Baltimore Orioles and San Diego Padres interested in Rick Porcello – MLB News
According to a leading sports website, several Major League Baseball teams including the Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres have shown interest in Detroit Tigers’ starting pitcher Rick Porcello.
Mlbbuzz.com reported on Sunday that the Tigers have been contracted by the Orioles, Padres, Mariners and Pittsburgh Pirates about the possibility of trading right hander Porcello.
Reports have surfaced that as of now San Diego are more interested in Porcello than any other teams. There are several reasons why the Tigers have been looking to trade Porcello, who was unable to make the most of available opportunities in the last season.
Firstly, the Tigers have a surplus of pitchers after they signed on Anibal Sanchez to a five year contract a couple of weeks ago. Sanchez displayed some top quality throwing skills in the post season, posting an incredible 1.77 ERA in three starts. His fastball
and slider are the best in the business and since the Tigers are desperate to win the World Series title, it is easy to see why they signed him to a lucrative contract.
“Porcello went 10-12 with a 4.59 ERA this year, but he likely would fare much better with an improved infield defense behind him. He surrendered the most hits in the AL this year (226) but his strikeout-to-walk and home run rates have improved steadily over
his career. Porcello, who turns 24 next week, isn’t eligible for free agency until after the 2015 season, which is part of his appeal. The Angels were another potential trade destination for Porcello until they filled their rotation vacancy by trading Kendrys
Morales to Seattle for left-hander Jason Vargas”, said Jon Paul Morosi of mlbbuzz.com.
The No.1 starting spot in expected be filled out by 2011 American League Most Valuable Player and Cy Young Award winner Justin Verlander. The right hander had another excellent season as he finished second to Tampa Bay Rays’ David Price in AL Cy Young voting.
The other three starting spots will be filled by Max Scherzer, Doug Fister and Drew Smyly; a youngster who impressed skipper Jim Leyland big time with superb performances in his first half of the season.
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