The Phillies have placed starter Ranger Suarez on the 15-day injured list because of lower back spasms, retroactive to June 30, per the club. The Phillies had boasted one of the healthier rotations this season before losing both Suarez and Zach Eflin to the injured list this week. A corresponding roster move will likely be made before Tuesday’s game against the Nationals. The Phillies have an off day tomorrow to set up their rotation. In other injury news…
- Juan Soto left today’s Nationals’ game with an apparent hamstring injury. It was later revealed to be tightness in Soto’s left calf that prompted his departure. He will have an MRI and be re-evaluated tomorrow, per Mark Zuckerman of MASNsports.com (via Twitter). Obviously, it would be crushing for the Nationals to lose Soto for any amount of time. Even with him, the Nats don’t have much hope for postseason play, but Soto remains the best and brightest attraction at Nats Park.
- Athletics starter Frankie Montas left today’s start early after seeing a drop in velocity, per MLB.com’s Martin Gallegos. Montas’ heater was 2.4 mph slower than usual, while his sinker was 2.7 mph slower on average, notes Gallegos. The initial diagnosis is inflammation, reports Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle, but they will need more time to evaluate. Not only is Montas Oakland’s nominal ace, but he’s been one of the more sought-after arms when it comes to the August 2nd trade deadline. A significant arm injury would obviously derail any plans to use the righty as a trade chip.
The Reds’ asking price for Luis Castillo just increased.
I’m extremely curious to see what the return is, if he’s even traded at all. Reds are weird…
He’s been a decent starting pitcher for the better part of five seasons now, is only 29-years-old, and comes with 1.5 years of control (assuming he’s traded around the deadline). They should be able to squeez at least one top 100 prospect out of that.
No doubt he gets 1 too 100 respect. Mahle will get that. Castillo will get 2 top 100 prospects or one and a couple really good prospects.
I would agree with two. Whoever acquires Castillo will have him for the 2023 season. If Montas really is out for the rest of the year that very well could be make Castillo more expensive.
Who said montas is out for tge rest of the year???
The Berrios trade is a good comparison.
Should be a nice haul for the reds
Berrios would be a decent comparrison. I think he’d get a little more than him though. Similar control, but more consistency.
Castillo isn’t without his own injury issues. He missed 36 days from shoulder pain earlier in the season.
Gibson and Falter as 3-4…dear goodness.
“Even with him, the Nats don’t have much hope for postseason play” (Soto) – That’s the classic statement of the year!
Wonder if they win even one game with him out.
Dave Dombrowski is known for gutting the farm system. Accordingly, does he swap top prospect Andrew Painter for the arm that ends the 11 yr playoff drought?
With Harper, Segura, and now 2/5 of their starting rotation out for a while, the Phillies’ playoff chances are looking worse than ever. It’s time for Dombrowski to put Aaron Nola on the market and see what he can fetch. Dombrowski would be selling high and should only make a deal that significantly improves the team over the next few years. With Abel, Painter, and McGarry (just promoted) in the pipeline, the Phillies’ future starters look promising.
I understand what you’re saying, but Aaron Nola is an ace. Phillies have a huge payroll and are trying desperately to end a 10 year playoff drought. They sit 2.5 games out of the WC. They aren’t trading Nola at all. I see them adding at the deadline even though that’s foolish, but Nola will be key for next season as well.
Nola is an ace….sometimes. He is having one of his best seasons now so Dombrowski would be selling high. All I am saying is test the market to see what his true value is. Only make a trade that improves the team long term. By the time Harper and Segura return, it’s more likely than not that a wild card spot will be out of reach.
The last 2 years he struggled, but had great advance metrics. Lots of bad luck. 3 years ago he was an ace. This year, he’s an ace. His stuff has always been good. I think he’s a solid 1-2 no matter what.
There is no chance that Nola gets traded. Dombroski knows baseball.
For next year they are losing Eflin and Gibby. No way they would trade Nola. They would need three starters for next season. Just not going to happen.
And that’s the risk of holding players, especially pitchers. Year ago, I think before the 2016 season, the trade market for Tyson Ross was hot. Rumors were that the Cubs were willing to deal Baez for him (before Baez was a star). But no. The Padres held. Ross got injured early on in the first start and he was never the same again.
Tyson Ross; that’s a throwback. Dude was low-key dominant in 2013-2015 then injuries made him fall off the face of the earth.
And Ross’ younger brother, also talented, proved to be equally injury/prone.
Boras is on a flight to D.C. with a team of doctors.
All of a sudden the Phillies are the walking wounded. They’re holding on by a thread at this point. Traded deadline should be interesting. Phillies are right in the wildcard hunt, but realistically should they be buyers? Tough call.
Cole Hamels ready ?
He’s aiming for 2023 which seems insane. My favorite memory of Cole Hamels is seeing him in the tunnel of Citifield after a Met game. He had the most expensive winter coat that I ever saw. It was freezing that night. Immediately after Cole, Matt Stairs walked by wearing a wife-beater and ripped jeans. Hilarious contrast.
That’s good stuff right there. 🙂
One of my favorite memories of Bryce Harper is his steal of home after Hamels jerkily hit the 19-year-old intentionally in the eighth game of Harper’s major league career. It was Harper’s first stolen base — a steal of home. Best turning of tables on a veteran by a rookie I’ve ever seen.
When Harper came to Philly, Charlie Manuel was a spring training instructor. The first thing he said to Bryce was “I didn’t tell Cole to hit ya.”
Suffice to say Montas won’t be getting traded at the deadline, Athletics just lost out on a big package from this injury and Castillo price just jumped two fold!
Should the Phils try to acquire Syndergaard? He’s on a 1 year deal on a bad team and pitching decent. Prospect cost shouldn’t be high if Philly pays all the remaining salary. Maybe a trade for Marchan and a lower regarded prospect?
(Maybe even include Moniak for Adell to give each one a change of scenery?)
Not the worst idea.
I like it, but I think LA might ask for Moniak and two highly rated, almost MLB ready prospects to peal away Adell along with Thor. Not familiar with the Phillies system, but think guys in AAA or AA guys due for promotion.
I don’t think the Phillies look at Adell at all. The Syndergaard rental perhaps though.
I don’t think Montas’s arm injury necessarily negates the possibility of a trade. A GM willing to take a risk might still offer a decent package in trade with the hope of getting Montas at a lower cost.
The Rays signed Nathan Eovaldi in February 2017 after the Yankees released him following his flexor tendon and TJ surgeries, even though the Rays knew he’d probably miss the entire 2017 season.
I think a Montas trade will still happen but the prospects won’t be as highly regarded if he has some injuries