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Pete Crow-Armstrong, a center fielder, won his first Gold Glove Award for exceptional defensive skills. He made nineteen five-star catches, ten more than any other outfielder, showcasing his remarkable range and instincts. Notable plays include a full-extension dive against the Cardinals, an over-the-shoulder catch against the Nationals, a shoestring catch that turned into a barrel roll against the Brewers, and a sliding catch in the postseason. These plays highlight his consistent excellence, suggesting a promising career.

Angels Consider Shifting Mike Trout to Center Field, Explore Trade Options for Center Fielder; Seek Versatile Infielder, Starting Pitcher, and Relief Pitchers

The Angels are contemplating a surprising move for Mike Trout, potentially shifting him back to center field next season. This comes after a year where he primarily played designated hitter due to injuries. The team is also exploring internal and external options for a regular center fielder, with names like Bryce Teodosio, Kyren Paris, Matthew Lugo, and Nelson Rada being considered. The Angels are not ruling out acquiring a new center fielder from outside the organization, but their focus is on building a competitive team by addressing key roster gaps, including a multi-positional infielder, starting pitchers, and high-leverage relievers.

The Minnesota Twins have signed veteran relief pitcher Dan Altavilla to a minor league deal, aiming to bolster their bullpen depth. Altavilla, a right-hander, spent the recent season with the White Sox, recording a 2.49 ERA but with below-average strikeout and walk rates. Despite injuries limiting his big-league action, Altavillas fastball and ground ball tendencies make him a valuable depth option for the Twins rebuilding bullpen.

The Cardinals have designated outfielder Matt Koperniak for assignment, making room for newly signed pitcher Dustin May. Koperniak, a promising prospect, struggled in recent seasons, leading to his removal from the roster. He remains a potential depth piece with strong defensive skills. The Cardinals also announced the selection of contracts for pitchers Tink Hence, Tekoah Roby, and Matt Svanson, and outrighted left-hander Drew Rom to Triple-A Memphis.

The Washington Nationals are set to hire Anirudh Kilambi, a 31-year-old with a strong background in baseball research and development, as their new general manager. Kilambi, who previously served as an assistant general manager for the Philadelphia Phillies, will work under president of baseball operations, Paul Toboni, who is also in his thirties. This hiring marks a significant changing of the guard for the Nationals, who have been criticized for lagging behind in data and analytics under the previous front office.

Jeff Pickler, a former minor league infielder and scouting expert, has been hired as the new bench coach for the Colorado Rockies. Pickler, who previously worked with Josh Byrnes in Arizona and Cincinnati, brings a well-rounded perspective to the teams coaching staff. This hiring comes as part of several recent additions for the Rockies, including Brett Pill as hitting coach, Alon Leichman as pitching coach, Gabe Ribas as assistant pitching coach, and Matt Buschmann as bullpen coach.

The Cleveland Guardians trade left-handed pitcher Justin Bruihl to the Toronto Blue Jays, opening a roster spot for Bruihl and designating Jhonkensy Noel for assignment. Bruihl, a 28-year-old reliever with a 5.27 ERA this season, joins the Blue Jays after being designated for assignment by Toronto. Noel, a 24-year-old outfielder, struggled at the plate this season, batting .193 with 6 home runs and 13 RBIs. The trade showcases the ongoing roster adjustments teams make to fine-tune their pitching staff and manage their payroll.

The St. Louis Cardinals have signed right-handed pitcher Dustin May to a one-year, $12.5 million contract, despite his injury-plagued career. May, 28, has shown promise on the mound, with a 19-20 record and 3.86 ERA in 57 starts and 14 relief appearances. He contributed to the Dodgers 2020 World Series win but has since undergone Tommy John and esophagus surgeries. The Cardinals designated Matt Koperniak for assignment to make room for May.