Veteran right-hander Aaron Harang may soon join his ninth major league franchise, writes Tyler Kepner of the New York Times. Harang’s career trajectory includes a dominant, stable peak with the Reds followed by a multi-season reinvention with a handful of clubs. With the Phillies in rebuild mode, Harang is a prime trade candidate. His 1.82 ERA, 6.67 K/9, and 1.97 BB/9 would represent an upgrade for any club. However, it’s worth noting his 4.12 xFIP. Harang has allowed just two home runs despite a high fly ball rate. Kepner offers more detail about Harang’s transformation from power pitcher to crafty veteran.
- Reds catcher Devin Mesoraco has experienced a setback with his left hip impingement, reports Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. Mesoraco indicated that this week would be “pivotal” in deciding if the condition required surgery. He hasn’t been in the lineup the last two days, but he might be available to pinch hit tomorrow. To this point, club and player have attempted to avoid the surgical option.
- Dodgers catcher Yasmany Grandal has a “mild concussion,” writes Anthony Witrado of MLB.com. Last night, Grandal was hit in the jaw by a Yangervis Solarte backswing, and he took a Matt Kemp foul ball off the mask. The club expects him to be ready to resume baseball activities in a few days. He may only require the minimum seven day stay on the disabled list.
- Shelby Miller has done well to make the Braves look good for trading Jason Heyward. However, Tyrell Jenkins is doing his best to improve the return for the Braves. The 22-year-old righty has performed strongly in Double-A. Scouts and players credit him with excellent makeup. He tore his lat in 2012 and 2013 which has delayed his development as a prospect. He’s now fully healthy for the first time in years and reaching 96 mph on the gun. Although he has a shiny 2.94 ERA, his 5.71 K/9 and 3.81 BB/9 could stand to improve.
Braves straight fleeced the Cards. Payback for the Wainwright deal.
We have too see what Heyward does in the postseason first…but yes I agree…..
Considering he has done nothing with the Braves in big games, what makes you think that would change?
Maybe more experience in big game’s…better coaching…better hitters around him…that contract in the offseason…Panda did it…he was awful in 2010…but great in 2012 and 2014…
Pablo did it so that means Heyward can do it too. I’ll be waiting for that day where people would stop drooling of his “potential.”
Why do you seem to hate Heyward? I think it’s obvious to everyone that his bat has never developed into the impact player he was supposed to become, but that doesn’t make him a bad player.
I guess everyone is disappointed when a player of such great physical gifts DOESN’ T make it. Justin Smoak is another guy. So was Ricky Ledee.
Idk about that, Heyward is projected to get over $100 million this offseason. Seems like he made it to me.
you may be right. when it comes to the stupidity of owners, I’m still amazed how men who have proved to be so skillful in other businesses make such poor decisions when it comes to pay for athletes. but from a baseball standpoint, Heyward has never produced the numbers. Maybe someone will gamble a lot of years/money on Jason. He’s still only 25.
Well, he’s a sabermetricians dream. I think the contract he ultimately signs will tell you the belief owners, and front offices in general, have in these advanced statistics.
It’s looking really good for the Braves right now, though that may change slightly as the season wears on. Shelby will regress quite a bit (though his FIP is a good 3.25 so it doesn’t look like he’ll turn into a pumpkin) and Heywards career splits show that his bat heats up with the temperature so he’ll get back to at least his career norms shortly. At seasons end this deal will likely look bad for the Cards but not to level it does now. Of course if it helps them win a championship, they won’t be too concerned.
As long as the Braves have a top ten defense, I’m not sure that FIP is going to mean very much.
Disagree…….Braves got JD Drew in that deal who had perhaps his best season in the majors for ATA. JD became a FA after that season and the Braves choose not to resign him. They also received Eli Marrero, who had one of his best seasons in MLB for the Braves but traded him to KC the year after. It was a good trade for both teams. Right now, this Miller deal is looking great for ATA…..no question.
Harang is similar to Chris Young… A fly ball pitcher that dominates in pitcher parks, he would be a perfect fit for the Royals, Mariners, or Giants or even Dodgers
He will be an Dodger soon…if they don’t swing a deal for Hamel’s first…….
Hamels and Harang could be traded together easily
That’s probably not the best way for the Phillies to maximize their return. Unless packaging them both together is going to net them Seager or Urias.
Packaging worked for the Cubs last year to get Addison Russell.
There could be a Big Deal on the lines of Three Phillies for Fives Dodgers Prospects or young MLB players.
Harangs FIP is scary as hell. But a great signing for the phillies. They will get a useful trade piece and Harang will get shelled and regress massively most likely with whoever he is dealt to.
Grandal spells his first name “Yasmani”, not “Yasmany”
Harang would look good as a Pirate.
No.
Yes, because Jeff Locke has just been so good.
Lockes peripherals aren’t that bad and Mortons coming back soon. It’s not worth it to add Harang who’s due for some regression. The teams gotta other needs to address before adding someone like Harang
This teams needs are a number five starter and bullpen help. Harang fits the bill of a number five starter.
The team needs to cut ties with Liz, add a bullpen arm, a firstbasemen and a left handed bat of the bench before they should look at Harang, who Im sure the Phillies will over price
Not disagreeing on Liz, he and Bastardo both should go from the pen. They are fine at first base. Alvarez is my great, but he’s also not terrible. I’m not worried at all about the offense, they need rotation and bullpen help.
Manger should be fired just for not DLing the catcher may be done for the year but still pitch hitting.