Too early to start talking about deadline targets?
I think we clearly have to add a SP, right? It's nice that Elder isn't the worst pitcher in the majors anymore, but he should not be relied on to be anything more than your basic #5 pitcher. AJSS is a rotation mainstay from here on out, imo, but he's still a little too inconsistent to rely on down the stretch. Everyone else in the rotation has innings limits/injury concerns. And I don't think you can count on Lopez coming back and providing the same level of production that he gave us last year.
It's hard to know who will be buyers and sellers right now, but here are some names we should have interest in from teams currently unlikely to reach the playoffs:
Twins pitchers: Take your pick here. Pablo Lopez is everyone's favorite, but they have 3-4 other guys with great stuff. But be prepared to pay, as all of these guys have multiple years on control. We likely aren't getting any of them without giving up Baldwin or AJSS at a minimum.
Toronto, Chris Bassitt: 2.95 ERA/2.93 FIP. 9.8 K/9 and a 1.6 BB/9. Free agent at the end of the year.
Baltimore, Zach Eflin: 3.00 ERA/3.97 FIP. Only 3 starts so far but he's due back in the next week or so. A mid rotation pitcher that can pitch like a No. 2 at times. Free agent at the end of the year.
Pitt, Andrew Heaney: 3.18 ERA/ 3.81 FIP. Mid Rotation starter, on pace for a career year. Free agent at the end of the year.
I think we clearly have to add a SP, right? It's nice that Elder isn't the worst pitcher in the majors anymore, but he should not be relied on to be anything more than your basic #5 pitcher. AJSS is a rotation mainstay from here on out, imo, but he's still a little too inconsistent to rely on down the stretch. Everyone else in the rotation has innings limits/injury concerns. And I don't think you can count on Lopez coming back and providing the same level of production that he gave us last year.
It's hard to know who will be buyers and sellers right now, but here are some names we should have interest in from teams currently unlikely to reach the playoffs:
Twins pitchers: Take your pick here. Pablo Lopez is everyone's favorite, but they have 3-4 other guys with great stuff. But be prepared to pay, as all of these guys have multiple years on control. We likely aren't getting any of them without giving up Baldwin or AJSS at a minimum.
Toronto, Chris Bassitt: 2.95 ERA/2.93 FIP. 9.8 K/9 and a 1.6 BB/9. Free agent at the end of the year.
Baltimore, Zach Eflin: 3.00 ERA/3.97 FIP. Only 3 starts so far but he's due back in the next week or so. A mid rotation pitcher that can pitch like a No. 2 at times. Free agent at the end of the year.
Pitt, Andrew Heaney: 3.18 ERA/ 3.81 FIP. Mid Rotation starter, on pace for a career year. Free agent at the end of the year.
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