The Angels are moving right-hander Jesse Chavez from the rotation to the bullpen, reports Pedro Moura of the Los Angeles Times (Twitter links). That in and of itself is somewhat noteworthy, but the timing of the move is more interesting. As Moura points out, Chavez is one start away from unlocking a significant boost in his contract’s incentives package and could earn as much as $1.7MM between now and season’s end. While the timing of the move probably won’t sit well with Chavez, he certainly hasn’t helped his own cause as of late. The 33-year-old has allowed 25 runs on 40 hits and 16 walks over his past 32 2/3 innings, making for a 6.89 ERA in his past seven starts. Right-hander Troy Scribner will step into the rotation in place of Chavez, according to Moura.
A few more notes from the division…
- The Mariners acquired Drew Smyly this past offseason in hopes of a breakout over the course of his remaining two years of control, but last month’s unfortunate diagnosis of a torn ulnar collateral ligament means he may not throw a single regular-season pitch for the Mariners. Smyly is almost certain to be non-tendered this winter due to his Tommy John operation, but manager Scott Servais tells Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times that he hopes the front office will look to retain Smyly (presumably on a more affordable deal) so that he can eventually impact the rotation down the line. “I still would love to have him going forward,” said Servais. “Those are deals that Jerry (Dipoto) and his agent have to work out. But I still think there’s a very good fit for him here. … I did say to [Smyly], ‘I’d like to see what you could do pitching in Seattle for a year,’ and he smiled and said, ‘I’d like to see it too.'”
- Adrian Beltre didn’t sugarcoat his words in telling the media that he wasn’t pleased with the Rangers’ trade of Yu Darvish, writes Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. Beltre acknowledged that he understands the business side of the game but still hadn’t given up on the 2017 season when Texas flipped its ace to the Dodgers in exchange for three prospects. The future Hall of Famer, playing at the age of 39, also made clear that he’s not interested in playing for a rebuilding club, if that’s the direction the Rangers go. “At this stage of my career, I’m not here for a rebuild,” said Beltre. “But I don’t think it will be. I think there is a possibility of this team playing better this year.” Beltre said a rebuild would “absolutely” change his mind about wanting to remain in Texas, though GM Jon Daniels downplayed the notion that such a path is even under consideration. Asked if the Darvish trade was the onset of a lengthier rebuild, Daniels replied: “I don’t look at it that way at all.”
- Though he won’t play again this season due to the freak knee injury he suffered in his MLB debut with the Yankees, Dustin Fowler is expected to compete for the Athletics’ Opening Day center field spot in 2018, writes John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle. Manager Bob Melvin offered strong praise for the type of player he hopes to be getting in the 22-year-old Fowler. “He looks to be exactly the type of athlete we’re looking for,” said the skipper. “We need to get a little bit more athletic within our system. He’s a good start for that, and it looks like [Jorge] Mateo is as well.”  Both Fowler and Mateo were acquired (alongside righty James Kaprielian) in Monday’s Sonny Gray blockbuster.
I deserve better.
If they traded you to Boston over the winter to DH and bump Hanley to first full time, that would be great.
Not a bad idea. He’d be the perfect mentor of Rafael Devers
He might decline pretty quickly in this aspect, but he’s been an elite defensive third baseman still over the past few years. Seems like a waste to DH him. At that point I think I’d rather see if he were willing to learn 1B instead of putting Hanley there.
Adrian Beltre is an elite defensive 3B even at 39…he deserves way better than to have to switch positions and the Rangers aren’t going to trade him so no that wouldn’t be great
I’d love to have you back in Boston buddy. We could use your bat in the line up for sure.
Folwer is actually 22 at the moment will be 23 opening day not 24.
Thanks. I’m not sure how I goofed that, but appreciate the heads up.
Ummmm ok
All three players the A’s acquired will fit in perfectly with their system. Definitely going to miss the opportunity to see them in NY.
Hadn’t given up on 2017? Apparently Beltre hasn’t checked the standings lately.
Unless I am missing something, the Rangers are 4.5 games out of a playoff spot. A good run for 2 weeks and they could be back in the thick of it. They won’t catch the Astros, but a WC is well within reach.
But they hadn’t shown anything all year they had a good run in them. Yankees were in the same situation last year. Sometimes it’s hard to make the decision with that 2nd wild card.
agreed- the 2nd wild card slot is working as designed
The Rangers have good pieces to work with, but it is pretty obvious now that Darvish was going to leave Texas anyway for a big payday wherever.
The Athletics need to get more athletic? Hmm…
They have certainly been getting more Athletics…
The A’s got themself an awesome package. Only a yankees fan liked me will tell you that.. I been on top of this organization since 1975
Good job A’s
I have been getting a ration of shiite on this board for saying pretty much exactly what Shea said in his article. I feel better now. A guy that gets paid for talking about this stuff agrees with me.
The Rangers should have and could have traded many more pieces without giving up on next year. This season is over. Gomez and Napoli are gone. Why didn’t we trade them? And surely Choo has some value if we eat at least half of the contract. We’ve already got replacements for those three in Guzman, Calhoun and Robinson anyways. So me personally I thought we didn’t do enough selling before the deadline
They didn’t sell anyone else because there wasn’t a market or good offers for them
“We just gave up on this season and shipped off our Ace, but we are not rebuilding.” Yeah, sure thing Jon. We believe you. We really do. NOT!
What team could use a 40-year-old, soon to be HOF 3B next season? Because he won’t be back in a Rangers uniform.
They can trade Darvish and retool for 2018. Trading him doesn’t mean full rebuild. They just know that they aren’t doing anything this year.
Yes he will still be on the Rangers
Rangers should have traded Adrian Beltre and many others while they were at it.
That’s ridiculous
I think the A’s are slowly building a very competitive team. 2018 possibly, but more realisticly, 2019. You never know. This was also supposed to be another year for the Brew Crew to continue their rebuilding, and they are right there, sniffing the playoffs.
I’m pro player most of the time on the chavez issue, but only when it doesn’t make sense to stop a player doing whatever he’s doing to save money. In this case, chavez should’ve been out of the rotation a few turns ago. Angels just have better options at this point
Skaggs is coming back this weekend, so hopefully he turns it around.
Chavez was signed to be a swing man and possible 5th starter. Instead, he was #3 or #4 due to never-ending injuries to the rotation. If there had been a better choice weeks ago, Chavez would have been out of the rotation. Unfortunately for Jesse, the Angels found options for the rotation before Jesse’s option could vest.
Sounds like Beltre feels he’s earned the right to speak his mind. Probably has, but that doesn’t mean he should, and for sure it won’t make management happy.
Who cares what Jon Daniels thinks. The man is strait up trash as a GM. Our two World Series run teams weren’t built by him. They were built by Nolan Ryan when he owned the team. And until we get a GM with the baseball knowledge of Nolan, we might not ever see a World Series ring.