The Denver Post reports the Colorado Rockies have acquired right-handers David Hale and Gus Schlosser from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for minor-league catchers Jose Briceno and Chris O’Dowd.
“Hale, 27, is the key to the trade and could compete for a spot in the starting rotation. He spent the 2014 season on the Braves’ roster, posting a 4-5 record with a 3.30 ERA. He struck out 44 and walked 39 in 45 games, including six starts.”
The right-hander from Marietta, Ga. played for Princeton and was selected by Atlanta in the third round of the 2009 draft. Hale was rated the Braves’ seventh-best prospect prior to the 2014 season.
This pretty much eliminates any chance that the Rockies will deal for Dillon Gee. Another potential trade partner – in an offseason that began with a dozen of them – bites the dust.
On Monday, a team source told Anthony DiComo that the Mets have nothing in the works and are nowhere close to trading Gee or any of their other excess starters.
I seriously don’t see who else is left out there for Gee or even Niese and Colon for that matter.
January 26
Buster Olney of ESPN says the Padres and Marlins appear to be the best fits for free agent James Shields because they’re both ready to be playoff contenders, and he would be a difference-maker both in leadership and performance. The market for starting pitching appears to be at a standstill until Shields lands somewhere.
While the Mets continue to wait out the market for Dillon Gee, the Milwaukee Brewers may not be a trade partner for much longer. Speaking to fans at the Brewers Fanfest Sunday, team owner Mark Attanasio told fans to expect at least one more significant addition. GM Doug Melvin then told the crowd he’s focused on bolstering the bullpen more so than adding a starter. Reports say Jonathan Papelbon is still in play, and a reunion with Francisco Rodriguez, who saved 44 games for the Brewers last year, remains a strong possibility.
I wonder why the Houston Astros are never mentioned as a potential landing spot for Gee. They are still looking to add a starting pitcher reports Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, and they almost landed free agent Ryan Vogelsong before he opted to re-sign with the Giants according to Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle.
At this point and with spring training only three weeks away, there’s a good chance Gee reports to camp and works out with the team while the Mets continue to wait for a deal to materialize.
