Jordan Lyles won’t get turns as a traditional starter to open the season for the Rangers, and he’s not thrilled about it, per Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News (via Twitter). Rangers manager Chris Woodward told the 6’5″ right-hander that he’s likely headed for 50-60 pitch outings, at least to start the season. Lyles surrendered more earned runs than any other pitcher in 2020, finishing with a 7.02 ERA/5.95 FIP in 57 2/3 innings. Outside of a 2-inning outing to start the season, Lyles served as a starter, though he did twice enter the game following an opener. Despite his struggles, Lyles averaged 88 pitches per outing as a starter/follower. The Rangers presumably want to protect Lyles while getting an extended look at some of their younger hurlers like Taylor Hearn and Brett Martin. Staying in Texas…
- Chander Rome of the Houston Chronicle wonders if Aledmys Díaz might make some sense as a trade candidate for the Astros. The utility man is set to make $3MM this year, and the Astros would love to trim a little off the top of their payroll. Díaz has slashed .265/.337/.470 in 306 plate appearances the past two seasons as one of the first guys off the bench. Robel Garcia and Abraham Toro are competing for the second utility guy off the bench, and it certainly makes some sense to consider a Díaz trade if there’s one to be had. That said, Diaz is the best fit as a backup at shortstop, and Carlos Correa hasn’t exactly been an iron man. The Astros could also try to move Brooks Raley ($2MM), Joe Smith ($4MM) or Martin Maldonado ($3.5MM) as a way to trim the payroll, though the latter isn’t particularly likely.
- Elsewhere on the Astros’ roster, they’re going to need to utilize their pitching depth from the jump. Recently-signed Jake Odorizzi isn’t likely to be ready for opening day, neither is Pedro Baez, currently on the COVID-19 injured list. Cristian Javier is also a bit of a question mark, not having pitched in a game since March 2, writes MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart. Zack Greinke, Lance McCullers Jr., and Jose Urquidy remain at the top of the rotation, but the final two spots may be up for grabs. If Javier and Odorizzi aren’t ready for opening day, Luis García and Bryan Abreu are back in camp and ready to audition.
Lyles is lucky to be on the roster. Gratitude.
“Cry me a river” for Lyles making $8m a year. He has never played for the Yankees, so I have not seen him often, but when I have he gets hammered ( usually in the 3rd or 4th inning). He reminds me of a guy named Bob Shirley. A long career in the Majors but with a losing career record who never ( for some reason) reached his potential.
Shirley? You can’t be serious.
He is serious & don’t call him Shirley
@NY_Yankee- Wow Bob Shirley! He was definitely unforgettable in a negative way. Lol
what are they protecting Lyles from, other than embarrassing himself of amassing more bad stats?
Who knows, maybe he was told when he signed that he was going to compete as a starter. A lot of judgement here with little info. Being “unhappy” that you didn’t get the job you want doesn’t mean you lack gratitude. Teams often like competitive fire like that instead of passively taking what you get
Brett Martin is not one the Rangers young pitchers being viewed as a piggyback starter. Yes Hearn is, but otherwise Cody, Benjamin, Allard and new acquisition Dunning. Possibly Palumbo and Burke when back to full health.
While I would agree for the most part on Martin, he does have the minors starting experience to be at least an option as at least a long man. dont think Dunning is a piggyback guy though. he’s a bona fide true starter.
Yes agreed, but they are going slow with Dunning due to his innings count last season and the associated timing with the proximity to his 2019 TJ surgery. Lack 2020 workouts/games really hurt those 2019 TJ guys (Cody).
the season was shortened anyway last year. that should help. honestly the best way to manage Dunning might just be skip his start every once in a while.
Lyles only pitches well with the Brewers look at Baseball-Reference
That’s because he belongs in the bullpen. He’s not a starter. The only reason he’s not gone is because he’s owed $8 mil. When they signed him I was like that’s a bad signing. If he was signed, he should’ve been signed to relieve and for significantly less. His best outings were relieving the opener.
The Lyles signing was obviously going to be bad and that could have been seen from a mile away. scratch that – a lightyear away
iang2424 –
That’s not the reason he was good with the Brewers. I actually have no idea what the reason was, but he was a starter for them and was actually very good. I don’t know that he ever pitched out of the bullpen for Milwaukee. Should have stayed there….he’s been terrible everywhere else but excelled in both stints with the Brew Crew
Lyles lucky he’s on the 3rd worst team in baseball. He is absolute garbage and wouldn’t even be the 7th man on my Cubbies
That’s really saying something considering how bad the Cubs rotation is.
Lyles is a former 1st round pick with a lifetime WAR of -2.3; that has to be depressing.
funny thing is its actually hard to get that low of a WAR. usually guys that bad don’t stick around long enough to accumulate thar much negative WAR. that means a lot of wasted promise.
I believe the Astros have plenty of pitching depth, granted the names aren’t household names to the rest of baseball yet… And I also believe that James Click and the front office have their payroll under control. If payroll space is needed they will make room for any additions. Chandler Rome’s notation of salaries on the bench and bullpen are correct, but I doubt the Astros will make any drastic changes unless it is warranted for making the team better just to gain a few million in cap space.
When Lyles started for the Rockies, you needed to be prepared to get 5 innings from your bullpen.
My guy is way overpaid and only has an ERA under 5.00 with one of his six career teams and he’s angry he isnt starting? lmao.
I hated that signing from the moment it happened. Some people are like but look at the metrics and I’m like yeah but the ERA and career win/loss. He’s not good.
Plus his career WAR being so bad.
He’s not happy? I’m sure the Rangers aren’t happy either!
Lyles should be stocking cleats at Dick’s Sporting Goods after that horrible season he had. He needs to shut his mouth and be grateful he has a job in Major League Baseball.
How is Diaz the best candidate to fill in for Correa? Bregman’s natural position is SS and Toro’s is 3B.
i mean you like Toro over Diaz? that’s the net difference. directly replacing Correa with Diaz also requires less shifting around of things.
I do, especially at the price.
i dont know how a team contending for a playoff spot can lean on a guy whose OPS last year barely cracked .500. Diaz may not be stellar, but $3 really isnt all that much.
Came here to say this. Bregman is a good defensive SS. Whenever Correa goes down, Bregman should slide over. Toro is a capable 3B and cutting Diaz as a backup to shed some much needed payroll is necessary at this point.
I don’t care what Toro has batted to this point, he hasn’t seen regular enough playing time to get an understanding of what he brings anyways.
I agree that Toro has more to offer than what he has shown so far, but contending teams can’t afford to count on guys, AKA trade away others, who have yet to prove themselves at the big league level. I hope Toro gets the opportunity to prove himself soon though.
Next step for Lyles will be stocking shelves overnight for Walmart. He’s on his last chance. If I was him, I’d keep my mouth shut & be happy with any role the manager offered.
Lyles needs to move to the bullpen.
Reducing his innnings and pitch count will help him succeed. He should be grateful
Diaz can play all four Infield positions and while he could potentially be a starting SS on another team (Reds) the Astros could certainly stand to keep his versatility around
Career ETA of 5.22 making 8 million and he’s not happy? How was he not released and signed to a minor league contract with an invite?
Dude, you’re making $8 million in 2021, have earned just over $20 million for your career and have played 11 seasons in the bigs despite having a negative career bWAR and an ERA+ of 81. Be happy you’re still in the bigs and not toilling around in the minors.
Lyles has to be the worst pitcher in the majors to have consistently secured a roster easily in the last 5 years minimum.
Correa is going to walk after this year. Bregman will slide over to SS, Toro will get a little more AAA playing time to get his reps. Toro is alot better than what he has shown. Look at his career numbers. Correa rakes when the spotlight is on him, but he cant seem to stay healthy. As much as I hate to say it, I think Click was hired to get the payroll back under the cap and possibly start running leaner like he did with the Ray’s. Not saying that’s all wrong since they did just go to a WS.