Deadliney Dealin'

[Edgy MD]

Chase Headley, coming to the Bronnix.

[seawolf17]

For Yangervis Solarte, who hit .299 in April and May and .133 in June and July, and a minor leaguer.

[Edgy MD]

Tough break for A-Rod.

[Frayed Knot]

More like poor Kelly Johnson.

For a two-month rental--and that's all Headley is at this point, can be FA at end of year--he helps the Yanx more than either of the guys they swapped for him but I doubt he's in their plans beyond that.
Solarte, as noted above, was a two-month wonder at the beginning of this season after winning the job by out-playing Eduard Nunez in ST. That got some YLDBs all excited over his future prospects but many of them failed to notice that he's already 27 y/o with a lengthening list of mediocre results in the minors and not really a position to call his own. The pitcher de Paulo also had some pin-striped, prospect watchers all agog after a good season in Low-A ball in 2012, but that trend didn't carry through to A+ or AA in the two years since.

[ashie62]

Rubinoo just tweeted that the Giants are looking at Colon...all of him

Two years ago they would not part with OF Gary Brown....

Brown has stalled at this point and might me a nice flier for us...

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Not a bad thought... but two years running-- like, FULL years-- of bad-to-iffy results in a favorable hitting environment (PCL) at a somewhat-advanced age (for prospects) do give one pause.

[seawolf17]

Headley arrives at YS3 midgame, enters in the 8th, gets the walk-off GWRBI in the 14th. That's actually pretty cool.

[Frayed Knot]

Texas closer Joakim Soria heads to Detroit for two pitching prospects: 1st round pick (39th overall) in 2013 Corey Knebel, and Jake Thompson (2nd round - 2012)
Seems as if the Tiggers have spent this entire AL Central dominating run of theirs looking to solidify the back end of their bullpen. At the moment word is that Soria will set-up for Joe Nathan although it probably wouldn't take too much to nudge Nathan and his near-6.00 ERA and 1.5 WHiP out of the 9th inning.
On the other hand, Soria's last act for the Rangers was blowing the save in the 13th inning against the Yanx late Tuesday night.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

It's not just me, right-- that's a LOT for a bullpen arm (even one with an okay team option/buyout for next year) in a market with a lot of arm-sellers, yes?

[MFS62]

Dave Sims @TheDaveSimsShow

Kendrys Morales obtained from Minnesota for reliever Stephen Pryor. Expected in Seattle Friday.


Later

[Frayed Knot]

It's not just me, right-- that's a LOT for a bullpen arm (even one with an okay team option/buyout for next year) in a market with a lot of arm-sellers, yes?

Hard to say. Never heard of either one of these guys until just now.
Cribbing from John Sickels:

Corey Knebel, RHP: ... saved 37 games over three seasons for [u-Texas], posting a 2.06 ERA in 170 innings with a 180/50 K/BB ratio ... moved through the minors very quickly, posting a 1.62 ERA this year in 33 innings between Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo, with a 43/17 K/BB. He's already pitched 8.2 big league innings with the Tigers, with 11 hits and seven runs allowed but an 11/3 K/BB.
6-3/195 - 22 y/o. He has classic bullpen stuff with a 93-98 MPH fastball, averaging 95, and a power breaking ball. He has a changeup as well and scouts report that his arsenal is diverse enough for him to start, but funky high-effort mechanics make him a better fit for bullpen work. His command is generally good and he has the mindset needed to be a successful closer.

Jake Thompson, RHP: ... [has] been quite successful as a pro and has been effective in 2014, posting a 3.14 ERA in 16 starts for High-A Lakeland with a 79/25 K/BB in 83 innings. Recently promoted to Double-A Erie, he's made two starts in the Eastern League and held his own, with three runs in 11 innings and a 7/4 K/BB.
6-4/235 - 20 y/o. A four-pitch starter, he features a low-90s fastball, a slider, a curveball, and a circle changeup. Although none of his pitches are outstanding, none of them are bad, either, and everything plays up due to solid command. The Tigers managed his workload cautiously but he has the build to be a durable inning-eating starting pitcher.

ANALYSIS: I like this for the Rangers but it makes sense for both teams. The Tigers (as usual) are in win-now mode and Soria provides a helpful stretch-run boost for the bullpen. The Tigers use their farm system aggressively for such trades each year, which is what it is there for. From the Rangers point of view, Knebel and Thompson are more likely to be part of the next good Rangers team than Soria is. Knebel should be ready to contribute in the major league pen very soon and Thompson is a very solid prospect who deserves more attention than he's received. The fact that they are both from Texas adds some home state propaganda value. If it all works out, Thompson could be a number three starter and Knebel a closer.

[Frayed Knot]

MFS62 wrote: Dave Sims @TheDaveSimsShow Kendrys Morales obtained from Minnesota for reliever Stephen Pryor. Expected in Seattle Friday.

Did Morales even unpack in Minneapolis? They didn't sign him until the 2nd week of June (he was one of those draft/compensation cases).
Seattle importing a DH and the Yanx continually looking for pitching are added reminders of just how poorly the seemingly huge (at the time) deal of Michael Pineda for Jesus Montero has turned out for both sides. Lots of injuries, suspensions, and just plain suck!

[Edgy MD]

The Tigers and Rangers seem to like making high-profile deals with each other. They're like the more muscular version of the Mets and Pittsburgh.

[bmfc1]

Frayed Knot wrote: MFS62 wrote: Dave Sims @TheDaveSimsShow Kendrys Morales obtained from Minnesota for reliever Stephen Pryor. Expected in Seattle Friday. Did Morales even unpack in Minneapolis? They didn't sign him until the 2nd week of June (he was one of those draft/compensation cases). Seattle importing a DH and the Yanx continually looking for pitching are added reminders of just how poorly the seemingly huge (at the time) deal of Michael Pineda for Jesus Montero has turned out for both sides. Lots of injuries, suspensions, and just plain suck!

The Twins got a AAA pitcher for less than two months of Morales' salary. Seems like good management to me... so why didn't Sandy do it? He didn't have room on the bench for Morales? He'd have to sit Lucas or keep Campbell in AAA?

[Edgy MD]

You really want Kendrys Morales?

He's a DH and occasional first baseman in the midst of a disastrous season.

[bmfc1]

Edgy MD wrote: You really want Kendrys Morales? He's a DH and occasional first baseman in the midst of a disastrous season.

What? The Mets are averse to having players in the midst of disastrous seasons (see C. Young)? I was thinking that it worked out nicely for the Twins to pick him up for less than two months and then trade him for a prospect.

[Edgy MD]

Yes, I think they are averse to players playing terribly. And I think they are doubly averse to paying them $7.25 million (the prorated share of $12 million) to hit terribly. And triply averse to paying them $4 million for two months of dreadful production, whether or not they get a reliever.

If the Mets want a reliever, I think they would just sign a reliever. Of all the things to bait the GM over, I wouldn't tout not signing Kendrys Morales. It hasn't turned out well for the Twins at all. He's a DH who has hurt the team as they sunk to last place, and it's cost them real money for the honor.

[bmfc1]

We can disagree but to me, this was a clever move by the Twins GM.

[MFS62]

MFYs purchase old pal Chris Capuano.
This could have been in the Dynasty Crumbles or Continuing Careers of ex-Mets threads, too.

Later

[ashie62]

Kendrys Morales was becoming a monster for the Angels when he destroyed his ankle.

He just hasn't been able to make it back... He is a mediocre option...

[ashie62]

So I read Tutlowitzki and Cargo maybe to the Mets...really?

[Frayed Knot]

bmfc1 wrote: We can disagree but to me, this was a clever move by the Twins GM.

I dunno, they essentially paid about $2.2 million* for 7 weeks of nothingness from Morales and about 1/3 of a season for a middle reliever who walks nearly 5 per/9 innings.
Now if this Pryor guy goes on to be a significant reliever in the future then it becomes a different story, but it's not exactly the way I'd hope my GM goes fishing for bullpen help..




* approx 1/4 of the season of Morales at $10 mil plus a pro-rated portion of the ML minimum for the pitcher

[Frayed Knot]

Ashie62 wrote: So I read Tutlowitzki and Cargo maybe to the Mets...really?

Mets have apparently told the Rox that if they're of a mind to move those guys then they'd be willing to talk.
Not even to the rumor stage yet.

[Edgy MD]

I like how Ash comes here for confirmation.

[bmfc1]

I see your point FK, well said, but I think that it was a good risk and I'd like to see Sandy take more risks.

[Edgy MD]

Frayed Knot wrote: bmfc1 wrote: We can disagree but to me, this was a clever move by the Twins GM. I dunno, they essentially paid about $2.2 million* for 7 weeks of nothingness from Morales and about 1/3 of a season for a middle reliever who walks nearly 5 per/9 innings.

Coming off a serious injury, too.

[Edgy MD]

I'm suddenly having strong reservations about Tulo.

[Frayed Knot]

Jake Peavy suddenly gets real Gigantic -- aka: dealt to SF along with a suitcase full of cash in exchange for two pitching prospects.
Matt Cain going on the DL during a tight race with the hated Dodgers has a tendency to light a fire under the GM's seat in the city by the bay.

[Frayed Knot]

Edgy MD wrote: I'm suddenly having strong reservations about Tulo.

Missing 200+ games over the last three seasons, and being on the DL again now, will tend to do that - and that's even before one factors in the silly haircut

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

Maybe it's a sign of his extreme focus on the Right Things-- he's so locked in on baseball that he neglects to pay attention to what the barbers are doing on his head.