BD Hot Stove: Nolasco, No Greinke, No Pitching | Baseball Digest

BD Hot Stove: Nolasco, No Greinke, No Pitching | Baseball Digest

Available pitching got even slimmer over the weekend with the trade of Zack Greinke and the announcement that the Florida Marlins had come to terms with Ricky Nolascoon a three year contract. Nolasco wasn’t eligible for free agency, but the Marlins were having trouble locking him up and were taking calls on possible trades. The $26.5M deal eliminates the last two years of Nolasco’s arbitration eligibility and his first possible year of free agency.

Back to Greinke for a moment. Per the NY Post’s Joel Sherman, the Royals reportedly offered Greinke to the Yankees in return for Jesus Montero, Eduardo Nunez, and either Dellin Betances or Manny Banuelos. A very steep price that GM Brian Cashman was not willing to give up for only two guaranteed years of Greinke.

Another pitcher who may or may not be back is Andy Pettitte, who’s decision making skills seem to be right up there with Brett Favre’s. At least he’s not making daily/weekly pronouncements. With the Yankees pitching so up in the air, how long until Cashman takes the Royals asking price to Seattle in a Hail Mary attempt for Felix Hernandez?

Rumors, News, and Transactions

The Braves have re-signed outfielder Rick Ankiel to a one year, $1.5M deal.

The Brewers are bringing back infielder Craig Counsell for another year.

The Twins added to their depth, signing former Braves prospect Chuck James to a minor league deal.

Since George Steinbrenner took over the team, the Yankees always have had a penchant for bringing guys back a second time. Add reliever Luis Vizcaino to that list. He was inked to a minor league deal.

The Indians dealt Austin Kearns to the Yankees at the trade deadline, but have brought the free agent back with a one year, $1.3M deal.

The World Champion Giants inked veteran reliever Guillermo Mota to a minor league deal.

The Rangers added some depth by signing a trio of veterans. Outfielder Endy Chavez, pitcher Seth McClung, and infielder Brian Barden all got minor league deals and major league invitations.

CC and Yankees Storm Past M's

The weather didn't look promising for a ball game today, but good things happen when CC Sabathia toes the rubber at Yankee Stadium. The big man's outing was cut to six innings by a rain delay, but Robinson Cano and the Yankees rained on the Seattle Mariners' parade 10-0.

Sabathia improved to 17-5 and 10-0, 2.46 at Yankee Stadium this season. Austin Kearns snapped a scoreless tie when he hit a solo home run off Luke French in the 4th and inning later the Yankees' MVP busted the game open.

Cano, also a front-runner for league MVP, smacked his second grand slam of the season in the 5th for a 5-0 lead. "Don'tcha know" was done though. The one time monumental failure with the bases juiced, came up again with the sacks full the very next inning and delivered again. This time with a 2-run single for an 8-0 lead. For the season, Cano has delivered 21 RBI and is 8-13 (.615) with the bases loaded.

Sabathia meanwhile limited the M's to three hits and struck out eight while not walking a batter. The left-hander is 13-2 since June 1.

Notes

On the 49th anniversary of Roger Maris become the first major leaguer to reach 50 home runs in August, Jorge Posada also homered. It was Sado's 258 career home run in Pinstripes, one behind Alex Rodriguez. Oddly the team is 12-0 without A-Rod this year.

Derek Jeter picked up career hit 2,891. He scored his 1,662 run, which put him 14 runs behind Mickey Mantle for 3rd place on the franchise list. The Captain's 930th walk placed him 4 back of Roy White for 6th on the team top 10.

Austin Kearns has been an afterthought compared to the acquisitions of Lance Berkman and Kerry Wood, but the outfielder has quietly and successfully gone about his business. With a 1-4 day today he's 14-41 (.341) with 2 HR, 6 RBI, 3 doubles, and a .989 OPS.

Kearns Added to Bench

A minor move for bench strength tonight- Brian Cashman acquired outfielder Austin Kearns from the Cleveland Indians for the proverbial player to be named later.

Kearns has done a decent job for the Tribe this season as a semi-regular. He's never been the player he was hyped to be when he was in the Cincinnati Reds organization, but he gives the Yankees another right-handed bat off the bench. He should see some at-bats in place of Curtis Granderson or Lance Berkman against left-handers.