Detroit Tigers rumors: Antonio Bastardo a potential trade target
By Hayden Kane
The Detroit Tigers are interested in trading for a relief pitcher. The list of pitchers they might target includes Antonio Bastardo of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Tigers showing interest in Phillies LHP Bastardo, sources tell @Ken_Rosenthal and me. Keeping tabs on all relievers -- including Papelbon.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 22, 2014
Not that Bastardo should be too flattered by Detroit’s interest, because they have eyes for other pitchers as well. In fact, they have eyes for a whole bunch of relief pitchers.
Heard this today: "If he's a reliever and he's breathing, the #Tigers have scouted him.''
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) July 21, 2014
Well OK then.
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The left-handed Bastardo, far enough removed from a PED suspension that it is not impeding his 2014 season, has been outstanding thus far. In 42 games he has a 3.38 ERA and an impressive 10.8 K/9 mark.
He is especially tough on left-handed hitters, holding them to a .143 average. That’s not to say that right-handed hitters have exactly been roughing him up, however, as he has held those hitters to a .163 mark. Using a nasty fastball-slider combination, Bastardo is tough on all hitters and a good option late in games.
That makes him very appealing to contending teams, as the Tigers are not the only ones taking a look.
Antonio Bastardo on the mound for Phillies now, and his slider looks devastating. Possibly more scouts here to see Bastardo than Lee.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 22, 2014
While teams jostle to trade for a closer, the moves for a guy like Bastardo can be just as important, especially for a team with World Series aspirations like the Tigers.