MLB - NEWS & NOTES

MLB.com’s Jon Morosi reports that the Rangers and Nationals have had preliminary discussions about a trade involving starter Cole Hamels. Morosi notes that Hamels’ salary — the prorated remainder of his $22.5 million owed for this season plus a $20 million club option with a $9 million buyout next year — could be an impediment, as the Rangers would be expected to assume some or all of that remaining salary. Hamels also has a limited no-trade clause, but the Nationals are one of the 10 teams to which Hamels cannot block a trade.

Hamels, 34, has a 4.36 ERA with 109 strikeouts and 40 walks in 109 1/3 innings this season. He has pitched much better on the road (2.93) than at home (5.83 ERA) at the hitter-friendly Globe Life Park in Arlington. A change of scenery could do his numbers some good.

The Nationals entered play Monday with a 49-49 record, sitting in third place in the NL East behind the Phillies and Braves. The starting rotation hasn’t been as good as expected, with Tanner Roark leading the league with 12 losses. Stephen Strasburg hasn’t pitched like the ace the Nationals thought they inked to an extension in May 2016. Adding Hamels would likely push Roark to the bullpen.

This joke has probably already been made ad nauseam, so you have my apologies ahead of time. If the Nats were to acquire Hamels, he could be called “Nats King Cole.” (NBC's Hardball Talk)

 

More bad news for my fantasy team...Turner, Correa, Torres, now Sanchez back in DL again, too, and Albies hasn't played since the Friday before the AS break...I can barely field an infield at this point.

 

Dammm!

 

Phils win a marathon game of almost 6 hrs and 16 innings! phew.

 

The Red Sox have acquired right-hander Nathan Eovaldi from the Rays in exchange for minor league left-hander Jalen Beeks, the team announced Wednesday.

 

Looks like J.A.Happ is on his way out of Toronto. Details un-known at this point, but being reported by, SportsNet and MLB.com reporter...

 

i did see Toronto lowered their asking price for him...

 

CBS report the Yankees are hot on his tail. Figures. the rich get richer.

 

Strasburg to the DL...

 

that's typical too. hahahaha.

 

Astros got Martin Maldonado from the Angels.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/07/astros-to-acquire-martin-maldonado.html

 

@Feinsand

Source: Brewers getting Joakim Soria.

 

phils fans are dying to see klentak make a move. he hasn't yet. no idea what he's waiting for. Will, if you think i dislike Hextall, my hate and ire for Klentak is way deeper.

 

Yankees acquire J.A. Happ from Blue Jays...

The Yankees have acquired Blue Jays starter J.A. Happ. In return they have sent infielder Brandon Drury and outfield prospect Billy McKinney.

Happ is 10-6 on the season with a 4.18 ERA in 20 starts. While, after 12 years in the bigs, you sort of know what to expect from Happ, he has increased his strikeout rate dramatically this year, punching out 10.3 batters per nine after averaging only 7.9 for his career. His WHIP, 1.175, is at a career low as well. He has had a couple of outlier starts that have elevated his ERA, including an outing in early July against the Yankees in which he gave up six runs. He’ll be a free agent after the season after completing the three-year, $36M contract he got from the Jays before the 2016 season.

Drury the Yankees’ Opening Day third baseman, but the emergence of Miguel Andujar and Gleyber Torres, combined with Drury’s time on the disabled list due to migraines and blurred vision have limited him to just 57 plate appearances this year. Those have been forgettable, but he batted a combined .273/.323/.453 with 29 homers, 68 doubles and three triples in just under 1,000 plate appearances with the Diamondbacks in 2016-17 and he’s still just 25.

McKinney, a first rounder of the A’s in 2013, was included as a throw-in in larger trades that sent him first to the Cubs and then to the Yankees in the Aroldis Chapman deal in 2016. He’s played in two games for the Yankees and has hit 230/.294/.502 with 13 homers, eight doubles and five triples. A lot of power, not much on-base ability. Some Yankees fans may not be happy to see him go because of the power, but he really is expendable for a team in the Yankees’ position.

The Yankees improved their bullpen by picking up Zach Britton the other day. Now they bolster their rotation without having to give up all that much, truth be told. These are some nice moves. Now we’ll see if these moves right what has been, for them anyway, a rough patch in recent weeks. (NBC Hardball Talk)

 

^^that's lowering the asking price. that's really low for happ. wow.

IN OTHER NEWS -- HAMELS TRADED TO THE CUBS.

 

Judge fractures wrist, out at least 3 weeks... that's a tough break!

 

^^^ im sure they will sign someone else. their luxury tax seems invisible.

 

• Phillies land Asdrubal from Mets
• D-backs acquire doubles machine Escobar
• Sale first in Majors to reach 200-K plateau

 

The Brewers reportedly acquire 3B Mike Moustakas from the Royals... for two minor leagers, OF Brettt Phillips and Jorge Lopez. Phillips was the Brewers #10 prospect and was at AAA.