This week’s mailbag will get into potential beginning pitcher commerce targets for the Cubs, doable left-handed bats for the Astros, which Rangers have commerce worth, infield choices for the Yankees, and the Mets’ reported connection to Luis Robert Jr.
Colin asks:
As nice as Colin Rea and Matt Boyd have been this season, the Cubs want extra beginning pitching, particularly with Steele out for the yr and Imanaga out for a pair extra turns by means of the rotation. Sandy Alcantara looks like an apparent shout, however he has struggled up to now this yr. Who else might the Cubs feasibly goal?
Marc asks:
Do you assume the Cubs can survive til the commerce deadline contemplating the perilous state of affairs their in with starters?
I do assume the Cubs can survive till the commerce deadline with a rotation of Matthew Boyd, Colin Rea, Ben Brown, and Jameson Taillon, with Imanaga in all probability rejoining someday in June. I additionally do not assume they’ve a lot of a selection, as sellers not often make early offers.
However sure, the Cubs want so as to add a starter this summer season. Boyd has not topped 88 innings in a season since 2019, a threshold he is projected to achieve on June twenty fifth. I made the case in March that Boyd’s current damage historical past would not essentially imply he cannot get to 150+ innings, however he’s 34 and the Cubs’ depth cannot be pushed a lot additional. Ben Brown has by no means exceeded 104 innings, and he is on tempo to get there by the top of July. Cade Horton‘s profession excessive is 88 1/3 innings in 2023. In his subsequent outing he’ll cross final yr’s complete of 34 1/3 frames.
The next groups have lower than a 1% probability on the playoffs, so most of them might in all probability be persuaded to commerce a beginning pitcher now: the White Sox, Nationals, Marlins, Pirates, and Rockies. The Angels belong right here as properly, however since they’re 4.5 video games out of a wild card, maybe they will want extra time to wave the white flag. This is a take a look at beginning pitchers who may be out there from these golf equipment:
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