Masterson Leads Tribe To 13th Shutout in Ace Battle
July 28, 2013Training Camp: Chudzinski comments on Dion Lewis, screen-passing game
July 28, 2013With the glaring need for a left-handed matchup reliever, the Indians are apparently active in talks to acquire one. Joel Sherman, baseball columnist for The New York Post, indicates that the Indians have interest in Rockies pitcher Josh Outman.
Keep hearing #Indians are looking at LH rlf and have talked quite a bit with #Rockies about Josh Outman (.576 OPS v. LHs)
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) July 28, 2013
This season in 37 appearances (38 IP), Outman is 2-0 with a 4.50 ERA, allowing 43 hits, 13 walks, and striking out 41. Left-handed batters are hitting just .224 against him with 4 walks and 30 strikeouts. Meanwhile, right-handed hitters this season are batting .347 (.870 OPS) with 9 walks and 11 strikeouts. Over his career, the numbers are even better against lefties (.195 BA, .531 OPS, 18 BB, 100 K).
The Indians have cycled through several left-handers in the bullpen this season, including Scott Barnes, Nick Hagadone, David Huff, and Rich Hill. Only Hill remains on the 25-man roster with Hagadone and Barnes currently in Triple-A Columbus. This year, Hill has allowed a .193 average (.607 OPS) with 10 walks and 20 strikeouts, but his season ERA is 6.43, and his performance has left a lot to be desired.
5 Comments
Question is who would the Rockies want back in exchange for Outman? I’d trade them Carrasco straight up. If not Carrasco than guys like Langwell and Phelps might work. It would have to be similar to a challenge trade because the Rockies think they still have a shot to pass up the Dodgers…
I’d be shocked if they had to give up Carrasco for an ok situational lefty who’s arbitration eligible next year and then a FA. Even if he’s light out doubtful that would be the diff between making the playoffs or not, and it’s more likely that deal would look bad in a couple of years.
I’m with Harv on this Outman is not worthy of Carrasco just look at his numbers. Personally I’d prefer a south paw who can’t just pitch okay verse just one side of the plate.
It’s possible the Indians might start thinking about moving Phelps just because they’ll need the spot in Columbus next year or the year after and he’s probably not making an impact in Cleveland at this point, but I think Carrasco is worth a lot more than that. He’s been pretty disappointing in his spot starts this year, but he’s an AAA pitcher who is 26, pre-arbitration, and throws 97mph with great stuff. In Columbus this year he’s got an ERA of 2.97 and is averaging 10.5 K/9 compared to only 2.8 walks. I’m not completely closed off to moving him, but he’s got so much potential still I can’t see swapping him for a situational reliever straight up. Maybe one of our younger AAA relievers as you mentioned.
Am I the only one who thinks the Indians should try to take a flier on Ted Lilly? He’s on the out in LA I think and he could spot start and come out of the pen. If the Indians could pick him up on the cheap (similar to Kazmir, DiceK, etc), with him wanting to play for a contract next year, I dont see a downside