The Blue Jays, who are on the lookout for pitching help, are still in talks with the Padres about both starters and relievers, FOX Sports’ Jon Morosi tweets. The Padres, of course, have starters Ian Kennedy, James Shields, Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross, and relievers Craig Kimbrel and Joaquin Benoit. The Jays’ payroll could be an issue, however. Morosi writes that, for example, it would be tough for the Jays to take on the remainder of Kimbrel’s contract. Kimbrel is due about $4MM the rest of the season, plus $11MM in 2016, $13MM in 2017 and a $1MM buyout on a $13MM option in 2018. Here’s more from the American League.
- The Blue Jays and Indians nearly completed a deal involving starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca writes. It’s not clear why the deal wasn’t completed, but Carrasco would have provided a long-term fix for the Jays’ rotation — Carrasco is signed through 2018, with team options for 2019 and 2020, and his outstanding peripherals (10.1 K/9 and 2.0 BB/9 in 2015) suggest he has a strong foundation for future success. FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported on Friday that the Jays had made a “big push” to trade for Carrasco.
- The Rangers’ solid recent play suggests that they should make moves to improve their pitching, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News writes. They’re still in the playoff race, but Rangers starters have struggled to work deep into games, and they have a weak bullpen. The team has already decided to steer clear of big names on the rental market, though they’ve been connected to Cole Hamels along with Cashner and Ross.
scissormetimbers
I bet it was Pillar, Norris & Pompey and they took on Bourn
Yogajonny
No chance. Pillar is firmly entrenched in Centre and the Jays are being rewarded for getting him the AB and playing time to shine. Plus our outfield would be an even bigger black hole if Pompey was gone and we were left with Bourne. BTW. Why are you always calling for Norris to be traded? Do you know something about him the rest of us don’t or do you just see him as an expendable trade chip rather than the potential TOR lefty the rest of us hope he will become?
moggz
Probably because Norris is the Jay’s most tradeable(sp) piece? Unless you’re prepared to deal Stroman and Sanchez, you won’t get past many serious talks for quality piece(s) without him.
scissormetimbers
bc it’s a fair offer for Carascco, he doesn’t want to trade Norris for a rental, so it makes sense that he would trade him for a controllable asset
theo2016
They cant afford to take on bourn.
Matt Galvin
Could stil happen.
No Big League Choo For Yu
The Rangers definitely need bullpen help. Hamels + Pap would be good but money would be tight.
UnderRatedFlaherty
I could see the Indians sending Carrasco+Bourn+$ for Pillar+Sanchez. Only way Shapiro would rid of Carrasco is if he can get controllable talent back or dump Bourn/Swisher contracts.
chris to.
LOL of the two it would Pillar + Sanchez. Trading both Pillar and Pompey would make no sense on the Jays end.
Matt Galvin
Norris would have to go back in Deal and better taking also Murphy or Moss.
scissormetimbers
I think it would be Norris and Pillar. Trading Sanchez wouldn’t make sense for Toronto and CLE would still get a significant third piece like Reid Folley, Castro, Pentecost or Pompey
No Big League Choo For Yu
I also wouldn’t mind the Rangers getting their hands on Carrasco. (If you have ever watched a meeting on the mound with Mike Maddux you’ll know how literal that statement is)
charles stevens
Evan Grant is a genious. Who would of guessed the Rangers could use some pitching?
No Big League Choo For Yu
He was essentially saying they should be buyers, since that has been a big question mark surrounding them this past week+. When he mentioned pitching, he was just elaborating upon what they should buy, which is what a good writer should do.
Matt Galvin
Santana I see like Pirates or Cardinals.
dbeattie
If the big problem is that the rotation is exposing a weak a bullpen the rangers could just strengthen up the pen with guys like clippard and benoit etc .Whilst it’s not the sexiest option it’s a solid plan B
No Big League Choo For Yu
People seem to enjoy down voting more than up voting with this new system? It seemed like the old system down votes were few and far between. I wonder if that has to do with the fact that you could see who down voted in the previous system?
Vandals Took The Handles
I tried voting down on the old system a few times, but it didn’t seem to take so I quit.
I find myself voting down quite a bit here, and I’m not sure why. It’s not antagonism or a personal vendetta with anyone. I’d guess I vote up as much as down.
tigerfan1968
For all you Americans the Canadian dollar is at around 77 cents US. So if the Jays take on a 20 million contract it is costing them around 25 million. The Canadian dollar could fall even further. The Jays have to be very careful with salary. AA has made plenty of excellent deals lately and trying to get a Carrasco is a good example. Pompey and a reasonable pitching prospect for Carrasco would be good for both teams. Brantley is too fragile for CF. Nobody is taking on bad contracts anymore.
sportsnut969
The Indians want Jeff Hoffman and they will need a ready centerfielder to take over for Bourne so Pompey i would think would be that guy so I would think the deal most likely would be put together like this.
Jeff Hoffman – Dalton Pompey and Matt Boyd
for
Carlos Carrasco & Bourne + 3 mil I would say that the reason that the deal fell apart was due to the amount of cash coming back to the Blue Jays.
But if the Jays want a young long term under control starter they are the ones that will have to put the players on the table to make that happen. JMO
Just look what the Royals gave up for a rental Carrasco is a long term control player and comes with a very friendly deal in place.
mstrchef13
Why would the Indians want to trade Carrasco? This is a team that started Bruce Chen twice this season, and it’s not like they have super starting pitching breaking down the door to get to Cleveland (Jhoulys Chacin, anyone?). They need some hitting, for sure, but I don’t know if I’d give up any of those four starters.
scissormetimbers
You’d get either Norris or Hoffman, they’re both close. Norris will be in the rotation later this year. Pillar or Pompey would step into CFand you’ll get a third guy with some high upside and might be able to dump Bourns contract.
pon21
I would disagree on the money not working. With Buehrle’s $20mil and Dickey’s $15 coming off the books it would be swapping those two for Kimbrel and Shields; mind you I can’t see that happening.