Fix Ideas for MLB's Biggest Lineup, Rotation Concerns
If we didn't freak out about our favorite team's performance three weeks into the regular season, can we really claim to be fans? Luckily for you, we're here to think of some ideas to help fix your squad's biggest problems.
The Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays both have the ability to win the American League East, but not without improvements from their starting rotations. While big names like Cole Hamels and Johnny Cueto remain at the forefront of trade speculation, cheaper options are available that can offer improved production.
At the dish, the Cleveland Indians haven't been able to take advantage of solid starts from their rotation due to one of the worst offenses in baseball. While the Arizona Diamondbacks don't have the same offensive worries, the Snakes could use an alternative option at catcher.
Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Reds are loaded with talent, but an anemic bullpen has them off to a mediocre start to begin 2015. Could Atlanta's Jason Grilli be an option to help solidify wins in the later innings?
We'll take a look at those situations and try to improve your beloved team. Let's go!
Arizona Diamondbacks: Trade for Welington Castillo
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The Arizona Diamondbacks have gotten off to a solid start after a horrendous 2014 season.
Arizona has done so behind a sturdy rotation and lineup. The Diamondbacks rank 11th in both starters' ERA and runs scored to open the 2015 campaign.
But the Snakes do have quite the hole at catcher, as Tuffy Gosewisch and Jordan Pacheco have yet to make any sort of impact at the dish.
Gosewisch has started 12 games for Arizona and has accumulated just nine hits in 50 at-bats. The 31-year-old was a lifetime minor leaguer, only making his MLB debut in 2013. Pacheco has experienced a similar path to the majors, but he's currently striking out over 33 percent of the time in a backup role.
That kind of production won't get it done, so the Diamondbacks should consider trading for one of the many available catchers on the market.
One of those options is Welington Castillo of the Chicago Cubs. Castillo has been shunned to the bench in favor of Miguel Montero and David Ross, but has flashed some pop in his 22 at-bats this season. The 28-year-old has gone deep twice and driven in five runs.
Earlier this month, Castillo told Patrick Mooney at CSN Chicago that he was bracing for a potential trade.
“Business is business," he said. "Right now, the best thing is that I prepare every day to play the game, like I’m going to catch every day, so whatever happens, happens.”
By acquiring Castillo, Arizona would upgrade its backstop in a low-cost move. It's early, but the Snakes could stick around into the summer, especially if they can improve at their weakest position.
Baltimore Orioles: Insert Kevin Gausman into the Starting Rotation
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The Baltimore Orioles enjoyed a standout season from their rotation in 2014. The O's posted a 3.44 ERA, which was the third-best mark in the AL.
Fast-forward to 2015, and Baltimore's starting staff is near the bottom of every statistical category. The Orioles rank dead last with a 5.82 ERA, which is only supported by a woeful 5.16 FIP. Baltimore starters are walking over five hitters per nine innings and are allowing the third-highest home run-to-fly-ball ratio in the league.
Those numbers are inflated by one bad apple: Bud Norris. The right-hander has allowed 20 earned runs in just over 10 innings of work this year. Norris put together his best season in 2014, but shouldn't be given that much more leeway if he continues to struggle.
Baltimore is fortunate to have one of the game's brightest young hurlers waiting in the wings. Kevin Gausman hasn't exactly done his part to force his way into the rotation, but his talent is deserving of an opportunity to start every fifth day.
The flame-throwing right-hander started 20 games last year for Baltimore, posting a sub-4.00 ERA. In 10 innings this season, Gausman's strikeouts are up, despite the black eye of a 5.40 ERA.
Nick Cicere at Camden Chat believes that it's time for the O's to break the chains off of Gausman.
"Though, Gausman at times is still more of a thrower than a pitcher, he's got all the tools to become the team's best pitcher," Cicere says.
With elite arm talent, Gausman should be given the chance to blossom into the ace many expect him to be. With Norris' early struggles, why not put that plan into motion now?
Toronto Blue Jays: Trading for Kyle Lohse
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The loss of Marcus Stroman has turned out to be a crushing loss for the Toronto Blue Jays, as fellow youngsters Daniel Norris and Aaron Sanchez have gotten off to slow starts this season.
Both hurlers have an ERA over 5.00 and have had issues with their command. Norris is allowing over four walks per nine, while Sanchez is giving up a whopping seven per nine.
Drew Hutchison has shown glimpses of his fantastic 2014 second half, but is allowing a ridiculously high amount of long balls. As B/R's Joel Reuter points out, those three youngsters were always going to be crucial to any Toronto success in 2015.
"Those three starters still represent a big part of the team's future plans, but for a team looking to win now, adding a veteran arm to the back of the rotation is something that will have to be seriously considered if the struggles continue," Reuter said.
The free-agent market for pitchers is filled with potential, but Toronto is probably not in the race for a high-profile blockbuster. Instead, the Jays will likely look to add another veteran to the fold.
Kyle Lohse has proven to be one of the most dependable arms in the league over the last few seasons. From 2011-14, the right-hander recorded an ERA no higher than his 3.54 mark last year. Lohse also logged at least 188 innings in each of those seasons.
Lohse is currently in the final year of his three-year deal and will be targeted by plenty of contenders as the trade deadline approaches. His ugly numbers to begin the season are alarming, but his recent consistency indicates he'll turn it around before the end of the year.
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Cincinnati Reds: Trade for Jason Grilli
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I rated Jason Grilli as one of the current crop of top trade targets, and the Atlanta Braves would be wise to flip him before the trade deadline.
Atlanta's rebuilding project is well-documented at this point, and Grilli represents a slam-dunk trade chip. The Braves aren't going to make the playoffs this season, so dealing Grilli for any sort of prospect package is a no-doubter.
Grilli has elevated his value by dominating to begin 2015. The right-hander has allowed just one run in six innings of work, locking down all six of his save opportunities. Even more impressive are his strikeout totals, which have returned with improved velocity.
The Cincinnati Reds have the ability to make a run at a playoff spot, but not without addressing the worst bullpen in baseball. Cincinnati relievers have posted a plus-5.00 ERA while walking over four batters per nine innings.
Those numbers are even more embarrassing when you take into account Aroldis Chapman's dominance. Kevin Gregg, J.J. Hoover, Burke Badenhop and Jumbo Diaz have all struggled in late-inning situations for the Reds.
With Grilli taking over in the eighth inning, the Reds would greatly increase their chances of closing out games. If the club could then find reasonable production in the seventh inning, Cincinnati could have the makings of a much-improved bullpen.
Cleveland Indians: Trade for Carlos Gomez
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It can't get much worse for the Cleveland Indians offense.
The Tribe have scored the second-fewest runs in MLB to begin 2015. Michael Bourn, Lonnie Chisenhall and Jason Kipnis all have wRC+ of under 60, while Michael Brantley has battled back injuries.
The lowly offensive production is a shame, because Cleveland's rotation has put together a solid start to the campaign. Indians starters are striking out an impressive 11 hitters per nine innings and are tied for the highest WAR in all of baseball.
The Indians need to make a splash in order to keep up in one of the best divisions in MLB. Trading for Milwaukee's Carlos Gomez could be that high-impact acquisition.
As mentioned on the Lohse section, Milwaukee's disappointing start to the season and a barren farm system could see Gomez become available. He's currently dealing with a hamstring issue, but when he's healthy, there are few outfielders with as much talent as Gomez.
Gomez has come into his own with the Brewers, combining both power and speed to become one of the most dangerous offensive forces in the National League. The 29-year-old mashed over 60 homers and stole over 100 bases from 2012-14.
Milwaukee failed to clearly address the direction of its organization this offseason, something that FanGraphs' Mike Petriello believes has put them in this situation.
"The Brewers never could figure out whether they were coming or going, unwilling (or unable) to commit to a rebuild or go full speed ahead on contention," he said. "What’s left is a team that was built for mediocrity with a one-in-a-million chance of something more, and what’s come up instead is something considerably less."
Trading Gomez would allow the Brewers to start over with an above-average set of prospects coming back in return. The Indians could use him in a variety of different ways, but his offensive skill set would be a huge lift for a scuffling lineup.
Advanced stats courtesy of FanGraphs.
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