As usual, the relief market promises to be active in the coming days. As Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports via Twitter, one executive with a reliever to shop cited the Tigers, Indians, Orioles, Blue Jays, Braves, Brewers, Giants, Dodgers, and Pirates as clubs that are in the market.
Here’s more on possible pen moves:
- While many teams have interest in shoring up their bullpens, many top relief targets might not ultimately be moved, Rosenthal also tweets. He names Koji Uehara (Red Sox), Joakim Soria (Rangers), and Joaquin Benoit (Padres) as quality late-inning hurlers who could stay put.
- The Red Sox have received plenty of interest in both Uehara and southpaw setup man Andrew Miller, tweets Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, but the pair is not going to be dealt at this point given the club’s recent winning streak, which reached five games tonight.
- Among the most active buyers are the Tigers, who have scouted virtually all the available arms, tweets ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick. Detroit is showing interest in Antonio Bastardo of the Phillies, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports tweets, though the team is indeed keeping its eye on a wide variety of possibilities. That includes fellow Philly Jonathan Papelbon, adds Morosi.
- After shipping out their top two targets, the Cubs are receiving the most hits on lefty James Russell, writes Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times. Two other pen pieces — southpaw Wesley Wright and swingman Carlos Villanueva — are also “in play,” says Wittenmyer.
- Marlins closer Steve Cishek is a recent addition to the rumor mill, though MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro says that Miami has told opposing clubs that they do not intend to deal the righty. The 28-year-old comes with three more years of control through arbitration, though he’ll be well-paid after taking home $3.8MM as a Super Two. Meanwhile, with the Fish hoping to make a run at extending star outfielder Giancarlo Stanton after the season, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald cites a source who tells him that shipping out Cishek could have a negative impact on that effort.
Ausome7
What about McGee?
IZZONE
Doesn’t he have a lot of team control left or am I wrong he looked young when he played in Detroit.
Dynasty22
Jake McGee? He has 4 years of team control left. Doubt the Rays get rid of him.
Ausome7
If they’re selling then he should be available. He’s increased his value tremendously this season and is just the sort of “closer” Dave is looking for.
Dynasty22
I don’t know. Detroit seems to be connected to experienced closers.
MeowMeow
The Red Sox are giving me that feeling. That very classic Red Sox feeling where we start thinking “Hey, maybe they CAN do it! They’re playing pretty well!” And I’m not happy about it because I know how this story ends but I fall for it every time D:
Jaysfan724
Then please don’t score any more runs this series…14 is enough!
VAR
If you were a Red Sox fan before 2004, you should be immune to disappointment by now.
Of course it should be a considerable time before 2004 mind you.
MeowMeow
Disappointment is like the flu: the immunity you had last year isn’t relevant this year.
start_wearing_purple
Yeah this has been a very odd year. I know statistically speaking playoffs are highly unlikely and yet in the last 9 games they’ve played like the team that won the WS last year.
MeowMeow
I’m trying to avoid the P-word until the Sox get back to .500, if they ever do. But it’s so TANTALIZING.
bigbadjohnny
Following Cubs are up for trade…….anyone on the team except Rizzo, Castro and the Top Six Prospects ( Bryant, Baez, Russell, Almora, Alcantara, Edwards)
IZZONE
I thought Castro, Russel and Baez might be available if it is for a young SP prospect.
bigbadjohnny
That is NY Media dream trade talk…….not on the trade table.
petrie000
which, in baseball talk, means “it’ll cost you the baseball equivalent of your first born… plus at least 1 future Ace prospect”
SwingtimeInTheRockies
The Padres would do well to move Benoit if a really good offer comes along. The Rockies should sell on LaTroy Hawkins, too if there’s a taker. The Rockies, tragically, need a closer like..well, like somebody who has no use for something. We don’t ever have ninth inning leads to protect.
nwh2787
Dodgers are pretty much in limbo with those contracts….:/
Alex Andreopoulos
And by “in limbo” you mean “currently tied in 1st place in their division” and “currently on their way to a playoff berth”.
nwh2787
No. In limbo as in the their outfield, hitting, and pitching situation. They are actually 2 games out of first with the Giants. However, the back end of their rotation is struggling, the hitting is powerless, and the bullpen is not solidified. You also have the issue with the four outfielders. Trading Kemp is not a great option at this point because of his $107 million that is owed to him. They are better off riding out this season to trade him during the offseason, that’s the risk that they should take. They should also look to acquire a fifth starter because Haren is not doing the job. He is struggling. So I say dump Maholm and put Haren in the bullpen and acquire someone like Tommy Milone from Oakland for a minor league reliever. If Colletti can make it happen he will he’s done it in the past.
Alex Andreopoulos
“Currently” was 3 days ago, when they were tied in first place.
DetroitTigers
I Know what the tigers should do. I am a tigers fan so here goes.
Jonathan Papelbon Austin Jackson
Antonio Bastardo FOR Joe nathan
Jimmy Rollins Draft picks
One or 2 prospects
The reason for my thinking is because we as tigers fan want to win NOW. We have been soooo close. Move Nick Castellanos back to outfield. Rajai davis in center. Torii hunter in right. Suarez 3rd base or shortstop and jimmy rollins 3rd base or shortstop. Opinions anyone??
maxp
?????
You can’t trade “draft picks” so you have to come up with the names of some prospects. Any they’re going to have to be pretty good ones to take back Nathan (as payment for some of Papelbon’s contract, I realize)
cgriffith
Austin is not being traded. He has above average defense and currently is batting .360/.402/.560 in the last month; add he’s under team control and that Ausmus and Dombrowski said Nathan is the closer (for now) not being traded and your trade makes no sense at all:
Rollins has a no trade clause – we on it.
If you said Papelbon & Bastardo that’s possible but I think we give up Ray, Suarez and probably Thompson for sure possible Moya too.
DetroitTigers
Look at Jackson previous months. .213 away isnt good. As i said, he is either hot or cold. more cold.
DetroitTigers
Sorry cg Jackson was traded. lol
DetroitTigers
let me repeat that
jonathon papelbon, antonio bastardo, jimmy rollins FOR
Austin Jackson, Joe nathan, draft picks, one or two prospects
Opinions??