The defending NL Champs would like to add the AL home run leader. Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun adds the Phillies to the list of teams interested in Jose Bautista (via Twitter) and explains that Philadelphia has scouted eight of the last nine Blue Jays games.
The Blue Jays are demanding a lot for Scott Downs and others this summer, so their asking price for Bautista is likely massive. The 29-year-old has 30 homers (1st in the AL), 57 walks (4th in the AL) and nine outfield assists (1st in the AL). He earns $2.4MM this year, could earn $6-7MM in 2011 and will hit free agency after that.
With Chase Utley out, the Phillies could move Placido Polanco to second base and play Bautista at third. Like the Blue Jays, the Phils are extremely active, pursuing Roy Oswalt and others. The Tigers, White Sox, Braves and Giants have also been connected to Bautista this month, so the Phillies will have to out-bid a number of teams to obtain the former Rule 5 pick.
Bautista told the FAN 590 tonight that he enjoys Toronto and would consider signing a multi-year deal with the Blue Jays. The team is not discussing a deal with the slugger now, agent Bean Stringfellow confirmed to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.
Bean Stringfellow is one of the best names ever. Hands down.
Also, in before someone says “domonic brown for bautista!!”
I really think Blake Hawksworth and Bean should start their own law office. Stringfellow and Hawksworth: Attorneys at Law.
Up there with Rusty Kuntz, Angel Pagan, Milton Bradley, and Razor Shines. And it’s too bad Dick Pole’s not coaching this year.
Don’t forget Coco Crisp!
I enjoy reading MiLB’s annual Moniker Madness. I love the 2008 winner, “Will Startup”.
I always thought Rusty Kuntz was the best name in baseball… until I heard about Johnny Dickshot.
OMMFGDG, that is fantastic. Wikipedia says his nickname was “Ugly”. I wonder if he was called “Ugly Dickshot”?!
Whaaa?
Dom Brown! Kidding..
not after that sexy debut…………………….
Pretty sure if the Phillies were scouting anything, it’s Scott Downs and the rest of that bullpen. There’s no need for Bautista, and no place for him.
if they spun werth for prospects and put bautista in the OF, youre getting an extra year and another big right handed bat. not saying its going to happen, but its a possibility.
i guess the phillies giants angels and rangers are going to take everyone possible at the deadline i’m getting real annoyed now
So when Shane and Utley come back…. he would play…. where?
Right field as Ibanez gets benched, Werth moves to LF. Brown sent down…
UNLESS, there is a 4-team trade? Maybe Phillies move Werth (assume Tampa) for prospects, some which can be used for Bautista and more prospect can be used to acquire Lilly or Oswalt (or whatever pitcher they want).
Or maybe I am getting ahead of myself. 😛
Oddly enough, that’s actually plausible (in a 3 team trade with an Oswalt one being separate). It would save the Phils some money that they could put towards Oswalt this year and allow them to keep Brown in the minors or bench Ibanez. Of course, they would have no CF until Victorino comes back, so maybe it’s not all that plausible.
I’m sure Bautista has played CF before so he could play there if needed…
He has played a total of 79 innings at CF in his career.
He plays CF in winter ball and Cito used him a lot out there in spring to see what was there. Jack of all trades.
I doubt they’ll send Brown down now….
Agreed. That was more an “if Brown shows he’s not quite ready to contribute to a pennant race” option. Benching Ibanez makes far more sense.
You honestly think one game would prove one way or the other whether he’s ready? Over react much?
raul has been hot lately so not unttil his normal suckyness comes back
Except that Ibanez has been RAKING recently. The dude has always been a streaky hitter and he’s getting real hot… by the time Utley comes back, you might not think benching Ibanez is such a good idea.
This move has about a 0% chance of happening so its a moot point. BUT, no way Ibanez rides the bench. He is hitting over .370 since the break with a HR and is hitting the ball hard, the effects of not having spring training is wearing off. He was hitting Edwin Jacksons 95 mph tonight, the first half of the year he was fouling off 89 mph
He hit Edwin Jackson today? Man, what a standard to set.
Then you can just rotate between Brown and Ibanez.
And seriously? fouling off 89 mph? Yeah, I suppose he’s turned into a good hitter now.
Ha-Ha. The numbers dont lie. He missed Spring Training due to sports hernia surgery. Even with his miserable first half, before the break he started hitting the ball hard, and now has brought his average up from the .240’s to .260’s
Yes Edwin Jackson has been hit around this season, but the point is the fact that his bat speed has drastically improved. Going from fouling back 90 mph pitches to turning on 95 mph like he did tonight is a good sign. Will it last? That I dont know. But its not entirely far fetched that he may have turned a corner. Its not like the guy doesnt have talent.
He has hit a HR since the All-Star break…woo hoo!
He has hit a HR since the All-Star break…woo hoo!
Or unless the Jays take the contract of Ibanez in an effort to secure excellent propspect from the Phillies.
I cant see how the Phillies acquire Oswalt and Baustista.
That’s an intriguing idea. It would probably help the Phillies immensely if the Jays would give them Bautista and Downs and take Ibanez’s remaining 15m off the hook for them. With so little committed to the 2011 payroll, the Blue Jays can certainly afford it if they wanted to and thought the Phillies were offering the right prospect package.
I doubt AA will ask for Ibanez and a prospect for Bautista and Downs…..he is most likely to ask for Brown and a prospect
Bautista and Downs is not worth Brown and AA is not stupid enough to think that they are, he might start it off asking for Brown (wouldn’t surprise me), be he knows he doesn’t have a chance at getting him.
if he can’t get Brown, then why bother talking trade….he doesn’t need to get rid of Bautista….doesn’t want to get rid of Bautista….so….if Phillies want Bautista….then they have to make AA want to give him up….the only way I see it happening is them giving up Brown…..and…why do they have so many scouts at the Jays game?
I think AA should only make the trade if he isn’t planning on having Bautista around when they’re looking to contend (2 years-ish imo), and if that’s the case then he should make the trade to get value for a player that isn’t part of the future of the organization. Now, if AA wants Bautista around long-term and is on the fence then yeah go ahead and shoot for the moon and if/when you don’t get it, whatever no big deal because you want him around.
I’d imagine that they have scouts at Jays games because they are interested in Jays players, just a guess on my part though.
Bautista and Downs are the tools necessary to take you to the post season right now. Brown isn’t going to get you there. Amaro needs to ask himself if he wants golf or more October baseball.
It’s possible that Bautista and Downs get the Phillies to the postseason and Brown doesn’t, or it’s possible that they get in without either of those guys, you have no way of knowing what’s going to happen, so you shouldn’t speak like you do.
My main point is that Bautista for 1 and 1/3 years and Downs for the rest of this season are not worth giving up the best prospect in baseball that just got called up. Yeah, maybe they miss out on the October baseball this year, but that is not worth trading away your only viable long term option for RF (since Werth probably isn’t going to be resigned). AA can ask for Brown all he wants, and it’s not a bad negotiating tactic to start off asking for the best prospects you can, but Ruben Amaro would be incredibly dumb to trade him for Bautista and Downs.
I said the Jays would be willing to take on Ibanez’s 15m + the right prospect PACKAGE for Bautista & Downs. Obviously AA wouldn’t ASK for Ibanez, he’d be going PHI a favor so he can get a better package, similar to how the Jays are paying 6m of Halladay’s 2010 salary so they could get Drabek/D’Arnaud/Taylor from PHI. If I had to guess PHI was willing to send Drabek & Taylor over but weren’t going to add D’Arnaud without the Jays footing some of Doc’s bill.
Or unless the Jays take the contract of Ibanez in an effort to secure excellent propspect from the Phillies.
I cant see how the Phillies acquire Oswalt and Baustista.
up reuben amaros butthole, which he seems to be pulling prospects out of?? which y this will never happen no prospectessses
what are you talkin about the Phillies have plenty of good prospects in class A ball.
yea ik i thought they traded singleton….. but the prospects we sent to houston werent nothin gose cant hit happ was lucky last yr and villans a little young to tell…..but glad we kept cosat singleton and worely
haha i guarantee the first thing AA asks for is dom. brown
Sounds like Shane could be out for up to 6 weeks.
If the cost is low I’m all for Bautista. Worst case scenario, he strengthens are bench over guys like Cody Ransom.
Why would the cost be low? Anthopolous will just keep him rather than give him away.
Singleton for Jose.
Take a Bau Ruben Amaro.
There’s absolutely no way the cost will be low. He’s the most valuable chip the Jays have, and you’ve seen what they’re reportedly asking for Downs. I’m sure the cost will be D Brown because the Phils just don’t have much else of value (Happ would get destroyed in the AL East). And of course, the Phils would never do that, so Bautista will not end up in Philly.
Phillies have some nice prospects actually but a lot of them are in the lower levels.
Right, and the Jays aren’t about to trade the big league HR leader for low A ball players. They would ask for (and apparently HAVE been asking for in all trades) big league or big league ready talent.
Right, and a playoff contending team isn’t trading any big league talent off their roster.
Exactly. Which is why I don’t see these teams matching up.
Yeah, Baseball America just ranked them the #1 A-ball farm system in baseball.
Strengthens the bench…thanks for the good laugh.
Seeing a report on FOX 26 Houston that the Astros and Phillies have agreed to the terms on the Roy Oswalt trade, he has been presented with the deal, and they are awaiting his approval to waive his no trade clause.
Downs and Bautista for Dom Brown and a B prospect?
Philly didn’t give Dom Brown for the best pitcher in baseball, why would they give it up for Downs and Bautista? AND throw in a prospect? Big dreamer, call you Cobb.
Just saw that. Great movie.
No, because they didn’t have to, they had other highly touted prospects they could use instead. If they didn’t have those other prospects, would they have offered up Brown as part of a deal to get Halladay? Probably. So saying “but we didn’t give Brown for Halladay, why would we trade him for anyone else” is being completely oblivious to numerous other factors. That’s not to say I think the Phils would trade Brown, cause I doubt they will, but not because of your apples and oranges reasoning.
Honestly I’d take it. Dom Brown is a franchise prospect. He’s going to be way better than anyone in the entire Jays system.
I love how you speak in absolutes like that. Travis Snider was 18 months younger than Brown when he tore up the PCL last year, and was 30 months younger when he had similar success in the IL over 2/3rds of the ABs.
Nothing is absolute. And normally I don’t speak in absolutes, so thanks for calling me on that. To explain myself, when I said the “system”, I was not including Snider as I consider him on the big team.
Phillies wouldn’t do it.
lol
Phillies would just go after Tejada rather then give up anything of significance for Bautista.
I say the cost is low because I’m pretty sure most around the league realize that Bautista isn’t that great of a player and is just having a career year.
Singleton is untouchable apparently.
Then go get Tejada. The Philles like everyone else know the cost of Bau isn’t low because AGAIN, if AA isn’t getting a blue-chip – he isn’t trading him.
If he wants a blue chip prospect then Bautista will be a Blue Jay. No chance of that happening.
Cool, that’s what I’ve been saying bro. But it’s a fallacy to say that the cost is low.
And exactly why is that? He leads the league in HR and leads the league in no-doubters. He has a great arm and versatile and gets on base often. He is cheap and is under control for another year and likely won’t get much more than 5-6. I doubt the Jays will be asking for a top 25 prospect, but somewhere between the range of 50-75 is fairy reasonable otherwise Jays will keep him. He is becoming a fan favorite anyways.
Thats funny. How dare AA ask for a blue chipper in return for the homerun leader who has the best arm of any right fielder in baseball…..
Best arm in RF? Are we forgetting Werth, Upton, Cruz, etc?
Bautista has the most outfield assist while only playing 70 games in the outfield…so…no…we haven’t forgotten Werth, Upton, Cruz, and so on when we remember Bautista has more outfield assists than them
i’d stack him up against any of those guys, its not just his arm strength, but the accuracy as well. he’s making jays fans reminisce about jesse barfield from the ’80’s.
If we’re talking purely arm strength in RF don’t forget Frenchy, the guy has an absolute cannon. Too bad he can’t do anything else right.
Watch the highlight of JoBau gunning down Markakis at 3rd base on a sac fly from Tuesday’s game if you want an idea of how strong the guy’s arm is. Upton throws like a girl compared to him.
Thats funny. How dare AA ask for a blue chipper in return for the homerun leader who has the best arm of any right fielder in baseball…..
I still think Tejada is going to be placed on waivers.
singleton just probably went to houston
They could use Bautista in the OF and still trade Werth.
If the Phillies get Bautista AND Oswalt then Frank Wren better do something big. Wasn’t Markakis rumored to be available?
I don’t remember hearing any rumors of Markakis being available, and if there were any I doubt it’s true. The O’s have him locked up through 2014 with a club option on 2015 (but Markakis can void the option and forfeit the buyout if it’s exercised) and he’s the kind of guy you’d like to keep around, even though he’s cooled off since that 6+ WAR season back in ’08.
i have interest in Megan Fox. Doesn’t mean its gonna happen.
“Doesn’t mean its gonna happen. ”
Kind of like your profile picture.
🙂 Photoshop is a wonderful thing
Yeah, considering how Dobbs is starting to come around and Ransom keeps hitting a bunch of homeruns there’s no reason to pick up another 3rd baseman.
Any team that throws Ransom fastballs are fools. I couldnt believe that he slammed that slider the other night.
Singleton, Gose and May would probably get the Jays thinking, not sure if it would get a deal done though.
AA would take that in a heartbeat, he isn’t JP.
Are you saying one of them or all three?
I don’t think it could be done for one of them but perhaps 2/3 wouldn’t be that bad. Those 3 for Bautista would be an overpayment IMO.
Singleton will be a top 25-50 prospect next season and Gose and May will be Top 100….I’d fight Amaro if he even considered such an offer.
We could probably get Oswalt for that deal.
If prospects like May and Gose then the top 100 prospect list would have to be extended. I think Singleton could be a 40-50 prospect which is what Jays would want in a deal for Bautista.
I think for Oswalt you would need more prospects. I don’t think A ball prospects get it done. They would likely want someone that is close to big league ready.
All three of course. Singleton is the top 50 prospect a guy like Bautista would command, May and Gose are nowhere near top 100 but would be nice pieces to add into the deal.
Downs and Bautista to SF for a huge haul.
What huge haul? They have even less in the way of prospects than the Phillies.
In before MADISON BUMGARNER n BUSTER POSEY
No deal! Only if they throw in the prison rights to Angel Villalona!
Were not talking about the Nats here!
Ya this isnt happening. Im sure the Phillies called in and asked about the price on a few players like Downs and Marcum. Pitching is definitely what they’re after.
Marcum probably has the most value of all 3.
Phillies would give up a blue chip prospect for Downs as bullpen is a need.
one of 2 things is happening
1.utleys injury is worse than expected
2. the blue jays know this is a fluke(like most of the MLB) and are selling him at top value
if i were AA id be pushing a deal for him pronto
I am just curious how everybody knows it is a fluke? Does the guy really have enough career ABs to point to his career numbers? (not to mention that regular playing time and confidence thing). I’m not saying he is a sure bet, but I don’t get why every is so confident that its some kind of luck. It is as if people want him to fail.
He’s a career .240 hitter who never hit more then 13 Hrs in a season.
Counting numbers and batting averages? Ugh..
But yes, his SLG% is way above his career average, as is his .ISO. His HR/FB% is up too.
Well sometimes guys go up and don’t come back down. It’s called becoming a better player.
Players get better with progression [usually]. But having his SLG% all of a sudden jump up .160 above his career average? Or his .ISO being .130 above his career norm? It just seems inhuman, especially after being in the bigs for 6-7 years.
If he remains a Blue Jay and does this again next season, then I’m a believer.
it’s because he’s playing everyday now. He never got the opportunity to play every day. It’s like telling the Red Sox they were dumb for signing Marco Scutaro after a “career” year. Some players just get left under the rug until a team gives them a shot. Bautista is getting his chance to show what he can do.
There’s that, and I also think there is an over-reliance on past stats.
Got to remember that a lot of the people judging Bautista on these threads have not actually watched him much, if at all. There are just the stats and, sure enough, Bautista has come out of nowhere.
But then there are those of us who have watched him since last September, when he spent a month crushing the ball out of the park. Then in Spring Training. And now, for pretty much the entire season. This coupled with outstanding defence and versatility.
I just don’t see how he could regress that much. He’s at a prime age, his arm and versatility are going nowhere, and at worst, his homers drop to the 20 – 25 range which is more than tolerable.
He’s a terrific asset, and I really wouldn’t be upset to see him as the long-term solution at 3B for the Jays.
There’s that, and I also think there is an over-reliance on past stats.
Got to remember that a lot of the people judging Bautista on these threads have not actually watched him much, if at all. There are just the stats and, sure enough, Bautista has come out of nowhere.
But then there are those of us who have watched him since last September, when he spent a month crushing the ball out of the park. Then in Spring Training. And now, for pretty much the entire season. This coupled with outstanding defence and versatility.
I just don’t see how he could regress that much. He’s at a prime age, his arm and versatility are going nowhere, and at worst, his homers drop to the 20 – 25 range which is more than tolerable.
He’s a terrific asset, and I really wouldn’t be upset to see him as the long-term solution at 3B for the Jays.
He started 140 games back in ’07, so he has gotten the opportunity to play everyday. Now, that was 3 years ago and really his first time starting almost every game, so he could’ve been adjusting/going through growing pains, and now he’s over those growing pains. I’m still on the fence whether or not he’s truly legitimate, but he is making a very strong case so far this season.
it’s because he’s playing everyday now. He never got the opportunity to play every day. It’s like telling the Red Sox they were dumb for signing Marco Scutaro after a “career” year. Some players just get left under the rug until a team gives them a shot. Bautista is getting his chance to show what he can do.
he’s hitting .240 now, and had 16 hr’s in a season. His BABip is also lower then his career average, which indicates if anything he’s been unlucky this year not lucky… The only difference is twofold, 1)he is hitting more fly balls off right handed pitching. 2) His FO-HR ratio is up 7%. . So he’s hitting righties better, he’s hitting more fly balls against them, and more of them are leaving the park.
he’s hitting .240 now, and had 16 hr’s in a season. His BABip is also lower then his career average, which indicates if anything he’s been unlucky this year not lucky… The only difference is twofold, 1)he is hitting more fly balls off right handed pitching. 2) His FO-HR ratio is up 7%. . So he’s hitting righties better, he’s hitting more fly balls against them, and more of them are leaving the park.
Bautista’s value is undoubtedly as high as it will ever get, but I’m in the growing band that doesn’t think it’s a “fluke”.
The thing that’s often overlooked is that he is versatile in the field (3B or RF, and probably anywhere else in the outfield), and has a cannon arm with laser-guided precision. All his coaches say that, yes, they’re surprised he’s done this well, but his power is legitimate.
Maybe he’s just a guy for whom it has all come together. He killed it last September when he got his first regular playing time, killed it in spring training, and is killing it in the 2010 season. He may not lead the league in home runs next season, but I think he’s here to stay as a genuinely strong piece of any MLB team.
I think his value is in his versatility….I don’t think he’s a 30 HR guy though.
Also in regards to The Phils farms system and having the pieces. They’ll system will probably be ranked pretty high…but most of their guys are in A ball.
He already IS a 30 HR guy though. Has hit 40 HR in the last calendar year, and could be a 50 HR guy by the end of this season. Yes, his stats as a raw rule 5 pick in the majors and his time on the bench for the Pirates and Jays have some bearing. But the tools have always been there, and you can’t just ignore this season’s numbers either.
He already IS a 30 HR guy though. Has hit 40 HR in the last calendar year, and could be a 50 HR guy by the end of this season. Yes, his stats as a raw rule 5 pick in the majors and his time on the bench for the Pirates and Jays have some bearing. But the tools have always been there, and you can’t just ignore this season’s numbers either.
if he gets traded to philly, i could easily see him hitting 30 hr’s again next year.
if he gets traded to philly, i could easily see him hitting 30 hr’s again next year.
I’d go with 2…only because I have Utley on my fantasy team and desperately need him back
I can’t see the Phillies having the pieces to secure Bautista or Downs (presumably Dom Brown is off-limits even in a major trade). Frasor could probably be picked up cheaply enough though.
this is great… Phils are pinching pennies to keep cliff lee… now 3 months later they are getting oswalt, bautista, tejada, downs, carmona, dotel… hahahaha… the Phillies are now operating with a Yankees budget… cmon… as a Phils fan I would rather them zero in on a solid #3 like a Marcum, Carmona, Myers, Nolasco and get a stud like Downs, Valverde, Capps Soria for the back of the pen… not really interested in Oswalt and his soft comments
looks to me that Oswalt is sleeping on a proposed deal. We will know in about 6 hours.
Oswalt would certainly have to restructure his deal to a 2-3 year deal where he makes around $10 mil a year.
Depends how much cash the Astros are sending and whether he demands his option picked up.
They dont need him, but AA’s requests have been crazy this season so he’ll probably want Dom Brown for Batista which isn’t happening.
Don’t be foolish, it’s part of negotiation. Now Yankees and BoSox know they have to pay a high price to get him and they will probably counter with good prospect(s) but if AA asks them what they would be willing to give up then Yankees and BoSox would offer pretty low. This way they know they have to give up something valuable if they want him – it’s part of negotiation. And who knows, maybe Cashman gets drunk really hard one day and accepts Montero for Bautista, lol.
1 bottle of Canadian should do it, with all their beer being watered down.
I wouldnt want Montero for Bautista… Where is he going to play? Yes he is a top prospect, but the Jays dont need a catcher, already have a DH, and even if you move him to first, what do you do with Wallace and/or Lind? For Downs… Sure, not for Bautista. Keep him, move Snider to Left, and Lewis plays 4-5 days a week giving the guys a rest.
He could be a monumental trade chip, but they are not going to land Montero.
I wouldnt want Montero for Bautista… Where is he going to play? Yes he is a top prospect, but the Jays dont need a catcher, already have a DH, and even if you move him to first, what do you do with Wallace and/or Lind? For Downs… Sure, not for Bautista. Keep him, move Snider to Left, and Lewis plays 4-5 days a week giving the guys a rest.
Shane Victorino is batting .240, so the way I see it is…if we were to acquirer Bautista, which is very unlikely if we land Roy Oswalt, but I would put Bautista in Left, Werth in Center, and Brown in Right, with Ibanez and Shane coming off the bench. Victorino is worrying too much about hitting homeruns, that he’s failing to produce at just getting on base, so maybe a spot as a bench warmer will wake him up….but it would be pretty awesome to get Oswalt and Bautista, although if Toronto is asking for a lot for the rights to acquirer Downs, then they’re gonna want a lot for Bautista.
Trust me, as much as I understand that you want Brown to get the experience of playing right – if you have Bautista, he’s got to be your right fielder. His arm is just ridiculous, you would want it out there.
Shane Victorino is batting .240, so the way I see it is…if we were to acquirer Bautista, which is very unlikely if we land Roy Oswalt, but I would put Bautista in Left, Werth in Center, and Brown in Right, with Ibanez and Shane coming off the bench. Victorino is worrying too much about hitting homeruns, that he’s failing to produce at just getting on base, so maybe a spot as a bench warmer will wake him up….but it would be pretty awesome to get Oswalt and Bautista, although if Toronto is asking for a lot for the rights to acquirer Downs, then they’re gonna want a lot for Bautista.
I wonder if there is a three team trade in the works… with Downs and/or Bautista going to the Phils, Werth going to team “X” and send ? back to the Jays. The logic being that Bautista is versatile, controllable and cheaper than Werth. The phils also getting the additional bullpen help.
Its actually 16 home runs as a career high (and 15 HR two other times). He has only ever had over 400 at bats once in his career.
Now I’m not saying the guy will lead the majors for the next 5 years, but I have watched probably 90% of the Jays games since they got him, and ever since he has gotten an everyday job, he has absolutely mashed the ball. Just sayin’….
Its actually 16 home runs as a career high (and 15 HR two other times). He has only ever had over 400 at bats once in his career.
Now I’m not saying the guy will lead the majors for the next 5 years, but I have watched probably 90% of the Jays games since they got him, and ever since he has gotten an everyday job, he has absolutely mashed the ball. Just sayin’….
What I think most people fail to realize is that the Yankees seem to be offering Montero up for just about anyone of any value. Rumor had it they offered him for Soria… Why not for Downs? Say Downs and a B level guy for Montero. Thats something I could get behind. AA has shown a propensity for adding lower level guys if it means getting what he wants (see the Morrow/Escobar trades)
What I think most people fail to realize is that the Yankees seem to be offering Montero up for just about anyone of any value. Rumor had it they offered him for Soria… Why not for Downs? Say Downs and a B level guy for Montero. Thats something I could get behind. AA has shown a propensity for adding lower level guys if it means getting what he wants (see the Morrow/Escobar trades)
The Yankees have no use for Montero in their lineup for the foreseeable future, and Downs would undoubtedly strengthen them for at least the next couple of years.
I think the real issue is whether the Yankees feel that Downs is the best use of their prized trading chip. Should they want to make a mega-deal later down the line, Montero is the kind of chip to open doors.
The Yankees have no use for Montero in their lineup for the foreseeable future, and Downs would undoubtedly strengthen them for at least the next couple of years.
I think the real issue is whether the Yankees feel that Downs is the best use of their prized trading chip. Should they want to make a mega-deal later down the line, Montero is the kind of chip to open doors.
Soria’s younger, cheaper and a potential heir to mariano. . Downs is 34, and while he is probably the best non closer in anyones bullpen, 2 months of him is not worth a top 5 prospect
Soria’s younger, cheaper and a potential heir to mariano. . Downs is 34, and while he is probably the best non closer in anyones bullpen, 2 months of him is not worth a top 5 prospect
Soria >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Downs.
Of course Soria is better than Downs and cheaper and sign long term and younger. But Soria said no to Yankees… Yankees need a plan B…
Soria >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Downs.
Frank Wren needs to get busy and get on the phone about Bautista. The Braves should have the prospects to match whatever the Phillies could offer (especially since they just lost some of them to the Astros).
Frank Wren needs to get busy and get on the phone about Bautista. The Braves should have the prospects to match whatever the Phillies could offer (especially since they just lost some of them to the Astros).
darkdonnie 6 hours ago in reply to TheodoreRoosevelt
I think his value is in his versatility….I don’t think he’s a 30 HR guy though.
Also in regards to The Phils farms system and having the pieces. They’ll system will probably be ranked pretty high…but most of their guys are in A ball.
He’s not a 30 homer guy… He’s probably a 40-45 homer guy (on pace for 48)
darkdonnie 6 hours ago in reply to TheodoreRoosevelt
I think his value is in his versatility….I don’t think he’s a 30 HR guy though.
Also in regards to The Phils farms system and having the pieces. They’ll system will probably be ranked pretty high…but most of their guys are in A ball.
He’s not a 30 homer guy… He’s probably a 40-45 homer guy (on pace for 48)
I’m a phils fan, and I don’t know how in the world the team can swing a deal for both Oswalt AND Bautista. I suppose Victorino could be part of a deal for Bautista. He’s signed to a club-friendly deal and hits for power, plays good D and can steal bags. But he ain’t exactly a contact hitter (plus he’s hurt).
“19 Rocks 8 minutes ago in reply to jaysbooster
Soria >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Downs.”
While I agree Soria is better than Downs in age factor, you are missing the point. The Yanks (and most contenders) need a lefty, and they dont come any better than Downs right now. Also, Montero wasnt enough to get Soria, so what does that tell you? Soria>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Montero = Downs +low level prospect, according to what the market place looks like.
That said, I still dont like him on the Jays, unless they are going to flip him the same way they flipped the kid they got from the Phillies to get Wallace from the A’s. If thats the case and they can get a good 3rd baseman of the future (or second baseman and move Hill to 3rd) then go nuts!
In response to “darkdonnie 33 minutes ago in reply to jaysbooster
Best arm in RF? Are we forgetting Werth, Upton, Cruz, etc? ”
We arent forgetting anyone! By FAAAAAARRRRR the best arm at almost any position! My guess is you havent seen him play. He regularly throws from the right corner on a line to thrid base. The other night he threw one from deep right center with no bounce right on the bag to gun out a player. Leading the league in outfeild assist in 30 games less (ones he played at 3rd base). Werth/Cruz… no where close. Upton??? He isnt even a right fielder.
Second coming of Jesse Barfield. In fact, it wasnt that long ago that Barfield was in the booth talking with Buck Martinez and Pat Tabler about that arm and he said that it may be the best one he’s seen in the last 20 years.
Don’t pull names out of the hat that you may have heard have good arms.
“Upton??? He isnt even a right fielder.”
He’s referring to Justin Upton (you know, the more productive one of the two), who is in fact a right fielder. And it’s not just random names “that you may have heard have good arms” all 3 of the guys listed have very solid arms in RF. Now, are they better than Bautista? I can’t answer that since I haven’t seen him play too much, but let’s not act like Jose is the only guy in the majors with a cannon.