I feel like the Blue Jays have been buyers for the last 2-3 seasons.....how can they possibly still have anything left to go out and make a splash at the deadline?
My post wasn't questioning your post......it was more a general inquiry. Sorry if you thought I was taking a shot at you.....I wasn't.
No worries. Took a quick peek at Fangraphs prospect list for Toronto. Their farm looks about half as valuable as the Astros on a cursory look using the Fangraphs grades. However, Vlad, Jr. sits on top of their list with a couple of Whitley level prospects. I didn't realize Vlad, Jr. was in their system, but think he's usually valued about where Tucker is valued. Heard he is toolsy, but did not pick up his dad's complete disregard for the strike zone.
Seeing those ERAs had me look at FIPs Cole 4.77 Quintana 4.28 Vargas 3.16 Gray 4.00 Morton 3.87 Peacock 1.58 Musgrove 4.64 Paulino 3.04 I still would like to get a starter, but man props to Luhnow for piecing together a backend of the rotation.
Checking his stats, he's not playing well and may've already peaked. He hasn't shown to be an innings-eater either. I'll say "no", but it always depends on what you're giving up. It better NOT be a Top 4 prospect.
Over the last few weeks Gray has moved to the top of the list of SP who will likely be available. I still like Cole. I starting to think giving up Tucker for him would be a bad idea even if a 1 for 1, but I would still do Martes and 2 other decent prospects for him. xFIP may be a better measure: Gray 3.27 Cole 3.89 Quintana 4.34 Vargas 4.37 Paulino 1.09 (small sample alert) Peacock 3.14 Morton 3.44 Fiers 4.47 Musgrove 4.49 Peacock has been a revelation and certainly deserves to stick in the rotation until it's sure he's better as a reliever. Morton when healthy is more of a mid to top rotation guy. Fiers (even though his underlying numbers indicate he should improve) and Musgrove are the two guys they'd replace if they traded for someone. Again, Gray is my favorite but I'd still be happy with Cole depending on the cost. But I would not want to give up Tucker for either of those guys. Martes plus 2 from the next tier (F Perez, Whitley, Fisher, Paulino, Musgrove) would probably be realistic and acceptable. Giving up anything of real value for Vargas would be a big mistake imho. If they can't get Cole/Gray/Quintana, Cueto is another guy I think will be available that I'd be happy with. if they want a lesser/riskier option that won't cost as much, Ervin Santana, Jaime Garcia, Clayton Richard, and Trevor Cahill might be worth looking into. Yu Darvish will probably be available but I can't see the Rangers trading him to Houston.
I could see a nasty Morton / Peacock tandem playoff start. Keuchel McCullers Gray Morton / Peacock I'm confident in that playoff rotation.
My dream playoff pitcher usage: Game 1/4/7: Keuchel/Devenski/Giles Game 2/5: McCullers/Morton/Peacock/Harris Game 3/6: TBD/McHugh/Giles Not used: Fiers, Sipp, Gregerson Traded/optioned (or 13th pitcher): Musgrove, Feliz, Hoyt
His health worries me just as much as Gray's. Like Snake said.....there's no way I want to give up Tucker for him and you'd think that's who Pitt would ask for. But then again, Pitt has outfielders Marte and Polanco under control for several more years with Meadows in the minors. Maybe they will target pitching in any deal for Cole instead? I still wouldn't do all three of Whitley, Franklin Perez, and Martes for him.
Any ideas on what it would take to get Cole/Gray/Quintana? The value for Cole is hard to peg right now especially when you throw the injury history into the mix. The same goes for Gray. Quintana is also hard to value right now due to his current performance. The guy had been so consistent the past few seasons. Is he already in decline? Archer would definitely be the top dog if he were to somehow make it onto the market. But that's looking doubtful right now. I'd give up Tucker in an Archer deal. I wish they had somehow signed Scherzer when he hit the market.
None of the potential pitching targets look particularly great right now. They are all having mediocre to outright bad years, and when you look at their FIP/XFIP/SIERA, their numbers are all pretty much all in Collin McHugh territory. I wouldn't want any part of giving up a Tucker and Martes package for one of these guys or even Tucker by himself.
Definitely agree with this, but may be more willing to give on Martes depending on pitcher/club control. The dream of sending both Tucker and Martes for one of these guys needs to stop. Edit: I still want a pitcher, but would prefer him to be acquired at a reasonable price. If one can't be acquired reasonably, we'll just have to roll with McHugh, Cy Peacock, Musgrove (hasn't been too noticeable, but someone is slowly teaching him the art of getting strikes without throwing strikes), or the mummified version of Morton.
I would hate to give up our best prospect for just a good pitcher. I am also willing to ride Peacock hard, while he is pitching in the Cy Young territory
All those pitchers were front end starters. I would trade tucker for them without thinking twice. If he turns out to be a 25-90 guy I would rather still have pitcher.
