The Twins are in first place. They are not trading Sonny.
First, here’s a note from Fangraphs about Williamson, and why he was a top pitching prospect entering 2022:
Prospects TLDR: A pitch data darling, Williamson has four plus pitches and compares to Blake Snell.
Williamson is 25, Lively is 31. Williamson has really good off speed breaking pitches (slider, curve, and change). Other than his 4-seam fastball, he has better stuff than Lively, and he’s now going to his cutter (which also grades well) as his primary fastball.
Williamson is regaining some of his velocity that was missing last year and the beginning of 2023, and I have high hopes he is starting to reach his potential:
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Another wrinkle is that Abbott is on pace to run out of innings around the same time or shortly after Greene returns. I think that tips that scales even more towards adding a starter before the deadline.
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I think realistcly they have a need for both.
Farmer, Sims and Gibaut are nearing their season innings high over the past 3 with a long way to go and all have not been as effectively lately.
Champman would have been a great setup piece to have for Diaz.
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I agree. I used to believe in getting 5 quality starters but lately have started to wonder if getting guys who can handle 2-3 innings is better. The last couple years we’ve seen this work for other squads. Granted, it’s a ton of roster McGuyvering to make it work.
I believe the post said IF THE TWINS CHOOSE TO BE SELLERS.
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Lucas Giolito would be another potential target. Like Gray, a FA after this season though. And the White Sox most definitely are not in playoff contention.
Two other potential targets: Kyle Hendricks, Cubs and Justin Lawrence, Rockies.
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Yes, and I am saying I think that is unrealistic. You need to look at the teams who are non contenders and look for guys on their roster who are going to be free agents OR look for a team with a young talented pitcher who has many years of team control and trade one of our top middle infield prospects if we can find a match with a team who needs a young middle infielder. But don’t trade Encarnation-Strand because we have a need for him.
Well, I see you have some excellent data to defend you choice. I wondered why you would choose Williamson over Lively because Lively has clearly been better. Well done.
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Thanks Dick. Agreed that overall Lively has had better results this season, and he’s pitched well other than the few starts before his stint on the IL.
Hope Williamson can continue his upward trend, as he’s a big key to the next 5 seasons.
I agree no way Reds should trade CES. My untouchable list would include CES, India, Elly, Steer, McClain, Abbott.
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What are you basing Abbott running out of innings on? I could have sworn that he was named as having no innings limit this year, though I just tried to run a search and couldn’t find the quote, so maybe I’m mistaken.
how about some offense again? last 3 games plain awful.
Benson starting…He may provide today.
…and here comes CES.
Who’s going down to make room for him? They also have to clear a spot on the 40 man.
I have to believe the 3 catcher system is done. Casali hasn’t started since July 4 and has only entered one game since then as a defensive replacement.
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Gotta figure Casali or Newman is being traded or released. Outside chance of an IL stint for someone. Your note about the 40-man is important, they’ve been using the last couple of spots to shuttle crappy pitchers back and forth to Louisville.
So the Reds called up CES, and put Kevin Newman on the 10 day injured list with “gastritis”. If someone has a 10 case of gastritis they better be hospitalized! Pretty sure the Reds force fed him nothing but Skyline and Goldstar and then gastritis developed!
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