We’ve already heard about the Mets’ interest in Angels righty Joe Smith, but they aren’t alone in looking at the veteran reliever. The Indians, Mariners, and perhaps also the Cardinals all have some level of interest, Jon Heyman of Fan Rag tweets. These teams, of course, have also been tied to a variety of other pen pieces — as have most organizations looking for relief help. Remember to check out MLBTR’s list of the top relief candidates to run down some possibilities.
- One source for a quality reliever could be the White Sox, who still have closer David Robertson under contract for two more years. There’s a “real possibility” he could be moved, Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News reports on Twitter. The Nationals, Rangers, and division-rival Indians are among the rival organizations who have some interest. While Robertson is carrying an uncharacteristic 4.35 ERA on the year, driven in large part by a huge spike in his walk totals and a barrage of home runs, he’s still getting swings and misses on 11.9% of his pitches and working with his typical 92 to 93 mph fastball. Robertson is working in the zone as much as usual, and has tamed the control problems in the month of July. Plus, much of the damage has been limited to a few bad outings — Robertson has only allowed earned runs in eight of his forty outings on the season.
- Several Padres bullpen arms feature on the above-cited list of trade possibilities, and GM A.J. Preller says that he has drawn interest, as MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell tweets. Preller cites righty Brandon Maurer and lefties Brad Hand and Ryan Buchter as hurlers who have been asked about quite frequently. “There’s definitely interest in our pen,” per the freewheeling general manager.
- Teams asking the Yankees about starting pitching have been left with the impression that only Ivan Nova is available at present, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports on Twitter. Nova certainly didn’t help his trade appeal with a rough outing tonight, but as a pending free agent, it seems the club is more willing to deal him. As of now, says Sherman, upper management hasn’t given a green light on moving arms that have future control, such as Nathan Eovaldi and Michael Pineda.
Unless your blowing away preller for a bullpen arm (most likely Hand and Buchter) your not getting one as they are all very controllable.
Buchter would be a nice get for a team like Cleveland. 4 years of control left and he isn’t just a LOOGY, he is a legit 7th/8th inning guy. If CLE doesn’t land Lucroy, they should turn their attention to SD and see if they could get a package deal with Buchter & Derek Norris. They would also have team control over Norris until 2019.
*5.5 years of control for buchter
Buchter probably has more value to the Padres than anything they could get in a trade. I can’t imagine the return for him being that great because of his lack of a track record and is controllable through 2021 so he could actually help the Padres when they do contend.
Yeah you’re right, his contralability & minimal track record coupled with the fact that even though we are in sell mode Andy Green needs guys down in the pen that are going to give you valuable innings to get through this year & beyond.
I will say though however, the same argument was made in Pomeranz’s case and we were able to net Espinosa out of him. Pitching is at premium whether it’s in the rotation or coming out of the pen late in meaningful games. We just don’t want another Tyson Ross on our hands by missing the window to sell someone at what could be their peak value.
I agree. If it comes down to it, and there is a team out there that is willing to make Preller a very good deal, guys like Butcher will end up getting traded.
I don’t know much about Buchter but his career numbers sure seem impressive. Cleveland is desperate for a lefty reliever so he’d be a good fit.
He was bouncing around from organization to organization the last couple of years, but coming into this season he had only had 1 career major league outing with the Braves. He spent some time in the Cubs minor league affiliates and never got a real shot. He forced Preller & Green’s hand in spring training because he was so lights out that they had to give him and opportunity and he has just outperformed what anyone could have expected.
Big bodied lefty with control to both sides of the plate with his fastball, with a slider & change.
And then there is Villanueva! Send him to the minors!
I know right. Unfortunately, on bad teams the score can get out of control in a hurry and Villanueva is that guy you call on to mop up those lopsided games. The broadcasts also say that he is a big reason for Luis Perdomo’s growth, Villanueva takes time to speak to him in his language and takes him under his wing on how it’s like to be a big leaguer. Rodney & Villanueva tought Perdomo the change up he started to throw recently. Not saying that’s a reason to keep him but his value this year has been beyond what we typically get to see as fans.
Wonder what the Halos are looking for in a Joe Smith trade. Maybe a near ready back-end rotation piece like Ynoa from NYM or Plukto from CLE? Is Tommy Phan too much from STL?
Pham is playing more then Grichuk at this point… I’d rather Cards go after Robertson and give up less due to remaining salary on the books. Robertson, Oh, Siegrist then maybe an effective Rosenthal later on would be a very nice BP.
A non-closing reliever with a big contract, pending free agency and marginal numbers shouldn’t cost too much.
Smith for Nimmo or Lindsey should get it done