Right-handed pitcher Jhoulys Chacin requested his release from the Twins today, and he is no longer in camp with the team, according to Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Chacin had inked a minor-league deal with the Twins in February which included an opt-out clause that allowed him to enter free agency. The 32-year-old will hit the open market in hopes of latching on with another team ahead of Opening Day.
Chacin signed on in the winter with a chance to compete for a spot in the back of the Twins’ rotation, representing an insurance option against Michael Pineda’s suspension and the health of Rich Hill. Chacin would’ve competed with Randy Dobnak and Devin Smeltzer, but after subsequently acquiring starter Kenta Maeda and with Hill back to full strength, the need for Chacin has diminished. Presently, the Twins’ rotation is shaping up to consist of Maeda, Hill, Jose Berrios, Jake Odorizzi, and Homer Bailey.
Last year was a frustrating one for Chacin, who went from starting Opening Day for Milwaukee to being released in August. That came after he stumbled to a 5.79 ERA through 19 starts with the Brewers. A September run with the Red Sox didn’t go much better, with his ERA climbing to 7.36 in a handful of appearances.
Still, Chacin authored an impressive stretch in 2017 and 2018, posting a cumulative 3.69 ERA in 67 starts with the Padres and Brewers. He has never been much of a strikeout specialist, as he averaged just 7.5 K/9 in those two years, but his increased reliance on his slider made him a tougher matchup for hitters. Last year, home runs were Chacin’s downfall, and teams looking at Chacin will have to decide if the 21% HR/FB rate was simply a streak of bad luck, or indicative of the pitcher Chacin will be this year and beyond.
Rox should bring him back
I’d love to see NYY scoop him up to battle for that 5th rotation spot with Montgomery behind Cole, Paxton, Tanaka, and Happ.
You really think he has anything left? We got Clarke Schmidt instead. Who seems ready. I bet the Tribe would want him in a heartbeat. Can we still call them the Tribe? Even though they claim to have enough pitching? So we’ll pass
The Red Suks should take him. Since they will be pitching with a Triple A rotation this season
Cegmyster, You are a hoot. Cleveland’s starting rotation is set and very good.
hockeyjohn how’s that offense looking? Good enough to win the division? I hope so. You are a diehard I must give you that.
you’re really that confident from the 3 spot on? i like Cookie, Civale, and Plesac, dont get me wrong, but none is a sure bet.
Take a flier on him then. Could be worth it. Nothing to lose really
Clevinger, Bieber, Carrasco, Plutko, Plesac. Cleveland’s rotation should be the best in the AL Central. The main problem is all five are righthanded.
Life is so boring today watching the Indians play the Bucs. Can we still call them that?
Better then the Chi-Sox? And the Twinkies?
Any interest in J.A. Happ for Bradley Zimmer? Looking to acquire Josh Hader at the trading deadline for Miguel Andujar & Mike King
Absolutely. Go check out those teams’ rotations. I won’t do the research for a lazy, misguided troll. We can still call you that.
Yes and yes. The Indians starting pitching is much better than both the Twins and White Sox. If Ceg would look beyond the Yankees he would know that. The lineup is good. It can be very good if another outfielder steps up.
Happ would not make the Indians staff. Please do your homework before you spout off.
Whatever tickles your pickle dude
Good luck trying to catch the Twinkies and the Chi-Sox this year
hockeyjohn, I get people predicting Minnesota in the Central, but that’s based on offensive players carrying over their numbers from a record-setting year. It’s not unreasonable to expect those numbers to dip somewhat. Especially if the baseballs are manufactured a bit differently than in 2019. Also, in a short season, teams are less likely to build a big lead in the standings. In a close race, I’ like Francona.
You probably look like a troll. MLB trade rumor troll for life
not sold on Monty?
Monty is fine. You could take a 32 year old waived starter if you want. Good luck with that
Yes. That 0-2 record and 7 era. The BoSox will have to act fast for his services.
Are those his numbers from the Red Sox? Or are those his spring training numbers? From what I remember I thought he performed well for the Red Sox last season? Maybe I’m Wrong. I think he’ll be scooped up pretty quick by whoever.
no, he was that bad
He was awful Gary. I don’t remember a start he made for the Sox when they had him where his outs weren’t loud even. Just awful.
Their rotation as-is is bad, but picking him up wouldn’t be of any help.
i dont know, he’s better than Godley
You’re absolutely right John Silver. It would have helped if I clicked on his name and looked at his stats for the Sox LOL. He was awful. I guess what I remember is he would pitch a few innings, leave two guys on base but only give up a couple runs. Then his relief would let in the two guys they inherited and it would count on Chacin’s era. But nonetheless, we’ll go with awful.
He pitched 373 innings with a 3.69 ERA and 4.14 FIP in 2017 and 2018. Pretty good numbers for what could be a #5 starter on a goood team, and could be a solid innings sponge for a team like the Royals, Orioles, or Marlins.
beats leblanc or milone for sure
The Indians should pick him up so they can win their division. Oh that’s right. I forgot they don’t need anymore starters according to their diehard Delusional fans?
Clevinger, Bieber, Carrasco, Plutko, Plesac. Who in the AL Central can match that?
The Chi-Sox maybe?
Giolito, Keuchel, Gonzalez, Cease, Lopez. I like Giolito. Less confident in Keuchel at this stage, The other three are shaky: a retread in Gio and two guys who got lit up in 2019 (Cease, 5.79; Lopez, 5.63). Not having Kopech takes away an important option, even though he missed all of ’19 and pitched just 14 MLB innings in ’18 (5.02).
Your obsession with the Indians has to stop dude you suck
Maybe you need to root for a new team? You beyond suck just like them
Red Eye they call you that from all the crack you smoke daily?
Instead of sitting here bored and posting comments filled with ignorance and letting people make fun of you why not do something productive with your time. Go exercise or go for a walk. Learn a new language. Take up a hobby.
Wyoming Bison Expansion Team? Wow that sounds like a fun hobby. Good Luck with that loser! Get a life!
A rebuilding team should scoop him up. If anything else he could be a place holder and give you innings until the prospects are ready. Best case scenario he does really good and could get flipped for a wildcard prospect or a PTBNL.
Maybe for the Halos? Can we still call them that?
Why do you think you can’t?
Any spring training games on this afternoon? Please let me know. As bored as balls right now
Ceg, spend time studying the other teams you talk about, yet seem to know little about.
hockeyjohn, I posted White Sox info above. Their rotation is riddled with question marks, as I’m sure you know. Re the Indians, I like the staff as a whole. I also like Francona being the manager to lead them through the 2020 sprint.
I saw and agree with you about the White Sox starting pitching. I would also put Civale in the rotation over Plutko. I agree that with Francona and our pitching that that we have a good chance. I just hope that MLB can get through the season.
Oops, forgot Civale. That is nother edge for the Indians: their pitching depth. This will be crucial in a short season where players might be shuttling in and out of quarantine. In a season where no team can afford a prolonged slump, it will matter more than it usually does. Who can fill the void when a starting pitcher is quarantined for three starts?
Nah they all suck like your team. Pass
Stop dude you suck
Like your Tribe?
Hey I KNOW your Indians will be a 3rd place team this year. Nice all right-handed starting 5
Just imagine how much better the Brewers will be without this guy pitching every 5th day for most of the season.
What will it take to get Josh Hader?
Brewers planning to contend in the closely matched , competitive NL Central. I doubt that he is available. Oh, in case you are interested, it will take much more than Miquel Andujar.to get 3 plus years of Hader.
hockeyjohn I’ll just offer most of the players you rejected for Lindor. I feel bad for your Indians next season if you lose Lindor for nothing. You guys could use a Hader to use with Hand. That could be pretty scary in the late innings. What do you think you will be able to get back for Lindor in the offseason? You gotta come up with at least 2 top prospects for him
hockeyjohn Lindor’s best friend is Gio Urshela great chance he will sign with the Yankees as a free agent. You guys should try to trade him to the Padres or Braves in the off-season. These farm systems are so loaded. Ozzie Albies might be the guy on the Braves to try to get for Lindor
Boston got a young controllable MLB player in Alex Verdugo, a highly rated prospect Jeter Downs, and a catching prospect for Mookie Betts with half of David Price’s salary attached. Cleveland will still get a solid package during the 2020 offseason if they choose to trade him.. They also won’t have David Price’s salary mucking up the trade.
Ceg, what you have to learn is that for a trade to happen, BOTH teams needs must be met for a trade to happen. Cleveland is not going to trade Lindor just to trade him. They will want players and prospects that meet the needs of the Indians.
It is a good thing that you are not a general manager. You would be very disappointed at the number of your trade offers that would be quickly rejected. Many Yankee fans are spoiled and expect every team’s stars for your bench and flawed players.
I have the Reds as the wild card in the NL Central, this season and the hated Cardinals winning the division this season. My NL team is the Cubs. So mad they didn’t hire Girardi! (Unforgivable) considering that was Girardi’s dream job. Cubs blow it again. I think the Twinkies will win the AL Central because of their offense, with your Indians winning one of the wild cards. I feel it is too soon for the Chi-Sox to get a wild card. Maybe next season. But not this year
There have been some reports out of Cleveland that one of the beat writers commented that Lindor wants no part of ever playing in New York. I can’t confirm as I did not see it, but I did hear about it.
Lindor will go where the most money is like all players.do. The Yankees can not pay everyone. Cole and Stanton make huge money. Torres and Judge are heading toward arbitration and big bucks. Also the Yankees will have to invest big money for starting rotation pieces. They can not sign everyone.
hockeyjohn yes I agree take the best offer for Lindor I would also. Try to get a really great shortstop prospect back for Lindor included in the trade. Unless there is someway you can sign him long-term. The Indians probably aren’t going to get nowhere what he is worth. What about Javier Baez on the Cubs in a package?
The Twins do have an excellent lineup, but their starting staff is lacking.
Homer Bailey? Pineda is suspended for 39 more games. Hill is always hurt. I think the AL Central will be very close and the Indians have a definite shot. They won 93 games last year with Lindor and Ramirez missing time and many pitching injuries. Their pitching depth blossomed and they added Cesar Hernandez and Domingo Santana to the lineup. They will also have Framil Reyes, who they acquired in the Trevor Bauer trade, for the whole season. The Indians lack a power hitter last year. Offensively the Indians should be better. They just need to avoid too many injuries.
Baez, like Lindor, is only controlled through 2021. During last offseason when the Dodgers were after Lindor, they kept offering Corey Seager and prospects. The Indians did not want Seager as he also is only controlled through 2021. The Indians wanted a player with more control like Gavin Lux. Neither team would budge and no trade ever happened. The Indians have a great deal of talented middle infielders in their farm system, but most of them are still very young and several years away from helping.
hockeyjohn it will be a nightmare if the Dodgers re-sign Betts in the off-season and then sign Lindor the following season. If Betts leaves LAD as a free agent. Hearing they would have interest in Giancarlo for half or 35% of his contract being picked up by the Yankees. I do feel Lindor will end up on the Dodgers eventually.
I don’t think Gavin Lux will be a Frankie Lindor type player do you? What other shortstop prospect do you like out there? Thinking the Dodgers won’t budge on Lux. I love Albies on the Braves. I think he might be able to play shortstop. Swanson is there in Atlanta so he plays secondbase
Atlanta will not trade Albies and Swanson is totally mediocre. Gavin Lux is mlb ready and controllable. He is a top 5 prospect in baseball and can play short. I think Lindor would be a Dodger if they would trade Lux.
Ceg, thank you for the change in the tone of your comments in our most recent discussion. It is much more enjoyable for me to discuss baseball with other fans in a positive way.
@Cegmyster, Albies was a shortstop. Before Albies and Swanson came up they were alternated some during spring training between second base and shortstop and Albies was clearly the better shortstop from what I saw in spring training. Both played second base well but Albies was so much quicker at shortstop that he would get to balls Swanson would have to dive for. Most of the errors I’ve seen Albies make are throwing errors. For some reason the ball will occasionally come out of his hand towards home plate like he forgot to grip it or something. I never saw hi. make an error at shortstop during those spring training games. There were a few times he cut in front of the third basemen and made plays. I wasl shocked to see they went with Swanson at shortstop and Albies at second instead of Albies at shortstop and Swanson at second base. Really Albies played both positions better and a few times it appeared that Swanson seemed uncomfortable making the turn at second on double plays. Maybe they felt he was more comfortable at shortstop. I saw something the other day where they said they would feel comfortable putting Albies at Shortstop if they needed to since it’s his natural position. If Adeiny would keep hitting like he did after the Braves got him he should be the starter over Swanson because he can flat out deal at shortstop. He made a lot of Andrelton Simmons type plays while filling in for Swanson.
If the Twins did see enough to keep him I don’t think other teams are going to find anything of value either