MLB Trade Rumors
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When discussing the Athletics’ 2023 rotation, general manager David Forst told reporters that reliever A.J. Puk will prepare for the season as a starter and enter spring training with a chance to earn a spot on Oakland’s staff, per Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle. Forst noted how Puk “got through a season healthy,” with the lefty only spending time on the COVID injured list during 2022.
Puk, a former first-round draft pick, threw 66 1/3 innings (62 appearances) during the 2022 season with a 3.12 ERA, a strong 27.1% strikeout rate, and an 8.2% walk rate. The 27-year-old had previously worked his way through Oakland’s minor league system as a starter but transitioned to a bullpen role in Triple-A and has yet to start a game at the major league level.
The As utilized a rotation comprised of Cole Irvin, James Kaprielian, Paul Blackburn, and Frankie Montas (before his trade to New York), but also received at least seven starts from Adam Oller, Adrian Martinez, JP Sears, Daulton Jefferies, and Ken Waldichuk. Nevertheless, Oakland’s vast staff housed the fifth-highest ERA (4.69) and sixth-lowest strikeout rate (18.3%), while allowing the third-most home runs to opposing batters (129).
In other news:
Chicago Cubs Minnesota Twins Notes Oakland Athletics
RyanD44
The Cubs best bet is to sign numerous 1-year deals, hope they all perform and put them in a position for a playoff push, and if not, flip them for more prospects.
I could see them signing one big name like Correa or Bogaerts, but realistically they are still at least 2 years away. Being in a big market, they should still post a $180m+ payroll, but with little long-term risk.
Kluber is a perfect fit for them and this plan.
Jimbob 57
We have seen2 yrs of this ,it is time to start playing for real , the fans demand better now ,the pitching prospects will start to make contributions this yr and outfielders next
RyanD44
Even if the Cubs signed Judge, Verlander and Turner (which they definitely will not) – I wouldn’t bet on them winning 90 games. They need 10-15 pieces to make this team a sound contender. They chose to hold onto their homegrown talent from 2017-2020 and now they are paying for it. It’s always better to trade a guy a year too early instead of a year too late.
Also – the fact that the Cubs are relying so heavily on pitching prospects in their system is scary. Pitching breaks down much easier than hitting does.
Go back and look at the MLB top pitching prospects each year for the last 10 years and compare to top hitting prospects. Then compare how many names you recognize vs how many names never became much of anything. Most of the never became anything will be pitchers.
RyanD44
Case in point:
Top pitching prospects from 2020 MLB list:
5. Mackenzie Gore
7. Casey Mize
8. Nate Pearson
12. Jesus Luzardo
15. Brendon McKay
19. Forest Whitley
20. Michael Kopech
22. Sixto Sanchez
24. Matt Manning
All were very highly touted, some have made somewhat of a footprint at the MLB level, but ALL have struggled with injuries.
Putting your faith in upcoming pitching prospects is a very dangerous game.
Michael Chaney
What’s interesting is that this is the exact opposite of the plan for their last rebuild, and that’s what won them a title. It would make a lot of sense to go back and reuse that strategy.
Maybe Carter Hawkins is trying to replicate what they did in Cleveland, but it would take a few years to establish a development pipeline like that and honestly what the Guardians do shouldn’t really be expected of anyone because it’s almost extraordinary what they do there. So, in short, trying that same strategy elsewhere is risky.
RyanD44
I do love how Cleveland seems to constantly churn out good pitching. I think Cubs personnel has changed their approach to how they see hitters as well. They are now more interested in guys that can put the ball in play like Hoerner, Madrigal, Suzuki. They had way too many guys that struck out way too much in Bryant, Baez, Schwarber, etc.
In general though based on history, I’d rather put my development efforts in the hitting and spend on pitching. Pitching is very volatile.
Unclemike1526
That’s why the Cubs hired Carter Hawkins from Cleveland to be GM. That’s why his first draft they drafted 16 P’s out of 20 picks this year. The Cubs have a ton of pitching prospects now and have finally figured out that if you have pitching, and covet pitching, You can trade for whatever you want. They are like gold. Even if the Cubs have a few P’s get injured they have a lot more to turn to. The Epstein approach was draft hitters. Then they had to trade 2 or 3 to get one P and the next thing you know, no more prospects. The Tampa-Cleveland approach is trade one P for 3 guys when they’re not arbitration eligible anymore. It’s a winning formula.
Dock_Elvis
At this point in time the union would scream bloody murder if a team of the Cubs market and means tanked. Public perception of tanking is shifting..many list it as one of the negative aspects of their enjoyment of the game.
Rick Pernell
If you are signing players to 1 year deals, how can you flip them? If they are paying off you would keep them and if they aren’t paying off no body would want them.
Think then write
RyanD44
Ehhh what? The Cubs just did it this past season. David Robertson – signed a 1 year deal, they flipped him for prospect Ben Brown. He’s the Cubs #7 prospect now.
Remember that Jake Arrieta guy? The Cubs sign Scott Feldman and flipped Feldman that same year at the deadline for Arrieta.
Sooo maybe you should: research, think, then write. I swear 95% of the people that comment on here have never watched more than a game or two of baseball.
riffraff
ryan – more like 95% just like the chance to be obnoxious, condescending , belittling and just a d**k because it is anonymous and they could never do it in real life.
RyanD44
Haha so true – I call those people “Keyboard Warriors.” Real tough behind a keyboard, but never say a word in real life.
pbfog
I’m mean, that’s you.
RyanD44
If someone is adding actual context that is based on logical opinion or fact, that’s great. If they are just blurting out stupidity or being a jerk to be a jerk, then that’s just a waste of everyone’s time.
Murphy NFLD
I’m not a Cubs fan but I agree here. Make a rule 5 pick, scoop some guys on waivers from the top 5 contenders, and sign 2-4 1yr deal guys to flip
Joe says…
I’d like for the Yankees to sign Britton.
fre5hwind
Better than Chapman at least.
deweybelongsinthehall
Red Sox should be all over Britton. Huge gamble but given their situation and desire to use a Whitlock and Houck as starters (I’d use Whitlock as my late inning fireman and Houck as the closer), a huge risk like this could make a huge difference. If he stays healthy (big if), either he helps put the team back in the playoffs or he becomes the key reliever many are looking for at the deadline. His cost should be heavily incentive based so it should only be costly towards the cap if stays healthy
Joe says…
I don’t think it’s much of a gamble. I’m guessing about 3 to 4 million for him with no incentives needed. The Yankees and the Sox can both easily afford that.
deweybelongsinthehall
I could be wrong but I’m thinking that as the base with incentives more than doubling his pay if he returns to form. His ceiling based on his track record is at the top of the reliever market. But the chances of him remaining healthy are towards the bottom of that same market. Also, Boston will have to offer more than the Yankees for him to move. I expect he’ll remain with the Yankees but the Sox should be in on him.
Captain Dunsel
The Phillies have an opening for a replacement Zack
Bart Harley Jarvis
Cap’n D,
The Phillies have a need for a replacement ’Zach’, which is the rarer of the two and much more difficult to unearth.
thecoffinnail
Sad to see so many Yankee prospects making starts for another team all in the same year. It’s even sadder to think of the production they got in return for them. Gray and Montas never should have been brought in. Still baffled as to why Cashman wanted Montas, when the A’s made Manaea available last offseason Cashman should have pounced. He is Taylor made for Yankee stadium and has the stats to prove it. Small sample size I know but pitchers only make 30-32 starts a year if they stay healthy. Pretty hard to get a large sample size against a team out of their division. Hopefully Cashman fixes that mistake and signs him this offseason. Then he can trade Montas for prospects to replace the ones he gave away to the A’s for him. Waldichuck and Kaprielian can become top of rotation starters if they can stay healthy. If Medina ever finds his control he could easily be the next Chapman. I wish Cashman would fall in love with some of his pitching prospects and try to develop them instead of seeming to find “the best swing in our system” every year. Bird, Torres and Clint Frazier were all given that praise from him while pitchers like Sears and the above mentioned get traded and pitchers like Kanhle and Whitlock get given away in the rule 5 so he can protect a 3rd or 4th SS in AA that can’t hit.
highheat
Your pain will never compare to giving up Sandy Alcantara and Zac Gallen for Marcell Ozuna.
DefensiveIndifference
Crazy to think if Oscar Taveras doesn’t just up and randomly die in a car crash, that deal never happens. RIP
miltpappas
I’d like to see the O’s bring him back for a year.
C Yards Jeff
Reunites with Buck in Queens.
A’sfaninUK
Ok, everyone can take Puk out of their trade offers, this pretty much seals it, he’s off the table.
ruff kuntry
Mid season trade candidate.
A’sfaninUK
lmao
ruff kuntry
Nice to see Puk being stretched out as a starter again. I thought they might use him as a closer. Sears will probably be used as a swing man while the rotation will look like Blackburn, Irvin, Kaprielian, Puk, and Waldichuk.
A’sfaninUK
I wouldn’t set the A’s 2023 rotation on Dec 4 2022, cmon man arent you an A’s fan? We do the same thing every year you should know the deal by now lol
Puk is the only one we can assume will be there.
ruff kuntry
It’s 5 December where I live, but what are you saying? They’ll sign some FA SP or trade Irvin and Blackburn?
Capi
Doesn’t have to be one way or the other… Could be a mix of both like they did last year.
ruff kuntry
Like last year? Who was this guy they signed? Because I don’t remember them signing a SP. The trades they did were different cases. Manaea and Bassitt had value, particularly the latter, and were nearing free agency. Irvin and Blackburn are still cheap having several years of control left and honestly don’t have that much value. Blackburn might have a lot of value if he didn’t get hurt last season.
A’sfaninUK
Yes, the odds Irvin, Blackburn, Kaprelian or even Sears are on the team next year should be at 50% in all A’s fans minds lol
’23 rotation might be Puk and 4 guys not currently in the org!
A’sfaninUK
@ruff – technically Cole Irvin was the FA sign.
ruff kuntry
Irvin was picked up before the ‘21 season, not last season.
Also, if you think he and Blackburn have a lot of value, you’re kidding yourself. Irvin had an ok season in ‘22 but no team would offer a good trade for a innings eating fínese pitcher whose only ok. Blackburn was having a great season and could have had a lot of value if he didn’t get hurt but agajn, No team will offer a good trade for a fínese pitcher who has a injury history and only one half a season of dominance over a 6 year MLB career.
luca brasi
Forst did not say that Puk was going to be competing for a starters role next season. What he said, was that Puk’s role for next season was TBD.
NineChampionships
The last 2-3 years we all knew Montas/Manaea/Bassitt were going to be there. I think we can safely assume that Blackburn/Irvin/Kap will be there. It’s the other two spots where any of Puk/AMart/Sears/Waldy could be starting. Not to mention guys like Miller/Harris/Croswell who could be knocking on the door by mid-season.
A’sfaninUK
“I think we can safely assume that Blackburn/Irvin/Kap will be there.” – how can an A’s fan say this? Bro, do you know your own team? Those 3 SP have trade value and the A’s have higher ceiling prospects nearing readiness. We 100% cannot “safely assume” this!
If anyone wants any of those SP, especially in a Murphy trade, they’re goners.
NineChampionships
I think the earliest you could see Blackburn or Irvin moved is the trade deadline. Kap, with 5yrs of club control remaining is not going anywhere for 2+ years imo.
It’s a nice problem to have but one that doesn’t immediately need to be addressed.
Next offseason will be more interesting because that’s when we could start to see a real logjam in the rotation.
Lefty_Orioles_Fan
I would be interested in a Britton and Orioles reunion
sliderwithcheeze
Kluber has never played for a land animal team. I’m not saying the Cubs couldn’t make it work, but there is risk involved.
beboplar
Buyer beware.
Carver Andrews
As a Phils fan, I am still trying to figure out how Cole Irvin turned into a solid and dependable back of the rotation arm. I just didn’t think the stuff was going to play well enough for him to be more than a AAAA depth option.
NineChampionships
Coliseum can do that for a pitcher.
Carver Andrews
Agreed…the home factor is a big deal. But the kid has also grown a bit. He actually has a shot at hanging around the league for long enough to make a little money along the way if he stays healthy..
A’sfaninUK
One thing the A’s always do well is rescue pitchers in need of one minor tweak or just experience. Irvin is one of many they currently have: Zach Jackson, Sam Moll, Tyler Cyr and Domingo Acevedo all are in the same boat.
DarkSide830
Did you ever see his Minors stats? This team has a poor history of actually developing the good talent they have.
MPrck
JUDGE SIGNS WITH THE METS !!!!!!!………………….WOW.
Cincyfan85
Baltimore should bring Britton back.
DefensiveIndifference
I would like my Cards to snag Britton. Wonder if he’s open to setting up for Helsley?
whyhayzee
“Nevertheless, Oakland’s vast staff housed the fifth-highest ERA (4.69) and sixth-lowest strikeout rate (18.3%), while allowing the third-most home runs to opposing batters (129).”
As opposed to all those other teams that used a “vast” staff and got good results?
If you’re using a lot of pitchers, THAT’S NOT A GOOD SIGN!!!
Baldkid
Can someone please trade for Pagan!?!? What is a realistic return the Twins could expect?
ohyeadam
Enough sour cream and onion flavored Old Dutch potato chips the Pohlads will never go hungry
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Pitching Notes: Puk, Kluber, Pagan, Britton – MLB Trade Rumors
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