Probably nothing, but Forrest Whitley was listed as the starter for Buies Creek today, but Elieser Hernandez is actually starting.
Hmm just a thought. I know he's been rumored but no clue why he hates Houston. Weird. Back to Gray I guess.
Only if the Astros make it to the World Series and have to face the Dodgers. Darvish is meh. The other two are good.
This is what being in LA means... they go for it every year. We can't afford to overpay and I think the Dodgers overpay for one or maybe two guys.
Agree. But if I'm Luhnow I'm holding onto Tucker, Martes, most of our top 10 unless we are able to get a Thor like arm. I really like his stance. Make the bullpen upgrades (we already got one with Peacock). That true ace isn't out there. Someone on equal or close to terms to Keuchel. We are one of the best teams in baseball so I can't wait to see what we do. I really think regardless... By the end of the winter meetings, we will have another ace who's not available right now.
Of the Dodgers? The haven't even been to a World Series since 1988 despite an enormous market and payroll with the players to match? Not even a little.
Here is to hoping that the dodgers youngsters + knucklehead Puig wilt in the playoffs. We went out and brought in some salty vets for a reason. I expect that to mean something.
Darvish for Whitley and Alvarez. Hurts since that's a boatload of talent for a rental, but they're 1-2 years away from the majors so they won't haunt Houston right away.
Ken Rosenthal via Facebook The Rangers are telling interested clubs that they will move right-hander Yu Darvish, according to major-league sources. They are confident they will get a quality return, and actively exchanging names with teams. And still, a trade might not be easy to complete. It is not certain that Darvish would approve a deal to clubs on his 10-team no-trade list – two of which, the Cubs and Indians, are believed to be interested in him. It also is not certain that the Rangers would trade with the Astros, a third likely suitor, given the teams have a unique rivalry, playing in the same division and same state. “If the right baseball decision for the Rangers is trading (a player) in-division or in-state, I don’t have a problem with that,” Rangers general manager Jon Daniels recently told ESPN. But would Daniels truly risk Darvish becoming comfortable and signing long-term with the Astros if he had better alternatives? Seems doubtful. Other teams, most notably the Dodgers and Yankees, also want Darvish. But negotiations with both those clubs also might be difficult, given their reluctance to part with top prospects. The Darvish saga figures to dominate the news leading to the non-waiver deadline Monday at 4 p.m. ET. But here are other stories to watch as the deadline approaches, with information gathered from major-league sources: Spoiler *The Rangers. If the Rangers indeed move Darvish, they then must decide how far to deconstruct. They can continue trading veterans, or keep the bulk of their team club and attempt to compete for a wild card without their ace. Center fielder Carlos Gomez, right-hander Andrew Cashner, catcher Jonathan Lucroy and designated hitter/first baseman Mike Napoli are among the Rangers’ potential free agents (Napoli’s deal includes a club option for 2018). The Rangers, according to reports from ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick and the Dallas Morning News’ Evan Grant, also are open to moving relievers Jeremy Jeffress and Keone Kela. They are not currently engaged in trade talks on left-hander Cole Hamels, their other top starter. Hamels, under club control through 2019, would be more of an off-season discussion. Few potential free agents re-sign with teams that trade them, but the Rangers believe their chances of striking a long-term deal with Darvish would not be much better if he stayed with them the entire season and then hit the open market. *The Dodgers. Their farm system is strong enough for them to land Darvish, Sonny Gray or any other player – and the best guess is they will end up with one of the top starting pitchers available. Andrew Friedman & Co., however, generally are unwilling to move their top prospects – a strategy that has left them with a gifted young core that includes Corey Seager, Cody Bellinger and Joc Pederson. General manager Farhan Zaidi, in recent comments to the Orange County Register, essentially put Triple A outfielder Alex Verdugo in the same category as those players, saying, “It’s really hard to imagine a plausible scenario where it makes sense for us to move him.” Triple A right-hander Walker Buehler might be as untouchable, but the Dodgers cannot land a Darvish or Gray without experiencing a measure of pain. Pitchers get hurt more frequently than hitters – see, Julio Urias – so perhaps the Dodgers would be flexible on Buehler if he could bring Darvish (a year ago, they traded three pitching prospects to the Athletics for Rich Hill and Josh Reddick). On the other hand, Buehler already has undergone Tommy John surgery, and the Dodgers surely want to reap the rewards of his recovery. Then there are the issues related Clayton Kershaw – his latest back trouble, and his opt-out clause after the 2018 season. The Dodgers might reason this is their best chance to win a World Series before potentially losing Kershaw as a free agent. They also might fear that Kershaw’s health will continue to be an issue – this is the second straight season he has gone on the DL with a back injury. Oh, and one other thing: Another reliever – possibly an elite, left-handed relief specialist, but maybe a right-hander such as the Mets’ Addison Reed – is also on the Dodgers’ wish list. *The Gray market. The Athletics are not in an especially urgent position; Gray’s next start isn’t until Sunday, the day before the deadline. Heck, the A’s might pitch Gray that day if they have not received an acceptable offer, then take this right to 4 p.m. ET on Monday. The Yankees and Braves both possess the necessary prospect power to make a deal. The Dodgers are a threat. The Cubs remain interested, but probably cannot complete a deal for Gray without including a major leaguer such as Ian Happ. The Astros and Brewers, at this moment, are not significantly involved. Looking for a dark horse? Try the Padres, who would be somewhat of a curious match, considering that most of their best prospects are in the lower minors. The Pads, though, have shown steady interest in Gray, apparently viewing him as a possible fit in their long-term plan. *Justin Verlander. If a deal happens – and the odds remain heavily against it – the framework would need to be agreed upon well before the deadline. Verlander, as a player with 10 years of service, five consecutive with the same club, would need to approve any deal, and the commissioner’s office would need to approve any cash exchange of more than $1 million, which would be likely occur in this case. One person with knowledge of the Tigers’ thinking said there is a “low probability” that Verlander will be moved. Reliever Justin Wilson, on the other hand, is almost certain to be gone, and catcher Alex Avila figures to go, too. Verlander, like Gray, is scheduled to pitch Sunday. *The Astros. A year ago, all they did at the deadline was subtract, trading pitchers Scott Feldman and Josh Fields. The ‘Stros, 2½ games back in the wild-card race, proceeded to lose starter Lance McCullers and reliever Luke Gregerson to injuries within days, and ultimately finished third in the AL West. The team’s position this season is far more secure, yet it’s doubtful that GM Jeff Luhnow will take the same inert approach, even with lefty Dallas Keuchel and reliever Will Harris coming off the disabled list on Friday. The Astros, in the words of one source, are “lined up to do a lot of different things,” depending upon how the markets for starters and relievers shake out. The addition of both a starter and one of the top left-handed relievers (Brad Hand, Justin Wilson, Zach Britton) probably is not out of the question. *The Nationals. As of early Thursday, they were not in the market for Darvish or Gray, even as uncertainty lingered – again – about the health of right-hander Stephen Strasburg. Strasburg went on the 10-day DL Thursday with a nerve impingement in his right elbow, a condition the Nats say already has been “alleviated.” Still, Strasburg has made only one career postseason start, though the Nats have appeared in the playoffs three times since he joined the club. Can the Nats trust him to stay sound? Would they dare risk entering the postseason with a front three of Max Scherzer, Gio Gonzalez and Tanner Roark? For now, at least, the answer to both question is yes. The Nationals might add one more reliever at a price they deem reasonable, and their bullpen will get another addition once right-hander Shawn Kelley returns from a strained trapezius muscle. But their big move likely was the trade that brought them relievers Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle from the Athletics.
The **** should we be worried about the dodgers for? They got the Cubs and Nats. We got the Tribe, Royals, Sox. Either side should be concerned. Making this Warriors/Cavs is a mistake. This ain't basketball.
