The Indians need steadier performances from their starting pitchers, Paul Hoynes of the Plain Dealer writes. Corey Kluber and Trevor Bauer have pitched well, but beyond that, the Indians’ rotation is in question. Help might be on the way from the minors — T.J. House and Danny Salazar are set to return to the team this week, with House (who last pitched in the big leagues just ten days ago) pitching for the Indians on Monday and Salazar Tuesday. Also, Justin Masterson is currently in the midst of a rehab start for Triple-A Columbus. Indians GM Chris Antonetti said last week that he believed in the team’s starting pitching and would be unlikely to trade for more unless it represented an obvious upgrade. Here are more notes from around the American League.
- The Royals have interest in Phillies outfielder Marlon Byrd, Jon Morosi of FOX Sports tweets. It’s not clear, however, whether the Royals will be buyers at this point — their recent slide has left them at 48-49, seven games back in the AL Central and four games out of the last Wild Card spot.
- The Blue Jays are interested in outfielder Chris Denorfia of the Padres, Morosi tweets. Denorfia has not hit well this season (.243/.293/.327 in 244 plate appearances), but he’s hit very well against lefties in his career. Like Padres teammate Chase Headley (in whom the Blue Jays have also shown interest), Denorfia is a free agent after the season.
I can’t imagine Denorfia nor Headley costing much on the trade market, so why not?
Why the hell would the Jays be into Denorfia?
Hits lefties, can play all 3 OF positions.
(Edit: will also hardly cost anything in trade as he is FA at season end, is in a down year, and still has a couple dollars owed to him)
He’s also been an above average defensive outfielder for his career with his Rfield never being below 0.
He replaces Darin Mastroianni, so he’s an upgrade anyway you put it.
He’s also been an above average defensive outfielder for his career with his Rfield never being below 0.
He replaces Darin Mastroianni, so he’s an upgrade anyway you put it.
Actually his splits this year favor hitting righties more than lefties.
Career splits don’t.
Hate to drop it here, but…… Small Sample Size
Hits lefties, can play all 3 OF positions.
(Edit: will also hardly cost anything in trade as he is FA at season end, is in a down year, and still has a couple dollars owed to him)
Denorfia is awesome. Even though he’s in a funk right now, he’s a total gamer and the perfect bench/platoon player. I’m hoping the Padres keep him.
So Antonetti won’t trade for pitching unless it’s an obvious upgrade? Hey Chris, would you consider David Price an obvious upgrade?
David Price would be an upgrade.. for three months and one season. For that three months and one season, the Rays have requested 6 seasons of Francisco Lindor, 5 Seasons of Danny Salazar and 10 seasons of two other well thought of prospects. Doing the math, that’s 21 seasons for 1 season and three months. The service time for the prospects being given in trade, not to mention their projected performance and the track record of large contract players, might be part of the consideration Chris Antonetti is weighing in his decision.
Would Ian Kennedy be an upgrade.Salazar for Kennedy maybe.
I think that one is a possibility. Guess we have to wait and see how Danny pitches on Tuesday.
From everything I read, the Padres asked for more for Kennedy than they got for Street. What makes you think they would give him up for a kid with an ERA well over 5? Especially when pitching is what the Padres system is strong in.
You’re assuming all prospects make the majors, and/or stick for their full 6 years of controllability, which just won’t be the case. Most prospects flame out.
Yes and add to the fact that every prospect has 5-6 years of control. So if we are playing that game, no player in the MLB should ever be traded for a prospect unless he has 5+ years of control left.
I get the love for prospects and control and am never one that wants to give up too prospects for mediocre talent, but some people overvalue both things I mention far too frequently.
I don’t know/think the rays could get all the four names mentioned for Price but they should be able to get Lindor, be he a top prospects or not. Price is a top pitcher in the game who is going to help this season and next wherever he goes.
So you’re assuming that the Rays would get everything they ask for?
Remember, the amount of Price’s contract will also come into play. And Lindor is going nowhere. How about ACab, instead? And we’ll throw in Santana and Swisher to sweeten the deal.
And then the Royals got swept by the Sox and it didn’t matter anymore.