The Yankees, Red Sox and Tigers are interested in A's reliever Craig Breslow, according to Yahoo's Jeff Passan (Twitter link). The lefty, 30 in August, has a 3.02 ERA in 44.2 innings so far in 2010. He has typically been effective against lefties and righties, but this year, righties are having a harder time against him, oddly enough. Breslow has posted 9.4 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9 this season so it's no surprise that teams are interested.
Breslow's salary ($425K) and controllability (he isn't scheduled to hit free agency until after 2013) contribute to his appeal. The lefty's Yale degree doesn't add to his trade value, but it distinguishes him from most ballplayers this side of Doug Glanville and Ross Ohlendorf. Breslow majored in molecular biophysics and biochemistry before the Brewers took him in the 26th round of the 2002 draft.
He went to Yale. I like him.
Its funny that the A’s, Red Sox & Phillies are all exatly 7 games out of their respective divisions yet the A’s are the only one that people expect to go into sell-mode.
not that funny considering the sox are 4.5 back of the wild card and the phils are 3 back of the wild card… A’s are 9.5 back… sooooo kinda makes perfect sense.
Correct, but the OP was stating that they are “7 games out of their respective divisions”. The wild card becomes a moot point when it’s easier to get to first. (9.5 games vs. 7)
the OP was trying to indicate that all 3 teams are in the same position in their division, yet only 1 is selling. Its completely inaccurate, just because the phillies are 7 games back of their division, as oakland is, why would they sell when they are a mere 3 games back of the post season?
Why on earth would Beane trade Breslow when he’s cheap and controlled for a few more years. Unless a team gives up a power hitter, or SS they have no reason to trade breslow or many of the other relievers we have under control.
Cause he likes to make trades that don’t make sense just to see how many prospects he can get in return, IMO. As an A’s fan, I lost hope for the A’s to ever win anything with Billy at the helm.
you need to read his recent interview where he talked about the need to get a new stadium. he has to play pick a prospect because lew wolfe won’t let him sign guys to big contracts until they get a stadium deal. Give beane some money and he’ll be dangerous. Wolfe just wants to hold the fans hostage to get a new stadium. I can’t remember where I read the article but it made a lot of sense, we really need a new stadium bad.
I agree with your post and being an A’s fan I know they need a new stadium. However, Billy is a minority owner, if he were so great at what he does how come majority owners aren’t lining up to give him a job?
It’s easy for us fans to blame Wolfe but in reality none of us know exactly what’s going on. With that being said, how do we know it’s not Billy making the decisions to line his and Wolfe’s pockets? After all, where the heck has all the revenue sharing money gone the last 4 or so years?
As my father would say, “What the hell do they need a new stadium for? They can’t fill the one they’ve got.”
While I kinda agree with your comment, I also feel a new stadium would create more revenue. As we’ve seen with all the other new stadiums around the league, the general public likes shiny new stadiums. They also like it when everything doubles or triples in price. Then, said general public complains that the players are overpaid. Go figure!
Its gonna take a lot to pry Breslow lose from the A’s. Breslow has been very effective the last two years for the A’s and I doubt the A’s are going to trade him unless they get an offer they can’t refuse. Not saying he is untouchable, but I doubt the A’s want to trade him given how valuable he’s been to the bullpen.
I agree, but let’s remember how valuable Wuertz was last year and now this year…
That is true, but only because Wuertz got injured at the start of the season and lost his effectiveness on his slider until recently. If Wuertz gains back the slider he had last year, then he should be solid again from here on out.
he looked good last night getting the save
Correct, but teams looking for a relief pitcher, or any other player for that matter, do not look at ONE game and decide he’s good. If that was the case, teams would be lining up to take Brandon Wood after his ONE good game a few weeks ago.
I know I’d trade for Wood, lol. I mean look at his boss season…
Wuertz has been pretty decent for the past 2-3 weeks. Back to 2009 form, I would say. Neither Breslow or Wuertz will be traded unless some team decides to overpay.
Too many ifs, ands, or buts for me.
Passan is just trying to make a story since the A’s are only 7 games out and a lefty who is under team control for another few years. The A’s would need more than just a top prospect unless it is a power hitter.
“The A’s would need more than just a top prospect unless it is a power hitter.”
Giving up a top prospect would be over paying. No way anyone would be dumb enough to give up a power hitter for Breslow. Yes, he’s cheap and under control for a few more years, but he is relief pitcher, nothing more. Now if any GM wants to prove me wrong and give up a power hitter for him, please be my guest.
Lar Anderson for Breslow,which could explain the Jack Hannahan depth move.
Haha I wish, but I doubt it. Would be a steal for the Athletics though.
Well if the Redsox brass actually think they have a chance down the stretch (I don’t think they really do) then they will have to give something up to fix the biggest holes. Also,I don’t think Lars’ value is quite what it was hyped at years ago.
Well if the Redsox brass actually think they have a chance down the stretch (I don’t think they really do) then they will have to give something up to fix the biggest holes. Also,I don’t think Lars’ value is quite what it was hyped at years ago.
“Giving up a top prospect would be over paying”.
Anything less would be underpaying since the A’s do not have a lefty to take his place and the low cost of his pay and he is under control for a few years. So why would they move him for anything less than a top prospect? They wouldn’t. But if a team needs a lefty the A’s have Bowers in AAA for the cost of some cash more to your cheap GM liking.
the A’s aren’t gonna trade breslow he’s on our best reliever
What were the Twins thinking putting Breslow through waivers two years ago?