With Thursday's trade deadline approaching, two candidates to be dealt, Bartolo Colon and A.J. Burnett, squared off against each other as the Mets and Phillies battled in New York on Monday night.
MLB news: Bartolo Colon and A.J. Burnett duel, Royals and Blue Jays make a deal
Trade targets Bartolo Colon and A.J. Burnett faced off in New York with scouts in the stands, while the Royals and Blue Jays agree on a three-player trade.
Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
According to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports, multiple teams had scouts in attendance, with the Blue Jays, Cardinals, Pirates, and Braves all keeping tabs on the two right-handers.
Colon likely helped his trade value, as the 41-year-old held the Phillies scoreless over 7 ⅔ innings, scattering 10 hits and striking out six batters. Although Mets GM Sandy Alderson said he doubts the Mets will make a deal before the deadline, Colon still remains a possibility for any team in need of rotation depth. The Mets could also deal Colon in August given that he is owed $11 million in 2015 and will likely pass through waivers.
Burnett, on the other hand, didn't impress, lasting just five innings and surrendering eight hits and seven runs. The veteran righty has been linked with a number of teams, most notably the Pirates. Of Philadelphia's other top starters in Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee, Burnett is the most likely to be dealt given his status as a free agent this offseason.
Jays demolish Red Sox, Lester trade talk heats up
In a day that saw speculation grow regarding Jon Lester's future in Boston, the Blue Jays demolished their AL East foe, 14-1, at Fenway Park.
Melky Cabrera belted two home runs, while Clay Buchholz again struggled, failing to make it out of the sixth inning before Felix Doubront came out of the bullpen and promptly gave up six runs of his own.
Jays starter R.A. Dickey had one of his better outings of the season, allowing just a run over seven innings and also recording 10 strikeouts.
The lopsided scoreline further underscored Boston's status as sellers at the deadline, with rumors growing that impending free agent Jon Lester will be traded. Per Morosi and colleague Ken Rosenthal, the Orioles and Mariners have called the Red Sox to inquire about Lester.
Royals add Hendriks and Kratz, send Valencia to Jays
The Royals and Blue Jays completed a three-player trade Monday evening, and while the deal wasn’t a blockbuster by any means, both clubs added potential contributors for the stretch run.
Kansas City received right-hander Liam Hendricks and catcher Erik Kratz in return for infielder Danny Valencia, according to Rosenthal. The 25-year-old Hendriks has had little success as a starter in the majors during parts of four different seasons. In three 2014 starts, Hendriks has posted a 6.08 ERA, while striking out eight batters and walking four. He has had some success down in Triple-A during his career, but that hasn't translated to the big league level, with the righty possessing a career 6.06 ERA.
Kratz gives the Royals some depth behind starting catcher Salvador Perez, though the five-year veteran has hit just .198/.226/.346 in 84 plate appearances this season.
Valencia will provide the Jays with some infield depth as the likes of Brett Lawrie, Edwin Encarnacion, and Adam Lind remain on the DL. The 29-year-old Valencia has batted .282/.328/.382 for the Royals in 119 plate appearances, though he does provide some value as a platoon bat who can hit left-handers. The Miami native has hit .333/.369/.510 in his career against southpaws.
Simmons makes another ridiculous defensive play
Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons has a habit of making tough defensive plays at shortstop, and he did so again in Atlanta's 2-0 win over the Padres on Monday afternoon.
Simmons has already earned one Gold Glove Award, and something tells me he might win a few more before his career ends.
Chapman throws really, really hard
Aroldis Chapman throws a baseball harder than just about anyone, and that was especially true Monday against the Diamondbacks.
Chapman came on with the score tied in the ninth inning and proceeded to strike out the side on 20 pitches. As The Arizona Republic’s Nick Piecoro tweeted, Chapman was throwing really hard:
Six of Chapman's 20 pitches that inning were 103 mph or 104 mph.
— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) July 29, 2014 Chapman has averaged 101 mph on his fastball this season, per Brooks Baseball, and he didn’t hold back on Monday night.
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