A.J. Preller is nearing his first trade deadline as a GM in San Diego and he’ll be applying some of what he learned as a member of the Rangers’ front office.
“I think it’s a very valuable experience,” Preller said, according to Cody Stavenhagen of MLB.com. “I was able to work with good people, and I think we were able to learn from some early mistakes. I think being a part of managing some departments and being in the Draft and the international world and the player world on a grassroots level, I think it definitely helps you prepare for an opportunity in baseball, for this job.”
Preller’s current club is 10.0 games back of first place in the NL West, but his former club, the Rangers, is a little closer to the top of the division at 42-45. Here’s a look at the American League..
- Tigers president and GM Dave Dombrowski spoke with reporters Sunday morning and said, “We’re trying to win right now,” Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press tweets. Over the weekend the Tigers inked Neftali Feliz in an attempt to help turn around their bullpen which ranks amongst the worst in the majors in ERA. Meanwhile, Dombrowski’s future is uncertain as he is without an extension with just months to go on his contract.
- The Royals and Pirates are among the teams looking for outfield help, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tweets. Alex Gordon has a grade two-plus groin strain and is expected to miss eight weeks of action, so it makes sense that KC would be on the lookout for outfield help. Earlier today we learned that the Pirates are looking at Phillies outfielders Ben Revere and Jeff Francoeur.
- The Blue Jays’ need for pitching is very obvious, but Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet (on Twitter) wonders if their sub-.500 record will lead them to deal for controllable arms rather than rentals.
The Royals might be on the hunt for OF help, but it isn’t because of the injury to Alex Gordon. They have Jarrod Dyson who is more than capable to cover for Gordon. The real need is to replace Rios. He has been terrible this season.
Trade for cespedes ?
That would be in Division Trade.
Rare, but it happens. Andrew Miller / Eduardo Rodriguez was also an in-division trade.
It’s just more costly then rare. Teams go from asking for B level prospects to A level ones
I’d be happy with continuing giving Orlando a shot and platoon Rios and him for a bit to see how that goes.
Royals need help in both corners, as Gordon is hurt, Rios is underperforming, and both are in the last year of their contracts. Jay Bruce, who is affordably controlable in the future, may be a nice option.
If you’ve watched Rios butcher a lineup slot off and on during his White Sox stint he’s not really underperforming. I’ve never seen a hitter look more clueless at the plate over long stretches….well…maybe Josh Hamilton while he was trying to quit chew.
Have you seen Omar Infante? Ever since he took a pitch to the face he stands so far away from the plate and tries to pull 99% of the pitches, all you have to do is throw outside fastballs and sliders and he’s a guaranteed out (Salvy gets that way too).
Just given Rios flakiness its hard to see why people somewhat overvalue him. I’ll chalk it up to an interesting name..yeah, there’s, been a.few times Perez looks like a sure out
Royals should trade for Jay Bruce. KC need help in corner outfield not just now, but likely next year. Rios and Gordon are both in last year of contracts. Bruce is affordable and under control beyond 2015.
Trying to see how many lefties they can get in a lineup?
Can’t we just grade groin strains on the old school grade system. Then when. someone pulls an A+ we all just say a player aced his junk