Phils Trade for Clay Buchholz

el-pietro 2016-12-20 16:17:06 UTC #1

Clay Bucholz to the Phillies in exchange for a minor league as per Matt Gelb.

Jon Heyman with similar

Phillies 2016-2017 offseason Discussion

julio 2016-12-20 16:17:54 UTC #2

And the cost is Josh Tobias:

Philsmania 2016-12-20 16:20:52 UTC #3

Someone will have to go from the 40 man. Oh the humanity!

Interesting trade.

julio 2016-12-20 16:23:23 UTC #4

A little bit puzzling, actually. Do they intend to use Buchholz in relief? Or as a starting pitcher - in which case his presence just adds to the log jam.

Buchholz has been predominantly a starter, although he did have 16 relief appearances in 2016.

EDIT: Matt Gelb appears to have the same reaction:

...Could this presage the departure of one or more of these pitchers, in return for...who knows what?

tom81 2016-12-20 16:25:26 UTC #5

My guess he is the last reliever they were thinking of acquiring but surely this gives them more flexibility to make additional moves.

Philsmania 2016-12-20 16:25:49 UTC #6

julio:

A little bit puzzling, actually. Do they intend to use Buchholz in relief? Or as a starting pitcher - in which case his presence just adds to the log jam.

Buchholz has been predominantly a starter, although he did have 16 relief appearances in 2016.

Baseball-Reference.com

Clay Buchholz Stats | Baseball-Reference.com

2016: 8-10, 4.78 ERA, 93 SO,Career: 81-61, 3.96 ERA, 899 SO, P, 2xAllStar, RedSox 2007-2016, t:R, born in USA 1984

EDIT: Matt Gelb appears to have the same reaction:

twitter.com

Matt Gelb (MattGelb)

Sure seems like Phillies have a rotation logjam: Hellickson, Eickhoff, Velasquez, Buchholz, Nola, Eflin, Thompson, Lively, Pivetta, Asher.

8:22 AM - 20 Dec 2016

...Could this presage the departure of one or more of these pitchers, in return for...who knows what?

Is something else in the works? That's what I was wondering. That's 10 starters. Zoinks.

julio 2016-12-20 16:26:26 UTC #7

$13.5 million for a LOOGY? Or could they see him as a closer?

el-pietro 2016-12-20 16:26:36 UTC #8

Good point. Any thoughts on who is vulnerable? I haven't been paying too much attention over the off season.

Bucholz seems like a good buy low candidate. Very inconsistent year to year, not great in 2016 but not terrible either so at 32 he may have a couple of more strong years in him.

LoneStarPhan 2016-12-20 16:26:39 UTC #9

Seems to suggest more moves to come, but then, I could be wrong. We will see.

phillychuck 2016-12-20 16:27:19 UTC #10

Blech.

Coming off of a lousy, lousy year. Career high ERA, FIP, xFIP. Doesn't strike guys out, gives up lots of HRs, 32 yrs old.

13.5 million? Seriously?

If you're going to spend 13 million on a washed-up veteran it shouldn't be a starting pitcher--we already have lots of options on the mound.

el-pietro 2016-12-20 16:28:33 UTC #11

Some of those starters surely won't be in the majors, Pivetta for example.

bigegypt0417 2016-12-20 16:28:36 UTC #12

This seems to speak to another move...this just doesn't seem like a standalone deal.

California_Dreamin 2016-12-20 16:31:16 UTC #13

I will tell you what I think, and its not promising. I fear the Phils are more worried about Nola, and possibly VV, than they are saying publicly and may not feel they are teeming in starting pitchers like we all believe.

While I like the move, it does concern me about what it may indicate below the surface. There is little doubt in my mind that he is coming to Philadelphia to start, you don't pay his kind of money for middle inning relievers.

One more thought...wonder if they believe they have a VV deal in the works?

This deal was not done in a vacuum, there is more coming. I mentioned yesterday that Klentak was not done and I still believe it. There is more to this than merely bringing in a 13.5 million dollar arm.

Philsmania 2016-12-20 16:31:50 UTC #14

You may be right. He started 21 games, relieved in 16 last year. Per BR, as a starter, he went 6-8 with a 5.01 ERA and 1.371 WHIP and as a reliever went 2-2 with a 3.57 ERA and 1.103. I would say he definitely did better out of the bullpen. But still, that's a lot of money for a reliever. Surprised they didn't get any cash from Boston.

phillychuck 2016-12-20 16:34:35 UTC #15

He's a ROOGY, not a LOOGY I think. Bats lefty, throws righty.

Might be a good reliever, but 13.5 million is a TON to pay for a guy to set-up, and I don't think he's traditional closer material. Too many HRs, not enough Ks.

andyb 2016-12-20 16:34:56 UTC #16

Throws right-handed. With his K rate last year (starting or relief) I can't imagine him closing.

Strange move. A lot of money for what looks to be a 6th starter/long reliever. Tobias has no value but that money could go for an OF.

el-pietro 2016-12-20 16:35:36 UTC #17

Theres the 40 man spot sorted.

phillychuck 2016-12-20 16:35:43 UTC #18

Great minds run in the same ruts, andy!

Squire 2016-12-20 16:37:01 UTC #19

Dang it. Shaffer was the offseason move I liked the most.

tom81 2016-12-20 16:37:05 UTC #20

It does fit the MO this year, it's only money for a one year deal.