Braves righty Julio Teheran exited tonight’s start with what is being described as right lat tightness, as MLB.com’s Mark Bowman writes. Teheran had been throwing well, once again, before the issue arose. We’ve already seen plenty of cold water thrown on the idea that he’ll be traded, and this injury — even if it’s minor — could help seal the deal (or, rather, the lack thereof).
Here are some more notes as the trade market continues to take shape:
- It has largely been taken for granted that the Reds will trade Jay Bruce this summer. But ESPN.com’s Buster Olney tweets that some rival executives are finding it difficult to gain any traction in talks with the Cincinnati front office. Others, though, still see a deal as likely.
- Some of the same teams pursuing Bruce are in on Athletics outfielder Josh Reddick, MLB.com’s Jon Morosi notes on Twitter. That’s not surprising — both are left-handed-hitting corner outfielders, albeit rather different ones — and it’s certainly possible to imagine the interplay between their respective markets having an impact on how trade talks progress. The Cubs, Dodgers, and Indians all have some level of interest in both players, per the report.
- As for the Athletics and Reddick, there are other teams in the mix, too. Per John Hickey of the Bay Area News Group, the Royals and Giants are also taking a look. Of course, we also heard today (subsequent to Hickey’s report) that Kansas City may instead head in a different direction.
- We’ve heard plenty of chatter on Melvin Upton tonight, after Olney suggested earlier today that he could be a fit for the Giants. Whether or not Upton is the target — or, as just noted, Reddick — it seems that San Francisco is once again leaning toward adding another outfielder. Hunter Pence’s return hasn’t been quite as smooth as might’ve been hoped, and the remaining primary mix — Angel Pagan, Denard Span, and Gregor Blanco — hasn’t been terribly productive, though Pagan has had a solid bounceback campaign. On the other hand, both Jarrett Parker and Mac Williamson have hit at better than league-average rates when they’ve been up, so the club isn’t exactly hurting for options.
- Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News provides a useful round-up of the Rangers’ efforts to bolster a scuffling rotation. In addition to opening talks with the Rays and White Sox, as has been covered extensively, the team is looking at a variety of other possibilities. Andrew Cashner of the Padres is one player that the Rangers have discussed, as are Mariners lefties James Paxton and Wade Miley. It seems that all variety of options continue to be on the table, as all of the pitchers covered in the report constitute quite different assets. GM Jon Daniels suggests that, while he’d prefer to move quickly toward a deal, the odds are that it’ll come down to the deadline.
- As the White Sox weigh what (if any) players to sell, the club won’t have two short-term assets on the shelf. As Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune reports, both center fielder Austin Jackson and catcher Alex Avila — each of whom was signed to a one-year deal over the winter — are still a ways away from returning from their respective injuries.
hooligan
As a G fan, I’m not opposed to Upton, so long as he’s not costing anything top flight. I’d bet the Giants could absorb the contract to lessen the prospect burden. Not an exciting option, but a realistic way to hold on to good prospects while upgrading the club.
dstuart
If the Giants are really looking into an outfield bat, what about Eaton from the Sox? Proven center fielder with his time with the Diamondbacks and can clearly play the corners, hit for power, and lead off. Think it’d be a great addition considering how bad Span has been. Might cost some prospects tho
Priggs89
Hit for power is a stretch. He’ll slug around .400 and can get you into the low double digits with homers, but I definitely wouldn’t call him a “power hitter” by any means. That being said, he has been by far the best defensive RF in baseball this year, and he’s hit well (although he has been very slightly worse than the last 2 years so far). He’s got the second highest WAR among RF’ers – only behind Betts (top 10-20 in the league depending on if you’re looking at BaseballRef or Fangraphs), and he’s on a ridiculously team friendly deal through 2021. He’ll cost more than “some prospects” IF he’s moved.
bsteady powers
Below par CF… Good RF. Hooligan was right on tho. The worry for me would be Would Upton’s success in SD translate in SF? It didn’t in ATL.
Priggs89
Above average CF (when factoring in the bat)… Great RF.
myaccount
Maybe when factoring the bat, but you’re best off putting him in RF where he would be an elite defender. His arm is probably 65-70 on the 20-80 and his range is a bit limited. He’s much more valuable in RF.
KB R.
Stupid. If the Cubs deal for either of those OFers the better be giving up next to nothing. There is no friggin reason to add ANOTHER outfielder to this team let alone a rental outfielder. The list of OFers they have currently and who have played the OF for them this year is LONG and full of quality players.
Heyward
Fowler
Soler
Coghlan
Szczur
Bryant
Zobrist
Baez
Contreras
Almora
Heyward and Fowler are locked in in RF and CF. If Fowler goes down they will put Almora out there. That leaves 7 other guys to play LF….. 8 counting Almora if Fowler remains healthy the rest of the year. Soler is currently the one struggling the most of those players offensively but he was heating up right before he went down with an injury. Soler also still has a TON of potential. Contreras, Baez, Bryant, Zobrist, and dare I say Szczur are all right there with or better than both Reddick and Bruce. Yes I think Szczur has played up to a level comparable to Reddick and Bruce. Bruce is the better of the two players in question, at least offensively….. neither Bruce or Reddick are exactly known for their gloves…. so that’s not the reason to add them. Szczur is hitting .290 with a .330 OBP and a .777 OPS. For not having nearly as much power as Bruce, Szczur’s OPS isn’t too terribly lower than Bruce’s .846. Szczur’s fielding BA and OBP are all better than what Bruce offers. The fact that all those options in LF the Cubs have are right handed hitters and Bruce and Reddick are left handed hitters isn’t reason enough to cough up a prospect to get them. I don’t see them providing anything much more offensively than the right handed hitters they already have. If you don’t trust Soler hitting against righties or lefties then put Bryant out there and put Baez at 3B. Then when you feel comfortable with a matchup for Soler have him start and put Szczur in as a defensive replacement late in the game. Bottom line is they don’t need an OFer. If they trade for either of those guys I’ll be pissed. Unless the trade is like Szczur and a bottom feeding prospect for either Bruce or Reddick then I don’t see the purpose of making a deal. I’d actually prefer Szczur though because he has been one of the better pinch hitters in the game this year….. if not the best. Save the prospects for deals involving pitchers……… and preferably ones better than Montgomery……. and ones who can actually start.
Frank Richard
You are the Cubs fan on here that give us good Cubs fans a bad name. This short story you wrote is littered with proof that you know next to nothing about baseball.
Alastair
I don’t think it’s terrible reasoning to argue the Cubs shouldn’t give up the farm for a LHOF and, anyway, you haven’t added much to the conversation.
myaccount
While I don’t agree with his logic or evidence, Frank (Reddick obviously highly superior to Szczur, Coughlan and more reliable in the OF than Baez, et al.), he’s probably right that Chicago doesn’t need to be adding an OF. I understand the win-now mentality for the Cubs, I really do, but I’m not sure a rental OF who won’t really push the Cubs over the edge is the answer, especially seeing as it would require a decent haul and it’s their deepest group. I would focus my efforts on pitching.
sigdawg25
what!? Reddick is s great RF with a cannon for an arm. Baserunners do not test him.
WTH
braves fan 138
Thank god we are keeping Teheran
Gogerty
Hopefully this ends the stupidity over Teheran that has gone on on this site for a couple months.
braves4life1
We are keeping Teheran, trading Markakis and Harrell to the Royals for Ventura. Then sending Inciarte, Jenkins and 2 prospects for Sonny Gray. Next, replacing Markakis with Puig
Gogerty
So basically 3 prospects will get Sonny Gray?
braves4life1
With Teheran going down, it’s time for the Braves to package inciarte Jenkins, and whomever else it takes to get Sonny Gray. I’ll let you self proclaimed GM’s figure it all out. But the Braves need to do something
babybears
The braves need to sell. Getting gray is stupid when you can even compete in the division for the next 2 years
jimk
No Puig. One good thing about The Braves Way was the application of a character test to personnel decisions.
The Braves’ goal for this trade deadline should be unloading as much of Nick Markakis’ deal as possible. Maybe trade him to the Royals for one of their injured pitchers with a lesser salary obligation — Vargas or Medlen.
They should also donate A.J. Pierzynski and Erick Aybar to anyone who will take them. In exchange, to balance out the deal, the Braves may also have to include Lucas Harrell and Gordon Beckham.
myaccount
Thank you for letting us know what you’ll do, John Hart.
jdnels2522
Royals are better off keeping Ventura than getting trash back from the Braves. Markakis is your problem, don’t try to throw his contract over to us.
Alastair
Are you really from a Confederate state? If you really were you’d know God is always capitalized and Mexican names are always spelled incorrectly.
Strauss
Stick the enema tube right in the middle of the white sox’ front office and then into the dugout. The entire organization needs a cleansing.
braves4life1
That is funny. But it’s not that bad. At least the White Sox fans are willing to do what is necessary to get back into contention, trade Sale and keep Quintana
stymeedone
dude,
they haven’t actually done that. its just media talk.
Frank Richard
Rangers and Red Sox have the talent to pry Sale loose. Don’t think either team will actually be willing to pay the price. However if either team did make the move without giving up something from the MLB roster then they immediately become the favorites in the AL.
braves4life1
The White Sox should be on the phone today talking with either the Red Sox, Nats, Rangers, or Dodgers about shipping both Sale and Robertson.
braves4life1
Nats get: Sale and Robertson
Chi Sox get: Giliota, Turner, and Lopez
anonymoususer
Hell no, I don’t think that’s even enough to get Sale by himself. By the way it’s spelled Giolito.
stymeedone
Wow, a trade proposal that didn’t include Markakis. Is that a first for you this year?
unsaturatedmatz
Unreal seeing some of the Cubs hypotheticals in the Sale article. Kyle Schwarber is obviously not able to net Chris Sale in a 1-1 deal. It will take something around Jimenez, Baez, Schwarber, and Contrares to get Sale, whether Cubs fans like it or not.
unsaturatedmatz
Also, thoughts on this deal for Sale to Texas:
Texas gets: Chris Sale and Brett Lawrie
Chicago gets: Jurickson Profar, Chi Chi Gonzalez, Joey Gallo, Dillon Tate, Delino Deshields/Lewis Brinson, and Hanser Alberto.
wag2
Rangers wouldn’t make this trade. First of all they don’t need Lawrie because Beltre will be there a couple more years and Lawrie’s contract will be up by then anyways. Also the Rangers wouldn’t want to give up that big of a piece of their farm system. It would be more like Gallo and Profar and maybe one other prospect for Sale.
babybears
So the Cubs need to give up more than texas? Schwarber is better than Gallo. Baez is better than profar. I mean come on man. Cubs are probably the most realistic team to trade for sale.
stymeedone
So Olney speculates that Upton could be a fit for SF, and because “there has been lots of chatter”, (where? Twitter from the fans?) it is now a fact that the Giants are looking for an OF? Talk about the media feeding its own frenzy. What ever happened to having sources and facts in reporting.
arc89
Giants need relief OF, 3b, and another starter too. They have the prospects to make trades but as usual Sabean doesn’t want to make a trade. The seller market is turning into a buyers market so these teams better get busy.
gmenfan
Before they address any position needs, the leaky gascan of a bullpen needs an overhaul.
joecourt07
who’s gonna end up getting Jay bruce and who will the reds get in return
rich5344
Braves have been looking for a C
Here is an idea that works for both sides.
Boston Red Sox give Atlanta:
Christian Vasquez (one of the best defensive catchers around), and add in Brian Johnson (excellent SP Prospect)
Atlanta gives Boston:
Julio Teheran
therealmattc27
In my opinion the Dodgers should pursue an outfielder, relief pitching,and a couple starting pitchers.
Outfielders LA should Pursue or Consider:
Jay Bruce*
Carlos Gonzalez*
Josh Reddick
Relief Pitching LA should Pursue or Consider:
Andrew Miller*
Aroldis Chapman
Starting Pitchers Dodgers should Pursue or Consider:
Chris Archer(ties to Andrew Friedman)*
Sonny Gray*
Chris Sale*
Matt Moore(Ties to Andrew Friedman)*
Jake Odorizzi(Ties to Andrew Friedman)*
Considerations for after the season:
Evan Longoria due to Justin Turners final season in his contract*
Thanks and let’s hope for the best for all our teams. Go dodgers!!!