saddles
No More "Bullpen Failure" - maybe
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- Jul 31, 2014
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- Fort Worth
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20 players, 20 Trade Deadline predictions
Hunter Pence, DH/RF, Rangers
Prediction: Rays.
Texas once seemed like a dark-horse playoff contender, but dropping 13 of its last 17 games has all but ended any October hopes, moving them into the category of "likely sellers." At 36, Pence's rebound to being named the starting DH for the AL in the All-Star game has been one of the best stories of the season, and he's healed now from the groin strain that kept him from playing in the Midsummer Classic. Texas might have some motivation to move Pence in order to open up some DH time for Willie Calhoun, and Pence's .290/.349/.581 line -- along with two rings and extensive playoff experience -- makes him appealing. The Rays have been vocal in their desire for a right-handed bat (they attempted to get Edwin Encarnacion before the Yankees did), and you could see Puig landing in Tampa Bay too. For that matter, you could see Pence in Cleveland, also.
Mike Minor, SP, Rangers
Prediction: Yankees.
Texas is in something of a tough spot with Minor, because they would like to remain competitive for the 2020 opening of their new ballpark, but at the same time understanding that Minor's value will probably never be higher and that there's a very real possibility that Bumgarner, Trevor Bauer, and Matthew Boyd all stay put. If so, that would make the starting pitcher market pretty thin, and the Yankees pretty clearly would like to add another strong starter, especially one who can replace the retiring CC Sabathia in 2020. This won't net the Rangers pitching phenom Deivi Garcia. It might get them a bat like Clint Frazier or Estevan Florial.
Chris Martin, RP, Rangers
Prediction: Dodgers.
Why stop there, if you're Andrew Friedman? This is probably the most talented team the Dodgers have had in their current run, but after two straight losses in the World Series, nothing short of a ring will count, and the most obvious place to add is in the bullpen. Giles would be a good start, but a sneaky good name for the Dodgers would be the fascinating Martin, who is 33 with just over a year of service time, but still will be a free agent at the end of the year due to the rules regarding his mid-career sojourn to Japan.
Martin is in the midst of a ridiculous run, having struck out 33 since his last walk, which came on April 30; his 2.1% walk rate is the second-lowest in baseball. Put Giles and Martin in front of Kenley Jansen and Pedro Baez, throw in some Julio Urias, Ross Stripling and Kenta Maeda (assuming he isn't in the October rotation), and now you've got something.
Hunter Pence, DH/RF, Rangers
Prediction: Rays.
Texas once seemed like a dark-horse playoff contender, but dropping 13 of its last 17 games has all but ended any October hopes, moving them into the category of "likely sellers." At 36, Pence's rebound to being named the starting DH for the AL in the All-Star game has been one of the best stories of the season, and he's healed now from the groin strain that kept him from playing in the Midsummer Classic. Texas might have some motivation to move Pence in order to open up some DH time for Willie Calhoun, and Pence's .290/.349/.581 line -- along with two rings and extensive playoff experience -- makes him appealing. The Rays have been vocal in their desire for a right-handed bat (they attempted to get Edwin Encarnacion before the Yankees did), and you could see Puig landing in Tampa Bay too. For that matter, you could see Pence in Cleveland, also.
Mike Minor, SP, Rangers
Prediction: Yankees.
Texas is in something of a tough spot with Minor, because they would like to remain competitive for the 2020 opening of their new ballpark, but at the same time understanding that Minor's value will probably never be higher and that there's a very real possibility that Bumgarner, Trevor Bauer, and Matthew Boyd all stay put. If so, that would make the starting pitcher market pretty thin, and the Yankees pretty clearly would like to add another strong starter, especially one who can replace the retiring CC Sabathia in 2020. This won't net the Rangers pitching phenom Deivi Garcia. It might get them a bat like Clint Frazier or Estevan Florial.
Chris Martin, RP, Rangers
Prediction: Dodgers.
Why stop there, if you're Andrew Friedman? This is probably the most talented team the Dodgers have had in their current run, but after two straight losses in the World Series, nothing short of a ring will count, and the most obvious place to add is in the bullpen. Giles would be a good start, but a sneaky good name for the Dodgers would be the fascinating Martin, who is 33 with just over a year of service time, but still will be a free agent at the end of the year due to the rules regarding his mid-career sojourn to Japan.
Martin is in the midst of a ridiculous run, having struck out 33 since his last walk, which came on April 30; his 2.1% walk rate is the second-lowest in baseball. Put Giles and Martin in front of Kenley Jansen and Pedro Baez, throw in some Julio Urias, Ross Stripling and Kenta Maeda (assuming he isn't in the October rotation), and now you've got something.
