I am a little more bullish on Martin than most. He doesn't give up many hits and he doesn't walk many. So in short he doesn't hurt himself. The only concern I have with him is strike outs, but the big league staff also hasn't gotten a hold of him yet. Last year he worked with Roger Clemens and that really helped him. Roger is the most prepared and professional baseball player I have ever seen. He worked on a routine and approach with Martin. That included working out on off days, running, the approach to the game and being aggressive.
Maybe they view Realmuto as the missing piece to win another championship. Maybe they view Alvarez as the more valuable prospect out of Tucker/Alvarez. Maybe they've decided to go all in for the next 2 seasons since so Verlander/Cole are about to become FA's after this season. Just things to think about.
32-yr old oft injured catcher who has hit in double digit hr's only once. He's a decent on-base guy but, unless it's a couple of low level prospects, I wouldn't be interested.
Yeah I really don’t view Cervelli as a meaningful upgrade over Chirinos. If they can’t get Realmuto or Grandal, Salvador Perez would be the only guy I think would be worth pursuing.
Yea I’d almost rather go into the season with what we have and hope KC truly puts Perez on the market at some point
I wouldn't give up anything of significant value for Cervelli. I would take on his salary if I can get Trevor Williams from Pittsburgh. Cervelli's salary represents about 16% of the Pirates current payroll including aribtration and pre-arbitration players. Unless they are fooling themselves they can't believe they have a chance in a division with the Cubs, Brewers, and Cardinals. It's not a question of whether Cervelli is a big upgrade over Chirinos. The question is would you rather have Cervelli/Chirinos or Chirinos/Stassi? I would take Cervelli/Chirinos... IF I can land Trevor Williams in the process. Trevor Williams 2018 stats 14-10, 3.11 ERA, 170 IP, 1.178 WHIP, 3.8 WAR Williams is under team control for 4 years.
The stats above were a career high. He doesn’t have swing and miss stuff. In our ballpark, I think he’d be a low upside SP4 at best.
Not everyone is going to be Verlander/Cole/Morton. We need innings. Our bullpen was as good as it was last year largely because they didn't have to pitch much. Williams threw more innings than Morton, had a better ERA, and barely higher WHIP. What I do like about Williams is he doesn't have a drastic difference in his home/road splits.... unlike say Madison Bumgarner who was Cy Young at home and garbage on the road last year. Williams isn't my first choice for a starting pitcher, but I would take him and Cervelli in the right deal.
We certainly need a lot of pitching depth, but Williams would take a key spot in our rotation. We’re likely only adding one arm and I’d like it to count. I don’t expect a Kluber or Syndegaard. I do hope for another Morton.
The Astros and Pirates have discussed Jameson Taillon. The asking price is supposedly steep. That was weeks ago, no idea where they stand now.
Good luck finding a guy with a 99mph tailing fastball and an insane curveball. Morton's stuff is uber elite. I don't believe the big pitchers are going to be available until the deadline, and if Kluber gets moved he's likely going to the NL and not an AL contender. Indians aren't rebuilding because their division is garbage. I doubt they want to see Kluber in the playoffs wearing another uniform. Mets think they can compete and will probably hold onto Syndergaard. Bumgarner's value is down because of his struggles last season and his fast ball being destroyed. Giants are stuck in some contracts like Longoria, Belt, Samardzija, and Cueto. They will make a run and see where they are at the deadline. Then maybe move Bumgarner at that time. Twins seem to think they have a shot and are adding so I don't expect Kyle Gibson to be available. The massive numbers involved in any Greinke deal just makes it less likely to happen. The closer the D-backs get to the end of that contract the easier it will be to move him. I think he will be moved at the deadline. Robbie Ray has swing and miss stuff... but he can't keep it over the plate. He walks a ton of people and the D-Backs want a lot for him. Jays are asking for the moon for Stroman even though he is coming off an injury season with shoulder problems. His k/9 was similar to Trevor Williams. I don't see a lot of other options out there other than Cobb and Bundy in Baltimore. Cobb was great the last 2 months of the season, but overall his numbers were bad and he is getting paid about 15 million per year for 3 more years. Cobb also doesn't have swing and miss stuff. His k/9 was worse than Williams. Bundy has more swing and miss stuff but has never put it together. His career high in innings was last year with 171, but he had a 5.45 ERA and gave up 41 Homeruns. I want a starter now that can slide into the number 4/5 spot behind Verlander, Cole, and McHugh. Then try and make the big splash at the deadline IF James and/or Whitley don't step up. That means leaving some payroll flexibility and not hitting that 200 million dollar payroll level on opening day. If they can land Greinke great. I just don't think Arizona is in love with the prospects we would be willing to give up and part of why Goldschmidt is a Cardinal and not an Astro.
I don’t mean find a Morton type player knowing whom he turned out to be. I mean find a Morton type player before he arrived and achieved greatness. High potential, high risk, low cost. We will acquire a SP before ST. The cost will likely be in our favor.
Elite stuff, plus results, and local. I can see the appeal. 4 more years of control, too. If the Pirates are selling, I wonder if they broached the topic of Chris Archer as well.
Bundy reminds me alot of Cole. Coming off of a bad season due to giving up HR's but has elite stuff. With that said, bring Tallion home.
It is not so much that the Pirates are selling as it is that the Astros asked and the Pirates have listened.
I never even brought up Taillon because his price will make Realmuto look cheap. 4 years of control including a pre-arb year and already had his tommy john surgery.... $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ in terms of prospects. I would guess Pittsburgh would want 2 of our top 3 prospects and a Corbin Martin or JBB kicker.
We didn't know Morton was this Charlie Morton when he was signed. Seemed like a strange deal at the time. I'm not saying we should trade for Williams...but the idea was a low risk/high reward type that worked out very well.
My Chris Archer lust has just been re-enflamed. Come home, Christopher. Orbit needs you like Luke and Bella in that crying movie about dogs coming out next month.
