The Yankees’ rotation took a serious shot Wednesday when it was announced that they’ll go without left-hander James Paxton for three to four months on account of back surgery. General manager Brian Cashman discussed the news with Joel Sherman of the New York Post, saying Paxton first complained of back discomfort in his final regular-season outing Sept. 27. That didn’t stop Paxton from making three playoff appearances, though, and Cashman noted surgery was a “last resort.” The timing of the procedure’s not ideal, but the Yankees didn’t want to rush into a decision, according to Cashman.
One of Paxton’s fellow Yankees lefties, J.A. Happ, was a trade candidate earlier this offseason, but Cashman revealed Paxton’s injury “certainly” played a part in the team’s decision to keep him. However, there was trade interest in Happ, Cashman told Sherman. “There was a lot of knocking on our door about it,” he said.
Here’s more from the American League…
- Angels infielder Luis Rengifo appears to be on the verge of going to the Dodgers in a trade for outfielder Joc Pederson. It’s not the first time Rengifo’s name has come up in trade talks this offseason, though. Rengifo was part of the discussions between the Angels and Indians when the two teams were weighing a Corey Kluber swap back in December, per Paul Hoynes of cleveland.com. The two clubs couldn’t come to an agreement, and the Indians ended up trading Kluber to the Rangers a few days later.
- Twins righty Jake Odorizzi decided to forgo free agency this offseason in favor of the team’s $17.8MM qualifying offer. Odorizzi may have done better on the open market – MLBTR predicted a three year, $51MM payday – but he doesn’t regret his choice to stick with Minnesota on a short-term deal. “Not a bit,” he told Phil Miller of the Star Tribune. “I made my decision based on the best knowledge we had at the time. Money started flying around pretty quick, and the market got pretty hot, but nobody predicted that.” Indeed, there has been far more money distributed in free agency than many anticipated when the offseason began. Odorizzi’s now left to hope the cash will continue flowing next winter if he gets to free agency, though Miller writes that he remains “open to” a long-term pact with the Twins.
- Rays outfield prospect Josh Lowe underwent right shoulder debridement surgery in November and “likely” won’t return to action until late May, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times writes. The 22-year-old Lowe, a 2016 first-round pick and the younger brother of Rays first baseman Nate Lowe, ranks as the team’s 11th overall prospect at MLB.com. Josh Lowe enjoyed a strong season at the Double-A level last year, when he slashed .252/.341/.442 with 18 home runs and 30 stolen bases in 519 plate appearances.
Clint Frazier and him only for Matty Boyd
Lol this.
I’m a Yankee fan and it will take more than Frazier.
I completely agree. Not really a big fan of Boyd, but it would take more, probably a lot more. And, the Tigers really have no use for Happ (I am assuming he meant Happ) so he would have negative trade value.
I don’t know. Sure, Avila would ask for more, but Boyd has only been good for half a year his entire career. Frazier, despite the fanfare and former top prospect status has a lot of warts too–defense, personality, inconsistency. It might be a good swap of overhyped players.
You are right in that they are, likely, both overhyped. But, if the Tigers told all other teams that Boyd was on the trade market they would get a much more appealing offer than Happ and Frazier. I do not think that Frazier and maybe a 5-10 prospect is not enough for a pitcher of Boyd’s talents, but I think that the Tigers, with all of the team control left, would rather wait it out and see if he can fetch a haul for him if he develops further rather than trade him now for an “OK” package. That is what I would do if I was a GM.
Yeah, but no way would Torres be included.
Why does everyone assume Torres would ever be included in a trade for anyone that isn’t top-shelf? Torres alone could get a decent arm, let along with other mlb-ready bats.
I agree, however, that Boyd would require more than Frazier, because pitching is prime in this market. Yankees are not trading Torres, especially while under team control.
As weird as this sounds I think you might have something there. I think it would require another mid tier prospect or 2 (at least) but I do feel like that would be realistic.
Yes, that would work. All other teams exist only to serve the Yankees. Add in Andujar and a top pitching prospect, and it MIGHT be considered.
I don’t know that they value Frazier at all, they probably don’t in Detroit, but let’s not kid ourselves. Matt Boyd isn’t getting more than one top 50ish type prospect. And I’m not a Yankees fan. I don’t know that they’d move Andujar for him, maybe. But there’s not gonna be some big haul for Boyd.
Yes, you’re not bias at all.
Frazier, Andujar, and a top pitching prospect for Boyd? Bwahahaha, yeah, good luck with that, ace.
The Tigers can keep Boyd. He’s been marginal at best. The Yankees already have a marginal pitcher in Happ.
Typical Tigers fan sharing the mantra of “Boyd is an Ace starter that just runs into bad luck” with us all again…..he’s a mid rotation guy that pitches to above 4 runs a game….we heard it all last year….If he’s so valuable then please keep him….sooner or later the Tigers have to climb up into some level of contention in the Al Central….next!
KingTiger: Your assessment of Boyd is too high. But, I believe it is consistent with the ownership’s view of him, which is why they will not trade him.
Boyd for Frazier, Andujar, and a low/mid prospect? Sign me up
Rays look like they have alot of speed on the way and too many position players. They should consolidate some MLB talent and prospects into Buxton and Mondesi. They’d have a chance at 250-300 steals a year over the next few years.
There is zero chance the Twins are trading Byron Buxton, the hands-down best defensive CF in the game not named Mike Trout. And why would Tampa need a guy like Buxton who doesn’t hit when they already have a guy like that occupying his position in Kevin Keirmeier?
As great as Trout is I do not think he is the best defensive CF. Probably not even one of the top 5 defensive CF, top 10 maybe.
Apparently you don’t see Mike Trout play On a daily basis
Apparently, I actually live in LA. And, while I am not an Angels fan, I watch a lot of their games since they are on TV. So, yes, I do see him on a near-daily basis during the season. I am not bashing him; I am not saying that he is a bad defender; I am simply saying that he is not the best defensive CF in the game. He might be a top 10 fielder, but definitely not the best. I am not bashing the best player in the game by pointing out the fact that he is not the best at every aspect of the game.
then there is only one answer. you are mad!
Lol… someone lives on the east coast…
In my opinion he’s definitely in the top five defensive centerfielders so by you saying you don’t have him in your top 10 makes me question your opinion ……Dodger fan?
I said he might be a too 10 defender. I did not say he was not a top 10 defender. I would probably rank him in the top 5, or close to it.
And the Rays don’t run anyway do they? And how does trading that surplus for speed help them win? They’re really good and should be playing for a championship.
Amazing how you state Kevin kiermaier in a reply and in that same reply you call buxton the best defensive cf instead of kiermaier. But you also think trout is better than kiermaier too apparently. Wow I knew Yankees fans were dumb but not that dumb
Yandymania: Why must you over-generalize most of your statements with insults as your evidence for your conclusions? That displays ignorance on many levels, but also reflects a lack of conversational ability.
@bjupton stop making us rays fans look stupid cuz of retards like u
What’s stupid about that idea?
Maybe because teams don’t build ML rosters on steals? Idk
Then it is an undervalued aspect of the game and exactly the type of things the Rays have and will try. Those two are kind of special on speed and at least Mondesi had a respectable enough ratio last year to let him go and Buxton’s speed, arm, power, and defense have made him one of my targets for the Rays. He’s also someone I believe could be guided into a 6/7-1 ratio or better. At that rate I’m pretty sure stats say to run plus the intangibles of messing with a pitcher, hit ‘n runs to stay out of double plays, and the added bonus of putting pressure on the defense. I believe Tor and NYY both have bad infield defenses. The Rays usually run based off the runner and/or the pitcher catcher combo so if they have good speed, Upton, Mallex, Crawford, Baldeli etc they let them run.
I’m glad the Angel’s didnt give up Marsh for Kluber… and I REALLY hope they didnt give him up for Joc and Stripling ! Marsh will be a top 15 prospect in MLB by all star break
He’s a good prospect, but I don’t see him becoming anything close to that kind of prospect. In the end, I think he will turn into a good, not great player.
And you are???
I am Adam. Why do you ask? Who are you? Can I have your social security number, DoB, and mother’s maiden name to confirm you say who you say you are?
And the 16 digits on the credit card number, with those three wacky numbers on the back!
“Money started flying around pretty quick, and the market got pretty hot, but nobody predicted that.” – who failed out of agent school and where can I apply?
I bet the Yankees trade for Walker Buehler to fill that hole. Dodgers got David Price so they don’t need Buehler anymore.
Clint Frazier and Tyler Wade is probably a fair deal for Buehler.
Thanks, I needed a good laugh.
Uh
If they sign Refsnyder to a MiLB deal they can throw him in too as icing on the cake
For a split second I thought you were being serious.
This ain’t 2014 my friend.
Dumbest thing I’ve read on here..
Have you read any of Steve Adams’ pieces? They’re even bigger piles of dook than a triceratops poo.
Lol that wouldn’t even get done in MLB The Show 20.
LA would never do that trade. Buehier is a great pitcher for those 2? Lol NEVER
I agree. The Dodgers would definitely need to sweeten pot.
*Sweeten the pot (But, sweetened pot might be something to help convince the Yanks executives to give up two future HoF’s for a number 5 pitcher)!
He’s not being serious
It was a joke, pasha. OMG!
@pasha2k
Dance puppet….dance. He got exactly from you what he wanted. No way was he being serious.
Wow! Great article about the Indians. Did it get rained out?
?
Indians considered trading Kluber to the Angels, but didn’t. Later traded to Rangers… should have had Rangers in headline also.
Salty?
Only for 17 minutes
Yankees also announce they will not be paying Paxton due to the injury not being treated by a doctor on the Yankee health plan.
Lol Ellsbury is a tool and doesn’t deserve a cent
Ellsbury does not even deserve a penny for his last two years of “service”
Don’t even argue with him, he wants to be a troll so bad, but isn’t remotely clever enough to be good at it.
You’re right about his wanting to be a troll…probably the inbreeding issue…..just laugh at his comments and he goes away!
Then when the Yankees try and not pay Paxton, Yankee fans will be nodding in agreement saying, “Yep, that’s what he deserves.”
Contracts mean nothing for you “company men”.
Please, tell us more about your clearly superior knowledge about contracts generally and MLB player contracts specifically. I’m sure it will be riveting and eye-opening.
Hm, nope.
Literally every yankee fan wants to get rid of frazier and get a stud player in return. Idiots! Lol
And you are???
Lolololol you tell em Adam
@LaFlamaBlanca
No, not every fan. I wouldn’t mind giving him a shot in LF> Also, Boyd strikes out a lot of guys but he is no “stud”. He’s a guy with a career ERA/FIP of 4.99/4.62 in well over 600 IP. His 3 years of control is good but he’s never proven himself to be more than a back of rotation SP.
Literally every yankee fan wants to get rid of frazier and get a stud player in return. Idiots! Lol
And you are???
…Nobody. You’re nobody.
And you use “literally” like literally incorrectly. Please stop trying to denigrate Yankee fans, especially categorically. Yankee fans are on here discussing teams and specific comments, but not you. No, sir. You devolve into generic name-calling which adds no substance to these conversations whatsoever.
Literally every yankee fan wants to get rid of frazier and get a stud player in return. Idiots! Lol
So nice had to say it thrice
Press submit once!!!
Would actually prefer they start him in LF everyday to begin the season to finally give him consistency in the field. Stanton at DH and Tauchman as 4th OF mostly spelling Gardy in CF.
Yes Cashman don’t rush into it. Let’s wait a week before spring training to do anything. AKA we didn’t have a clue and trying to CYA.
Cashman NEVER lets things get by him. That was prolly why he never traded Happ. I mean are you all seriously thinking they would wait till now to find out? Never with ANY GM, n NEVER Cashman! RS fan chirping in.
Username checks out
@crazylarry
Yeah…Cashman has been sitting on his hands not doing nothing.
Cole/Severino/Tanaka/Happ/Montgomery with Paxton and German joining mid-late season. Wow….look at that.
But, southbeachbully, that’s nothing compared with the RSox pitching staff with Sale (maybe), Price (oh, nope), uh Miley (no), hm, Porcello (not him), Eduardo Rodriguez (as a #2???). Well, either way, I’m sure crazylarry’s right, just sure of it.
No one wanting to pay the remaining 34 million of Happ’s salary “certainly played a part in the teams decision to keep him”.
Yankees will likely ride with Jordan Montgomery, Jonathan Loaisiga, and Luis Cessa at least early in spring training if not the start of the season.
Rsox: Yeah, I think you’re right, the Yankees will roll with them and, depending on how Garcia’s doing, pull him up. They are not going to freak out and start getting extra pitching imo.
I would be happy if Odorizzi pitched well again in 2020, signed an extension, and became a long term fixture in that rotation! Twins are becoming a destination franchise, a great place to play and win!
How many Lowe’s do the Rays have? They could field a lineup with 3 of them! Imagine seeing the lineup look like this
1 B Lowe
2 N Lowe
3 J Lowe (ha jlo)
It’s a lowe-fest!
How Lowe can you go???
Nate and Josh are brothers.
There was an article a while back talking about this. But they said Brandon Lowe pronounces it like “lau” but with Nate and Josh it’s “low”
Odorizzi definitely made the correct decision at the time, but probably the wrong one in hindsight. How was he supposed to know that this would be the year multiple teams went crazy spending after everyone became so cheap in the past couple of years.
Huge blow. You never come back 100 percent from back surgery. Trade now
No trade value, out till mid-may or June, and a free agent next winter. What do you honestly think the Yankees could get for him?.
Trade for someone. Not trade him. Sorry
Literally every yankee fan wants to get rid of frazier and get a stud player in return. Idiots! Lol
Texas might consider trading Minor or Lyles plus a prospect for Andujar.
As a free agent signing the Rangers cant trade Lyles till June without his permission.
You are correct. Forgot about that. They might still consider Minor or one of their young lefties if yanks willing to talk about Andujar, Voit, Tauchman, Frazier.in varying degrees each would be useful to TX.
And thus, the IL woes begin again for the Yankees.
Let the farm fill in the positions.
I agree. Give the boys a chance to play.
Yanks will be fine using the kids in a rotation at the 4/5 spots. They just need Pax ready to go by the fall for the fall.
with Cole on board the possibilities are endless, and the margin for error is far better.
So how many Lowes play for the Rays?