The sudden availability of David Price will shake up the starting pitching market, of course, but there are plenty of less significant, but still notable developments to cover. Let’s take a look in at a few notes on the pitching market.
- Reds starter Mike Leake is among the many pitchers still being considered by the Blue Jays, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets. Per Rosenthal, the club is looking at a variety of arms at a similar level of ability, with the hope of getting the best value out of a deal.
- The Astros are “monitoring” the market for bullpen pieces, ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick tweets. They have given at least some thought to quality arms like Craig Kimbrel, Joaquin Benoit, and Francisco Rodriguez. Houston is also still involved on Cole Hamels, though it still doesn’t seem that they are terribly likely to get him, Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle tweets.
- The Pirates, meanwhile, seem to be looking more at middle relief options, per MLB.com’s Tom Singer. And the Angels are also looking to add another arm to their pen, MLB.com’s Alden Gonzalez reports on Twitter. Los Angeles is looking for something on the order of last year’s addition of Jason Grilli says Gonzalez. Presumably, the same holds for Pittsburgh, which sent Grilli out west last summer in exchange for Ernesto Frieri.
- With many teams (including those just noted) looking to add arms, the Braves are “getting lots of play” on righty Jim Johnson, Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com tweets. Johnson isn’t too expensive, has been solid this year, and has obviously spent a lot of time in high-leverage situations, so it stands to reason that he’ll be moved to a contender looking to build out their stable of relief arms.
- The Royals asked the Tigers about Price before acquiring Johnny Cueto, but moved on to the righty when they learned that Price was not yet being marketed, Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star tweets.
- Wondering who the teams listed above could target? MLBTR recently listed the starters and relievers most likely to be available at this year’s trade deadline.
St. Louis needs to put a package together to aquire Leake and Votto from Cincy.
Dont think it would take much, since im sure Cincy would jump at getting Votto’s contract off the books
That’s my point exactly. Mo is so worried about giving up prospects and he wont go for an elite arm even though we could use one on our current staff, that this move would not cost us much at all.
Except it would cost you 22.5 million a year until 2024…..when Votto is 40. No team is going there.
They did singlehandedly beat St Louis last night.
I say you offer Cincy Kaminsky Bourjous and Scruggs.
I say Jocketty laughs at whoever might suggest that. He’s already got 1 speedster in CF that can’t hit and no need for an AAAA 1st baseman.
Votto is an immovable asset. No one is taking on his contract and I dont see the Reds eating a significant portion of it just to move him.
I don’t think Jocketty would do that. Plus I don’t think the Cardinals would have anything the Reds would want other than the top prospects which the Cardinals wouldn’t give up.
Why would Mo trade for an albatross contract like that when he didn’t even offer an icon like AP that much? Plus, we don’t need another #3 or #4 pitcher.
Adam Lind is the smart man’s move.
I would be looking at Jim Johnson and Benoit if I were part of the contending clubs.
Then I say St. Louis offers Philly a package of Reyes, Pham, Bourjous Cooney and Adams for Hamels and Howard. It’s a win win for both teams.
Pirates are correct in looking to beef up the bullpen. After Melancon, Watson and Hughes, it’s been pretty ugly. Middle relief should be right at near the top of the list of needs, right next to right-handed batting first baseman/corner outfielder.
Benoit and/or Johnson to Houston I hope