The Blue Jays are set to place corner infielder Matt Hague on waivers, tweets MLBTR’s Zach Links. Hague, who just turned 29, was recently designated as part of Toronto’s roster-clearing for September call-ups.
Here’s more from the AL East:
- Blue Jays righty Brandon Morrow has shown recently that his stuff can play up in a bullpen role, as Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca writes. While his $10MM club option for next year is still unlikely to be exercised, the 30-year-old could revive his career by returning to the pen, where he spent some time previously. Of course, as Davidi notes, Morrow still may be intriguing enough as a starter that he could look for an opportunity to stay in that role, where he thrived in 2012 (2.96 ERA in 124 2/3 frames). Saying that he still hopes Toronto will exercise the option, Morrow said he will otherwise “see what offers come in” and choose “which option you feel like is your best opportunity.” Morrow emphasized that he still thinks he can bring more value as a starter.
- Recent Red Sox signee Rusney Castillo is now just one step removed from the majors, as Tim Britton of the Providence Journal writes. The big dollar Cuban free agent is expected to play in a playoff series for Triple-A Pawtucket and then debut with the big club sometime next week.
- Yesterday, I asked MLBTR’s readers to weigh in on the Orioles’ slate of possible qualifying offer candidates. With over 12,000 votes recorded, outfielder/DH Nelson Cruz proved the most popular option as a potential recipient, followed by shortstop J.J. Hardy and outfielder Nick Markakis. It will be interesting to see how executive VP Dan Duquette handles the trio, especially with rising arbitration salaries for position players like Chris Davis, Matt Wieters, Alejandro De Aza, and Steve Pearce. Given Cruz’s big season and Hardy’s consistent production, it would seem quite enticing for both to turn down a QO if it is made. Given their respective ages, however — Cruz recently turned 34, while Hardy just turned 32 — draft compensation could prove a significant hindrance to their markets.
But… but…. I thought numerous other Pirate fans here were sure Matt Hague was going to hit 20 homers for the Blue Jays next year!!!! 😉
Or Brandon Morrow can come to the Pirates and follow Burnett, Liriano, and Volquez as the next reclamation project. He’d fit the rotation perfectly with Cole, Locke, Morton and Worley.
If Locke, Morton, and Worley are ALL in the rotation next year, we have no hope. Look how Morton has pitched lately, he’s completely fallen apart. I have no faith in Locke. Way too inconsistent. Worley I don’t trust at all considering his season(s) before this. Cole is possibly even a question mark coming off the injury! Hopefully we can get something to improve the rotation, because we don’t have a chance with the rotation we have at the moment.
With the exception of his year in Minnesota, Worley has been pretty decent
Well, the reality is, all of these guys are under contract for next season (and then some). I don’t know why you think Cole is a question mark, he is the Pirates ace. Morton is guaranteed for the rotation, due to the fact that he just signed an extension. Locke would be the Pirates only LH starter next year, so he’s in. And Worley has earned himself a spot with how he pitched next year. Liriano and Volquez will be gone. I don’t know who else you think will make up the Pirates rotation. They’re not going out to sign Scherzer, Lester, and Sheilds.
It seems that the Jays aren’t keen on signing any of their free agents. So, what do they plan to use on the field next season? There’s only so much meat available at AAA Buffalo. Will they troll everybody else’s waiver wire? That’s how they got the AAA meat. Neither the fans nor the established plaers are looking forward to the next rebuild. Don’t signal it too early, or it’ll start even earlier than that.
You realize they have only two real significant free agents (Melky and Rasmus), a third if you consider Janssen significant. They have 5-7 good starters and almost all of their position players are still under contract. The sky is not falling for the Jays.
Why would anyone be keen on paying Morrow $10 million next year? The Jays could still try to sign him once he becomes a free agent, but they won’t pick up that option. And I think it’s clear Rasmus will be cut loose. The amount it would take to resign him is not worth it given his production this year, and the fact they have an adequate replacement in Gose. Not extending Melky is the only questionable non-move thus far. Thankfully for them, it seems he wants to stay there, but we’ll see. Players have said that before and bolted when the offers hit the table, and the bigger offer was elsewhere.