The Astros have optioned Evan Gattis to Double-A, where he’ll get comfortable behind the plate, Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle reports (links to Twitter). Houston has yet to utilize the 29-year-old as a catcher, but he broke into the league in that position. With the organization one of several struggling with receiving depth, it seems he’ll have a chance to don the tools of ignorance once again. Gattis, who’s off to a rough start at the plate (.213/.269/.328), says that he’s excited at the development. Kaplan suggests that Gattis is unlikely to spend more than the requisite ten days on optional assignment.
Here’s more from the AL West:
- Angels GM Billy Eppler made clear that the organization is not going to begin entertaining the idea of trading superstar Mike Trout after the awful pitching news received today, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports. The Halos are looking hard at options for the rotation, he says, and still believes in its chances. “This team was up against a lot of adversity last year and fought to the end,” says Eppler. “We’ve got a lot of character, a lot of the same guys on the club. They will not back down from a fight.” Some aren’t so sure that’s the right approach for the Angels. Dave Cameron of Fangraphs argues that the team’s near-term outlook, depleted farm, and continued payroll constraints provide cause to at least consider taking offers on Trout, who’d surely draw unprecedented trade interest. ESPN.com’s David Schoenfield, meanwhile, draws on that piece and looks at a few organizations that could plausibly make a run at a player whose immense productivity and appealing contract make him the single most valuable asset in the sport.
- The Angels have another quality young outfielder in Kole Calhoun, and Pedro Moura of the Los Angeles Times profiles his unlikely path to the majors. Long overlooked despite his performances as an amateur, Calhoun has turned into an eighth-round hidden gem for the Halos. “I don’t know what all of professional baseball was thinking,” said former scouting director Eddie Bane. “We were just dumb.”
- Former Angels prospect Hunter Green is sticking with his plans to retire, Mike DiGiovanna writes for Baseball America. The wiry lefty dealt with significant injury issues, and ultimately decided to hang ’em up after failing to get back on track. While the organization tried to convince him to stick with it, the former second-rounder has apparently decided to move on from the sport.
- Having seemingly come from out of nowhere to where he is now — a quality starter for the Athletics — Rich Hill’s back story remains of interest. According to Orioles catcher Matt Wieters, Hill showed plenty of signs back when he caught the southpaw in the upper minors, as Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com reports. “The stuff for a left-hander, I always thought was something you don’t see much with the type of pitches he could throw,” said Wieters.
- Felix Hernandez has provided the Mariners with typically productive innings, but there’s some cause for real concern, Jeff Sullivan of Fangraphs writes. The veteran righty has seen his velocity steadily decline in years past, but now he’s experienced a sudden drop-off that’s left him sitting below 90 mph with his average fastball. Meanwhile, he’s also struggling to hit the zone. While Hernandez has thus far managed to generate plenty of soft contact, the 30-year-old certainly doesn’t look like the same pitcher he has been in years past. Whether he can continue to put up ace-like results remains to be seen.
jd396
Sudden drop off in velo, especially for a Felix-caliber pitcher, has arm/shoulder issues written all over it. He’s a smart enough pitcher to get by without his true “stuff” for now but I think there’s something going on. So, if that’s the case we might not see him make it 9 years in a row with 200 IP (or 11 straight of 190 ).
jkim319
Yes… Shoulder, shoulder, shoulder. Not saying he cannot be a quality starter, but his days of being and elite starter are limited
arc89
I warned of this a few years ago when the M’s left him in games past the 7th with big leads. Felix fans always said he doesn’t need pitch limits. All pitchers should have pitch limits because in the long run their arms just tire out.
Cam
Oh Billy, if by adversity you mean front-office incompetence, then sure.
dstuart
Yo Mr. Todd, any word on when we’re going to hear of the soon-to-be PED suspensions announced a couple days ago?
dstuart
Guess that’s a hard no lol
vinscully16
Gattis back behind the dish is a good move, Astros. Felix was damaged goods last year. Anytime a pitcher leaves the mound flexing his hand/forearm? Heads up. Felix has the baseball instincts to reinvent himself, Pedro-esque reinvention circa 2000-2001.
CursedRangers
The Angels have roughly $50M worth of salary coming off the books this offseason. For that reason, I don’t see them trading Trout. They will be able to sign a couple big names this offseason to try and right the ship.
stl_cards16 2
That sounds like the exact kind of thing the Angels would do. Sign up some more bad contracts and throw away more draft picks.
CursedRangers
As much as I hate the Angels I hope that is what they do. They got in a pissing match with the Rangers after Texas took Beltre from them at the last minute. They’ve destroyed their future by doing so.
Gogerty
As tight as Mareno sounds like he wants to get, he might take a season off of big spending. $50M coming off the books, 40 in two pitchers is a huge help. Plus Hamilton coming off as Trout’s contract jumps helps too.
steelerbravenation
I know I just wasted my time reading that article Mike Trout is going nowhere. But with Atlanta’s farm system and them opening a new stadium wouldn’t it be nice to have a superstar like that being the face of the franchise ? Only could dream plus Liberty Media would never pay him and we don’t make enough on our horrible tv deal to afford him in the future but I could still dream.
Gogerty
Well to be honest, a trade with current roster players and near ready could make it possible and feasible. Plus Trout only adds to the lore of the new stadium. I posted on FB the idea of getting Trout and without anyone asking what type of trade scenario, I was a complete idiot. It was entertaining.
chesteraarthur
If the braves trade for trout they’d have to give up the young talent they have coming and then would just be the angels….but with a smaller payroll. Doesn’t make sense for them
Gogerty
I think everyone believes when I mention a trade that I am saying give up the entire Top 30 prospects. Not exactly what I had in mind.
jimmyz
Certainly have to give up at least 3-5 of them plus other pieces. Trout certainly isn’t being moved for two prospects and a couple mil in cash
Gogerty
Thinking 2 prospects, all pitching, current rotation, and two position players.
Math&Baseball
Thats not nearly enough for Trout. You’re looking at min 7 players. 2 top 50 prospects in the game close to contributing, 3 top 7 prospects, and MLB ready cost controlled players. However you wanna swing that with pitching players.
Personally, they should trade trout to the cubs for all the talent they have blocked by MLB guys. I mean torress mckinney contreras baez almora soler and toss in who the cubs draft this year(3rd 4th 5th round picks) Cubs are so close to winning a world series and having trout rizzo heyward zobrist bryant in the same lineup will go a long way for years to come.
Theo should strongly consider using the talent he has to get trout and draft pitching to trade to the angels.
Gogerty
Good call, obviously Cubs have the talent. My thought was: Blair, Newcomb, Teheran, Chacin (just to get through season, Freeman, and Inciarte.
chieftoto
My thought would be Teheran, Inciarte, Markakis, Sims, Jenkins, Ellis, Newcomb, and Peterson/Castro. That’s what the Angels need right now. Four quality pitching prospects and two major league ready outfielders plus a SS and a new ace. Angels wouldn’t say no to that and it wouldn’t really affect the Braves future (besides Newcomb).
Texassooner
I hope Angels keep Trout. With no minor league talent, debilitated major league talent and little money the Angels will stay right where they are. Trout can’t win anything by himself.
vegas05
This whole division is weak. The team that stays healthy is 80% of the way there
vegas05
MLB should be ashamed of the way they have hampered the A’s. They play in a s@