MLB Rumors: Baltimore Orioles Still Pursuing Yovani Gallardo, Houston Astros Eyeing Tyler Clippard
It's less than two weeks away before pitchers and players report for Spring Training and get ready for the upcoming 2016 MLB season. The latest rumors include the continuous pursuit of the Baltimore Orioles for a starting pitcher and the Houston Astros adding another piece for their bullpen.
Baltimore Orioles Still Interested in Yovani Gallardo
According to MASN Sports, the Orioles are still in pursuit for free agent starter Yovani Gallardo with the team staff weighing the pros and cons of signing the 29-year-old pitcher. The report noted that the pros of signing Gallardo include being capable of replacing the hole left by Wei-Yin Chen and the fact that he has made 30 or more starts in seven straight seasons while posting a record of 102-75 with a solid 3.66 ERA, per Baseball Reference.
However, the cons include losing the 14th overall draft pick in this year's amateur draft as well as Gallardo's drop in velocity. The Baltimore front office reportedly is not willing to offer the Mexican right-hander a contract that goes for more than four years.
In a report by FOX Sports late last January, the Houston Astros and Colorado Rockies also showed interest in signing Gallardo but were not willing to give up a draft pick for him. Ben Nicholson-Smith of SportsNet also reported that the Toronto Blue Jays has been in contact with the Gallardo the entire offseason.
Houston Astros Wants to Add Tyler Clippard
The Astros are reportedly looking to add Tyler Clippard to its already impressive bullpen as reported by the Boston Globe. Clippard last played with the New York Mets, but he endured some late-season struggles and demanded a high salary that kept his market very quiet until now.
The report also noted that the Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Rays have also shown interest in the 30-year-old reliever. MLBTR pointed out that if Houston can add Clippard to their bullpen, he will join Josh Fields, Luke Gregerson, Will Harris, Pat Neshek and Tony Sipp to form a very formidable relief corps. The Astros have also acquired Ken Giles from the Philadelphia Phillies this offseason.
Clippard split his time last season with the Oakland Athletics before ending up in New York. He posted a 4-1 record with the Mets while having a 3.06 ERA, per Baseball Reference. The nine-year MLB veteran has a career-record of 42-29 with a 2.88 ERA while playing his rookie season with the New York Yankees in 2007 and the next seven with the Washington Nationals.
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