Bullpen help is always in great demand as the deadline approaches, and 2010 is no exception. With all of the relief rumors circulating today, let's take a look at some of them:
- Earlier today, we heard that the competition for Scott Downs was heating up, but that some executives think the Jays are asking too much. Ken Rosenthal tweets that the Jays are asking a lot for all three of their available relievers — Downs, Kevin Gregg, and Jason Frasor. The Dodgers inquired but are now looking elsewhere as a result of those demands.
- Buster Olney has heard that several executives think the Nationals will trade Matt Capps. The Washington closer is having a strong rebound season, but makes $3.5MM and will be in line for a large raise through arbitration prior to the 2011 campaign. With the strong results seen from Tyler Clippard and Drew Storen this year, the Nats have quality in-house options to replace Capps. GM Mike Rizzo recently said he's not shopping Capps, but he's getting lots of calls.
- Troy Renck of the Denver Post writes that the Rockies had a scout at Octavio Dotel's last outing, but they're concerned about his durability and switching from a closer to setup role. According to Renck, teams are monitoring the Pirates to see if they'd make Evan Meek or Joel Hanrahan available as well.
AA is gonna have to work harder now to get steals in the trade market, when your on a role like he is I think at times people will think twice about possible trades with you.
haha you’re probably right, he’s in a good position with downs being a type A though
being a Type A is useless unless he is offered Arbitration. Downs would be smart if offered Arb to take it being Gm’s are very unlikely to relinquish draft picks for a Middle Reliever. Juan Cruz was coming off an incredible season, declined Arbitration and then struggled to get an ounce of interest
Downs is a lot better than Cruz. If a team was going to sign another Type A guy, they’d be especially willing to sign Downs, since he would probably only cost a 2nd round pick (say, if the Yankees were to sign Cliff Lee and than him). Plus, Downs is a reliever and is getting up there in years, so he might prefer the total payout of a multi-year contract, even if it yielded less money per year than arbitration (and I doubt that, given what guys like Grabow have gotten).
Much better than Cruz today? Of course. Cruz entering his FA year 2 years ago, not at all (and Cruz was younger). I’m just saying a lot of teams are throwing the term draft picks around, but it is a risk to offer a aging reliever Arbitration being he will probably accept it. There are other examples of players on the market as well. Cantu if offered Arbitration would probably accept it, and i honesstly wouldnt be shocked if Werth did the same (which would explain why there is a new interest in Phills dumping him before he gets that shot). Draft picks arent assured, and as a player you really limit your options of teams to sign with if you decline arbitration (ask Varitek)
No, Downs is better than Cruz was in his walk year. Cruz walked 5.4 men per nine innings that great year. Anyone paying attention knew the ERA was unsustainable (not saying he wasn’t a very good reliever, but not at Downs’ level). Plus Cruz is right handed. Downs is a lefty who can actually get righties out. That’s a huge bonus. If Downs actually accepted arbitration, he would instantly become an even more valuable trade chip (who wouldn’t want Downs for a one year commitment?). Comparing him to Cantu, a bad defensive corner infielder who hasn’t hit well this year and was never that great, or to Werth, who wouldn’t accept arbitration with a gun to his head, is just silly.
Disagree but thats fine. Looke at Opponents batting avg and other stats they are very similiar. Righty vs Lefty is a huge advantage i will give you that. But let me ask you this. How many non-closers have gotten substantial mult-year deals after being offered arbitration by there current clubs. You won’t find many. Downs is a good reliever, no doubt but he isnt worth draft picks. Basically the one thing that makes him so desirable right now is the fact that he is available.
I don’t know what you’re disagreeing with. If you’ve looked at walk rates and still find the two pitchers similar, I don’t know what to tell you. Cruz has always walked too many guys to be more than solid. And in response to your question, how many non-closers in recent years have been as good as Downs for that long and not been made into closers? And how many of them changed teams? Scott Linebrink is the only one I can think of off the top of my head, and he did pretty nicely in free agency.
I wouldn’t say Anthopolous is on any kind of roll. He’s made some good trades so far – and I’d argue that the major ones have been pretty fair (League has been fine with Seattle), and both sides in the Atlanta trade seem happy with life. I’d say he knows how to play the game. I think what is impressing me most, for a rookie GM, is that he doesn’t seem to feel the need to make trades, or feel pressure from other GM’s and the media.Just because some of the players are FA’s at the end of the season doesn’t mean you *HAVE* to sell. I’d be happy if they resigned Downs for 3 years.
exactly, and if they trade two of the three or one of the three and still get some nice prospects. Or they could just keep Downs and get the draft picks. They could also sell high on Gregg before he possibly expolodes.
Steve, you’re right, it is certainly a relief that the Nats have Clippard and Storen as late inning guys.
What about Matt Capps for Edwin Jackson straight up?
the yankees should trade for Downs. make it happen Cash!
If George Sherill yielded Bell and Johnson at the deadline, why shouldn’t AA hold out for a big deal for Downs?
Sherrill wasn’t a pending FA.
Fair point. I forgot that. Probably because they would be better off if he had left in the offseason.
Does it really matter if Dotel switches from a closer to set up role? This is the first time he’s been in a closing role since 07, so in recent years he has more experience in the set up role.
There isn’t much chance that the Pirates trade Hanrahan or Meek as they won’t get much in return and they both have electric stuff with future closer possibilities.
I remember when Burnett was a lurking free agents and guys on here we’re saying the Jays should take Cedano and Donnie Veal from the Cubs just to get something for him. They got Jake Marisnick and Noah Syndegard for him with the comp picks instead of taking on those bums. Morrow of the story is the Jays aren’t taking other teams crap back just to make a deal, they’ll be alright.
Nice pun!
dotel is having a great year…his fastball has been electric and he has been overpowering most of the time. he started a little slow in May but since June he has been very solid. His ERA would be better if the Pirates defense wasn’t so terrible. Dotel is going to cost s few good prospects. He is the best reliever on the market…I would take him over Downs any day of the week.
According to FIP and xFIP the whole Pirates defense is terrible statement doesn’t hold up. He’s still much worse then Downs. The numbers clearly show that Downs is the better reliever right now and has been the better reliever over the past few seasons.
However Dotel is probably better then Frasor and probably Gregg too. Even though Dotel and Greg line up pretty even statistically this season.