The Cubs are among the clubs with interest in free agent pitcher Mitchell Boggs, tweets Jayson Stark of ESPN.com. The Phillies, Indians, Mariners, and Mets are also in on him. The Rockies non-tendered the right-hander after a subpar 2013. Here's more from the NL Central…
- According to a club source, the Pirates' deal for Edinson Volquez won't preclude them from re-signing A.J. Burnett, tweets Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
- A rival exec says that the one-year, $5MM pact for Volquez makes sense, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The exec says that Volquez boasts a Francisco Liriano-type profile with his strikeout rate and ability to induce groundballs.
- Tim Dierkes of MLBTR (on Twitter) wonders if the Volquez deal could hamstring Pittsburgh somewhat financially in their effort to re-sign Burnett if he calls for a $10-12MM commitment.
- The Cardinals signed right-hander Angel Castro for bullpen depth, tweets Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com reports that Castro was added to the Cardinals' 40-man roster, so it's a major-league deal. Castro spent last season with the Dodgers' Triple- A affiliate, posting an ERA of 3.48 with 7.0 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 in 19 starts and six relief appearances.
I’d like to know how they’d make room for AJ? Liriano, Cole, and Morton are locks. Wandy is a lock if healthy, and they just sign Volquez for $5 million. Volquez to the bullpen?
an expensive long relief/spot starter?
That’s why I’m confused
This move (if they still aim to sign AJ or another mid-rotation pitcher) Is a sign to me that they aren’t too optimistic about Wandy.
But, if he is healthy the whole year, what happens?
You don’t think its a good thing to have an extra starter? People get hurt.
Well none of them have options except Cole, an Volquez is the only one who’d go to the ‘pen, but he’s paid very handsomely.
That’s true, but having an overpaid Volquez in the ‘pen means a lot of other things went right.
I’m guessing someone could be traded mid-season but it wouldn’t be likely since I doubt anyone would want a half season of Wandy or Volquez. And where would Taillon fit if called up mid-season as expected? I also thought Cumpton would be a decent candidate for the 5th spot.
However, I tend to think they don’t re-sign AJ.
Might trade Wandy or even Liriano. You never know
What are the Pirates planning on exactly a 6 or 7 man rotation?
Also, I am going to assume there’s going to be a good crowd in Bradenton for Spring Training in 2014. Man, it was cold down there this year.
I doubt Wandy is good to go for Opening Day. I kinda doubt he’ll be good to go for more than a handful of starts anyway. Besides, a few teams are carrying 6+ starters, including both 2013 World Series teams.
I doubt Wandy is good to go for Opening Day. I kinda doubt he’ll be good to go for more than a handful of starts anyway. Besides, a few teams are carrying 6+ starters, including both 2013 World Series teams.
Volquez was lights out before his surgery. I probably needs to take a full year or two off and just let his body heal. At best he is AA material right now and his fastball is in decline. From 96 MPH down to 92. May not sound like a lot but that is taking you from an elite fastball down to what is expected of any fastball thrower. If you don’t break 90 on the radar gun let’s face it you become labeled a “finesse” pitcher or a “junk ball” pitcher.
Are we forgetting about Locke? How will he fit in 2014? Bullpen? AAA?
I was the biggest AJ fan, but it is time to let him go (if he really is looking for same money he got from Yankees last contract $17M per). Add one more starter with big upside potential (think Johan Santana), sign James Loney, and let’s play ball.
Angel Castro is a major league deal. He was signed to the 40-man roster on Dec 10th.