Some rumblings from around both the NL and AL Central divisions…
- Reports back in December indicated that Cubs swingman Mike Montgomery wanted to be a full-time starting pitcher, though the southpaw told reporters (including Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times) that he was just indicating his preference rather than demanding a role change. “It wasn’t like, ’Hey, make me a starter or I get traded,’ ” Montgomery said. “It wasn’t that black and white. It was just, ’Hey, I want to be a starter.’….I think it’s obvious I want to do that, and I think it’s just a matter of time and place and situation.” Chicago’s addition of Yu Darvish would seem to bump Montgomery back into his swingman spot, yet that hasn’t changed his feelings about remaining a Cub. “I definitely want to be here. I know I want to be a starter, but, look, being a part of this team the last couple years, it’s a special group, and we not only have a good team, but I’ve never had more fun playing baseball,” Montgomery said.
- Also from Wittenmyer’s piece, he notes that the Cubs have been getting trade interest in Montgomery since the Darvish signing, with the Phillies and possibly other teams calling about Montgomery’s availability even long before Darvish came to Wrigleyville. Philadelphia’s interest isn’t a surprise, as the Phils have seemingly checked in on just about every controllable young starter that could conceivably be a trade candidate.
- The Cardinals will have evaluators at Tim Lincecum’s showcase tomorrow, according to FanRag Sports’ Jon Heyman (Twitter link). St. Louis will join at least 12 other teams in watching the former two-time Cy Young Award winner throw as he attempts a comeback after missing all over the 2017 season.
- Adam Frazier, Sean Rodriguez, and Jordan Luplow are the top choices competing for the open spot in the Pirates’ outfield, and GM Neal Huntington tells MLB.com’s Adam Berry and other reporters that the club feels good about that internal mix. “We’re comfortable with those three, that between those three we can get a productive outfielder out of that group, one that we feel compares well to the group of free-agent outfielders that are in our scope,” Huntington said. A new acquisition isn’t yet totally out of the question, however, as Huntington said last week that “There are still players of interest to us. If we’re able to find that common ground, then we’d be open to adding.”
- Hunter Dozier will mostly be used as a first baseman in the opening days of the Royals’ Spring Training camp, manager Ned Yost tells the Kansas City Star’s Rustin Dodd and other reporters. Dozier, Cheslor Cuthbert, and Whit Merrifield are the most viable first base options in camp, which Dodd notes is representative of the lack of depth at the position. Dozier, picked eighth overall by K.C. in the 2013 draft, has played just 12 games at first base over his five-year pro career. All of the uncertainty around the Royals’ first base spot would of course disappear if Eric Hosmer was re-signed, though not much seems to be developing on that front as Kansas City and San Diego continue to be perhaps the only two teams vying for Hosmer’s services.
- Tigers right-handed relief prospect Bryan Garcia has suffered a torn UCL and will undergo Tommy John surgery tomorrow, the team announced (hat tip to MLB.com’s Jason Beck). Dr. James Andrews will perform the procedure. Garcia was a sixth-round pick for Detroit in the 2016 draft and was making a rapid rise through the organization, pitching at four different levels in 2017 including 13 1/3 innings at Triple-A Toledo. Over 73 2/3 pro innings, Garcia posted an impressive 2.20 ERA, 12.2 K/9 and a 4.00 K/BB rate. Unfortunately, the 22-year-old now faces a recovery period of 12-15 months.
I need baseball season now
Baseball season??!! I’m waiting for the Hot Stove League to start! Ha!
Can’t we at least go after a cheap veteran for the outfield? I’m not saying they gotta go after JDM, but someone like Ben Revere, Jarrod Dyson, Rajai Davis. Maybin, or Ichiro.
I thought for awhile they would go with Frazier or Harrison as everyday LF no need to sign Dyson type for multiple years cause Meadows will be up sooner than later.
If Dyson wants a multi-year deal, then yea, maybe I’d pass as well, but the other names I’ve mentioned will more than likely sign one year deals. But why not get Ichiro on a cheap one year deal? It would sell tickets.
Why would a 45 year old sell tickets?
I just want to see them sign some veteran outfielder on a cheap one year deal, that’s all.
What about Matt Holiday? Could spell Bell once a month, too.
I would rather have Bautista, or maybe even Werth
Somewhere Raffy Palmeiro is scratching his head..
Lincecum would be a good signing for us. I bet he would be in the bullpen though but i bet he would be a great relief pitcher
really surprising that st louis would go to the known pot smokers tryout
This is a helpful baseball post. Share more about your views on recreational (also legal) drugs. Can they go to tryouts for people who consume alcohol? Smoke cigarettes? Eat their pudding without eating their meat?
pot isn’t legal, federally
The number of “holier than thou” folks is amazing.
Come on know. Everybody know that if you don’t eat your meat, you can’t have any pudding!
How can u have any pudding if you don’t eat your meat..
Lmao the pot smoker? He has a name. Maybe if you smoked a joint every once in awhile you wouldn’t be such a douche
better to douche than go au natural
maybe you commenters should have laid off the cigarettes, booze and dope and you could be at spring training, instead of typing on a keyboard
Lol you really showed them, bud.
I mean, baseball teams have been employing drunk drivers and convicted felons for the better part of a century, but don’t use marijuana. Wouldn’t want that.
You don’t think any current Cardinals smoke? I mean did you see Martinez’s hair last year? You gotta be high to try that out
Lincecum is done. Give it up
Montgomery still has a strong chance to wills a rotation spot. Being a 6th starter automatically makes you a starter in today’s game with all the injuries that occur during the season
I’d hate to see Monty go, as it sounds like he’s the ultimate team player, but I think CHC can afford to deal him if they can manage to net a few high ceiling guys to fill out their thin farm system.
In a couple years they’ll need to re-up on bullpen arms again, and they don’t really have anyone in the upper minors other than Maples (or maybe Tseng) right now that looks to have a clear future as a big league pitcher.
The Cubs have succeeded in recent years due to depth. There’s no way they trade Montgomery. Besides, the 6 man rotation is the near future of baseball and the Cubs are probably one of the more probable teams to next test/adopt it.
Fortunately, either outcome would likely end up being beneficial with Montgomery.
If one of CHC’s minor leaguers has a successful debut before the deadline, I think they should keep an open mind about trading Monty this year while his value is at its highest.
It goes without saying that they should demand a very solid haul in return, given the lack of quality SPs and swingmen available every year.
Lincecum was huge into yoga and avoiding lifting. His body eventually got worn down and weak. Have you seen him lately? He is ripped. I would not be surprised if his throwing 92-94 touching 95 at his showcase. Still incredibly athletic.
He’s touching 98 in practice sessions.
How’s his control though?
His control was never good honestly. When he was elite, it was all velocity and movement. If he’s now a max effort 98mph guy, he’d be a worthwhile lottery ticket for clubs needing bullpen help.
The only 98 Tim is hitting is when the take his temperature.
Tim was dominant until he lost his velo. He lost velo bc he was devoted to yoga and abstained from lifting. He broke down. Now that he’s lifting and using science and training methods…he’s back. He’s not a has-been. Get your heads out of 1960s baseball thinking.
in 2016 showcase the tossed 90-91…today he tossed at 90-92 per Seattle Times and 93 per Heyman. His 90-91 showcase velocity translated to 88+ in season. I see nothing that says the same won’t happen again. How Is that 60’s thinking?
Because he was still a lover of yoga and hated lifting. In 2016 he hit 90-91, and it dropped in game because he failed to keep his body in shape. He is now a trainee at driveline. Retaining strength through a season won’t be a problem anymore. At least, if he takes the advice to heart.
“I would not be surprised if his throwing 92-94 touching 95 at his showcase.” Didn’t happen, not even close.
“Get your heads out of 1960s baseball thinking.” I can only guess you believe ballplayers were not in shape until the 21st century and that the Babe only hit homers because parks were smaller or that Chapman’s 105.1 was really the fastest ever.
“Tim was dominant until he lost his velo.” That would be 2012 on…2012 when he threw at 91.5…., 2013 – 91.4….2014 – 90.4. Right were he is pitching now.
Have a nice day…I’m done. Following your train of thought is like chasing a greased pig.
Then why are 12 teams going to see what he has at his tryouts?
Too many folks writing off lincecum as a has-been. He will be an ace for whichever team he pitches for this year I can promise you that, he’s not finished yet, he’s on a very strict vegan inspired regime and he has plenty more gas in the tank.
The gas is probably from going vegan
Haha, well played sir.
Any friend of Borass is an enemy of the game of baseball. lick my salty sack, slap nuts.
I’m not a Tigers fan but it really sucks seeing a guy’s season end before it even had a chance to start.
The Pirates should sign an OF to push Luplow to AAA. It would then give them a trade chip in July if Meadows is ready and insurance if he is not.
Nutting might not feel like sharing any of his “economic volcano” with Boras guys right this second, so assume they won’t get either CarGo.
I’d like to see them sign Cameron Maybin but they could really just write up a blank contract for $1 million and offer it to 5-6 guys and see who takes it first given the current market.
I dont see players signing cheap. I see them refusing to sign. That offer would likely not be accepted.
Then they can sit home while Jordan Luplow takes their job.
If they get better offers, more power to them, but I think $1 million is better than $0 and there will not be enough chairs for everyone when the music stops.
Maybe not $1 million, but somewhere between $5-$8 million. At that price, they could net someone like Maybin, Revere, Rajai Davis, or Jon Jay. Maybe even go after Ichiro.
Montgomery’s situation reminds me quite a bit of Adam warren’s predicament with the Yankees. He ends up being a victim of his own success in the pen. At least he is clearly taking it in stride. Gotta love his answer here.
Based on those comments I’m assuming that they will use Freese as an everyday third baseman if Moran doesn’t win the job out of camp and use Harrison at second. Yikes.
I see no reason to trade Montgomery.
He’s controlled for 4 more years (I believe) and has proven here that he has no interest in being a locker room cancer in any way / shape / form. Assuming injuries occur this year (as they always do), he should net 8-13 starts. Also, given that he is locked up for 4 more years, it’s quite possible he could someday become a full-time starter for the Cubs.
His value to the Cubs is high and we don’t have a lot of need for any position player prospects (of course we do, but, not more than we need Montgomery on the MLB roster). Maybe in a couple years when our guys in A / AA hopefully begin cracking the major league roster he could serve as a trade piece?
But again, what do I know.
I agree with everything you’re saying. 4 years of control is why his value is so high. I just look at that statement from a different angle.
My argument is essentially: “why not trade him if they’re offered something that looks like it will end up being a significantly better long-term asset? ”
I’d be seeking a bevy of promising nearly MLB-ready arms in exchange for 4 years of Monty’s services.
I get you. If you could get a couple of nearly MLB-ready arms, especially highly rated ones, then…maybe? I guess I don’t know what his trade value is.
While an offer of a top 100 arm might be tempting though, Montgomery is a proven MLB commodity and you would be trading 4 years of that for prospects with an uncertain future (we know how many prospects never turn out).
If the Cubs were rebuilding I’d be more tempted to trade Montgomery for some high upside prospects, but we need to win now and I think Monty is a big part of that “win now” attitude.
They should probably keep Monty unless an offer comes around that they can’t refuse, and then move him just as their window starts closing if he’s still with the team by then. Philadephia’s pitching prospects aren’t that appealing aside from Sixto Sanchez anyway.
Montgomery is a goat slayer getting last out of World Series and ending all cub fans pain. He seems like a class act and team player.
Just need to get into spring training and see how guys are actually performing to get rid of all the speculation and posturing.
The royals need to sign a CF or 1B. Don’t care about Hosmer really, but at least bring back Dyson or get somebody reliable. Those are gonna be two huge holes and we should atleast address one.
Lincecum would be a good low risk pick-up. He is no longer a frontline starter but would be a good situational bullpen guy if he can hit his spots.