We haven’t heard much from veteran righty Marco Estrada since he was cut loose by the Athletics last year. At the time, he was struggling to deal with back issues that more or less took his entire 2019 season.
The 36-year-old hasn’t given up his hopes of a return to the majors. Estrada is still working to get back to full strength and overcome those back maladies, MLBTR’s Steve Adams reports on Twitter.
Estrada has already begun chatting with a few potentially interested clubs. He’s not going to be a candidate to work at full speed on Opening Day but is hopeful of being ready by the summer — perhaps as soon as June.
While health questions have dogged Estrada for some time, he had thrown plenty of innings until things got worse last year. From 2014 to 2018, Estrada averaged 167 frames of 4.27 ERA pitching annually.
Even after a tough 2018 effort, Estrada commanded a $4MM guarantee from the A’s last winter. He’s all but certain to field minor-league offers this time around, but could certainly be a worthwhile target for the right team if he shows that he’s in good form once his rehab is complete.
Yanks might as well take a flier
A washed-up right-handed fly-ball pitcher at Yankee Stadium? Smh
There’s no risk
And basically no upside.
I guess he has nothing else to do.
Marco Estrada was done 3 years ago. Rehabbing his back is going to change that?
I still think the nats should sign a vet as injury insurance/ compete with the young guys for the fifth spot (though hopefully Ross takes it).
Someone will probably give him a minor league deal and see what if anything he has to offer midseason. Doesn’t have to mean a return to the show if he’s done
I realize it was 3+ years ago but Marco already had success in ALE. I feel like Marco would be great pitching 2 innings in between a starter and closer, I felt R.A. Dickey would have been even better at this. Just think about a starter and closer throwing 95+ then having to face Marcos elite tumbling changeup or even better a knuckle ball in between, tell me that wouldn’t mess up hitters timing. I really don’t know y teams dont give it a try with guys like Steven Wright, and Ryan feriabrand (lefty knuckle) that came over from the KBO last year
The Uni-Lions beat MLB teams to that when it comes to Ryan Feierabend.
Every team takes chances on veteran players on minor league deals every year. There is virtually no risk in offering a couple starts to a vet to see if a rehab or a retooling has improved their approach and impending results. Just a matter of matching up with a team for an opportunity.
Hex bar deadlift! Posterior chain!
It’s not the arm, it’s the back and core muscles. Ask Verlander, Clemons, Johnson, Moyer and Petite.
This guy had a devastating sinker, why not get better with age like these other guys?
Sinker? No.
Change up is his pitch.
Loved this guy when he was a Jay. Lights out in playoffs
1 yr 2 million with incentives to make it worth 3.
Teams in desperate need of pitching will give that a shot.
Klentak try him out
Mariners
I hope Erik Estrada makes a comeback.
He is good when the chips are down.
He used to be pretty good.
Angels
I hope he lands somewhere. I’ll always remember how key he was for those Jays teams in 2015 and ’16. One of my favourite Jays pitchers from recent memory.
Keep him away from hitter’s parks and weak defensive teams. A’s, Nats, Dodgers, Angels, that’s about it.