With Brad Brach now on his way to Atlanta and Adam Jones seemingly unwilling to waive his 10-and-5 rights at present, the Orioles may turn to weighing offers on more controllable pieces, tweets Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic. Biertempfel suggests that the Pirates have been “chasing” right-hander Kevin Gausman and wonders if the club would try to expand talks to get the Orioles to somehow part with both Gausman and setup man Mychal Givens in what would then be a fairly substantial trade. There’s been no indication that the O’s are strongly considering moving either Gausman (controlled through 2020) or Dylan Bundy (2021) anyhow, and they’re reportedly loath to consider trades involving the controllable Givens, either. It’s not surprising to see the Bucs tied to affordable long-term pieces, though prying even one of those pieces, let alone two, would likely require a fairly substantial haul in return from Pittsburgh (or any other interested team).
More trade rumblings on the pitching market…
- The Mets feel that Zack Wheeler has “turned a corner” and would like a return in a trade which they feel is reflective of that improvement, tweets Fancred’s Jon Heyman. To this point, however, “no one has come even close” to meeting the team’s asking price, Heyman adds, making it seem likelier that Wheeler stays with the team through the deadline (and, quite likely then, into the offseason). With six shutout innings today, Wheeler now has a 3.20 ERA and a 63-to-23 K/BB ratio across his past 70 1/3 innings (11 starts) dating back to June 1. The 28-year-old is earning $1.9MM in 2018 and is controlled through the 2019 season.
- Keone Kela continues to draw trade interest, writes MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan, with the Dodgers and the Braves being the two most aggressive clubs on the Rangers’ closer as of Sunday afternoon. Notably, Sullivan’s column was published prior to Atlanta’s acquisition of Brad Brach, and while that pickup certainly doesn’t mean the Braves will drop out of the Kela market, it may lessen their urgency when it comes to adding further relief arms. The Dodger are expected to be “very active” in their pursuit of bullpen help in the next couple of days, Sullivan adds, while Atlanta has been keeping a close eye on the Rangers. The Braves are also said to have some level of interest in Adrian Beltre, though Beltre has full no-trade protection and there’s nothing to suggest just yet that he’ll be waiving those rights (nor that the Rangers are really shopping him).
- Marlins setup man Brad Ziegler is “likely to be moved soon,” tweets Heyman, who notes that the Cubs and Red Sox are among the more plausible landing spots. The Indians and Astros, too, are potential destinations. The Sox are plenty familiar with Ziegler, having acquired him in late July just two years ago for the stretch run. A free agent at season’s end, Ziegler has been on a terrific run dating back to June 1, yielding just three runs on 15 hits and 11 walks with 22 strikeouts and an 81 percent ground-ball rate in 29 innings. He struck out a pair in a perfect inning of work today. Ziegler is earning $9MM in 2018 and is owed about $3.05MM of that sum through season’s end.
Ziegler to Cubs for Giambrone and Ayala.
They aren’t giving up their top prospect for a rental middle reliever.
Ayala, not Amaya.
Not familiar with Giambrone, but man he is a stat stuffer in the minors.
The Cubs top prospect doesn’t make the top ten of most teams.
So true
Ranked #97 on MLB Pipeline prospect list. I think he would be the in the top 10 for all teams.
Padres and Braveshave 8 in the Top 100 which is the most. If Amaya was on those teams he would be #9 on their list. So it appears that he would make every teams top 10 based on MLB Pipeline’s rankings.
Agreed. If the Cubs brass were willing to deal from their top prospects then Britton would be a cub by now. Smart on their behalf, the bullpen is fine as is and depleting a weak system doesn’t make sense for a rental. See the previous trades, low level trades for upside pitchers….
Guessing your a Marlins fan with that proposal?
It’s been noted by many on Twitter that they’ve both been pulled, which indicates they may be on the move. Heyman’s tweet was right before they were pulled.
Craig Mish just tweeted that the Marlins aren’t involved though, so maybe Cubs are getting someone else for those two
Ziegler to the Cubs for peanut shells.
Facts
Your an idiot
Says the moron who can’t spell “you’re.”
That was great!
It always works out that way.
Ayala was pulled because of injury, no one was hugging him, he was hugging Giambrone.
Ziegler is mediocre. Soria is much better and netted the Brewers’ #13 prospect. Maybe Cubs #25 or something.
Ziegler is clearly at the end of his career but might be a good option to fill out an otherwise hard throwing pen given his experience, speed and arm angle. Wood take him back in Boston if it doesn’t trigger the next tax penalty.
The Cubs farm sucks. Their #25 prospect is basically nothing.
Lol we think he’s going to be better, so we want more. Good luck with that…
Since being taken out of the Closer role he’ has an era of 0.48, GB% of over 70% in close to 30IP. Id say he’s solidified our pen since his demotion and should do the same for any contender.
Having said that, I doubt Cubs would be desperate enough to gift us Amaya for Zeigler unless we include an additional arm like Barraclough. More realistically, someone in the #10-20 range like De La Cruz.
Ziegler to the Cubs for Chatwood
Chatwood has negative trade value, and no way the Marlins take on any kind of $$$
I would do that in a heartbeat
Amaya is their top prospect, Ayala is a different player. Read things correctly next time.
Ziegler for Giambrone
The O’s need 2 foundational pitchers to build around. Is trading Gas & Bun wise?
I don’t honestly think it could hurt to much. If you trade only one. Harvey is ready next year, Hall in 2 years, Rodgers this year to next year for sure. Trading both would be rough though but if it helps restock farm then they should. This is a rebuild now according to Duquette. That means itll take a few years and by the time these guys are ready to contend we don’t know if either Bundy or Guasman will actually be good or not. And by then they would be traded anyway.
How is Harvey ready next year? He hasn’t made it thru 1 year being healthy.
Considering how long we’ve had him and the fact they’ve already called him up? He’s getting there. I’d almost be willing to say you’ll see him in the pen to start like how they did for Bundy.
Getting there??? He breaks down every year and struggles to pitch 50 innings. It’s sad because he has been in the system for so long the the Orioles will be force to carry him on the big league team.
Hysteria: I think for those of us (I’m one) who watches Bundy and Gaus pitch regularly, it is apparent they’re both headed toward outstanding and consistently very strong, perhaps even dominant.
I see up and down pitchers. I hope they pan out. But in a rebuild if the team is offered good enough packages they should take them. Both are controllable for a few years, but if it’s a 5 year rebuild both will be gone.
Gausman has started 127 games at the big league level. He is not heading towards dominance. He’s a very good backend arm who could be a very strong #3 if he’s right. The idea of him being a “dominant” pitcher is nothing other than you looking at old scouting reports and drinking that kool aid. I watch him regularly as well and the man isn’t moving towards being dominant.
I must be watching a different game than you are.
OK. Thanks!
Yeah, they won’t be competitive in that division for a few years, and bundy and gausman will be free agents by then. They need to build up a strong farm, and compete in the future. They have no real chance of building a contender around bundy or gausman within the next 3 or so years
Yes it is. They will still be in rebuild mode when they hit free agency. They need to sell them now to get the best return. They need prospects to develop for 2023 and beyond.
Bundy is a definite no-trade. Gausman…. I think we may be seeing his peak. Great when on, very hittable when not. Maybe he’s a change of scenery guy like Arrieta, but he’s a solid #2/3 on most teams. He’s got three years of control left, so the only way I think the O’s should move him is for a potential #1/2 currently at AA and an above average infield prospect. The O’s don’t need to move Gausman. He’s a part of the future if the team wants to keep him. They should not move him unless someone really wants to overpay for him. IMHO of course.
Hopefully tonight.
Ziegler really is not an improvement over what the Red Sox have come playoff time.. Give Buttrey a shot
Disagree. Sox can win with the pen they have BUT walks in the playoffs will kill you and even as the last option going in, would it surprise anyone if by game six, Ziegler if on Boston sees work late in the game over Kelly and/or Barnes?
Playoffs you’ll see Evoldi or Price in the pen and I think Thornburg is a better playoff option. hopefully.. Kelly/Barnes will be bumped to 5th/6th
No idea on that because you’re assuming ARod is back and Pomeranz stays healthy and gets back in form. I’d love to see Wright back but as of now, Price has to be a starter and possibly Eovaldi too. A lot will happen between now and then. Hope you’re right because no Sox fan wants to see Price starting on October. He has though done well in the pen when asked.
Keep Wheeler. Trade degrom the Mets can get more for him. deGrom and Blevins to Milwaukee for Corey Ray,Hiura,and Burnes
Not big on knowledge of brewer prospects but it’s going to take a lot more names than three to get degrom.
Lol, those are 3 of the best prospects in all of mlb.
2 in the top 100. One that has nice stats this year. That’s not enough for a pitcher with control and a sub 2 ERA through July. Doesn’t matter anyway because it’s not happening. And the comment below this is silly. That package gets the Mets listening for deGrom and ends with a no thanks, let alone Wheeler too. Even a three headed inept bunch knows better. They asked for Torres from the Yanks. Torres > Hiura
For those three prospects you’d have to scratch Blevins and add Wheeler. Lol Milwaukee may have to add an Santana with that though.
Mets overplaying their hand with Wheeler who for the first time has shown a reasonable streak of good health. No one is likely to meet their publicized price now. If they wait until off season and he stays off the DL, his stock might then rise.
No way Milwaukee’s giving up their 2 top prospects and Ray who is close to top 5 if not there already.
If I am the Mets I wait till off season and call San Diego and get 2 of their top 5. Using the Sale deal as a base.. Acquire assets for 2 years and see where they are at.
How can you honestly reference Sale as a comp for what a trade for Wheeler should start like? That’s crazy
Degrom.. Sorry. Thought it would go under Jvent
Blevins has negative value. For that package we’d need asdrubel as well, not blevins. Oh, too late.
For that package. You’re getting one of the best pitcher in all of baseball and you’re worried about giving that up? That’s what it costs.
Mets are holding out for a trade of deGrom for Joe Schlabotnik
Why would the Rangers even think of trading Kela? Wouldn’t that be saying that they don’t expect to be competitive at any time within the next three seasons?
How can the rangers expect to be competing with a rotation of no one? No one on the way up either.
Not to mention they’re in the same division with the Astros and the M’s and the A’s and the Angels who are all more competitive than them the top three by a lot
Obviously “the next three seasons” was the key part of my question. Equally obviously the fact that the Rangers are in a division with a couple of currently better teams does not lead to the assumption that they will be tanking for the foreseeable future.
They currently have 0 SP. it’s reasonable to think that they could use a prospect SP more than a reliever. They could go reacquire a kela if they somehow manage to rebuild in less than 3 years. That’s a short window to build a whole new rotation. Particularly when you don’t have any prospects of your own on the way up.
Given this, why did the Rangers want Willie Calhoun in the trade for Darvish last year? Not only is he not a starting pitcher, but he was considered to be close if not MLB-ready. If the Rangers’ theoretical competitive window is at least three years off, it seems they’d prefer to acquire less developed prospect(s) in any trade they’d make.
Not necessarily. If calhoun is the best prospect they could get for Darvish it doesn’t make sense to take a lesser one because he’s a few years away. A year makes a whole lot of difference too. They probably thought Matt Moore would be a solid rotation piece and Mike Minor would come in and throw the ball well. They also signed Doug Fister. It doesn’t matter if they didn’t trade Darvish for a pitcher, They need 4 or 5 of them. Can’t deny it and they won’t compete without it. Moving Kela gives them options.
The usual strategy for a team that knows they are several years from competition is not to take one Calhoun when they could get two or three other quality prospects lower down on the development ladder. Perhaps as you are saying the Rangers didn’t see themselves in a complete tear-down mode a year ago and do now. All that said, the Dodgers could really use Kela. A perfect fit especially now with Jansen being overworked and looking less like his old self.
It could also be that the Dodgers insisted that Calhoun be the guy. Didn’t seem like there was a lot of other activity and this deal came down to the very, very last minute. Better to walk away with something as opposed to being left with a sunk asset and nothing to show.
Could be, but then a lot of these trades are a matter of brinksmanship, with the seller holding out to the last second, in hopes that a better offer comes in right at the buzzer. No doubt we’ll see a few more of those tomorrow.
Well our farm is about 3 years away so it would make sense.
Then I suppose your answer to my question is “yes.” Thank you for the direct answer. I don’t know much about the Rangers’ farm system, so that is why I asked.
Hey Steve. I actually tweeted the Pirates interest in Gausman this morning. Can I get a little first credit love? Would mean a ton thanks. @jrollisonpgh on twitter
With no Almora or Happ in the lineup and Heyward uncharacteristicly playing CF, you have to wonder if there’s something with that as well.
Maybe Harper?
After today, Bryce should be on the table for some teams. Pirates are the first team that comes to mind as they’ve done the improbable. A guy like Bryce would lift that whole organization and fanbase. It would explode.
Obviously he’d do that for other teams like Philly, Cleveland, Zona, even Oakland. Everyone.
Is Gausman any good? I like Givens as a 7th inning guy.
I’ve long thought that the Pirates and Orioles matched up well on a trade given the Pirates depth in SP prospects and the O’s glaring need for them.
I’m not ready to give up on him but if there were one team that could give Tyler Glasnow the starts he needs to figure things out without worrying about the initial results, it’s Baltimore.
I wouldn’t mind if the Pirates traded Glasnow, he walks a lot batters plus the pirates have pitching depth. I would really like to see Givens in a Pirates uni.
I wouldn’t mind if the Pirates traded Glasnow. He walks a lot of batters and the Pirates have a lot of pitching depth. I would like to see Givens in a Pirates uni.
Anyone ever look at Wheeler’s actual stats, instead of the Met’s preferred placement of him in Cooperstown? 85 starts, ERA+92, 3.8 cumulative BWAR. Maybe he’s turned a corner, but he’s never been an ace, and to start expecting him to be one now (and be valued like that in a trade) is more than a little crazy. If the Mets really think he’s worth that much, they should keep him.
Don’t know if you’ve noticed, but that’s what they’re doing. If they value him higher and are still willing to move him, that just means they think he will never reach Thor or deGrom status. You don’t need to be an ace to be worth a lot. Look at rumors of what the ask for Archer is.
Rookie season, 3.42 ERA but some control issues. Soph season, 3.54 ERA and a bit better k to bb ratio. Then, injuries hit hard. Come back took a little time but now throwing a 3.20 ERA over last 11 starts and far better control and velocity. I see the exact opposite you see. His health is improving and he is becoming a very good pitcher. No one said ace. Those stats are better than most teams #2 tho.
Gohora, Phillips & Wisler to Rangers for Kela, Diekman & Profar
Unless the Mets have significant bats, All their pitchers are useless. Wheeler got the only Rbi today, its a shame. I think with Severino struggling. The Yankees are getting desperate. I want Andujar, Frazier. Byrd and Sheffield for de Grom.
Tim lincecum had the worst run support I’ve ever seen from the giants and it worked pretty well holding on to him. Of course the let’s are a far cry from the giants but still.
I’m still feeling Givens to Boston for Ockimey and Mata, or Ockimey and some pool space.
Oops I meant Ockimey and Ball.
Cubs farm is the worst in baseball
The royals will challenge you on that.
What a boring trade deadline thus far
Ziegler doesn’t do it for me as a cubs fan.. kela is much more dominate and has expierence closing that we need because who knows w Morrow health! Going into the playoffs with any one of Wilson Strop Edwards Cishek Morrow Kela would be pretty good.. although a dominate lefty would be ideal.. that’s why not getting Britton hurts!
Huntington has been super cautious about trading prospects. Buccos need the affordable young talent to compete financially.
Maybe the hardest thing for a GM is to know who to keep and who trade in prospects. NH hasn’t taken too many risks, he just doesn’t trade from his top prospect list(McGuire, maybe).
I don’t expect him to do anything but kick the tires on these two birds. If you can’t tell what you really have, letting it filter out on its own maybe best.