Pat Neshek and Scott Feldman should be available for trade. Gives Luhnow room to call up Hoyt, trade for a LH reliever, and get value for two guys who will almost assuredly be gone by next season.
I think Houston values Feldman for his clubhouse impact and versatility. And Neshek hasn't pitched all that well so I doubt they could even find someone to take all of his salary, much less give up anything in return. The most likely way they make room in the bullpen is to include Fiers, Devenski, or Feliz in a trade. At this point I would think Feliz is an extremely valuable trade chip. Going to be an interesting offseason from a bullpen perspective. Sure, Feldman and Neshek are free agents, but knowing Houston has had interest in Chapman before and that Hoyt, Jankowski, Fields, Gustave, McCurry, and Guduan have all performed really well in AAA makes for a good problem to have. Hoping next year's bullpen breaks down like this: Devenski Feliz Sipp Harris Gregerson Giles Chapman With some combination of Hoyt, Jankowski, Gustave, McCurry, Fields, Guduan, Cotton, West, Heredia, and Frias serving as AAA depth, 13th pitcher, or trade bait.
If that Cubs package for Chapman is real and without an extension (heck even with one), they appear to be trying to set a market that keeps most other teams from affording other marquee players.
I would have no problem with competitive guy like Sale letting off a little steam. People forget about the Billy Martin/Reggie Jackson's of the world. The greats are usually wired differently.
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Seriously. I understand the off the field sh!tbag factor played into it but the Reds could not have screwed that up worse. Damn Yankees.
I wish Vince the best, but if for some ridiculous reason he was ever traded to the Rangers, I hope his arm falls off.
I find that strange and hard to believe, unless the Phils are now as unsure about his medical future as the Stros were.
Dude is still a *****bag... the people who were wary of him for character issues are kidding themselves if they think that just because he wasn't charged, he's suddenly a great guy. http://deadspin.com/why-prosecutors-didnt-bring-charges-against-aroldis-cha-1754305230 I personally hope we stay away from him... although the sports-only 17 year old trapped in my brain (heart?) would love him to be our closer, I would just prefer we stay away from guys like this... I will say without question, I was a huge Aroldis fan. I'm half Cuban so I tend to follow those guys anyway, but a lefty that throws 105? I was a fan immediately, only to be disappointed.
I have no problem with the Astros or any other team just avoiding him, but the only difference between now and this offseason is that teams weren't sure what his MLB punishment was going to be. If a team is willing to acquire him now, they should have been willing to give up something better than what Reds got to get him back then.
Any thoughts on Junior Guerra from Milwaukee? 31-yr old rookie but he's been on of the few bright spots for the Brewers. 6-2 with a 2.85 era and 1.088 WHIP. Could be a buy low possiblility and would have him under control until 2022. He's obviously a bit old for a rookie but he's pitching well against very good teams. Only gave up 1 unearned yesterday vs. the Cubs. Previous start had him shutting down the Pirates.
