ESPN's Jerry Crasnick does a nice job profiling the underwhelming market for relievers. The Red Sox, Tigers, Angels, Dodgers, Yankees, Rays, Phillies, and Twins could be looking to make an acquisition. A few tidbits…
- The Astros "will gladly talk about Brandon Lyon, but aren't so interested in discussing Matt Lindstrom." Lyon is still owed $12.48MM through 2012.
- Crasnick points out that Octavio Dotel is not a pitcher you want facing lefties. How about D.J. Carrasco? He's quietly having another decent year, he's cheap, and he's under team control through 2012. Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review tweeted yesterday that at least five teams have inquired.
- Crasnick finds "the consensus" to be that Mariners closer David Aardsma will be dealt before the deadline. The Tigers have been linked to the hard-throwing righty, whose ERA is up several runs this year despite his strikeout and walk rates remaining stable. Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times feels the Mariners would need their socks knocked off to move Aardsma.
- Chad Qualls, Clay Hensley, and most of the Brewers' and Royals' pens also merit consideration as trade bait.
SHOCKING that the Astros are already glad to talk about moving the Lyon contract. Literally no one saw this coming.
What’s more shocking is that Florida DFA’d Nate Robertson. NATE ROBERTSON! Who’da thought?
Well it’s the Marlins. Even the prorated minimum can be a salary dump.
Thank you Drayton McLane and thank you Florida
I don’t know about Dotel or Carrasco, but Brendan Donnelly looks like someone you would not want to mess with in a bar or dark alley.
Crasnick writes that nobody would want Trevor Hoffman. It is easy to think that based on his 7.50 ERA.
But Hoffman has only given up 3 runs over his last 13 innings, dating back to June 3rd. During this stretch, he has recorded 10 strikeouts, 12 hits, and 2 walks.
Maybe Hoffman is still not somebody you want to pick up for the stretch, but I think that Hoffman’s improvement is worthy of mention.
Hoffman was horrendous at the beginning of the year, but he’s really seemed to pull it together in the past 2 months. The problem is that the Brewers brought up John Axford to take his place and he’s 12 for 12 in save opportunities. No reason to put Hoffman back in the closer role just yet. I hope he finds work elsewhere so he can hit 600 this year, since I assume it’s his last.