If the Astros don’t recover from their 17-26 start, they could become interesting sellers as the trade deadline approaches, says FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal (video link). As pending free agents at season’s end, outfielder Colby Rasmus, right-handers Doug Fister and Scott Feldman, and catcher Jason Castro could all be on the move. Center fielder Carlos Gomez’s deal is also set to expire, though his value is close to nonexistent at the moment, according to Rosenthal. Gomez has rapidly fallen from grace since the Astros surrendered a handful of youthful pieces for him and righty Mike Fiers at last year’s deadline. Thanks to both that trade and the offseason acquisition of reliever Ken Giles, the Astros have lost several young players and could replenish their system this summer by moving at least some of the aforementioned veterans.
More of the latest rumblings from Rosenthal:
- Athletics lefty Rich Hill, third baseman Danny Valencia and reliever John Axford are all potential deadline chips, reports Rosenthal. The only member of the trio unsigned beyond this season is the 36-year-old Hill, who is on a $6MM salary and has performed like an ace since his red-hot September with Boston in 2015. Valencia is currently making $3.15MM and has one year of arbitration eligibility remaining, and he has been quietly spectacular going back to last season. Over his past 475 plate appearances, Valencia has slashed .302/.352/.531 with 24 homers. With third base prospect Matt Chapman waiting in the wings, the A’s could sell high on Valencia, per Rosenthal. Axford, meanwhile, has gotten solid results in 18 2/3 frames this year (2.89 ERA) while recording a career-worst strikeout rate (5.79 per nine) and a personal-best walk rate (1.45). He’s making $4.5MM this season and is set to rake in another $5.5MM in 2017.
- The Indians could try to upgrade their bullpen by acquiring a left-hander or a dominant late-inning arm, but two factors are working against them: Other contenders will be in the hunt for similar help, and the Indians are “notoriously cautious” when discussing trades.
- The Phillies are prepared to deal right-hander Jeremy Hellickson if a solid offer comes along, though they’re also focused on limiting the innings thrown by some of the younger members of their rotation. Thanks to Charlie Morton’s season-ending injury, the 28-year-old Hellickson is now the elder statesman of a Phillies rotation that has been among baseball’s best in 2016. Hellickson, who’s on a $7MM salary and is scheduled to become a free agent at season’s end, has put up a 3.99 ERA to accompany significantly improved strikeout and walk rates (9.06 and 2.36, respectively) in 49 2/3 innings this year.
I saw an article on Fansided that proposed that the Red Sox trade for Doug Fister. They said that the trade should be
Pat Light and Brian Johnson for Doug Fister.
I understand that it is simply an article composed by someone who likely has no affiliation with the organization, however upon delving into some projections and stats- it’s a good deal for both sides. I would totally jump on it if it was actually on the table and I pose the question to not only my fellow MLBTR readers, but to the writers– what is your opinion of that proposal?
Doug Fister hasn’t been that good for 2 years, and Brian Johnson was/is a top prospect.
I don’t think the Sox should be trading Johnson for a few months of a backend starter. I mean, if they wanted to do that, why not trade for Jeremy Hellickson or Scott Feldman, both have performed better.
Brian Johnson left baseball to deal with anxiety for the time being. Not sure if he could still be traded.
Is Danny Valencia the best dfa pick up of the last decade? I remember when he was dfa’d he was even hitting .300 with a high 700 ops. Wish we would’ve kept him over colabello or instead of getting revere at the deadline
Collin McHugh also comes to mind.