The latest reliever-related news from around the majors:
- The Cubs continue to scout the Yankees’ dominant late-game trio of Aroldis Chapman, Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances, reports George A. King III of the New York Post. After sending Jason Parks to the Bronx to observe the troika earlier this month, the Cubs had a three-man contingent – including pro scouting director Jared Porter and pro scout Steve Boros – take in the performances of the lights-out relief aces over the past two days. Chapman, Miller and Betances combined for six shutout, one-hit innings during that span, also adding nine strikeouts against zero walks. The Yankees have won three straight and are at 37-36 –Â just 2.5 games out of an AL Wild Card spot – so they certainly don’t look like surefire sellers at the moment. That could change prior to the Aug. 1 trade deadline, of course.
- If the opportunity arises, Red Sox president Dave Dombrowski would be willing to make a trade with the archenemy Yankees, he told Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal. Specifically, the Red Sox would have interest in the Yankees’ top relievers, notes MacPherson. The only trade the AL East rivals have made since 1997 came when the Sox dealt shortstop Stephen Drew to the Yankees in 2014, but that lack of history wouldn’t stop Dombrowski from trying to swing a deal with Brian Cashman. “If they’re in it and we’re in it, probably the odds are longer,” Dombrowski said in regards to a potential move. Boston, which possesses the top Wild Card position in the AL, is currently four games ahead of New York.
- After Trevor Rosenthal yielded three earned runs and failed to record an out in a losing effort Friday, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny informed the right-hander Saturday that he’s out as the Redbirds’ closer, tweets Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. For now at least, the Cardinals will go with a combination of Seung-hwan Oh, Kevin Siegrist and Jonathan Broxton in save situations, Matheny said (Twitter link via Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com). Rosenthal took the reins as the Cardinals’ closer in 2014 and proceeded to save 93 of 102 opportunities and log a 2.65 ERA over a two-season, 139-inning span. This year has been a different story, though, as Rosenthal has offset excellent strikeout (13.5 per nine innings) and grounder rates (56.7 percent) with a 7.88 BB/9 (up from 4.34 from 2014-15) and a soaring home run rate. The 27-year-old’s ERA sits at an unsightly 5.63.
theo2016
I could see them selling Chapman for sure. Doubtful on Miller.
MB923
They could also give an extension for Chapman and trade Miller.
jide
This is the smartest thing they can do
theo2016
Or they could just resign him in the off-season for the same money and get a prospect back.
MB923
I think the last Yankees/Sox trade before 2014 was 1997. Not 1977. Also made one in 94 and 86.
Connor Byrne
Yep. I initially read 1997 in the article as 1977. Apologies.
MB923
Apology not necessary. You guys are the best.
Best sports typo ever belongs to Jon Heyman: deadspin.com/jon-heyman-has-your-clubhouse-leader-…
TheCanoShow
#hu
User 4245925809
Last significant one tho was Sparky Lyle for Danny Cater wasn’t it? Turned out so one sided for the yanks that both teams pretty much ceased talking trades for 40 years.
start_wearing_purple
Actually I’d say the most significant trade between the Sox and the yanks was in 1997. Mike Stanley for Tony Armas. Four months after that deal the Sox flipped Armas and Carl Pavano to the Expos for Pedro Martinez.
Ken M.
Gonna be a dumpster fire in that bullpen if they trade one of their relievers.
Brian 42
You can add 2.04 whip for Rosenthal. He’s got lots of impressive stats.
Thronson5
I think the Dodgers trade for Miller and I think he Yankees extend Chapman to a 3 year deal and if they stink next year we will have to hear more rumors about him again until he is traded.
Brixton
I think he’ll get more than 3 years
jp08
5 IMO
bsteady powers
I think the Cubs could, and should go ahead and make the trade. And make with this sales pitch…..make a trade that allows NYY to still compete this year and with an eye towards the future.
bsteady powers
Take Chapman, Miller, and B. Gardner in exchange for J. Grimm, C. Coghlan, Carl Edwards, Jr., C. Richard, G. Concepcion, S. Patton, M. Zagunis, B. McKinney, and D. Vogelbach,
Brixton
That’s a whole lot of quantity, very little quality
southie2016
That package gets Cubs Teixeira, ARod and Headley.
bsteady powers
McKinney, Zagunis, and Vogelbach, and Concepcion gets u Chapman and Gardner … So maybe add I. Happ instead of some sort of f that quantity
coney1
Actually no it doesn’t. Yanks can get more elsewhere.
babycubsW
Don’t want em
coney1
Hahaha! That won’t even get you into the conversation. The Dodgers, Nationals, and Rangers can and will offer better packages than that. You want all three??? Start with Baez and Schwarber.
bsteady powers
Baez isn’t going anywhere. I’d trade Schwarber, Vogelbach, McKinney, and Happ for all 3
therealryan
I would be very surprised if any of those names would be even the second piece in a trade for Miller alone. And that would be if the Yankees were completely out of the race. Considering that they are still in contention and have no need to trade someone like Miller, it will take a package that really gets their attention. Not a bucketful of low ceiling, stalled and blocked prospects and players.
Priggs89
That’s an awful trade for the Yankees. I don’t even think you could get one of their relievers with a package put together from the names on that list.
One Fan
The Yankees would never accept such a ridicolous offer for Chapman Miller and Gardner. I mean its too silly to even comment on any further
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
Why would the cubs want another outfielder? They got Fowler Hayward soler almora jr and Bryant at times and Baez at times too. Gardner is not better than anyone that the cubs have. Plus they have schwarber to return next year.
bsteady powers
Grimm is struggling but still young and still good. Coghlan is still relatively young and would be interesting with the short porch in right. Richard may re-do last year with a change of scenery. Edwards and Concepcion can step in right away and be decent to good prospects. Zagunis and McKinney are top 10 Cubs prospects and Vogelbach is basically MLB ready and a top 15/20 prospect. Hitting over .300 at AAA WITH POWER. And needs to be in an AL uniform. That may be “too much” for those 3 Yankees, but If you want to get 2 great relievers w/o giving up your very top tier if guys, this just may work. And the Yanks could still make a run this year as well.
chuckn9ne
Vogelbach is not a top 15/20 prospect
bsteady powers
In the Cubs system he is
cubsfan2489
Way to much in that trade. One, the Yanks won’t want Coghlan or Richard. And 2, no way in hell they will trade Chapman and Miller together. Go back and make that trade on the show 16, because you’ll never see it happen in reality
ironwolf811
Vogelbach can’t be a 15/20 prospect; he has virtually no speed. But with his power, plate discipline and good batting average—coupled with that short porch in RF—he could be a 20-25 HR batter at 1B or DH with a ton of walks and a good BA. He’d be a great insurance policy in case Bird isn’t fully recovered and ready to play next year. And once ARod’s contract finally expires, the two can alternate between DH/1B.
There’s just no place in the Cubs organization for Vogelbach with Rizzo starting most games at first for a long time and even Contreras playing some first base.
gronk
Stop
coney1
No it wouldn’t. You are a delusional Cubs fan making video game trades. You want Gardner, Miller, and Chapman? You are giving up Schwarber and Baez to start.
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
The cubs are smart. Theo would hang up on caahman if he asked for schwarber and Baez.
morgannyy 2
Why do teams still send scouts to check guys out? What can they see or learn from watching in person versus every other stat or video available? I could see checking the minor league guys out, but the majors?
TheMichigan
I think it’s because scouts want to see more than just statistics; yes, there are videos, but sometimes those videos do not show how the player reacts in the dugout with his teammates, how the player warms up, also they can go and watch BP and how they jive on the field with their teammates.
nyy42
Baylor for Easler
goducksgoagogo
Assume the Yankees win today and go 7-4 against the Rockies and Twins. In the 29 games remaining before the trades deadline, they have 18 games against teams above .500 including DET, CLE, BOS, BAL and SF. They also play in SD next weekend , followed by away games against White Sox and Indians. Assume they are sellers; they have an opportunity to sell Beltran, Chapman and Gardner, suffer for a the remainder of 2016 and contend next year with Bird, Judge and Severino.
fanofcards
It isn’t going to matter who
The relievers Mike Matheny of the Cardinals has. He doesn’t have a clue as to who to use when. His routine has cost the Cardinal starting a bunch of wins this season. Sickening !!!!!