Depth for the Rotation

[davell]

As Theo and Jed have both brought up, we're looking for depth in the rotation. What's different though is we're looking for guys with options, that we can start out at Iowa, if we need to. Sure, its POSSIBLE we still make a trade(or sign Tyson Ross) that pushes Monty out of the rotation before the season starts. But this thread is meant to be for the smaller moves. Like the Atlanta/Texas deal a few days ago involving Tyrell Jenkins or the Atlanta/Seattle deal with Alex Jackson......This type of move isn't going to be the one we cash in Eloy on. Probably not Happ either.

 

Currently, Rob Z is our 6th SP. Aaron Brooks is our 7th. I'll be surprised if Brooks is Brooks is even 10th by the time April rolls around.

 

So, let's take a look at some options.....

 

Milwaukee- Taylor Jungmann, Jimmy Nelson

I'll guess he's a guy they're ready to throw the towel in on. Former 1st rounder, injury issues.....Slight chance at getting DFA'd? Added Nelson, since he's not currently projected for their rotation. Price could be higher than normal though.

 

St Louis- John Gant, Chris Ellis

No trade coming, but DFA possibilities exist, I suppose.

 

Cincy- L-Cody Reed, Tim Adleman, Rookie Davis

This guy has sucked out loud in the majors. Has upside though and maybe Cincy is disenchanted.

 

Pittsburgh-Drew Hutchison, Trevor Williams, Lisalverto Bonilla

He fits perfectly as a 6th/7th SP. Still a slight chance at more.

 

Atlanta- Aaron Blair, Matt Wisler, Lucas Sims

Candelario makes a ton of sense to be involved in a move here. Zagunis does too.

 

Mets- Seth Lugo, Robert Gsellman, Rafael Montero, Gabriel Ynoa,L- Sean Gilmartin

God bless them, they'll need their depth. But I could see a guy like Montero or Gilmartin getting DFA'd possibly. Lugo maybe being available for something light.

 

Washington-Austin Voth, Jaron Long, Kyle McGowin, Taylor Hill

They just dealt away their depth, so getting this guy or AJ Cole seems highly unlikely to me.

 

Marlins-L-Justin Nicolino

Big meh. But he's depth and that's what the thread is about, I guess.

 

Philadelphia- Jake Thompson, Zach Eflin, L-Adam Morgan, Alec Asher, Nick Pivetta

Thompson is probably one of my favorites, for a role like this. Eflin wouldn't be bad either honestly.

 

Arizona- Braden Shipley, Zack Godley, L-Anthony Banda, Matt Koch

No, I'm not listing Bradley or Walker. They'd want a ton for them. Shipley would be less, we're very familiar with Godley, and Banda is intriguing, if he could be pried away.

 

Dodgers- Ross Stripling, Brock Stewart, Chase De Jong

De Leon is on the move, but it certainly won't be to us, for prospects. Stripling is decent in a 7th SP way, Stewart has 3-4 ability. No idea on fits though.

 

Giants- Clayton Blackburn, Chris Stratton

Both of these guys have lost value, maybe Stratton even fits a straight change of scenery guy now.

 

Padres- L-Robbie Erlin, Dinelson Lamet, Michael Kelly

Coming off TJS, bit of upside left. Not a horrible guy to try and stash. This team is in complete "throw crap and see what sticks mode". May be a good team to target.

 

Rockies-Eddie Butler, L-Kyle Freeland,L- Harrison Musgrave, L Evan Grills

No, Hoffman isn't realistic. They may move him, but it'd be for a big league SP. Butler interests me, not sure if he's got options left though.(he has one) Marquez would be sweet, but I don't see why they'd move him either.

 

Red Sox-L- Henry Owens,L- Brian Johnson, L-Roenis Elias

Our FO knows these guys. If we see upside in Owens still, I could see us trying to grab him.

 

Yankees- chad Green, Brian Mitchell, L- Dietrich Enns, L- Jordan Montgomery, L Daniel Camarena, Ronald Herrera

Exactly 6th, 7th starter types. Not bad fits for us at all. Enns and Montgomery are interesting.

 

Orioles- Mike Wright, L Chris Lee, L Jayson Aquino, Joe Gunkel

Not great. Depth rarely is though.

 

Rays-Taylor Guerrieri, Chih Wei Hu, Jacob Faria, Jaime Schultz, Matt Andriese, Chase Whitley

They're obviously a great trade partner for higher end pitching. Pretty good on the depth types too though. Andriese has an option left and is a perfect 6th starter.

 

Blue Jays-none

 

White Sox-Chris Beck

This is exactly the type of trade we CAN make with them. The completely irrelevant one.

 

Detroit- L-Matt Boyd, Myles Jaye, William Cuevas, Warwick Saupold, Buck Farmer

 

Not a bad guy to target. Norris is firmly in their rotation, or he'd be great here.

 

Royals- L-Brian Flynn, Miguel Almonte, Kyle Zimmer, Alec Mills, Jake Junis, L Eric Skoglund

I really like trying to grab Flynn. He'd be one of my top targets.

 

Indians- Mike Clevinger, Adam Plutko, Cody Anderson, L Shawn Morimundo, Rob Kaminsky

Not sure what we have that makes sense for them, but I'd love Clevinger. Plutko and Anderson are solid depth too. Good team to find a deal with.

 

Twins-Kohl Stewart, L Tyler Jay, Kyle Gibson

I think Gibson is out of options or he'd be perfect. (Wow, couldnt have been more wrong. Gibson has 3 options lol)Berrios makes zero sense on their end. On the other hand, Stewart has disappointed since drafted. Jay may or may not be viewed as a starter. Those 2 seem like guys a new FO could cut bait with.

 

Angels- Alex Meyer, L Nate Smith, Troy Scribner

Probably a reliever. Heaney would be great, but no reason for them to move him.

 

A's- Daniel Mengden, Jesse Hahn, L Dillon Overton, Raul Alcantara, Frankie Montas, Kendall Graveman

They set up really well with us on a small trade that nets us two of this group. Montas? Doubt they'd move him until they know what they've got with him. Graveman intrigues the hell out of me.

 

Mariners- Nate Karns, Cody Martin, Zack Lee, Sam Gaviglio

He's a perfect 6th SP. No idea why they'd move him though.

 

Astros- Brad Peacock, Brady Rodgers, Joe Musgrove

Supposedly Fiers and McHugh are available. I'll figure we don't have the ML pitching they need in return. Musgrove would be very cool, by the way.

 

Rangers- Chi Chi Gonzalez

Had cache at one point.

 

So again, these are 6th-10th starter depth options. Not exciting at all. But it interests me because we'll likely use a few guys this year and we'll be acquiring some guys soon.

 

I got these guys scouring Fangraphs depth charts. I know if I looked at prospect lists, there's plenty more to look at that are in AAA, that didn't make the FG lists. I'll probably do that, over the next week or so and add to these lists.

 

Edit- Have added more names by looking thru roster resource. Mostly just added guys that are in AAA and not elite prospects. To me, here are the 10 teams I think are our best options to pull from.

 

1. Atlanta

 

Blair and Wisler fit us for sure. Wisler being the better option of the two. Lucas Sims is a guy that still has upside and that they may have soured on. They have a need for a 3B too, making for an ideal fit. A guy like Zagunis could interest them too. Happ certainly would.

 

2. Cleveland

 

Not sure they have a true reason to deal Clevinger, based on their rotations health. Plutko and Anderson aren't special though and maybe a Szczur type could net a guy or two like that.

 

3. Oakland

 

Mengden is needed for his stache'. Decent enough swing guy too. Hahn is injury prone, but talented. Overton has struggled mightily in the majors. Alcantara is known by our FO. None of this group should be overly expensive and Beane probably likes Zagunis, Caratini, Candelario, or Szczur. Graveman is very interesting, but is he a guy you can send to AAA and still put Montgomery out there every 5th day?

 

4. Tampa

 

Andriese is a perfect fit here. Guerrieri is a guy with talent, but hasn't put it together yet. Faria has pitched well enough at times to be a true swing guy himself. Schultz is interesting as a throw in. Hu has value and I'd like him. The issue is how hard Tampa is to deal with. They probably want Happ for a guy like Andriese. I may be pursuaded to be in favor of sending Candelario to them for him though. If they insist on Happ, Odorizzi would need to be the lowest end SP we accept. Obviously, we'd need to add more.

 

5. KC

 

I love their depth and ability for one stop shopping. I like Flynn, he's a very nice option. If Zimmer can be had, he's a nice flyer to take. Skoglund and Junis have some upside and are very nice additions, if not true 6th SP's for 2017. Mills is a decent throw in. Based on where they're at, they may be the ideal team to trade with. Since they're soon to be sellers. Candelario, Zagunis, guys like De La Cruz could really intrigue them.

 

6. Yankees

 

Enns and Montgomery are generic, but fit the term of depth. Green and Mitchell are too, but also fit what we're after. Not a sexy team to deal with, but none of these guys should cost much either, so they fit out of sheer numbers.

 

7. Mets

 

Gsellman has shoulder issues, which may make it harder on them to deal Lugo. Montero is a nice reclamation project and shouldn't be expensive. They have a couple of other depth options. The issue though, is their ML Pitchers heads keep falling off.(arms too) They may not be as good of an option as I originally thought. They could use Candelario though.

 

8.Phillies

 

I think Thompson may be as good of an individual option as Wisler. Which tells me they each may be worth a decent amount more than Candelario. Morgan is generic depth. Asher isn't much more than that. I think Eflin has upside though. Solid team to try and make a deal with. They'd love Happ. I'm not sure, but I may be apt to pull the trigger on Happ for Thompson.

 

9. Arizona

 

Banda is very interesting. No reason they should deal him. We're familiar with Godley. He's not horrible depth. Shipley would be nice, it looks like he's a pen guy for them moving forward. This doesn't even account for Archie Bradley, who they've kind of said they're not interested in moving soon, at least.(or any of their ML starters)

 

10. Twins

 

TT has brought up Gibson before. Rightly so, he's a great fit for us. Stewart and Jay are guys I'd love to steal from their new FO, but usually they'll evaluate for a period before moving guys like that.

 

Top 25 Individual Options(my preferences)

 

1. Jake Thompson

2. Joe Musgrove

3. Matt Wisler

4. Mike Clevinger

5. Kendall Graveman

6. Matt Andriese

7. Kyle Gibson

8. Nate Karns

9. Matt Boyd

10. Daniel Mengden

11. Chad Green

12. Anthony Banda

13. Jesse Hahn

14. Drew Hutchison

15. Zach Eflin

16. Jimmy Nelson

17. Aaron Blair

18. Ross Stripling

19. Brian Johnson

20. Adam Plutko

21. Brian Flynn

22. Zac Godley

23. Cody Anderson

24. Cody Reed

25. Austin Voth

 

 

 

In the end, I'm not sure HOW we address the SP depth. We may grab a DFA or two. We may make a small trade or two. We may sign a FA or two. We may make a larger trade that definitely pushes Monty down to the pen. We may even do one of each of these. But I know that we're not heading into the season as we sit now.

Edited December 16, 2016 by davell

[Tim]

I still really like Musgrove and Paulino from Houston. I think Musgrove would be too expensive for the type of thing you're talking about here. But Paulino has a combination of a poor audition and some behavioral stuff in his background that might make him cheaper.

[davell]

I still really like Musgrove and Paulino from Houston. I think Musgrove would be too expensive for the type of thing you're talking about here. But Paulino has a combination of a poor audition and some behavioral stuff in his background that might make him cheaper.

 

I figure he gets dealt in a major deal that nets them a front line guy, if he gets dealt at all. I just don't see why they'd deal a guy with that type of upside, for anything that doesn't help them immediately.

 

I'd love to get him. Just don't see why they'd move him to us. 3 way with Tampa works though, I suppose. Where we wind up with Paulino and Tampa gets Happ out of it somehow.

[craig]

..In the end, I'm not sure HOW we address the SP depth. We may grab a DFA or two. We may make a small trade or two. We may sign a FA or two. We may make a larger trade that definitely pushes Monty down to the pen. We may even do one of each of these. But I know that we're not heading into the season as we sit now.

 

Yeah, well said. Agree with that. Will be interesting to see what they do and who exactly they bring in.

 

But yes, it's going to change, at least a little.

[Bear Cub]

Great list davell. Thanks for putting it together.

[Gilby]

I still think we end up with a starter that moves Montgomery to the pen. MM would still get periodic starts even if everyone is healthy in this scenario. Plus, it gets us closer to that super bullpen Theo is trying to build. I was pretty sure Soler was going to end up in Tampa, but now I'm thinking of something like Happ, one of Candelario/Zaguinis, and one of Clifton/De la Cruz for Odorizzi.

[Tim]

I really hope we don't give up that much for Odorizzi.

[Gilby]

I think he's a middle class man's prime Matt Cain and is exactly the type of pitcher FIP will underrate. I'd very much like to have him.

[Cubswin11]

I really hope we don't give up that much for Odorizzi.

It's probably a bit of an overpay but I'd do it. I also wonder if that young/controllable/whatever starter doesn't come available because of the acquisition cost or whatever we try and bring back Hammel in a similar fashion like Fowler last year. Doesn't seem to be any rumors out there with Hammel so maybe we wait it out until ST then get him back on a 1 year deal with an option or something. Doesn't help us long-term but helps the depth a lot this year.

[davell]

We could have picked his affordable option up, if we had any interest in him. We like Monty more evidently. Not to mention, Hammel is probably a top 3 option currently, for starting pitching on the FA market. He'll easily get a 2 year deal, maybe even 3.

[Cubswin11]

I don't think there's a great match but I wonder what it would take to get De Leon from the Dodgers? Would some combination of Szczur/LaStella (could use a major league RH OF option and 3B/2B option), Jeimer, Caritini and like Underwood be enough? Or would we have to include Happ or Almora (not saying I'd do that, just what it would take)?

[Donzo]

I really hope we don't give up that much for Odorizzi.

It's probably a bit of an overpay but I'd do it.

 

I like Rizzi, but not for Happ... If Happ or Jimenez are traded, I want better than Rizzi...

 

Great post by the OP...

[Derwood]

I really hope we don't give up that much for Odorizzi.

It's probably a bit of an overpay but I'd do it.

 

I like Rizzi

 

No....don't....

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Terrific work davell.

 

Candelario for Wisler remains almost too obvious a match.

 

Edit:. Probably zero chance the Rays consider that Odorizzi deal.

[toonsterwu]

I'm going to be surprised if there aren't at least 2 starters to start the year in Iowa that weren't in the system last year. It's looking really thin at the start of the year for Iowa, and so I think a wider net on depth may need to be contemplated. Legitimately, I'd be surprised if there aren't at least two more pitching moves (1 legit competitor for the 5th job, 1 depth SP added for the upper levels).

 

For example, the Los Angeles Angels Nate Smith isn't a guy that anyone's going to be too excited about. Still, as an older lefty with good command, he's the type of experienced guy we need to add to the upper levels of the system to protect us in the short term. The Baltimore Orioles Tyler Wilson is another guy that fits the mold for what I am thinking about when I think of depth. These guys aren't going to be long term answers, but we were quite fortunate with health last year, and if we aren't as lucky this year, we need guys that we can plug in there for a few starts and not feel like the house is burning.

 

If the Nationals were open to moving Austin Voth, that's another name who makes a lot of sense for us depth wise. Now that he's definitely back with the Brewers, Wei-Chung Wang would be a great get to stash in AAA for depth purposes. Someone like the Mariners Zach Lee makes sense for depth purposes as well.

 

Anyhow, my perception of depth may be slightly different. We look really thin in the upper levels for legitimate starting options, and I think we need to get some guys to plug the gaps a bit, in case we aren't as lucky health wise this upcoming season.

[Tracer Bullet]

Some really intriguing options here.

[davell]

With Soler gone, Candelario is both blocked and has value. He's who I have tunnel vision on, to bring us a 6th SP, with some potential upside for a bit more. Realistically, he's probably a 75-150 ranked prospect. Not exciting, a second division starter type, or a cheap guy for a team trying to skimp at a position, where they're spending elsewhere.....Still, he's able to net us something of some semblance of interest and to find us a guy that can take some starts this year and compete for a future rotation spot.

 

The cool thing is he's basically ready for a trial run, so that could even help us find him a team.....Teams with a 3B need now, or extremely soon.....

 

Rangers- Beltre can't play forever. Gallo may or may not be their future there.

 

Rays- It'd signal they're readying to trade Longo, but that seems to be a possibility.

 

Royals- Moustakas hits FA next year, I think? If not, its very soon.

 

Phillies- Franco moves over to 1B in this scenario.

 

Pirates- Kang doesn't seem like he's a viable answer obviously.

 

Yankees- Candelario fits them very well actually.

 

Marlins- Prado just resigned, but he's a multi position guy.

 

A's- If they're not Matt Chapman fans, he's a nice fit.

 

Padres- They've got guys they can move around, but he'd still fit them.

 

Dodgers- No, they're not settling for Candelario. Can't see Turner leaving them.

 

Giants- Nunez may be enough to keep their interest minimal.

 

Angels- need? Yes. Fit? Probably not.

 

Mets- Wright and Reyes? Candelario should be of interest to them.

 

Braves- Stick out like a sore thumb.

 

So, lots of teams can conceivably use him. He's coming off an excellent partial AAA season. We need a 6th SP(or more). His value may never be higher.....Here's the 5 best fits, in my mind.....

 

1. Braves

2. Royals

3. Yankees

4. Mets

5. Phillies

[davell]

Updated the original post, after looking thru mlbdepthcharts. May have doubled the names. Tried staying away from top 100 prospects.

[We Got The Whole 9]

What would we need to add to Candy to get Wisler?

[toonsterwu]

Here's the thing ... as intriguing as Candelario is, and I like him enough (although the uneven offensive production still bothers, since he's in the upper levels), you don't deal him unless it's for a quality young arm. The problem is, I'm not sure the industry has dramatically changed their thought process on young arms in deals. Now, all we need is that one team to make a move, so generalizations here matter little. Still, outside of the Nationals bold moves this winter (I mean, Red Sox dealing Kopech in a deal for Sale makes sense, so that doesn't break any mold), and maybe Jerry DiPoto, it feels like the industry still places an extremely high premium on quality young arms.

 

Thus, I'm not absolutely convinced, in terms of generalized value (which is subjective to my perception right now, and really, again means squat), that Jeimer Candelario can net us Matt Wisler without us forking over more pieces. If it's a spare piece or two, sure. If it's giving up a Chesny Young or Ryan Williams ... I'd probably say okay. At a certain point, though, the line where it becomes too much is closer than it may seem, in my opinion.

 

They don't fit, but Jeimer Candelario would fit on the Orioles as well. Hardy's gone at some point, so Machado would move back to short. They could move Schoop to 3rd and find a 2nd baseman, or more likely, try to find a third baseman and keep Schoop at 2nd.

[davell]

Here's the thing ... as intriguing as Candelario is, and I like him enough (although the uneven offensive production still bothers, since he's in the upper levels), you don't deal him unless it's for a quality young arm. The problem is, I'm not sure the industry has dramatically changed their thought process on young arms in deals. Now, all we need is that one team to make a move, so generalizations here matter little. Still, outside of the Nationals bold moves this winter (I mean, Red Sox dealing Kopech in a deal for Sale makes sense, so that doesn't break any mold), and maybe Jerry DiPoto, it feels like the industry still places an extremely high premium on quality young arms.

 

Thus, I'm not absolutely convinced, in terms of generalized value (which is subjective to my perception right now, and really, again means squat), that Jeimer Candelario can net us Matt Wisler without us forking over more pieces. If it's a spare piece or two, sure. If it's giving up a Chesny Young or Ryan Williams ... I'd probably say okay. At a certain point, though, the line where it becomes too much is closer than it may seem, in my opinion.

 

They don't fit, but Jeimer Candelario would fit on the Orioles as well. Hardy's gone at some point, so Machado would move back to short. They could move Schoop to 3rd and find a 2nd baseman, or more likely, try to find a third baseman and keep Schoop at 2nd.

 

I don't think he could net Wisler. With their need for bats and their abundance of arms, I could see Candelario and Zagunis getting it done. Happ alone would do it(if not, then wow)and net us a secondary low level guy you could dream on. I do think Candelario would net Blair on his own.

[davell]

I added a few from that group. I had Jaye on the list, just forgot him. Newcombe, Beede, even Appel, I left off because I just don't see their teams selling remotely low. Crick and Stanek seem more like pen arms to me, so I stayed off them. Kuhl is good, but left him off because inter divisional and he's in their rotation currently. A couple had just got dealt, so I didn't list them again and a couple seemed a bit further away than what we'd look for in rotation depth immediately, even if they're very interesting arms otherwise. But I did add Pivetta, Morimando, and Kaminsky(with Jaye). Am definitely sure there's more out there too that'd fit my criteria that may or may not be too picky to begin with lol.

 

 

Based on what I've read, the Braves are still super high on Newcomb. My guess is he'd be more expensive than Wisler. And he's still maybe a top 100 anyway on some lists.....

[Cubswin11]

Most of these guys are secretly bullpen arms in disguise anyway.

Pitchers just horsefeathering suck, don't they

[toonsterwu]

Here's the thing ... as intriguing as Candelario is, and I like him enough (although the uneven offensive production still bothers, since he's in the upper levels), you don't deal him unless it's for a quality young arm. The problem is, I'm not sure the industry has dramatically changed their thought process on young arms in deals. Now, all we need is that one team to make a move, so generalizations here matter little. Still, outside of the Nationals bold moves this winter (I mean, Red Sox dealing Kopech in a deal for Sale makes sense, so that doesn't break any mold), and maybe Jerry DiPoto, it feels like the industry still places an extremely high premium on quality young arms.

 

Thus, I'm not absolutely convinced, in terms of generalized value (which is subjective to my perception right now, and really, again means squat), that Jeimer Candelario can net us Matt Wisler without us forking over more pieces. If it's a spare piece or two, sure. If it's giving up a Chesny Young or Ryan Williams ... I'd probably say okay. At a certain point, though, the line where it becomes too much is closer than it may seem, in my opinion.

 

They don't fit, but Jeimer Candelario would fit on the Orioles as well. Hardy's gone at some point, so Machado would move back to short. They could move Schoop to 3rd and find a 2nd baseman, or more likely, try to find a third baseman and keep Schoop at 2nd.

 

I don't think he could net Wisler. With their need for bats and their abundance of arms, I could see Candelario and Zagunis getting it done. Happ alone would do it(if not, then wow)and net us a secondary low level guy you could dream on. I do think Candelario would net Blair on his own.

 

So, trying to slice this two ways in this post -

 

From the Cubs perspective - At a certain point, trading an intriguing, young third base prospect (and while I haven't taken a peek at the rest of the minors recently, I highly doubt third base has suddenly jumped from empty to loaded) for a MLB fastball/slider young arm is intriguing. Still, Wisler is a guy who, while he had some intrigue coming up, hasn't exactly performed well enough to view as anything more than back of the rotation potential with a slim chance to be a mid-rotation arm. He simply hasn't been that good, and you can't live on prospect hype when you are past 250 MLB innings. Candelario's the type where if he gets off to a hot start, you could see him as a critical piece in a bigger deal than a guy with end of the rotation looks. Would I do Candelario for Wisler? Probably, but that's speaking in a world where I don't know what the other options are. I'm not so sure I'd do Candelario and Zagunis. I know the excitement on the system is decidedly down right now (although I like it), but the fact that we have some upper level positional asset depth is something that can't be taken for granted.

 

From the Braves perspective - This is a thin pitching ... world, with quality arms signed down early. Wisler's young, and still developing, with 4 years of control left. He's shown himself in the majors as a capable arm, but needs some fine-tuning (namely, looks like he needs some sort of changeup/splitter of sorts to keep hitters a bit more honest). Am I going to deal him straight up for Ian Happ, a good, but not elite (and it's debatable if he's "great") prospect, someone we need to see more upper level minor league sample from to get a clearer picture? The top arm left on the market is arguably Ivan Nova, and a case can be made that Matt Wisler might be better, not only in the long term, but maybe in the short term. It's possible, I wouldn't rule it out, but I'm not necessarily convinced the Braves would do it. They traded away excess arms in Whalen and Povse to take a gamble on some power. They've got enough non-MLB arms that could probably net them intriguing enough power prospects to work with. Wisler isn't Tyrell Jenkins - Wisler's shown he can pitch as a starter in the majors, whereas Jenkins really hasn't been all that intriguing since ... 2011?

 

In my mind, I run into a problem giving up more than Candelario and a quality 2nd piece for him. The team is likely to develop some question marks during the season, and I don't want to thin it out too early. To be quite honest, I don't really view the Braves as all that great of a match. They have high ceiling arms or cost-controlled young MLB starters, and are likely to demand a premium on them because they can use some depth to get some pieces here and there. I mean, they were supposedly told they could get Brad Brach for Mallex Smith as a centerpiece and passed. I really might've considered that deal from their perspective. Yes, Smith is an OF, but I think the guys they value, they place a premium on.

 

Tom is right in that a lot of the names being discussed are likely pen arms in disguise (or they haven't failed enough yet to be shifted there), but really, from a depth perspective, that's all they need. I'd be surprised if their competition for the 5th job is only some tertiary piece, though. I tend to think they'll explore a bigger move, either a Tyson Ross, a Boston or Arizona "excess guy", or someone else.

 

*not the right thread but not going to dig for a separate thread - Boston is going to be so lefty-heavy (Sale/Price/Pomeranz/Rodriguez). While the betting money is still probably Buchholz getting moved, if they move someone, I really wonder if they get the right deal for Pomeranz, if they might consider it. They could probably get a huge return on Pomeranz, but that would leave the two spots to Eduardo Rodriguez/Clay Buchholz/Steven Wright, and I'm not sure they would be that enthused. Still, it's a thought running in my mind. They could potentially replenish the system a bit as well, and perhaps get another competitor for the end of the rotation (heck ... some sort of trade with the Braves would make some sense). To be clear, I don't think we'd match up in a Pomeranz deal. Buchholz makes the most sense for the Red Sox to move on from (and for us to investigate) because that would reduce their payroll by a big chunk.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Any argument that Wisler is a better short term option than someone like Nova is a bad one. Wisler is a guy who topped out in the middle of Top 100 lists, doesn't have really dynamic stuff, and was outright bad in an extended MLB sample. And not fluky bad either, he just got hit around. He showed signs of this happening at upper levels too when he started giving up more hits and K'ing fewer hitters at AAA. The valuation for young pitchers is not linear, pitchers who appear hopeless to their current team get cast aside all the time, and the Braves especially aren't exactly chock full of opportunities for Wisler to straighten himself out. They might not even have a AAA rotation spot for him come midseason.

 

As counterintuitive as it might be to spend a paragraph tearing down Wisler, I do think he's an attractive option *because* he has little trade value. He throws strikes, he has some pedigree, and he's been durable as a pro. Maybe he's Chris Volstad, but that's why you only give up Candelario and don't guarantee Wisler even a long relief role at the MLB level, you give the new instruction a chance to take hold.