This week's mailbag gets into relief options for the Tigers, whether the Nationals should trade MacKenzie Gore, and the trade value of Athletics JJ Bleday and Luis Severino, as well as questions involving the Astros, Reds, Rangers, Cubs, and Red Sox.
Colin asks:
A few days ago, the Dodgers traded Noah Davis to the Twins for cash. Davis was not at all successful with the Dodgers. Can you tell me how much cash a team typically gets in a situation like that?
I ran this question by a front office friend. He replied, "The dollar amount received by clubs trading away a DFA’d player for cash considerations almost always falls between $55,000 and $100,000. There’s little incentive for clubs to trade the player for anything less than $50,000 because the club will receive that amount if the player is claimed off waivers. MLB caps cash transactions in this situation to a maximum of $100,000. Thus, most cash transactions of this nature end up in the $55,000 to $100,000 range."
Barry asks:
I really feel that Detroit needs two bullpen arms, one of which could close out games or be in the closing mix and match what AJ does. Any insight as to who the Tigers are looking at? I am thinking that David Bednar is the type of pitcher Detroit likes, controlling the strike zone, low walks.
Michael asks:
Coming out of the break, the Tigers have the best record in baseball and the biggest division lead. Nobody had that on their bingo card. In light of that, what should be Detroit's plan for the next two weeks? Should they swing for the fences and if so, how? Or look to add a piece here and there but not mortgage the future (or empty the farm) in favor of adding big names now?
The Tigers definitely need to add late inning relievers who can miss bats. There's a good case to be made for signing David Robertson, who is reportedly throwing for interested teams.
The average MLB reliever punches out 22.4% of batters faced and has an 11.3% swinging strike rate. We saw trade rumors on Mason Miller of the Athletics last summer; his K% is over 40%. He's under team control through 2029, though, so the A's have no reason to trade him now unless they feel they're selling high or received an offer they can't refuse.
The Orioles' Felix Bautista is under team control through 2027. He has a huge strikeout rate as well, but walks even more batters than Miller. Bautista's teammate Seranthony Dominguez is in that same class. A free agent after the season, Dominguez seems a lock to be dealt. Same goes for Gregory Soto, so it makes sense for Scott Harris to be blowing up Mike Elias' phone.
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Tigers should talk to the Braves about Raisel Iglesias. He has a good k to walk ratio and has been a top closer for years. He’s a rental.
Bednar would be a good option also.
I just pray we don’t get Soto back.
I am a Braves Fan, Iglesias has done a great job for us. His start of the year was unlike him but for the past 2 months has been consistently good. Yaw will be getting a good one in him.
Wouldn’t trust the old man or even Bednar. If Det has a SP that Balt can plug in for next few years, Felix Bautista would be the “oh crap” closer playoff opponents would not want to see them acquire.
That should be #1 and Bednar/ Iglesias #2.
PERHAPS try n get two top relievers and really go for it. Lock up that bye and try to get to the series !
TOO bad redsox playing great as I think Chapman would be great for this bullpen
Why do fans constantly float the idea of non-contenders trading for a pending free agent “in hopes of extending/re-signing him” when they can sign that player without giving up prospects in the offseason?
LMFG – Because fans tend to think if a player spends time on their team, they will be swayed to sign an extension with that team during the exclusive negotiating period.
Not too many non-contenders trade for rentals though, usually it’s the other way around.
What player magically falls in love with a non-contender after playing there for 2 months?
The Tigers have some tough decisions to make. They have prospects to trade if they choose to. The Rangers went for it a couple years ago and it paid off big time. Then you have a team like the Orioles who are hoarding prospects while their competitive window closes. Flags fly forever.
The Orioles remind me of the Tigers. Great prospects and they have a need that everyone knows about but they just refuse to address it. The Rays are similar also. How many World Series appearances?
They traded Ortiz, Stowers and a couple more. That’s not a huge cost, but will run you down eventually. And trading for yet more pitching this year likely would not have gotten them into the playoffs.
They traded Ortiz because they didnt want to pay a big name pitcher. They could have traded for Crochet. That would have helped them and hurt the Red Sox at the same time.
@king of cards
The Tigers have won the WS before and have 4 flags flying “forever.” No need to panic and sell the farm. They should be able to get rental arms for secondary prospects. Iglesias is expensive and just taking his contract would be a part of the return. Robertson won’t cost any prospects. Bednar could probably be had for Lee. Batista is a tough fit because Baltimore only needs pitching, and if Tigers had any extra, they wouldn’t be trading for it.
When was the last time the Tigers won it all? It wasnt in my lifetime.
Tigers should pursue 1 of 2 Minnesota relievers. If that doesn’t work, go for Bedbar. Do not expect anything from the Tigers Scott Harris until the last minute or second of the trade deadline.
Then Harris will try and trade for someone that retired. He messed up the Eduardo Rodriguez trade. He messed up drafting Max Clark over Wyatt Langford. This draft was a throw darts at the board and see what happens. Harris is a clown.
Clark and McGonigle are consensus top 20 MLB prospects and Rainier is top 100 in most prospect lists. Those darts seem pretty accurate to me.
Sounds like 20/20 hindsight. A #20 prospect is a good result, but often be the single best result.
Wyatt Langford and Kevin McGonigle would be better. Langford would solve your RF and right handed power bat need. They wouldn’t have needed Canha.
Clark just got promoted to AA and he’s dropping in the rankings as the top players are moving to the MLB.
Rainer was a good pick.
This years 1st round pick will be lucky to be a back-up as his ceiling.
Harris is the GM of the team with the best record in baseball with a top ~5 farm in baseball all with the 19th highest payroll in the game.
A perfect GM? No way
An amazing GM? time will tell so far some good some bad
A clown though ? No way.
AJ Hinch is amazing. Doing this with what he’s given.
For the millionth time, Eduardo Rodriguez screwed up the Dodgers trade. Harris knew all about the no trade clause. Rodriguez OK’d negotiating with the Dodgers but wanted an extension. The Dodgers said no, so Rodriguez said no.
Considering Rodriguez’s history, he is not reliable…either on the field or off.
As far as Langford. STOP. Clark is going to end up better than Langford. And, even without Langford the Tigers currently have the best record in baseball, guaranteed to make this year’s post season and made it to the 2nd round of the playoffs last year.
Bob….you’re embarrassing yourself.
Clark will take longer to get to the majors but its a little early to say it was a mistake. I, too, am leery of Harris and his ability to make trades. He still hasn’t proven he can. Hope he proves both of us wrong.
The RS should be asking about Gore. But with the recent promotions, there is not as much in the farm. I’d be curious what the price is.
I really don’t see Twins making a deal with Tigers without ridiculously overpaying. The Pirates are interesting though. Would love to see Keller and Bednar in the old English D. Give Carpenter and Liranzo then call the Braves and get Ozuna.
I would usually agree but if the Twins really are about to be sold, strange bedfellows may happen. It will depend on the marching orders the front office is given.
From “Joseph”
“Dodgers receive Gore for OF Andy Pages, C Dalton Rushing, OF Josue de Paula or Zyhir Hope, and RHP Patrick Copen.”
As good as Gore is this is a ridiculous trade fantasy, a massive overpay.