The Angels announced that right-hander Parker Markel has been acquired from the Pirates in exchange for cash considerations.
The 29-year-old Markel will change teams for the second time in 2019, after first going from the Mariners to the Pirates on a waiver claim back in July. It made for a particularly busy first Major League season for Markel, who posted a 7.77 ERA over 22 combined innings for Seattle and Pittsburgh in his first taste of the Show.
It marked the culmination of a long road to the majors for Markel, who was originally a 39th-round draft pick for the Rays in 2010. His ten-year pro career has included brief stints in independent ball and South Korea’s KBO League, as well as time away from the sport due to anxiety issues. Through it all, Markel has managed some solid minor league stats, with a 3.81 ERA, 2.23 K/BB rate, and 8.0 K/9 over 508 innings, pitching almost exclusively as a reliever since 2014.
He’ll now join an Angels team that is looking for pitching depth. While the Halos have a more glaring need in the rotation than in the bullpen, Markel and his 95.6 mph average fastball velocity could certainly become part of the conversation as the Angels consider their relief options come Spring Training.
I guess they aren’t going to pursue Cole after all.
They are acquiring Coles old boyfriend to lure him to Anaheim. :)
I always suspected those two…..
Markel wasn’t even on the Pirates when Cole was there. Markel made his debut with the Mariners last season before going to the Pirates.
Long distance relationship???
As long as cash doesn’t get traded tomorrow for someone else…Poor guy should be named suitcase considerations…He barely has time to unpack when he has to pack up again!
Royals-FYI,there was an outfielder in the 1950’s named Harry Simpson who was nicknamed Suitcase because he was traded so much.
Offered as an aside.
Cole is no longer an employee of the team.
LOL!
Literally laughed out loud.
I should have typed LLOL! as I did too! I laughed out loud when I read that he said that after the game last night.
I read that Cole had a Boras Company cap on right after the WS game.
Does not show a lot of class in my opinion.
I agree with the no class action!! That will certainly doesn’t help his relationship with any Astro!!
He was a hothead with the Pirates and that fact certainly did not help his pitching there.
Showing his brand new cap when he did will not help him get an offer from the Astros either.Duly noted by other teams too.
Maybe since that episode the Astros have moved on too.
Not too bright by Cole.
But he will still gets lots and lots of money.
One wonders though how good of a teammate he is.
Eppler loves velocity. Says it is the number one indicator of success. His radar readings are why we got him.
Apparently mixing speeds and locations well a la Greinke last night is missed on Eppler.
Right, which is why Eppler and the Angels are so high on Canning. Oh wait, nevermind. They are high on Canning because he has four plus pitches and command. Darn, they better trade him for Eovalid quick.
I’m sure the Red Sox would be receptive to that offer.
Eppler has made the velocity statement several times and all of his reliever claims, trades, and signings outside of Noe have been high velocity guys.
Sure, for castoffs. He’s looking for a Diamond in the rough. You brought up Greinke. You don’t think he’d love a starting pitcher with command and movement and a track record. Of course he would, but teams are protecting such players.
Halos-I think that it was missed on the Pirates too.
It was too complicated for them to figure it out if they were only using FIP.
Here is what people know about 2020 relief pitching.. Nothing.
Case in point. Look at the Oakland A’s the last two years. Treinen from Hall of Fame to non tendered. Hendriks went from unemployable to Hall of Fame.
Try the best you can at getting some established arms and then swing for the fences and hope you get productivity out of unexpected sources.
On this, we completely agree. Get as many intriguing arms as possible, get them into camp, and see what sticks.
have a couple guys with options so you can send them back and forth as needed.
cash considerations….rofl, did the Pirates get change for the $20 ?
Better than releasing him for nothing….
Maddon must have liked what he saw when Markel pitched against him last season 3.2 IP 1 ER 5 SO 2 BB
Wow. A 39th round pick out of a JUCO…..
Great, another Angels pitcher named Parker.. gone before the season starts.
I wouldn’t be so sure. Is he worth a 40 man roster spot? Time will tell.
Not gonna take much to make the 40 man roster unless some real moves are made.. this is a “adds some depth” move at best..hard throwing RHP are a dime a dozen..
Solid! Wouldn’t expect anything less than a 5.00 ERA from this organization.
Another insightful post from Halo Shane. Anyway, if he has a 5 ERA for the Angels, that means he made the 40 man roster.
Bob nutting- if you increase payroll about 20 million for a few players, then you can have yourself a pretty good formidable team. If you don’t, you will be back in the same position.
Army-(1)that would make too much sense
(2)the Pirates’ pitching is bad enough that they need a lot more than that
(3)formidable team means playoff worthy and they have fooled me before
Your sentiment is admirable but the Pirates are starting over with new management and I am not confident that they will be playoff bound even with an infusion of money.
The big market and well run middle market teams are the formidable ones.