2014 MLB Thread

[SirHumper]

Breaking news on the trade front. Jon Lester (Boston Red Sox) was traded to the Oakland Athletics with utility player Jonny Gomes for outfielder Yoenis Cespedes.

 

[feller469]

I don't think the Sox are done. Trading, that is. Lackey probably next out the door. Maybe the Sox will be able to score runs now. Mind you, they will have to with a pitching staff that is more AAA than MLB. It may be a couple years before the Sox are contenders again.

 

[Jagger69]

I don't think the Sox are done. Trading, that is. Lackey probably next out the door. Maybe the Sox will be able to score runs now. Mind you, they will have to with a pitching staff that is more AAA than MLB. It may be a couple years before the Sox are contenders again.

Prophetic you are, feller. Lackey to St. Louis for Joe Kelly and Allen Craig (unofficial but very credible sources have verified it's happening):

The roller coaster ride that was John Lackey’s tenure in Boston has finally come to a stop.

Lackey was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday at the MLB non-waiver trade deadline, multiple reports said.

The Cardinals are reportedly sending outfielder Allen Craig and pitcher Joe Kelly to Boston.

The move ends Lackey’s five-year run in Boston, in which he went from a reviled figure to a well-appreciated key component of last year’s championship team.

The Cardinals and Red Sox are scheduled to play Aug. 5-7 in St. Louis.

Lackey was seen as a likely candidate to be dealt because, with the Red Sox mired in last place, his contract is appealing to other teams. While owed the balance of his $15.25 million salary this year, next year his contract has a club option for just $500,000.

His 2015 salary was triggered by a clause in his contract that stipulated he play for that amount if something like Tommy John elbow surgery would sideline him for a significant time at any point during his stay in Boston.

Lackey sat out the 2012 season due to Tommy John surgery.

He originally joined the Red Sox after the 2009 season as a free agent after eight seasons with the Angels. Lackey went 26-23 his first two seasons, but became a villain in Boston in 2011 with his role in the demise of the team that season.

Lackey failed to win any of his final six starts as the Red Sox went 7-20 to fall out of playoff contention on the final day of the season. After the season, he was identified as part of a group that would drink beer during games in which they didn’t play.

It was also revealed after the 2011 season that he pitched through an injury and would need surgery to repair his right elbow.

Lackey bounced back nicely after sitting out the 2012 season, however. He went 10-13 with a 3.52 ERA last season when he won his second World Series title, 11 years after winning one with the Angels.

This season, Lackey is 11-7 with a 3.60 ERA.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2...d-cardinals/TsGpxBXGtkGz46kXbRlUzO/story.html

 

[SirHumper]

I don't think the Sox are done. Trading, that is. Lackey probably next out the door. Maybe the Sox will be able to score runs now. Mind you, they will have to with a pitching staff that is more AAA than MLB. It may be a couple years before the Sox are contenders again.

The Detroit Tigers still need to acquire another arm for the bullpen. The Red Sox have ex-Tiger lefty reliever Andrew Miller (3-5 W-L, 2.34 ERA, 69 K’s) on the trading block. If I'm the Tigers I might go in that direction.

However, there is a rumor the Tigers are talking to Tampa Bay for lefty ace David Price (11-8 W-L, 3.11 ERA, 189 K’s) and ex-Tiger Matt Joyce (7 HR, 42 RBI, .279 BA) a left-handed outfield bat. David Price would be a nice pick-up, but I don’t see it happening, the Tigers would have to give up too much.

 

[feller469]

I was a Lackey guy when he first got to the Sox, then wasn't a fan as he and Beckett blew up the clubhouse. That said, he has been solid the last two years. The Cards got a good #3 pitcher.

I am waiting for someone to compare these Sox to the Marlins of a few years ago.

 

[Jagger69]

I was a Lackey guy when he first got to the Sox, then wasn't a fan as he and Beckett blew up the clubhouse. That said, he has been solid the last two years. The Cards got a good #3 pitcher.

I am waiting for someone to compare these Sox to the Marlins of a few years ago.

Doesn't have anything to do with what goes on between the white lines but I don't like anyone who would cheat on and divorce his wife while she was battling breast cancer. Lackey is a scumball IMO.

 

[feller469]

Had heard something about that. Despicable. I have found myself watching less and less sports, in part because I don't like many of the athletes. Not that the Sox will be on TV much the rest of this season.

 

[SirHumper]

Add one more former American League Cy Young Award winner to the Detroit Tigers' star-studded rotation.

Capping a frenetic trade-deadline day that saw several other prominent hurlers changing teams, the Tigers have reportedly acquired David Price from the Tampa Bay Rays in a blockbuster three-team swap that also includes the Seattle Mariners.

Full details of the deal, which has yet to be confirmed by any of the clubs involved, are not available. However, it is reported that the Tigers will send pitcher Drew Smyly to the Rays and center fielder Austin Jackson to the Mariners, with infielder Nick Franklin headed to Tampa Bay from Seattle.

 

[bobjustbob]

Tigers with the last 3 Cy winners and 2013 MVP. They are all in for this season. Funny Austin Jackson pulled from the game to with his bags packed, a ticket to Cleveland, and a fresh set of Seattle colors waiting for him. Shit, you can drive it in 2 1/2 hours.

 

[Jagger69]

Add one more former American League Cy Young Award winner to the Detroit Tigers' star-studded rotation.

Capping a frenetic trade-deadline day that saw several other prominent hurlers changing teams, the Tigers have reportedly acquired David Price from the Tampa Bay Rays in a blockbuster three-team swap that also includes the Seattle Mariners.

Full details of the deal, which has yet to be confirmed by any of the clubs involved, are not available. However, it is reported that the Tigers will send pitcher Drew Smyly to the Rays and center fielder Austin Jackson to the Mariners, with infielder Nick Franklin headed to Tampa Bay from Seattle.

That's a total steal by the Tigers. I can't believe that was the best offer the Rays had on the table for Price. I heard that the fact that Smyly was 4 years away from FA had a lot to do with it. Still....the Rays have been hot as a pistol in recent days and are only 5.5 GB in the WC race so a bit odd that they would trade him. I really though the Dodgers were going to offer up Joc Pederson in a bid to get him but I guess the Rays figure Jackson is adequate enough. This really tightens things up in the NL and makes Detroit the odds-on favorite in the AL now. Oakland really gave up a lot of offense in Cespedes to get Lester. I guess they think they can do it with pitching. The Cardinals might have the tallest rotation in baseball with Shelby Miller being the shortest in stature at 6' 3". Interesting that Oscar Taveras had really been struggling while platooning with Craig. Then, Craig gets traded and Taveras strokes a 2-run homer today against San Diego....hopefully many more to come from him.

The stretch drive to the playoffs will be interesting.

 

[SirHumper]

That's a total steal by the Tigers. I can't believe that was the best offer the Rays had on the table for Price. I heard that the fact that Smyly was 4 years away from FA had a lot to do with it. Still....the Rays have been hot as a pistol in recent days and are only 5.5 GB in the WC race so a bit odd that they would trade him. I really though the Dodgers were going to offer up Joc Pederson in a bid to get him but I guess the Rays figure Jackson is adequate enough. This really tightens things up in the NL and makes Detroit the odds-on favorite in the AL now. Oakland really gave up a lot of offense in Cespedes to get Lester. I guess they think they can do it with pitching. The Cardinals might have the tallest rotation in baseball with Shelby Miller being the shortest in stature at 6' 3". Interesting that Oscar Taveras had really been struggling while platooning with Craig. Then, Craig gets traded and Taveras strokes a 2-run homer today against San Diego....hopefully many more to come from him.

The stretch drive to the playoffs will be interesting.

The deal for David Price breaks down like this.

Price goes to the Tigers to join a rotation in Detroit that already includes Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer Rick Porcello and Anibal Sanchez, while Seattle gets Austin Jackson and the Rays obtain lefty Drew Smyly from Detroit and shortstop Nick Franklin from Seattle along with a Single-A shortstop in the Tigers farm system.

Verlander said a few weeks ago that the A's made their Jeff Samardzija trade to matchup with the Tigers in the postseason. You have to think Detroit made this move to answer Oakland's deal of Lester.

Price-Lester, Scherzer-Gray, Verlander-Kazmir, Porcello-Samardzija.

The American League Championship Series can't get here soon enough. This is certainly more than a rental, though, for the Tigers. Price is signed for next season. Plus Scherzer can become a free agent and already turned down $144 million from the Tigers. It's a no-brainer of a deal for Detroit. Price gives them three Cy Young winners in its rotation. But couldn't the Rays have gotten a little more than a middle-of-the-rotation starter in Smyly, a shortstop who has hit .214 at the big league level and another shortstop at the Single-A level? Regardless it looks like its a two-team race in the AL now.

 

[Red001]

what a wild day for trades. Looks like the other 29 teams have to the Phillies that they need to evaluate their players better and honestly they earned this

 

[Jagger69]

The deal for David Price breaks down like this.

Price goes to the Tigers to join a rotation in Detroit that already includes Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer Rick Porcello and Anibal Sanchez, while Seattle gets Austin Jackson and the Rays obtain lefty Drew Smyly from Detroit and shortstop Nick Franklin from Seattle along with a Single-A shortstop in the Tigers farm system.

Verlander said a few weeks ago that the A's made their Jeff Samardzija trade to matchup with the Tigers in the postseason. You have to think Detroit made this move to answer Oakland's deal of Lester.

Price-Lester, Scherzer-Gray, Verlander-Kazmir, Porcello-Samardzija.

The American League Championship Series can't get here soon enough. This is certainly more than a rental, though, for the Tigers. Price is signed for next season. Plus Scherzer can become a free agent and already turned down $144 million from the Tigers. It's a no-brainer of a deal for Detroit. Price gives them three Cy Young winners in its rotation. But couldn't the Rays have gotten a little more than a middle-of-the-rotation starter in Smyly, a shortstop who has hit .214 at the big league level and another shortstop at the Single-A level? Regardless it looks like its a two-team race in the AL now.

Like I said....the Rays got jobbed. Unbelievable really. Christmas in July for Tiger fans.

 

[feller469]

I was surprised the Angles didn't do much. If the A's finish with the best record, and the Angels the second, in the AL. Oakland's reward for finishing first could be getting a five-game series with Anaheim (provided the Angels win the one-game wild card game.) And don't forget about Baltimore. The O's are quietly putting together a solid season, but are just 1-5 versus Detroit this season.

 

[Red001]

i wasn't surprised by the Angels inactivity at all the where not trading anyone off the 25 man roster and they have zero prospects to deal after sending 3 of their best ones to the Padres for Street

 

[SirHumper]

The DetroitTigers purchased the contract of center fielder Ezequiel Carrera from the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens.

Carrera is expected to receive most of the starts in center field against right-handed pitching following the trade of Austin Jackson. It doesn't figure to be a strict platoon, as Rajai Davis will play more than just versus lefties. Carrera is a career .251 hitter over parts of five seasons in the majors but has had a big year at Toledo, batting .307 with six homers, 41 RBI and 43 stolen bases. He has some speed which should help.

The Tigers still need to address their most pressing need, relief pitching. They have three Cy Young Award winners on their staff, who average 7 innings a start. They need to find somebody dependable to handle the eighth and ninth innings, otherwise it will be another disappointing October in Detroit.

 

[SirHumper]

Rick Porcello (13-5) only allowed two runs on five hits and struck out a season- high 10 batters, joining teammate Max Scherzer as the lone 13-game winners in the American League. Victor Martinez hit a three-run home run, while J.D. Martinez and Miguel Cabrera each added solo homers for the Tigers, who have taken the first two games of this three-game set with Colorado.

Note: The Detroit Tigers scored a run in every inning that they batted for the first time since 1912 ...

 

[SirHumper]

Anibal Sanchez tossed seven scoreless innings and Victor Martinez added a three-run home run in support, as the Detroit Tigers finished a three-game series sweep over the Colorado Rockies with a 4-0 win. Sanchez (8-5) allowed only two hits and no walks, while striking out a season- high 12 batters, improving his record to 4-0 against the Rockies in five career starts.

Note: The Tigers begin a nine-game road trip on Monday, starting with a four-game series against the Yankees...

 

[pool_hustler]

The Dodgers appear to be down to three effective starters with a brutal 11 game stretch ahead. Looking for them to miss the playoffs entirely unless they find some pitching help, pronto.

 

[Jagger69]

Hard to believe the Cardinals came back from 2 runs down in the 7th and beat the Brew Crew yesterday to finish a 2-out-of-3 series win. Matt Holliday continuing his torrid hitting while the Brewers' bullpen fell apart after Matt Garza had tossed a 1-hit gem through 6 innings. Still not sure why Roenicke took him out....had to be some kind of injury. As bad as St. Louis has looked this year, they are 1 game out of 1st in the NL Central. Crazy.

The Dodgers appear to be down to three effective starters with a brutal 11 game stretch ahead. Looking for them to miss the playoffs entirely unless they find some pitching help, pronto.

My money's still on LA to win the West. Giants just don't have "the horses" with Matt Cain being done for the year.