The Red Sox are struggling early on in the season, but no one in the American League East seems to be off to a hot start, writes Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. However, as one American League GM said, "I will never comment on any team or even my own based on April. You just don’t get a fair assessment. You may get a snapshot of what you may be short on, or what you may have overevaluated. But even then, you have to be careful about making hasty decisions in April because there’s a long way to go." Here's more from Cafardo..
- White Sox right-hander Jake Peavy is back on some teams’ radars as a midseason acquisition after a strong start to the year. Scouts have been impressed with Peavy’s overall stuff and the fact that he is notching strikeouts and throwing 92-93 m.p.h. Peavy, 30, earns $17MM this season and the White Sox would likely have to take on a portion of what’s remaining if he’s dealt. However, he has a partial no-trade to eight teams and the White Sox may not part with him if they're still relevant in July.
- The Twins had some bites on Francisco Liriano this winter but didn’t pull the trigger. Because Minnesota probably won’t re-sign him, they're hoping to land a prospect or two for him at the trade deadline. He'll have to pitch better for that to happen, however.
- If the Rays pitching is clicking as expected, Wade Davis will be trade bait at some point this season. So far though, in his current role as long man, scouts love what they see.
A longtime National League scout who has been keeping an eye on the Rays this season says that the club could use another bullpen piece. - There has been some questioning of Blue Jays manager John Farrell’s pitching moves at times, according to a major league source.
- Cafardo asked Pedro Martinez whether he could pitch right now and he responded, "Not right now. I would need about 20 days."
- Cafardo is surprised that Ivan Rodriguez is retiring and one National League GM said that the veteran, "is probably better defensively right now than 75 percent of the catchers in the league."
I may be confused as to how 10-5 rights work, but Peavy has been with the White Sox since part way through the 2009 season. Part way through the 2012 season would not make 5 years (unless disabled list days count like dog days).
Am I missing the part where it says he’s 10-5 rule eligible? The partial no-trade clause was probably written into his contract.
It is in his contract. When he was still with the Padres he did refuse permission to trade him at least once, though I’m not sure what team wanted him.
He finally agreed to go to the White Sox because he got tired of the Padres continually trying to trade him anyway-even with the no trade clause.
the white sox were actually the first trade partner. Right before his ankle injury the sox had a deal in place that was accepted by the padres peavy blocked it because he was not sure if he wanted to leave, he got hurt the sox still wanted him and got the trade to go through with a different deal
It was in the original MLBTR post where they talked about him achieving 10-5 this July. They seem to have edited it quite quickly however. Good on them 😀
Pedro’s comment is very leading…in a good, good way…but ambiguous as always
“The Twins had some bites on Francisco Liriano but didn’t pull the trigger.”
You don’t hear that everyday.
Bring Pedro in as the new Redsox closer
Yeah! And give Jaime Moyer some competition!
And if you think the Red Sox are that desperate. Your right.
Brian, Peavy’s no trade is not due to his 10 and 5 rights it was just something in his contract.
The way you guys are making it sound. “Peavy has to get at least a 10-5 record each year!”
I was commenting on language in the original posting which has since been edited. The author stated that Peavy would achieve 10-5 this July. I assume that he meant 10 and 5 rights, hence my comment.
Cafardo might want to layoff Cody Ross, as well as some of the other NE media so far this season. Ross and part time OF Sweeney are the ONLY 2 OF who have done anything this season so far and that included Ells before he got hurt. Ross even has done a fair job playing defense and has 10RBI and 3 HR.
It’s not his fault that HP umpire Vallero called 3 straight pitches 6″ plus outside of the strikezone strikes with 2 outs to end the game this past Monday with the tying run on base.
Ross looks like he’s having a hard time adjusting to playing defense in Fenway. His offense looks fine to me. I still stand by my opinion that Adrian Gonzalez gets a big fat goose egg for leadership. This guy couldn’t lead ants to a picnic. Something is going to blow in Boston, someone is either going to resign or get fired if things continue the way they are. It wouldn’t shock me if Grady Little gets a second chance there.
PS Carfardo talks a lot about the Orioles in his article and yet no mention of them really here. I don’t agree with Carfardo that the Orioles starting pitching hasn’t been solid. It’s smoke and mirrors. Hammel has been real solid, I like him as for everyone else they better stop turning into “Pumpkins” at the strike of the 5th or 6th inning. (Cinderella reference)
Ross has been ok on defense, he just has never been a good CF even though was forced to play there most of the time as a Marlin by default because they had 2 horrible defensive guys by the name of Willingham and Hermida most of the time, but he is a decent LF and RF.
I have caught 2 of Arrieta’s games on MLB.com and they were good ones, including his opening start. That kid should hopefully turn into a #1 one day and Lindstrom.. Saw him a couple times for them and the shocker so far is the huge drop in his velocity.. He isn’t throwing upper 90’s anymore, but his control seems FAR better so maybe it is a decent tradeoff?
Well anytime you toss a corner outfielder with suspect defense in centerfield its gonna be a bit of an adventure.
I’m glad to see Peavy doing so well. No question injuries have interrupted his career, and there’s also no question that he works his behind off. He was the first one out of the dugout to tackle Humber by the way yesterday.
I find the comments on the Red Sox interesting too. They appear not to be as good as everyone thought; it also shows that pitching is everything, at least if you want to win.
By the way, how about Humber? He must have been dropped by about six organizations on his way to the White Sox. Nice to see he’s finally put it together.
One National League GM said that the Ivan Rodriguez, “is probably better defensively right now than 75 percent of the catchers in the league.”
Hmmm, I wonder who it could be? I know he wouldn’t be my GM for long if he really felt that way. I think something was omitted here, maybe 75% of the available catchers for trade or waiver wire. As of right now I can’t think of any starting catcher or even some back-ups for that matter that he’s better than right now.
As for Pedro’s comment that’s very interesting, because the Orioles could have used him a little more than 20 days ago to say that. He could have replaced Matusz in his start the other night against the Angels. I wonder if Pedro really does have anything left, because the Orioles starting rotation can’t seem to get through the 5th or 6th inning these days. If I were GM of the Orioles or someone with authority someone would be fired right now. This is totally unacceptable. If someone like Jamie Moyer can get to seven innings at 49 years old. Then our starting rotation should be able to get to seven as well. We’re not even close to that at this point.
One last thing, I wonder what Pedro Strop or Jim Johnson could get for the O’s in trade? Could it get us Mark Trumbo? Or what could the Rays offer us. I would be interested!
PS Congrats to Phil Humber!
“I think something was omitted here, maybe 75% of the available catchers for trade or waiver wire. As of right now I can’t think of any starting catcher or even some back-ups for that matter that he’s better than right now.”
The unnamed GM only was speaking about Pudge defensively. And likely, his figure was still an exaggeration. However, he has a point. Pudge’s problem is his ability to play more innings than a bak-up. Nor is he going to hit for high or even mid average anymore.
If playing catcher were only about the ability to catch the ball and call a game, Pudge would still have a job. But the reverse-DH/Designated Fielder doesn’t exist in Baseball.
There has been some questioning of Blue Jays manager John Farrell’s pitching moves at times, according to a major league source.
Without Carfado, I don’t think us Jays fans would have noticed this.
#EndSarcasm #FarrellBall
plus, i’m pretty sure you could say the same of every manager in the game, so its hardly newsworthy. they are hired to be criticized. i dont find farrell any worse than the average manager in that respect.
I’d take a flier on Pedro before Peavy.
I would give Aaron Cook (and Ohlendorf) a try before either myself.. Martinez is well beyond finished and Peavy is worse than Bedard as being fragile.
Can Peavy even stay healthy to be traded?
Who’s going to even want Liriano and his 5.50 ERA at the deadline? Biggest headcase I’ve ever seen in a Twins uni.
If a pitcher is left-handed, you can find someone who wants him.
Ha, good point.
I would think the Sox would have to take on a SIGNIFICANT portion of Peavy’s contract in any deal.
Why trade him if they are doing as good as they are now?