AL Notes: Panda, Rangers, Sanchez, White, Angels
The Padres have sent a scout to watch Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports. It’s far from clear whether that is an indication of serious interest, of course, let alone whether the scout is watching more than just Sandoval. Regardless, it’s the latest hint that there could be some remaining trade chatter to be held between these organizations, who already struck a significant swap early in the offseason.
Here’s more from the eastern divisions:
- The Rangers are not only continuing their search for another catcher, but could look outside the organization for rotation help, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. A.J. Griffin may have the inside track to take the fifth starter’s job at present, says Grant, but there’s some concern about the overall starting pitching depth as camp comes to a close. As for the backstop situation, it doesn’t appear that much has changed, but Texas is still looking to improve upon its reserve options — if not to strike a more significant upgrade. (Grant notes that the club has inquired on Derek Norris of the Padres and Bryan Holaday of the Tigers.)
- Of course, interest doesn’t always mean that a deal gets done, and significant spring trades are rare. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports also reports that the Rangers have real interest in both areas (Twitter links), but he says the club thinks it has only an “outside chance” at adding a catcher and is “doubtful” to find a new pitcher. All in all, both reports suggest that Texas is looking at its options but is hardly certain to add outside pieces. And still others suggest there’s not much reason to expect movement. Jeff Wilson of the Forth Worth Star-Telegram tweets that outside inquiries have mostly been tire-kicking exercises, while MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan adds on Twitter that club officials have suggested to him that the final rotation piece will come from inside the organization.
- Reclamation righty Matt Bush isn’t in the mix for an Opening Day pen spot with the Rangers, Grant also writes, but he has been enormously impressive this spring and could be an option later in the season. Bush’s story is well-known, of course — the former first overall draft pick recently finished a prison term for severely injuring a man in a DUI.
- Aaron Sanchez has been named as the Blue Jays‘ fifth starter, manager John Gibbons told reporters (including John Lott of Blue Jays Nation) this morning. It won’t be a season-long assignment for Sanchez, however, as the righty seems to be under an innings cap and will eventually be transitioned into the bullpen as he approaches his limit. The 23-year-old has never thrown more than 133 1/3 innings in a season. Sanchez and Gavin Floyd emerged as the top two contenders for the fifth starter’s job during camp, and Floyd will join Jesse Chavez in the bullpen while Drew Hutchison has been optioned to Triple-A. It stands to reason that Floyd, Chavez or Hutchison will all be rotation candidates when Sanchez is moved back to relief pitching.
- The Astros have decided to give an Opening Day roster spot to young first baseman Tyler White, as Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle reports. Houston’s first-base situation has been in flux all spring, but it appears that the 33rd-round draftee is in line for a significant opportunity to take the position and run with it. He is one of several players in the organization who have impressed this spring; third base prospect Colin Moran has also compiled a 1.000+ OPS in more than thirty plate appearances, though Drellich notes on Twitter that he’s not considered a roster option at this point. The same holds true of A.J. Reed, of course, who could also have a chance to make an impact later in the season.
- Angels GM Billy Eppler says that he is “not optimistic” of adding to his roster before the season starts, MLB.com’s Alden Gonzalez reports. Gonzalez provides a deep rundown of the club’s remaining roster considerations.
Orioles Notes: Joyce, Tucker, Gausman
Here’s the latest from Baltimore…
- The Orioles are interested in Pirates non-roster outfielder Matt Joyce, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports (Twitter link). As an Article XX(B) player, Joyce must be informed by tomorrow if he’s making the Bucs’ 25-man roster or else the Pirates will need to pay him $100K to retain his rights on a minor league assignment. With Hyun Soo Kim‘s status in question, Baltimore is clearly looking other left-handed hitting outfield options that could be available. Aside from Joyce, the O’s have also shown interest in David Murphy.
- The Orioles talked to the Astros about outfielder Preston Tucker this offseason, MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko reports. Talks didn’t go anywhere, however, since Houston asked for Kevin Gausman in return. Gausman was a popular figure in trade demands over the winter, and as you might expect, the O’s had no interest in dealing the former top prospect. Tucker didn’t have quite the same prospect pedigree (Gausman was selected fourth overall in 2012 while Tucker was a seventh-rounder in that same draft) but the outfielder posted a very strong .867 OPS over 1530 plate appearances in the minors and hit .243/.297/.437 with 13 homers over 323 PA in the bigs last year as a rookie. Tucker will serve in a backup role with Houston this season, as his path to more playing time may have been blocked when Colby Rasmus accepted a qualifying offer last fall.
- Speaking of Gausman, the Orioles officially announced to media (including MLB.com’s Brittany Ghiroli) that the young righty will be placed on the DL to begin the season. Gausman has been bothered by tendinitis in his throwing shoulder but the injury isn’t thought to be too serious. Buck Showalter said Gausman could be activated in time for a start on April 10 against Minnesota.
Minor MLB Transactions: 3/26/16
Here are the latest minor moves from around baseball:
- The Angels have acquired right-handed pitcher Troy Scribner from the Astros in exchange for cash considerations, tweets Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle. Scribner, 24, spent the entire 2015 season at High-A ball. He posted a 5.49 ERA with 9.99 K/9 and 5.13 BB/9. His best campaign came in 2014 when he showed substantially better command and topped out at Double-A.
- The Phillies have released outfielder Andrew Amaro, tweets Matt Eddy of Baseball America. The Amaro surname is no coincidence. Amaro, a 35th round pick in the 2015 draft, is the nephew of former Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. This marks the second minor leaguer of a famous parent who was released today. Trevor Gretzky, son of hockey hero Wayne Gretzky, was cut loose by the Angels earlier today. Incidentally, Gretzky was once traded for Matthew Scioscia, son of Angels manager Mike Scioscia.
Astros Likely To Acquire Backup Catcher From Outside
The Astros are looking for a backup catcher, Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle tweets. Drellich suggests there’s a 60% chance the Astros will find that catcher outside the organization.
The Astros have recently been connected to Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy in trade rumors, although he would obviously be a starter if they acquired him. It appears their current focus is more on catchers to back up Jason Castro.
Max Stassi is out for six weeks after having hamate surgery, leaving minor leaguers Tyler Heineman and Roberto Pena as the Astros’ top backup catching options. The Astros have shown at least some interest in Bryan Holaday of the Tigers and A.J. Jimenez of the Blue Jays, both of whom are out options. There could be other, more speculative possibilities as Spring Training reaches its end as well. The Rays, for example, have two out-of-options catchers in Rene Rivera and Curt Casali, in addition to Hank Conger. Red Sox veteran Ryan Hanigan could be another potential option (although perhaps not a terribly likely one now that Sox manager John Farrell has said Christian Vazquez isn’t likely to start the year with the big club).
Astros Release Neal Cotts
The Astros have released lefty Neal Cotts, the club announced. Cotts was in camp on a minor league deal that contained an opt-out for March 26 if he wasn’t on Houston’s MLB roster.
The release is something of an unfortunate birthday present for Cotts, who turns 36 today, though he still has over a week to try and catch on with another club prior to Opening Day. The 10-year veteran posted a 3.41 ERA, 8.2 K/9 and 2.64 K/BB rate over 63 1/3 innings with the Brewers and Twins last season, holding left-handed batters to just a .186/.243/.330 slash line. Cotts has very even lefty/righty splits over his career, though right-handed hit him hard (.867 OPS) in 2015.
Houston also optioned left-hander Kevin Chapman to the minors, so with Chapman and Cotts out of the picture, it’s possible Tony Sipp may be the only southpaw in the Astros bullpen. As Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle tweets, veteran lefty Wandy Rodriguez still has a chance at the last open spot in the pen, competing with righty Dan Straily.
Bullpen Notes: Ohlendorf, Giles, Luebke
Here’s the latest on some relief situations from around baseball…
- Free agent righty Ross Ohlendorf has garnered multiple offers and could sign with a team as early as today, according to Chris Cotillo of SB Nation (Twitter link). Ohlendorf might even land a guaranteed Major League deal, Cotillo suggests. The 33-year-old opted out of his minor league contract with the Royals earlier this week, and the club subsequently released him. Ohlendorf, an eight-year veteran, threw 19 1/3 innings in relief for Texas last season and put up a 3.72 ERA, 8.84 K/9 and 3.26 BB/9. It’s worth noting that his average fastball velocity in 2015 was 93.7, a solid increase over his career mean (92.0).
- The Marlins are one of the teams connected to Ohlendorf, Peter Gammons of GammonsDaily.com reports. Miami took a hit to its bullpen with the news that Carter Capps will miss all of 2016 recovering from Tommy John surgery, so it makes sense that the Fish would be looking at relief help. Jim Benedict, the newly-hired Marlins VP of pitching development, is familiar with Ohlendorf from their shared time in the Pirates organization.
- The Astros‘ trade for Ken Giles surprised many in the industry, ESPN’s Jayson Stark writes, particularly since dealing five young players for a reliever seemed so counter to Jeff Luhnow’s strategy since taking over Houston’s front office. Three factors seemed to fuel the trade — the Astros’ bullpen meltdown in last year’s ALDS, the trend around the game for a lockdown relief corps for late in games, and Giles’ own unique promise as a long-term star closer.
- Pirates lefty Cory Luebke has scouts “buzzing,” tweets MLB Network’s Jon Heyman, who notes that the 31-year-old is hitting 94mph with his fastball and 87mph with his curve this spring. Luebke has an out clause in the minor league contract he signed with the Pirates last month, meaning he could be available to sign anywhere soon if he doesn’t win a spot in the Bucs’ bullpen. Luebke last pitched in the majors in 2012, having since undergone a pair of Tommy John surgeries. His most extensive action came as a Padre in 2011, when he tossed 139.2 innings of 3.29 ERA ball to accompany an outstanding 9.92 K/9 and 2.84 BB/9. San Diego then signed the seemingly emerging starter to a four-year, $12MM extension, only for Luebke to fall victim to injuries. Luebke finally returned to the field last June to throw seven innings at three different minor league levels in the Padres organization, but a flexor strain diagnosis and a subsequent minor forearm surgery brought an end to his season.
Connor Byrne also contributed to this post
NL Central Notes: Lucroy, Bruce, Schwarber, Pirates
Here’s the latest from around the NL Central…
- The Brewers were talking with the Astros and Braves about a three-team trade involving Jonathan Lucroy last month, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reports. Houston made an attempt at Lucroy earlier in the offseason, as previously reported by FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, and the club has also been linked to Braves center fielder Ender Inciarte. This isn’t to say that Inciarte was also necessarily part of this three-team proposal, of course, as Atlanta’s role in the trade could’ve taken any number of forms.
- Lucroy has been the subject of many trade rumors this winter, to the point that he and his family don’t have living arrangements in Milwaukee settled yet since he presumed he was going to be dealt. “It’s all out of your control. But communication is a big thing. I’d like to be kept up to date what’s going on. It’s not like I’m going to spread it all around, I just want to know when it’s coming, when to expect it,” the longtime Brewers catcher said.
- Also from Nightengale’s piece, he notes that the Reds were willing to pay roughly $8MM of Jay Bruce‘s $12.5MM salary as part of the abandoned three-team trade that would’ve sent Bruce to the Blue Jays, Michael Saunders to the Angels and prospects to Cincinnati. It was expected that the Reds would have to eat some money in any Bruce deal, given that the outfielder is coming off two consecutive subpar seasons. Saunders is making $2.9MM in 2016, so adding Bruce would’ve cost Toronto around $1.6MM in extra salary (not counting the $1MM buyout of Bruce’s $13MM club option for 2017).
- Like Lucroy, Bruce is also rather surprised to still be with his original team given all of the trade speculation. He reiterated that he would prefer to stay with the Reds, and blames his recent “pretty poor” play for threatening his long-term future in Cincinnati. (Though it could be argued that if Bruce had been hitting more, the Reds would’ve been able to move him sooner.) “In order for me to have a chance to stay here, I need to play better. We’ll see what happens. I never changed my sentiment, wanting to be part of this for the long haul….But obviously, I have to do my part to even have a chance,” Bruce said.
- Kyle Schwarber could be a personal catcher for Jason Hammel this season, CSN Chicago’s Patrick Mooney writes, as the Cubs are looking for ways to get Schwarber’s bat into the lineup whenever possible. Schwarber’s defensive future has been the subject of much debate, as he’s scheduled to see most of his playing time in left field this year even though his fielding prowess is still a question mark. It’s also unclear if Schwarber can handle being a regular catcher, though with Miguel Montero and David Ross ahead of him on Chicago’s catching depth chart, he could be eased into the position for just Hammel’s starts. Being removed from too much grind behind the plate could actually benefit Schwarber, Mooney notes, by helping him stay healthy.
- The Pirates hired James Harris as a special assistant to baseball operations in February, and Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review examines how the hiring is an example of how the Bucs are willing to look outside of baseball for ways to build their organization. Harris specializes in fitness and nutrition techniques and he has spent much of his career in football, including the last decade working with Chip Kelly both at the University of Oregon and with the NFL’s Eagles. Harris’ lack of baseball experience wasn’t a big factor for Pirates GM Neal Huntington, as the goal for any athlete is about “maximizing performance. How do we help this player get better every day and perform as consistently as possible?“
Offseason In Review: Houston Astros
This is the latest entry in our Offseason in Review series. See a full index of the series here.
The Astros’ famed rebuilding process paid unexpectedly quick dividends in the form of a 2015 ALDS appearance, and they’ll enter the 2016 season with the loftiest expectations they’ve carried in years.
Major League Signings
- Tony Sipp, LHP: Three years, $18MM
- Colby Rasmus, OF: One year, $15.8MM (accepted qualifying offer)
- Doug Fister, RHP: One year, $7MM
- Total Spend: $40.8MM
Notable Minor League Signings
Trades and Claims
- Acquired RHP Ken Giles and IF Jonathan Arauz from the Phillies in exchange for RHP Mark Appel, RHP Vincent Velasquez, LHP Brett Oberholtzer, RHP Thomas Eshelman and RHP Harold Arauz
- Traded SS Jonathan Villar to the Brewers in exchange for minor league RHP Cy Sneed
- Traded SS Jed Lowrie to the Athletics in exchange for minor league RHP Brendan McCurry
- Traded C Hank Conger to the Rays in exchange for cash considerations
- Claimed RHP Danny Reynolds off waivers from the Dodgers
Extensions
- None
Notable Losses
- Scott Kazmir, Chris Carter, Chad Qualls, Oliver Perez, Brett Oberholtzer, Vincent Velazquez, Jonathan Villar, Hank Conger, Joe Thatcher, Roberto Hernandez, Samuel Deduno, L.J. Hoes, Robbie Grossman
Needs Addressed
The Astros spent a good bit of time looking at bullpen upgrades at the non-waiver trade deadline but ultimately didn’t pull the trigger on any of their rumored targets, which included Aroldis Chapman and Craig Kimbrel. GM Jeff Luhnow said in July that he sought a “flamethrower” to join a collection of relievers that already came with an eclectic collection of deliveries and velocities. Though the summer trade market didn’t see that desire come to fruition, Luhnow and his staff continued the pursuit into the offseason and were rewarded for their persistence. In acquiring Ken Giles, the Astros not only landed one of the game’s most intriguing young pen arms, but got him for the next five seasons.
That level of control, which includes two campaigns at scarcely more than the league minimum, also dictated a steep acquisition cost. Indeed, Houston parted with five young pitchers in order to land Giles and minor league infielder Jonathan Arauz. Two of the pitchers included in the deal — Vincent Velasquez and Brett Oberholtzer — could step directly onto the Phillies’ Major League roster. Another, Mark Appel, was selected with the first overall pick in the 2013 draft. While Appel has failed to live up to the lofty expectations that accompany that draft status, his raw stuff still gives scouts hope that his numbers will eventually catch up to his talent. Eshelman joins the Phillies as a starter with elite control but a lack of overpowering pitches. It’s possible that within a couple of years, the Phillies will have a pair of starters or at least one starter and a new power arm in the bullpen as a result of the trade. The deal certainly comes with the potential for the Phils to make out with a large quantity of big league arms, but the Astros had depth in their pitching ranks and felt the need for a high-quality, late-inning arm was pressing enough to part with a wide swath of pitching talent.
Joining Giles in the ‘pen will be a returning face for the Astros; Tony Sipp hit free agency but ultimately never changed jerseys, remaining with the team where he experienced a breakout by inking a new three-year, $18MM contract. That deal proved to be the top contract given out to a left-handed reliever this offseason by a wide margin, though Sipp’s excellence against both left- and right-handed opponents over the past two seasons made him a sensible candidate for a three-year commitment from the onset of free agency. (He did, however, top MLBTR’s prediction in terms of annual value.)
By trading both Velasquez and Oberholtzer, the Astros thinned out their Major League pitching depth, leaving them somewhat exposed in the event of rotation injuries. A one-year deal for rebound candidate Doug Fister restored some of that depth, even if the signing essentially pushed Scott Feldman into the role of an $8MM swingman. (Mike Fiers could also float between the rotation and the pen as need and performance dictate.) Fister’s velocity plummeted last season, and his strikeout rate went with it, so there’s very legitimate cause to be concerned that he might never rebound to the form he showed with the Tigers. However, considering the relatively modest price paid to bring the veteran into the fold, the Astros had every reason to take a chance on some degree of resurgence.
The acquisition of Fister may have been made possible by the fact that the Astros were able to jettison the remainder of Lowrie’s three-year contract in that trade with the Athletics. Houston may have been more financially limited than it had hoped entering the offseason due to Colby Rasmus’ acceptance of the qualifying offer, but shedding Lowrie’s $7.5MM salary for the 2016 season and the $6.5MM he’s owed in 2017 (plus a $1MM buyout on a 2018 option) was a well-executed move on Houston’s behalf; Carlos Correa immediately established himself as a superstar with Lowrie sidelined last year, and with Marwin Gonzalez and Luis Valbuena on the roster, the Astros had affordable infield depth that made Lowrie somewhat superfluous.
Continue reading after the page break for more analysis …
West Notes: Preller, Belt, Susac, Story, Skaggs, Wandy, Cotts
The Padres very nearly passed on A.J. Preller in the club’s 2014 general manager hiring process, Bryce Miller of the San Diego Union-Tribune writes. President Mike Dee says he had settled on another candidate — very likely, now-Angels GM Billy Eppler, but took Preller up on his request for a final sit-down “just as a kind of courtesy, because he was so good throughout the process.” Preller obviously made a great final impression, because Dee left the meeting convinced in the young executive and told San Diego chairman Ron Fowler the next morning that he’d “had a change of heart overnight.” The story details how the organization’s current leadership group came together, and is well worth a full read.
Here’s more from out west:
- The Giants plan to meet with representatives of first baseman Brandon Belt this week to discuss a long-term contract, Andrew Baggarly of the Mercury News reports. Baggarly takes a deep and excellent look at the complicated matter of valuing the soon-to-be 28-year-old, talking with Belt and GM Bobby Evans about the upcoming talks. For his part, Belt says he hopes to remain in San Francisco but notes: “It’s all going to come down to what’s fair. And, you know, I hate to say it like that, but that’s the reality.” Evans declined to offer any thoughts on what might be fair from the team’s perspective, but said that the organization “believe[s] in his bat, his defense, his character and the continuity that he, if healthy, can add to our lineup.” He went on to note some of the matters that may hold down the team’s bottom-line on price: “Strikeouts are certainly a challenge for him, but he’s also a guy who gets on base at a pretty fair clip. It’s a fair debate in the sense of the different perspectives. But on some level, injuries have been more of an issue than performance.”
- While Angel Pagan is showing well this spring, the Giants are dealing with concerns at the catching position, Baggarly further reports. In particular, presumed backup Andrew Susac is struggling with soreness in his right wrist, which was operated on last fall. While there are options on hand, including veterans George Kottaras and Miguel Olivo, and the younger Trevor Brown, Susac has long been viewed as a legitimate talent and will be looking to play an increasingly important role in support of the great Buster Posey.
- Trevor Story has made a strong case to take over at shortstop for the Rockies this spring, as Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post writes. GM Jeff Bridich wouldn’t commit to a decision, but praised Story’s ability and approach in camp and certainly suggested he’d continue to have every opportunity to win the job as camp draws to a closer — regardless of service-time considerations. Meanwhile, promising backstop Tom Murphy has been sent down to minor league camp, with expectations that he’ll get plenty of time at Triple-A, but could well find his way to the majors at some point during the season to come.
- Angels lefty Tyler Skaggs will return to competitive action on Thursday for the first time since his Tommy John procedure, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register tweets. The Halos’ rotation hasn’t developed quite as hoped this spring, making Skaggs’ already-important comeback all the more critical. Fletcher suggests he could be ready for regular season action as soon as late April.
- The Astros are getting close to making some decisions in rounding out their bullpen, as MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart explains. Lefties Wandy Rodriguez and Neal Cotts have opt-out dates of Saturday, per the report, and they are embroiled in competition with a group of other arms — including the out-of-options Dan Straily.
Astros Looking For Catching Depth
With backup Max Stassi sidelined for six weeks after hamate bone surgery, Astros manager A.J. Hinch told reporters (including MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart) that the team is looking at catchers outside the organization. While Hinch said he’s comfortable with minor leaguers Roberto Pena or Tyler Heineman as the backup to start the season, it only makes sense that Houston would explore the market for experienced help. The team’s hopes that Evan Gattis could be an option behind the plate have been scuttled by Gattis’ hernia surgery, which could keep him out of Spring Training action altogether.
The Astros recently had a scout watching Tigers backup Bryan Holaday, McTaggart reports. Holaday is out of options and is stuck behind James McCann and Jarrod Saltalamacchia, though there’s at least a chance Detroit will keep all three catchers since the club likes Holaday quite a bit. Houston has also reportedly shown interest in Blue Jays minor league backstop A.J. Jimenez, another out of options player.
Beyond those two, McTaggart lists some of the other potential candidates who could be acquired or available on the waiver wire as Spring Training rolls on. Possible targets include J.P. Arencibia, Carlos Corporan, Tim Federowicz, Ryan Hanigan, Austin Romine and the odd men out of the Rangers’ backup competition between Chris Gimenez, Michael McKenry and Bobby Wilson. I’d also cite the Padres and Rays as teams who could be open to moving a catcher.