Right-hander Jordan Lyles has been terrific for the Brewers since they acquired him from the Pirates prior to the July trade deadline, but he almost ended up elsewhere before Milwaukee grabbed him. The Astros showed “strong interest” in Lyles leading up to the deadline, Robert Murray of The Athletic reports in a subscription piece delving into his late-season turnaround. Lyles was a first-round pick (38th overall) of the Astros in 2008, but he was unsuccessful as a major leaguer in Houston from 2011-13. The Astros then traded Lyles to the Rockies in a deal for outfielder Dexter Fowler. Lyles has struggled with a few other teams since then, and it’s anyone’s guess whether he’d have thrived this summer had Houston gotten him instead of Milwaukee.
After losing out on Lyles, the Astros still made a couple starting pitching additions at the deadline, landing ace Zack Greinke and another righty in Aaron Sanchez. The Greinke pickup has gone swimmingly thus far, though Sanchez fell somewhat flat before suffering a season-ending injury that might also keep him out for some portion of 2020. Considering Sanchez’s situation, not to mention the pending free agencies of starters Gerrit Cole and Wade Miley, perhaps they’ll circle back to Lyles if he hits the open market in the offseason.
Let’s check in on a few other teams from the majors’ West divisions…
- A lower back strain has shelved Rangers designated hitter/outfielder Hunter Pence since Aug. 23, and though the club’s eliminated from postseason contention, he still hopes to play again this year, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com relays. Regardless of if Pence makes it back, the Rangers will have an offseason decision on whether to re-sign the soon-to-be free agent. The 36-year-old Pence, who has revived his career in Texas, said last week he’d “love” to return to the club. However, manager Chris Woodward expressed some doubt over how Pence would fit on the roster going forward. GM Jon Daniels took a similar tone Friday, telling Sullivan: “He was extremely productive on the field, and he was [a] really valuable member of the clubhouse that you would love to have back. On the other hand, how many at-bats are we going to have for a corner outfielder-DH. On the surface, as we are currently constructed, not a lot. Things could change. That’s the reality.”
- Third baseman Justin Turner will slot back into the Dodgers’ starting lineup Saturday and Sunday, per Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times. He won’t play a full game in either case, though, according to manager Dave Roberts. A sprained left ankle has kept Turner out dating back to Sept. 7, but he’ll now have time to tune up before the Dodgers begin a potential run to the World Series in October.
- Athletics reliever Lou Trivino hasn’t pitched since Sept. 14 because of left oblique and rib soreness. It turns out Trivino suffered the injuries when he slipped in his shower, he told John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle on Friday. Trivino does expect to pitch again this season, which wasn’t going according to plan for him even before his at-home accident. While the 27-year-old largely stymied opposing hitters as a rookie in 2018, he has only managed a 5.25 ERA/4.53 FIP with 8.55 K/9 and 4.65 BB/9 in 60 innings this season.
Trade Mazara for a ham sandwich and platoon Pence in RF w Choo’s bum azz
Does anyone think that Hunter Pence will be able to stay healthy and produce the same numbers at age 37 next year? Even with his injuries his minor league contract has been a value for the Rangers. I just wonder if some team will give him major league contract at a 100+% raise and actually expect him to make it through the year long enough to produce at this rate. At Pence’s age, injury status and recent history I wonder if GM’s will actually consider him as someone that can hold down a 25- man roster spot next season. It seems counterintuitive to give someone a pay raise when you suspect they are likely to produce less than they did they year before. Especially when they are gonna be 37 years old and retirement is right around the corner. Does anyone have an opinion on his contract value or production for next year?
Maybe a one year deal with incentives
If JD goes then the sox may be open for a cheap deal …that’s if
Put him in a small hitters park, sure. I don’t know the new dimensions of the Rangers new stadium, but he might glide just the same in Ohio
“Slipped in the shower” is a new one…
Even for Oakland.
At least it wasn’t a massage!
Hall of Famer John Smoltz suffered burns to his chest because he ironed a shirt while he was wearing it. Hall of Famer.
which he denies to this day!
How have I not heard this before
You never heard it because it wasn’t true. You can read a whole article about it. It was an overheard conversation from a now dead beat writer who overheard Smoltz talking and wrote an incorrect story. From there the story had legs. Smoltz didn’t ask for a redaction from the beat writer because he never thought it would blow up. It was a small story in ST.
Wrong, its plainly obvious that Smoltz is embarrassed about it and is trying to get it covered up. If it was fake, he wouldn’t have been quoted directly admitting he had done it many times before and it was fine. Facts. Smoltz is being an egomaniacal coward and not owning it, like George Brett would.
oh..
Remember that time the talking heads on here were so pissed the Brewers got Lyles and not “an actual starter”. GMs should never listen to fans.
Lyles over achievement and luck will not last. A 4.41 FIP
Uh huh. Just like the Brewers were going to finish about .500? And like they were going to fade after Yelich went down?
its track record vs hindsight bias.
The first time they got Lyles, they got him for nothing on the August trade wire last year.
Keep Pence remove Jon Daniels.
Any way it goes I enjoyed watching Pence play this year.
It’s Hunter Pence, for Chrissakes…….find a spot on the (new) 26-man…..the guy’s worth the price of admission by himself…..
I’m reminded, switching sports, of Bill Parcels’ comment about Drew Breese….”if you don’t feel good about Drew Breese, you’re an azzhole”.…..
The Dodgers got to at least take a look at Rendon in the offseason.
Hunter Pence coming back?
Why is this even a Question?
Elvis did not measure up as a/the team leader.
He tanked with the team after the ASB, giving no direction.
Pence is a leader and the TEAM needs his lead by example.
He’s going to be a “plus add” in management, for a lucky MLB Team,
once he retires. It should be in the Rangers Org, his home town.
No Brainer