MLBTR Reports the following:Will Jays’ Pitching Depth Lead To Trade?
The Blue Jays again have a stock of pitchers that may be on the desired list for other teams. “MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian named Brian Tallet, Dustin McGowan, Shawn Camp, Merkin Valdez, and Sean Henn as pitchers who would need to clear waivers before being sent to the minors.” Added to that there is speculation that the highest paid of their pitchers could also be available. “This situation will become clearer during Spring Training, but GM Alex Anthopoulos almost needs to make a couple of trades. The highest-paid Blue Jays pitchers seem most likely to go: Downs ($4MM), Frasor ($2.65MM), and Tallet ($2MM). Camp and Accardo will also earn more than a million.”
There are some interesting names there. 2 names stick out to me because of things the Mets may currently need. Scott Downs and Brian Tallet. Both of these guys are LH and could in my opinion instantly turn the Mets pen into the best in the NL. Downs has had ERA’s of 2.17, 1.78 and 3.09 the last 3 years spending time as a setup man as well as stints as closer. Tallet is a 6’7 swing-man who was very successful in the pen from 2006-2008. His first year being primarily a starter was not as successful as he struggled in the 2nd half of the year as many guys who switch would, he finished with a 5.32 ERA in 160+ innings. Also an advantage for both is that neither have large splits and can pitch to both sides of the plate when needed.
6M bucks and some prospects could make a huge difference in the Mets 2010 BP.
16 comments
GravediggerHebner
2/9/2010-3:05pm at 3:05 pm (UTC -4)
Wait a minute, those are the salaries of their highest paid pitchers?
Either guy of the two you focus on would be a welcome and necessary addition to the staff.
trs86
2/9/2010-3:08pm at 3:08 pm (UTC -4)
Pretty close, according to Cot’s contracts it’s Downs at 4 and then Gregg, Frasor and Downs from 3M to 2M.
Mr North Jersey
2/9/2010-3:07pm at 3:07 pm (UTC -4)
Why are they trading these guys again?
trs86
2/9/2010-3:09pm at 3:09 pm (UTC -4)
The actually overstocked themselves.
Mr North Jersey
2/9/2010-3:13pm at 3:13 pm (UTC -4)
But if these guys are so good why trade them rather than some lesser talent.
trs86
2/9/2010-3:20pm at 3:20 pm (UTC -4)
$.
trs86
2/9/2010-3:23pm at 3:23 pm (UTC -4)
In a more in depth answer, they feel that the lesser paid guys can produce on a similar level (for a team not competing anyway) to the more expensive ones while in turn they can save money and add talent.
GravediggerHebner
2/9/2010-3:25pm at 3:25 pm (UTC -4)
At least in theory they just have too many and won’t be able to sneak them through waivers to send the “losers” of their spring competition to the minors.
Both their SP and RP depth charts, while not top heavy, are deep and I gather not enough of them have minor league options remaining.
GravediggerHebner
2/9/2010-3:37pm at 3:37 pm (UTC -4)
I’m looking at their SP depth chart right now and I would take any of the 8 guys listed happily for the Mets #5.
Romero
Marcum
Morrow
Rzepczynski
Cecil
Richmond
Purcey
McGowan
Hell I’ve had half of those guys on (and off) my fantasy team over the last 2 years. I LOVE Romero but no way he’s available. I claimed him for my fantasy team last year after reading a review which said roughly “his future is Johan Santana’s present” and until he got hurt he was excellent.
wannybackstra
2/9/2010-4:22pm at 4:22 pm (UTC -4)
McGowan (especially), Marcum, Cecil, Morrow, Romero and perhaps Purcey all have the potential to be much better than 5s.
GravediggerHebner
2/9/2010-6:28pm at 6:28 pm (UTC -4)
I agree completely, I simply phrased it that way because it’s the # 5 spot on the Mets that “technically” is the open spot. But oh yes, these guys if not immediately would very soon rise up to #2 on this team.
njstuckintx
2/9/2010-3:33pm at 3:33 pm (UTC -4)
Any guesses on what it would take to land either of those individuals?
stickguy
2/9/2010-3:34pm at 3:34 pm (UTC -4)
Omar did say early on that after lackey, the FA pitching was “lacking” (pun intended).
And, that he anticipated A) adding SP and B) trading for it.
So, it is still entirely possible that they pick up a pitcher this way. maybe one of these guys?
And, if the SP options really don’t materialize, I highly support tyring the 2006 model of patching together a rotation, and building a dominant BP behind it.
Oh, and get rid of Jerry and bring in a manager that might have a clue about how to utilize said pen.
Not to be confused with Right said Fred.
GravediggerHebner
2/9/2010-3:39pm at 3:39 pm (UTC -4)
Ladies and Gentleman an historic moment in the history of TRDMB, the first “Right Said Fred” reference. Are you too sexy for your shirt Stick?
stickguy
2/9/2010-5:41pm at 5:41 pm (UTC -4)
If I keep eating at this pace, I might be too big to button it, but I doubt you could call it sexy…
wannybackstra
2/9/2010-4:25pm at 4:25 pm (UTC -4)
I’d gladly take Frasor or Downs and insert them immediately into the Mets’ 8th inning role. I’d also take Tallet in a heartbeat as a second lefty, who would allow the Mets to use Feliciano in the LOOGY role in which he excels.
Dustin McGowan is going nowhere.