Though the opener concept is less than two years old, it is suddenly unsurprising to see not one, but both teams planning a bullpen day for game 6 of the ALCS. To see juggernauts like the Astros and Yankees turn to relievers to start a game this late in the postseason is a testament to how quickly the game of baseball can change, writes ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Whether this on-field evolution will change the free agent market remains a question, but the Rays acquisition of Nick Anderson at the trade deadline could point to changing valuations regarding relievers. That trade in particular had a lot of moving parts that make it anomalous, including Ryne Stanek’s inclusion in Miami’s return and Jesus Sanchez’s struggles in Triple-A prior to the trade. Still, the Marlins acquired a borderline top-50 prospect in exchange for a 29-year-old rookie reliever, and the Rays very well could end up with the better end of the deal. Anderson’s performance in the postseason (5 2/3 innings, 1 earned run, 5 hits, 8 strikeouts, 0 walks) goes a long way in explaining to the casual baseball fan why Anderson might be so highly valued. As we await the first-ever bullpen day in a league championship series, let’s see what else is going on around baseball…
- Astros bench coach Joe Espada surely has enough on his plate ahead of tonight’s game 6, but he’s a man in high demand. The Pirates have joined the list of teams interested in interviewing Espada for their managerial vacancy, per MLB Network’s Jon Heyman (via Twitter). Espada has also received interest from the Giants and Cubs. The Cubs, for one, came away from their interview on Monday “exceptionally impressed” with Espada, per David Kaplan of NBC Sports Chicago (via Twitter).
- The Phillies still have a manager’s seat to fill, but they appear closer to hiring their next Amateur Scouting Director, per Jim Salisbury of NBCSPhilly (via Twitter). Brian Barber, the national crosschecker for the Yankees, appears to be their primary target. Former scouting director Johnny Almarez stepped down in September after serving in the role since October 2014, citing personal reasons.
A Theo “yes” man.
Ross must have already told him no. He’s not stupid.
Probably (Ross) want Lester as his bench coach.
In English please?
Wrong. Ross covets the job. Nice try though.
Espada has no connection to Theo and has plenty of suitors so he would not need to take any “yes man” job.
Try again
How did Machadp play for the Sox this year?oh wait…..
Another White Sox fan worried about the Cubs…that’s all his jumble meant!
I thought teams had to wait to interview coaches if the coaches team was in the playoffs.
Not sure if that’s an actual rule. It may be more of a courtesy.
If a team has permission they do not have to wait. Espada interviewed with the Cubs on an off day between series with permission from the Astros.
Theo jumped the competition and now has the inside track to land Espada
ALL the answers on EVERY thread. Why aren’t you in someone’s front office?? You know more than anyone on TV & front offices
how do you know wordonthestreet isn’t in a front office already?
Mind->blown
Theo only wants a “yes” man. Someone who works cheap.
Sell $45 bleacher seats and $12 beers.
Make money for owner.
The window closed. No pitching
I believe teams are required or asked to refrain from announcing hirings during the World Series.
I’m sorry, but the presumption here that Nick Anderson was somehow close to the trade value of Jesus Sanchez is absurd. There’s no mention of Trevor Richards, who at the time of the trade brought over 5 years of low-cost control, and while he’s no great shakes, he’s a useful starting pitcher. That combination of usefulness and cost control equates to a fair amount of value. Yes, Anderson had some too, but surely you can’t be serious trying to suggest that Anderson alone was worth Sanchez and Stanek.
It is very likely Espada will get a managerial job this year. My question is will the annual value of the deal exceed what Steve Adams is now making of this website. So all you readers know- MLB trade rumors is doing incredibly well now. There is talk that barstool actually might want to acquire them- but now with Adams salary they might not be able to afford it.
In a few months this website is going to start offering paid subscriptions for premium content. You will also start seeing a great deal more video on the site. The guys are doing incredibly well and have parlayed this website into serious money, houses on the beach and Mercedes Sls.
Why is the article about the agent closed for comments is everybody here that damn soft and sensitive
Ironman-
Yes notoriously soft. Those who run this website do an incredible job. In my opinion they are also incredibly progressive politically. They are silicone valley types and brilliant with the internet. They also believe in participation trophies.
I don’t understand why the domestic violence article was posted. It is not news and is more gossip. I say you wouldn’t want to be judged on your worst moment so don’t do it to anyone else. Domestic violence is not defendable and incredibly serious but until a person is convicted it is only an allegation. Nobody here knows what happened and such a serious matter should be left to the courts and not a baseball website.
Being from Santa Cruz I can tell you i know very much so what soft is. Im the minority here. With that being said id open the comments. If someone gets out of line ,have admin ban them for 30 days. Comments are usually open for players so why close it for an agent?
When I saw that thread I didn’t care about it til I saw there were 3 posts. I read the posts and they weren’t bad at all. Then I saw it was closed. I agree, we are adults here. If someone says anything out of line, then ban them.
Yea I really didn’t give a damn about it. My eyes actually completely ignored it until I read his comment.
the sanchez link is for the wrong guy (although funny enough that one is an ex marlin, but a guy who’s career ended back in 2004)
We can comment on this one, just not the domestic violence story? Any particular reason why? I know I hear things all year. Some make the news, some don’t. It’s an ugly situation but not having enough faith in your readers to be appropriate on such a thread? Who does that say more about?
Let’s just be happy that we are allowed to comment. Due to the constant trolling and just plain stupidity and rudeness of many almost all of the major sites have cut off commenting altogether.
This off-season is crucial for the Cubs’ future! Don’t be surprised if the Cubs hire Espada or Kapler while making a few trades to beef up that depleted farm system. Bryant or Schwarber or both might be trade pieces to beef up the Cubs’ farm system. People forget that the new rule comes into effect with having a bullpen pitcher come in and face three batters before pulling him. The Cubs lack pitchers in their system. I can’t to see them being big players in the free agent market this off-season especially with the contracts they have with Darvish and Heyward.
I find it funny how many white sox fans are so concerned about the cubs. I guess when your team sucks, your manager sucks and your owner sucks you become obsessed with the team across town.
Espada meeting a second time with Cubs. Fingers crossed
From Joe Maddon to Joe Espanda