There’s already speculation about A’s rookie closer Mason Miller — MLB’s hardest thrower — being dangled at the deadline. And rival execs are split on whether the A’s would dare trade a big star who has six years to go before free agency.
“Fans in Sacramento will get to see him,” one rival exec said, predicting he’d stay an A into next season.
A second rival exec also guessed they keep Miller, who has the most pitches 102-plus mph (19), the most 100-plus (97) and nine of the 10 fastest pitches, topping at 103.7. He points out an “elite” closer should bring “a prospect package worth pursuing.”
But another rival exec envisions a bidding war that could possibly make a Miller trade irresistible: “They may want to cash in while stock is so high.”
Kenley Jansen looked like the most obvious closer trade candidate when the season began. But the Red Sox seem too good to sell.
The belief is Mike Trout hurt his left knee running in from center after an inning. After staying in and stealing a base five innings later, the pain necessitated imaging, which showed the torn meniscus.
The Angels aren’t providing a timetable yet, as they want to see how surgery goes. If the damage is average, the hope is he may only miss six weeks, but a tear could take between three and 12 weeks, depending on the extent. Not that he ever wanted to leave, but a trade for Trout seems very unlikely now.
Anthony Rendon has a Grade 2 hamstring pull (which is a tear). So don’t expect him back anytime soon.
Gerrit Cole is scheduled to throw his first bullpen Saturday, with the new target for his return “mid June.”
Jose Quintana, who’s filled in ably as Mets ace and is beloved by Mets personnel, is said happy in New York and open to a return as a free agent.
If the Mets aren’t in it, though, he and rotation mate Luis Severino could become valuable trade bait … The belief today is Pete Alonso isn’t too likely to be traded. That doesn’t mean the Mets won’t listen again, though.