Given the dearth of quality starting pitchers set to hit free agency during the offseason, it might make sense for the Pirates to use their money on bullpen upgrades if they’re unable to re-sign Ivan Nova, writes Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. The Pirates and Nova have engaged in extension talks, but the 29-year-old’s late-season breakout could price him out of the team’s range. If so, Sawchik suggests a reunion with soon-to-be free agent closer Mark Melancon, whom the Bucs traded to the Nationals at this year’s non-waiver trade deadline. As a 31-year-old who lacks eye-popping strikeout numbers, Melancon is likely to garner the cheapest contract among fellow impending free agent bullpen aces Kenley Jansen and Aroldis Chapman. Melancon made his return to Pittsburgh on Friday as a visitor and received an ovation from its fans, though he suffered his first blown save as a National in a 6-5 loss.
More from the National League:
- The blister on Rich Hill’s left index finger continues to pose a problem, so the Dodgers will scratch him from his Sunday start against the Rockies in favor of the returning Brandon McCarthy, who has been on the disabled list with right hip stiffness since Aug. 14. Hill’s next start is set for Oct. 1, the Dodgers’ penultimate regular-season game of the year, in San Francisco. “We’ve put ourselves in the position that we have the flexibility, or luxury, to do this,” said manager Dave Roberts (via Jack Baer of MLB.com). “With the blister and how we’ve had to manage it since the trade, I think this gives him the best chance going forward to go deeper in a game.” The 88-66 Dodgers hold a seven-game lead in the NL West over the Giants and are on the verge of clinching the division. That affords them the opportunity to take it easy with Hill, who figures to serve as a key member of their playoff rotation.
- Another Dodgers starter, southpaw Scott Kazmir, might not make a start again this year, Roberts revealed Saturday. Kazmir returned Friday from a bout with thoracic spine inflammation to make his first start since Aug. 22, but he exited after one inning because of right intercostal spasms. The current campaign hasn’t gone according to plan for Kazmir, who’s in the first season of a three-year, $48MM deal he inked with Los Angeles as a free agent last winter. While Kazmir can opt out of his contract after the season, his disappointing results and injury troubles might prevent him from taking that route. In 136 1/3 innings, Kazmir has posted a 4.56 ERA, 8.85 K/9 and 3.43 BB/9.
- After Cardinals outfielder Matt Holliday’s injured right thumb swelled up last week, there was concern that the 36-year-old’s season was over. In the latest update, the Cardinals cancelled the live batting practice they had scheduled for Holliday on Sunday because of further discomfort, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The next step for Holliday is a previously scheduled appointment with a hand specialist Monday. If that goes well, Holliday could return during the upcoming week. He has been out of action since Aug. 11.
Nova got lit up for 6 runs and only went 4 innings tonight….
This guy wants 14 M for 5 yrs….
he’s not helping his case in these last 2 starts …
no way you give this guy 5 yrs… maybe 3-4 yrs…
so desperate club with give it to him and regret it !!!!
14mil for 5 years is less than 3mil a year. not worth it?
He means 14 mil per year for 5 years…
Melancon is going to garner the cheapest free agent contract this offseason? lol jump on it Gigantes
Los Gigantes need every old arm they can find…may even take a look at you, son, cuz who they have now is not working…
Vindication of Roberts move to remove Hill during the perfect game bid
Absolutely. Still yet to see anyone who threw their hands in the air and gave Roberts a spray, come back admit he did the right thing.
Not just that, Roberts maybe even gave Hill a FA boost; if Hill finishes the season healthy he’ll be in a better position to cash in big this year. And this is the only big FA payday he’s ever going to get.
I understood the decision, but I am not sure I see the vindication. Hill’s start is being skipped in an abundance of caution, not because his blister has returned.
Even getting a starting job hasn’t removed concerns about Hill’s ability to handle innings. His terminal blister prevented him from any regular work. Since he hasn’t shown any reliability as a starter by this point in his career, I would let some other team gamble that he can stay healthy, that he can repeat the quality, and that the league doesn’t catch up to him, should a team see him more than once.
terminal blister made me laugh