The latest rumblings on the starting and relief pitching fronts…
- Talks between the Rangers and Diamondbacks regarding Zack Greinke are “mostly dead,” according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports (via Twitter). Three other teams, however, have some interest. The Phillies and Yankees have both reportedly checked in on Greinke, though it isn’t clear if either is one of the three teams Heyman references. The D’Backs are willing to cover at least some of Greinke’s huge contract to facilitate a deal.
- The Rangers have interest in Japanese right-hander Kazuhisa Makita, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports. The 33-year-old submariner will be posted by the Seibu Lions before December 31, though there hasn’t been much word on what other MLB clubs may be exploring Makita’s services. Adding Makita would be part of GM Jon Daniels’ overall bullpen strategy of adding lower-cost relief options rather than commit a lot of payroll space in an increasingly-expensive market for free agent relievers.
- The Rockies haven’t yet received a response to the “nice” offer they made free agent righty Greg Holland, Jon Heyman of Fan Rag tweets. Colorado is hoping to quickly polish off a deal with the closer, who obviously impressed the club in the 2017 campaign.
- The Twins had interest in a reunion with former closer Brandon Kintzler, though Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports (via Twitter) that the team never made a formal offer to Kintzler before he signed with the Nationals.
Solaris601
If AZ is willing to eat a significant portion of Greinke’s contract, the Phillies really seem like a logical match.
angelsinthetroutfield
Wonder what Arizona is willing to eat. Like $40m? Even at $21m/yr Grenkie isn’t a bargain. I really like the dude but damn was that a massive contract.
brucewayne
Yes it is! I think Arizona was trying to keep Greinke away from the Dodgers
brucewayne
and they hurt the team by way overpaying for him.
T_Rexx2
Even if they don’t eat it it could be a logical match. The Phillies have plenty of money to toss around and could take on that contract and still spend big next offseason, even after signing Santana and the 2 relievers recently.
woolcorp
So glad to hear that Jon Daniels is continuing that tradition of treating the bullpen like you can just plug anyone in and get results. It was very successful in 2017!
ef1t
uh well it did work out in 2016, but let’s ignore that right?
Sibert18
You right, let’s fire him and give you the job since you’re clearly far more knowledgeable
jbaker3170
Oh, the classic “Well let’s see if you can do better” line, which translates to you literally could not think of anything else to say
davbee
No, it translates into calling out a know-nothing contrarian.
jd396
Or it translates into “You can’t criticize this executive I like because he’s an executive and you’re not nanananabooboo stick your head in doodoo (sticks tongue out)”
Benklasner
I’m intrigued by makita but im more curious that there has been no tal about seung hwan oh. He wasn’t that bad last year and great the year before.
bastros88
The diamondbacks are foolish to trade their ace, although the rotation will be fine without him. I think pitching is more important than offense, you can just ask the Rockies
eduardoaraisa98
They didn’t even make the playoffs though and they’re at a hitters park half the season
kent814
They did make the playoffs…
iverbure
There is this thing called a budget all teams have to follow. And when one player takes up like 27% of the budget, even if they’re really good than that player needs to be traded but more importantly shouldn’t have been signed in the first place
retire21
As famous MLB philosopher Bob Veale once said, good pitching will beat good hitting, and vice versa.
dimitriinla
Yet another reminder of why long-term pitching contracts are a losing proposition for the club that signs a pitcher to one.
CursedRangers
Long term contracts are a losing proposition regardless of whether it is a pitcher, or a position player. They almost never work out for the club.
Codeeg
Almost never?
eilexx
Long-term contracts are not exactly terrible unless the team overpays or signs a player to a contract it cannot afford, both which was the case with Greinke and the Diamondbacks. There at lots of long-term deals that actually benefit teams more than player.
jd396
The main idea is, purchasing more than 3 or 4 free agency seasons has a spotty track record. Purchasing 6+ has an even worse track record.
StuMatthews11
The Angels will get Makita if they want him. We’ll see your Astros’ Joe Smith … And he comes with a built-in nickname: Power Tool.
tobyharrah1977
No they won’t. Have you already forgotten Ohtani wants the Asian market to himself in Anaheim?
jd396
The Impact Driver.
ctbronx7
Zach Greinke a perfect target for the Yankees — of 1987. Overpaid, his best years behind him, ill suited to play in New York.
GoRockies
Greinke would be terrible for New York, he’s got social anxiety he would fall apart in front of that media
thickiedon
With only 1 yr of Keuchel left, Greinke might be a fit for the Astros. Along with salary relief, he could bring McHugh, and 2 prospects