Jonathan Papelbon and Heath Bell are off the market now, but as our Free Agent Tracker shows, there are still a ton of relievers out there for clubs looking to improve their bullpen. Here's the latest on some free agent relief arms…
- Earlier today we heard that the Red Sox continue to have dialogue with Scott Boras about Ryan Madson, and Jim Bowden of MLB Network Radio hears that their stiffest competition is "clearly" coming from the Blue Jays and Angels (Twitter link).
- Six teams have shown interest in Takashi Saito, reports Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter). The Brewers are one of those six teams. Earlier today we heard that Milwaukee wants to bolster its bullpen.
- SI.com's Jon Heyman hears that there is not one, but two mystery teams interested in Chad Qualls (Twitter link).
- DRays Bay examined the possibility of the Rays using an 11-man pitching staff next season, suggesting Rich Harden as a potential free agent target to throw multiple relief innings.
- For all the latest fantasy closer analysis, make sure you check out Closer News.
I’ll take Saito back as a middle guy again and let either the Jays or Anaheim dicker around with boras, then more than likely way over pay for him over 4 years or so.
Imagine many Jays fans here have that feeling with regards to Madson also.. Boras at this early stage of the off season is probably blowing some smoke to the tune of 4/50 like Papelbon that have no doubt AA and Cherington are not gonna pay.
I seriously think Heyman should be fired. Stop with the mystery team bs. Means absolutely nothing and people are starting to realize that. When everyone comes to that full realization, I wonder how long he will have a job after that.
agreed. it’s like an agent is using his twitter account
yeah right madson is lethal. he will last where ever he goes, and ithink the Angels are going to be vary pleased!
I can’t imagine that the Angels are in on a reliever at $10-$12m. That just seems crazy to me. What they need is a decent Scott Downs like that can shorten the game. Between Downs, Walden, and another solid arm they will be just fine. No need to shell out $10-12m.
but i agree about heath bell and i think thats why he stayed in the NL, knowing he wanted to stay on the west coast! and you know this mannn.
how many games did the angles lose in the last three innings, Angels need stability at the end of games thats for sure, Downs is nice but not a closer by any means and walden was sold at times but needs a second or third pitch so his fastball will be more effective… Madson would be nice, with walden as the setup or even trade bait.
I think the fallacy is that because a team has had problems finishing victories it needs to pay a lot of money (and/or) years for an established closer. What it does mean is that the team needs a better bullpen, but the number of pitchers who could do the job is not as limited as the mythology of “closer mentality” has it. There are always plenty of options, much cheaper than a Madson will be, who can do the job just as well.
I’ve also liked Madson and hes been my 1st choice (of all closers) all along. I hope the Jays get him.
I hope your willing to let AA spend 35-40MM over 3-4 years for him.
does anyone really believe that the jays want madson at his price? they probably checked in and said they’d like him on a 2 year deal with an option, but that hardly qualifies as interest.
I’d say yes, it does qualify, because that is about what the BoSox are prolly offering at this point – 2 yrs./$20MM with a team option year.
i think the Angels should trade Walden,richards for kyle drabek
and the angels sign madson. then sign wilson to a weaver type contract! home discont anyone?… imean who wants to fell like VW and not live up to your contract!
As a Jays fan, I’d have to decline your offer. Drabek had a horrendous year, but it doesn’t diminish his ceiling any. Just showed us where his floor is.
I’d gladly trade Drabek lol guys a turd. reminds me of AJ Burnett
Yeah, the same thing was said about some guy named Chris Carpenter when the Jays had him and kept paying him year after year to sit on the DL list. The guy is useless and won’t amount to anything. Yes, that is the same Carpenter that beat Halladay, is the ace of St. Louis and won the world series. Yep, totally useless in your eyes.
Not to mention Halladay himself, who sucked when he was young. Or Bautista for that matter.
You have 0 patience. Hes 23.
Yep. He has good stuff. He just needs some maturity and experience. I think his issues are mostly composure related, not talent related, and I’m not too concerned about that when he’s at this age.
and you know this definitively?
ridiculous comment based on his age and service time.
I don’t know WHY teams aren’t going harder after Huston Street. Even if they don’t intend to use him as a closer he’s a VERY solid bullpen arm with a 1 year contract who’ll probably resign for less than he’s making now.
RedSox are in discussions on Huston. Just not sure expectations are realistic.