OK with a Verlander/Wilson acquisition if the prospect price is right... but what I would really like is Zach Britton, even if it comes at a steep price.
Yeah, I'm very worried about LMJ and agree having him going on the DL for a bit while Keuchel, McHugh, Fiers, Peacock, and Morton can man the rotation. We need to have some better relief options in the bullpen.
Ok, so with 7 days to go, the "serious" buyers for SP are: Astros, Dodgers, Yankees, Cubs, Brewers, and Braves. The rumored pitchers for sale are Gray and Verlander. At least for now it looks like Darvish, Fulmer, DeGrom, and Cole are not available. Hard to get a read on what the Giants plans are for Cueto and Samardzija. I think Gray is going to be a Yankee. I think the Dodgers will hold out to see if Darvish comes available. I don't think the Cubs will be willing to dole out more prospects than they already have, and I think the Braves and Brewers are going to end up sticking to their original plan and hold off buying until next year. Which leads me to predict Verlander and Wilson will be coming to Houston.
In regards to trade value...do y'all think martes' value has risen, fallen, or is the same as it was in the offseason/beginning of this season?
About the same, maybe slightly lower. He struggled in AAA but might've just been tweaking a pitch. He struggled as a starter in the majors but has been dominant as a reliever. He's still young, has electric ToR stuff, and strikes guys out like crazy. I believe he can still serve as the headliner (or co-headliner depending on who he's traded for) in a trade.
I think they are only looking into young controllable players. They believe they see themselves as a year, maybe 2 away.
Good way to word it..."headliner/co-headliner." I was thinking the same. Maybe a slight increase in value considering his age. Says something that he is dominating big league hitters at age 21. Even if he has struggled a little as a starter so far.
The Braves want to field a good team next season. They want a veteran pitcher to head their rotation. Analyzing their system, I agree they're probably 2 years away from contending, but who knows what their plans are for the offseason.
I don't think we can trade martes. If we do, we then have another hole to fill in the bullpen. He's your third or fourth best bp arm at this point.
They have been hovering just under .500 most of the season. They are close to competing. They just moved into the new stadium. That said, I agree they should be selling. If this were a guy under control for a few years, I'd get it, but Gray is only under contract through next season.
They would not use Martes before Giles, Devenski, Harris, or Peacock in a playoff situation. I will grant you he's moved ahead of Sipp, Hoyt, and Gregerson, and it's debatable if he's behind Feliz.
I didn't realize they were that close to .500 when you look at what the Astros did to them a couple weeks ago. Still, it seems like it's uncommon for a team so far out of playoff contention to be making in-season trades to upgrade. Giving up prospects when you're close seems counter-productive.
They were playing for .500 in that series. It worked out for the Rangers with Cole Hamels. You do it if you believe you are competing next year.
