Here’s the latest from around the AL East…
- Clay Buchholz is still getting attention from rival scouts, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports, as the feeling is that the Red Sox could make Buchholz available in a trade. This is reliant on Buchholz regaining his old form in the rotation, of course, and if the right-hander does indeed look like the Buchholz of old, Boston could then simply keep him to reinforce the shaky back end of its rotation.
- From that same item, Cafardo also opines that the Red Sox need to improve their bench depth by adding a veteran player or two. An outfielder would be ideal, as that would allow Brock Holt to return to his ideal superutility role.
- The Blue Jays announced that righty Gavin Floyd has been placed on the 15-day DL with shoulder tightness. Floyd threw just four pitches in an appearance on Saturday before taking himself out of the game. An arm injury of any sort is ominous for Floyd, who has missed extensive time in recent years thanks to a Tommy John surgery and two elbow fractures. Floyd has had some problems with the long ball but has otherwise pitched pretty well in a relief role for Toronto this season, posting a 4.06 ERA, 8.7 K/9 and 3.75 K/BB over 31 innings.
- The Rays are on a 10-game losing streak and have sunk into last place in the AL East. Not only are they looking like probable deadline sellers, but CBS Sports’ Mike Axisa wonders if it’s time for Tampa to undergo a fuller rebuild with this iteration of the roster. The Rays have enough talent on their roster that they could again pursue their usual tactic of “constant retooling” by only moving a few notable players, though Axisa opines that the Rays’ belief in their core group could be shaken given how they’re approaching a third straight losing season.
- Jake Odorizzi and Matt Moore are sure to be targeted by other teams approaching the Rays about pitching, but Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times wonders if the Rays would consider moving Chris Archer. The ace hasn’t pitched well since midway through last season (a 4.59 ERA over his last 32 starts) but between his track record and his inexpensive contract, he would surely net a big return if Tampa made him available.
jakesaub
Brandon Moss would be a perfect addition for the Sox. Veteran, came up through the system, left handed power bat off the bench, can play LF.
Danny R.
Except why would the cardinals let go of him?
vinscully16
Buchholz’s biggest problem is between his ears. I question his dedication and focus.
giants51
Trade him or release him
thebighurt619
Or, and here me out on this cause its just as realistic. Mariners braves indians rockies pirates all get 3 weeks of trout and angels get everyone on that list. Then the owners play russian roulette at the end of the season to see who gets to keep trout.
In all honesty how much time do you spend on these trades? Couldnt you do like inboxdollars and make a few extra bucks instead?
osoblanco
I usually don’t mind your trades, as unrealistic as they are. However, I stopped reading this one once I saw trout was involved then saw the return the Angels were getting. The Angels can ask for the world for trout, but you think they’ll be content with a couple top 50 prospects and some lower prospects? If that were the case then he’d already be gone without a doubt. Keep up the good work.
C H.
The Rays need to aggressively sell at this years deadline in my opinion. Weak free agent market and not many arms available, the Rays might be able to cash in big and reload for next season
User 4245925809
It’s just wrong team’s always side with kid’s with options over veteran players also and always been that way. Hannigan needs to go, whether by trade, or DFA, tho doubt it’s that drastic. he has some value with his glove, even if not as much as the slick fielding and cannon armed Leon does.. Which have always been his attributes and nobody expects him to hit at even a .250/300/400 level, just play defense close to Vazquez and it’s a win-win situation.
Boston isn’t going to pick up the Hannigan 3.7m option after the year and can bet ur bottom dollar one of the other 29 teams in need of a catcher won’t mind paying the special AAA contract boston gave Leon prior to the season for 270k.. Who is out of options btw.. You don’t lose a 27YO catcher with upside to protect a 35YO vet on the way out.. it’s nonsense. Just like Boston kept optioning Hembree this and last season only because he had options. Kid had to prove time after time he was legit, while breslow (last year) remained on the roster to blow game after game and this year’s poster child for nonsense.. Layne does more of the same who is out of options and can’t buy outs vs RH hitters.
rmullig2
The Red Sox aren’t going to get rid of Leon for Hanigan. They will send Vazquez down to the minors since he basically got pushed out of the starter’s job. Hanigan will back up Leon until injury or some kind of trade opportunity arises.
osoblanco
Buchholz struggled again. The Red Sox need to make a trade for a starter, so it looks like Teheran or the Tampa Bay guys (if Tampa decides to sell which they should imo) will be their targets. In this market, is it that unrealistic to ask the Redsox to add on a bit to Moncada for Teheran?
DVail79
Tampa wouldn’t deal their SP in division unless Boston really overpaid
rmullig2
Given that Boston paid 60M to get Moncada you can’t expect them to add much more than that to any deal. I think Atlanta should make the deal straight up if it comes to it. Teheran’s best years will be wasted waiting for the rebuild.
stl_cards16 2
That statement says a lot more about the person you are than the comment you responded to. Sad
ducksnort69
The Rays rotation has been a disaster. Archer leading the charge there. Odorizzi is the only one that has not seen his stock drop drastically, so he seems most likely to go, followed by Moore. I suspect they will try to see if Archer can turn things around before dealing him.
blueblood1217
Teheran straight up for Moncada? Wow, I’d like some of what you’re drinking. Not even in a comic book world will this happen
Steve_in_MA
Not Moncada, but perhaps Benintendi and Brentz.
Steve_in_MA
Honestly, I cannot understand Cafardo’s insistence that the Sox need bench depth. That is a preposterous assertion. Holt and Swihart are due to return from the DL next week. We have Hernandez and Brentz admirably handling the utility roles now. We have Hanigan returning off the DL, and Sandy Leon is playing like a superstar in his stead. Our bench is deep and fine. Instead, we need pitching, and lots of it. Two starters and two relievers would be ideal. That’s the help we need.
AndreB
LOL no way the rays would trade archer