Cubs right-hander Jake Arrieta threw his first career no-hitter tonight, shutting down the Dodgers on 12 strikeouts and just two runners allowed (one via walk, one via error). By coincidence, Charlie Wilmoth looked at Arrieta’s case as an extension candidate earlier today on MLBTR to see what it might take for Chicago to lock the ace up over the long term and whether or not an extension makes sense for either side at this time. Needless to say, Arrieta’s stock only continues to rise after performances like tonight’s history-making gem. Here’s some more from around baseball…
- Tim Lincecum is still experiencing discomfort in his hips and back and there’s a chance he might not pitch again in 2015, Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News reports. Since Lincecum is a free agent this winter, it could also mean the end of his Giants tenure.
- The Pirates aren’t planning to call up Tyler Glasnow for the September stretch run, GM Neal Huntington told reporters (including Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review). Glasnow, one of the game’s most highly-regarded pitching prospects, has an 0.81 ERA and 10.5 K/9 over 33 1/3 Triple-A innings this season, albeit with 17 walks as well.
- Also from Sawchik’s notebook piece, A.J. Burnett said he was pain-free after throwing five simulated innings on Sunday. The veteran has spent a month on the DL with a flexor strain in his throwing elbow, though he is now aiming to return for a mid-September series against the Cubs.
- Indians assistant GM Mike Chernoff has been rumored as a candidate to become the Tribe’s general manager if Chris Antonetti is promoted to replace Mark Shapiro as president, though Fangraphs’ David Laurila notes that “Chernoff is a hot commodity” around baseball. If Chernoff is offered multiple jobs, Laurila wonders if he would prefer running a team with more payroll flexibility than small-market Cleveland.
- Also from Laurila’s piece, he wonders if the Angels are disappointed enough with their season that Mike Scioscia’s job could also be in jeopardy. It has been assumed that Scioscia is safe given his close ties with owner Arte Moreno, not to mention the fact that the manager is still owed $18MM through the 2018 season.
One would think the Giants learned their lesson with the last contract with Lincecum. He’s finished. Justin Masterson could put up the same numbers in that park and he even still throws harder, tho both have long since lost their decent fast balls.
One would have thought that two years ago as well, and there the Giants were, bidding against themselves and paying an absurd $17.5MM AAV for a guy with a combined -2.3 WAR in his previous two seasons. I would not be shocked to see the Giants bring him back.
One can only hope Scoscia has done enough to get dismissed. As an Angels fan, it’s pretty clear this team has quit on him. The whole thing needs to be blown up and a new approach tatekn. And what’s $18 million to Arte Moreno? That’s one year of Vernon Wells.
Lincecum still has a chance as a reliever. He still has some great stuff and I’m sure somebody would be willing to take a chance on the former CYA winner.
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