The Astros’ first base job remains up for grabs, and general manager Jeff Luhnow tells Jim Bowden of MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM that he can envision prospects A.J. Reed and Tyler White both making the Opening Day roster (audio link), depending on the health of designated hitter Evan Gattis. “Both could make the team,” said Luhnow. “It’s not clear what Gattis’ situation is going to be on Opening Day, and it’s not clear whether he’s going to be ready, so we might have an extra spot. But I wouldn’t say just two guys, either. I think Matt Duffy’s got to be in that equation as well. [Pacific Coast League] player of the year, he’s had a good spring so far, and you can’t count Jon Singleton out either. He’s had a couple of good years in the minor leagues, just hasn’t put it together at the big leagues.” Asked about the impact that Singleton’s contract could play when determining first base playing time, Luhnow expressed confidence that Singleton could still make good on his five-year, $10MM contract but said that decisions of the past won’t impact the present-day roster, and he has to do what’s best for the club. Notably, it should be pointed out that the club’s signing of Doug Fister, which could push Scott Feldman’s $8MM contract to the bullpen, is reflective of that line of thinking.
Here’s more from the AL West…
- Rangers GM Jon Daniels joined Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News on his podcast, and Grant has transcribed some of the highlights (in addition to providing the full audio, for those that are interested). Daniels addressed the positive signs he’s seen this spring from Joey Gallo, the returning Jurickson Profar and a number of other prospects. Interestingly, Daniels highlighted starting pitching and catching as two potential areas where the club could be exposed. Earlier tonight, Grant reported that the Rangers are surveying the market for catching help and listed Derek Norris as a player of interest.
- Ian Desmond has reached out to Royals left fielder Alex Gordon for advice in making the transition from the left side of the infield to left field, writes Grant’s colleague Gerry Fraley. Gordon explains to Fraley that one tactic that helped him (and has become a part of his usual pre-game routine) is to spend at least two rounds of batting practice in the outfield, shagging fly-balls as if he were in a game situation. As Fraley notes, Desmond is looking to become the first player in history to start 100 games at shortstop in one season and start 100 games in left field in the season to follow.
- Angels right-hander Jered Weaver has a bulging disk on the left side of his neck that sometimes triggers irritation in his left arm, writes Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times, but his neck troubles don’t appear to be related to his declining velocity in the estimation of the doctors Weaver has visited. Weaver said that there are no more tests to be performed and no more doctors to see about the issue, joking that he “almost wishes” that doctors would inform him he needs surgery, just so he could know the cause of his velocity loss. While Shaikin notes that Weaver’s frustration is apparent, the 33-year-old says he’ll take the ball whenever asked. Weaver is scheduled to pitch on Saturday, but manager Mike Scioscia tells the L.A. media that the Halos will first evaluate him in a bullpen session on Wednesday.
- Fangraphs’ Jeff Sullivan loves the Athletics’ claim of right-handed reliever Andrew Triggs off of release waivers from the Orioles. Though the 27-year-old hasn’t yet reached the Majors, Sullivan notes that the improvement in Triggs’ K%-BB% from 2014 to 2015 ranked sixth among all minor leaguers, rating him alongside the likes of Mychal Givens and Tony Zych — two relievers that had breakout campaigns after making such gains. Triggs’ low arm slot and slider also yield plenty of ground-balls, and the last homer he allowed came in 2014, Sullivan notes. While Triggs is no sure thing to make a near-term impact, Sullivan opines that the decision to release him to clear room for Pedro Alvarez was curious, as there were other candidates on the 40-man roster that carry less intrigue than Triggs.
I’m definitely not a doctor, but I did sleep on a tempur-pedic last night lol….
In all seriousness though, I’m willing to bet that Weaver’s bulging disk IS in fact somehow connected to his loss in velocity.
It may not be a direct correlation between the two, but it very well could be restricting Weaver’s regular delivery, motion, and/or his arm action coming through his regular arm slot and during his finish.
If you watch closely, tape on Weaver before his decline in velocity and now, there is a subtle change. I’m not too sure that the change is not from the discomfort caused from the bulging disk.
A doctor will factor in how it effects his arm strength, range of motion, and the interaction of nerves throughout that area of his body; however, I’m not 100% positive that the doctor can say with certainty that it does not effect his delivery and mechanics…
Even the smallest change in delivery can add or subtract 3-4 mph off a fastball…
Like I began this comment, I’m definitely not a doctor, but I’m just not sold that his bulging disk DEFINITIVELY does not effect his velocity whatsoever….Like I said, it may not be a direct cause and effect, but I’m thinking it very well could be an indirect type of situation…
Any thoughts or ideas, from you guys, on the matter??
I pitched for fifteen years. Even a stiff back can change your mechanics, which could easily reduce your velocity and risk injuring your back, shoulder or elbow because it throws everything off. I think it’s definitely possible that they’re related.
My thoughts exactly!! Thanks…The smallest thing can alter your body’s muscle memory, in turn altering your mechanics and changing the effectiveness of your pitches.
Much less a bulging disk in your neck…I would think it would almost HAVE to play a role…
Yes, so true and one of the most frustrating things about MLB is when players attempt to “play through” injuries, when they literally turn them into a much different and much worse player. Baseball mechanics in hitting and pitching are such that the slightest thing can make a guy go from really good to really bad with the slightest injury.
Weaver’s old and has just lost it and now is trying to Barry Zito his way into the game. Shame, he was pretty good back in the day. Not anymore.
The last player to try 100 games at SS followed by 100 games in LF was who? Oh, that’s right, Boston’s very own Hanley Ramirez. Better luck to Desmond.
At least Desmond could handle ss up until last year. Hanley really couldn’t play anywhere really and just needed a spot since he was in the nl
Braves could send Freddie Freeman to the Stros for Scott Feldman, Alex Bregman and AJ Reed.
Unless Dave Stewart took over at GM in Houston that’s the least likely trade proposal I’ve ever seen.
FHOF Rob Refsnyder and Aaron Judge for Freddie Freeman and Julio Teheran…….saw that one on here last summer at the trade deadline.
There should be an unwritten law on this site that if you are a fan of a team and want to propose a trade, you must think the team you support loses the trade on paper. That way we will see some actually pretty decent proposals.
I’m not a fan of either the Yankees or Braves, but if the Yankees want both Teheran & Freeman, then they are going to need to start with Severino, Judge, Sanchez & Mateo, which is never happening, so people shouldn’t even bother wasting time on it.
LMJ is starting the season on the DL. I think they would like Feldman. Why would the Braves even want him? I’m also over trading for Freeman; I’ll stick with White/Duffy/Reed
The Angels are going to lose 100 games this year. Poor Trout, stuck on such a pathetic franchise, they really do need to trade him…
While it was a mix of LF and CF, Robin Yount made the move pretty successfully with 100 games in ’85.