MLB Rumors: Is Justin Verlander on the outs with the Mets?
There isn't much indication right now that the New York Mets will trade away Justin Verlander. If anything, Steve Cohen would like to retool around this core — which includes JV and Max Scherzer — with an eye towards 2024. However, so much can change in just one night.
Verlander opened the second half for the Mets on Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. It did not go well, as he walked six batters in an eventual 6-0 loss to the Dodgers. Fans were not thrilled, and booed JV as he walked off the mound.
Overall, that's not a horrible stat line from Verlander. Though he could have been better, New York gave him no run support, which surely didn't help matters. The Mets started the second half the same way they ended most games in the first half — on the losing end.
"It sucks," Verlander said. "This was not a good game of baseball in any facet. But that doesn't mean that we can't go on a roll. We played good baseball going into the break and I'll be damned if one game is going to be the thing that says we sure can't go on. That's not it."
Verlander's optimism is admirable, but it's also not realistic. Steve Cohen has made it clear he's unhappy with how this team is currently performing, and should it continue, radical changes are not out of the realm of possibility.
MLB Rumors: Pirates are lacking at the catcher position
April and early May were a long, long time ago for Pittsburgh Pirates fans. This team started red-hot, a shocking 20-8 in fact, but has since come crashing back down to earth. Another loss on Friday night to start the second half, this time to the San Francisco Giants, has fans wondering why some of the system's most major league-ready prospects are still sitting in the minors.
Austin Hedges was among the team's few free agent signings this past offseason. While his pitch framing and handling of the staff has been admirable at times, he and Jason Delay have provided virtually nothing with the bat in their hands. A change is needed, and it will not come in the form of Henry Davis, who has oddly spent most of his time in the outfield since being called up to the big leagues.
Endy Rodriguez, who is playing catcher for the Pirates Triple-A team in Indianapolis right now, has been solid all season long and is the No. 3 prospect in the system. At 23 years old, he's likely to receive a call-up soon, but by then it will likely be too late for Pittsburgh to make any noise in the NL Central.
It should be noted that Endy Rodriguez hit a grand slam last night.
Catcher remains the biggest point of frustration for Pirates fans, who would prefer just to see their best major-league product on the field. No, Pittsburgh isn't expected to compete until 2024 or 2025, but continuing to roll out a lineup featuring Hedges or Delay is downright disastrous, and just asking to lose ballgames.
MLB Rumors: Cardinals have a roadblock with Logan Gilbert
The St. Louis Cardinals identified Logan Gilbert, among other starting pitchers, as a player they would be interested in acquiring as they look to retool for 2024. Gilbert is just 26 years old and highly valued by the Seattle Mariners.
That creates a roadblock for St. Louis. Gilbert has performed well this season — he has a 3.66 ERA in 18 starts. For the Cards, acquiring Gilbert as a top-tier starting pitcher sounds great. The question remains if they have the assets to acquire him, though. MLB Trade Rumors outlined Gilbert's case as one of the better young starters in baseball:
"To be clear, there's no indication that the Mariners have any inclination towards trading Gilbert, but it's entirely understandable why the Cards would be interested. The 26-year-old Gilbert has made 74 starts to this point in his career, posting a 3.75 ERA with a 24% strikeout rate, 5.7% walk rate and 36.9% ground ball rate. He's right in line with those figures this year, having a 3.66 ERA with similar peripherals in 18 starts."
To acquire a pitcher the caliber of Gilbert, the Cards may have to make a tough decision. Tyler O'Neill and Dylan Carlson should be available. Jordan Montgomery and Jack Flaherty will be free agents following this season, as well. Yet, Gilbert has several years of arbitration left on his deal. St. Louis' best chance at acquiring him would be to package some of those stars, or trade away someone who has yet to be named, like a Brendan Donovan type (as unlikely as that trade may sound).
The Cards interest in Gilbert does give us some insight as to the profile of a pitcher they would be interested in, though. St. Louis wants young, controllable assets, but players who are proven at the major-league level who can step in right away. Gilbert fits that mix, as to many others. They aren't easy to pry away from opposing teams, however.