A few notes from the American League West:
- With the unreliable Tony Sipp representing their only established left-handed reliever, there’s an argument that the Astros could stand to add another southpaw to their bullpen. But, as he looks to improve the reigning champions’ relief corps, general manager Jeff Luhnow isn’t discriminating based on handedness (Twitter links via Brian McTaggart of MLB.com). “It’s really about finding the best upgrades to our pitching staff we can find to give us depth and quality we need to get through long season,” said Luhnow, whose team’s righty-heavy bullpen actually held its own against lefty-swingers in 2017. Luhnow noted, though, that the market is currently “stalled,” which suggests nothing is imminent on Houston’s end.
- Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto told KJR-AM this week that right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma won’t be ready to pitch again until late May or early June, per Greg Johns of MLB.com (Twitter link). Iwakuma, who re-signed with the Mariners on a minor league contract on Wednesday, threw just 31 innings in 2017 as he dealt with shoulder problems. The 36-year-old underwent surgery in late September.
- Angels left-handed pitching prospect Nate Smith will miss the 2018 season after undergoing anterior capsule surgery in September, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports. The 26-year-old Smith is now facing a 12- to 14-month recovery period, which is particularly unfortunate for a pitcher whom injuries limited to a mere 15 innings in 2017. For now, MLB.com ranks Smith as the Angels’ ninth-best prospect.
Maybe the Astros could use a Hand…
+1 haha
They won a title with 0 good left handed relivers
So, why does that mean they shouldn’t look to upgrade?
They should not trade Kyle Tucker or Whitley if thats the cost to do it
Don’t talk to WalkersDayOff in 2043. He’s already made plans to fly out to watch Tucker and Whitley’s inductions into Coopertown that year.
Agreed
Im not even an Astros fan. Your basically trying to sell Hand off as Andrew Miller if you think he is worth that much
Hand & Minor are new versions of Miller give them both a year of seasoning n they be able to compete with Miller next off-season
My what is trying to sell Hand off as Andrew Miller?
Think Kuma was a slick move made really fast by the mariners, like the quick pickup by texas on fister. believe Tillman is the next best low budget buy to be had who has most upside.
Didn’t realize Kuma’s only gonna pitch half a season. Screw it sign Dervish and go for broke
Early June return at the latest? That’s at least 110g- provided he stays healthy that’s 23 starts. I’d take that contract to add depth to my squad.
I, uh, don’t think the Nate Smith whose baseball reference page was linked will be playing anytime soon
He’s 82, but at least he’s still alive. Typical SB Nation auto-tagging.
That’s gonna be one helluva comeback.
Linking to the wrong Nate Smith haha
Well in terms of “prospect” age, 26 might as well be 82
Haha. Plenty of relievers don’t experience major league success until their late twenties, so perhaps 82 is a bit harsh. I do see your point, but if he can help a big league club by the time he’s 30 there’s still value there.
It does say volumes about the Angels system that a 26-year old reliever is a top-10 prospect.
As a die hard Angels fan regarding your comment…OUCH!!! Unfortunately I agree with you!
To be fair nobody really considers him a prospect. He was supposed to have graduated at the start of 2017 but he was injured nearly all of last season. We’ve seen him in the minors it should be sink or swim when he returns.
Man I’m sooooo glad the Dodgers didn’t end up with Iwakuma for what they were gonna sign him to…. they have enough old SP that always get hurt making big money. Didn’t need another one
The Mariners played it just right. Knew giving him a long term contract was risky was not willing to meet the Dodgers contract and let him walk. Signed him to the 1 year deal with 2 option years. Got the one out of him got hurt the 2nd. Now they have him on a minor league contract.
They can bring him back slowly maybe wait until after the AS break depending on how things are going. They could have a well rested pitcher come in and help with the 2nd half of the season if things are going good.