Though the Phillies lost out to the Dodgers in the Manny Machado sweepstakes, they’re far from done looking for upgrades to their ballclub. Dennis Lin of The Athletic tweets that the club is interested in Padres reliever Brad Hand. As Lin notes, there are certainly many other clubs in competition for the lefty’s services; he’s easily one of the most talented bullpen arms in the game. As one might expect, however, San Diego’s asking price for Hand remains very high, as he can be controlled through the 2021 season at a very reasonable cost. The Yankees, Indians and Cubs are among the other teams who’ve been connected to Hand, who owns a 3.03 ERA and 13.20 K/9 on the season.
More rumors and rumblings from around the league…
- The Dodgers aren’t done yet, either, Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports reports, as they’ll now pursue a reliever to help closer Kenley Jansen at the back end of their bullpen. It’s worth noting that Los Angeles will sit just a few million dollars below the luxury tax threshold following the acquisition of Machado, so any bullpen additions will likely come cheap, or send a player (such as Logan Forsythe) back to a trade partner in order to offset some of financial burden involved. In addition to Hand, Jeurys Familia, Zach Britton, Kirby Yates, Craig Stammen and Raisel Iglesias are just a few names who could be available.
- Also in the aftermath of the Machado sweepstakes, the Brewers are left looking to acquire an infield upgrade. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that they’re expected to explore trading for Twins second baseman Brian Dozier. With Minnesota all but out of the the AL Central race already and Dozier set to become a free agent at season’s end, he makes plenty of sense as a potential trade target for the Brewers, despite a down season so far. The Brewers are also expected to explore pitching upgrades, Rosenthal adds.
- Also from Rosenthal, the Angels aren’t likely to trade young starters Andrew Heaney and Tyler Skaggs, despite previous reports that the club might consider doing so. The Angels see the two young southpaws as key components during a 2019 season in which they hope to contend. Rather, Rosenthal notes, the club is more interested in trading some of their relievers (he lists Jose Alvarez, Blake Parker, Cam Bedrosian and Justin Anderson), though they’d want a good enough return to justify giving up controllable players.
Twins will probably wait to the last possible second to sell any pieces (or if they get overwhelmed by an offer).
They won’t get overwhelmed for Dozier.
There isn’t one player to get overwhelmed with an offer by whom isn’t already been involved in talks. They’ll get middle tier prospects at best for anyone available.
Would not be suprised to see Dodgers include Puig or Forsythe in a deal for a reliever
I think Joc is a more likely trade candidate, he’s been on a tear even though he’s mediocre.
Except they don’t save much by trading Joc, Puig would save about 4 million Joc 600k plus they control Joc another 2 years Puig is a FA after this year.
I would guess that Joc wouldn’t be the only player from LA going, if a trade occurred. I think Joc is at the pinnacle of his career right now. Maybe Joc and Puig go together?
Joc has an atrocious swing. its all or nothing, and usually nothing.
he has pretty good pitch selection, but evidently not much pitch recognition, getting fooled a lot by pitches never in the zone. he may be at peak trade value now. I’d go with Andrew Toles instead.
How does Dozier and Lynn for Freddy Peralta sound?
No, they won’t part with Peralta for a rental. I doubt they have any interest in Lynn
Lynn is actually one of the top pitchers available. People look at his era are ignorant because any true baseball fan would see he went 3.6 era since late May with a 6-3 record with solid k/9 which is close to nine. And that’s all with a slightly high 292 babip compared to his 230 bavg. The stats are why several clubs are asking about him.
But yeah no need for pitchers in a playoff run. You’re right. Brew crew knows how to win championships in recent years with no pitching.
He simply stated he did not think they would be interested in him.
He did not say he was horrible.
Lynn also has an extraordinarily high BB rate and a FIP of 4.55. In general, he really isn’t better than the other starters in their rotation, with the exception of Chase Anderson. Even in a weak market for rental SP, there are better options available than Lynn.
He’s been terrible in July though. In 3 starts he’s walking over 5.5 per 9, giving up over 2HR per 9, has a xFIP of 5.11 and his K/9 dropped into the 7 range. Saying “he’s had one good month but the rest have been terrible” isn’t really a good sales pitch.
Peralta has also been better then Lynn! Why trade a better younger pitcher?
I’m sure you can excuse Brewer fans from being skeptical about any pitcher who used to dominate in St. Louis, right? Add Lynn to the list that includes Braden Looper, Kyle Lohse, Jeff Suppan… The common thread is that their numbers were amazing in St. Louis, but as soon as their magical chemicals disappeared, so did their careers. Love Dozier, but when it comes to Lynn: Don’t believe the hype!
Lynn isn’t in the top 10 available lol
Brewers would laugh and hang up.
Seriously, I know fans overvalue their players, but Stearns would think that offer was a joke. Hey, throw in Escobar and we’ll give you Burnes lol. Average players who are rentals don’t return big prospects.
The Brewers would prefer getting guys like that but not having to pay anything for them
I know you’re a cubs fan but let’s use logic. No one is giving up anything of value for Lance Lynn. No one wants a rental with a 5.22 ERA, 9.5 HR/9 and a 5.4 BB/9.
You see, I know you just made up all of those numbers because it would be impossible to give up 9.5 HR’s per 9 and have an ERA of 5.22. Home runs are earned runs. Just sayin…
It should be 1.5 HR/9. My bad. I was referencing the 3 HR he’s given up in 12 innings in July. He’s getting worse is what I was trying to get to
Unless they happen after a 2 out error…
Scorer should be able to charge a hone run as an error due to a poorly called pitch. Idiotic sure but that’s where the world is going.
Why would they even entertain such a trade? Laughable
If you throw in Berrios maybe
Controllable players doesn’t always equate to good players. Too much emphasis is placed on that aspect.
Someone needs to relay this comment to Neal Huntington
I’d rather Escobar than dozier personally, but at this point I just want anyone significant to upgrade our roster soon to help squeeze out every win we can to beat the cubs.
Good luck, you’re 3-8 vs them. I’d be more worried about STL catching you for 2nd
People who hate on the Brewers seem to keep thinking it’s this year or bust. Stearns has set this team up to be a threat for the next 3-5 years at least.
This is true as long add he remembers his plan included “no rentals”
With the exception of a couple of pitchers,the Brewers haven’t even started what most consider a rebuild. They added Cain and Yelich to a bunch of last chance/try hard guys, who are still doing most of the heavy lifting. Go ahead and trade any prospects you’d like, but get very high quality controllable young talent. The formula is the Yelich trade, not the CC Sebastia trade.
Phillies really don’t have what the Padres would be looking for in a Hand trade.
Unless Sixto Sanchez, Scott Kingery, or JP Crawford is the centerpiece the Phillies really don’t have enough to get Hand otherwise. Haseley would be intriguing, but they’ve got a glut of OF options already at the ML level.
Padres are looking for a young everyday MLB asset for Hand- Crawford or Kingery would fit the mold, Doubt the phillies want to part with 1 though.
I think Kingery followed by Crawford in that order is where Preller would want to start the headline of the deal.
Can see interest in Moniak and Sixto as well.
Basic stuff, Sixto Sanchez is of the table to anything the Padres would offer.
Wasn’t part of the Machado discussions. Every team has prospects who are off the table. Sixto Sanchez is that guy, particularly for a reliever.
Fighterflea
Not saying Sixto is on the table…but you have to remember there is a difference when you are talking about a rental and a controllable piece!
The Padres will likely look for a package very similar to what the Yankees got for Andrew Miller…which would likely include Sixto
Hand is no Miller.
Hand is (was) worth more than Machado because of his contract status.
Francisco Mejia for Hand and another prospect
Brad Hamd isn’t getting them anything top tier. One prospect at best
Good one. Except they just got a top 10 overall prospect for him.
No they didn’t. They gave up two guys for a guy who couldn’t hit at the big league level and can’t catch so is having to change positions. Plus they threw in a prospect
Kela would be a good fit in LA.
As for the Dodgers
Dodgers get Ross, Stammen, Yates
Padres get Mitchell White or Dennis Santana, Will Smith, Gavin Lux, and take back Forscythe and what he is owed so Dodgers can have some wiggle room financially for say Britton.
they didnt want to give up Lux for Machado lol
Stammen and Yates aren’t rentals. Stammen has 1 more year of control and Yates has 2 after this one, at affordable prices. Stammen is making 2.25 mill next year and Yates is making maybe 2.5 mill or less (arb 2 year). Or replace Lux with Edwin Rios. Either way.
So, unless the Dodgers rather sign pen help in the off season which will be 5 mill or more for decent help. Youre at 7-9 for good help. Not including resigning Kershaw.
You are overvaluing Ross, Stammen, and Yates. Not close.
Under valuing
Was more so overvaluing the financial wiggle room taking on Forscythe. But hey more than welcome to trade for 1 of Yates or Stammen and roll with what you have since the Dodgers don’t have enough financial room to make any substantial additional acquisitions without getting financial help, which will cost them something in any deal if they are expecting teams to take back money or chip money in.
You’re not getting the Dodgers 3/4, 8, and 10/11 prospects for a rental starter and 2 relievers. You are way overvaluing dumping Forsythes contact and they wouldn’t want both relievers anyway. You could maybe dump another contract like Puig, but he has value at least. This trade just wouldn’t work out.
The Dodgers can dump money without giving up that much prospect capital. Forsythe is expiring and not owed much. The rangers took on austin jackson for a meh prospect. Dodgers will do the same
Padres fans are such nuts on here. Your waiver claims and minor league signings will not get 3 of the Dodgers best prospects lol
And nobody is going to help you with your financial and roster issues unless you give up talent for them doing so.
Dodgers really have 2 choices.
Trade assets to get assets and get money off the books to make another substantial trade……
OR
Bargain shop and most likely wind up getting bounced from the playoffs early and watch Machado sign with the Yankees or Phillies
So if the Dodgers want to waste trading for a Machado rental just to move down in the draft a few spots next year go for it.
A team like the Mets may move Cabrera for a prospect, and then take a Forsythe plus a better young player for Familia. I wonder what one of the dodgers catching prospects would cost?
Anything can happen in the playoffs. The Dodgers lineup is dangerous and you don’t need 5 starters in playoffs
You don’t have a clue what ur saying so plz just stop and stfu…
There is no financial issue. And even if there is Forsythe can easily be traded away.
Of course there are financial issues. The Dodgers are roughly $5M under the cap now, and Forsythe isn’t going to be so easy to trade, not straight up anyway. If the Dodgers want to clear more payroll space with a trade involving Forsythe they will almost certainly have to add a sweetener.
Yes. Because apparently Justin Turner was never a minor league signing.
Dont forget Max Muncy.
Tell that to the red sox…a much better org by the way.. 🙂
Brad Hand and Adam Cimber for Francisco Mejia
I don’t think their overvalueing their players. They just got Mejia for Hand after all.
Won’t happen
Gotta believe that Lynn’s experience in the NL is worth trading for, add Dozier (or Escobar) to that deal and it’s definitely gonna cost you Peralta.
Hahahah
– David Stearns
It’s not a bad thought but especially with Peralta pitching it’s pretty unrealistic. As a Twins fan, the most realistic thing I believe is trading either Dozier or Esky for one of their #10-15 prospects. You can ask higher on the list, but it won’t happen
Dozier is worth more than a mid-tier prospect, they could just take the pick for him or keep him on a one-year qualifying offer.
I Think he would take a qualifying offer
Lynn is not the type of pitching upgrade the brewers need. Stearns flat out said he would look to upgrade the front of he rotation. Lynn is not that. Would personally just stick with dozier or Escobar alone and let another team who needs depth squire Lynn
He’s got a 5.22 ERA and is a free agent next year. Lynn has zero trade value. Peralta is better than Lynn. Not to mention Dozier is having a down year so if the twins want something for him I could see Lutz or possibly Ray if needed from the Brewers.
Crew won’t have to give up a prospect as good as Ray or Lutz for either of the Twins rentals.
Why would the Brewers trade Peralta for Lynn and Dozier? Their biggest need is a frontline starter and that trade would make their rotation worse!
That makes zero sense for the Brewers! Lets trade a younger better pitcher for a rental 2nd baseman and sp that makes our rotation worse!
Very glad lLA is not myopic enough to believe Machado is the answer to their problems. It’s the pen. They had Morrow last year and need someone like Iglesias to return to the WS
Agreed would make them the team to beat in the NL
Dodgers are in the same fix they were in last year – a worn-out pen won’t help in playoffs, and trading for an arm won’t solve the problem, either. Only a philosophical shift will save bp arms for playoffs. Expect a flameout 2nd round, or (if lucky) come up short in WS again due to tired arm syndrome. Some teams never learn!
Love how people over state the bullpen stuff. Do they need another arm. Sure. But your pretending every other NL team has a absolute lockdown pen while the Dodgers is terrible. They are good enough to win a pennant as it currently stands but we all know 1 more move will come. This year they also have an abundancof starters that can go into the pen like the Astros did last year
Abundance of starters that can go to the pen??? Their abundance of starters can’t even stay in the rotation!
Right now there are 6 healthy starters. Kershaw, Wood, Maeda, Hill, Buehler, Stripling. Urias and Ryu are coming back in August.
Buehler has been horrible lately if you trust Maeda and Hill in the the playoffs I feel bad for you and the last 3 arent worth mentioning
Um, no. Buehler came back from his stint on the DL last week with a solid performance against the Angels. He’s since been optioned back to the minors but no question he will return soon. Maeda has definitely pitched himself into the discussion. His pitch mix is different this year and so are the results, which have never been bad, but are now excellent. Ryu was also having an outstanding season before he was injured. Urias is expected back before the end of the season as well, most likely to pitch out of the pen. And if you think Stripling isn’t “worth mentioning” then clearly you aren’t paying attention.
Diamondbacks, Cubs, Brewers have had better results from their pen.
They’re also on the look out for bullpen help as well.
They go out and get help while Dodgers bargain shop it does alter the landscape significantly.
Bargin shop? Ya i guess they really hit the clearance aisle to find a Manny Machado
Machado can suddenly pitch? And the dodgers have cap room to trade for britton?
Wow impressive how that just magically happened like that.
Zach Britton is not the only option on the market lol
Worn out pen? As far as innings pitched- there are 100 MLB relievers with 37 innings or more. The Dodgers have 2 of them (Kenley and Alexander- both low 40s). All the rest of the guys have thrown low 30s or even in the 20s for IP. Tell me more about all the LA relievers with ‘tired arm syndrome’, Dr.
Dodgers pen has totaled top 5 most innings pitched…..
espn.com/mlb/stats/team/_/stat/pitching/split/128/…
Only reason they aren’t higher is because the Padres and Rays have tried the pen day where multiple guys are pitching 2 innings or so.
Oh- so BP innings pitched wears out arms? I thought it was when guys actually pitched. The argument is not how many innings the dodgers pen has gone- it’s that guys are getting worn out. That’s simply not true. We’ve used over 20 different relievers and nobody has had an unreasonable workload. The majority of guys are well under league average for IP. Our BP may very well get rocked in the playoffs- but it will not be due to tired arms from overuse. That’s all I was saying.
Angels contend!? Now that’s funny LOLZZZ
Omg idiots trade position players we cant have enough pitching…….so many ucl issues and going to trade what little pitching by we have……Jesus Christ
Trade Valbuena for anything.
Alvarez & Bedrosian for Fried & Peterson
The Angels are at a really weird crossroads for their organization. They can’t expect to keep Trout if they enter a full rebuild, but with the injuries to their SP, major regression from Calhoun, and aging vets like Pujols/Upton/Kinsler, they really can’t compete with the Astros/Mariners and Yankees/Red Sox when it even comes to the wild card spots. Do they dare trade Trout and gut someone’s farm system now while they can extract max value, or do they do what Baltimore did and limp their stars to the finish and get pennies for them at the end of their contracts?
Herrera, Sanchez, Crawford, Pivetta, Moniak, Altherr plus 3 minor league lottery tickets to bring Mr. South Jersey home.
If I would do that in a heartbeat, it can’t be fair. Sanchez and Pivetta are the only ones that I would be sad to see go. (Herrara as well but he’s being replaced in such a situation.)
No trade package gets Trout realistically unless of you give up at least 2 young stars plus 2 or 3 top prospects and that still might not be enough. Mike Trout is going to end up being one of the best players of all time. You don’t just trade that away.
OK, how about any 5 members of the Phillies organization not named Nola or Hoskins, limit one catcher. What deal makes the Angels say yes?
If you are typing up a trade proposal for Mike Trout and catch yourself typing the words “except,” “not named” or “off the table,” then just stop, log out and stay off this site for at least a week.
No trade can replace Trout. The question is how to maximize the return to the Angels. Every team has a few players so essential to the team as to be untouchable. If the Angels can’t contend before Trout’s contract expires, trading him earlier yields a greater return. The goal then is to get the best package of players for him, not the impossible quest if replacing him.
of
And if you think the Angel’s are competing the next two years you should log off.
Hold onto trout like a stubborn brat and watch him leave for the 31st pick in the draft.
It’s over Angel fans. Accept reality.
Basically my point is do you want to be the GM who traded away Trout if the prospects/players don’t turn out the way you hoped.
They can re-sign Trout in two years if they trade him. How great would it be to gut another team’s farm system in one trade, spend 2019 and 2020 working to build their farm up further and then bring their guy back when they are on the cusp of contending again?
Well that would be amazing, but if he gets traded to the east coast, i really doubt he leaves when his time for free agency comes.
Especially if it the Phillies. I’d be quite rich if I had a dollar for every time he has been shown at an Eagles, Sixers or Flyers game.
If that is what you think then he’s going to leave for the East Coast in two years regardless of whether or not LAA trades him.
And that has been the problem with this lousy owner he is not all in either way he is trying to save face and not loose fans when trout walks.
Re: Trout – the Mariners traded their franchise player Ken Griffey Jr (and ARod!) so I suppose anything is possible but this Mariners fan often thinks what could’ve been had both those players stayed! Fact, I’ve said that umpteen times after bad Ms trades haha. But I really don’t see LAA trading away what could end up being quite possibly the greatest baseball player ever. IMO They’d be mad to send Trout away.
Which team has a better run differential: Los Angeles Angels or Seattle Mariners?
“Down season so far with Dozier”?
You do realize he plays like trash the first half and always heats up unbelievably 2nd half. Always same song and dance
Has 16 bombs? Dozier Might be ahead of schedule Lol
Nothing against you Kyle. I honestly believe Dozier is the most infamous 1st half / 2nd half hitter in MLB. (Always heats up, 2nd half)
I feel like a scenario that makes sense for both sides is also including Freddy Galvis with Brad Hand. Galvis makes more sense going back to Philadelphia to be a utility guy while Kingery seasons more and while Crawford deals with injury, he is known in that clubhouse already and would benefit PHI more than SD down the stretch. The Padres can plug SS for the rest of the season with someone acquired via trade in the next 2 weeks or they will just call up Javy Guerra since the glove is ready and he is on the 40 man already.
How about a deal that looked like:
Brad Hand, Kirby Yates and Freddy Galvis for Maikel Franco and Mickey Moniak.
Phillies pivot and trade for Moustskas to plug 3B right away.
Thoughts?
you’re a phillies fan, aren’t you? That SD trade is literally so bad. Kingery is already better than Galvis per fWAR, too.
To get all three I think that the package starts with Medina. Plus Franco or Haseley. Add in 2-3 top 15 prospects.
It took Francisco Mejia only to get Hand and Cimber
Simon Muzziotti a 19 year old OF and Luis Garcia a 17 year old SS both could be guys the Padres radar. The number 23 and 26 prospects in the Phillies system are guys the Padres need to layer their system for the upcoming rule V draft, they have slot of guys on the cusp that need to be protected so any trade with a number of their eligible guys (Hand, Yates, Stammen, Ross, Galvis) need to net guys that can fill into the system and not need immediate roster protection.
Those guys would be included along with Franco plus Moniak. I didn’t feel the need to state the obvious that it would take more than and 3 for 2 trade with San Diego sending more players than getting back in order for this deal to be completed. I can see any package of Hand plus 2 of the above mentioned guys for a package that nets Franco, Moniak, plus 2-3 young lottery tickets.
Galvis does make sense back in Philadelphia and you can’t argue that. Kingery has struggled a bit and Crawford can’t stay on the field. At least Galvis is a familiar face who provides solid depth at all 3 infield positions who can spell that young guys down the stretch for what looks to be a playoff race for them.
Why are some of you people that leave comments so rude and obnoxious. It’s one thing to debate one another and throw out your thoughts but whenever I look thru the comments it looks like a bunch of kids posting anything to get others going. Grow up or go away.
Would like to see the braves go after Cam. Bring him home. His dad played with us, he’s from here and I believe still lives here. He’s a strong bullpen piece the braves need badly. Angel and braves always seem to be able to make trades, this is one that is very possible.
I will miss BedRock but it seems like the right decision. Angels need a rebuild or quick retool.
Really feel the Twins and Cardinals could get something sizable done
Like what? The Twins have some rentals to unload, but they’re not worth much and wouldn’t really improve STL anyway. Escobar is nice, but still just a rental.
If the brewers trade Freddy P, I’m done with them as a fan. This is your next ace, you don’t trade that….especially for ho hum rentals from Minnesota.
Lol they aren’t going to trade him to Minnesota… only package he would be involved in is for an Ace(deGrom/Sydergaard) or Realmuto, which I don’t think either are available anyways
They at least have years of control left….so I could at least understand that….
OF Broxton and P Roegner for 2B Dozier.
Not sure I understand the rational of a club like the Angels. They don’t want to or won’t consider trading Heaney or Skaggs because they HOPE to compete next year. The Astros are clearly the class of the AL West. The very best they could hope for in the future, the next 2 or 3 years is the wild card, and even that’s probably a stretch. Trout if he chooses could become a FA after the 2020 season. What are they left with then. Not much as best I can tell. They should be building for the future now not in a couple of years.
There’s teams that always seem to be living in denial, the Twins, Orioles, Angels, and of course the top of the heap in denial Mets.
I’m not sure if JT Realmutto gets traded by July 31. The biggest name player to be traded next will be Mike Moustakas.. I think PHI is where he’ll end up in the next two weeks. Other than Pitchers and Catchers, the strongest need for contending teams is in the OF. CLE, OAK, PHI, WAS and ARI could use an upgrade. The best hitter available is Nicholas Castellanos. The best OFs are Adam Jones and Avisail Garcia, The best 2Bs are Brian Dozier or Starlin Castro but, there isn’t a strong enough need on contending teams for 2B. The best SS is Jose Iglesias and Adeiny Hechavarria. Unless there’s an injury, I don’t think they will move. 1Bs Jose Abreu and Just Smoak could be traded but, 1B is not a position of need until the off-season.
If I were the Angels I would trade both pitchers. They’ve been on the dL longer than they’ve been on the mound.
It’s actually sad that for all of the years of losing, the Phillies minor league farm system has no marquee talent. Their number 2 prospect was just bumped out of the BA top 100.
If Freddy Peralta is untouchable, then what about Dozier for Arcia?
Why would the brewers do that?
I dont think the Twins will trade Dozier with the packed free agent class and the year he is having he might actually sign a QO. Their is like 7 2B alone that are comparable to him that will be free agents.
I don’t see Dozier coming back, unless we pull off a miracle and win the division.
Also, I don’t think anyone expects or wants him back when we got Polanco and Gordon as capable replacements.
His market is going to be hurt with the QO attachment his best interest might be in staying with the Twins if they want him that is.
I’m hearing Hand and Cimber for just Mejia of Cleveland
Mejia:
Team: Columbus Clippers (AAA) ETA: 2018 Position: C/OF Age: 22 DOB: 10/27/1995 Bats: S Throws: R Height: 5′ 10″ Weight: 180 lb. Signed: July 7, 2012 – CLE Other Lists: Top 100 Prospects (#15), Top 10 C Prospects (#1)
Watch
Scouting grades: Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Arm: 70 | Field: 45 | Overall: 55
Originally signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2012, Mejia made headlines four years later when he authored a 50-game hitting streak, the longest in the Minor Leagues since 1963, spanning parts of four months and two levels. The breakout performance earned Mejia a selection as the World team’s starting catcher in the 2016 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game, and he went on to finish sixth in the Minors with a .342 average. Mejia only built on that success in 2017, as he was named Eastern League Rookie of the Year, received his first taste of the Majors at age 21 in September and then had a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League while learning a new position.
The switch-hitting Mejia has natural hitting ability from both sides of the plate. Though his approach is aggressive, Mejia generates consistently hard contact to all fields thanks to his advanced bat-to-ball skills and outstanding barrel control. His physical strength and bat speed generates sneaky raw power, especially from the left side, and he’s tapped into it more regularly as he’s climbed the ladder.
After catching almost exclusively during his first four seasons, Mejia spent the entire AFL working at third base, where he compensated for raw footwork and actions with his cannon, plus-plus arm strength. While the Indians haven’t yet given up on Mejia as a catcher, it’s clear that they are eager to improve his defensive versatility, with the ultimate goal of getting his bat into the lineup regularly in 2018.
Hand just traded to Indians for Mejia.
acquiring any Angels’ reliever comes with the for-sure probability that they’ll soon land on the DL for an 18-month layover for TommyJohn surgery.