Let’s see if we can crank out a Lukewarm stove without anything getting stale too quickly. In fact, yeah, let’s make this a short one just to catch up.
José Berríos
Now that Max Scherzer has been traded to the Padres Dodgers, the Twins are front and center with José Berríos. Unlike, say, Zach Davies, Berríos comes with an addition year of team can control and can more confidently slot in near the front of a team’s rotation. Davies still has value, but it’s certainly going to be less than Berríos. Jayson Stark reports that the Padres, Rays, Mets, and Twins are all still talking about Berríos, but when a pitcher comes with that extra control, it’s difficult to narrow the field. In any case, after the failed Scherzer pursuit, the Padres are obviously a team worth watching and we know the Mets are looking to add to the rotation, so for now, those would be my speculative front-runners, if I had to guess.
Berríos is scheduled to start today, by the way. So that’s exciting.
As a reminder, the Twins have other available pitchers that likely provide more equal competition to Zach Davies.
Now that Scherzer's situation has been settled, the Twins are the center of the starting pitching market w/ Jose Berríos, Michael Pineda & J.A. Happ all available. Interest level from suitors has grown since last night, most notably for Berríos, who is under control through 2022.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 30, 2021
Cardinals Scouring for SPs
The Cardinals are searching high and low for a starting pitcher they can acquire, having reportedly called the Twins for Berríos, before finding the price too high and pivoting to Michael Pineda. Likewise, the Cardinals have reportedly asked the Rangers about Kyle Gibson and were presumably exploring Alex Cobb, if I’m reading Derrick Goold correctly, as well.
Needless to say, they’re not selling. They could be buying. And they’re likely looking for a starting pitcher in a market starved for it. I hope they waste some resources.
Red Sox Too
Well, I didn’t have the Red Sox on my radar for a starter, but they’re reportedly talking to the Rangers about Kyle Gibson, which puts them in play for all sorts of starters. Gibson was once considered one of then best starting pitcher targets, but he’s struggled quite abit lately, including an 8-walk performance his last time out … which followed an 8-ER performance the time before that.
The #RedSox have spoken about a Kyle Gibson trade with the #Rangers, source confirms. Gibson still is being discussed with multiple teams. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 30, 2021
Odds and Ends:
• The asking price on Kris Bryant reportedly “remains high” as clubs wait to see if the price drops before the deadline. Meanwhile, the Cubs are sorting through “plenty of offers” for Craig Kimbrel, which tracks with the report from this morning that they’re talking to as many as 10 teams.
• Always a trade rumor, never a trade.
Rival teams expect Whit Merrifield to remain with #Royals today unless KC is overwhelmed by an offer. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 30, 2021
• I’m fascinated to see if Byron Buxton is actually moved at the deadline. My guess is no, but after they failed to extend him, who knows? What a prize that would be. Injuries or not.
As you would expect, once Scherzer was off board, the chase for #Twins ace Jose Berrios intensified as best SP left in market. Question is how deep do #Twins go? Pineda is in walk year? Maeda? Buxton? Heard Minny continues to listen and not close doors.
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 30, 2021
• Ken Rosenthal rounds up the latest on MLB Network, including a discussion about the Cubs remaining trade candidates (Bryant, Kimbrel, Davies, Javy Baez). The Giants and Mets are named, specifically, on Kris Bryant. And the Mets are connected to Baez, Bryant, and Davies.
Who might be most active today? @Ken_Rosenthal on the clubs to 👀!#MLBCentral I #TradeDeadline pic.twitter.com/bw807OIpjc
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 30, 2021