Winter Meetings Evening Notes: Pirates exploring free agent pitching market, KBO ace coming back to MLB?
Erik Fedde is nearing a deal with an unknown team, per Mark Feinsand of MLB Network.
Fedde went 20-6 with a 2.00 ERA this past season for the N.C. Dinos. He has set the bar high during his time in the Korean Baseball Organization.
“Fedde became the first foreign pitcher, and only the fourth pitcher overall, to win the Triple Crown in Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) history, as the league leader in wins, ERA and strikeouts.” as cited by the Korean Herald.
The former 2014 18th overall pick last pitched in the majors with the Washington Nationals. He was part of the 2019 World Series championship team.
The 30-year-old pitched six seasons before going over to the KBO. He had a 5.41 ERA through 102 games (88 starts).
Pittsburgh showing interest in Jack Flaherty
The Pittsburgh Pirates are monitoring the free agent pitching market and are expressing interest in right-hander Jack Flaherty, according to Jeff Jones of Belleville News. Jones adds their interest would only be on a short team deal.
Flaherty, 28, had a down season in a contract year. He started he season with the Cardinals and then was traded to the Baltimore Orioles at the deadline in August.
Between both teams, started 27 games compiling a 4.99 ERA and allowed a career high 66 walks. However, his advanced metrics was slightly better with a 4.36 FIP.
The California native had his best years of his career in 2018 and 2019. He started 61 games with a 3.01 ERA to go along with 413 strikeouts in 347.1 innings pitched.
Flahrety could represent a bounce back candidate for a team looking for rotation depth. A successful 2024 would allow the right-hander to look for a bigger deal next offseason.
Mookie in the infield
Mookie Betts will stick at second base for the Dodgers in 2024, according to manager Dave Roberts.
“It's pretty safe to say that Mookie Betts is going to be our everyday second baseman. I think when your putting together a roster and you can get someone so offensive at second base, you can get more games out of him. It just makes our club better.” Roberts told Alanna Rizzo during an MLB Network interview.
Betts appeared in 70 games at second base with the same smooth gold glove he has always shown off in right field. Betts offensively hit 39 homeruns with 107 RBIs and was the NL MVP runner up to Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr.
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