With one potential relief pitching blockbuster in the works, let’s look around at some other news and rumors surrounding the bullpen market…
- The Giants’ list of relief pitching targets includes Angels closer Huston Street, the San Francisco Chronicle’s Henry Schulman reports. Street, who turns 33 in August, is enduring by far the worst season of his 12-year career — the veteran has as many walks (11) as strikeouts over his 19 2/3 innings pitched, and he missed a month due to an oblique strain. His 5.03 K/9 would be a career low, while ERA indicators (5.69 FIP, 6.16 xFIP, 5.67 SIERA) show that Street is actually somewhat fortunate to “only” be posting a 5.03 ERA, though he also has a .358 BABIP. With around $2.8MM still owed to Street this season and $9MM for 2017, the Angels would surely have to eat a big chunk of that contract to facilitate a deal given Street’s struggles.
- Andrew Cashner has been cited as a possible Giants target, though interestingly, Schulman reports that San Francisco could explore converting the righty into a reliever. I would guess that this scenario wouldn’t happen unless Matt Cain quickly rounds back into form. The Padres are getting a lot of interest in Cashner and are certainly demanding a “starting pitcher” price tag for him, which the Giants likely wouldn’t be willing to pay unless they were totally committed to using Cashner in the rotation.
- Brewers relievers Jeremy Jeffress and Will Smith are also Giants targets, with Schulman reporting that Milwaukee has been trying to include either reliever together with Jonathan Lucroy or Ryan Braun as part of a larger trade. This tactic is of no interest to San Francisco since the Giants have no interest in Lucroy or Braun.
- If the Nationals aren’t able to land Aroldis Chapman or Wade Davis, that won’t stop the team from searching for back-of-the-bullpen help, FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman writes (Twitter links). David Robertson will surely be a target if the White Sox shop him around, and Heyman figures the Cardinals’ Trevor Rosenthal will get a look. Though St. Louis is no longer using Rosenthal as closer, Heyman isn’t sure the Cards would make him available.
Trade Trevor Rosenthal….now there’s an idea
For what? A wet sock and a used rubber? There is no way they will sell him when his value is so low… especially given how little depth the bullpen already has.
If they ship him out attached with a prospect, in return for a solid upgrade in the bullpen, it would make sense. But alone, I agree, worth nothing. No reason to sell low on him unless we get a arm in return.
So…no reason to sell low on him.
I know cardsf4life, he’s in the middle of his worst year in the bigs, so if they got anything decent in return Id be amazed
As a Giants fan, Will Smith is the one I’d want – right now, they need a good lefty reliever more than they need air.
False. They would die without air.
Lol
Rosenthal trade could happen, But there is only a few scenarios in which that’ll work for both sides.
It would have to be Rosenthal attached with a prospect (maybe Edmund Sosa/Charlie Tison) to get a good bullpen upgrade. Cardinals solidify their BP down the stretch, the acquiring team gets a solid prospect, and a buy low on a top 10 closer.
Problem is Cards may not wanna sell low on Rosie. But after tonight Vs. LA, I wouldn’t mind shipping him out. He does nothing but load the bases, and he doesn’t command any of his pitches, or have any effective secondary pitches. In my opinion, he may not return to dominance. But maybe another team thinks he can.
I am surprised the Giants have no interest in Braun. He would be the consistent power bat we need in the lineup and screw how much it costs, its an even year!
Can’t mess up that team chemistry!
They’re on a roll. Wouldn’t want to make any moves to mess that up.
Worst idea ever to trade Rosie now. His value has ever been lower. Send him to triple A and jet him stretch out as a starter. If he fixes himself, he gains ton of value whether to the cardinals or in a trade. If he doesn’t, nothing lost.
Hes not a starter and never will be
I also always pictured Braun on Giants they have a good lineup when every1 is Healthy and putting him in 2Hole would make them even more dangerous
Cashner – I see Cashner as a good fit in Boston. Any thoughts??
Why wouldn’t the the Giants take Braun, picking up those 2 relief pitchers would solve bullpen problem and Braun would solve power right handed bat, with chapman going to cubs Giants need all the help they can get, not to mention Dodgers now only 3 games back!
Cashner is similar to Buchholz. Always injured rarely pitching to potential.
Why do the Red Sox need another starting pitcher when they already traded for Drew Pomeranz? Price, Wright, Porcello, Pomeranz, and E-Rod should serve Boston very well. (Buchholz not included.)
The Giants are very scared to trade anyone means either they don’t believe their team has a chance to advance in the playoffs or just want to bargain basement player at the trade deadline. Street is a good example of low bargains given he has stunk all season long.
AJ Ramos would be a great fit with us, 1000 times better than Strickland and Osich
While trading Rosenthal would be intriguing, the Cardinals would want an MLB bullpen rental in return. It makes zero sense for another contender who’s also seeking an immediate bullpen upgrade to match up with St. Louis for a trade.
Why would the Angels trade Street who is having a career low when it isn’t even his contract year. Giants wont be getting him unless they pay as if Street isn’t having a career low. Angels are better off keeping Street and hope he rebounds next year.
If they can get a halfway decent prospect and save half his salary for 2017, they should absolutely trade Street.
Nah he can bounce back and get us a better deal next year. At worst he dpesnt bounce back and Halos are in the same situation as now. Theres nothing to spend money on this offseason anyway. 17 free agent class is weak besides relievers.
I can’t believe the Giants having no interest in Braun. No use for a .300+hitter? Pagan is FA after the season, so is Blanco. Pence on DL for now.
Giants would be getting their answer to Pagan/Blanco after this season while putting a #2 or 3 type of bat in their lineup? They’re at League Average for Runs on the season, Adding Braun is adding runs to your team. He’s not a clubhouse cancer. And honestly, the Giants Prospect List isn’t lighting up the World. 2 guys in top 100 none in top 50. So you’re not giving up future Madison Bumgarners or Buster Poseys. But acquiring that in Braun.
Our GM will not make any moves at the trade deadline. St. Louis has never made a high impact trade for a high impact player since Matt Holiday. This why and how the Pirates and most definitely the Cubs have caught us or passed us by.