:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50056415/544224212.0.jpg)
The MLB Daily Dish is a daily feature we're running here at MLBDD and rounds up roster-impacting news, rumors, and analysis. Have feedback or have something that should be shared? Hit us at @mlbdailydish on Twitter.
Good morning baseball fans!
We had a trade go down yesterday, with the Red Sox acquiring Aaron Hill from the Brewers.
Carlos Gonzalez may have expressed interest in a trade, or not.
The Rangers and Rougned Odor are in ongoing talks about an extension.
Clayton Kershaw has accomplished a lot as a pitcher, but there is one accolade that he is still missing.
Overall, there is only one definitive example where Clayton Kershaw deserved to start for the National League, over Wainwright in 2014. In the other seasons, Kershaw may have had a solid first half, but it was the his sustained dominance through the second half that lead to his Cy Young and MVP awards. There has always been a knock on Kershaw about his supposed lack of "clutchiness," but from 2011-2015 Kershaw is 48-10 in the second half, with a strikeout rate of 28.7 percent and a walk rate of 5.1 percent. Let that sink in for a minute. A player who has been knocked for "not coming through in the clutch" has won 48 of 58 decisions down the stretch, striking out dozens of batters and walking barely any, all while Los Angeles has played in competitive games. However, Kershaw and "clutchiness" is another article topic for another day.
It is amazing that the best pitcher in the game – and maybe of his generation – has not started an All-Star Game, but I have to imagine that will end soon. It appeared that 2016 would be the year, but as I stated earlier, a back injury ruined any chance of even a debate on the matter. We will see how Kershaw builds on his 11-2, 1.79 ERA, 1.69 FIP, 145 strikeout, and nine walk start to 2016, but for now we can only hope 2017 will be the year the best pitcher in baseball has the honor to start for the National League in Miami.
A Sonny Gray deal is still on the table for the A’s.
Add the Blue Jays to the list of teams still looking at Reds outfielder Jay Bruce.
Trade deadline previews for the Angels and the A’s.
Here is a roundup of news from around the American League Central.
Which teams are best positioned to add salary at the trade deadline?
The numbers come down quite a bit for all teams, but Philadelphia comes out on top due to the youth present on their roster. Given the relatively few dollars committed to the current team, it will be interesting to see just how much the Phillies are willing to spend to get back in contention in short order. The Astros are already in contention and should have money to spend. The Blue Jays might have to replace Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion at the end of the season so the loss of production might outweigh the money coming off the books. Tampa Bay’s negative number is a reflection of all the young players they have, and it will be interesting to see who they might move, like Jake Odorizzi or Matt Moore, to keep their spending at an already low level. Most teams have some room to maneuver, but it should come as no surprise that the teams with the biggest markets will have the biggest capacity to keep on spending.
Important Links:
Subscribe to The Rosterbatorical on iTunes. While you are there, drop us a rating and a review!
Today in Baseball History: In 1982, Billy Martin wins his 1,00th career game as a manager.