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Major League Baseball continues in its efforts to minimize the time of games after rapid improvement in the area following the adaptation of the pitch clock in the 2023 season. Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that the MLB’s competition committee has proposed reducing the pitch clock from 20 seconds to 18 seconds when runners are on base next season, while keeping the 15-second timer for when the bases are clear. The goal of said proposition is to reverse a late-season trend that saw the average time of game increase by 7 minutes. Along with hearing out this proposition, the competition committee was also proposed the idea of cutting the mound visits allowed from five to four.
Passan notes that there have been concerns voiced from players about continued reduction of the pitch clock timer due to their belief that it is resulting in increased injuries among pitchers. However, MLB continues to deny that as they do not believe there is any correlation between the two. The league ultimately has near full reign over rule changes as teams hold the majority of seats on the competition committee, which was formed during the 2022 collective bargaining agreement negotiations.
The competition committee can implement a change to on-field rules with 45 days’ notice to players after a proposal. Passan reports that the players are currently discussing said proposal and are expected to go to the committee with potential adjustments.
Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Latest Mets News
Kodai Senga finished in seventh place in the National League Cy Young Award race for the 2023 season, as the results were announced on Wednesday night. The rookie received three third-place votes as well as three fourth-place votes.
Mets new manager Carlos Mendoza appeared on the “Foul Territory” podcast on Wednesday to talk about his new role with the club. During the interview, Mendoza talked about his building of the coaching staff as he mentioned that they are in the very early stages of the hiring process and that he’s going over many names with the front office. Along with that, he also mentioned how he’s been reaching out to many current Mets including Edwin Díaz and Pete Alonso.
Andy Martino of SNY reported that Kodai Senga has “made it clear” to the Mets that he wants them to bring Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Along with that, Martino also mentioned how while the Mets and Yankees are interested in the star pitcher, it is far from a two team race as he could be posted “any day”.
Latest MLB News
The Cy Young Award winners in each league were announced Wednesday night; Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees won the award in the American League while Blake Snell of the San Diego Padres took the award in the National League. Snell won the second Cy Young award of his career and becomes the seventh pitcher to win the award in both leagues as he won it in the AL with the Rays in 2018. Gerrit Cole won the first Cy Young of his career as he was voted unanimously, receiving all 30 first place votes.
Major League Baseball has tendered a status check on 2022 KBO MVP Lee Jung-hoo of the Kiwoom Heroes and LG Twins closer Go Woo-suk, per Jeeho Yoo of Yonhap News. Yoo mentions how this is just a formal administrative check that the league must take before signing a Korean player.
Adam Plutko, who has played his last two season in Korea, is looking to return to MLB as he is now a free agent, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post. The veteran starting pitcher has posted two back-to-back sub 2.50 ERA seasons, 2.39 and 2.41 in 2022 and 2023 respectively, while holding his opponents to a .596 OPS over the two year span.
The Los Angeles Angels introduced their newest manager, Ron Washington, on Wednesday as they held his introductory press conference at Angels Stadium. Washington did not mince words as he came out and said, “Our whole focus will be to run the West down. You can take that to the bank and deposit it.”
The Los Angeles Dodgers are reported to be among the most interested teams in star Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, per Jon Morosi of MLB Network. Although, Morosi mentions that his posting window has yet to formally open. The Dodgers weren’t the only team with reported interest, to see a deeper dive into the reports on Yamamoto click here.
Rickie Weeks was hired as associate manager for the Milwaukee Brewers as new manager Pat Murphy is starting to fill out his coaching staff. Weeks played second base in parts of 11 season for the Brewers while making one all-star appearance during his time in Milwaukee.
Evan Drellich of The Athletic reported that the Cleveland Guardians and Texas Rangers’ TV deals could be dropped by Diamond Sports group. Diamond currently has 11 deals in place with MLB teams but a wind-down plan for the company was approved by a United States federal judge on Wednesday as they look to close up their bankruptcy proceedings.
MLB Network is releasing a new documentary of George Brett, titled “Brett”, which will premier on Thursday, December 7th at 8 P.M. EST. The documentary will feature interviews with George Brett, footage from his iconic career, and insight from teammates and many of those close with Brett.
The Tampa Bay Rays have hired Buddy Carlyle as their pitching coordinator, per Eno Sarris of The Athletic. Carlyle had just been recently let go of by the Los Angeles Angels after serving as their minor league pitching coordinator.
In other baseball news, the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League have announced that Lew Ford will take over as their seventh manager in franchise history. Ford, who is taking over for Wally Backman, has played a franchise record thirteen seasons in Long Island including playing the last nine as a player/coach.
Latest on MMO
Metsmerized Online is teaming up with Out of the Park Baseball to create “Mets Madness”! The Metsmerized staff will try to answer the age old question of which Mets team is truly the best. Check out the first round of matchups here.
Evan Mazza did a complete breakdown of Carlos Mendoza‘s introductory press conference as New York Mets manager.
MMO reader/moderator Tommets submitted a Fan Shot of what the Mets course of action should be this off-season.
On This Date in Mets History
1961: The New York Mets unveil their original logo which was created by cartoonist Ray Gotto. The logo contains the New York skyline while also featuring the colors of blue and orange to represent the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Giants.
Birthdays: Juan Centeno (34), Mark Corey (49), Dwight Gooden (59), Don Hahn (75), Leon Brown (75)
