We’re used to seeing tape-measure home runs from Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton, but this opposite-field two-run laser off Cubs right-hander Jason Hammel in the first inning this evening might be more impressive:
I’d really love to know the exit-velocity on that one. It was gone in just under three seconds. What a rocket.
With tonight’s laser beam, Stanton moved in front of Colorado’s Troy Tulowitzki for the National League lead with 19 home runs. He’s also tops with 56 RBI.
Jerry Crasnick of ESPN reports that the Indians have expressed interest in Asdrubal Cabrera.
Cabrera, who began his career in Cleveland, would be a utility guy. Which is not exactly the Indians’ greatest need — they need a starting pitcher above all else — but improvement is improvement. Not much improvement in Cabrera’s case as he’s hitting .250/.333/.398 with nine homers in 70 games this season, but that’s useful if he’s cool with a strictly utility role. Which he’d have to be given that the Indians are solid at second, third and short.
Cabrera would come pretty cheaply of course. Partially because he’s not major piece, partially because he sort of hilariously demanded a trade last month. In large part because he wants to play shortstop which, now that I think about it, may complicate this whole “Cabrera for a utility role” idea the Indians seem to have.
Jeff Passan of Yahoo reports that the Rangers “have started reaching out to teams potentially interested in acquiring” Yu Darvish.
Texas is only 4.5 games out of the second Wild Card slot, but there are five teams ahead of them and they’ve really never had any traction this year. Such is not the stuff on which a team bases an all-in playoff run. Darvish, meanwhile, is in his walk year, so the Rangers have some incentive to get value for him. Passan says the Astros, Brewers, Yankees, Indians, Rockies and Dodgers could have interest in him, but really, he’d improve any contender.
Darvish is 6-8 with a 3.45 ERA and 131 strikeouts and 42 walks in 125.1 innings.
