With Philadelphia putting Vince Velasquez in the bullpen...wonder if we could buy low on him. Always wondered what our staff could turn him into if we held onto him. Could've been special.
He apparently was decent until the 6th, holding the Rays to 2 runs in the first 5 innings. As a sign of just how bad the Orioles are...the day before, they had the major league debut of Thomas Eshelman. Former Astros 2nd round pick. He’s now the 3rd pitcher received by the Phillies in that deal to make his big league debut (following Oberholzer and Velasquez...but not Appel). Eshelman had a 2-13 record with a near 6.00 ERA last year in AAA. He was doing fine this year, but the Phillies traded him for bonus pool money last month. At least he can now always say he was a major leaguer.
I had thought the Astros offer was about the same but he chose Tampa to be home with his family but it sounds like the Astros lowballed him.
Dallas Keuchel has a nice 3.09 ERA after 5 games so far. Right now I would be happy to have him as our 3rd starter for the $13 million he signed for.
They should have tried harder to keep him. I think cole is gone after this year. I think if they offered him 3 years 48 mil they could have kept him.