James Shields isn’t the only member of the Tampa Bay pitching staff who could be traded this summer. The Rays are open to moving any of their right-handed starters, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports. Right-handers Jeremy Hellickson, Wade Davis, Alex Cobb and Chris Archer would all appeal to teams in need of pitching. Here are more of Rosenthal’s notes from around MLB…
- The Rays probably won’t sell if it appears Evan Longoria will be able to return before long, but the third baseman’s timeline remains unclear.
- It’s highly unlikely that the Athletics will trade Bartolo Colon, Rosenthal reports. The A’s value Colon more than the mid-level prospects they’d be able to acquire for him in a trade.
- Executives say the Angels have enough young talent to trade for a pitcher of Zack Greinke’s caliber. Though GM Jerry Dipoto is reluctant to trade Peter Bourjos and Garrett Richards, both would appeal to other teams. One executive noted that prospects Jean Segura and Kaleb Cowart are also appealing trade chips.
- The Angels are looking for a left-handed reliever, Rosenthal reports.
- The Cubs are exchanging names with teams interested in Ryan Dempster. The Dodgers, Tigers, Braves and Red Sox are in the mix. A friend of Dempster’s said the right-hander would probably approve a trade to Boston but considers the Dodgers a better fit. The Dodgers have enough prospects to build a package for Dempster, rival executives tell Rosenthal.
- The Red Sox are still interested in Matt Garza, another potential trade chip.
- The prospect-rich Blue Jays are interested in Justin Upton. GM Alex Anthopoulos is pursuing numerous players and willing to listen on all of his own players, Rosenthal writes. The Pirates have shown considerable interest in Upton, but the Diamondbacks don’t view Pittsburgh as a fit.
- The Rangers are almost certain to bolster their bench. One option: upgrade over catcher Yorvit Torrealba.
- It’s not surprising to see the Giants pursuing relief help, Rosenthal writes.
Russ Zyla
Send Shields to Detroit, you can have Brantly, Young, and a first base prospect…
Guest 4387
Why Hellickson? He’s so young and talented with 5 years of control. I don’t think this can be right. Their probably “just listening”.
alexw2840
They are just listening. I guarantee it.
MB923
Trading Hellickson would make absolutely no sense
Wes Whitenack
Yes it does, he’s not that good. His xFIP is 4.96(!) this year. He’s been worth -.3 fWAR this year, and wasn’t that outstanding last year either (1.4) His K/9 rate is low for a front line starter and his BB/9 is too high to be a control pitcher. His BABIP has been insainely low (Mainly do to the excellent defense that the Rays have) for his career, so he is definitely going to regress, so trading him now would capitalize on his value.
alexw2840
No, his BABIP is low because he induces soft contact. Watch a Rays telecast and that’s all they talk about. It’s not just luck. He’s also one of the most effective pitchers in baseball with runner’s in scoring position.
Dustin Resch
Greinke will be pitching for the Angels every 5th day before August 1st… Book it!
BetweenNames
Royals should be all over this…
BK
Headly, Gregerson and Street for Burjos, Segura and Richards?
Darkside None
Intriguing but I would probably decline that. Angels need a lefty in their bullpen and another starter, although I do like Headly the other pieces don’t seem to fit.
MaineSox
re: Dempster. According to Alex Speier “the Sox have not been pursuing the right-hander actively”
GoAwayNow
Thank goodness.
sourbob
Another reason why Tampa might be willing to trade Shields: 23 ER in his last 31.2 IP.
alan104
now that’s sour
diesel2410
The Rays can get a HUGE return for Hellickson. I mean huge. I know it doesn’t make a lot of sense right now, but if they can get two good hitting/power prospects + an MLB ready power hitter, you never know what they will do
DodgerCyan
It doesn’t matter whether we get Dempster or not. We can’t bloody hit!!! ARG!!
slider32
Hellickson has a WAR – 0.3 this year according to Fangraphs. His K/9 is 5.90 and his BB/9 is 3.77. I don’t see them getting a huge return for him at this point.
Terana
Jays will trade lefty Oliver for sure along with Lind…..Possibly Rajai Davis to the Reds…Kelly Johnson may also be gone very soon. I suspect the jays will deal any combination of these players with great prospects Gose, Hech, Syndegaard…for Upton…Upton will be a jay very soon. We may see Greinke also. Toronto would be great fit for him. I would say Travis D’Arnaud is the only player that is untouchable at this point.