The Yankees will shut down righty Nate Eovaldi for at least two weeks with elbow inflammation, as WFAN’s Sweeny Murti reports on Twitter. While New York will obviously hope that amount of rest will be sufficient, ESPNNewYork.com’s Andrew Marchand tweets that it’s possible Eovaldi won’t return this year. That would be a significant blow to the Yankees, as the righty has generated solid reviews from ERA estimators and increasingly achieved the results to match. Added in the winter trade that sent Martin Prado to the Marlins, Eovaldi can be controlled for two more seasons via arbitration.
Here are a few more notes from the eastern divisions:
- With the Triple-A season now concluded, the Mets have apparently elected not to bring back righties Dillon Gee and Vic Black, Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com notes (Twitter links). The 29-year-old Gee had long seemed like an obvious September call-up after previously being outrighted, but it seems the relationship has soured somewhat. Because he accepted an outright assignment, Rubin notes, Gee can elect free agency at the end of the year. If he doesn’t, of course, he’s almost certain at this point to be released or non-tendered by the club. As for Black, if he was not worth a 40-man spot now, it’s hard to imagine that the Mets will give him one later this fall to keep him from becoming a minor league free agent.
- Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. explains that he is not yet focused on next summer’s draft, but nevertheless has some ideas about the team’s intentions, as MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki reports. Philadelphia is not worried about whether or not it lands the top overall pick, says Amaro, and won’t adjust its big league decisions based on any such considerations. As for the draft itself, Amaro offered some general thoughts. “There is some pretty good pitching up top,” he said. “I think we’re going to be pitching intensive. Obviously, we always try to take the best player, but I think our mindset is probably pitching.”
- Orioles outfielder Gerardo Parra may be able to land a free agent deal in the mold of that of Nick Markakis, opines Steve Melewski of MASNsports.com, but his current team should not value him that highly. As I noted in a recent look at Parra’s free agent case, a four-year deal certainly seems plausible for the still-youthful veteran, though it’s certainly possible too that he could settle for three or take a slightly lower AAV than did Markakis. I tend to agree that Baltimore will not and should not be the team to give out that kind of contract, though that assessment depends upon the team’s still-unclear strategic direction.
Really hope the Pirates and Vic can reunite this off season
I have no idea why you would want him back other than you’re somewhat familiar with him. The guy has been injury prone his entire pro career. And other than the fact that he throws hard, there really isn’t a whole lot to like about him. Guys like Black are a dime a dozen.
Vic Black has said in no uncertain terms that he only wants to be a Met and stay within the Mets organization. I would be very surprised if he isnt resigned. Players who state straight up that they desire to play for a team should be kept, especially when that team needs that player. Vic Black returning to his 2014 production is exactly what the Mets need, he wants to be a Met, they need him back. He had a lost year, but since he is willing to put that in the past, I imagine the Mets will give him that second chance. No reason not to. A minor league deal, invite to big league camp, and 1m if he makes the club sounds like a good deal to both sides right now.
Ruin Tomorrow Jr, Needs to be focusing on finding a New Job come this Fall , that’s all !
Amaro better not be in a position to draft anyone for the phillies ! Guy needs to go ! So many wasted drafts on “5 tool high school players” that have barely 1. Amaro,Wade and others have botched many a draft for the phillies on high school kids that were terrible. For the most part, their prospects they traded away don’t even amount too much.
Thank you! I’m amazed at the number of posters here who think Amaro was responsible for the haul of players the Phillies received from this July’s sell-off. After nearly a half dozen years of muddling along and ill-advised moves, you can’t possibly think that Amaro struck gold out of nowhere. The Hamels deal, specifically, has Andy MacPhail’s fingerprints all over it — send away a valued veteran for a ton of legit talent. Amaro never did that before and didn’t make the Hamels deal his first.