Earlier, we discussed a report from Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times indicating that the Cubs will be players if Ben Zobrist is marketed. In that piece, he also discusses the team’s need for pitching. Chicago is “in the mix” for Rafael Soriano and could also be interested in Diamondbacks lefty Oliver Perez. Discussing the team’s summer plans, president of baseball operations Theo Epstein hinted that the club will be looking hard at additions — as Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago said he expected on last week’s MLBTR podcast. “We’re trying to balance short- and long-term interests,” said Epstein. “But we’re in a situation [in which] we have a fairly competitive team right now, and we have some needs. So you don’t ignore that. You keep it in mind. But at the same time you can’t just go out and unilaterally add.”
- Nationals GM Mike Rizzo indicated that he believes the club can get by with internal options like Michael Taylor and Tyler Moore while Jayson Werth recovers from a fractured wrist, as Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post reports. The left-handed-hitting Clint Robinson could also see time. My own guess is that another lefty bat could be acquired if the right player becomes available, but that the team will not be aggressive unless the need becomes more apparent. It’s worth recalling, too, that Matt den Dekker is still available at Triple-A, with Nate McLouth still a possible candidate to return later in the year.
- Stephen Strasburg left tonight’s start for the Nationals after just five batters. As Dan Kolko of MASNsports.com reports (Twitter links), Strasburg is said to have suffered a left trap muscle issue of some kind. The righty, who has struggled uncharacteristically, said that his neck tightened up so much that he had trouble turning his head. While it does not appear that there is any concern with arm issues, Strasburg’s general difficulties and neck and back issues are certainly an increasing problem for him and the club.
- Cardinals GM John Mozeliak says he does not have any retrospective qualms over his acquisition of outfielder Jason Heyward, Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes. Heyward has shown some signs of life after a rough start, but the outstanding early performance of Shelby Miller stands in stark contrast at present. “I think whenever you make those kind of deals, there are reasons behind it,” Mozeliak explained. “And at the time, we felt that we had to do something. Not only looking at how we want this club to be put together, but we did not feel like there might be any other opportunities that would meet the type of criteria we’re looking for.”
- Though he has not yet been evaluated, injured Diamondbacks catcher Tuffy Gosewisch says a radiologist that looked at the MRI on his knee believes he may have a torn ACL, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic tweets. Certainly, that would mean a disappointing end to the year for the 31-year-old, who has struggled at the plate in his opportunity at a starting role. Arizona has called up recent signee Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who will presumably take a good portion of the time behind the dish.
- Several Giants players have upcoming opt-out dates, Andrew Baggarly of the Mercury News writes. Righty Kevin Correia can become a free agent on the first of June, while third baseman Casey McGehee can opt out on June 5.
I think Mozeliak going to regret that deal….
haha, I don’t think so. As a Cards fan, who has watched Shelby for years, he is just on “the revenge cloud”, right now he is risen high, but he will fall. Heyward had no qualms, so nothing to prove, Shelby has everything to prove. Yes, Shelby is signed for quite some time, and Heyward has a one year deal, and not shown the numbers we have hoped for, but it doesn’t mean he won’t. This deal will take another year or more to see…
I don’t understand. You just said Hayward is signed for this year only, so how will the deal take another year or more to see?
Think he means that he doesn’t expect Shelby to keep up his performance in the coming years, rendering the trade more defensible.
I truly doubt Shelby Miller will post a .204 BABIP all season. Regression will come. He’s still a good pitcher but he’s not *this* good.
I think it is quite obvious Miller won’t keep this up however going forward, he can be an extremely good pitcher. At one point, he was the 6th best prospect in baseball according to Baseball America. That certainly means that he has the stuff and ability to pitch great. The Cardinals sold low on him (and they really didn’t need him at the time) and the Braves will more than likely win that trade when it is all said and done (unless Heyward is extended). However, that should’ve been expect anyways. Whenever you trade for a rental, you are pretty much bound to lose that trade.
Anyone who’s watched him pitch the last 2 season knows he can be an extremely mediocre pitcher, too.
Heyward has EVERYTHING to prove. This is no way to produce in a FA contract year if you’re looking for a $100m+ deal.
Heyward has ever had 1 season with a WAR under 5.7. (He had a 5.7 WAR pace in 2013). He’ll top 100M with ease even if he has a down year this year.
If Heyward tops $100 million with ease after this year, then that’s just sad.
Why? Because hes one of the most value players in baseball?
Heyward I think is overrated as a player. The defense he provides is generally solid but as an overall player I don’t see anything that really warrants $100+ million, especially with the way he’s hitting this year. That being said it wouldn’t surprise me to see a team still offer him $100+ million but I don’t believe it’d be worth it.
Well the Cardinals are currently leading the league in ERA, which I imagine eases some of the sting. Now obviously they’d love to have more pitching (who wouldn’t) but it’s not like they’re the Red Sox
If only google translate would do Mozeliak. Those comments might be as close as he’ll come to admitting he does regret the deal.
If Miller does in fact stay this good, it will look like a reversal of the Wainwright/JD Drew trade.
This comparison is starting to get annoying.
EZ to knock this deal—-but Drew had an outstanding year for the Braves as did Eli Marrero. The Braves won their division in great part due to the success of these two so I rate it as a good trade for BOTH teams. The fact the Braves didn’t hold on to Drew is not a factor IMO. They knew what they were getting. Big difference between this and the Teixeria deal with Texas was Tex didn’t get the Braves into the playoffs and so it was a fail in spite of the fact Mark did a great job for Atlanta. Of course, that was a deal that put the Rangers in the World Series a few years later. If Heyward puts up good numbers the second half in helping STL to the world series then it’s a good deal for the Redbirds. This deal was made for the Cards to win NOW.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Dodgers made a move for Miller.
Considering that Miller is the one really bright spot for the Braves in a season where they aren’t doing as bad as many expected, don’t expect them to part with him unless the Dodgers offered a pretty decent package.
It is gonna take one of Pederson/Seagar/Urias to get it done. I doubt the Dodgers do that.
The Braves have Miller for another three years and he’s only 24. Why on earth would they trade him now?
Shelby Miller for Jason Heyward never made sense for St. Louis. Miller a young, controllable high upside pitcher. While Heyward is, in my opinion, one of the most overrated players (especially hitters) in the game.
No kidding. Guy hit a home run in his first at bat as a brave and he lived off that the whole rest of his time there.
Amen brother.
This whole thread is embarrassing.
The only way Heyward would be a win for the Cards is if Heyward hits a big stride in the second half, and signs an extension with them. And as much as I hope those things happen, I don’t think either of them will.
In respect to why you make that trade, it’s cause the death of Taveras (RIP), and not knowing that Grichuk, Bourjos and Jay would all solidly hit in the following year. the FO felt they had depth in the SP department, and you’d get back a great defender with the potential to be a superstar, and a solid set-up man in Jordan Walden. Sure it’s a gamble, especially with Heyward being a FA after this season, but it’s not like they gave up several high-level pieces to get the two.
Also, the 2013 and 2014 postseason showed the Cardinals not being that comfortable with Miller, for whatever reason. There could have been some tension between him and the FO possibly. Who knows.
If Heyward has a big second half and the Cards get to the WS and he’s a factor—-this trade is a success for STL. The Cards knew this was probably a one year deal and they’re playing for a championship NOW—not three years from now. STL has a darn good record under Mozeliak—I’d cut the guy some slack as someone who knows what he’s doing.
wonder if the A’s would take Travis Wood for Zobrist??