With so many starting pitchers potentially hitting the trade market in the coming months, don’t be surprised if teams begin selling off rotation pieces as early as mid-June, writes Joel Sherman of the New York Post. In the event they don’t rebound from subpar starts, unexpected sellers such as the Giants, Blue Jays and Rangers should hasten movement, per Sherman. Further, the new qualifying offer system (which no longer allows teams to receive first-round picks for departed free agents) will almost certainly lead to the Rangers marketing free agent-to-be Yu Darvish and the Blue Jays doing the same with impending free agent Marco Estrada, Sherman contends. The likeliest seller, though, appears to be the floundering Royals, who “are dying to declare,” one AL executive told Sherman. Kansas City could attempt to sell high on contract-year southpaw Jason Vargas, who has stunningly delivered a 1.01 ERA in 44 2/3 innings to begin his age-34 season.
- The rehab start Red Sox left-hander David Price was supposed to make for Triple-A Pawtucket on Sunday was postponed due to rain, so he threw a 75-pitch simulated game indoors, per Scott Lauber of ESPN.com. Price will start Pawtucket’s game Friday at Triple-A Buffalo, weather permitting, and could rejoin the Red Sox if that goes well. “We’ll re-evaluate following Friday and wouldn’t rule out his return to us if everything goes according to plan,” said manager John Farrell (via John Tomase of WEEI). Price hasn’t pitched yet this season on account of an elbow issue that cropped up in early March.
- Orioles righty Dylan Bundy has already thrown 51 2/3 innings in 2017, meaning he’s nearly halfway to the career-high 109 1/3 professional frames he tossed last year. That could be a problem for the recent Tommy John surgery recipient, Steve Melewski of MASNsports.com points out. However, despite both Bundy’s innings total and the fact that he has amassed no fewer than 99 pitches in any of his eight starts, manager Buck Showalter isn’t overly concerned about the 24-year-old’s workload. “We’re careful. There is nobody more careful,” said Showalter. “I’m very proud about the health of our pitchers. It’s by design. It’s walk around and talk to them. Knowing their backgrounds. But to try to evaluate someone’s health on how many pitches or innings he’s thrown from one year to the next is a big excuse. It’s more about knowing the evidence and the person. Believe me, I’m concerned about it. I’ll put our track record of that part of it. … We’re watching everything Dylan does.”
- Cardinals lefty reliever Brett Cecil has fared poorly in the first season of the four-year, $30.5MM deal he signed as a free agent over the winter, having logged a 5.79 ERA and a 4.50 BB/9, and given up a 1.429 OPS to left-handed hitters. When speaking this weekend with reporters – including Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch – Cecil used the word “embarrassing” multiple times to describe his performance, though he believes his problems stem from a fixable mechanical issue. “I know I have a good track record,” the ex-Blue Jay said. “Obviously, I know I can get guys out. And these are struggles I’ve dealt with before.”
I thought Cecil was going to be a great bounce back player this year. Last year his home run rate was way higher than normal and he seemed to get burned on pitches that were thrown out of the strike zone for hits. I hope he turns it around he’s a great guy.
I think he can do it. It currently is going from one extreme to the next, he started out awful, then was basically lights out for a few appearances, now we’re back to awful. I’m hoping they can detect the problem, because it looks like he totally has the capability.
The problem was the deal was an albatross at the time. Cecil got paid big money to be a left specialist, but he has just not shown up yet. I think he can get better, but I’m not exactly sure if he’ll ever live up to the contract he signed.
On the plus side, with Kevin Siegrist as the other lefty, Cecil may still be the best LHP on the Cards.
I don’t disagree saying the Cardinals probably overpaid, however I think he has the potential to live up to a lot of it. I think his role was slightly more than just lefty specialist because their bullpen was pretty shaky last season. Like I said, I think we’ve seen flashes of the stuff he has, there just needs to be some adjustments to keep him there.
I’ll go with Siegrist!
Please get rid of the “slots app”. It comes on with loud blast. At least get rid of the sound Pretty annoying
Is there any compensation for departing free agents other than memories? Sorry, I forgot the change. Thanks for the knowledge.
I think a pick after the 2nd round is the best you can get, and IIRC it depends in how much the player signs for
Doesn’t Cecil traditionally start out poorly?
Yes
If u gotta pick a slow start is preferable to a terrible finish imo.. I was at game where Cecil gave up game tying blast to Freeman. He blew away for two hitters only to have Freeman get the ball in the air and wind carry it out. Sun Trust is a launching pad.
Cecil’s track record is solid.
Sooner preller trades richard n cahill and calls up lamet and kelly the better.
hes not even in the Yahoo fant app
I don’t think Lamet is ready (hit hard last night) and Kelly is still in AA. Like you, I hope for a decent return for Richard and Cahill but their replacements initially will like come from elsewhere.
What qualifies as “recent” for Tommy John Surgery? Bundy had his in June of 2013 so it will be 4 years ago next month.
Which is the scary part. A long-term study of TJ surgery a few years ago showed the new ligaments didn’t hold up much longer than six-seven years. Obviously, there are exceptions and outliers to every rule, but Baltimore is right to be careful.
Cecil is the classic overrated Jays player. His ERA in Toronto over eight years was 4.20 – that’s good? This guy spit-the-bit each time the Jays even approached using Cecil as a closer. Cecil is Jason Frasor all over again, performs in low pressure situations. Cards made a bad deal with Cecil.
Thank you! Been saying that ever since they signed him! Do you hear all these sheep saying he’s gonna bounce back blah blah blah?? Bounce back to what?? He was never any good! Fire Mozielak!!
It sure does seem like Mozielak really flubbed his dub on Cecil. Hasn’t really made a good trade or FA signing since Lance Bergman.
Not a fan of Mo, but the Lackey deal worked out well for the Cardinals