Here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world today:
1. Ford on the way?
Top prospect Harry Ford traveled with the Mariners to Texas for their series against the Rangers and could be in line to make his major league debut this weekend, per Adam Jude of The Seattle Times. As Daniel Kramer of MLB.com notes, Ford was scratched from the Triple-A Tacoma lineup yesterday after veteran catcher Mitch Garver left yesterday’s game when a foul tip struck his chin/neck area. Garver is slated to undergo further evaluation today, and if he requires a trip to the injured list Seattle is expected to select Ford’s contract to serve as the backup to Cal Raleigh. Ford, the 12th overall pick in the 2021 draft, is not yet on the 40-man roster. The Mariners have an open spot after Rowdy Tellez was designated for assignment earlier this week, however, and would not need to make a corresponding move beyond placing Garver on the IL. Through 60 games at Triple-A this year, Ford is hitting .311/.426/.469 (135 wRC+) with eight home runs, a huge 15.5% walk rate and just a 17% strikeout rate.
2. Eovaldi to return:
While Ford’s status for the upcoming series between the Mariners and Rangers is up in the air, there’s one roster addition in the series that’s more or less assured at this point: right-hander Nathan Eovaldi has been announced as today’s probable starter for the Rangers after a month spent on the injured list due to triceps inflammation. The veteran right-hander was in the midst of a Cy Young-caliber season when he hit the shelf due to injury, with a 1.56 ERA and 2.32 FIP across 12 starts. He’ll try to pick up where he left off at 7:05pm local time in Dallas against Seattle ace Logan Gilbert, who recently returned from the injured list himself and has a 3.12 ERA in eight starts this year.
3. Mets roster moves incoming?
The Mets lost a key piece of their rotation yesterday when right-hander Griffin Canning suffered what is believed to be an Achilles injury. Will Sammon of The Athletic writes that righty Blade Tidwell, one of the club’s top pitching prospects, is expected to join the Mets in Pittsburgh for this weekend’s series. An off-day on the schedule for Monday means a fifth starter won’t be needed for some time, so it’s not a guarantee that Tidwell is going to slot into the rotation in Canning’s place. Sammon also suggests that there could be additional roster moves on the way beyond the anticipated swap of Canning for Tidwell. Right-handers Justin Garza, Tyler Zuber, and Chris Devenski are among the pure relief options already on the 40-man roster who the Mets could use to freshen up their bullpen after they covered 7 1/3 innings following Canning’s early exit last night.
Well, if the Mets won’t need a SP immediately, Tidwell won’t be needed immediately, therefore he is not going to be promoted immediately.
The Mets could start Tidwell tonight as Warren would get sent down and then recall say Garza in place of injured Canning. This will allow the starters to get a breather and maybe go longer in their next game and add a fresh reliever.This would also allow them to align possibly 2 lefties to face the Yankees in next weekend series, Peterson and hopefully Manea
Harry Ford is here to stay.. They should not be looking to trade him. Garver’s $12M will come off the books next season.
Move Raleigh to DH long term or tandem catching unit sharing DH?
C/DH platoon is a cheat code, easing a young rookie C into game action at a higher level, while alleviating the rigors of catching on your slugger hoping for more ABs – not to mention the payroll help of plugging a rookie like Ford making league min into an everyday spot (eventually).
Why would you move the reigning Platinum Glove winner to DH? He’s The best catcher in Baseball. Ford would back Raleigh up with Raleigh DH on the days Ford Catches, should Garver be injured. Ford could also learn some 1b/RF/LF if needed too. He’s talented enough to play anywhere but he’s not gonna supplant Raleigh to make Raleigh a DH.
I agree…solves back up catcher..DH for the future. I’m not sure if he tried other positions..possible 1st base?
AllenBob: As amazing as it is that Raleigh is leading the majors in HR, he’s catching nearly every day as well. Even when he’s given a day off, he still had to catch. I don’t care what judge does, I’d vote for Cal as MVP.
Agree
Judge doesn’t do all of the duties of a catcher and doesn’t play good defense, all time great season at right field doesn’t have the same value as all time great season at catcher
Judge will still win it though even if cal hits 60 because there will be an excuse like if the mariners miss the playoffs then the voters blame it on cal
With respect, you’re being overly dismissive of Judge. No he’s not a catcher, but he has a +3 DRS, a total zone fielding above average of +5 and OAA of +3 in right this year. He’s playing very solid defense.
He’s producing, at this point, better overall offense then Raleigh (Judge 222 wRC+ to Raleigh’s 189 wRC+)
And while Raleigh won the platinum glove last season, his defense this year has been notably less impressive.
Baseball Savant has his runs saved by a catcher at 3 this year (vs. 16 last season), and baseball reference has his DRS at -5 this season (vs. +17 last season)
Overall, Judge is producing more on offense, but Raleigh is playing a tougher position at a roughly similar level to Judge. I consider them neck and neck. Whichever one maintains their levels the best through the end of the year should get the award.
Is Harry Ford more valuable as backup catcher or as part of a package that brings us a LHSPer? I say get us the lefty. Hate to see a really good player get traded but at times it makes sense.
It is also IMHO not fair to the player. Ford has been a good farm hand but has more value than a hit 3Xs and catches once a week. If we can get a lefty we can slide into the line up that is a bit above avg or better he will be more valuable. The White Sox I have said a few times have 3. One of them would be a huge help. This would also give us a 6th starter. Castillo would be a trade candidate or we could use a 6 man rotation.
The trades could be 2 separate or a 3 team trade. If Ford continues to get better he could be as good or close to Cal. It would be hard for him to get to that level sitting behind Cal. Seattle puts Garver on the concussion list Ford hits at DH. Starts at C tomorrow then DH Sunday. Probably DH the few days after all depending on Garver. Hate to see him go but a really good LHPer will be more valuable to us.
Mets have a pitching lab over there these days. Griffin Canning went from being a mediocre starter last year to a pretty decent rotation piece for them. That’s one heck of a good asset to have on a team, kudos to them!
Stearns is no joke. Their entire rotation outside of their often injured ace are a bunch of low rent back end guys pitching like #2s. Pretty impressive.
Yet the bullpen can’t stop walking guys and pitches behind in the count to every batter.
Last night no walks. Then again, no Brazoban sighting.
Canning had a good 6 week stretch, something just about every pitcher has at some point. But his era is 6+ over his last 7 starts. If he stayed healthy and in the rotation he would’ve ended the year at a 5+ era just like last year.
Mariners want a brand new Ford.
This Ford is brand spanking new, so he’s revving to show off his skills at the big league level.
They really need to convert him to 1B for the long haul with Raleigh signed long term. Not expecting that to happen overnight, but it potentially reduces their deadline shopping list to 3B and bullpen.
Harry Ford would make for an interesting 1b though he’d probably be best as a corner OF given his arm and speed.
Did Harry Ford travel solo to Texas?
He probably flew from Austin to Dallas separate from the team that had been in Minneapolis.
Your premise appears to be correct; Tacoma’s playing a weekend series at Round Rock, which is just north of Austin.
Blade Janzen Tidwell? Come on, BJ Tidwell?? He will never outshine Wesley Snipes and his parents should be in jail for such a name. Like Blaze Jordan’s parents.
Sorry, Janzen Blade. Tragedy still applies.
Tidwell should be pitching for Toledo.
I present to thee
SIR HARRY FORD FROM ATLANTA, sire
Welcome to Atlanta where the players play!
Harrison Ford, which I believe really is his full name, welcome to the Temple of Doom.
That’s when they return home. Texas’ ballpark is more like the “Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”…
Let’s say the Padres offered Salas, Bateman, and Arraez for Ford, Solano, and Evans.
Who says no?
Padres ownership as they would immediately send Preller to have his head examined
I’m not so sure..Ford would most likely be their starting catcher next season, and Evans looks like he’s ready to be a #2-3 starter right now..
Plus, Ford and Evans have years of cheap control, and would address the Pads two biggest areas of need in the near future.
Mets Trade possibility McLean and Gilbert to Cardinals for Sonny Gray. I hate the thought of giving up McLean but Gray would solidify our 1-2-3 with Senga Gray Manaea.
Mets pitching reminds me of the red sox last year. They where great early over achieving then back down to earth. I was hoping the Yankees would have won the Soto sweep stakes so they would be stuck with that contract. Just beat the Yankees over the Independence day series!