The Angels have watched the Athletics add Jeff Samardzija and Jon Lester — and now Geovany Soto — to an already-strong club, but they don’t feel a compulsion to make similar moves, Kevin Baxter of the Los Angeles Times writes. “You have to make sure you tend your own garden,” says Angels GM Jerry Dipoto. “Don’t worry about what they’re doing. Do what you know will help our team get better.” The Angels will be without Garrett Richards and Tyler Skaggs for the rest of the season, but Dipoto points out that acquiring a starter to replace someone like Richards is different from acquiring a backup catcher, as the Athletics did today. The Angels did recently add Gordon Beckham in a trade with the White Sox. Here’s more from the AL West.
- Derek Holland has missed all of this season due to a knee injury, but he’s excited to return to the Rangers in the near future, writes Christian Corona of MLB.com. “There’s no doubt I’m ready. That’s for sure. It’s just now, are they ready for me to come back?” says Holland. “I’ll take whatever they give me. I’m happy to be playing after what I’ve been through.” Holland has recently had back spasms, which could be a complicating factor, although he now says his back isn’t bothering him. Either way, his return will surely be a day of relief for the Rangers, whose season has been destroyed by injuries to Holland, Prince Fielder, Jurickson Profar, Matt Harrison, Martin Perez, Alexi Ogando and numerous others.
- With Soto’s departure, the Rangers promoted rookie Tomas Telis, and giving them a preview of what the position might look like for them in 2015, ESPN Dallas’ Calvin Watkins writes. Telis will back up Robinson Chirinos for now, and the Rangers will decide which of them will start next season. “[Telis has] really taken a step forward with his game,” says GM Jon Daniels. “I want to take a look at both those guys.” Top prospect Jorge Alfaro still looks like the Rangers’ catcher of the future, but for now, he’s at Double-A Frisco.
- Scott Feldman isn’t concerned that the Astros placed him on revocable waivers, Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle writes. “I don’t think it’s something to worry about,” Feldman says. “It’s part of the game. If they put me on waivers and somebody wants me it will probably be a win-win.” Feldman adds that he’s also happy to stay with the Astros. Feldman is in the first season of a three-year, $30MM contract, so it’s unclear whether someone will claim him. If they want to, they’ll have to do it by tomorrow. The Angels and Tigers might be possibilities, as Peter Gammons noted earlier today.
I can’t believe Scott Feldman is getting $10M/yr.
False. He is getting $12 million this year, $10 million next year, and $8 million in 2016.
Ok, Dwight. Let me check my math. Yep, still comes out to $10M per season.
I can’t believe Shark is struggling this much recently. Not looking like a good trade for A’s
Once Cubs fans got their top prospect, the whole ace debate sort of fizzled.
I feel like the cubs fan hype up their players more than most of the other fans. Once they get prospects they just say suckers
this is why most Cubs fans were thrilled to see him go. He’s a no. 2 at best and rarely shows up when you need him the most.
Most Cubs fans I saw at the time of this trade were complaining that they didn’t get enough in return.
I’ve noticed from the 5th inning on, when there is a moment in the game where the hitter needs to be clutch, Samardzija gives it up almost every time. He’s anti-clutch.
It must be me, but i see shark as a solid 4, 3 tops.
Both Russell & McKinney are tearing it up…Straily is doing okay for now……..and don’t forget the PTBNL coming to the Cubs.
Samardzija thought he was an “Ace”……so did Billy Beane………but Theo knew better!
So did Cubs fans before he was traded…
If anyone read local Cubs blogs for the last two years, 9 out of 10 Cubs fans loved Shark…..thought he was second coming of Greg Maddux………problem with most Cubs fans is they fall in love with local boys who are not that good……Shark is average….but not a great pitcher.
Samardzija has a higher WAR than that of Greinke, Sonny Gray, Tyson Ross, Julio Teheran, etc. He’s far from average.