JUST IN: Astros Key Star Win Top Awards at 2024 Rawlings Gold Glove Award…
The 2024 Rawlings Gold Glove Award winners are being announced live on ESPN’s “Baseball Tonight.” This prestigious award recognizes the best defensive players across both the American and National Leagues, with three finalists per position, including the utility position, which was first introduced in 2022.
For the nine traditional positions, 30 MLB managers and up to six coaches per team vote for players in their league, excluding their own team members.
These votes account for 75% of the decision, with the remaining 25% based on the SABR Defensive Index. The utility position has a separate defensive formula developed by Rawlings and SABR.
Here are the winners:
American League:
– **Catcher:** Cal Raleigh, Mariners
– **First Base:** Carlos Santana, Twins
– **Second Base:** Andrés Giménez, Guardians
– **Shortstop:** Bobby Witt Jr., Royals
– **Third Base:** Alex Bregman, Astros
– **Pitcher:** Seth Lugo, Royals
National League:
– **Catcher:** Patrick Bailey, Giants
– **First Base:** Christian Walker, D-backs
– **Second Base:** Brice Turang, Brewers
– **Shortstop:** Ezequiel Tovar, Rockies
JUST IN: Astros Completes a Another Blockbuster Deal to Land Former Champion in Fascinating Reunion with Former Player…
Former Astros star Gerrit Cole has opted out of his contract with the American League champion New York Yankees, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s headed for free agency yet.
According to ESPN, the Yankees can prevent Cole from entering the open market by extending his current deal by one year and adding $36 million to the remaining four years and $144 million.
Cole, 34, missed much of the 2024 season due to an elbow injury but still posted an 8-5 record with a 3.41 ERA, helping the Yankees reach their first World Series since 2009.
Unfortunately, they lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games, with Cole’s performance in Game 5 being a key moment, as he failed to cover first base, contributing to a five-run inning.
Despite the injury-plagued season, Cole has been outstanding for the Yankees over five years, compiling a 59-28 record and a 3.12 ERA, with 985 strikeouts and 185 walks.
He has consistently finished in the top 10 in Cy Young voting, winning the award in 2023 after a dominant season where he went 15-4 with a 2.63 ERA.
Before joining the Yankees, Cole had two stellar seasons with the Houston Astros, going 35-10 with a 2.68 ERA after being traded from the Pittsburgh Pirates.
His time with Houston included a 2019 season where he led the AL with a 2.50 ERA and 386 strikeouts, finishing second in Cy Young voting behind teammate Justin Verlander.
Over his career, which began with five seasons in Pittsburgh, Cole has a 153-80 record with a 3.18 ERA, 2,251 strikeouts, and 500 walks.
