Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Latest On Corey Kluber’s Future

By | at

Coming off a third straight sub-.500 season, the Rangers spent a good portion of last winter trying to build a high-end rotation capable of pitching them to the playoffs in 2020. The plan hasn’t worked for the Rangers, one of the AL’s worst teams.

Aside from Lance Lynn, who’s amid his second straight quality season, no one from the Rangers’ season-opening staff has provided much. Mike Minor’s no longer on the team, having struggled before the Rangers traded him to the division-rival Athletics before the Aug. 31 deadline, while offseason pickups Kyle Gibson and Jordan Lyles have put up terrible numbers. For the Rangers’ rotation, though, there was no bigger addition than two-time AL Cy Young winner Corey Kluber, whom they acquired from the Indians in December.

While he came to the Rangers as a two-time AL Cy Young winner, Kluber was fresh off an injury-shortened season in which his production took a sharp turn for the worse. The Rangers were hoping he’d rebound, but it didn’t happen in 2020, as Kluber threw just one inning (back on July 26) before succumbing to a Grade 2 tear of the teres major muscle in his right shoulder.

Kluber won’t return this year, and as someone who could reach free agency in the offseason, it’s possible his Rangers tenure is over. However, it seems the club would like him back, as TR Sullivan of MLB.com tweets that general manager Jon Daniels said Tuesday the team approached Kluber about a revised contract worth less than the value of the hurler’s 2021 option.

Kluber’s upcoming option is valued at $18MM, but the Rangers could instead buy him out for $1MM and let him head to free agency after two straight rough years. Otherwise, Kluber could try to rebuild his stock on a Texas team whose rotation will be a major question mark going into next season. There’s no guarantee Lynn will stick around, as he could fetch the team a decent return in a trade, while it’ll be hard to count on Gibson and Lyles a year from now. Furthermore, no one else Texas has started has stepped up to claim a spot, so it could make sense for the club to keep Kluber around at a discount rate if he’s willing to accept a salary to their liking.

Tyler Chatwood Suffers Setback

By | at

Cubs right-hander Tyler Chatwood suffered a setback Tuesday in his recovery from a forearm strain, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune was among those to report. Manager David Ross said Chatwood’s “elbow wasn’t feeling good.” The issue sent Chatwood to the 10-day injured list Sept. 1.

With the clock ticking on the season, it’s up in the air whether Chatwood will pitch for the NL Central-leading Cubs again this year. For that matter, it’s unknown whether the pending free agent will take the ball for the Cubs ever again.

Previously with the Rockies, Chatwood was a popular breakout candidate when he reached free agency after 2017 and signed a three-year, $38MM contract with the Cubs. However, the 30-year-old has largely fallen flat since then, evidenced by his 4.70 ERA/4.88 FIP over 199 innings (67 appearances, 30 starts) with Chicago. Chatwood began this year in Cy Young-level fashion with 12 2/3 innings of one-run, six-hit ball and 19 strikeouts against four walks in his first two starts, but thanks in part to injuries, his numbers have declined precipitously since then. He owns a 5.30 ERA through 18 2/3 frames this season.

In the event Chatwood doesn’t return this season, it would dent the Cubs’ pitching depth to some extent. Statistically, their rotation has been better than most teams’ this season, but there are concerns after Cy Young contender Yu Darvish, the perennially strong Kyle Hendricks and the no-hitter-throwing Alec Mills. Jon Lester has gotten smacked around in four of his most recent starts, Jose Quintana has been on the IL with left lat inflammation since Sept. 2, and Adbert Alzolay hasn’t given the Cubs much length in any of his outings.

Rangers Designate Luis Garcia

By | at

The Rangers announced that they’ve designated right-hander Luis Garcia for assignment. They also activated outfielder Willie Calhoun, recalled righty Demarcus Evans and optioned outfielder Scott Heineman.

The 33-year-old Garcia was a winter minor league pickup for the Rangers, with whom he threw 8 1/3 innings this season but had little luck keeping runs off the board. Opposing offenses battered Garcia for nine runs (seven earned) on seven hits and nine walks. The former Phillie and Angel now owns a 4.26 ERA/4.32 FIP with 8.55 K/9, 4.77 BB/9 and a 55.1 percent groundball rate in 315 major league innings.

Calhoun’s now back after missing just under a month with a left hamstring strain. At 17-30 and in possession of the AL’s second-worst record, playoff hopes are dead for the Rangers, but perhaps Calhoun will be able to end the season on a positive note. The former top 100 prospect seemed to turn the corner at the plate in 2019, but he could only manage a .172/.206/.224 line with no home runs in 63 plate appearances this season before his IL stint.

Astros Activate Jose Altuve

By | at

The Astros have activated second baseman Jose Altuve from the 10-day injured list and optioned right-hander Humberto Castellanos, Jake Kaplan of The Athletic tweets. Altuve’s batting second in the Astros’ lineup against the Rangers on Tuesday.

Altuve went on the IL on Sept. 5 with a sprained right knee, continuing a trend of recent problems in the joint for the former MVP. He also underwent surgery on that knee after the 2018 season. Of course, the problems don’t seem nearly as serious this time, as Altuve is back after spending the minimum amount of time on the shelf.

The hope for Houston, which is a disappointing 23-24 and clinging to a playoff spot, is that Altuve will serve as a key late-season reinforcement. Altuve, for his part, is surely trying to end the season with a flourish after struggling before his absence. The 30-year-old’s a five-time .300 hitter and a three-time 2o-home run man, but he has slashed just .224/.284/.322 with three homers through 155 plate appearances this season. The Astros turned to Aledmys Diaz and Jack Mayfield at the keystone when Altuve was out, but they’ve also logged underwhelming production this year.

Nationals Place Tanner Rainey On 10-Day Injured List

By | at

The Nationals have placed right-handed reliever Tanner Rainey on the 10-day injured list with a flexor strain and recalled fellow righty Aaron Barrett from their alternate site, the team announced.

Considering the nature of his injury, it seems highly questionable whether Rainey will pitch again this season – especially with the Nationals at 17-28 and unlikely to qualify for the playoffs. Not much has gone right for the reigning World Series champions this year, but Rainey has been a bright spot in 2020.

Acquired from the Reds for righty Tanner Roark entering 2019, Rainey was a useful part of Washington’s bullpen in his first season as a member of the club, with which he logged a 3.91 ERA/4.37 FIP and posted 13.78 K/9 and 7.08 BB/9 in 48 1/3 innings. Fortunately, the walks and runs have gone way down this season for the 27-year-old, hard-throwing Rainey, who owns a 2.66 ERA/3.79 FIP with 14.66 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 over 20 1/3 frames.

Latest On Tommy Pham

By | at

Padres left fielder/designated hitter Tommy Pham suffered a broken hamate bone in his hand less than a month ago, but it doesn’t appear that will bring an end to his season. Rather, the Padres could bring back Pham from the IL “any day,” Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune writes. Pham is even closer to returning than first baseman Eric Hosmer, who landed on the IL on Sept. 8 with a fractured left index finger, according to Acee.

It had been several years since the Padres contended, but they’re in the thick of the race this season with the NL’s second-best record (31-17). The only problem is that they’re stuck in a division with the Dodgers, owners of the NL’s top win-loss mark at 33-14. A division title may be not be in the cards for the Padres, then, but they’re nonetheless a formidable team who should be able to earn a playoff spot in the next couple weeks.

Pham, whenever he returns, could be a key piece of the puzzle for San Diego as it aims for its first-ever World Series. The 32-year-old hit a subpar .207/.316/.293 in 95 plate appearances this season before going on the IL, but the Padres acquired him from the Rays last winter because of his excellent track record. Pham was quietly one of the majors’ most valuable outfielders from 2017-19, during which he slashed .284/.381/.475 with 65 homers and 65 steals over 1,754 trips to the plate between the Cardinals and Rays. If Pham’s able to come back this year, the Padres will hope he revisits his St. Louis/Tampa Bay production from the past.

Latest On Justin Verlander, Lance McCullers Jr.

By | at

With nine losses in their past 11 games, the reigning American League champion Astros have fallen under .500 (23-24) and find themselves fighting for their playoff lives. The Astros have gone almost the whole year without 2019 AL Cy Young winner Justin Verlander, which certainly hasn’t helped matters, but they’re hoping to get him back for a start in the final week of the regular season, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com relays.

Verlander, who’s recovering from a forearm strain, threw 55-60 pitches Saturday and will soon face live hitters, which is a “very, very positive sign,” according to manager Dusty Baker.

In Baker’s estimation, no matter how late in the campaign, a Verlander return would be like a major late-season acquisition. Baker’s not wrong in that regard, as Verlander has long been an elite starter and could help decide whether the Astros make the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season or sit home in the fall.

Without Verlander, who has only taken the mound once (on July 24), the Astros’ formerly elite rotation has been a middle-of-the-pack unit. Zack Greinke and Framber Valdez have posted far better field-independent pitching numbers than ERAs; on the other hand, the opposite has been true for Cristian Javier; Jose Urquidy has only made two starts; and Lance McCullers Jr. logged a 5.79 ERA before going on the injured list Sept. 6 with neck problems. Like Verlander, though, McCullers is on his way back, per McTaggart, who writes that he’ll return to the team’s rotation Wednesday.

Phillies To Place Rhys Hoskins On 10-Day IL

By | at

The Phillies will place first baseman Rhys Hoskins on the 10-day injured list with a left UCL injury, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports. In better news for the club, catcher J.T. Realmuto (hip flexor) will avoid the IL, while right-hander Zack Wheeler (finger) should return to the mound this week.

The Hoskins news continues a rough few days for the Phillies, who have dropped three in a row – including a 6-2 defeat to the Marlins on Monday. The 27-year-old Hoskins hasn’t played since Saturday, when he suffered a forearm injury, and it’s unclear whether he’ll be able to take the field again this season. Time’s running out in 2020 for him and the Phillies, who are an even 23-23 but are still in possession of a playoff spot in the National League.

If Philly does break its eight-year playoff drought this season, it’ll have Hoskins to thank to some extent. Although Hoskins is stuck in an 0-for-10 slump, he has slashed a rather effective .245/.384/.503 (138 wRC+) with 10 home runs in 185 plate appearances. That’ll be tough production for the Phillies to replace in the season’s final couple weeks, especially considering Hoskins has played almost every game at first for the team this base. Otherwise, only the now-gone Neil Walker and the historically light-hitting Phil Gosselin have lined up there for the Phillies.

Braves Sign Pablo Sandoval

By | at

The Braves have signed third baseman/first baseman Pablo Sandoval to a minor league contract, Jon Heyman of MLB Network tweets. Sandoval will head to their alternate site.

It didn’t take long for Sandoval to find a new team, as the Giants placed him on release waivers Sept. 10. To say the least, the two-time All-Star has gone through an up-and-down career. He was hugely important to the Giants from 2008-14, a span in which they won three World Series titles, but floundered after signing a five-year, $95MM contract with the Red Sox before 2015.

Sandoval didn’t get through his whole contract with Boston, which released him in 2017. He returned to San Francisco thereafter and turned back into a useful bench piece last season, but his year was cut short because of Tommy John surgery. The Giants re-signed Sandoval in January, but the 34-year-old switch-hitter could only muster a .220/.278/.268 line with one home run in 90 plate appearances this season before they cut the cord on him.

Sandoval will now join an organization whose third basemen rank dead last in the majors in fWAR (minus-0.4). Austin Riley and Johan Camargo, the NL East-leading Braves’ only third base choices so far, have combined for a .220/.272/.396 line through 294 plate appearances. The Braves optioned Camargo to their alternate training site on Sept. 9.

Steve Cohen Agrees To Purchase Mets

By | at

4:54pm: SNY is not in the deal, Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweets.

4:17pm: Billionaire Steve Cohen has agreed to purchase the Mets from Fred Wilpon and Jeff Wilpon, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports. Cohen will need approval from 23 MLB owners to acquire the team, and if they sign off on his purchase in November, he’ll own 95 percent of the franchise, according to Tim Healey of Newsday. The deal values the Mets at roughly $2.475 billion, Healey adds.

“I am excited to have reached an agreement with the Wilpon and Katz families to purchase the New York Mets,” Cohen announced.

The Cohen purchase has been a long time coming for the Mets, who have been in on-again, off-again negotiations with him dating back to last winter. Cohen was seemingly in line to buy the team for $2.6 billion before, but the prior deal between him and the Mets collapsed in February. Cohen, who’s a minority owner of the Mets now, would have ended up with 80 percent of the franchise had that agreement gone through. He’ll now take over almost the entire organization, though it’s unclear whether he’ll get the coveted SNY Network in the sale.

After the Mets resumed their attempt to sell the team, Cohen vied against an Alex Rodriguez-Jennifer Lopez team and a Josh Harris-David Blitzer tandem, among others, in order to land the club. Cohen won out for exclusive negotiations on Aug. 28, though Rodriguez was reportedly none too pleased with the Wilpons for how they handled the process.

Of course, Mets fans also aren’t big fans of the Wilpon family, who have been part of their ownership since the 1980s. The Mets have recently endured serious struggles under the Wilpons, who are at the helm of a franchise that hasn’t won a World Series since 1986, has gone to the postseason four times in the 21st century and hasn’t made the playoffs since 2016.

At 21-26 this season, it doesn’t appear the Mets will snap their playoff drought. Considering the difficulties they’ve faced over the past couple seasons, it’s anyone’s guess which changes Cohen will make if he takes over the team before next season. General manager Brodie Van Wagenen could end up on the chopping block, though, as the beleaguered second-year exec has overseen back-t0-back disappointing teams.

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

hide arrows scroll to top