A’s one-dollar man Brad Mills is starting tonight

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By Aaron GleemanJun 20, 2014, 10:15 AM EDT

Earlier this week the A’s purchased Triple-A left-hander Brad Mills from the Brewers for one dollar and tonight he’ll join Oakland’s rotation by starting against Boston in place of the injured Drew Pomeranz.

Mills’ minor-league contract basically allowed him to opt out if he wasn’t in the majors by now, but technically the Brewers had to offer him around for a buck and the A’s gladly snatched him up for $24,999 less than a standard waiver claim.

Mills is 29 years old with a 7.76 ERA in 53 innings as a big leaguer, but he pitched very well at Triple-A for the Brewers’ affiliate with a 1.56 ERA and 77/18 K/BB ratio in 75 innings.

And really, what else can you buy for a buck these days?

Editor’s Note: Hardball Talk’s partner FanDuel is hosting a one-day $40,000 Fantasy Baseball league for Friday night’s MLB games. It’s $25 to join and first prize is $6,000. Starts at 7:05pm ET on Friday. Here’s the FanDuel link.

Dodgers, Cubs could be interested in Justin Verlander

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By Craig CalcaterraJul 25, 2017, 11:35 AM EDT

Jon Morosi of MLB Network said yesterday that the Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs have been engaged in trade talks involving starting pitcher Justin Verlander and catcher Alex Avila. Morosi also noted that the Los Angeles Dodgers have shown interest in Verlander as well. Whether this is idyl chitchatting of serious dispute is unclear, of course. Everything is unclear in the leadup to the deadline.

The veteran right-hander is carrying a 4.50 with a 120/57 K/BB ratio over 124 innings. Verlander impressed last year, finishing second in AL Cy Young Award balloting, but he has fallen back to Earth in 2017. His velocity remains high, however, and it’s not hard to imagine him going on a solid run in a way that could help a contender. He is owed $56 million over the next two seasons, however, and has a $22 million option that could vest for 2020, so negotiations for him could be tough. If the Tigers want talent back, they’ll have to eat salary.

Verlander got an ovation from a Detroit crowd last night which seemed to sense that, yes, it’s possible he pitched his last game for the Tigers. Given that he has 10/5 rights, allowing him to veto any trade, that decision is ultimately up to him. It’s not hard to imagine him accepting a trade to a contender, however.

We wait see.

A 30-year-old rookie won his major league debut

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By Craig CalcaterraJul 25, 2017, 10:54 AM EDT

The Dodgers beat the Twins last night thanks to a Cody Bellinger three-run homer. But Bellinger was not the only Dodgers rookie who had a notable game. A far more unconventional one is worth mentioning as well.

That rookie is reliever Edward Paredes, who made his big league debut last night. What makes him unconventional: he’s 30. Turns 31 in September, actually. Paredes pitched professionally for 12 years before making it to The Show. Most of that time was in the affiliated minors in the Mariners, Indians, Angels and Dodgers organizations. He spent time in the independent Atlantic League in 2013-15 as well.

Paredes did not do anything heroic last night. It was more of a right place/right time kind of appearance, retiring the side in order with a fly out, line out and a ground out and remaining the pitcher of record while Bellinger hit that three-run homer. That’s enough for a W, though. A W that Paredes waited a lot longer for than most pitchers who notch one in the bigs.