In the wake of today’s Mike Leake trade, some have wondered whether the Cardinals might be more inclined to bring back fellow right-hander Lance Lynn, who’s set to reach free agency this fall. But Lynn himself suggested that, at a minimum, that’s hardly an inevitability. As Chris Lee of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes, the veteran hurler says there has “been zero communication” between his camp and the Cards’ front office about a new contract. You’ll want to read all of his comments for yourself, but it certainly did not sound as if the 30-year-old is entirely sanguine about the chances of a reunion.
- It’s worth noting, too, that Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak has emphasized a desire to rely on the team’s younger arms in explaining the Leake swap, as Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com tweets. That would seem to suggest that Luke Weaver and others factor prominently in the club’s plans for 2018 (and, of course, beyond). Mozeliak covered a few of the up-and-coming hurlers in his comments today, as Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch covers in his story on the trade.
- Nationals star Bryce Harper does not seem to be making much headway in his effort to return from his recent knee injury, as Mark Zuckerman of MASNsports.com reports (Twitter links). Harper says he suffered not only a bone bruise but also a strained calf, while indicating some concern with the fact that there’s not much time left in the regular season. Skipper Dusty Baker acknowledged that Harper is still “a long way of running,” adding that the club will give Jayson Werth some time in right field in case Harper isn’t ready for the postseason.
- The Giants have at least some level of interest in Tigers outfielder Justin Upton, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network (links to Twitter). Trouble is, San Francisco (quite understandably) would only want to deal for Upton if it can be assured that he won’t exercise his opt-out clause and head out onto the open market this fall. Upton will be deciding between another foray into free agency and the $88.5MM over four years still left on his contract. It seems unlikely that he’ll be inclined to tip his hand on that call, let alone pre-commit, so it’s hard to imagine how a deal could come together. The Giants, after all, won’t want to sacrifice value to rent Upton in a lost season. And the Tigers would surely rather deal him in the offseason or offer him a qualifying offer (if he opts out) than give him away for nothing. Of course, San Francisco could still pursue Upton in trade or free agency after the season if he ends up remaining with Detroit through the end of the season.
- Another Mets pitcher has suffered a significant injury, though he is not a major leaguer. Prospect Jordan Humphreys has undergone Tommy John surgery, per MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo (via Twitter). The 21-year-old landed with the Mets as an 18th-round pick, but impressed this year at the Class A level, throwing 69 2/3 innings of 1.55 ERA ball with 10.3 K/9 against 1.2 BB/9. He had just been promoted to High-A before hitting the shelf. MLB.com recently rated Humphreys the organization’s 15th-best prospect.
Justin Upton is ineligible for a QO. He received one in 2015 from the Padres, new CBA restricts multiple QO’s to a single player in that player’s career if I’m remembering correctly
Ah yeah I forgot about that. I think he would be wise to opt-out. He doesn’t need to top the $22 mill annual deal he is currently in (4 years/$88 mill), but he could look to top the dollar amount overall for example: 6 years $120 mill.
The other big thing is he could find himself on a more competitive team than the current Tigers squad, which may be a year or two from the playoffs.
I believe that Upton is ineligible to receive the qualifying offer, based on him previously receiving one.
Why does this get down-voted when it is correct?
AIDS probably
I think Nicasio is a Cardinal if he falls to them. They have a spot open and need bullpen help badly
Upton needs to opt out and go sign with Boston. They need his power, they are last in AL in HR and they play in Fenway Park !. Benintendi can be 4th outfielder for a year, and then when Hanley ‘s deal is finished after 2018, (assuming the vesting option doesn’t come into play) Upton can move to DH, or stay in LF depending how his defense is playing there.
That’s a terrible idea Benny’s one of our better players
Beni 107 OPS+, and 2.3 WAR decent but nothing to write home about. . He would still get 300+ PA as the 4th outfielder. Upton 138 OPS+ and 4.9 WAR this year, career 121 OPS+ and 249 HR. Just turned 30 5 days ago. Would be a monster in fenway. Bradley is a better CF than Beni. But they could go either way as far as 4th OF is concerned. Boston needs a power bat.. Upton would be a good guy for that team,.
Benny Biceps would never be a fourth outfielder, if anything he would move to CF and JBJ would sit
Benintendi has been solid this year.
Damn what drugs you on
I am not a fan of upton in SF – even if they fail I think SF needs to throw youth into the outfield and let them sink or swim, whether it is guys in the system who we haven’t seen, guys we haven’t seen enough of or guys that aren’t in the system yet – we don’t need another high priced veteran with a couple of good years at most left
given his no trade clause to 20 teams and his rather vocal dislike for playing at ATT, I would be shocked to see a deal come together. But I agree, they need to get younger, not commit $$ to aging veterans
Not Humphreys, too. We lost Szapucki earlier this year and the cupboard’s really, really bare.
Lynn does not sound like a happy man in St Louis
Has Lance Lynn really earned a 4-5 year deal? Someone will give it to him and probably at least $18 million per. If we learn anything from the Leake deal, maybe we should pass and add a bat or two?
Yes. Flaherty, Weaver, Reyes, and a BIG BAT are certainly welcome for 2018.
Reyes probably not until about a quarter of the way into 2018. But a very promising future.