Brett Myers On The Move?

With word breaking last night that San Francisco Giants All Star closer, Brian Wilson, would be needing surgery that would end his 2012 season, Bob Nightengale of USA Today tweeted that the Astros have been shopping closer Brett Myers and the Giants were believed to have some level of interest. Earlier today, Jim Bowden, of ESPN.com echoed that statement by confirming the Giants interest in Myers via twitter. It remains to be seen what level of interest the Giants, or any other team, have in Myers this early in the season.

Brett Myers was moved from the rotation to the closer’s role during Spring Training a few months back. Its a role he is not a stranger to as he closed for his former team, the Philadelphia Phillies, in 2007, recording 21 saves while sporting a 4.33 ERA. He has performed well so far this year in his return to the closer’s role and I doubt anyone, himself included, would be surprised to see Myers traded at some point this season. While you don’t normally see significant players traded this early in the season, this could be a special circumstance. Not only do the Giants have a hole at closer, but there are whispers about the health of staff ace, Tim Lincecum, this season.

Through two starts this season that have lasted a combined 7.2 innings, the Giants ace and two time Cy Young award winner, has allowed 11 earned runs and a 2.217 WHIP on his way to a 0-2 start. His most recent start this past Wednesday, Lincecum didnt make it through the third inning as he was yanked vs Colorado in what turned out to be the shortest outing of his career. Sure, this could be just a bad start for a pitcher of his caliber as these things happen a lot. However, earlier this month, Lincecum announced he would be dropping the slider from his pitch repertoire for the sole reason of preserving his health. Yes, the slider does have a taxing result on your arm, but that announcement, along with his poor performance to start the season have caused plenty to question whether or not he is completely healthy. Should the Giants trade for Myers and Lincecum does turn out to be injured, Myers could play a vital role for them as he has experience starting and closing. Now of course they will choose one or the other for the veteran right hander, but Myers’ case could be very beneficial for San Francisco if they acquire him. I have no idea what Luhnow would look for from San Francisco in return for Myers, but Eric Surkamp, a 24 year old lefty currently playing for their AA squad and ranked as the clubs seventh best prospect by Baseball America, would be a nice addition for the Astros as the system currently does not have many left handed pitching prospects worth speaking of. Regardless, the next few months will be very interesting for Astros fans on the trade front.