The banged-up Athletics will turn to veteran Edwin Jackson to fill a spot in their rotation, but they’re on the hunt for more starting depth, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. The Athletics have had discussions with the Red Sox, who are seeking outfield depth and have “unsuccessfully asked” the A’s about Mark Canha, according to Slusser. The 29-year-old Canha has been effective this season, his last pre-arbitration campaign, with a .250/.322/.452 line and nine home runs in 208 plate appearances. It’s unclear which pitcher(s) the A’s requested in their discussions with Boston, though Slusser adds that the teams could revisit talks in the coming weeks.
More from the AL:
- The Royals are considering a pursuit of controversial pitching prospect Luke Heimlich, GM Dayton Moore announced this week (via Vahe Gregorian of the Kansas City Star). “We continue to seek information that allows us to be comfortable in pursuing Luke,” Moore said of Heimlich, an undrafted free agent from Oregon State. Based solely on talent, the 22-year-old Heimlich was worthy of drafting – perhaps with a high selection. However, as a 15-year-old, he was convicted of molesting his 6-year-old niece. While Heimlich told Kurt Streeter of the New York Times last month that “nothing ever happened,” teams have still stayed away from adding him. Judging by the Royals’ interest, that may change, though Gregorian argues that they shouldn’t sign Heimlich. Moore, for his part, noted: “The easy thing is to wipe your hands of it and don’t even look into it or deal with it. We’re going to continue to look into it. I think that’s what good organizations do. I think that’s what good people do. And we try to be both.”
- While Tigers general manager Al Avila revealed last week that he’d listen to trade offers for both right-hander Michael Fulmer and right fielder Nicholas Castellanos, either would be difficult to acquire, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press relays. The Tigers want “premium” returns for both, writes Fenech, who regards left-hander Francisco Liriano, closer Shane Greene, shortstop Jose Iglesias and outfielder Leonys Martin as Tigers who are more likely to end up on the move by the July 31 non-waiver deadline. Greene would generate the most interest of the four, Fenech suggests, as a quality reliever who’s cheap ($1.95MM salary) and under control via arbitration through 2020. The 29-year-old righty has pitched to a 3.57 ERA with 10.19 K/9, 2.55 BB/9 and 19 saves in 22 tries this season.
- Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson is likely to remain on the disabled list for at least another week, per Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com. Donaldson won’t return until June 29 at the earliest, which would be a month after left calf tightness sent him to the DL on May 29. The 32-year-old has been on the DL twice this season (once with a shoulder issue), which – combined with a decline in performance – has hurt his trade value and likely his stock as an impending free agent. When he has suited up, Donaldson has hit a disappointed .234/.333/.423 with five homers in 159 PAs.
- Rangers right-handed pitching prospect Alex Speas has suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament and will undergo Tommy John surgery, Jeff Wilson of the Star-Telegram writes. Speas will miss the rest of this year and a large portion of next season as a result. The 20-year-old, whom MLB.com ranks as the Rangers’ 22nd-best prospect, pitched to a stellar 2.20 ERA with 15.38 K/9 against 6.59 BB/9 over 28 2/3 innings at the Low-A level in 2018.
If the A’s can get anything of value for him take it. Sox don’t have a great system but Jake Thompson isn’t very far away if they’re thinking prospects and honestly, I would even consider a guy like Hector Velazquez.
Another guy I actually kind of like (not for Canha) is Cuevas. Could be a sneaky solid fill in five.
Don’t do it Royals. Just don’t do it.
As a Royals fan I say go for it. He paid his legal consequence. He is a free citizen, let him play.
He’s also going to add a big distraction to wherever he goes. Fans will eat this guy alive.
Well the Redsox DFA Hanley around the same time he was named to be included in the federal n state level trafficking fentanyl. The Redsox say their decision to DFA him was only baseball, but I don’t believe in coincidences.
The only public arrest in the case occurred a week AFTER he was DFA’d but around the time of his release. Unless the org knows something about an ongoing investigation, which is unlikely, than it was coincidental.
The Redsox needed more itching from day 1. Now it’s almost desperation time.
I don’t know what they’ve been waiting for. How long can it take the grounds crew to plant some poison ivy in left
Haha they better start scratching up a pitcher. Sorry above was typo
Saying Canha has been effective this season is… Maybe giving him a little too much credit? That stat line is average at best, and he’s generally been poor on defense.
Why not get an infielder and if necessary use Holt or JDM in the outfield? JDM is not good but also in my view not as bad as advertised and Holt won’t embarrass at any position other than catcher.
I loooooove Holt, Jessie demonstrative when co workers do something special. Hugs are nice n shows you care for others too.
I think they want Canha because he has been hitting LHP this year and overall, the Sox have struggled vs LHP.
Agree because of Pedie and Nunez but that’s why they may look to get a righty infielder (again, I’d love Beltre). Then again with Betts, Bogaerts and Martinez, can you really expect more? Problem to me is Devers, their catchers and JBJ aren’t hitting regardless of who is in the mound.
Canha has a .303/.338/.632 slash line against lefties for a .969 OPS and isn’t terrible in CF. Yeah, that’s totally not something Boston needs, right? lol
And then 4 hours later, his dominance against lefties continues, mashing a massive homer off Carlos Rodon.
I would rather pick up Yates RP from SD.
Sucks on Speas. Dude was having his breakout season.
Will someone please take an interest in Nicholas Castellanos. The previous regime was attracted to all hit type players. This guy actually loses games with his lack of defense.
Probably not going to be much interest, for the reason explained by your own last sentence.
If he is signed, Manfred should ban Hemlich from MLB for life under the best interest of the game game of baseball..
Dude, this whole “burn the witch” take is a part of why everyone just hates each other. The details of the story are murky at best and it isn’t even clear if he did it. They got a 15 year old to plead guilty under the guise that it would just go away.
Now I;m not saying I condone this at all, but the no question tar and feather approach is crazy to me.
Well said. This whole mob mentality is rediculous and dangerous as well. As to this particular case, no one knows the details of the syory,but are somehow still experts as to his guilt/innocence.
I hope and pray that Donaldson will get back on the field soon. His healthy bat and glove can help a team genuinely going for playoffs.
This guy can carry a team when healthy. Perhaps the Jays can get a trade return even though mint should have traded him last year as many in these pages called for last year.
Jays need him back and raking. Then hope for a taker. Any taker.
I’m laughing that people believe we are the same person. Hilarious.
Sox are always a dollar short and day late !!
Rangers have had some pretty bad luck with Tommy John recently. I believe 3 or 4 of their prospects this year have had it, most notably cole ragans
Much rather see the Red Sox trade for Lowrie.
Ed Jackson joining his 33rd team…