detail because these are private agreements.
appears to be a profitable balance without taking significant risks.
=====================
Perhaps, but the LAA are down 3,305 per game this year. That might be 260,000 for the season. They will be off about 1M from their peak. And there record does not bode well for the future. Even with a good fan base,
if the astros do not make it far in the postseason this year, is dana brown at risk of losing his job? he’s been unimpressive thus far. i do concede that he didn’t inherit a good situation (abreu/montero contracts), thin farm system due to SSS punishment+trades)
I think Crane hired him because he was somebody Crane could control. Brown will not do anything too outside his purview and stay within the lines that Crane draws up for him. And he’s a friendlier face to the press, something I don’t think Crane likes to do.
what’s more important to crane? a subordinate or someone who brings ws championships? i think the fans would argue they prefer the latter… i’m not disagreeing with you btw.
Why can’t they be both?
What’s taken so long to give Whitcomb an opportunity? He‘s been their best ML hitter all season and corrected his K problem.
There must be something they don’t like. A lot of these guys have unbelievable numbers and AAA and can’t cut it in the big leagues. I know everybody loves Joe Loperfido, including myself, but he has yet to do anything in the majors. Jake Myers has not come anywhere near his AAA statistics. Of course we also had Tyler White, John Singleton had big AAA numbers, and remember Derek Fisher. The list goes on and on. Obviously Whitcomb will get a chance, but it’s my opinion there’s something they don’t like.
dirden never got a shot
Why don’t the Angels tell Rendon your just not worth all this medical paperwork. We are going to cut you loose.
If Rendon decides to continue his career after he “plays” through this contract, it could be fascinating to see what spin Boras comes up with in any attempt to get him signed again.
I agree, BUT none of his injuries qualify as a career done injury! He just gets hurt all the time, plays aa few games, then gets hurt again. Another problem is who could they swap bad contracts with.? His is one of the worst in .history At least MT wants to play and win. He sounds like he lets life roll..
No signing again! Message from Baseball GO Home and Do Not LET The DOOR Hit YOU ON THE WAY OUT!
He probably has an ops of .850 with 30 hrs his walk year.
I can’t help but notice around the league all the 2021 draft picks taken that were taken after Chase Silseth that are making their debuts or off to a good start this year or last. Can you blame Prager for going back to A&M and taking his chances on a team with a better track record of developing starting pitching?
Bachman I mean not Silseth.
I’m not an Angels fan but the Angels really need to get Rendon off that team. He is a cancer to that team. Every year its the same news with him. He will just be on the disabled list again in a week.
AT least Singleton is a nice Guy and Role model of sticking with it. Not a ML player but a ML person!
Yeah, he’s a cool story of never giving up but cool stories and below average players shouldn’t be starting on a contender. I’m not sure why they didn’t bring in any 1B to at least compete with him. Josh Bell would be looking awfully good there.
Dezenzo will be auditioning for 2025. Bregman will leave and they’ll have 2 major holes at third and first
I really thought Bregman was a lock to be signed by CHC, but after their deadline deal for Paredes I think he ultimately lands with the Yankees. Should be interesting to see how much, if any, effort HOU makes to re-sign him.
He’s not the all-star anymore. We saw it with Springer and Correa. His walks, batting avg, and power have decreased significantly. Let the Boras sign elsewhere. Maybe Arizona? Seems like a better fit. Nice run, Breggy!
That really depends on how Jazz finishes out the year at 3B. 2B could be DJL/Cabrera until Peraza is ready. Soto will hold up the free agent market. Matt Chapman is likely to opt-out and will be cheaper than Bregman.
It appeared in reports what swayed the Cubs was the 3 years of control. Plus he only gets 3.5 a year. He’s a bargain now.
Shay Whitcomb is a Beast
Only a matter of when, not if Rendon gets another ouchie and is done for the year without really trying,
The Braves have Yuli Gurriel at AAA. He’s not on the 40-man, so maybe Houston could trade for him.
It will be nice to have Rendon back for a couple weeks.