The Cubs traded Kyle Lohse to the Twins in a four-player trade on this date in 1999. Lohse, now a member of the Cardinals' rotation, is putting together a strong season as he approaches free agency. Here's the latest from the NL Central…
- The Pirates are "laughably overdue" for some offense, Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writes. Though few trades are completed in May and more teams than ever are in the playoff race thanks to the additional Wild Card berths, Kovacevic says the Pirates must find a way to add offense. No team in baseball has scored fewer runs than the Pirates, who are averaging just 2.9 runs per game.
- Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com hears that the Cubs will be patient with Anthony Rizzo and that a promotion isn’t likely this month (Twitter link). The Cubs acquired the first base prospect from the Padres for Andrew Cashner last offseason, but first baseman Bryan LaHair is hitting well at the MLB level.
- The Brewers' decision to lock Jonathan Lucroy to an extension looks wise, Heyman writes. The 25-year-old catcher has a .342/.389/.550 batting line in 132 plate appearances this year.
Lucroy had the exact same line at this time last year….then tanked.
The joys of catching…it takes a toll on players. Plus, I think pitchers learned how to pitch him better last year (up and in) and he probably adjusted to it this year. Plus plus, he fights off a lot of bad pitches to see the good ones.
That’s one lucroytive extension for the team if he keeps this production up.
Hey Pittsburgh, we here in the Bronx have a certain first baseman taking up space. Maybe he can benefit with a move to the NL :)
Hypothetically, what would be fair value for Teixeira? He’s making $22.5 per year through 2016, but he is a four-win player.
Based on the Pittsburgh prospects?
Yes. I’m sure the Yankees would have to eat some salary if they were to deal him, but the Pirates would have to correspond by adding more/higher quality prospects.
I would try to get Dickerson, Marte, Locke/Owens, and McPherson. May be too rich for the Pirates blood though if they think Tex will stay the way he is right now though.
You can forget about Marte unless the Yanks pay at least half his salary, even then it would be a maybe. I’d be for it but it’s a tough call. I doubt Pittsburgh would take on the entire salary, and if they do it would probably be around the waiver deadline where they can claim him for nothing.
“The Pirates don’t need offensive. It’s overrated.” ~N.H.
Sadly, Huntington has not been responsible for acquiring one good offensive player, via trade, free agency, or draft. Tabata and Alvalrez have only shown flashes so far, they are probably below average MLB regulars right now.