7:41pm: Both Happ and former teammate Lance Lynn are “engaged with” the Astros, Yankees, Reds, Rangers and Blue Jays, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com tweets. Happ’s also continuing to draw the attention of the Phillies, while Lynn has received interest from the White Sox, according to Feinsand.
9:53am: It has seemed for the past few days that veteran lefty J.A. Happ could be the next domino to fall in the starting pitching market, and there are signs this morning that talks are advancing. Bob Nightengale of USA Today tweets that Happ’s market is “heating up,” while Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports on Twitter that Happ is sitting on multiple two-year offers.
The key question remains whether Happ will secure a guaranteed third season. Passan says that he has yet to receive such an offer. Happ’s representatives have “indicated he’ll sign with the first” team that meets that asking price, however, so it seems possible that something could come together swiftly.
Entering the offseason, MLBTR predicted that Happ would indeed secure that third season in a new deal, riding his solid recent track record to a $48MM guarantee. There certainly seems to be sufficient interest to support such an outcome, though organizations are understandably hesitant to commit to Happ through his age-38 campaign.
To this point, the Phillies, Braves, Yankees, Brewers, Reds, Angels, Astros, Twins, Blue Jays, and White Sox have all been connected to Happ. It’s certainly not impossible to imagine a few other organizations with possible interest as well, though at present it’s tough to gauge the likeliest landing spots.
Thanks Slevy. Had to delete my post until someone posts.
“Yankees are willing to go two years with J.A. Happ, but are reluctant to add a third, when he’d be 38.”
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) mobile.twitter.com/BryanHoch/status/10722819173937…
Dont want his age 36, 37, potentially age 38 seasons.
Nobody in their right mind wants to sign Happ as a Yankees fan.
I do
You’d rather have Happ at these prices, and his age rather than Thor or Kluber?
I’d rather have Happ and Thor or Kluber. A six man rotation isn’t a bad thing. Especially when you know you’ll have trouble getting more than 150 innings from Paxton, Thor, and CC.
Going from a four man to a five man staff was sad because odds of a 30 game winner went out the window (Thank you Denny McLain)
Going to six man staff will be the death of the 20 game winner.
If it becomes the norm, them expand rosters to 27 or 28.
MetsYankeesRedSox…….
The only thing a 6 man rotation does is allow more poor quality pitchers to pitch.
Here are 2 interesting articles written 13 years apart
baseballprospectus.com/news/article/1596/doctoring…
baseballessential.com/news/2015/05/12/case-four-ma…
NOBODY INTELLIGENT CARES ABOUT WINS FOR SP
Move CC to the bullpen.
@ Cat
Good articles & stats don’t lie. I’d prefer four man staffs again. Raise the mound back up too.
Someone with a human physical therapy degree would probably say three days off is the perfect amount of time for a pitcher to be fresh again. People think it’s shocking for a pitcher to start games 1, 4 & 7 in a 7 game series, but that was the norm in the 60s.
Has Thor ever once pitched 200 innings in a season? Serious question? If not we all need to stop equating him to an ace. If he averages around 150 innings per season with his yearly DL visit then as it stands he is more of a 2 or at worse a mid rotation arm in the AL East if he can’t go more then 150 innings. Just trying to be honest.
MetsYankeesRedSox……………
Those article do make a compelling argument, not that I needed convincing.
Not sure if the mound needs to be tampered with. Pitchers/teams are already making adjustments to launch angle etc. I am still a fan of control pitchers. Sure it’s nice to throw 98 but it’s just as effective if a pitcher can throw 93 and control the plate…in, out, up and down. Look at how long a guy like Hamels has lasted without serious injury. He only averaged 93+ on his FB 2 or 3 times in his career.
OI could go on and on about hitting too but I won’t.
Another something to check out if you can is the documentary “Fastball”. There may even be a free version or two on YouTube. It will dispel some myths.
Also look for the book “The Year Babe Ruth Hit 104 Home Runs”
I don’t think you need to worry about it too much. I can’t imagine a world where the Yankees get Syndergaard and only have to give up Andujar. Meanwhile, I can’t imagine the Mets trading 3 years of Syndergaard for 2 years of Realmuto. Doesn’t make sense.
agreed!
Please GOD, do that.
Ok Cat, I’ll look for it sometime. True about Hamels. Moyer threw “junk” too. Lasted forever.
Not true, if you have six good ones, I have tracked for years starting pitching. Just pick winning teams by starting pitchers, you will be correct less than 50 per cent of the times. The six man rotation actually fits into todays baseball, you can’t go by anything back more than 4 years ago. When I was young I could pick the winning pitcher most of the time. Today the most important thing is the bullpen.
No way. Part of the game is figuring out who to play/pitch given the confines of the roster.
Isn’t it all dependent upon what the Indians and Mets are demanding?
Dude relax. Wins are unimportant to determine whether a pitcher was good or not but if you think pitches don’t want to win 20 games then you’re clueless. That being said there are certain records that will never be beaten and it’s sad.
Henderson has the SB record. Jose Reyes has the most of as active players. We may never see someone reach-600 let alone come close to breaking it.
We may never see a 300 game winner. Or 4,000 IP something done by 40 other pitchers with Greg Maddux being the last one (5,000 actually).
We may never see a pitcher get-50 complete games something done by 996 other pitchers. Colon is has most among active purists with only 38!! That’s kind of sad.
I’m all for change but I feel the sport is getting too specialized. Judy my opinion tho.
In the 60’s, guys were selling insurance in the offseason to make ends meet, not jacking steel and studying tape. The league requires more from the pitcher now to stare down these mammoth men. Mid nineties is nothing these days so guys need more rest to keep their velocity at a competitive level.
The Yankees aren’t going to go into the season with a 6-man rotation. That just doesn’t even make sense. Why would you spend so much $ +/or trade capital to acquire ‘Frontline’ SPs to then go ahead and use them less than every 5th game — c’mon that’s not even logical.
Syndergaard worked 199 innings in 2015, including playoffs. Not 200 though! To think if he pitched one more inning he’d be an “ace”! He worked 191 in 2016.
We don’t know the totality of what a Realmuto/Syndegard trade would be but obviously the Mets are trading from a perspective of strength to improve their C which was dismal last year.
LOL
LOL
It bears repeating, in case I double-posted my first ever comment.
What?!? Why not? He was incredible last year after he came over.
That’s refreshing to hear… Feels like everyone does because he’s the top remaining FA SP by default
The most I’d give him is a one year deal. He can get 3 years from me in form of 3 consecutive one year deals… a la Kuroda… Unique situation, not realistic… I know. I’m just telling you what I’d be comfortable with!
That would be Dallas K. Wrong again, go Yakees
I disagree. He fits their window and is probably the safest pitcher on the market this year.
I’m not saying Happ doesn’t fit the Yankees criteria for the year. I’m just saying the best remaining F/A SP is Dallas
His FIP was 4.21 with the Yankees. Not bad, not real good either. He’s not fooling anyone for TOR arm in a rotation that could use one to beat Boston. I’d rather trade andujar for an ace and sign Machado. I’d like to see the Yankees operating like the New York Yankees.
Yes, Yes, Yes, and again Yes.
I agree IF they can trade Andujar and end up with Thor and Machado, go for it.
I don’t see why Kluber or Bauer wouldn’t be a possibility if not Thor. Indians could certainly use Andujar. Machado is the superior player to andujar now and for the foreseeable future. They may end up being pretty even with the bat but andujar will never play defense like Machado. You can afford the contract.
I’m amazed to see all the Yankee fans throwing Happ under the bus off 1 bad postseason start. He was 7-0 after he went to NY with a 163OPS+. He was about as automatic as they come. He’s shown he can pitch well in the AL East(and in that ballpark). He’d also cost about $120m less than Corbin did. Seems like an easy call.
4.13 FIP age 36. I’m not saying he’s a bad signing but there’s plenty of reasons why you’d want Corbin or an ace type instead. Yankees aren’t trying to play a WC game.
I get it. I guess I’m just not convinced that Corbin is an “ace” anyway.
I totally agree. You can look at Happ in a bubble. You have to look at what the market is. Corbin is off the table. Kluber, Syndegard, etc price might be very prohibitive.
I peronally would like them to give Happ the 3rd year. A rotation of Tanaka/Severino/Paxton/Happ/Sabathia is an upgrade over what we had last year and we know Happ can handle NY.
@jbigz12 Not attaching you but it’s interesting when commentors choose to use certain stats for one guy but ignore it for others. While Happ had a 2.69 ERA/4:13 FIP at age 36 the much maligned Lynn had a 4.14 ERA/2.17 FIP at age 31. Which one do you go with? And Lynn was throwing 94 mph the highest since 2011. Happ was far from soft-tossing either as he sat at 92.7
I didn’t say anything about Lynn at all. This was strictly a JA Happ article at the time I commented. No mention of Lynn at all. I’d use FIP or xFIP when talking about any pitcher not just JA happ. Lynn appeared to be much better than his peripherals and quite honestly given the fact that NY has 2 LH starters already I’m not sure why they wouldn’t prefer him to Happ. He is younger and most likely cheaper. If I were the Yankees I’d be looking for Kluber, Bauer etc. in a swap but if I’m playing the FA game I’d like Lynn over happ, sure. I don’t want to hand either the ball in October but yeah I’ll take him.
I’m with you, Bully. I’m not understanding all the hate for Happ from Yankee fans. He’s always pitched very well against the Red Sox and was everything you could have hoped for once he was acquired. They should have focused on Happ before CC, in my opinion.
I do for 1 year at 12 million and not a penny or year more.
I like how you do business billy.
Or bite the bullet with a 2 year deal and THIRD year TEAM option.
Lefties work well in NY, you’d like to flip the lineup to right bats as often as possible with their little league right field.
Go Yankees
I’d want to see that
Optional third year but not guaranteed.
Can’t be paying a pitcher into their 38 year old season.
What about Sabathia?
Corner the market on soft tossing lefties.
Never should have resigned CC, and here come the Yankees fans saying..why not he was good last year, he’s a good fifth starter, you know what you’re gonna get, that’s cheap for what he gives you. I have the same feelings on the resigning of Gardner.
You are right here. Gardner and CC should have been sent packing. There were easy(and probably cheaper) upgrades to make in those areas.
If they were gonna go cheap than there were definitely better options for a bench bat than Gardner. The money used for CC could’ve been put toward Happ, and they could do the trade for Thor as an example. A rotation of Thor-Severino-Paxton-Happ-Tanaka is definitely superior to CC + those four guys.
Why do you insist on acting as if the Yanks can’t afford Happ? Sounds like the issue isn’t annual salary but years.
You really make some silly rants. Please tell me what pitcher available that posted a sub 4 ERA is to be had for less than 1/$8 mil. Add to the fact that he’s NY tested. I’ll wait.
As weak as Gardner ended the year, he did have a 2+ WAR and can either start in LF of CF if needed, still has a good glove and is NY tested. Please…..tell me who they should’ve signed that can play both CF and LF? And if the Yanks DO sign one of Harper, Markakis or Brantley to play LF then Gardner becomes the 4th OF and backs up Hicks should he become injured.
You have to look at the market. You guys keep saying CC and Gardner were bad signings. Offer up guys that are better options? And if something comes up it’s not as if the Yanks can’t absorb the expense.
Says a guy who wants to sign the aged Nick Markakis, and the injury prone Michael Brantley. Yea move an old player over to a new position and depend on someone who’s played over 100 games once the last 3 years and is also horrible in the OF. Great plans guy.
Bring back Jamie Moyer!
Have him pitch to Julio Franco.
If he’s smart he’ll take the two years with an option for a third if the Yanks offer him that.. even just two years alone on a winning team at that age is a win.
If you have lunch on a dinner plate, does that make it a lunch plate?
yum. hawaiian plate lunch.
If the Reds can’t handle this then their free agent winter is over and their fans got nothing.
white sox got this
No looks like the White Sox got Nova……
It’s hard to understand how the White Sox could be interested in Happ. They need an innings-eater, but not at Happ prices for two, let alone three, years. The team’s window of competing has yet to open, and it won’t until some of those prized prospects are able to produce enough to win major league games or to be hyped enough to serve as trade bait for other players who already have. Happ is not an answer.
Ivan Nova
I can see their interest in J.A. Happ. They can use a veteran presence to replace James Shields. Another lefty in the rotation to go along with Carlos Rodon would also be nice.
I’d rather have a “younger” Dallas Keuchel who could be a fan favorite on the South Side as a Mark Buehrle “clone” with his stuff and fielding acumen but he also comes with a QO which would cost the White Sox their #2 pick in June.
Happ also happens to be a native of Peru, Illinois and excelled at Northwestern University as a starting pitcher. So he’s got some roots and smarts as well, maybe the Joe Girardi of MLB pitchers who hailed from Peoria and also played at the Evanston, Il. campus before being drafted.
Btw-If the White Sox are into quality players with initials, I wouldn’t mind seeing them in the mix for J.T. Realmuto as well. They certainly have the assets to satisfy the Marlins and Realmuto is said to be looking for a Buster posey type extension which the White Sox could certainly afford.
I hope the Braves say no. I’d rather they re-up Anibal.
At 36 no way i give him a 3y/48M. I’d give him a 2 year 30M with an vesting option at another 15 though with a 2M buy out. He might be one of the better pitchers available but some of his numbers in recent years have me a little cautious. But hard to argue with the results i suppose.
Agreed, that seems to be a fair deal!
I think that’s a fair compromise with the vesting option but is it even possible to have a buyout on vesting option? Did you mean it converts to a team option with a buyout if he doesn’t reach it?
I remember his last tenure with the Astros. Still gives me nightmares. I hope it’s a no go for the ‘stros.
He’s a different pitcher now. Learned how to throw up in the zone with his fastball and somehow it just works now
Would not be surprised if he ends up with the Jays again. Word had it when he was a FA after the 2015 season he and his family had a strong desire to go back to Toronto. He supposedly never got back to the Pirates on their offer after the Jays made their offer to him. Could see that happening again.
I heard the same. I predicted Happ and Lynn to the Jay’s. Make it so Shapiro.
Shapiro = picard confirmed
Happ to the Jay’s or Lynn to the Reds would wreck my 0 for 50.
To put them over the top, they need a Kluber, Thor, or Bauer.
No interest in kluber. The Yankees rocked him twice in the playoffs and he’s 33.
He wouldn’t be facing the Yankees.
Reds should not touch him. Great American Ballpark will be suicide.
Yanks get Fat Lynn. Book it.
da Yankees hierarchy has been making excuses for Machado for 10 days now.
They are the front runners for him. They’ll find a stopgap 3B (Harrison?) until Didi gets back. Anduhar goes in a package for a quality starter.
I’m not even that hot on Happ for two years, let alone three.
angels? sleeping?
Let me get this straight. Cashman won’t offer Happ, who is in great shape and takes great care of himself, a contract that covers his age 38 season, but he has no problem giving fat, slob C.C. Sabathia , whose knees are bone on bone, a contract for his age 38 season ( in which he will turn 39 in July). GIVE HAPP A 3rd YEAR, CASHMAN!!!
With out CC the Yanks would need 2 pitchers. CC’s 1/$8 mil has nothing to do with what they offer Happ. This ain’t the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Also, what a douche you are? Say what you want about CC’s weight but he’s a professional athlete getting a check and succeeding whereas we’re spending our spare time talking about athletes. You’re a joke dude. And it’s not even a Yankee thing. Barto Calon is in his 40s and still playing ball whereas neither of us could make it on to an Independent League team. How wack are you?
The Astros will try to low ball as they have done this off season.
Reds, please pass