NEWS/RUMORS/DISCUSSION Thread

no one is untradeable
and if ned were still in charge he'd prove it

Report: Jonathan Papelbon is untradeable
by Bill Baer | NBC Hardball Talk — 15 hours ago

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports spoke to an anonymous baseball executive, who said that Nationals closer Jonathan Papelbon is "untradeable". The Nationals are hoping to trade both Papelbon and the man he displaced, Drew Storen.

Papelbon has a poor reputation in baseball, particularly after a dugout altercation with superstar outfielder Bryce Harper. Focusing strictly on what he does on the field, Papelbon still gets the job done. The 35-year-old finished the last season with a combined 2.13 ERA, 24 saves, and a 56/12 K/BB ratio over 63 1/3 innings between the Phillies and Nationals.

The Nationals owe Papelbon $11 million for the 2016 season.​

 

Dodgers searching for bullpen pieces
by Matthew Moreno | Dodger Blue — 1 hour ago

Heading into the offseason the Los Angeles Dodgers main focus figured to be on addressing their starting rotation and Zack Greinke’s expected free agency.

Don Mattingly and the Dodgers mutually agreeing to part ways momentarily, though after a four-week search Los Angeles filled the vacancy by hiring Dave Roberts.

As for Greinke, he opted out of the remaining three years and $71 million remaining on his contract and is one of several starting pitchers still available.

The market has moved slowly thus far, with Jordan Zimmermann agreeing to a five-year, $110 million contract with the Detroit Tigers the most notable signing.

While the Dodgers were linked to Zimmermann, and have reported interest in Greinke, David Price and Shelby Miller among others, they’re also said to be in pursuit of reliever Darren O’Day.

According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, the Dodgers are actively seeking to upgrade their bullpen:

Most recently the Los Angeles reportedly contacted Ryan Madson, who spent last season with the Kansas City Royals.

Madson returned to the Majors after last pitching with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2011. It was also reported the Dodgers had interest in Tampa Bay Rays relief pitchers Brad Boxberger and Jake McGee.

Inconsistency has been the Achilles heel for the Dodgers bullpen over the last two seasons. That being said, the bullpen performed better than widely perceived.

Collectively, relievers combined to rank fifth overall in strikeouts and walks. Moreover, the bullpen’s 3.43 FIP was fifth-best and 4.5 WAR was eighth-best. Where the Dodgers tended to struggle was in getting Kenley Jansen the ball with a lead.

Chris Hatcher emerged late in the year, but only after struggling for much of the season and spending a considerable amount on the disabled list due to an oblique injury.

The Dodgers were said to have been considering Aroldis Chapman and other closers, though how that would work with Jansen still in the fold is unclear.

 

I thought I didn't have to go back to work at my middle school until tomorrow?