Given that they’re in the same division as the Red Sox, the Rays wanted no part of trading any of their controllable arms to Boston before the latter picked up Drew Pomeranz from San Diego earlier this week, reports Rob Bradford of WEEI. The Red Sox might have had interest in Tampa Bay’s young starters had it been open to a deal, Bradford writes. Meanwhile, both the Athletics’ asking price for 36-year-old southpaw Rich Hill and his status as a pending free agent prevented Boston from trying to reacquire him, according to Bradford.
More from Boston and a few other AL cities:
- The White Sox, who are 4 1/2 games out of a Wild Card spot, are looking to buy in advance of the Aug. 1 trade deadline, general manager Rick Hahn said Friday (via Dan Hayes of CSNChicago.com). Hahn conceded that deals could be difficult to come by because, at least as of now, “it’s a strong seller’s market.” Chicago already made one trade earlier this season – acquiring right-hander James Shields from the Padres – signed first baseman Justin Morneau, and promoted shortstop prospect Tim Anderson and young righty Carson Fulmer. In regards to those changes (and future moves), Hahn stated, “Already this year, you’ve seen us change 40 percent of the rotation, change the shortstop, add various players to the bullpen, and we’re going to continue to operate in that manner.”
- Thanks to his season-long struggles and the Pomeranz trade, Red Sox right-hander Clay Buchholz is now in the bullpen and he realizes his lengthy tenure in Boston might end by the deadline. “They’re going to do everything they can if it’s going to make them better, and if that involves moving me somewhere, that’s what it is. I don’t have any control over that,” he told Ian Browne of MLB.com. “I think of myself as a starting pitcher, and that’s a crowded bunch right now,” continued Buchholz, who acknowledged that he has put himself in this situation by performing poorly. The 31-year-old, whom the Red Sox drafted in 2005, has logged a 5.91 ERA, 5.91 K/9 and 4.13 BB/9 through 80 2/3 innings this season. Buchholz is playing on a $13MM club option this year and has another, for $13.5MM, in 2017.
- Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto discussed his team’s recent struggles with Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times and voiced confidence that a healthy iteration of the club can compete for the postseason. As Divish notes, the Mariners are 17-26 over their past 43 games, but they’ve seen Felix Hernandez, Taijuan Walker, Wade Miley, Leonys Martin and Ketel Marte all spend time on the disabled list over the life of that stretch. Injuries in the rotation, in particular, have taxed the club’s bullpen. “Good teams find a way in struggles to persevere, to get through,” said Dipoto. “You are going to go into streaks and starts and stops and slumps, but you can’t turn it into a death spiral.”
- With a dreadful .163/.198/.310 batting line, Yan Gomes has the worst wRC+ (29) among players with at least 250 plate appearances this season, but the Indians’ catcher isn’t in danger of losing his job, writes Paul Hoynes of cleveland.com. The Indians value Gomes’ defense too much to demote him, per Hoynes. Plus, despite Gomes’ problems with the bat, the Tribe still entered Saturday an above-average fifth in the AL in runs scored. Defensively, Gomes’ framing has drawn minus grades in 2016, but he has thrown out a solid 11 of 30 attempted base stealers and – whether in part because of Gomes or in spite of him – the Indians have a premier pitching staff.
The Rays shouldn’t really worry too much about trading within the division if the Red Sox or any other team in the East makes the best offer. They can’t afford to pass up talent even if it means trading a pitcher, or any player, to a division rival. Hope they eventually get back to contention. Tim Beckham over Eric Hosmer and Buster Posey…
Red Sox would give Rays a nice haul for Evan Longoria and Rays could use Longoria’s salary elsewhere.
The potential farm system the White Sox could have if they traded Sale, Frazier, Quintana, Robertson, Abreu, Eaton, Lawrie, Nate Jones, Zach Duke and Dan Jennings would be one of the best.
I’m not saying they should, I’m just saying that in terms of talent, they probably the 4th best team in that division, and thats without mentioning the Twins’ farm system and young players.
The Indians should be all over Lucroy. They would be tough to beat with that addition and Brantley coming back
Farm systems are a valuable tool to help complement the Major league team by either adding a couple quality players each year through trades or development. Having a great farm system doesn’t necessarily compute into wins at the Major league level. It’s a piece of the pie, not the whole pie.
If Buchholz thinks he is still meant to be a starter then he better try his luck elsewhere. His best bet is to go to a rebuilding team and try to prove himself worthy on a one year deal in the off season.
I think he can turn it around. He needs out of Boston first though. A change of scenery is definitely needed.
Buchholz needs to trust his stuff and throw the ball over the plate instead of putting everyone to sleep (including his own offense) trying to trick other team’s hitters.
Buchholz’s struggles are becoming very tiresome. Not what you want from a pitcher making $13 mil per year.
The white sox aren’t going anywhere but4th place. Williams and Hahn have no idea how to build a team or farm system. Embarrassing twosome who don’t elong in Chicago.
Hahn is delusional if he thinks any of those moves amount to any significant improvement. The Sox won’t spend money on top free agents, and they don’t have enough pieces to make trades due to a depleted and below average farm system. Their only real option is a rebuild.
It’s time for Boston to get off the coaster ride that is Clay Buchholz if they can. I was really hoping they would have moved him last year when he had turned around his stuff and was pitching good again, but they decided to stick it out like always, and like always they got burned. I’d shop him for anyone thats willing to take a chance and take anything half way decent. Since it’s after the allstar game, he’ll likely pitch like a front line starter again for someone else.
I don’t know. Rick Hahn has been pretty active all throughout the off season till now putting talented players together. The offense has shown big productive outbursts at times. Just as the pitching has had moments of dominance. It’s just unbelievable how inconsistent this team is. Not to say they should be leading the division by ten games but how many more moves does a GM have to make before the manager and his staff are held accountable? Getting stomped by teams playing worse than they are is just pathetic.
What’s their record over the last 3-4 years? LOUSY!!!