The Astros and Padres have discussed starting pitching, reports Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune. It’s believed that Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross were the subjects of the talks. Lin characterizes the conversations as “preliminary.” He believes the Astros are performing due diligence in case their pursuit of Johnny Cueto goes awry. The Rangers are also known to have interest in both pitchers. Cashner is a free agent after the 2016 season while Ross is club-controlled through 2017.
- The Rangers have placed catcher Carlos Corporan on the disabled list and recalled Tomas Telis, reports T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com. Corporan is sidelined with a sprained left thumb. The news comes just a couple days after we learned the Rangers were open to trading Corporan to clear space for Telis. The 24-year-old prospect saw 71 plate appearances last season and has hit relatively well in the minors. This year, he’s managed a .291/.327/.404 line at Triple-A.
- Astros GM Jeff Luhnow is remaining open-minded heading into the trade deadline, he tells Brian McTaggart of MLB.com in an interview. Specifically, he’s looking for a piece that can help the team reach the postseason and succeed in October. Beyond that, he mentioned the rotation, lineup, and bullpen as areas that can be improved. Luhnow also suggested that some talks could drag into August. The interview does make one thing clear – the Astros would like to buy, but they’ll keep an eye on the long term implications as they do it.
- A change of scenery could be in order for Elvis Andrus, opines Frank Cesare of GammonsDaily.com. The 26-year-old has declined to replacement level production since signing an eight-year, $120MM contract that expires after the 2022 season. Andrus was once known for above average defense, speed, contact ability, and plate discipline. He’s hitting a career worst .245/.303/.328 even though his peripherals are comparable to his career rates. His defense has dropped below average over the last season and a half. Undoubtedly, the Rangers would be happy to escape his contract, but there is a dearth of obvious suitors? A change of scenery may be ideal, but unless Texas ate a large portion of his contract, a trade is exceedingly unlikely.
- With the Rangers seven games back in the AL West and five games below .500, the club needs Martin Perez to perform immediately, writes Gerry Fraley of the Dallas Morning News. Perez returned from Tommy John surgery this past Friday with a five inning outing. Aside from Yovani Gallardo, the club has received little value from their starters. The team’s starters have combined for a 4.14 ERA – 12th worst in the league. Martin has a career 4.16 ERA and 4.07 FIP.
If the Padres are trading Ross who’s got 2 more years of team control beyond this season they better get a Colin Moran or Derek Fisher back.
Plenty of teams need pitching and have prospects to acquire Ross.
Ross may not be Cueto or Hamels but he’s a quality 3 decent 2 and comes with team control that Cueto doesn’t and won’t cost what Hamels will.
If the Padres were smart they’d wait for Cueto to be dealt before agreeing to trade either Cashner or Ross cause once Cueto is gone their price just went up.
You can’t wait, bc Cueto isn’t getting moved until a day before the deadline. Teams compete against each other to drive up the price!
Cueto will be moved befite then. He’s the premier pitcher that’s likely to be dealt.
A team that wants him will do what it can to acquire him now, even overpay now, to get him so the price doesn’t become insane at the deadline.
The Reds should wait but there’s always the risk of he’s priced himself out of many teams ability to land him which drives the price down cause they know the Reds have to deal him or get a QO pick for him.
20 or so teams want him, by the time the deadline rolls around only 5 or so will actually be able to afford him without severely overpaying. 1 of the 15 that want him now should step up, acquire him, and improve their chances.
That would give you an hour at best to field new offers before the trade deadline expires.
So Luhnow wants to improve the entire team, is what he’s saying. Or is he happy with the bench?
Well outside of speed it has everything you could want from a bench with power and versatility. Once Lowrie comes back you get Valbuena’s power coming off the bench which I think he’ll do well in that role.
I don’t know that Texas has anyone in the minors at shortstop who is better and why eat a big chunk of his contract if you can’t find anyone better than Elvis … who has not done well since signing that new contract.
Chances are, they’ll give Profar a chance at SS. Yeah, he’s been injured for two years but he’s a former top prospect, has shown his worth and is still only 22-23 years old. Plus cheap. No reason not to. I see Texas eating some of his contract just to move him.
That Ross and Cashner are under team control for through 2016 and 2017 is exactly whey Preller shouldnt trade them.
Not sure why these “experts” are even discussing a trade for andrus. His contract was set up as such as to make sure other clubs would keep their hands off him. Most notably the Yankees. Players go through peaks and valleys. To go on about him having some troubles at the plate are laughable. And laughable I mean concerning the these nay Sayers talking out the side of their neck. If he needs to be traded then Please let’s stop going on about how cano “when he gets hot” Seattle will win the division and the WS and include him in the same lets trade him as well discussion. The guys who write this stuff make me laugh.