Video: LeBron James discusses lifetime deal with Nike
December 8, 2015Browns announce that Johnny Manziel will start vs. 49ers
December 8, 2015The Arizona Diamondbacks shocked the baseball world by swiping Zach Greinke from their rival Los Angeles Dodgers thanks to a six-year $206.5 million contract, but the team has reportedly still been looking to add more quality to their rotation. Two reported deals that have thus far fallen through have been to acquire Danny Salazar from the Cleveland Indians or Shelby Miller from the Atlanta Braves. In both cases, the teams had demanded A.J. Pollock in return for their young, cheap, established starting pitcher.
AZCentral’s Nick Piecoro stated the Diamondbacks are as hesitant to deal from their corps as the Indians have stated they would be from the strength of their rotation:
Sources say rival teams continue to ask for center fielder A.J. Pollock in a trade.
“He’s a big part of our team, a big part of what makes our club tick,” Diamondbacks General Manager Dave Stewart said. “There’s big hesitation in involving him in any deals.”
Still, Stewart said the club will continue to listen to what other teams have in mind. Sources said the Atlanta Braves have asked for Pollock in a potential deal involving right-hander Shelby Miller while the Cleveland Indians have requested him in exchange for right-hander Danny Salazar.
Pollock was the most-prized target when WFNY’s Jacob Rosen and Michael Bode went through the potential outfield targets.
Who is A.J. Pollock? His best approximation might be of a pre-injury right-handed version of Grady Sizemore. So, yes, the Diamondbacks are likely asking for a near-elite starting pitcher if you want a near-elite hitter in return especially given the MLB pitching-friendly status of this era. Pollock won the Gold Glove for his 2015 season though (as is often the case) it was more of an award for what he has done through the years. Despite only a season and a half of Pollock playing at this level, it would be surprising to see him actually moved.
As was the case, the Diamondbacks are more likely to be willing to move Ender Inciarte, who is a fine enough player himself, but not nearly enough of an outfield upgrade to consider trading one of the Indians rotation stalwarts to obtain. Thankfully, it seems, the Indians agree with such an assessment.
6 Comments
Whoa, I love Danny but I would’ve done that trade in a heartbeat
i would have done this yesterday.
Agreed.
Who need that kid when we have a raging interest in Shane Victorino?!
Good for them!
Not a chance. The Indians are built on starting pitching. Decent starting pitching > better than average hitting all day long, since the inception of the game. And Danny’s better than “decent”. Don’t eviscerate the rotation now that you’ve finally achieved one that is formidable. Don’t force a trade for the sake of having a trade. Worst case, wait for the trade deadline when teams out of competition are jettisoning contracts.