The Mets and Phillies are among the teams that have gone after Rangers left-hander Mike Minor this offseason, though the former is on his 10-team no-trade list, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (via Todd Zolecki of MLB.com). It may be a moot point anyway, as the Mets’ pursuit of Minor has reportedly “stalled” because of the Rangers’ asking price. The Phillies, meanwhile, would give Minor a chance to win a starting job in the spring, according to Zolecki, though he adds that they also like his ability to work out of the bullpen. If the Phillies miss out on free agent Zach Britton, whom they’ve been chasing throughout the offseason, they could acquire Minor and use him to fill their need for a left-handed reliever.
- Whether the Phillies will add another righty to their bullpen is up in the air, but it won’t be free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel unless his price comes down, Zolecki reports. However, if Kimbrel sits on the market for a while longer and becomes more willing to accepting a three- or four-year offer, it’s possible the Phillies could strike, Zolecki suggests. That’s what happened last offseason when they reeled in starter Jake Arrieta on a three-year, $75MM pact – far lower than what he wanted entering the winter – a few weeks before he 2018 campaign started.
- In signing southpaw Andrew Miller on Friday, the Cardinals fulfilled their desire to pick up a lefty reliever this winter. Before nabbing Miller, though, they contacted the Indians regarding Brad Hand, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. The Indians’ asking price for Hand was presumably too high, however, given his star-level production from 2016-18, team-friendly contract and what they surrendered for him last July. Just five months ago, Cleveland sent elite prospect Francisco Mejia to San Diego for Hand and fellow reliever Adam Cimber.
- Don’t expect the Astros to look for a reliever in response to righty Joe Smith’s injury, according to president Jeff Luhnow (via Mark Feinsand of MLB.com). “Losing Joe is a blow, but I don’t think it requires us to go out and get another late-inning reliever. We’re going to have enough good arms in the bullpen to do what we need to do,” Luhnow said regarding Smith, who will miss six to eight months after undergoing surgery to repair a ruptured left Achilles. Luhnow’s stance is understandable – even with Smith on the shelf, Houston’s bullpen will continue to boast a slew of proven righties in Roberto Osuna, Chris Devenski, Ryan Pressly, Hector Rondon, Will Harris and Brad Peacock.
“Losing Joe is a blow” – sounds scripted.
Still no updates on Kikuchi? What’s his market? I’ve been waiting for some news and there seems to be nothing. Maybe he doesnt want to play in the U.S after all…
Also I’m a bit confused on this because apparently he is in LA holding meetings with teams, but that news was reported a week ago and there still hasn’t been an update on it.
Probably gonna announce stuff after holidays. At latest after new years.
He has to decide by 1-2 iirc.
Perfect fit for the Jays then 😉
Cardinals continue to overvalue their prospects. Much better to get Hand than Miller. Once again, Gepetto and Pinocchio blow it.
Cards will be much better with Miller in stead of burning prospects for 2nd best. Sorry David your wrong.
I don’t really think you can blame the Cardinals on that one; it would make absolutely no sense for the Indians to trade him anyway.
They were probably willing to pay a lot for him, but I’d imagine the Indians set a price along the lines of “we won’t trade him unless you make such a huge offer that we’d be dumb not to.”
I’m betting they asked about Hand and Antonetti started laughing uncontrollably.
That’s probably accurate
Or he said he wanted Reyes and Bader. The cardinals have the players but the cost was probably exorbitantly high. I think Antonetti listens to offers on anyone not named Jose Ramirez or Francisco Lindor.
You are a broken record. The Cardinals have done a good job so far filling team needs. My guess is they will add another reliever and hopefully a lefty bench piece with some power.
I’m almost as broken a record as the baaaaaaah coming from the sheeple 24 hours a day.
No you just repeat the same three complaints and call people who disagree people sheeps. Now if you excuse me, I have some wool that needs shearing.
Cheer up sunshine
High and tight. Get it out of your eyes and ears so you can see and hear the truth.
what are these 3 complaints I have?
For someone who doesnt like being called a troll you sure call people names ALOT!!!
Daved. If they upset you so much then why don’t you just go root for some other team! It would save all of us the wasted time of having to scroll past your same comments!
Hes not a Cards fan. He just pretends to be.
But I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.
Sheeple is the name I use 98% of the time. However, since it’s the adopted name of Cards fans everywhere, it’s not considered a derogatory comment.
So I can’t question the stupidity of the GM?
If you expected to get Hand this year, you’re the one that should be questioned, Daved. There is no reasonable expectation that Cleveland would trade Hand now when he is their closer and that the Indians need bullpen help. Why would they trade Hand?
I didn’t realize Hand was “untouchable?”
The Indians need bullpen help so they are going to trade their closer. Common sense says it is unlikely that they trade him. Cleveland is also a playoff contender in the AL so again why would they trade their closer? All the newspaper report stated is they asked on Hand. That does not mean that Cleveland is shopping him.
Cleveland’s 2019 plans are all over the map. They have cut payroll, and they constantly are going back and forth on whether to trade Kluber and/or Bauer.
Exactly. A nothing burger.
You have to be the most negative poster on here, or a troll. Every thing you post is a slam at the organization.
So either you are a cards fan who hates the organization
A competitor fan who hates the organization
Or a total troll with no affiliation
Your posts are almost scripted at this point
I think he just likes to bash everything the organization does so one day he can say “see! I told you so!”.
You all are such suck ups to the organization. Hand is 28. Miller 33 and coming off 3 injuries in 1 year. The Cards “claim” to have this talent in the minors, yet they would rather pay $25M for an injured pitcher 5 years older than Hand. Keep grazing at 7th & Clark. Eventually Gepetto and Pinocchio will make the right decision on a guy.
Again, as Michael Chaney stated earlier, the Indians have no reason to trade Brad Hand as he is their closer that they traded a top prospect for last year. If Cleveland was shopping Hand you could then complain, but the Tribe is no shopping or TRADING Brad Hand. It is hard to trade for someone that is not available.
Stop using facts.
I’m not siding with anyone here……it’s just my 2 cents………
Many Cardinal fans were calling for Mo to call the Padres and “trade for Brad Hand” in July of 2018…….THAT would have been a great use of those “valuable prospects” (that haven’t proven they can play at the Big League level yet).
If the Cards traded for Hand in July, they wouldn’t have needed to sign Miller to a $25 Mil contract. And Miller IS 5 years older than Hand…..and has thrown a LOT of pressure-packed innings in his career.
As a Cardinal fan for decades……I must say that the front office has certainly created a situation where “they’ve lost some credibility”.
Goldy was a Great Pickup, but probably a 1-yr stop gap. He’ll test FA after 2019…….most likely. Cards probably won’t pony up the cash required to extend him……imho.
As “endinstealth” said, stop using facts….and common sense.
and this comment is exactly my sentiments and proof that Gepetto and Pinocchio are always a day late to the party, unless it’s happy hour at BRIO.
overvalue of prospects is league wide,, but I get what you are saying,, I am still on board with signing Miller tho,, I would have liked them to go after Will Smith of the Giants,,, but oh well
The lack of depth in left handed pitching has always surprised me honestly. If i have left handed kids I’m nurturing them from birth to be pitchers (:
A noble goal!
Osuna is a head case.
I’m almost as broken a record as the baaaaaaah coming from the sheeple 24 hours a day.
You’ve had a long day Daved, time to get some sleep so you don’t wake up grumpy on Christmas Eve
I’m fine. Just looking at things without my rose colored glasses.
So is Ozuna for STL
I would like to see the Cards sign Kimbril to 3 year deal with a 4th year option at around 14-15 mil a year
Or 4 years with a 5th year option . If it goes up to 4-5 years you would give around 13 mill a year average .
Then their bullpen would potentially be one of the best for a while.
Every team would like Kimbrel for that price. Reportly he’s asking 6 years 120m
He’s come down to $86M. So expect him to get less than even that.
@dave – that’s my point . I think the deal he will get will be within a few million of the two above options … of course I have no clue, but it seems logical
I would NEVER give a closer a deal longer than 3 years.
@ Williemays —- lol He never asked for 6 years 120 mil lol – it was 5 years for 100. Then it went to 86 mil, it will continue to go down, or no one will sign him . You sound like you haven’t read anything this offseason
Teams that have spoken to Craig Kimbrel’s camp early in the offseason have been told that the right-hander “is looking for a six-year deal,” tweets ESPN’s Buster Olney. This is from this website on November 30, 2018.
Well he may be “looking” for a 6 year deal.. but he’ll get 4 and a 5th year option.. at best.
..4 for $62M with a $2M buyout of a 5th year..
For a possible 5 for $75+ ..the plus is for some incentives which should be attainable if he’s healthy.. and bump it up to the $80M range.. this way Boris can tout it as a 5 year $80M contract
I’d tell Kimbrell, “here’s 3 years and $60M. Take it or leave it.”
That would be dumb. You could get him for 4 years at nearly the same price lol
Nobody is getting Kimbrell for 4 years at $60M….LOL right back at you.
If the Phillies sign Kimbrel I quit baseball. I can’t be seeing that up close for 4 years as a Braves fan.
They need to focus on outbidding the yankees for machado , then sign britton
Kimbrel is not Mariano Rivera, he won’t get what he thinks he should get. He hasn’t been lights out like Chapman and Jansen were when they became free agents.
Gotta feel bad for Mike. Even if the Phillies trade for him and sign him to a 10/$700 million extension, it’s still a Minor deal.
A merry Christmas for some teams, as several have already unwrapped their presents, and I’d have to agree, so far the Phillies have been pretty stupid with their spending, ….but there is still hope, and time.