Baseball Daily Dose: Dose: Bregman Gets the Call
It’s decision time. No, I’m not talking about the election. This is the week where teams will begin taking inventory of their assets (if they haven’t already), deciding whether to buy or sell at the trade deadline. Contending teams are usually the buyers, looking to fill a specific need before a postseason run. The sellers are rebuilding teams hoping to unload a star or a player near the end of his contract for prospects.
The other option would be to stand pat, which I expect will be the route Houston takes this year. That’s a little surprising given where the Astros were a couple months ago. On May 22, the Astros were 11 games under .500 and well out of first place in the AL West. Today they’re 10 games above .500 and breathing down the Rangers’ neck in what has suddenly become the most interesting division race in all of baseball.
Houston’s turnaround seemed to begin when George Springer was moved to the leadoff spot on May 24. Since that date, the Astros have won 37 of 53 games (.698 winning percentage) while outscoring opponents 270-178. At 54-44, the Astros are only one game off their pace from last season when they nearly upset the eventual World Champion Kansas City Royals in the ALDS.
It certainly doesn’t hurt that Jose Altuve leads the majors in batting average and appears to be the frontrunner for AL MVP. Sunday’s action provided another opportunity for Altuve to showcase his immense talent. He belted a pair of home runs as the Astros coasted to a 13-3 win over the Angels, securing a three-game sweep. That gives him 17 round-trippers for the year, which is two more than his previous career high. Altuve has walked more times (44) than he’s struck out (40) and also leads the American League with 25 steals.
While looking outside the organization for help remains an option for the surging Astros, they may already have the pieces they need to make a playoff push. Alex Bregman, who came in at No. 8 in Baseball America’s midseason prospect rankings, will be called up for Monday’s series opener against the Yankees.
The 22-year-old was drafted second overall in 2015 following a decorated college career at LSU. He hasn’t missed a beat in the minors, hitting .300 with 24 HR, 95 RBI and 20 steals since arriving last summer. Bregman was especially dominant during his short stay in Triple-A, batting a robust .333 with six round-trippers in only 78 at-bats. Bregman’s rapid ascent through the minor leagues suggests he’ll be an immediate difference maker at the next level.
Bregman’s promotion comes on the heels of Houston’s ambitious five-year, $47.5 million deal for Cuban infielder Yulieski Gurriel. The 32-year-old worked out for six clubs over a three-week span before settling on Houston earlier this month. The plan is for Gurriel to join the team in mid-August after spending a few weeks in the minor leagues. Gurriel could probably use the reps. He hasn’t played a game since defecting in February.
Assuming Bregman and Gurriel are in it for the long haul, manager A.J. Hinch may have to get creative with his lineup card. Bregman is a shortstop by trade but his path at that position is blocked by fellow prodigy Carlos Correa. Houston prepared Bregman for a position change by testing him out at third base in the minor leagues. That’s where he’ll likely see most of his playing time in the early going.
Of course, that’s also the position Gurriel is most familiar with. Gurriel has experience at second base as well, but that will only come into play if Altuve gets hurt or needs a day off. Bregman did play three games in left field before his call-up and Gurriel took some reps in the outfield during his workout last month. The Astros are set with Springer in right field but Carlos Gomez and Colby Rasmus have struggled offensively this season and are both in the last year of their contracts. That could potentially leave two outfield spots up for grabs next season.
It may take some lineup juggling but Bregman and Gurriel should earn everyday roles as soon as they arrive in Houston. Bregman is still available in 61 percent of Yahoo leagues but the window of opportunity is closing quickly.
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Cubs Nearing Deal for Chapman
Kansas City’s run to the World Series last year was predicated on two simple ideas: making consistent contact offensively and slamming the door shut with powerful relief pitching. While the Royals have taken a step back this year, their formula for success has been adopted by a number of other teams including the increasingly bullpen-conscious Cubs. Chicago been eyeing relief help all summer and finally got some last week with the arrival of left-hander Mike Montgomery. Now they’re baiting the hook to catch an even bigger fish—Yankees flamethrower Aroldis Chapman.
The Yankees aren’t necessarily throwing in the towel. They’ve played well since coming back from the All-Star break and are only 4.5 games behind Toronto in the AL Wild Card race. But the team surely has enough bullpen talent to spare with Chapman, Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances all performing at an All-Star level. Flipping one of those three for a player at a position of need or at least a top prospect would set the Yankees up for future success without seriously compromising their current roster.
Chapman has always been the most likely to go because of his expiring contract and now it looks like the Windy City could be his next destination. The Cubs and Yankees are in advanced trade talks and could have a deal finalized within the next 24 hours. If the trade comes to fruition, elite prospect Gleyber Torres would likely be part of the Yankees’ return package. The 19-year-old from Venezuela has shown a wide range of skills with nine homers, 19 steals and 62 runs scored in 91 games for High-A Myrtle Beach this season.
After years of stocking the farm system, the Cubs have come across a surplus of young talent. The team already parted with power-hitting first baseman Dan Vogelbach last week (traded to Seattle) and now Torres could be the next one to pack his bags. He was scratched from the lineup on Sunday, an obvious sign that a deal is in the works.
The ninth inning hasn’t been an issue for the Cubs this year—closer Hector Rondon has pitched to an outstanding 1.95 ERA in 38 appearances—but the rest of the group has been hit or miss with only a 4.12 ERA over 240 1/3 innings. Chapman hasn’t blown a save since early June and is still the hardest thrower in baseball with a fastball routinely registering over 100 mph. He’d be a huge get for a Cubs team with World Series aspirations, even if he’s only a rental.
AL Quick Hits: The White Sox suspended Chris Sale five games for “violating team rules, for insubordination and for destroying team equipment.” Sale cut up the team’s throwback jerseys following an argument with the front office on Saturday, forcing the team to wear different uniforms … The Blue Jays designated Drew Storen for assignment on Sunday. Storen was expected to compete with Roberto Osuna for the closer job in spring training but instead has struggled to a 6.21 ERA over 38 appearances … The Rangers have checked in on Royals starter Edinson Volquez, who twirled a gem against them on Sunday (6 IP, 7 H, 1 R). Volquez’s next start on Friday is also against Texas so the Rangers will get another look at him before the trade deadline … Craig Kimbrel played catch on Sunday and is slated to throw a bullpen session on Monday. The Red Sox closer tore his meniscus while shagging fly balls before a game earlier this month … Tim Lincecum dropped to 2-4 with another tough outing Sunday against Houston (1 1/3 IP, 7 H, 8 ER). With Tyler Skaggs slated to return from Tommy John surgery Tuesday against Kansas City, Lincecum’s days in the starting rotation could be numbered … Chris Colabello has finished serving his 80-game PED suspension but the Blue Jays are keeping him in Triple-A for now. The 32-year-old enjoyed a breakout year in 2015 (.321, 15 HR, 54 RBI) but was only 2-for-29 before his suspension this season … Darren O’Day returned Sunday after missing about six weeks with a strained hamstring. He struck out the side in a win over Cleveland.
NL Quick Hits: The Rockies will call up outfield prospect David Dahl on Monday. He’s had a brilliant year in the minor leagues, hitting .314 with 18 HR, 61 RBI and 17 steals in 92 games for Double-A Hartford and Triple-A Albuquerque … The Mets offered Travis d’Arnaud for Jonathan Lucroy straight up but the Brewers weren’t interested. Lucroy has also drawn trade interest from the Braves, Indians and Rangers … Addison Russell left Sunday’s game with a bruised left heel. The Cubs are calling him day-to-day … Joe Nathan tossed a scoreless inning Sunday in his Cubs debut. The 41-year-old missed most of last season while recovering from Tommy John surgery … Brett Anderson could start a minor league rehab assignment on Thursday. The Dodgers left-hander has spent the last few months recovering from back surgery … According to Yahoo’s Jeff Passan, the Padres are “pushing hard” to trade Derek Norris. The Padres have already dealt Drew Pomeranz, Fernando Rodney and James Shields this season … The Marlins placed left-hander Wei-Yin Chen on the disabled list with a sprained left elbow. Jarred Cosart was called up from Triple-A New Orleans to take his place in the starting rotation … Zack Greinke completed a 45-pitch bullpen session on Saturday. He’s been sidelined all month with a strained oblique.
