Nationals To Add Mat Latos To Active Roster
The Nationals have struck a slightly modified agreement with righty Mat Latos that will result in him joining the major league roster, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets. Though Latos could’ve opted out today if he was not promoted, he has agreed to stay in the minors until rosters expand on Thursday and will return to the majors at that time.
Because Latos is already in the organization, the delay will not have any impact on his eligibility for a hypothetical post-season roster. Of course, as things stand, it would be something of a surprise if he ends up representing an appealing option for playoff duty.
The 28-year-old has been on a roller-coaster ever since he was traded from the Reds to the Marlins after the 2014 season. There have been moments where he looked like the high-quality starter he once was, and others when he has been mediocre on the hill while representing a questionable clubhouse presence.
It’s a results-oriented business at the end of the day, and Latos hasn’t steadily delivered of late. Since the start of the 2015 campaign, he has compiled a 4.84 ERA over 176 2/3 innings with 6.7 K/9 against 2.9 BB/9.
ERA estimators suggest that he has been somewhat better than those figures would suggest. Trouble is, though, his peripherals and average fastball velocity have sagged more recently, raising renewed concerns whether he’ll ever regain the form that allowed him to average 200 frames of 3.27 ERA pitching over 2010 to 2013.
Latos and the Nats hope that he’ll thrive in his new environment, which represents something of a homecoming. The righty is from the Northern Virginia area originally, though he spent the bulk of his youth in Florida. More importantly, perhaps, he has done his best work as a big leaguer under the command of former Reds skipper Dusty Baker, who now helms the Nationals.
The preliminary results have been reasonably promising. Latos has permitted just two earned runs over 17 innings in three starts at the Triple-A level, though he has only ten strikeouts against seven walks in that span.
Whether or not Latos is able to contribute much down the stretch, then, is at best an open question. But the Nationals are in need of solid-enough innings as they look to ease Stephen Strasburg and Joe Ross back into action in advance of the playoffs. With a healthy eight-game advantage in the NL East, the Nats can probably afford to take a risk on quality in favor of managing the burden on their existing staff. That ought to provide some opportunity for Latos to tally some MLB frames before he returns to the open market at season’s end.
Quick Hits: Orioles, Brinson, Blanco, Viera
Let’s wrap up some news items as we head into the new week…
- The Orioles have made a few notable August acquisitions during Dan Duquette’s tenure with the club, and Duquette tells Jon Meoli of the Baltimore Sun that he has again been looking at the waiver market. “So we’ve been working on it….You want to make your bench as strong as you can make it, and also get as much pitching depth as you can,” Duquette said.
- Since joining the Brewers organization, Lewis Brinson has been on fire, entering today’s action with a 1.099 OPS over 68 plate appearances for Triple-A Colorado Springs. Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel notes that Brinson could be a September callup for the Brew Crew, though the club’s outfield is already pretty crowded. Brinson was the centerpiece of the trade package (fellow top prospect Luis Ortiz and a player to be named later) Milwaukee acquired in the deadline blockbuster that sent Jonathan Lucroy and Jeremy Jeffress to the Rangers.
- Cuban outfielder Dairon Blanco and right-hander Carlos Juan Viera will hold a showcase in the Dominican Republic on September 5, MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez reports (via Twitter). Blanco, a 23-year-old described by Baseball America’s Ben Badler as owning blazing speed but somewhat raw hitting and fielding skills, still has to receive clearance from MLB to officially become a free agent. Blanco is subject to international signing guidelines and the 27-year-old Viera appears to be as well, since he has only four seasons under his belt in Cuba’s top league, the Serie Nacional.
Nationals Face Roster Decision On Mat Latos
Right-hander Mat Latos can opt out of his minor league deal with the Nationals if he isn’t added to the team’s 25-man roster by tomorrow, FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reports (Twitter link). Latos signed a minor league deal with the Nats in late June that reportedly contained multiple opt-out dates, and given how late it is in the season, one would think Monday could be the final chance for Latos to pursue another opportunity if he so chooses.
It has been quite the roller-coaster of a season for Latos, who began the year with an 0.74 ERA over his first 24 1/3 innings in the White Sox rotation. Latos greatly outperformed his peripherals stats in delivering this great start, and he came back to earth by posting a 7.25 ERA over his next 36 innings. On the whole, Latos has a 4.62 ERA, 44.3% grounder rate, 4.77 K/9 and 1.28 K/BB rate over 60 1/3 frames in 2016, with ERA indicators like FIP (5.54), xFIP (5.47) and SIERA (5.57) hinting that he is still somewhat fortunate to be delivering even that modest 4.62 figure.
Since joining the Nats system, however, Latos has a 1.29 ERA, 2.8 K/BB rate and 28 strikeouts over 28 innings split between rookie ball and Triple-A. As you might expect, those numbers are largely weighted towards Latos dominating the rookie league; while he has a 1.06 ERA over 17 frames at Triple-A Syracuse, his 5.3 K/9 indicates that Latos is still having problems missing bats against tougher competition. The righty has battled knee injuries and a likely-related loss of velocity in recent years, averaging around 90mph over the last two seasons.
As the Nationals’ depth chart (tip of the hat to Roster Resource) indicates, the NL East leaders aren’t short on starting pitching options even with Stephen Strasburg and Joe Ross on the disabled list. Youngsters A.J. Cole and Lucas Giolito have filled in behind rotation fixtures Max Scherzer, Gio Gonzalez and Tanner Roark, Reynaldo Lopez could be recalled from Triple-A for another start, or swingman Yusmeiro Petit is also available for a spot outing. Washington does have an eight-game lead in the NL East, however, so the club has some flexibility in calling up Latos as a veteran innings eater in order to preserve one of its young arms. Giolito, for instance, has struggled at the MLB level, including a rough start today in a loss to the Rockies.
Red Sox Notes: Moncada, Buchholz, Papelbon
Here’s the latest out of Fenway Park…
- Manager John Farrell told reporters (including WEEI.com’s Ryan Hannable) that the Red Sox are discussing internal and external options for a pinch-running speed threat off the bench. Top prospect Yoan Moncada has been mentioned as a possibility to fill the role, though it is “yet to be determined” if Moncada could be promoted, Farrell said. Arguably the game’s best prospect, Moncada has hit .299/.413/.517 over a combined 476 plate appearances at the high-A and Double-A levels this season, not to mention 44 steals in 56 attempts. His lack of experience at Triple-A wouldn’t necessarily be an obstacle if he was to be used primarily as a pinch-runner, though Moncada is such a highly-touted young player that he might not need much more (or even any) seasoning at the plate. Moncada could also get at-bats against left-handed pitching, and maybe see some time at third base though he is still just learning the position.
- It looks like the Red Sox may exercise their $13.5MM option on Clay Buchholz for 2017 after all, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes in his weekly notes column. Since losing his rotation job earlier this season, Buchholz has pitched well out of the bullpen, posting a 3.05 ERA and holding hitters to a .506 OPS over 20 2/3 relief innings, though he has also stepped out of the pen to deliver some quality spot starts. The Sox are one of the few teams wealthy enough to afford $13.5MM for a swingman, and they could prefer having a familiar option on hand should they face more rotation struggles in 2017.
- Also from Cafardo’s column, he notes that some personal or family issues could be preventing from Jonathan Papelbon from signing with the Red Sox. A reunion between the Sox and their former closer has seemed like a possibility almost as soon as Papelbon was released by the Nationals, though that was two weeks ago and no deal appears imminent despite Boston’s continued interest. The longer he is out of action, presumably the longest it will take for Papelbon to get back into game shape in a minor league assignment, which is another issue since minor league seasons are soon wrapping up. Papelbon would have to sign before Thursday in order to qualify for a postseason roster.
- In other Red Sox news from earlier today on MLBTR, the team talked to the White Sox about Chris Sale or Jose Quintana prior to the August 1 trade deadline, though talks didn’t materialize since Boston didn’t want to deal Jackie Bradley Jr. as part of the deal for either star lefty.
Angels Outright Johnny Giavotella To Triple-A
The Angels have outrighted second baseman Johnny Giavotella to Triple-A, the club announced. Giavotella cleared waivers after being designated for assignment last week.
After being acquired from Kansas City in a December 2014 trade, Giavotella has spent much of the last two seasons as the Angels’ starter at the keystone. He didn’t provide much offensively (.267/.305/.375 over 869 plate appearances) or defensively (the UZR/150 and Defensive Runs Saved metrics indicate below-average glovework over the last two years) and Giavotella had recently lost playing time to Gregorio Petit and Cliff Pennington. Second base certainly appears to be one of many areas of need for the Halos this winter as they look to recover from a thoroughly disappointing 2016 campaign.
As Pedro Moura of the L.A. Times tweets, the Angels will use Giavotella as a utilityman at Triple-A. Giavotella has some experience at third base and left field in the minors, though he has only appeared at a position other than second once at the Major League level (a single game at shortstop). Gaining some multi-position versatility could be helpful for Giavotella’s career prospects, given his lack of success against MLB pitching. Giavotella will be eligible for arbitration for the first time this winter and is a potential non-tender candidate, though he doesn’t figure to be in line for a very big salary in his initial trip through the arb process.
Sox Rumors: Sale, Quintana, Bradley
The White Sox discussed left-handed aces Chris Sale and Jose Quintana with the Red Sox prior to the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline, but Boston was unwilling to part with center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. for either, reports Bruce Levine of CBS Chicago.
It’s unclear if any other players were involved in the teams’ talks, but had the Red Sox given up Bradley for Sale or Quintana, they would have damaged one area of their roster to improve another. That’s something contending teams are especially loath to do during the season. However, the two clubs could resume negotiations in the offseason, writes Levine.
Bradley broke out offensively last summer and is now in the midst of his best full season at the major league level, having slashed .272/.349/.499 with 21 home runs in 510 plate appearances. He has also provided value on the base paths, with FanGraphs rating him as the 13th-best base runner in the league, as well as in the field. The 26-year-old ranks top five among center fielders in Defensive Runs Saved (nine), Ultimate Zone Rating (3.4) and UZR/150 (4.9). Bradley’s defensive work has earned plaudits since his major league career began in earnest two years ago, but it took some time for his output at the dish to catch up. Now, given his explosion with the bat, Bradley looks poised to land a significant raise in arbitration during the offseason as a likely Super Two player, which MLBTR’s Jeff Todd touched on earlier this week. That will be the first of four possible arbitration trips for Bradley, who has easily outperformed his $536,500 salary this season.
As is the case with Bradley, Chicago’s two 27-year-old front-line starters are bargains. Sale, who’s in his fifth straight year as an elite-level ace, is controllable from 2017-2019 for around $40MM. Like Sale, Quintana has turned in quality seasons for a half-decade, and his contract is even more appealing than his teammate’s. Quintana will make $14.35MM over the next two seasons and then up to $21MM more with a pair of $10.5MM club options that run through 2020.
While neither Sale nor Quintana is a lock to go anywhere during the winter, that could change if the White Sox decide to rebuild. Chicago is on track to miss the playoffs for an eighth straight year, and general manager Rick Hahn indicated Thursday that the franchise’s direction will become clear early in the offseason. If the White Sox choose to shop at least one of Sale or Quintana, the weak free agent market for pitchers would make the upcoming offseason an ideal time for it, as Levine notes. Any team in need of pitching – including Boston – would likely inquire on either or both, thereby enabling Chicago to spark a bidding war.
Minor MLB Transactions: 8/28/16
Sunday’s minor moves from around baseball:
- The Twins selected the contract of outfielder Logan Schafer. He’ll take the place of outfielder Danny Santana, who was placed on the 15-day DL with a shoulder sprain suffered in a collision with teammate Robbie Grossman during today’s game. After being released by the Nationals at the end of Spring Training and then spending some time in the independent Atlantic League, Schafer signed a minor league deal with Minnesota in June. Schafer has a .212/.286/.319 slash line over 646 career MLB plate appearances, all with the Brewers from 2011-15.
- The Dodgers have outrighted catcher Shawn Zarraga off their 40-man roster, tweets Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times. LA called up Zarraga on Thursday, but he was only a temporary fill-in as the club awaited the arrival of the newly acquired Carlos Ruiz. Zarraga, 27, has never picked up a major league plate appearance, instead totaling 1,826 in the minors and hitting .282/.371/.367.
- The Blue Jays have released right-hander Chris Leroux from their Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo, per a club announcement. Toronto acquired Leroux from the Phillies for cash considerations in early April, but he never took the mound for the Jays. Leroux, whose latest major league action came in two innings with the Yankees in 2014, posted a 4.28 ERA, 6.04 K/9 and 2.86 BB/9 in 138 2/3 frames with Buffalo this year. In 71 2/3 career big league innings, the 32-year-old has put up a 6.03 ERA, 8.29 K/9, 4.4 BB/9 and 48.9 percent ground-ball rate.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Trout, Cy Young, Jays, Yanks, Bucs, Astros, Brewers
This week in the baseball blogosphere…
- Bleeding Royal Blue believes Angels center fielder Mike Trout should be the front-runner for American League MVP.
- Jays From the Couch shoots down the possibility of the Blue Jays acquiring Reds first baseman Joey Votto.
- Chin Music Baseball analyzes the Cy Young race in the National League.
- Sports Heaven asks if Orioles closer Zach Britton is the favorite to win the AL Cy Young Award.
- Pinstripe Pundits weighs the pros and cons of the Yankees trading catcher Brian McCann.
- TPOP blames the Pirates’ somewhat disappointing season on their ownership, not general manager Neal Huntington.
- BP Toronto opines that commissioner Rob Manfred’s latest rule change proposals could harm pitchers.
- Innings Eaters doesn’t see the Giants’ Buster Posey as the clear-cut best catcher in baseball.
- Rotisserie Duck highlights the importance of pitch framing.
- The Runner Sports profiles Astros right-hander Collin McHugh.
- Call to the Pen expects Mets outfielder Yoenis Cespedes to opt out of his contract after the season.
- Jays Journal delves into rest-of-season possibilities for Aaron Sanchez.
- Outside Pitch MLB is impressed with a couple of the Yankees’ young pitchers.
- isportsweb looks ahead to the Phillies’ 2017 rotation.
- Brew Crew Fever breaks down what the Brewers’ roster could look like in 2017.
- Clubhouse Corner interviews former major leaguer and current Astros television analyst Geoff Blum.
- Wayniac Nation chats with Yankees second-round pick Nick Solak.
- A’s Farm checks in on nine young pitchers the Athletics have acquired over the past year.
- Pirates Breakdown wants Pittsburgh to deploy Felipe Rivero, not Tony Watson, as its closer.
- Now On Deck doesn’t exactly expect righty Chris Tillman‘s injury to cripple the Orioles.
- Off The Bench Baseball compares the Cubs’ Kyle Hendricks and the Mets’ Jacob deGrom.
- Halo Headquarters pays tribute to former Angels right-hander Nick Adenhart.
- Yanks Go Yard praises the recent play of Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks.
- Notes From The Sally names the top performers in the South Atlantic League.
- Brew City Sports Report explains what makes the rebuilding Brewers worth watching.
- NYRDCAST points out that the Cardinals are on track to do something they haven’t done since 1911.
- Camden Depot regards the National League as inferior to the American League.
- Everything Bluebirds challenges “old-school” thinking in baseball.
Please send submissions to ZachBBWI @gmail.com.
Dodgers Place Yasiel Puig On Revocable Waivers
The Dodgers have placed outfielder Yasiel Puig on revocable trade waivers, reports FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal (Twitter link). While Rosenthal expects someone to claim Puig, he points out (on Twitter) that a trade is likelier to occur in the offseason. By waiting until then to deal Puig, the Dodgers would be able to negotiate with the rest of the league, whereas their market would be limited to only the claiming team this season.
After bursting on the scene in 2013 and providing superstar-caliber production through the 2014 campaign, Puig has regressed significantly over the past two seasons. This year has been especially difficult for Puig, whom the Dodgers optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Aug. 2. Prior to his demotion, Puig batted a disappointing .260/.320/.386 while posting a league-worst 25.3 percent infield fly rate in 303 plate appearances. He has since torn through Pacific Coast League pitching, having slashed .375/.420/.641 in 69 PAs, and his major league replacement – trade deadline acquisition Josh Reddick – has hit a terrible .141/.202/.154 this month. Nevertheless, there’s no indication that the Dodgers are going to recall Puig this year.
There have long been concerns about Puig’s clubhouse presence and maturity, though FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman reported Thursday that his behavior since going to Oklahoma City has drawn positive reviews.
“At some point, the talent, the maturity is going to take hold,” a Dodgers official told Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe last week. “Someone will benefit from it. We hope it’s us, but it’s hard to envision it right now.”
Puig is only 25, so he could indeed regain form and benefit the Dodgers or another club down the line. Given his upside and reasonable contract, a deal seems likely by the offseason if the Dodgers decide they want no part of Puig at the major league level anymore. Puig is controllable for the next three seasons, and he’s set to earn at least $14MM through 2017. He also has the right to opt into arbitration, though his poor 2016 showing could prevent him from taking that route.
Giants To Place Derek Law On DL
In what could be a major blow to their bullpen, the Giants will place right-hander Derek Law on the disabled list with a strained right elbow, according to Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News (Twitter link). The club will recall outfielder Jarrett Parker from Triple-A Sacramento to take Law’s roster spot, tweets Alex Pavlovic of CSN Bay Area.
[RELATED: Updated Giants Depth Chart]
Law, 25, has enjoyed a tremendous rookie season until now, having recorded a 1.94 ERA, 8.29 K/9, 1.59 BB/9 and 50 percent ground-ball rate in 51 innings. Not only is his loss troubling from a baseball standpoint, then, but the injury itself is also reason for worry because Law underwent Tommy John surgery in 2014. He has also experienced a dip in velocity, which the Giants’ staff is concerned about, per Baggarly (Twitter link).
Regardless of whether Law’s out for two weeks or far longer, his absence should negatively affect the free-falling Giants, who have gone 13-26 since the All-Star break and hold a 1 1/2-game lead in the National League wild-card race. Despite Law’s stellar production, San Francisco’s bullpen only ranks toward the middle of the pack in both ERA and K/BB ratio. Now, without their best reliever, the Giants will have to get by with a group led by Santiago Casilla, Hunter Strickland, Sergio Romo and trade deadline acquisition Will Smith.