Tigers starter Shane Greene was never a highly touted prospect or big bonus guy, writes Eno Sarris of ESPN (Insider required). However, Greene’s path to the majors is an interesting story of perseverance. Greene’s father arranged a showcase for Yankee scout Jeff Deardorff. After a strong sandlot performance, the scout invited him to Tampa to throw to hitters. A week later, he was drafted by the Yankees in the 15th round. That’s the story from a high level, but it’s the details that make it interesting. The article is definitely worth a read if you have Insider access.
Here’s more from around the league to round out your Saturday evening:
- The Yankees acquired first baseman Garrett Jones over the winter to serve as depth for oft-injured sluggers like Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez, writes Joel Sherman of the New York Post. However, the aging stars have remained healthy so playing time has been scarce for Jones. With the Cardinals in need of a platoon bat to share time with Mark Reynolds, there is some pressure to trade Jones. However, Sherman wonders if the Yankees lineup could survive a Teixeira injury. Would Rodriguez also land on the disabled list if he was forced onto the field? Could Jose Pirela or Stephen Drew cover third if Chase Headley shifts to first. These are questions that GM Brian Cashman must answer before dealing Jones.
- The Yankees have stuck with Drew despite an abysmal performance, writes Chad Jennings of LoHud. He has hit just .158/.226/.303. He continues to start despite the presence of prospect Jose Pirela on the active roster and Rob Refsnyder at Triple-A. Jennings offers five theories as to why Drew continues to play. In my opinion, they just want to get a full evaluation of Drew before deciding on Plan B.
- The Red Sox haven’t developed a reliable pitching prospect since they called up Clay Buchholz in 2007, writes Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald. Bostonians hope that Eduardo Rodriguez is the first example in a reversal of that trend. Rodriguez dominated in his debut. He threw seven-and-two-thirds innings with seven strikeouts, two walks, three hits, and no runs. The club will temporarily use a six-man rotation to give Rodriguez a second audition. It’s not hard to imagine him taking the place of Wade Miley, Rick Porcello, or Joe Kelly if they continue to struggle.
- Brewers outfielder Khris Davis has torn the meniscus in his right-knee, tweets Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. He’ll undergo surgery on Tuesday. Davis is hitting .252/.339/.449 in 168 plate appearances. While no timetable has been announced, past meniscus surgeries have required six to eight weeks of recovery – sometimes more if there are other complicating factors. The Milwaukee lineup has been plagued by various injuries this season, only Adam Lind has been available every day.
I am very confused by headley’s sudden drop off defensively, both drs and uzr dislike his defense so far
Small sample size, either that or he’s toning it down to stay healthy enough to live up to his contract he signed. Headley did have a herniated disk in his back as earlier as last year.
I was about to ask about that. infielders don’t drop off like that, I remember vinny Castillo clearly improving as he aged even
He’s made some great plays and overall looks good on the field, far from lost, the errors seem so out of place. One has to hope it’s just some type of strange fielding slump
Certainly hitters have slumps, I assume fielders do too.
Look at Ian Desmond’s start to the season. He must have made 4 errors alone in the Phillies-Nats series that I watched.
That’s why you don’t rate players on small samples.
Bad back maybe, he has a history of back issues
I agree, he doesn’t look completely healthy, sometimes players just don’t like injuries getting out and they play through them.
How does Drew have a Job in the Majors ? Can’t believe they can’t find somebody better, where’s the Cashman genius.
Scott Boras, that’s why.
He started on the bench tonight, his time is about up being a starter, .158 is getting pretty hard to ignore.
I think there would be zero chance that Porcello comes out of the Rotation at this point or any time this season unless he had a massive dropoff.
Well he’s been pretty terrible. But he hasn’t been the most terrible.
Considering the 82m deal they negotiated before he took his first regular season pitch, I’d say you’re spot on there. I don’t know who decided to ink that deal with him based on him having one good year in his career, but they need to be slapped.
Porcello has had a solid career. Not great. Nobody ever said he was great. But at 26 with a solid TRAC record coming off his best season and being a ground ball pitcher in Fenway with Pedroia a perrenial gold glive winner, a much improved Bogaerts a border line gold glover at first and a well above average defender in Sandavol looks pretty good for 20 million per year. He has shown signs this year of what he is capable of. He just needs to put it together which I think he will do in time. In 5 years 20 million will be for a number three starter. If porcello becomes an ace it it a real bargain. If he is solid as a three then you get around projected face value. I realize he has gotten off to a rocky start but I think he will be fine. And with the contract no way is he moving from the rotation unless he is historically bad. Overall I like the deal. Remember we are only in month two of his deal. Give him time.
I can see 4 yrs and 82.5 MM reasons that Porcello isn’t coming out of the rotation.
…aaaaaaand Greene gives up five HR in less than two innings. The ESPN jinx is real!!!
Greene was hyped way too soon, his success was pretty unsustainable, but man has he had a tough go of it after that hot start of his. That trade doesn’t look all that bad by Cashman right about now. It’s obviously early to judge entirely, but people were talking about it in NY like it was the worst deal ever.
“haven’t developed a reliable pitching prospect…hope that Eduardo Rodriguez is the first example in a reversal of that trend”
There was a lot of developing going on in those few months he was in their system.
They mean in the MLB. In recent, guys like de la Rosa, Ranaudo, Webster, etc. haven’t been able to succeed at the MLB level despite developing quite nicely in the MiLB. Lester has been the best pitching prospect they’ve developed in the last few years. They are hoping that they can get that luck again with the likes of E-Rod, Johnson, and Owens.
That Red Sox link seems to go to the Stephen Drew article at the moment.
Yeah same here
As pointed out by others, they did not develop Eduardo, they traded for him
The Red Sox developed Justin Masterson before he was traded for Victor Martinez..
I’m guessing its because Justin Masterson isnt really reliable?
He was until last year.. I wouldn’t have mentioned him had the author not brought up Buchholz in the beginning..
Masterson was a long relief pitcher with the Red Sox. He was given opportunities, but couldn’t stay in their starting rotation. With the Indians he had 2 decent years.
What? Masterson started his entire minor league career with the Red Sox. He happened to be the the pup on a veteran laden team, so he became the sixth starter. Sox management chose to bring him along slow. There was never a question as to whether he ” could stick”, it was just a matter of time. He was starting 9 days after the trade to Cleveland, are you saying they developed him into a starter?
I’m saying they didn’t use him as a starter for any length of time, and you’re confirming it. And I’m saying that after all that, he had 2 good years.
Taken way to literal.. The author stated that the red sox have not produced a decent rotation guy since Buchholz.. Masterson was a decent rotation guy..
Greene can pitch, he’s just not the Greg Maddux he was made out to be early in the season. That hype is inevitable after a start like his, and the fact that he was traded from the Yankees, who don;t always show the best judgement in trading pitchers.
I actually like Greene(despite my other comment possibly seeming otherwise) but Cashman had to know that he was selling while his stock was high(only 78IP last year) to address an immediate need. He has the capability to be a solid #4-5 for a good amount of time for DET,that Sinker can be nasty when he’s on, but most who watched him last year were aware that he wasn’t without his flaws. Certainly would like to see him get it together again, though I don’t see him being that guy he was for his first few starts.
I think he’s fine as well, just not with an exceptionally high ceiling. I’d like to have him as a fifth man. The Yankees needed a shortstop. They had to trade someone to get him. If Didi manages to right himself, it’s a decent trade.
He is a similar type of pitcher to Porcello, and fills the same 4-5 spot in the rotation that Rick did. Rick, too, had his bad days, as the Red Sox fans can also attest to.
Before even a team like the Yankees cuts Drew loose–who can still field–they have to figure out whether what he did last year and the beginning of this year is actually his true level of talent. And Ryan is also out, so they don’t necessarily have to rush. I agree with Brad Johnson. They might as well find out whether he has anything left. Even if Drew were cut loose today, he’d still find another job, albeit not at $5M, as a utility infielder. Maybe, if this were the end of the season, the best he could do was a minor league contract, but for now, when injuries are occurring daily, the Yankees can hold on to him.
He costing them games as an automatic out ! Let him go to AAA fora month to figure it out ,if he produces their put him back in starting lineup, Yankees don’t have the Luxury with there aging stars lineup. Time to move on .
Joe Girardi has been as patient as any manager could be with Drew as far as him being a starter. After last night’s ab, his BA is down to .157 and he’s just showing no signs of life with the bat, it seems you can count on a pop-fly just about every time he comes up. I don’t think they necessarily HAVE to cut him, but he shouldn’t be starting every day either while he’s playing like that, it’s become a liability in the batting order and it’s definitely time to look at what else they have internally. A utility role would be fine, that way he’s using his strengths, he’s still there to fall back on, and will get selective chances to get his swing back.
I basically agree with you. A good-glove .220 hitter on a team that has others who are hitting at high level would be acceptable. This team has older players who are no longer at their peak, even when healthy. Drew should be a utility infielder, defensive sub, second-game of a double header, day game after a night game guy.
How can any writer seriously give credit to Boston for “developing” Rodriguez when he’s spent a grand total of roughly 15 starts in their minor league system after 5 seasons with Baltimore’s farm teams? All Boston had to do was keep him healthy and see if his success from the last two years was real.
You mad the O’s dealt him? Haha
Well he had a clear difference in results after getting into the Boston system and a lot has been written about how they changed his approach.
Like they did with the rest of the rotation!
Saw most of the Red Sox game last night and was stunned. They need to fix a lot more then their starting rotation. The Red Sox look like the Indians with a large payroll. Poor defense with most guys playing out of position (many should be DH’s). No situational hitting. Take the first pitch for strike one 90-plus % of the time, and hit lots of foul balls. Don’t try to steal or bunt (i.e. “don’t make an out”). And their defenses fall apart when the opposing team puts pressure on them. It makes sense since personnel other then players leave one organization for the other constantly.
Big Papa needs to consider retirement, go to the BIG House.
Cherrigton must be on the hot seat, he surrounded Peddy with a bunch of under performers. He must be going crazy! Betts, Swihart, Castillo, and Inglesis have all underperformed along with their rotation. Well, at least they have Panda if they get to Oct.
Who is this Inglesis you speak of?
I’m guessing he’s the Tigers SS. He’s actually doing great for the team the Red Sox traded him to.
Right now – Betts, Swihart, Castillo are not very good. Maybe they’ll mature, but they all have massive holes in their games….and it appears the league has made some adjustments to them.
Greene may be in interesting story, but he and the Tigers are sinking fast. I saw him give up 4 HR’s when I turned off the game in the 2nd inning. 10 minutes later he gave up a 5th HR with 2 men on, which made the game 7-0.
Twins have a very real shot at the playoffs this year.
Then after that, the Tigers managed to make it a ball game and lose 8-6. Not so bad after that one bad inning.
Greene is exactly the same as Rick Porcello, a guy who can pick a gem or a dud when playing the Angels, at 1/20th the cost this year, and 1/40th the cost for the next few years.
Pitching is oulier, that’s why you build a team around an position players first and then roll the dice with the pitching. Pitching is the most important thing in having a winning team, but it is the most unpredictable.
The good teams are built with the majority of position players that can play defense….to support the pitchers.
no matter how good the OF defense is, a HR is a HR.
Oh……
Probably how the Giants and Royals got toe the WS last year. Modern Murders Row.
I was referring to Greene’s start. The Tiger’s defense is much better this year.
The Tigers are currently struggling. Victor is on the DL. Lobstein and Simon have missed the last turn thru the rotation, and Verlander is still on the DL. Even Iglesias has missed some time because he bumped knees. Hopefully, with the wounded soon returning, and Simon back (my sympathy for his loss), this is just a glitch. It is amazing how much the offense misses Victor. Even with his missed time, and his inability to hit lefties because of the bad leg, he is among the league leaders in IBB!
I’m not sure why the Yankees would feel pressured to trade Jones, but if the Cards want him they should trade him. Jones could be decent with more playing time, but I could see Roller do a decent job in the same role. You might say Roller isn’t really a prospect or that good, but were really not talking about an important role.
If teix gets hurt the Yankees would have to replace him with more than Jones anyway.
They say players with the wrist injury Tex had take a year to get back, he sure looks healthy to me.
He looks really healthy this year. He’s not hitting for as much average as he used to, but his power numbers are great and he’s driving in a ton of runs, and his defense has been fine. Pleasant surprise to say the least
Saris does know the O’s developed Rodriguez, I hope.
Yes, it looks like the O’s made a mistake in their evaluation of Rodriquez. Otherwise they would have not let him go to a rival.
Drew is awful. Pirela, if possible, is even worse. Where the hell is Refsnyder? He would be a huge upgrade over both the current 2B, even if he was mediocre.
Out of all the Red Sox starters Kelly is probably the one closest to getting booted out. No way Porcello gets removed and Miley had been pitching better before last night’s clunker.
I think Boston overpaid Porcello, but money isn’t as relevant to them as to a number of other teams, and while I don’t see him as ace material, it reminds me of the original lackey deal–pay a lot of money who is probably going to be good but not great. Porcello has to work things through. Kelly is just tantalizing. He’s almost certainly going to be the guy who sits. Or gets traded.
Miley has looked good his last few times out and Porcello’s potential and contract will keep him in tge rotation. Kelly on the other hand could be moved to the bullpen. The way I see it is he has gotten up to an up and down start showing signs of dominance and signs of just being bad. Unfortunately there have been more bad starts. He has an electric fastball and good secondary stuff. The sox currently have only matt Barnes in their bullpen who can run up the gun. Kelly could be another had throwing weapen in the pen. I think if someone loses his starting job and is put in the pen right now it is kelly
Curt Schilling was right when he stated that he couldn’t watch Kelly pitch because he should be an all star. The guy as loads of talent and is pitching poorly
Get in line, there are a long line of pitchers that are throwers!
Great movement great velocity. Talent that can be worked with
Curt Schilling was right when he stated that he couldn’t watch Kelly pitch because he should be an all star. The guy as loads of talent and is pitching poorly
Regarding Stephen Drew, most of you who have read my comments about drew realize that I think he is a waste of a 25 man roster spot. Sure the guy is a good defender. Never said he wasn’t but you can’t play a guy that is hitting under .200 unless he is Ozzie Smith defensevely which nobody is. Do you now understand why I am not his biggest fan?
Yanks are scoring enough runs this year, right now the best move they can make is to try and improve their starting pitching at the deadline. If they could get a player like Zorbrist at the deadline that would be a good move. If Tanaka comes back healthy, that would take care of their pitching.
If the Yankees traded Jones and then Teix got hurt, they could move Brian McCann to first and platoon John Ryan Murphy and Austin Romine at catcher. I know Murphy’s offensive numbers aren’t good this season but I believe he is a better hitter then he’s shown. He’s just having a hard time hitting because he’s stuck behind McCann at catcher, playing very irregularly. Or they could live with AAA first basemen Kyle Roller at first base. Or Ramon Flores has taken some reps at first base.
Didn’t BOS trade miller to BAL for Rodriguez like last year…don’t know if that means he really came up thru their system. He was pretty highly touted when he was traded.