Here’s the latest chatter on the trade market for pitching …
- The Red Sox and Diamondbacks are among the teams with interest in Twins righty Brandon Kintzler, per Jon Morosi of MLB.com (via Twitter). Kintzler, 32, represents an interesting potential addition to the trade market as Minnesota ponders a change in plans. The sinkerballer owns a 2.84 ERA with 27 saves on the year. As regards the interest from Boston, ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick tweets that the Red Sox had looked into Pat Neshek before he was dealt to the Rockies, due in part to their desire to add a “different look” to their setup mix. With the side-armer now off the market, Boston isn’t a lock to move onto other targets such as the Mets’ Addison Reed or the Marlins’ AJ Ramos, Crasnick notes.
- While the Astros continue their search for arms, the club has done some “background work” on Twins righty Ervin Santana, per Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press (Twitter links). Santana’s velocity has wavered a bit, though perhaps that’s not the real issue in assessing his value. The veteran righty has produced a strong 3.37 ERA over 136 1/3 innings, following up on last year’s near-identical 3.38 mark, but he’s managing just 6.9 K/9 against 3.1 BB/9 and has benefited from a .227 BABIP and 82.9% strand rate.
- The Dodgers are also looking at starters, of course, and Morosi hears they are (Twitter links) increasingly confident in landing a big name. Currently, Los Angeles is focused more on Rangers star Yu Darvish than either Sonny Gray of the Athletics or Justin Verlander of the Tigers, he notes. Of course, at this point it’s still unclear whether Darvish will be marketed at all, and it’s not really known how keen the Dodgers’ interest is in the other two starters.
- The Cubs are the most interested team in Verlander, tweets USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, but suggests that the Tigers star’s contract may simply be too great an obstacle to overcome. CBS Chicago’s Bruce Levine hears similarly, tweeting that there’s “no traction” between the Cubs and Tigers at this point, though he notes that talks aren’t completely dead. As Nightengale suggests, Verlander would be easier to move in the offseason when teams have greater payroll flexibility.
- Given the lack of interest they’re receiving in many of their trade assets, the Mets could look to package closer Addison Reed with another piece, reports Newsday’s Marc Carig. Lucas Duda may have been one possibility for such an approach, though he was just dealt alone. Infielder Asdrubal Cabrera, outfielders Jay Bruce and Curtis Granderson, and catcher Rene Rivera are among New York’s other potential chips that could be paired with Reed in trades to various teams, which could allow the Mets to enhance the return they’d receive, relative to what they’d net in separate deals, Carig continues.
- Adam Wainwright’s recent injury won’t have any bearing on whether the Cardinals decide to trade Lance Lynn, nor will their recently improved play, per MLB Network’s Ken Rosenthal (all links to Twitter). The Cardinals are open to moving Lynn if they’re presented with an offer they find appealing, as they’re not likely to make Lynn a qualifying offer and risk paying him $18.1MM or so in light of the diminished draft-pick compensation for players that reject a qualifying offer. The Cards are trying to balance winning now with staying competitive in the future, per Rosenthal, who notes that they’d like to strengthen their 2017 bullpen. Reading between the lines, perhaps they’d be amenable to moving Lynn for some MLB-ready relief help, though that’s just speculation at this point.
sidewinder11
Kintzler actually makes a lot of sense for AZ. Curious what the asking price would be.
MoyBoy1974
would they give up Ildemaro Vargas.
mp9
What kind of return Twins can get for Kintzler?
kehoet83
About the same that the Tigers get for Kinsler.
dugdog83
It would be impossible for a Spanish person to order Kinsler and not get Kintzler.
Go Snakes
Kintzler would be a great pick up for the Snakes. Probably won’t cost as much as the other high name relievers on the market, and dude has shown consistency in the show for the last 6 years.
Macias22
I really hope the dodgers don’t get Verlander.. I like Darvish but he’s just a rental. Fingers crossed for Sonny Gray.
TraderRyan9
Sonny gray sucks
arc89
Gray sucks? So i guess you think 90% of the starting pitching in baseball sucks since his stats are better than 90% of the starters in baseball.
jdgoat
This guys a troll
TraderRyan9
How’s his stats last year?
jdgoat
Not good. Every other year they have been
THE JOKER
question if Sonny Gray Sucks why is he the highest most scouted pitcher..on a list of teams wanting him every pitcher has high & lows….it don’t mean the guy Sucks…Brett Anderson…well Sucks is a expection
Dodgers13
I agree, Sonny Gray seems like the best option for the dodgers, even though he will cost more.
YankeeMan3099
Gray will be a Yankee nice try though
justinept
If the Dodgers really want him, they’ll get him. While the Yanks have a great system, the Dodgers just seem to have more expendable talent in the minors.
thegreatcerealfamine
How so?
YankeeMan3099
The Dodgers want Darvish they like him more than Gray, plus Darvish would cost less another reason the Dodgers will get Darvish.
madmanTX
Darvish will cost less, but they are going to still have to overpay to pry him loose. I’m waiting to see JD’s haul. Thinking 4-5 top guys for Darvish.
dodgerfan711
4-5 top guys is insane. He is a rental.
Sibert18
Can’t help but think his reluctancy continuously mentioned is just a tactic to drive up the price to maximize return
jdgoat
4-5 top guys lmao
jvincitore11
Actually a Brave will be like Texas acquiring Hammels a few years back. It’s for next 2 years! Pache, and a couple top 100 prospects
thebare
GM are catching on yoCon man Cashman is soon he won’t be dealt with after rental he has meeting with those players saying we will being you back next season a win win for the Yankees.
michaelw
No he won’t n Yanks fans will justify it he wasn’t worth Frazier
jmcossio87
Same. I hope the Rangers will accept something like Alvarez, Calhoun and other lower prospects. Gray would probably require one of Buehler or Verdugo.
madmanTX
Lol keep dreaming
ttinsley1434
Lol. Then you can keep him, keep paying his salary, and waist an opportunity to get something for him. Dodgers don’t need him to win, and won’t sell the farm to get him.
Sibert18
Hope is key word. They wouldn’t mind either of those guys but I doubt they’d be the ‘headliners’ Calhoun is limited due to poor defense and Alvarez is kinda high risk and really young.
jbigz12
A packaged headlined by Calhoun and Alvarez would be enough to net yu darvish.
tarheels23
I agree let’s hope it is sonny Gray can’t see giving up a lot for dervish just for the rest of the year
thebare
Cubs are dealing with strength plus lets not for get That pitcher / hitter from Japanare friends and will sign MLB contract in 2018
thebare
Just saying plus the heat in Texas is terrible you Darvich will be a Cub
thebare
Trade 1 on 1 for Candelea
oldleftylong
Dodgers will win WS if they get Verlander. Otherwise, Cubbies grab him and knock off the Big Blue. Go big or go home. Verlander is a gamer!
stl_cards16 2
I really don’t understand why the Cardinals would even hesitate to give Lynn a QO. He’s plenty good to give a 1 year $18MMish contract.
This is Lynn’s best shot at a really nice payday, I just can’t see him rejecting the QO. Even if he does, that’s a perfectly reasonable contract to have him on. If he’s not traded, he’ll get a QO, no question about it.
bsb129
I can see Lynn taking the QO because it would give him another year to prove that he is healthy and get an even bigger payday, but at the same time he would be risking another significant injury. Either way an interesting situation for the cards.
STLCards33
What in the hell does he have left to prove?
CompanyAssassin
Lynn’s been great for the Cardinals, I don’t understand why they’d let him walk. With how broken Wacha tends to be, and Wainwright winding down, you’ve already got 2 potential open spots for the only 2 prospects we have that are close. Flaherty still needs time, and other than Reyes and Weaver, no one is close. Flip Lynn if need be after a few seasons, but keep him for now.
Wainofan
Reyes, weaver and flaherty will all be ready by 2018 so that gives cards 8 starting pitchers with Lynn. No room for him. 18 million not bad for him, he’s worth it but just don’t have a spot. I’d wait till last minute and trade him to whoever offers most value, whether that’s prospects, MLB ready relief, position player or whatever
Wainofan
I’d also trade oh for whatever we can get at last minute. I’d would also sell high on gyorko, de Jong, Pham. Other players available for right price
STLCards33
And then have who play shortstop?? Diaz? No thanks. Gyorko isn’t going anywhere either.
EndinStealth
Agree, why would you trade DeJong. That makes zero sense.
Wainofan
De Jong is playing way above where he’ll end up, so trade him now for max value
Blasting Nonsense
You have no concept of how the cardinals operate. A rookie will never be flipped like Paul and get a package back that we would take. I’m gonna call you Steven A Smith. Pretty much just as dumb as he is
STLCards33
They’re not gonna spend 100 mill on a pitcher they don’t realllllyyy need.
cards4141
I completely agree. They make him an qualifying offer and are fine if he takes it. Flaherty, Weaver and Reyes are all just about ready. But the Cardinals could use the 200 innings Lynn would give them next year. And if he is smart and rejects the offer and gets paid a contract better than Mike Leake’s, then they’ll get a sandwich pick. There’s no way in hell they don’t give him a QO
jswat
They’d hesitate because he would reject it. And then he goes free agent and the Cards are left with getting a compensatory draft pick after the second round. They can get better than that via a trade. They could offer Lynn an extension but he’ll want too many
years and the Cards got too many young studs like Weaver, Flaherty, Hudson, Reyes, Alcantara, Gomber, etc. steamrolling this way.
thebare
Second round in return don’t do it Card nation won’t like it
jswat
Actually AFTER the 2nd round.
MoyBoy1974
Arizona sends: Mason McCullough, Gabe Speier, and Ildemaro Vargas to Minnedota Twins for Brandon Kinzler.
joe 44
i dont see the twins trading him for a light hitting middle infield prospect and 2 guys who are not even close to there not 30 prospects. one is a 24 year old who has 10 inning pitched at AA the twins have 4 young light hitting middle infield prospects on there 4 man roster. if they make any trades it will be for pitching as the main guy coming back
MoyBoy1974
ok then Minnesota wants Jimmie Sherfy and Jared Miller for Brandon Kinzler
Deve
While the Twins just recently passed below .500, i dont think they are out of it.
Let them lose a game or two to Oakland to see if they want to buy more or sell
joe 44
how do you not think they are out of it? have you watched the pitching? the have 4 pitchers that you trust pitching in a playoff game and 8 guys who should not be in the MLB. If it wasn’t for the great defense this year this staff would have even worse numbers then last years
66TheNumberOfTheBest
The Mets could serve as (near) one stop shopping for the Pirates.
Agree to take Cabrerra and one of either Bruce or Granderson plus Addison Reed for a semi-decent prospect.
They’d just be one Nova/Happ type SP away from filling every hole on the roster.
jbigz12
Except they’re always strapped for cash and you just asked them to take on a good amount of money
giants51
Pitching is always a plus going into the final half and playoffs
chicagofan1978
Even if the Cubs get Verlander what will they do? 6 starters. Dfa lackey? He already said he’s not going to the bullpen.
oldleftylong
They get Verlander, … they win the World Series. Simple as that.
ryanh48
I agree. He’s a horse and a clutch playoff pitcher.
justinept
Even if they DFA Lackey, then what? They’re not going with 5 starters in the playoffs? Verlander would either be replacing Hendricks or he’d go to the pen. I’m not sure he’s worth the investment at this time. I’d feel completely differently if they acquired him in December after Arrieta leaves
Bryzzo2016
They would probably go to a 6 man rotation down the stretch. Keep the innings light and the SP fresh for the playoffs. This will be their third straight playoff run, a lot of innings on those arms. Once the playoffs start- go with Lester, Q, Arrietta and either Verlander or Hendricks (depending on who’s hot) You never use a 5th starter in the playoffs, rarely even a 4th. Either way, it’s a good problem to have and it gives them a head start on replacing Jake and Lackey this winter.
wright0525
I’m not exactly sure why everybody is so in love with Gray, and so against JV. Gray has been average or worst the last two years, and is finally having a bounce back year. JV should have won the CY last year, and after a rough start, has been pitching like the old JV. Just saying, he’s not a scrub.
jdgoat
Gray had a bad year last year but has been good every other one. Verlander is having a bad year this year, is owed a lot of money, and is being overvalued by Detroit
TraderRyan9
And won the Cy young last year. Btw, idiot, if verlander is traded they will be sending cash with it. I would bet on it 100 percent.
jdgoat
“Idiot”
jdgoat
It’s honestly hilarious that you just got so triggered because I stated all facts.
KB R.
Verlander won the Cy Young last year…… better tell Verlander that….. I don’t think he knows. Kate Upton will be thrilled – she heard otherwise.
As for the “they’ll send cash with it. I would bet on it 100 percent” comment. How much are you betting, please say a lot. Cubs are rumored to be the most interested in Verlander but are hung up on Detroit’s UNWILLINGNESS to cover some of the money remaining on the contract.
oldleftylong
He is a damned good pitcher and teammate.
Sibert18
Gray has actually been really good this season, his ERA is a little inflated, plus he costs like 20M/yr less than Verlander who is aging and is having quite a bad year
justinept
He’s less expensive with more upside and is having a considerably better season. JV is 34, signed to huge money and is struggling badly this year. JV might not be a scrub, but is he worth $28 mil a year AND multiple prospects? Cause that’s what the Tigers are asking for.
justinept
Also Gray was only bad in 2016. He was really good in 2015… not sure why you think he had two bad seasons in a row.
TraderRyan9
Dodgers fans on this site are complete morons.
For the dodgers to get the overrated sonny gray it will take Verdugo and buehler.
Sonny gray, while I think is overrated, everyone wants him and is top starter on market and under contract for few seasons.
It will take dodgers two top.prospects to get him. Stupid dodger fans can think what they want, but that’s the reality..if it wasnt, a deal would have been done by now.
Dodger morons
dodgerfan711
You sound salty. I have barley even seen dodger fans make proposals for sonny. More like for yu darvish who is a rental. You must not have seen the yankee fans who thought refsnyder was a centerpiece in a gray deal. Trolling is your specialty
thegreatcerealfamine
I’m a Yankees fan and I feel you on those Refsnyder scenarios,but most were fake trolling accounts. I haven’t seen but a few Dodgers fans suggesting much on Gray mostly debating pro vs con of Verlander. This guys a tool.
dodgerfan711
Im not even judging them as real yankee fans. This guy just has fake outrage over something that didnt happen
jdgoat
I can’t believe how mad he is. He’s delusional and arrogant for no reason
OnlyRaysFan
Everyone wants him yet no one is paying the ridiculous price. Looks like the Yankees aren’t the only “morons” here
MooseMichaels
EVERY FRICKIN YEAR. Let’s bolster the bullpen…not acquire a bat WHICH WE FREAKING NEED. Cardinals haven’t had a good trade since Holliday. All we get are bottom barrel relief pitchers.
skywalkr2
Gyorko for Jay not good enough for you?
michaelw
You have your health moose.
Who’s a funny moose
real_ttebow_
JV is staying home. nobody should be willing to give up as much as the tigers are asking, even if they pay a ton of his contract off. Darvish goes to dodgers for either one of Verdugo or Buehler plus a few hopefuls and a lotto ticket, or 2 1-15 organizational guys and a few hopefuls. Gray and Alonso go to NYY for Mateo, Sheffield or Tate and a pair of lotto tickets.
abcrazy4dodgers
Small sample size, but the Dodgers would be thrilled to see AZ get Kintzler.
Dan_Oz
would love to see the Red Sox get Reed and Bruce
cwh1983
It’s looking like the Sox will stand pat, and just hope Carson Smith comes back and is at least decent……Slow clap commence
Cubsfan
Anyone think the cubs get verlander, grey or darvish.
Mikel Grady
Yes I think they get 1 of them. Hope gray but would probably cost happ schwarber or Baez . Gray is cheap. Verlander if we take his entire contract wouldn’t cost nearly as much . Love darvish but wouldn’t give what they want for a rental .
michaelw
No. One unless the Tigers pay more money that won’t happen
Gray /Britton would cost 2 prospects n Happ or Swarb
Darvish is a rental n not worth a mlb player or our highest prospect. To complicate things the Cubs are on his NT list
amishthunderak
Verlander will clear waivers and be available in August. He’s not being moved before Monday unless the Tigers pay alot of his contract.
michaelw
Everyone can dance around with their crazy trade ideas n input all day long.
None of those guys are going anywhere unless it’s top prospects or mlb read players. Say whatever u think your up for disappointment.
The Yanks aren’t giving up top prospects.
The Dodgers aren’t giving up top prospects and want a cheap option.
The Nats aren’t giving up Top Prospects or MLB ready players
The Cubs aren’t giving up MLB ready players this includes Swarb Happ Russle or Baez
Gray Britton Darvish Verlander Wilson will not be traded by dead line unless something gives above. Simple as that. Waste if time even debating it.