With the Dodgers trying to stay under the $197MM competitive-balance tax threshold and unsure if they’ll contend this year, they’re not in position to act aggressively on the trade market, says FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal (video link). Given that the athletic Cody Bellinger may be a better fit in center field than at first base, Rosenthal notes that Los Angeles looks like a fit on paper for White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu. However, Abreu is making $13MM – a salary which would be problematic for the tax-minded Dodgers, whose payroll is just above $186MM – and Rosenthal points out that the club may be more focused on bolstering its pitching if it does look to upgrade its roster via trade. The Dodgers’ staff might have taken yet another costly hit Saturday when left-hander Rich Hill exited his start after throwing a mere two pitches, Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times was among those to report. Hill’s longstanding blister issues may have led to his departure, McCullough suggests.
Here’s more from the NL West:
- The Giants are considering using big-bodied corner infielder Pablo Sandoval at second base, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle relays. Sandoval has been taking grounders recently at the keystone with guidance from infield coach Ron Wotus, who said that the longtime third baseman “looks good. He has quick feet and good hands. So far, so good.” San Francisco’s in position to ponder this experiment because second basemen Joe Panik and Alen Hanson are on the disabled list. Moreover, Kelby Tomlinson and Miguel Gomez haven’t been particularly effective at the plate, while the 31-year-old Sandoval has hit a solid .270/.329/.429 in 70 PAs. That represents Sandoval’s best production in several years, though it’s obviously too soon to determine whether the Panda’s truly turning back into a useful hitter.
- Padres reliever Kirby Yates has emerged as one of the best waiver pickups in recent memory, thanks in part to the development of a splitter, AJ Cassavell of MLB.com writes. Yates, whom San Diego claimed from the Angels in April 2017, has posted a 3.06 ERA with 13.6 K/9 against 3.2 BB/9 in 70 2/3 innings as a Padre. The club can take some credit for Yates’ breakout, as it has encouraged the 31-year-old to use his splitter – a pitch he has tossed 32 percent of the time this season en route to dominant results, Cassavell details. “The Angels didn’t want me to get away from the slider,” Yates told Cassavell. “I wasn’t necessarily going to get away from the slider, but I was trying to add a third pitch. When I got here, it was, ’We like your split, we want you to throw it more.’“
- Veteran right-hander Clay Buchholz’s minors pact with the Diamondbacks comes with a prorated $1.6MM major league salary, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic tweets. Buchholz will begin earning that sum Sunday when he makes a start against the Mets. It’ll be the 33-year-old’s first MLB appearance since April 11, 2017.
Trade Hill already
Who would want him?
I’m surprised the Dodgers gave him 3 guaranteed years –2 of which remain: $16M in 2018 — and $18M in 2019. He turned 38 last March
Nobody cared much about dollars when the contract was signed. Now, in a 197 league, they do.
That’s BS — and you know it. The dude was 36 — and injury-prone, yet got 3 guaranteed years.
Nobody would care if Dodgers won the 2017 WS — maybe. but blaming “197” is BS.
He was the best available starter at the time. So it wasn’t surprising at all, really. Also at the time, had anyone ever heard of a case of chronic blisters?
If I recall correctly, while LA was the highest offer he had, Hill had other opportunities. He chose the money and LA but if the money was closer, elsewhere he might not have. Even with his injury history and age, teams were in need of pitching, thought he finally figured it out and believed they could account for his injuries by controlling when how he was used (days in between innings, pitches). His money was to be earned in September and beyond.
Yes, he had chronic blisters missed a few starts with the Red Sox, Also Josh Beckett had problems with blisters chronically as well
There’s more than a few major league pitchers who believe the blister problem, which has been surging in recent years, is directly related to the altered – or “juiced” baseball; that is, the tighter seams are requiring them to grip the ball differently.
Missing a few starts for something the first time does not qualify as a chronic issue. Medically it’s going to be considered acute unless/until it persists or recurs.
The new baseballs were shadowed into the league after the contract, hampering several careers including Rich Hill.
I hope an investigation proves Manfred has been lying and can be locked up.
Go Bucky. Throw a 7 inning shutout to prove that anyone can do that to the listless, always injured and dysfunctional Mets.
What’s it like to have a team living in your head rent free?
Yea dippydoo
You should just not speak. Or type. Maybe let someone else do the thinking too.
Big move but, why not try Hill in the bullpen?
Dude has major blister issues. Rotation, bullpen, doesn’t matter. Cant throw right now. I don’t ever really remember someone having a blister that will just never go away. Good pitcher when he’s healthy.
Pen would make it worse having to warm up multiple times and pitch back to back. Bullpen would not be good for this type of injury.
But if he was used as a long reliever; a planned 3-4 inning stint every so many games, they could plan remaining games with remaining existing relievers. Until Hill builds upto a starters role when healed. Allows more games with less load on the fingers
Sandoval at second base. Now there’s an interesting thought. Is there anyone alive who thinks that’s a good idea?
It’s a good idea strictly in the sense that it’ll be a sight to see. Definitely going to have to tune in and see a few innings of that.
More people would show up at AT&T (and tune in on TV) just to see it which means the Giants would have more money to spend on free agents/extensions so sure.
I wouldn’t want to be the baserunner who tries to crash into him to break up a double play. Otherwise, no.
A pivoting panda – Sports Center Top 10 if he can pull it off. He pitched one inning a few weeks back: 8 out of 10 pitches were strikes. He’s actually a good athlete weight jokes aside.
Haha … no one in Boston for sure!
“Big bodied corner infielder” lol the fat man at 2nd will be a disaster
Yates has been elite since using the splitter more in San Diego. What’s a realistic return for him at the deadline look like right now?
Depends on how desperate a team is for bullpen help
At worst, a couple B rated prospects. At best a back end top 100 guy and maybe a C prospect.
Ideally, the Padres package Stammen and Yates together for an increased haul (much like the white sox did last year).
Cardinals could use some help in the pen. I’d start with asking for Hudson as the centerpiece for Yates and Stammen go from there.
Padres will have plenty of suitors for Stammen and Yates given their minuscule financial commitments and additional team control (Stammen has 1 more year and Yates has 2 via arb).
No way
Cardinals have more than enough BP pitchers ! It’s just a matter of keeping them all healthy . But at full strength, it’s a pretty decent pen!
Hill is so good but man that’s a killer with those blisters it’s not worth it.
I think it’s gonna be interesting to see Sandoval play 2B. I suspect he won’t have a lot of range but he’s got pretty good numbers for a part time player.
Bad idea
Dude is too fat and slot for it
Just line hand, yates is another waiver wire steal
Like
Yeah they’ve been doing well with finding waiver wire guys and developing an effective bullpen. Hand will be dealt for a good prospect or two and once that happens, Yates might take over the closer role.
I think Panda can do anything he wants to do. How many of us can do the splits?
Calling Gomez ineffective isn’t really fair — he’s only played in 5 games. He went 2-4 today with an RBI and even with all the injuries, it’s been a surprisingly effective position for the Giants this year. I think experimenting with Pablo at second has more to do with the team running out of players that can play up the middle right now.
Pablo’s not the answer, but I also don’t see Gomez as the answer, kelby is better. Would like to see slater get a chance there since he played it in the minors and he was fairly effective last year batting wise
Good luck Clay! If you can stay healthy, the Snakes may have found a bargain. I realize your again coming back and it’s a major. Different position but you remind me of Greg Bird. Unquestionably, the talent is there but injuries have prevented you from consistently staying on the field.
Typical Sox slug.
Last I checked Greg Bird is a Yankee… so how is that a Sox slug?
The poster trolling.
Why does some idiot at Rumors continue to post all Padre stuff under Seattle ??
Dodgers should try and trade for Moustakas and flip him from 3B to 1B . Low contract and a good bat.