As major league organizations compete to bring home the shiniest new cars in Playoffville (Copyright Scott Boras), let’s check in on the latest rumored connections:
- The Pirates have at least “some interest” in old friend Neil Walker, Jon Morosi of MLB Network tweets. Morosi cites uncertainty surrounding Jung Ho Kang as driving the possibility of a reunion, though as MLB.com’s Adam Berry writes, there’s another perspective on that subject, too. GM Neal Huntington says there’s still some hope that Kang will be able to return and finish his contract. If not, though, he feels the team is in good shape in the infield without him, due in part to the acquisition of Sean Rodriguez over the summer.
- It seems there’s some mutual interest between the Cubs and righty Alex Cobb, as Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times writes. That’s not a surprising connection, given the common roots with the Rays of Cobb and several key Cubs figures. The sides have engaged in preliminary discussions, though Wittenmyer’s sources tell him that contract particulars haven’t yet been broached.
- Another starter getting a bite is Tyler Chatwood, in whom the Orioles have shown interest, per Morosi (via Twitter). That’s a connection that comes as little surprise. Baltimore is going to have to take some chances to fill out its staff, and Chatwood looks to be one of the market’s more interesting possibilities to provide value. He won’t turn 28 until December and has posted solid results outside of Coors Field, prompting MLBTR to predict a three-year deal (albeit at a relatively modest annual value). While Camden Yards and the AL East are an intimidating prospect for many pitchers, Chatwood at least has plenty of experience dealing with similar challenges.
- The Mets are among the teams with interest in free agent southpaw Mike Minor, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. We’ve heard recently about New York’s desire to pursue impact relief pitching, and Minor certainly fits that mold. Given his past history as a starter and dominance against southpaws last year, the 29-year-old would provide quite a bit of functionality.
- The Astros are showing some interest in free agent catcher Jonathan Lucroy, according to Jon Heyman of Fan Rag (via Twitter). Lucroy could make for an interesting fit in Houston, though adding a backstop of that quality no doubt would represent a luxury for the team that already has most everything. Presumably, the ’Stros could plan to split time between Lucroy and fellow veteran Brian McCann, with the other spending quite a lot of time at DH (if not also some first base). Signing Lucroy could mean non-tendering Evan Gattis, though he might also be retained and also utilized in the same rotation. There are certainly some intriguing possibilities here, though Lucroy should also be pursued by others that might offer him significant time as a primary catcher.
- It seems the Rays could again be a suitor for veteran slugger Jose Bautista, per Morosi (Twitter links). Talks haven’t really progressed to this point, but that’s hardly surprising — particularly since Tampa Bay’s entire offseason approach remains largely unclear. For his part, Bautista is said to be willing to spend time at DH or the corner infield, per agent Jay Alou.
don’t really see the fit with Lucroy, they seem fine behind the dish as it is, all though a backup catcher would be nice
Astros need a young catcher to develop behind McCann.
Lucroy isn’t young he’s 31
The McCann/Gattis tandem was definitely not fine. I love McCann for what he can do for a pitching staff and a lineup, but his arm just doesn’t cut it anymore. They absolutely need a strong defensive backup catcher. I don’t think Lucroy really has a fit and not in love with how he’s aging, especially if given a 3 year contract.
Why would the astros non tender gattis..?
Dont see any reason for them to drop such a good player
yeah I think someone would give them some small prospect for him.
Ditto. He’s worth something to somebody. Might as well render Gattis.
The O’s need to get Chatwood. They can’t wait around like they normally do and let him go. He wouldn’t be a huge addition immediately but has a chance to be very good for them.
the o’s would obsess over his physical, find one little thing wrong, void a deal, and he’d go on to sign with someone else and be just fine
Why bother. He’ll not pass the O’s physical.
Haven’t you guys noticed that the O’s doctors have been right to decline these pitchers? It’s been working.
Love the “driving” pun used in the Kang reference
I was thinking this exact same thing
That Jeffrey Todd and his kneeslappers!
I didn’t even finish reading the article before I scrolled down here to post that.
Walker coming home makes perfect sense. That they gave him away to the Mets for essentially nothing still rubs many of us the wrong way. He and Cutch actually make Pittsburgh their home and do a lot of work in the area
Makes sense, which is why I’m certain he’ll be forced to go somewhere else
I only like Walker if he would accept far less that he received the last 2 years. He only was able to play 2/3 of a season each year since he left Pgh. I loved him when he was in town but if he wants big bucks or wants several years, the Pirates would be fools to take that on. If he were healthy, that would be a far different story
Walker would be a terrible signing for PIT lol. Unless he wants to be a utility player for cheap
I see the logic in Lucroy as a bounce back candidate. Gattis is only a serviceable catcher and McCann is old. Makes sense as a longterm move to shore up the position.
McCann might be old but he’s certainly the starter in 2018 and probably 2019. How long exactly are you gonna sign Lucroy for? He’s not signing to be a backup when he can go back to Colorado and be the starter.
Even after winning a historic World Series in Houston, McCann is homesick for the state of Georgia and the rebuilding Braves, so hopefully they can send him packing and take a contract back in return.
Sounds possible
McCann chased money but now he just wants to be back in Atlanta. Amazing.
Anyone else noticing that the players who chase big money are the least satisfied with the signing? When will these guys learn the difference between your life of a few million dollars won’t truly matter when it comes to the daily grind of where you work, where you live, where you’re going home to, who you are surrounded by, etc.
I don’t see Walker signing with Pittsburgh again unless it is so he can retire as a Pirate.
I’d like to see it happen, but i’m not sure it makes the most baseball sense.
Pirates need a third basemen and to slightly lesser extent short stop.. They also need more power/extra base hits and someone who can play nearly every day. Walker would be essentially replacing freese and Harrison going to third… really not a huge upgrade when you consider probably a defensive downgrade but a lot of that would also depend on Neil staying healthy.
still if it happened i probably wouldn’t complain. just shrug my shoulders and say Welcome Back.
I’m going to be bummed if Cobb does not sign with the Cubs. Everything seems to have him pointed toward the Friendly Confines.
I wouldn’t mind seeing Chatwood in a Cub uniform, too.
One name Gammy Jake Peavy….Book it!!!
That sounds more like the White Sox speed.
He couldn’t do worse then Lackey and god knows he’s not as ugly….
Lackey. My wife’s “favorite player”. She’s not a baseball fan. First time she sees him: “Who’s that? Nice choppers.” Every time following that: “Him again? Can’t he close his mouth?”
Lack definitely ate innings though and kept them in the game most of the time.
The John horse mouth Elway of MLB….
Both of those guys do sound nice. If they could only sign one I personally think Chatwood is a wiser choice than Cobb, especially if he’ll sign for 3/25 or 4/32. I see him getting more than that, however.
Chatwood is who the Cubs should’ve gotten all along. He has an ERA of under 1.00 at Wrigley field in 20 innings pitched.
IDK if twenty innings is enough to truly judge on that front.. Hos road numbers were fairly good, last year. He’d be worth a shot.
My thoughts as well. Sign Cobb and Chatwood
Chatwood a cub one down one to go .now let’s get Cobb.
I am totally perplexed how so many people think that Serpico is the white knight coming to the Pirates aid. He had a serious injury and at his age, you don’t heal like a younger person. He is also on the downside of his career and with one exceptional year, he can’t hit his way out of a paper basket.
And I seriously doubt that Walker would even entertain the idea of coming back after the way Mr. Arrogance handled the non Walker extension. And once again, age is playing against Walker and with his back cropping up more and more, not sure this is a viable option either.
So sign Neal Walker and trade Andrew McCutchen and maybe Gerrit Cole.
Sure makes sense.
Hope Jose Bautista does latch on with another club. I realize his time with the Jays had come., but he was always a fierce competitor and a club house leader., and the last two seasons have not been great but lets remember he still hit 23 home runs this year. He won’t be getting the 17..5 he got last year but he can play a decent 1st base and dh.
Good luck Jose
I wouldn’t be upset if the Jay’s bring him back. Maybe he can up his value and accept a deal mid season to a contender. Then sign a one day contract in the offseason and retire a jay!
And I stand by what I said even more now after noticing these away stats:
FIP:
Cobb: 4.08
Chatwood: 4.19
ERA:
Cobb: 3.91
Chatwood: 3.31
I just don’t see why they should spend ~$15 million more on the guy who is 2 years older and has had worse stats on the road throughout his entire career.
Home and away stats are not the end all. It also depends on who he was facing.
The fact Chatwood has never cleared 160 innings worries me, as do his walks.
He would be a fine addition, no doubt, but one or two stats don’t always tell the tale.
You’re right, I honestly forgot Cobb is coming from the AL East.. I tried to throw those stats in to show that Chatwood isn’t a far cry from Cobb’s skill level, but Cobb has had significantly more success against the NL Central (both have good numbers but Cobb is a beast). Yes they’re small sample sizes, but a little data is more telling than none.
The silver lining of Chatwood’s wildness is that he held batters to a .197 clip last year outside of Coor’s. The whole staff will be focusing on control this offseason so it’d be a good time for him to join.
I’d say they should grab both of them, because it looks like it’ll be at least another 1 1/2 years before any of the top pitching prospects get called up (assuming they even make it).
Also, Cobb only averages 10 more innings per year than Chatwood.