After re-signing RHP Anibal Sanchez last week, the Tigers are fielding calls on both RHP Rick Porcello and LHP Drew Smyly, according to Danny Knobler of CBS Sports.
However, Knobler notes the Tigers aren’t necessarily committed to moving one or the other via trade.
Last night, Sandy Alderson told reporters while they will not replace R.A. Dickey with a “number one” pitcher, he intends to add another starting pitcher capable of winning “10-12 games.”
Michael Baron, MetsBlog.com:
Porcello had a very promising rookie season in 2009, but hasn’t been able to get on a consistent track since. He throws strikes and has historically kept the ball in the yard in his career, but he allows a lot of baserunners and pitches to a lot of contact. That results in a higher than desired pitch count in his starts with hinders his ability to consistently pitch deep into games. In addition, Porcello is arbitration eligible this winter, and so his projected salary could make him immediately overvalued, although the cost in trade might be reasonable as a result.
As for Smyly, this is a guy who relies on command and control, and he was able to do that well in his rookie campaign. He’s left-handed and primarily throws a fastball, cutter and slider. He’s a flyball pitcher and was hurt by the home run ball last year and extra base hits in general – 40 percent of the hits he allowed were for extra bases. But Smyly’s repertoire is similar to that of Jon Niese and there’s clearly some upside at a low short-term cost, making him an intriguing player to consider.
Statistics and information on Rick Porcello...
Statistics and information on Drew Smyly...
Stats: Smyly, 23, went 4-3 with a 3.99 ERA in 23 games and 18 starts for the Tigers in 2012, having allowed 93 hits, 12 home runs and 33 walks while striking out 94 in 99 1/3 innings.
Contract: Smyly is not eligible for arbitration until after the 2014 season, and cannot become a free agent until after the 2018 season.
The Phillies have agreed to sign LHP John Lannan, according to Jim Salisbury of Comcast SportsNet.
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports says Lannan will sign a one-year, $2.5 million contract.
Michael Baron, MetsBlog.com:
The Mets reportedly showed interested in Lannan during the Winter Meetings as a contingency to trading Dickey. Lannan would have been a good stopgap as the team waits for Zack Wheeler.
Last week, Adam Rubin of ESPN New York said the Mets would move Jenrry Mejia to the rotation if Dickey is traded, but I’d have to think the Mets would explore other stopgaps before making that decision, especially since there are so many unknowns with Mejia right now. However, Lannan’s deal sets a baseline for this level of the starting pitching market, and that could be an issue when looking for such a solution.
The Dodgers and Zack Greinke have agreed to a six-year, $147 million contract, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.
Greinke, 29, went 15-5 with a 3.48 ERA in 34 starts for the Brewers and Angels in 2012, having allowed 200 hits, 54 walks, and 18 home runs with 200 strikeouts in 212 1/3 innings.
Ken Gurnick of MLB.com says the Dodgers are negotiating with RHP Zack Greinke, although Dodgers GM Ned Colletti hasn’t said the two sides are close to an agreement.
Yesterday, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports said Greinke could agree to a deal within the next couple of days.
Michael Baron, MetsBlog.com:
If Greinke signs with Los Angeles, that could be the best possible outcome in terms of determining how the trade market for starting pitching unfolds. This would leave the Rangers, Angels, Red Sox, Royals and Blue Jays all looking for front-line starting pitching – most of which have rich farm systems to which teams like the Mets and Rays can choose prospects from – and there is a huge drop off on the free agent market behind Greinke. If Texas loses out on Greinke, I wonder if they will begin to aggressively pursue acquiring
R.A. Dickey. They have reportedly shown interest in Dickey as a fallback option to Greinke, and Texas has young players such as
Mike Olt who can ultimately become a “difference maker” Sandy Alderson seeks. On the other hand, if Greinke were to sign with Texas, they would likely shop
Derek Holland, adding another pitcher to the market which would increase the supply..
The Royals are pursuing a variety of starting pitchers via free agency, including Anibal Sanchez, reports Jon Morosi of FOX Sports.
Dec. 5, 10:20 pm: Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says the Royals may be at a critical stage in deciding whether or not to trade top hitting prospect Wil Myers for a starting pitcher, “such as the Rays RHP James Shields.”
The Royals won’t hesitate to deal Myers for Shields, according to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star.
Yesterday, Jayson Stark of ESPN said he spoke with an MLB executive who predicted the Royals will ultimately move top prospect Myers to dramatically improve their starting pitching.
In regards to a possible trade with the Mets involving R.A. Dickey, talks are ‘dead,’ if the Mets want Myers, Dutton reported.
Earlier today, the Royals and Rays were reportedly talking about a deal involving Myers and James Shields, but the Rays balked at Kansas City’s offer.
Matthew Cerrone, MetsBlog.com:
Dec. 4: The way I understand it, the Royals will consider trading Myers to the Mets in a deal for Niese, but there is significant competition, specifically from Tampa. The Royals want a front-line starting pitcher, because they believe they can make a run this season. They’re ready and willing to pull the trigger on a deal with Myers, but (like Dutton said) talks stop if they’re about a 38-year-old knuckleballer.
Anthony DiComo of MLB.com says Mike Pelfrey is searching strictly for a starting pitching role, and is not interested in pitching in relief.
Pelfrey has drawn interest from the Mariners, Indians, Twins, and, “others,” according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.
Pelfrey underwent Tommy John Surgery last May, and was non-tendered by the Mets last week after earning $5.7 million in 2012.
Zack Greinke could sign a new deal within a couple of days (CBS Sports).
Teams are contacting the Rangers about acquiring RHP Derek Holland, in the event he becomes available (FOX Sports).
Jim Duquette said on SiriusXM Radio the Phillies met with the agents for Mike Adams last night.
The Brewers are at an impasse in their negotiation with Ryan Dempster (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel).
Reliever Jason Grilli is closing in on a deal with an unknown team (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel).
The Rangers are working hard to acquire Justin Upton (CBS Sports), potentially in a four-team deal.
Shin-Soo Choo is still available, and the Indians are looking for long-term assets in return (CBS Sports).
The Blue Jays have made newly-acquired Emilio Bonifacio available (Cincinnati Enquirer).
Yesterday, it was reported Jason Bay was close to a deal with the Mariners, but the Indians are now the favorites to sign him (CBS Sports). Bay is going to get a guaranteed deal (CBS Sports).
Scott Hairston is currently out of the Giants price range (Comcast Sportsnet).
Michael Bourn‘s market includes the Mariners, Phillies and Rangers (CBS Sports).
The Red Sox are likely out on Nick Swisher and Cody Ross, unless they deal Jacoby Ellsbury (CBS Sports).
To read about Greinke’s and Upton’s impact on what the Mets may be trying to do, read Matthew Cerrone’s post on MetsBlog from earlier today.
Anibal Sanchez has multiple five year offers (FOX Sports), although it’s not clear who is bidding for him.
The Rangers and Dodgers are battling to sign Zack Greinke (CBS Sports).
The Red Sox are interested in Ryan Dempster (CBS Sports).
Michael Baron, MetsBlog.com:
The market for R.A. Dickey and Jon Niese could be influenced by where Greinke ends up. Everything is pointing to a marriage with the Dodgers, and that would be ideal for the Mets because the Rangers would remain in need of a front-line starting pitcher. Also, if Texas inks Josh Hamilton to a deal, reports suggest they’re less likely to sign another big free agent. The Rangers have a rich farm system, and the Mets could pit the Rangers against the Blue Jays, Royals and maybe the Red Sox, which could lead to a stronger market for Dickey and Niese.
The Dodgers are shopping Aaron Harang and Chris Capuano, signaling the possibility they are about to sign free-agent Zack Greinke (FOX Sports).
However, Jim Duquette of SiriusXM Radio said on SNY’s Mets Hot Stove tonight, Greinke remains linked to the Angels, who is the team’s first choice.
The Red Sox are seeking a short-term solution for their starting pitching, and they are willing to pay a lot of money for it (Boston Globe).
15 teams are looking for one or more starting pitchers (CBS Sports).
Michael Baron, MetsBlog.com:
15 teams? That should bode well for the Mets, who have a couple of quality starting pitchers available… There is a drop off in the free agent market after Greinke,
Kyle Lohse, and
Anibal Sanchez. Dickey could be a good option for the Red Sox. There were rumors yesterday that the Mets and Sox were discussing a deal for
Xander Bogaerts and center fielder
Jack Bradley, Jr. and – while that rumor was squashed – Boston is still in the market for an arm. I don’t see Rays giving them
James Shields or
Jeremy Hellickson, and so their trade partners may be limited at this point.
