The Phillies last lost 99 games in 1969, writes Frank Fitzpatrick of the Philadelphia Inquirer. It took seven more seasons for the club to return to the postseason, but it only takes a couple lucky moves to set the ball rolling. In the 1971 draft, Philadelphia gambled that they could snag Hall of Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt with their second round pick (30th overall). It worked out. Even better, they traded pitcher Rick Wise during the next offseason for another Hall of Famer – Steve Carlton. Today’s Phillies have better odds of returning to the postseason quickly – now one-third of teams reach the playoffs. They’ll still need to find a few diamonds in the rough in the interim.
- The Nationals aren’t expected to pick up Casey Janssen’s $7MM club option, reports Bill Ladson of MLB.com in an analysis of the Washington roster. Janssen appeared in 48 games for Washington, throwing 40 innings of 4.95 ERA ball with 6.08 K/9 and 1.80 BB/9. The fly ball pitcher is best known for his command. He was the Blue Jays closer for parts of three seasons prior to joining the Nationals.
- Closer Jonathan Papelbon is “all but gone,” per Ladson. Papelbon was embroiled in the late-season scuffle with franchise star Bryce Harper. While it’s hard to get a read on the situation from the outside, it’s not surprising that the club could prefer to end the story for good. Ladson also views fellow closer Drew Storen as a change of scenery candidate. Storen pitched to a 6.75 ERA after Papelbon was acquired. If both relievers are traded (or cut in the case of Papelbon), the Nationals will need to acquire a new closer.
- Daniel Murphy’s days with the Mets are almost certainly over, writes Joel Sherman of the New York Post. However, it would be a mistake if the club didn’t extend a qualifying offer. Based on input from agents and executives, Sherman thinks Murphy will sign a three-year deal in the $30MM to $40MM range. Sherman also has a “strong sense” that the Mets won’t extend a qualifying offer. New York has developed a reputation for penny pinching despite playing in a huge market. The biggest risk is that they pay Murphy $15.8MM for one season. Per Sherman, it’s a rate that a New York club should be able to easily afford, especially when the alternative is a still unproven youngster like Wilmer Flores or Dilson Herrera. Murphy was worth over $20MM this season according to FanGraphs.
Could the Pirates and Nats line up for a deal involving Melancon?
What would the nats have to send to Pittsburgh?
The better question would be, why would the Pirates want to trade their closer? Yes they have Soria, but this is the 2nd best team in the league. They ran into an incredibly hot pitcher in one game for the second straight year. They don’t need dismantling, they need better luck.
10+ mil is a lo to pay for a closer especially for a team like the Pirates. They have Watson and could wry easily sign Soria. That money could easily be better allocated elsewhere
Say what you will about paps, but the guy is still a great closer. If he’s released, some team out there is going to get an absolute steal. He’s nuts, but he can pitch.
I don’t know what team is crazy enough to take him after the Harper incident. Probably a team destined to go nowhere. Maybe Detroit might try and win the lottery that Papelbon takes his meds.
You would have to have the “right” situation for a guy like Pap. Maybe the Cubs, since he knows Lester and Maddon would keep him in check, but does Theo want to take on all of that?
Rick Wise’s famous quote after year 1 of the trade fro Lefty Carlton didn’t help soothe Philly fans any:
“Sometimes deals take some time to even out”
Little did he, or Philly fans know that the deal would get worse and worse, that Wise was nothing more than the .500 pitcher he had always been and that Carlton would continue on his hall of fame path after winning the Cy Young award during his inaugural season with Philly, going 27-10 w/a 1.97 era on a team that only managed to win 59 games…
Wise would have a few .500 seasons in him, capped by a 19-12 season, mostly by support of a massive Red Sox offense during their DC title run in ’75, but he was nothing but a back end starter.
Gussie Busch let his temper get the best of his business judgement. It was a deal STL fans regretted for years. It wasn’t a Brock-Brogilo thing…Wise wasn’t terrible and STL traded him to the Red Sox a couple years later for Reggie Smith–who had some good years. But obviously, Lefty was sensational.
Papelbon took over the closer position from Storen, Storen loses confidence, Papelbon fought Harper, and now both pitchers might be leaving making the bullpen problems even worst. Wow.
In hindsight, it was the wrong move to add Papelbon (a very bad move at that).
Any of those relievers would be welcome news to Detroit fans, except for Papelbon. Add Clippard and O’Day, Tampa may not be able to afford Jake McGee, Cincinnati is likely to move Chapman, San Diego may have Kimbrel on the block, and there appears to be a few possibilities out there for Avila to fix the Bullpen.
Ken Giles For Quality Outfielders ( 2 )
A closer will not net you two quality outfielders playing at single-A. Don’t even think about anybody close the Majors.