The Tigers have removed Anibal Sanchez from the rotation and replaced him with left-hander Matt Boyd, as Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press writes. Sanchez took the move as well as could be expected, manager Brad Ausmus told the media, and Fenech writes that Sanchez spoke with conviction about working to correct his flaws and reclaim his job. Sanchez, who is earning $16MM in 2016, the fourth season of a five-year, $80MM contract, has surrendered a 6.67 ERA through his first 56 2/3 innings of the year. He led the American League with 29 homers allowed in 157 innings last season and has allowed an even more alarming 14 long balls in this year’s 56 2/3 frames while also displaying his worst control since 2009 (4.6 BB/9). Sanchez is owed $16MM once again in 2017, and the Tigers hold a $16MM club option for the 2018 season that comes with a hefty $5MM buyout. With offseason signee Mike Pelfrey struggling so greatly as well, the Tigers are definite candidates to seek rotation upgrades this summer, though the emergence of Michael Fulmer and a recent string of solid outings for Daniel Norris at Triple-A may lessen the urgency.
More from the AL Central…
- The Indians need to trade for an outfield bat in the wake of Marlon Byrd’s 162-game suspension, opines Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Suspensions for Byrd and Abraham Almonte, combined with the shoulder woes of Michael Brantley, has left Cleveland with an outfield mix of Rajai Davis, Tyler Naquin, Lonnie Chisenhall and Jose Ramirez. As Hoynes writes, the Indians “have pretty much said” that top prospects Bradley Zimmer and Clint Frazier won’t play in the Majors this season, so neither Double-A outfielder seems like an immediate option. President of baseball operations Chris Antonetti said to Hoynes that the club will “take some time to determine” if a trade is necessary, and he also explained that the club “spent a lot of time working through” Byrd’s first positive test before electing to sign him. Byrd, of course, went three years between suspensions and passed numerous drug tests along the way.
- Twins outfield prospect Max Kepler hasn’t seen much playing time in either of his first two stints at the Major League level, but manager Paul Molitor said that this time around, he’ll get more of a chance at regular playing time, writes MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger. The 23-year-old German outfielder raked at a .322/.416/.531 clip at Double-A last season en route to Southern League MVP honors, and he batted .282/.367/.455 in 30 games at Triple-A after being demoted to Rochester earlier this season. Notably, Bollinger adds that the Triple-A coaching staff recommended Kepler over recently demoted Eddie Rosario, who is hitting .333 since a mid-May demotion but still hasn’t drawn a walk in 51 plate appearances.
- Travis Snider will not opt out of his minor league contract with the Royals, per SB Nation’s Chris Cotillo (Twitter link). The 28-year-old had a June 1 opt-out date but will instead remain with Triple-A Omaha, where he’s batted .259/.377/.348 in 162 plate appearances. The Royals have lost Alex Gordon to a fracture in his hand for the time being, so perhaps the hope is that a need in the outfield corner will lead to a promotion in the near future.
Markakis for Francisco Mejia
I’d be fine with that… But I’m not sure the Indians would. Even if the braves ate all the money, I’m not sure Cleveland would do that
Oh they wouldn’t I am sure. It is just humorous to throw out Markakis when an injury or suspension happens and see people jump.
Markakis has been below replacement level, he basically can’t be traded.
There is no one that CAN’T be traded. Ever since the worst contract of all time, Vernon Wells, was traded with over two years remaining, there is no such thing as an unmovable contract.
You’re overgeneralizing. Just because the Jays managed to trade Wells to the Angles, that doesn’t necessarily mean that “there’s no one that CAN’T be traded.”.
No chance the Indians would take on Markakis and his contract.. And especially not giving them a borderline top 100 prospect to do so.
Markakis and his -0.4 war and contract are not something a team wants.
they wont trade Mejia he is our catcher of the future!! if he continues to do what hes doing you will see eventually Gomes being moved to 1B and Mejia behind the plate in like 2 to 3 years
Gardner to Cleveland for few minors leaguers. Or Elsbury and 40 million to Cleveland for the same.
Yanks obviously don’t have team to contend and Cleveland has good starting pitching.
Indians will call up one of it’s top Prospects OF if they really get hot. Snider or Starling would be called apon if let’s say Dyson or Orlando got hurt.
I could see Gardner going. But with a prominent Left handed outfield so far I doubt it happens. Maybe they trade for Justin Ruggiano who is at AAA. Low risk move. Cheap
I would say that the Pirates might be a great place for the Indians to hunt. The Pirates need a decent middle reliever and could potentially part with Jason Rodgers or Alen Hanson. I did think that Travis Snider would be a nice option as well. Too bad he stuck in his contract with the Royals. Quick question. What happned to Alex Rios? Retired? Mike Morse? Also, if the Garrett Jones is willing to part with his international contract, he could be a cheap option as well. I couldn’t see the Yankees as a match because of the high salaries attached to their players. Over the past few years, the Indians have been the bargin bin type of folks. If they want a quick patch, Mike Morse might be the best solution.
Last thing the Indians would probably want to do is engage in trade discussions involving their young and controllable starters with Carrasco currently out ATM, tho Boston could offer Swihart as a dual Catcher/OF piece to them (he’s looked decent in LF) and possible long term fixture at either position if Cleveland would be willing to move one of the 4 young starters they have.
Boston has 4 of the revised Callis top 25 prospects that came out last week.. Something could be done if had to and Kopech is throwing from his broken hand in ST, will join a team later this month.
Just mentioning, don’t even know what costs would be for either Swihart, or any pitcher.
Can’t imagine Cleveland would be willing to part with any of their controllable pitching for OF help with Zimmer and Frazier knocking on the door. They just need a cheap, short-term fix.
If the Indians didn’t even entertain trade offers on one of their starters during the offseason, then they certainly aren’t going to panic and do so now. Besides Boston never seemed to match up as trade partners. The Indians are going for it and do not want prospects.
For Cleveland..
What about Brandon Guyer from Tampa? Fairly cheap, good bat and the Rays don’t REALLY need him, if I were the Rays id rather keep Mahtook in the bigs despite his early struggles.
If not him then I see
Nolan Reimold
Bryce Brentz
Chris young
Brett Gardner
Ryan Rua
Chris Heisy
Or Ryan Raburn as options.
All cheap right handed bats (aside from Gardner) that serve as a short term fix until Zimmer and Frazier are ready
Some good names on this list, but I’m not sure whey teams like the Orioles, the Red Sox and the Rangers would want to help the Indians. The most reasonable name on this list, I think, is Guyer…..but is Tampa ready to throw in the towel? They probably would charge an arm and a leg. I don’t think the Yankees are a possibility unless they are willing to deal Beltran.
I’m not saying they will happen I’m just saying those are guys I could see them asking about, the last thing Cleveland needs is another lefty bat and those were some of the names that came to mind. I think Guyer is the best fit and I don’t think Tampa stays in the hunt but it’s too early to tell
Well, Beltran is a switch hitter, but I agree that Guyer is probably the most reasonable name on the list, unless the Yankees are desperate to get rid of Beltran’s salary. We wouldn’t give them much.
any left handed batter you can scratch off that list
Indians and Dodgers match up great for a trade. Cody Anderson for Scott Van Slyke. Or if you want to get really interesting, Trevor Bauer plus an A-ball lottery ticket for Puig.
be nice to get puig but i doubt Indians will trade for him or any SP for some reason they think they have plenty of Offense right now only one i see happening is them promoting an OF from triple A like Michael Choice or bryson myles or Joey Butler or Conlin cowgill. or a very minor trade. will see im not happy with Indians choice of lets wait and see what happens approach they always seem to take!!!