The Rangers have identified two needs in their bullpen, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan. The club would like to find a left-handed reliever to complement Darren Oliver, and a power right-handed arm for the 8th inning.
Sullivan suggests that the Rangers will look first within their organization. For the left-handed role, Triple-A reliever Clay Rapada is perhaps the most likely choice, since the team has no desire to move C.J. Wilson or Derek Holland to the bullpen. As for the right-hander, Sullivan notes Chris Ray could emerge if Frank Francisco continues to struggle, though Ray hasn't exactly been dominant so far either.
If the Rangers' bullpen, which sported a 4.66 ERA coming into tonight's game, does not improve in the near future, the team might be forced to explore trade options. Last week, we identified a few relief pitchers that may be on the market this summer. The Blue Jays, who have a very effective lefty (Scott Downs) and multiple power righties (Jason Frasor, Kevin Gregg) in their 'pen, could potentially match up well with Texas.
scott downs for max ramirez? or maybe wilson font if anthoupolos is that good.
They jays have Arencibia and d’Arnaud so I they have their catchers
Please take Juan Cruz.
Heh… I wonder if they’d consider Carlos Zambrano.
Tanner Scheppers and Alexi Ogando please…
Good luck. I think just about every team would like a set-up man with a power arm.
Call the Padres. See what they want for Heath Bell, if they aren’t moving him for a reasonable price, ask for Mike Adams or Luke Gregerson. Adams and Gregerson come with a few years of team control as well as filthy stuff.
The Padres can spare them. They know how to pick up relief help that can help them on the cheap. They’ve been doing it for several seasons.
One complicating factor, though. If they beat the Giants tonight, they end up in first place. They might not be too eager to deal anyone at the moment.
Adams and Gregerson would probably take just as much to get as Bell because of their service time. Adams might even be better than Bell if he can stay healthy. I’d be surprised if either of those guys were traded. Even Bell isn’t going to be traded unless the Padres are out of it come the All-Star break.
This is stupid. Move CJ Wilson back to the bullpen, send Mathis back to the minors, and call up Holland and his .46 era through 3 starts from AAA to take his spot in the rotation. I still can’t figure out why they created a bullpen need by moving CJ to the rotation in the first place, especially when Holland could probably do just as well
He’s still on the DL….but I think Kerry Wood could be an option if the Rangers hold off on a move for a while. They were really interested in him last winter before the Tribe signed him. He’s pricy for a setup guy but not like the closers role is completely secure (though NF looks sick). Tribe would likely eat a million or two (assuming the deal goes down closer to July, he’ll only cost $5M or so (minus 2 should be doable for the Rangers). Tribe would’nt ask for a ton for Wood I wouldn’t think either.
Chris Davis for Frasor or Downs and then bring up Smoak.
Davis for Frasor or Downs. Then bring up Smoak finally, and Davis can fight for time with Overbay and Encarnacion.
Why would the Jays ever consider Davis, who would block Brett Wallace? AA isn’t stupid, and the Jays are in a rebuilding year.
The Jays are in a rebuilding year. Davis would only block Brett Wallace at 1B, and Randy Ruiz is getting stale sitting on the bench waiting to get an AB in place of Overbay. AA’s in no rush, and will wait for the right deal for Downs or Frasor.
Moving Frasor and Downs doesn’t make a lot of sense for the Jays unless someone offers up a top prospect. Not saying they’re worth it, but the potential for 3-4 high draft picks between the two of them offers much more upside than the marginal talent than anybody would be willing to pay at this point in the season. You never know though.
If I were looking for quality relievers on the cheap, I’d be asking the Jays about Tallet (who despite proving himself to be a mediocre starter, has been very good when used out of the pen) and Camp.
Angels should put Brian Fuentes on a plane today, say for a box of balls? Guaranteed additional seven or eight losses for the Rangers, taking them right out of contention.
Jays wouldn’t want Davis for Downs / Frasor. Overbay will be replaced by Brett Wallace at 1st.
I think if I was talking with the Rangers about Downs or Frasor, I would be looking at Tommy Mendonca as one of the pieces in the deal
if all the rangers have to offer is chris davis, then good luck.
If recent trades (Tabata, Bell, Allen, Bonifacio) are any indication, it’s certainly going to take a top 100 prospect to get a guy like Downs. Kasey Kiker might interest the Jays if he’s having a great season.