Mack's Morning Report - Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Mike Trout

Good morning.

Detroit Tigers –

            The Tigers announced this past Friday that, if the team doesn’t get it’s shite together by the end of June, ‘all veterans will be up for sale or deals’.

           

Hmm…

            What do we have here (stats as of 5-26)?

SP Justin Verlander – $28mil/yr., 2018-19 – The Tigers are the only team this guy has ever pitched for so it’s hard to believe they would trade him off. Playing this year as a 34-year old. 2017 stats so far: 10-starts, 4-3, 4.87, 1.41, 61-IP, 58-K. Signed a 5-year, $140mil extension for the 2015-19 seasons. A true star of this game whose best years are behind him.

1B Miquel Cabrera - $30mil/yr., 2018-19-20-21-22-23 – Like Verlander, a true star of this game that not only has his best years behind him but will have $180mil still owed to him after the 2017 season. Has had a tough year this season, suffering from groin, back, and oblique injuries.

LF Justin Upton – $22.125/yr., 2018-19-20-21 – Signed a 6-year, $132.75mil contract with the Tigers. Playing 2017 as a 29-year old. Has been a 25/80 for many years, but is basically a .250 hitter.

SP Jordan Zimmerman - $24mil/2018, $25mil/2019-20 – playing 2017 as a 31/year old – 9-starts, 4-3, 5.86, 1.54 – Zimmerman has never had the kind of success he had in Washington after signing a 5-year, $110mil free agency contract with the Tigers. Has had neck and groin issues in the past.

DH Victor Martinez – $18mil/2018 – Playing 2017 at 38 years old. Not a catcher anymore and reduced to a DH role. Basically no future in the National League.

Anybody wet your whistle here?



Pitcher Adam Wilk has been assigned to AAA-Rochester (Twins).

Giants Amon Men by Frank Deford

Boston Red Sox -

In the event left-hander David Price falters this year in his return from elbow problems, the playoff-contending Red Sox will be forced to scour the trade market to bolster their rotation, observes Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald

I know I keep bringing this up, but wouldn’t this be a good time to consider dealing off under-performing Matt Harvey for a couple of prime prospect?

Consider two of these four from  John Sickels :

Rafael Devers, 3B, Grade A-: Age 20, signed for $1,500,000 out of Dominican Republic in 2013; hit .282/.335/.444 with 32 doubles, 11 homers, 18 steals in 503 at-bats in High-A; left-handed bat with 60-grade raw power and excellent bat speed, steadily gaining command of the strike zone although not likely to be a walk machine; doesn’t have Benintendi’s polish but has more pure power projection; despite past doubts about his glove at third base, his defensive stats are strong with improving reliability and above-average range; scouting reports are now catching up with the defensive numbers and his reputation for defense is improving; ETA 2019.

Bobby Dalbec, 3B, Grade B-: Age 21, fourth round pick in 2016 from University of Arizona; hit stunning .386/.427/.674 in 132 at-bats in New York-Penn League with nine walks, 33 strikeouts; 60-grade power at least, maybe more; also has strong throwing arm; impatient hitter and seems unlikely to maintain that kind of batting average at higher levels, though he did show more polish in pro ball than he did in college; third base defensive profile but glove is raw at present; there is star potential in this bat but we need to see how approach works at higher levels before going with higher grade. ETA late 2019.

Marco Hernandez, INF, Grade B-: Age 24, originally signed by Cubs out of Dominican Republic, traded to Red Sox in 2014; hit .309/.343/.444 in 223 at-bats in Triple-A then .294/.357.373 in 51 major league at-bats spread over five separate recalls in ’16; has hit very well for two years, with a .305/.330/.454 mark in Double-A/Triple-A in ’15; line drive hitter with doubles power can surprise with his pop; tools fit best at second base but workable at other positions; projects as super-utility type with better-than-normal bat in the role; doesn’t get as much attention as other Boston prospects but should not be under-estimated. ETA 2017.

Kyle Martin, RHP, Grade C+: Age 25, one of several arms ready for MLB bullpen trial; posted 3.38 ERA with 78/21 K/BB in 67 innings in Triple-A; fastball 91-94 with peaks at 96; excellent change-up is strikeout pitch even when hitters expect it; slider is less impressive; can be solid middle relief arm if command holds. ETA 2017.

Los Angeles Angels  -

              Staying with the same theme, the loss of CF Mike Trout could cause the Angels to look for a veteran fill-in until baseball’s best centerfielder returns in around two months. This could open an opportunity for the Mets to deal off Curtis Granderson for an agreement where the Angels would pay at least half of the remaining monies due to Grandy and the purchase of one prospect from the Angels pipeline.

              Some names to mull over (research once again supplied by John Sickels  –

Taylor Ward, C, Grade C+: Age 23, first round pick in 2015 from Fresno State; hit .249/.323/.337 with 10 homers, 48 walks, 81 strikeouts in 466 at-bats in High-A; effective against runners (38% caught) and makes few errors but still vulnerable to passed balls; has made progress with receiving but more is needed, though in the long run I am confident in his glove; can take a walk but isolated power production was disappointing especially for the Cal League; will get to majors due to defense but role will depend on bat. ETA late 2018.

Keynan Middleton, RHP, Grade C+: Age 23, third round pick in 2013 from Lane Community College; posted 3.41 ERA with 88/28 K/BB in 66 innings at High-A, Double-A, Triple-A; converted starter worked well in relief, showing improve fastball up to 98-100 MPH and a good (if erratic) slider; doesn’t use change-up much in pen and ready for a trial. ETA 2017.

Grayson Long, RHP, Grade C+: Age 22, third round pick in 2015 from Texas A&M; posted 3.18 ERA in 65 innings between Low-A, High-A, and rookie ball injury rehab with 70/25 K/BB, 54 hits; low-90s fastball with solid-average slider and change-up, command can be inconsistent but he has stretches where he locates very well; stereotypical number four/five starter but might be more dominant per-inning if moved to bullpen. ETA 2019.

Mike Lupica on David Wright