They basically are a AAA team minus Stanton and Yelich

Regardless of that trade, the Marlins are a AAA team.

It makes them more attractive to a prospective buyer.

Maybe so. But, man, that would be up there with the all time one sided trades. I guess Cuthbert could develop into something but I'm amongst the folks who thinks he basically will be a glorified JAG.

My hope would be that you don't need as much pen if Cahill is solid as the fifth starter, allowing them to carry another position player.

They're in a good spot on position players because of how flexible Merrifield, Torres, and even Moss are, but still, 14 pitchers is too many.

Re: Cuthbert, they're going to milk his rehab assignment as long as possible to delay a decision. When that's over, he will be back with the MLB club, and I think we see the staff consolidated to:

Duffy, Vargas, Kennedy, hammel, Cahill

Herrera, Soria, Minor, Maurer, Buchter, Alexander, Moylan, Feliz.

Flynn can be optioned, I believe.

BTW, really like the depth of that pen if Herrera continues to right the ship. Good combination of strikeout guys and groundball guys.


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@JonHeyman: even after acquiring cahill, royals are looking around for another starter. cahill's been effective as swing man in past, could go to pen.

Ha, Cahill to the pen. That's about a 0% probability.



Can't believe Buster Heyman still has a job.

That's really interesting and makes me wonder if they're willing to move Hammel as part of that deal.

They have an awful lot of bullpen arms, not sure how they make room for Cahill down there, too.

I do like the creativity displayed in that deal with the Padres. Unconventional approach, and because they get two controllable bullpen pieces back (Buchter isn't even arb eligible yet), as well as a cheap Cahill, even paying down Wood's salary is a somewhat even proposition when compared with bringing on a higher-price piece.


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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Ned Yost said &quot;for now&quot; last night when asked if Cahill would slot in as the five. That wording intrigued me. <a href="https://t.co/e9HLPlXQuI">https://t.co/e9HLPlXQuI</a></p>&mdash; David Lesky (@DBLesky) <a href="https://twitter.com/DBLesky/status/889818908919726080">July 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Or I wonder if they're looking for depth, perhaps concerned about ... Vargas? And his workload coming off TJ?

There was a report a week or so ago, can't remember from where, that said the Royals were looking at "two starting pitchers," which I thought odd at the time.

Just to remind you of the good times....
http://cache3.asset-cache.net/xr/345...D9FEBE2799A7B6
http://cache1.asset-cache.net/xr/345...A4766283144871

It's actually not that terrible of an idea, even though on the surface gives that 'huh?' reaction.

Cuthbert is cheap, cost-controlled for a few years and has shown the ability to be successful at the Major League level when given regular playing time. Also, has been working a lot at second base, which helps with positional flexibility.

Dee Gordon makes, what, $9-$10 million a year for at least 3-4 more years. The Marlins are looking to shed payroll before they sell the team. If they trade Gordon, they're going to want the team trading for him to absorb most, if not all that contract. That reduces the prospect haul significantly.

I think Cuthbert and another prospect pitcher (not Staumont, Griffin or anyone like that) could get that deal done.

Now, if you're the Royals and make this trade, you have to have a plan for third base going forward. Maybe Dayton really is going to make a significant push to re-sign Moose? Or you move Dozier back to 3B to see if he can stick there next season? Or you look at another cheap FA 3B option in off-season.

I know the offense has been a little better lately but, man, would that lineup look scary with Gordon at the top alongside Whit. Gordon would obviously start at second, rotate Whit to the outfield. He could start in RF and could also sub in LF to give Gordon a day off occasionally, or to cover Gordon when he moves to CF to give Cain a day off. And you obviously still have Whit's positional flexibility to use in case of injury, etc. Boni would probably be the regular DH, with Moss getting occasional starts, based on matchups. If Boni struggles, you can platoon them or role reverse (ride the 'hotter' DH bat, so to speak). The lineup would be stacked top to bottom with a huge speed threat at the top.

But, of course, all this is based on Glass' willingness to absorb more payroll.

Don't know if he is willing to take on a Dee Gordon at this point . . . .

I hope they move Hammel. He's an effort guy, no doubt. However, you can't throw a guy out there in a playoff race who maxes out at 5 innings.

For sure. Don't get me wrong, I would be ecstatic if we pulled off this move.

The 2014 Royals say 'hello'. :D

I am actually one of the few guys who like Hammel. He has been much better over the last couple months. He frustrates the hell out of me sometimes, but he is a very max effort guy, as mentioned.

I thought he was going along fine last night and would have gotten out of the 6th if given the opportunity. He has excelled all year in getting out of situations with runners is scoring position, one of the best in baseball, actually.

Yes, I know he struggles 3rd time through the order and I certainly wouldn't have sent him out again for 7th, if he got out of sixth, but his inning wasn't that bad. He struck out Upton after the first two got on. He gave up the ground ball RBI single to Cabrera, which had it been just a tad more to the 3rd base side, its an inning ending double play to Moose. Then he gets Castellanos on the soft grounder. I think he could have gotten Victor, but Ned wanted to turn him around to the right side to hit, so he went and brought in Alexander. Oddly enough, Alexanders splits are much better against righties than lefties this year. And he is a guy you bring in when you want a ground ball. They didn't need a ground ball there, they just needed an out. Doesn't matter how you get it.

Apparently, Hammel was pissed at Ned in the dugout afterwards and they had some words, presumably about just that. I could see why that 'pull' from Ned there didn't sit with Hammel. I thought he just had some bad luck that inning. He didn't look 'taxed' or like he was out of gas . . . . .