The Rangers have yet to declare a fifth starter as they work to assess possible trade scenarios for adding another rotation piece, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. Most recently, the club has engaged the Indians in talks about a swap that would send a reliever from Texas to Cleveland in exchange for a starting pitcher.
Texas appears to have interest in improving over A.J. Griffin for the final rotation slot while strengthening its long-term depth. As for Cleveland, the team’s pen currently projects to include several reclamation arms — including Joba Chamberlain, Ross Detwiler, and Dan Otero — and could certainly benefit from an acquistion.
As Grant notes, there’s little question that the top three Indians’ arms aren’t changing hands. But the next three men up — Cody Anderson, Josh Tomlin, and Trevor Bauer — are seemingly in play. Bauer, of course, was just bumped to the pen in a surprising move after a strong spring. It’s not clear which of the three is under discussion.
It’s also not apparent which member of the deep Texas pen could be parted with. Grant says that the club had previously talked about both Shawn Tolleson and Keone Kela with the Diamondbacks, though that was in an effort to get Archie Bradley. Other Rangers’ late-inning arms with appeal include Tom Wilhelmsen, Sam Dyson, and lefty Jake Diekman.
Of course, it’s also possible that a less significant match-up could make sense. Cleveland has other rotation options — T.J. House comes to mind — that could probably be had for less. And Texas has a number of other pen candidates, including just-designated southpaw Sam Freeman.
if you weren’t keen to flipping a starter for a decent power OF bat then why would you now flip one for a unnecessary bullpen addition?
Forget the Indians Teahran for Gallo and another piece
A few things are wrong with this scenario.
1. Despite the poor year he had in 2015, Teheran is still very valuable due to his youth, recent success, and team friendly contract. No way Atlanta is asking for anything less than 3 players, all of them quality prospects.
2. That brings us to my next point, which is that the Rangers would be very reluctant to give up that much for Teheran after his mediocre 2015. Despite the appealing factors mentioned above, he didn’t pitch well last year. He’d have to rebound considerably and prove last year was an exception for the Rangers to consider giving up a haul to get him.
3. This brings me to my final point, which is if Teheran rebounds, why would the Braves even consider trading him? Or if they would still considering trading him, wouldn’t the asking price shoot up even further, likely to 4 or even 5 prospects?
In short, Teheran isn’t getting traded before July. If he is traded in July, it’ll be because he’s pitching well and the Braves will want a king’s ransom in return.
Good analysis, while I love Julio and think Gallo will be a stud, I doubt these two teams hook up.
Agree… Well thought through (short term and medium term) ..
I was high on Teheran in 2012-2013, but sadly I suspect his inconsistency at the MLB level may have diminished his star a bit. Not sure he’d get a Gallo at this point…
Yeah not gonna happen. Rangers will need Gallo once Beltre leaves after this season
Starter for reliever trades always always work out for the team getting the starter
How is Julio Teharan worth Joey Gallo?
How was Shelby Miller worth Blair, Swanson & Inciarte ? Young controllable starting pitching is at a premium. You are right on 2nd thought I would rather hold on Teahran til I see these young arms develop and I know what we got.
Lol. You’re crazy.
You didn’t really respond to the first half of his comment.
“How was Shelby Miller worth Blair, Swanson & Inciarte ?”
He’s not. Just because someone does something stupid, doesn’t mean he’s right. It just means he did something stupid.
Starter for reliever trades always work out for the team that gets the starter
Really? Always? In 20 seconds I thought of when the Cubs traded Matt Garza for Cj Edwards, Justin Grimm and Neil Ramirez. Think that one is working out for the Cubs just fine
What about curt schilling for Jason Grimsly. How did that work out for the Astros
I’m sorry, what was the point you were trying to make?? Upon acquisition, CJ Edwards, Justin Grimm, and Neil Ramirez were ALL starters. Matt Garza was not traded to Texas for ANY relievers; the Cubs turned all 3 of those prospects into relievers.
Try again.
If the Indians are stupid enough to put a power arm like Bauer in the pen, they’d be stupid enough to trade him for somebody like Tolleson. Bottom line, Bauer needs to be starting for somebody. A year or even a few months in the pen could leave this guy with “Joba syndrome” and that would be a shame. Seriously Tribe? Cody Anderson and Josh Tomlin over Bauer? That’s a joke. He’d be ecstatic to be flipped to the Rangers I imagine.
Yeah, it didn’t work when they put Carrasco in the Pen for half a season. That blew up in their face. What are they thinking?
With Bauer’s struggles in the rotation, a move to the pen could be a real help. If Bauer could ramp up his velocity and strikeouts without sacrificing any more of his control, he’d be quite valuable and would really strengthen a weak Indians bullpen.
Yeah that blew up in their face when they put Carrasco in the Pen for half the season. No way this helps Bauer. They don’t know what they’re doing…
Kinda like moving a power arm like Dennis Eckersley to the pen, or Dave Righetti.
I wish they were stupid enough to do that
Any interest in Trevor Bauer for Jason Grilli?
Sure, if the Indians want an old, mediocre, injury prone reliever
Was a trade chip last year until he got hurt. 24 saves on a shifty team in the first half is not too mediocre.
Saves…..lol. I bet you judge starters by W/L record too, huh?
So you’re saying the Indians will do it?
The Braves would, sure. Now the Indians? Lol nah
But if Cleveland is looking for a RP we got Vizcaino maybe To be had
Would have to figure it’d be something pretty minor. You’re already not displacing hamels holland Perez or Lewis when darvish comes back so I think it’d have to be someone the rangers would be able to shift to the pen.
I think Texas would be just fine with replacing Lewis or Perez
Why would/should the Rangers replace Perez?
Lewis could get pushed out of the rotation honestly.
meh. perez i see no chance of, lewis i’d be good with from a baseball standpoint. the nostalgia/perceived discount/past performances/other crap would probably give the FO pause about taking his spot sadly. obviously all depends on the caliber of the arm.
It’s impossible for Jeff to write an article without saying “of course” multiple times.
He’s entitled to his own style of writing. Sorry it’s not the same as yours.
Did he not answer your question in chat today? Of course not.
House for Dieckman maybe.
Gallo for Bauer is more like it..
Lol yeah right
I’d love to see Bauer be the guy to go to Texas. Not upfront and directly able to catch all of Bauer’s starts, but I think the kid has a future as starter. If he went to the pen, it won’t be the worse thing in the world, but just my personal preference for him as a baseball player I root for, I would love to see him taking the ball every 5th day for the rangers, even if it is until he’s replaced eventually by a veteran returning to health.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Bauer shipped off. There’s been some weird communication issues since the end of last season that seem to be at the root of the bullpen demotion. If I could get Kela and Brinson for him, he’d be gone. Still only 25 with a massive ceiling… would other teams care he’s worn out his welcome in two spots so far, though? I guess we’ll see.
Kela yes.
Brinson a giant no.
Cleveland has no incentive to trade him right now. He needs to put up some solid numbers to show his value is still what it once was.
My guess is these two teams are discussing a House for Freeman swap.
House for Freeman?
I’d love that
He means TJ House for Sam Freeman
Lol keep dreaming
Yeah, I mean, not really dreaming on it. Doubt it’d ever happen. Just an example of a guaranteed trigger pull to send Bauer off. Then again, with our track record (Santana for Blake, Gomes for Rogers, Kluber for Westbrook, Shaw and Bauer for Choo, etc) who knows.
How about
Bauer and House
For
Kela, Rua, Faulkner and either Nick Martinez or Brett Martin
Or would it take more? I think Bauer is good but not worth Brinson or Mazzara, they have Zimmer and Frazier don’t see the immediate need for either of the rangers outfielders.
Take it easy on me, I’m not a wanna be GM I’m a casual fan making a suggestion
No way the Indians give up two starting pitchers, I see more of a minor trade (House for Freeman).
House is barely a starter for them, he’s on the outside looking in and if the Indians were to acquire Martinez they still have a starter coming back so idk makes sense to me
Not going to happen because it wouldn’t be of any benefit to trade 3 guys off Rangers major league roster for one end of rotation starter and a minor league depth type in House.
That’s just an overpay. If it’s Bauer Texas wants its going to be either Kela straight up or Tolleson and an average prospect.
People have to realize Kela is only 22. Throws 98mph and his future is as a closer. That’s a lot of value.
Honestly I didn’t know much about Kela, or any of the Rangers farm.
People are saying Bauer is worth Brinson or Mazzarra and I highly disagree, I don’t see why Texas needs a starter, because they have a good five and will be better when Darvish is back.
I agree with the he Bauer for Kela but think if they swapped House for someone like freeman or Claudio or someone else would work as well.
I mentioned Rua because the Indians want depth in the OF and he had a good spring, and then the other pitchers because Cleveland in my eyes could use
Some more depth, can never have to much pitching
Gallo/Diekman For Bauer. We need lefty in pen, Gallo gives The Indians power-hitting outfielder.