In his weekly Inside Baseball column, Jon Heyman of Fan Rag takes a look at the tightly packed AL Wild Card race. He also provides some notes from both the American League and National League. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights of relevance to the transactional landscape:
- While the Astros could still conceivably renew their pursuit of Tigers righty Justin Verlander, it may be that the talks are over barring a significant change of heart from one or both of the organizations. Heyman cites a source who said he felt negotiations were “put to bed last week.” In other news regarding Houston, Heyman says the club “never got serious” in their apparently limited pursuits of Jose Quintana, Sonny Gray or Yu Darvish in July, and one source indicated to Heyman that it never even made an offer for Quintana this summer. The Astros, of course, pursued Quintana extensively this offseason, so the front office was likely already well aware of Chicago’s lofty asking price for Quintana.
- It seems the Giants have yet to place righty Jeff Samardzija on waivers, with Heyman suggesting it’s seen as unlikely he’ll be claimed when he does go on the wire. But the belief is that the starter could be targeted if he does clear waivers. Samardzija has carried compelling strikeout (160) and walk (23) numbers through his 155 2/3 innings on the year, though he has also allowed 22 home runs and owns a 4.74 ERA. He has turned in four-straight quality outings, it’s worth noting.
- The Rays are interested in finding a right-handed hitter, according to Heyman, though it’s unclear just what the club might realistically look to do. Tampa Bay has not performed as had been hoped when the team reshaped its roster over the summer, which surely also alters the picture. Reserves such as Trevor Plouffe, Daniel Robertson, and Peter Bourjos have all struggled with the bat, though finding upgrades will be challenging at this stage. (As mostly goes without saying, the decision to part with Tim Beckham has not looked good thus far.)
- After striking a variety of deals already, the Mets are “still working hard” to deal away more players this August, Heyman writes. Veteran outfielder Curtis Granderson still seems like the most obvious possible trade piece, though perhaps infielder Asdrubal Cabrera, lefty Jerry Blevins, catcher Rene Rivera, or even recently-acquired reliever A.J. Ramos could be moved.
- The Braves are considering exercising their $8MM club option over knuckleballer R.A. Dickey for the 2018 season, per Heyman. That option comes with a $500K buyout, effectively making it a $7.5MM decision. The Braves are pleased with the 42-year-old’s durability, innings and leadership. Through 141 frames this season, Dickey has a 3.89 ERA with 6.1 K/9, 3.5 BB/9 and a 49.5 percent ground-ball rate. Realistically, the club would be hard pressed to find better value on the open market and will need the innings next year.
- Some clubs believe that the Angels are the team that placed the claim on Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler, per Heyman, who notes that Anaheim is still in the market for a second base upgrade. However, the Halos have only “limited” interest in Braves second baseman Brandon Phillips, who has reportedly cleared revocable waivers and is having a solid season at the plate.
ericl
The Astros have a chance to win a World Series & their front office refuses to add a starting pitcher. It is kind of baffling. They clearly need another starter. They could have easily made an offer comparable or better than the package the Athletics to from the Yankees for Sonny Gray. They could have made a push for a pitcher like Lance Lynn. Yet, they do not do anything.
jeff51488
Yep, welcome to the frustrating world of an Astro fan.
JrodFunk5
The same Astros fans who complained about how bad things got 4-6 years ago now want to do that again for a 2% better chance at a WS title?
astros_fan_84
That’s not completely fair. The asking price was too high. Also, I wasn’t completely impressed by any of the options available.
Kslaw
Really? All 3 top options are much better than what the Astros currently have. If trading Tucker could turn into a WS title you take the shot.
astros_fan_84
It would have taken more than Tucker to land any of those guys.
The Astros post season chances are tied to health and the way they play in Oct. An extra SP isn’t going to dramatically improved their chances. If the team doesn’t hit, chokes the lead, or scores a bunch of runs, it doesn’t matter who’s starting. Since the team is doing a lot of that right now, standing pat is solid move.
I realize that they punted the lead by not adding, but so what? October is filled with surprises. I didn’t endure ten years of mediocrity to get pissed about my team being in first place.
dodgerfan711
Tucker is an absolute stud. Trading him would make no sense. Gray and darvish didnt get that high ranked of a prospect. No other starter would be worth tucker
Astros44
Well said! It’s obviously a little upsetting to see they didn’t make an upgrade with pitching but they’ve got about at least 3 seasons with the team they currently have and they’re aiming to make a 10+ year span of dominance by keeping their farm. It hurts right now but like you said, October is unpredictable and they should only be getting better over the next 3 years. I’m worried about a WS title for 2017 but in luhnow I trust!!!
padam
I have to agree with dodgerfan. Keeping Tucker and adding him to an already loaded lineup while controlling him for years at a cheap salary is a better long term strategy. The Astros can always pickup a pitcher via free agency in the off season. And they’re still a favorite to go deep in there playoffs this year.
jmi1950
Have you looked at the available FA SP’s. Who are they going to sign for 3yrs / 63 MM which is what they would get counting 2017 as a yr in Verlander (even if Det paid no $$$). They don’t have to give up Tucker or anyone else. They have 20 valuable prospects. Some they need to keep and some they need to use to try and win now. Most of them will never be needed in Hou.
charliethefutureGM
The asking price for Gray was pretty reasonable. The Yankees had a loaded farm system and didn’t have to give up anyone they were really upset about.
jaltuvefan
Considering it would’ve cost Fisher and at least two other prospects to get Gray no it really wasn’t
Astros2333
It was reasonable to a team outside the division. You always charge a special tax for trades inside the division.
Michael Chaney
I say this with the caveats that I’m not an Astros fan and that I was born in 1998, but the situation you’ve described with the Astros sounds a lot like the mid-90s Indians. My dad still laments the fact that they didn’t pull the trigger to get Randy Johnson.
Kylesamac
There was no Randy Johnson this trade deadline. The market overall sucked. Too many teams holding out for the second wild card for anything significant.
Chris Archer would of been the Randy Johnson of this deadline had the Rays not gone on a run heading into July to get into shouting distance.
Kylesamac
One Billie Beane’s value on players is completely different from everyone else. To him the Yankees prospects could of been much better than anything Houston could offer.
Two, this team and Lunhow are looking to create the 15 year run the cards went on in Houston and commit to a contract like Verlander or trading players like Whitley and Tucker is counter intuitive to that.
The Astros are going to have the opportunity to win the World Series for quite a few years given the fact this is team is tied for the 5th best offense according to WRC+ and will only get better because of their youth.
They have a great bullpen and all their starters are quality start machines. Keuchel is back to being Keuchel, McCullers is going to comeback fine.
This team was lapping the AL, with four of their startering pitchers taking about a month’s worth of DL time minimum, for most of the season, any addition they could of wanted would of been a luxury.
jmi1950
As I remember I heard the same BS in 2012 when Wash mismanaged Strasburg’s innings and shut him down for the playoffs. Give me some time so I can remember of of those Wash WS teams in the last 5 yrs. When you have the chance go for it.
There are 2 reasons to build a great farm. One to have your future stars. Two, to have assets to trade when you are close to winning it all.
steelerbravenation
The Braves should keep Phillips to play 3rd next year. I am sure he would be open to it being that he is a local guy. Platoon him and Ruiz. Play Swanson at SS and Albies at 2B Freeman at 1st and Camargo as a utlity guy.
I hope the Braves bring up Acuna in Sept to see how he handles the majors in the final month. If he proves he is ready then maybe they can move Kemp to the Rays in the offseason.
RunDMC
For Jonny Venters
SoCalBrave
Acuna won’t be brought up, he is not in the 40 man roster and we need those spots to protect as many players close to the majors as we can.
SoCalBrave
from the rule 5 draft
baseball10
Good point. Braves have been super aggressive with promotions and its odd to say as fans but they need to slow it down a little. They will need to choose those 40 man spots wisely. I say June of next year for Acuna
jmi1950
June 2018 sounds right for Acuna. Remember the Cubs with Bryant and the Nats with Stras. By waiting you get an extra yr before FA.
tharrie0820
They won’t bring up acuna. They need the 40 man roster spot
arizan
Phillips won’t play third. If it’s not a second base job, he’ll go elsewhere. After watching him reject multiple trades from Cincinnati before they finally threatened him with no playing time, he’s going somewhere only on his terms, which means a starting second base job.
RunDMC
I wouldn’t be so sure. Phillips has been nothing but vocal about his enjoyment being home and close to his family, despite being on an underperforming team. He’s taken to 3B well, and he knew how stocked ATL’s system was in middle infield depth, just like everyone else…and he did not block the trade. That being said, another better offer could come along at 2B, but he still looks to be a better option than Rio Ruiz – if ATL does not go after Moustakas, etc.
pplama
Hey Angels,
Yolmer Sanchez.. Cheap, lots of team control and a 1 WAR upgrade over what you’re sending out there.
Hey Orioles.
Bring back Miguel Gonzalez. Cheap, and better than your current #4 and #5.
angelsfan4life
I agree with you on Sanchez. Gonzalez not so much. The Angels if they trade prospects, they want players who will be at least with the team through next season.
oldleftylong
The Astros will be bumped in the AL playoffs unless they secure a veteran starter. Interesting how a team with such a deep farm system can’t realize these are trading chips. Cubs, Bosox and Indians have done it well.
Philliesfan4life
With Lester out now, the cubs make swing a move for Verlander or somebody else.
stymeedone
Cubs no longer have the top prospect needed to headline a trade for JV.
pplama
Top prospect for Verlander!?
Kslaw
Lol. It’s always top prospect for JV. The prospect depends on how much money the Tigers want to eat.
Kylesamac
No they do, but they also realize you don’t drop 100k chip on the table when you only need 10k chips to get things done. Going all in when you know you are going to get a lot more hands to play is how a fool and is money are easily separated.
usafcop
Kluber being his usual dominant self along with Carrasco….Salazar and Bauer all pitching lights out right now….I would say we are looking at an early exit for the Astros….great lineup and all but I don’t think they can beat the Indians right now in a series….my pick….Indians vs Dodgers WS
Whyamihere
The Indians beat the Jays last year in a game they started Ryan Merritt. The notion that the Astros “can’t beat the Indians in a series” is ridiculous. They might not be the favorites, but the Astros absolutely have the talent to play with anyone in baseball.
usafcop
Astros failed to acquire a front line starter….Indians quartet pitching lights out right now….Indians vs Dodgers WS
MrMet33
The Mets moving Blevins or Ramos is the dumbest thing I’ve read in a while. They specifically acquired Ramos to replace Reed in 2018 and neglected to trade Blevins in July because they intend to exercise his option. Also – Blevins was had his waivers revoked when he was claimed. Lazy reporting.
bravesfan
Gosh, I think i’m actually ok with the braves going out and keeping RA. With these young guys, you never know how many innings you’re gonna get out of them. Folty is one of our better pitchers and look how brutal he was the other night. And we all know JT’s struggles this year. Might be nice to have that stable piece that goes out and gives you a chance every game whilst going deep into a game. RA isn’t lights out by any means, but he generally keeps us in the ball game and doesn’t blow up.
I just don’t think there is anyone in AAA that will be quite ready next year. Gohara might, buttttt not sure he’s quite ready. we have a load of guys in AA that need at least a half a year if not more in AAA to see if they are near MLB ready. So I think keeping RA might be worth it. I mean, who else are we gonna use or go get?
RunDMC
I agree that consistency is needed – that’s what we brought him in for, and they expected it more so from him than even Colon, after RA was the only 1 of the 2 that got an option.
That being said, Gohara should see the field early next year, if not the chance to compete out of spring training. He’s proving himself at AAA right now, and I can imagine seeing Soroka up sometime around June/July, without incident. It’ll be interesting to see how they move along Kyle Wright in his first pro season, considering he’s had the SEC experience, but it looks like 2019 will be a huge year for ATL with possibly Wentz, Anderson, Allard, (Soroka, if he’s not already up). I can’t imagine we’d still have all those names, using some as trade bait. I really up they push out the inconsistency that is Newcomb, Folty, etc.
ChipperHofF2018
I think it’s a great move for the price. We have a lot of young pitching and we need him to not only eat innings, but be a mentor to all these young arms. I also think Soroka and Gohara could both get an invite to spring training with them competing for the 5th spot behind Folty, RA, JT, and Newcomb
I also think it’s time we deal some of these prospects for proven talent, but who? I think I would rather keep Wright, Anderson, Allard and Newcomb, with Allard being the most expendable, but I don’t know. Personally, I would like to see us get a front of the rotation pitcher and a middle of the order right handed bat. I hope and pray at least one of Swanson, Albies, and Ocuna pan out. It seems like we haven’t had one of those cornerstone prospects pan out for a while and you also need veteran talent at some point. Someone to rely on in the middle of the order with Freeman. Good problems to have
Quick, do you guys think Swanson will get it together?
RunDMC
Will Swanson figure it out? Yes. He’s been good recently, he just needs to keep his head in the game. I watched him make a boneheaded play bringing his foot off the bag for a double-play (runner safe), then hit a triple in the bottom of the inning. He’ll be fine, but I wish experience could magically appear now.
Get rid of Newcomb when Wright, Anderson, Allard are ready. Newcomb will never have the control he needs to, sorry. Maybe he’s better in the bullpen with Folty, but these guys need consistency and control and they’re just not making consistent strides.
TylerThe bravos fanatic
Dickey is the only one worth watching pitch. Pitches the same everytime I love the knuckle ball
jmi1950
Astro fans who are ok with not getting Verlander now should look at the list of FA SP’s this winter. There is no one who will not cost them more $$$ and more yrs (therefore more risk).
Verlander gives them 3 shots at a WS for 63MM max even if Det eats zero $$. As for prospects they won’t find 40 man spots for all of them let alone playing time.
bondjamesbond
Exactly. And there aren’t a lot of quality FA SPs this offseason.
When you have a chance to go to the WS, you jump on it. Never know if an Altuve will get hurt next year or after, and wipe out another potential chance. Players do have down years, too.
Kylesamac
Verlander’s arm falling off next year is just as likely as Altuve getting hurt. In both situations you are offering a lot of such and such bad thing can happen when the trade doesn’t do anything to prevent or prepare for that happening anyway. In fact you could make the argument trading for Verlander makes such a thing worse as money being tied up and the lose of prospects that could of filled in for the team.
Kylesamac
They have those 3 shots at a WS already, with young guys like Whitley and Tucker giving them another two or three.
angelsfan1522
As a angels fan I would prefer Brandon Phillips I just don’t think we should trade anyone from our farm system considering it is one of the worst in the league it’s starting to progress but there is so much work that has to be done to make it better I also think cowart has been a good spot filler I just don’t think he is able to hit in the majors but I think he has earned the job for next season
Barb
Personally, I don’t understand why the Angels don’t give Kaleb Cowart a full chance at 2nd base.