There were five teams on hand Saturday to scout Rangers closer Keone Kela, Jeff Wilson of the Star-Telegram reports. The Diamondbacks and Pirates – both of whom have had previously reported interested in Kela – as well as the Red Sox, Indians and Giants were in attendance, according to Wilson. Kela didn’t pitch, though the 25-year-old has bolstered his trade value this season with a 3.28 ERA/2.85 FIP, 10.85 K/9 against 3.03 BB/9 and 23 saves in 24 chances over 35 2/3 innings. Adding to Kela’s appeal, he’s making a relative pittance this season ($1.2MM) and still has three more arbitration-eligible years remaining. The Dodgers are interested in Kela, too, per the Dallas Morning News’ Evan Grant, who adds that LA has also been scouting fellow Texas relievers Jose Leclerc, Alex Claudio and Jake Diekman,
- More on the Rangers, who have yet another potential trade chip in pending free-agent third baseman Adrian Beltre. While the Braves have been connected to Beltre this week, one source “downplayed” their interest in the future Hall of Famer to Wilson. Grant passes along different information, writing that the Braves’ interest in Beltre is “serious.” Whether a deal comes together will largely be up to the 39-year-old Beltre, who, as a 10-and-5 player, has full no-trade rights. Beltre spoke about his future Saturday, telling Grant and others in regards to the Rangers: “We have talked. I’ve always been at peace with being here. Obviously, we have talked before [about a trade], and if it makes sense for both parties, I would consider it. But up until now, there’s nothing concrete that we can sit and talk about.”
- Red Sox manager Alex Cora told Ian Browne of MLB.com and other reporters Saturday that third baseman Rafael Devers is likely headed to the disabled list with a hamstring injury. It would be the second DL placement this month for Devers, who went on the shelf July 12 on account of left shoulder inflammation, thus adding to a disappointing season for the well-regarded 21-year-old. After an impressive debut in 2017, Devers has batted a below-average .245/.295/.425 in 396 plate appearances this season, though he has shown off respectable power (15 home runs, .180 ISO).
- Blue Jays uber-prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is now one step from the majors, having been promoted from Double-A to Triple-A on Saturday. The 19-year-old third baseman tore through Double-A pitching in 266 PAs this season, hitting .402/.449/.671 with 14 home runs and nearly as many walks (21) as strikeouts (27) prior to his promotion. Both Baseball America and MLB.com regard Guerrero as the game’s best prospect.
- The Twins brought third baseman Miguel Sano back to the majors on Saturday. Sano earned a surprise demotion to the minors in mid-June after opening the season with a .191/.247/.353 line with seven home runs and 30 strikeouts against a mere two walks in 73 PAs. The 25-year-old’s only a season removed from an All-Star campaign in which he slashed .264/.352/.507 with 28 homers over 483 PAs.
Boston miss in the Eduardo Escobar deal!!
Woah, people, relax – we have Nunez and Holt with Lin as the backup for 2b / 3b. Pearce and Swihart could play there in case of emergency. Devers and Pedroia coming back this season hopefully. NOT our area of need. Bullpen bullpen bullpen!
Pedroia is out for the season. Its not been announced but its been widely speculated since hes done nothing baseball related since on the DL. Holt and Pierce are fine enough imo, but Nunez has been crap and Lin essentially has no bat and spotty defense.
If we could only make one more move right now, Id rather gamble on our bullpen being fine and going after a quality infielder for everyday duty. With Thornburg seeming to come around and Barnes and Hembree doing a well enough job other than the other night, we will have either Johnson or Pomeranz in the pen too when Erod returns. Weve also got workman in AAA who was only sent down because he was the odd man out to make room for Evoldi
The move us Beltre although he’s not an everyday regular any more.
People seem to think Steve Pearce can play 3B and 2B. He can’t. You’d wish for Nunez if Pearce ever did.
I tend to agree. You don’t want to move your players around in games that really count. Thus, my wanting Beltre. Get him to work with Devers when he comes back and keep Holt and Nunez at 2B and overall back up. Remember the team all has BP to soon add to the infield mix.
Braves should just let this season play out. They will win nothing anyway in the next 5 years with the prospect hoarding! The only award they win is having a useless top farm system.
Boston could make a move for dozier and play Nunez at 3b.
could also consider jays solarte.
Anyone think the BoSox have enough to offer the Marlins for Castro and Barraclaugh or is that just silly thinking by me? By the way, what do you think goes through Mr Henry,s mind when he writes out those $60 million dollar Cherrington checks for 3 guys that aren’t even on his 700 playing squad? (Hanley, Rusney and Pablo natch)
Castillo would get another shot I think except for the issues that would cause with the luxury tax. I could see Barraclough and Castro. Or Kela and Beltre. I’d also target Brach/Givens. Ideally two of the listed relievers and one of the fielders.
Id love to see a castro deal.
You only get Beltre if you plan on playing him every day
Guys Castro has a lazy streak that got him moved out of NY… has got a bat thou.. glove is somewhat questionable
That started in Chicago. If I was a fan of the Sox no way I’d want Castro.
If they blow over the next threshold and can find room on the 40, Castillo will be up in September or traded with Boston paying most of the freight. He deserves a chance. Hopefully the next CBA fixes this. While he’s getting paid, I don’t think the idea was to bury a player. Sox had the same thing with Craig but only Castillo played like a major leaguer in Pawtucket.
There are two thing a working against the Sox when considering a deal like this.
1. Their pool of quality prospects is already at its worst in over 20 years. Would be tough to compete with any other offers Miami received.
2. Luxury tax implications. A trade like this, since it would push Boston over the $237M threshold…. would cost them an additional $30M plus in taxes, PLUS they would lose 10 slots in next years draft.
I’m all for Boston ‘going for it’ to win, but honestly – they already are.
I think Dozier is the move that makes sense, then platoon Nunez and Holt at 3rd while Devers is out. Nunez should never see second again again, he’s a butcher out there. He shouldn’t see right hand d pitching on a regular basis either; the guy’s had an OPS of .630-something before a good game last night (good at the plate , he still booted a grounder right to him at 2nd).
Beltre please. He’ll cost next to nothing if AB approves the move.
If Boston were to obtain Solarte, Nunez would have to play 2B. Solarte’s range is questionable. He plays a decent 3B.
Dozier goes to Boston and thrives potentially looking at pedroias replacement just saying
don’t “just say” anything. It’s in poor taste.
Think Pedes contract goes thru 22…. so abit early to thank about a replacement
His payments go through ‘22…
Though be prepared as Pede is finished.
He took an at the time team friendly deal so it’s relatively manageable if he’s through. He reminds me of Bernard King years ago with his determination and retirement would be most surprising. If anyone can come back to all star level, it’s Pedie.
They signed Brandon Phillips for free. Even at his age, he’ll provide better defense in 2018 than all options mentioned except Holt. Offense and power are fine. A key playoff error or a hit because the fielder didn’t make the play is more likely than a clutch hit/homer from Dozier or Solarte.
After seeing how horrible Andrew Miller has been pitching in his rehab appearances, the Tribe needs to keep an open mind.
It was open, they got Hand from San Diego, now time to find a RH outfielder.
Agreed- Hand was a great addition for the Indians this year, and as a bonus he sets them up well for the offseason too.
I could see them adding a guy like McCutchen sometime next month.
Keep dreaming red sucks fans!!! Lol
Dreaming about what…
2nd place, 5 games out?
No championships this decade?
1 championship this century?
Actually it’s two this century. Why do people say this?
You mean the 99-00 season? It could go both ways. I like saying it started last century so it’s last century. But it could be this Century also.
Plus, 00 is nothing. 00 is not a year. 01 is year one of the new century.
And I know that’s not a good argument that’s just my reply to “Red sucks fans.” Not you greatcerealfamine you have good takes yes it’s two this century.
This is baseball, not football, basketball or hockey. There is no 99-00 season. That’s two separate seasons. You’re also contradicting yourself. You’re correct that the century technically starts at 01, but then say that it’s been two this century. If it starts in 2001, their only companionship this century is 2009. Either way, “this century” championship count is such a silly arbitrary cut off for “recentness.” They won 4 of 5 the years just before that. So that’d be 5 since 1996. Better than 5 since 1916, no?
Yea, I think that’s mikeyyank55 alternate account.
Dude you’re right !!!
What a knucklehead. Baseball starts in the spring….
Sheesh. Where’s my medicine?
Where’s Mikeyak55 been?
Me? Sox all the way, you know that Cerealfamine.
Brian Daubach, Mike Greenwell, Calvin Shiraldi, come on.
I’m guessing you’re one of those classy fans who threatened to hurt Jakob Junis and his family.
Please don’t lump him or her, and some others in with the rest of us.
Word is on the street that Jon Daniels is trading good young established talent with controllable years for second tier minor league talent. He must think the Rangers won’t be relevant for another three years or more. No wonder everyone is showing interest. That’s hard to figure given the fact the Rangers are building a new retractable roof stadium that will be their new home soon. And it’s disappointing for us season ticket holders.
As a Ranger fan it is disappointing. However, teams know that when a new stadium open they get a natural boost in new season ticket holders. A new ballpark gives teams a hall pass on fielding a competitive team. Sucks for diehard fans but it is what it is.
He hasn’t done anything like that and has stated publicly that he wants to keep kela but if there is a trade for a good projectable upper minors starting pitcher that he has to listen. He has proven to be very good at finding relief pitchers so replacing Kela won’t be that hard. But he knows he doesn’t have to trade him but would not be doing his job to not listen, especially when this many teams are interested.
Wonder what we could get for Beltre. Maybe Bryse Wilson?
It appears Bryse Wilson is all it would take to land HOF rental Adrian Beltre that can still fueld and hit with the best of them, albeit on a limited basis.
Wilson has big potential. It’s not a bad return for Beltre. He’s a good player but a rental, often injured and limited a bit in the NL.
I’d rather give em Ruiz/Wisler or D-Pete/Wisler.
I don’t wanna lose Wilson yet.
Personally I think 2b is the biggest need left…then RP… Especially now that Devers is hurt…we can not go into October with Nunez and Holt platooning at 2b! Or starting every game at 2nd and 3rd…Lord no…trade for Gannett
What about Fried, Phillips, Peterson & Ruiz to Rangers for Beltre, Diekman & Kela
Awful return for those three combined.
To me people are harsh on Devers being a disappointment , he had no AAA time. He is 21. He has a knack for big time home runs. Last night against Rodney and last year vs Chapman. I predict a good future.
^Agreed.
Devers needs time to mature. I just don’t feel comfortable with him in the field at 3B for every playoff game. I would also consider trading him in the off season as part of a MAJOR off season retooling if they don’t win this year. Not a give away but rather a win win trade both ways. Considering how little he gets paid, it would have to be part of a blockbuster.
I think Red Sox get Dozier and will be announced Monday.
Definitely not. Backups everywhere. Dozier hitting low 200s Lin, Holt, Nunez.
Bullpen help instead.
he’s a much better 2nd half hitter and brings much more pop and decent speed.
And lousy fielding. No deal in my eyes.
I member last offseason that the Dodgers were hot after Dozier, and had to settle for Forsyth.
He was the hot young guy to go after.
Would be great to have Beltre back in Boston. He still has gas in the tank, even as a part-time player. And he’d be a good mentor for Devers. Maybe Tex would take Swihart.
Remember when Swihart was untouchable?
Good times.
Swihart is on a 9 game hit steak –.440– plus he started at 3B today with Devers on the DL. Devers will be back in 10 days, and Vaz sometime in Sept. I wouldn’t be shocked if Swihart was one of 2 catchers on the playoff roster even if both Vaz and Leon are healthy.
Like both posts above. Only Boston management what they really think of Sweihart long term. Granted his hitting turn around is brief but this could be the only time left to trade him. Remember he has no options for next year. If the team still believes in him, Sandy might be gone next year.
I like the catching Duo of Leon and Vasquez.
In my opinion swihart is gone by Tuesday night. They’re playing him to trade him and create value.
Sox don’t need him he’s not quite good enough as a utility guy. Some team will need catching hell.
He is a goner.
Trade Blake while Vaz is out for at least another month? I do not think so. The reason they carried him all year was for just this situation. As long as they have all 3 on the roster they have insurance for the playoffs at the C position. Remember it is very difficult for a C who doesn’t know the staff to max out the pitchers which is the first job of the C’s.
Yes they’re trading swihart by Tuesday evening.
They can call up a guy from AAA to a backup Leon for 30 days. When Vasquez is back he’ll be well rested and can give Leon a rest.
Swihart is out of options, right? They can get a prospect or something for him now.
Just watch for the headline on mlbtraderumors.com. Red Sox trade swihart to….
Gary, are you a fake name for Kyle Downing? Swihart will not be a free agent until 2023. Out of options means that he can not be sent to AAA without exposing him to waivers. Therefore he will have to stay on the active roster (or DL) otherwise he will be claimed for 50K.
Are you writing a book for kids? Why did you not think I knew what that meant? They either keep him on the 25-man or expose him. What’s hard to understand?
I don’t think the Sox want him on the 25-man. They’re going to trade him in 48 hours. Get it?
Who said anything about free agent anyway?
The Red Sox aren’t trading Swihart by Tuesday. He played a pretty decent third base and his bat is coming alive. They have only Leon at catcher there is a zero chance they trade their current backup catcher. If Swihart is moved it will be in the offseason but highly doubt that too.
Bruin1012…You’re in for a big surprise within approximately 36 hours 🙂
Not happening
Good thing they didn’t trade Swihart nice walk off kid. They aren’t trading while he is the backup. He just needs to play his bat plays just needs the reps. Working with Varitek will also pay off in the long run.
Dewey Swihart has no options this year either it’s why they have kept him up all year or he’d have to clear waivers and there is no chance he would
Dude. If Swihart could actually catch–which is the big question–he’d be catching. Vazquez on DL and Leon STILL catching almost every day despite Swihart being available. Besides, you missed the entire point – I said Beltre, who still has gas in the tank – would be a good mentor for Devers. End of story.
That sure was a lot of comments about nothing. Devers Back in 10 days or so. Status Quo.
Calm down.
This entire site is built on comments about nothing.