Here’s the latest from around the AL East…
- As of today, the Red Sox and Edwin Encarnacion’s representatives had yet to engage in serious negotiations, WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford reports. Boston has often been cited as a logical landing spot for the free agent slugger, though Paul Kinzer (Encarnacion’s agent) recently said the Sox weren’t pursuing his client as aggressively as expected, and the club may have other targets in mind for the DH spot who would come at a cheaper price. The pro-Encarnacion argument for the Red Sox, Bradford notes, is simply that the long-term concerns may not outweigh the relatively safe value of adding his elite bat. “Because of his recent history, low-impact position, palatable age, and demeanor, it’s fair to suggest Encarnacion wouldn’t be one of those contracts that would make roster-building difficult to manage,” Bradford writes.
- Yankees GM Brian Cashman says he has “a lot of teams asking me about” prospect Miguel Andujar, Brandon Kuty of NJ Advance Media reports. Andujar, 21, hit .273/.332/.410 with 12 homers over 570 plate appearances at the high-A and Double-A levels last season, performing significantly better at the lower level (.817 OPS in 251 PA) than the higher (.681 OPS in 319 Double-A PA), as one might expect. New York took big steps to reload its minor league system last year in the Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller trades, so it remains to be seen how eager the team is to deal Andujar or other notable prospects. If the Yankees were interested in moving a youngster for a proven big leaguer, however, it would stand to reason that they would move an intriguing but not upper-tier minor leaguer like Andujar than they would a blue chip prospect like Gleyber Torres or Clint Frazier. MLB.com ranks Andujar as the seventh-best prospect in New York’s farm system.
- Outfield defense and catching depth continue to be offseason priorities for the Orioles, as Dan Duquette tells MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko. At the recently-concluded GM Meetings, Duquette said the O’s “talked to a couple of clubs about potential trades and then we talked to some agents” about catchers. With Matt Wieters hitting free agency, Baltimore has a big vacancy behind the plate, as light-hitting Caleb Joseph is currently the top backstop in the organization.
- Also from Kubatko, the Orioles have parted ways with Rick Peterson, the club’s director of pitching development for the last five seasons. A longtime coach and coordinator in both the majors and minors, Peterson is perhaps best known as a former pitching coach for the Athletics, Mets and Brewers between 1998-2010.
- Earlier today on MLBTR, some more Red Sox and Orioles items were included in an edition of East Notes.
I hope DD don’t sign EE!Beltran one year!Shaw/Panda 3base! Try to get Sale or sign Hill plus a setupp man
I wouldn’t mind Justin Turner. He’s a bit underrated and should provide pretty good value at an affordable price. That would solve 3rd base for now and then he can DH when Moncada is ready. The only problem is he’s probably looking for a 5 year deal and a 3 year deal might be the best for Boston. I’m not content with Beltran at 40 years old especially if all he will do is DH for what I’m guessing will be a sizeable contract as it is.
One year is ok for Beltran! He hit 29h 95rbi 295 at 39! Justin has a draffpick
Forgot about the draft pick. I know what he did last year and he will have a hard time repeating it
They better keep Andujar… The scouts at AFL have been raving about his bat speed and exit velocity, and he could crack the ’18 Opening Day Roster. His presence within the organization will also keep Jorge Mateo and Gleyber Torres competing, because at this rate, 3B looks to be the slot that may open up the quickest (assuming Didi Gregorius and Starlin Castro stay put in New York.) Personally, I think that the rebuild could use a bit more work. From all scouting reports, Dustin Fowler is a near-clone of Brett Gardner offensively, and they have a log-jam of nearly-ready outfielders, in addition to Gardner, Ellsbury, Hicks, so might as well deal Gardner for an upside arm. I think that Seattle is an interesting option to make a trade with. They have some really talented guys (James Paxton, Taijuan Walker, Luiz Gohara) that could be moved for the right price. What’s interesting is that the Yankees signed 12 of the MLB.com Top 30 International Prospects in 2014, and this is the year when most of them should come to the states (a few already have, but haven’t put up great #s). It’ll really be a big loss for the Yankees if they were effectively eliminated from signing any top int’l prospects for 2 years (the biggest penalty was an inability to bid on Kevin Maitan) and struck out on a massive overhaul of talent.
castro might be the most overrated big leaguer at this point. he shouldn’t be blocking anyone.
I don’t see Andujar going anywhere any time soon. I’m sure Cashman will look around and see what teams will offer and what they can get in return for him but unless some team is going to offer way more than they should for a 3B PROSPECT he won’t be going anywhere.
If you think Seattle is going to trade Paxton or Walker for Gardner straight up, you’re crazy. You’re talking a young, controllable pitcher with a ton of upside for an aging OF with a skill-set that doesn’t really age well. I know Gardner has value currently as a decent contact bat, good baserunning, and decent defense…but there is no way a team gives up a young major league pitcher for Gardner.
Decent defense apparently only won him a Gold Glove…
not a corner OF bat power number wise, doesn’t hit LHP. Good skill set but like he said, it doesn’t age well, just look at Crawford from LAD. Once the legs go it can be tough.
Yes that is certainly correct. His little to no power at a position that usually does have power hitters hurts his value a bit.
And if I’m the Yankees I would want no part of Walker. A career 4.48 ERA and a 1.4 HR/9 (1.8 last year). Over the past 2 seasons he has a total of 1.5 WAR in 54 starts. He’d probably have a HR/9 of 2.5-3 at Yankee Stadium with an ERA near 6. No thanks sir.
Paxton has been more effective but he’s thrown far less innings. Last year was a career high (only 121 IP). That’s a chance I’d take but you’re probably right that Seattle wouldn’t. Yankees would have to add another prospect or 2 for him.
But Walker for Gardner? Cashman should be fired immediately if he did that.
Do the Yankees even want Gardner though is the question I feel like they’d almost give him away to give a young guy a chance. Especially considering you have his equivalent in center already. To add depth to a rotation with a power arm while clearing up space to put a young guy who you want more out there. That’s going to get him fired?
Gardner has a .351 on base above average speed gold glove in left field solid lead off hitter for any team definitely should not be underestimated
Do they want him? Sure. He led the team in OBP last year (well 2nd to Sanchez) and led the team in rWAR. Why would they Not want that?
I surely do think they want Gardner over Ellsbury, but Ellsbury is basically untradable with that contract.
My point is, the Yankees will probably ask for a #3-#4 pitcher for Gardner with at least 2 years of control for that. That is a more than fair swap for a 3 WAR OFer making $13 mil a year which is not a lot in today’s market as I’m sure you know. Heck, his former teammate Ivan Nova has had 1 good 1/2 season the past 3+ years and he’s probably going to get $13 mil+ as well.
Technically they don’t “need” Gardner but he’s not easy to replace. I surely wish it was Ellsbury who was traded, but as I said, that can’t happen unless it’s for someone with another bad contract. Jordan Zimmermann or something?
Exactly bronxbombers. People just look at his low HR total for a LFer which is completely fair but rarely look at his good OBP and very good defense. I just wish the guy was less afraid to steal bases. Just a couple of years ago he stole 47. Now he’s lucky to get 20. Though of course that could be Girardi making some of the calls.
Alot of times they stop stealing to stay healthy I know texas forced a rod to slow it down compared to his Seattle days. I personally agree with all of you they’d prefer jacoby gone but that contract. Definitely not underestimating Gardner just constantly hear speculation that he’s available. And then when you put 2 and 2 together about them trying to get younger that’s why I think they want to move him. I honestly don’t know if he’s worth a #3 starter unless he hasn’t reached his potential Ala walker.
@Nick4747, I think they can get a very good return from Houston if they package McCann and Gardner together and eat some of the salary. The 2 of them are only owed about $60 million Combined through the next 2 seasons. They can get an even greater return if the Yankees at some of the money
I mention Houston because as we know (as far as what they tell us), they are interested in McCann, and there’s also rumors saying they want another LH hitter and might be interested in Gardner.
Agreed to all of that I think people also under sell walker and I think the Yankees would jump @ the opportunity to get his potential @ still only 24. That’s not a bad team and trade scenario in my opinion I just wonder what would be worth it from the Yankees point of view a 24 year old power arm or prospects.
I agree about the baserunning. He has been constantly around 20 SBs the previous few seasons, before his 2012 season-ending elbow injury, so probably a managerial decision. On some days, I believe that Gardner could have been much better than he is now, if it were not for that 2012 injury.
I also don’t disagree about a trade for a Mariners pitcher, but I believe that a McCann trade to Houston would be more enticing if Gardner were included. The Astros could use the veteran assistance and they can put Gardner in their vacant outfield spot left by Rasmus, while Yankees could get youth back.
Might take Moncada to get Sale…
I think it has to start with Moncada, then tack on more.
Was hoping the Red Sox would look for some left handed power, but EE would be a solid addition. Although they need to make sure that they still have enough left over for two quality relievers.
Unless the Yankees definitely plan on staying with Headley at 3B through his contract (2018) and then go after Machado hard when he becomes a FA after the 2018 season there is little reason for the Yankees to trade Andujar. Andujar is really the Yankees only option at 3B if they intend to replace Headley before the end of the 2018 season.
The Yanks could end up with Torres at 3rd also, or maybe they can play more than one position like Bryant and Baez do for the Cubs. One thing for sure the Yanks have the best prospects they have had in a long time. I say, let them get to the majors and make them make you decide what to do. Players develop at different rates.
Just my opinion but I would think Torres is more slated to play 2B in the future. I see him replacing Castro at some point in the future and the Yankees trading Castro.
No way they should push for Harper hard
Not after a disappearing act he pulled this season. I don’t like to use WAR, but even Ellsbury (2.8) had a higher WAR than Harper (1.6) this season.
Who said anything about Harper? I know I didn’t.
Andujar and Torres are ripping up the AFL, I don’t see either being moved. The Cubs model of keeping all of their prospects until they are in the major leagues is the way to go. Cashman will look to trade Gardner and McCann for young pitching prospects this winter, after that they will add a few pieces to make the team competitive next year like EE and Chapman.
take afl stats with a grain of salt. most top flight pitching is shut down for the year due to innings restrictions. it’s already kind of a down year of talent there anyway.
Guys. Trade for kennys Vargas to replace Ortiz
Interesting. Will history repeat itself?
Edwin might end up back in Toronto just like Chris Davis last year even tho he finished 1st in home runs and everyone expected him to leave Baltimore there were nobody serious about signing Chris Davis even thought the market last year was better last year Edwin Encarnacion might end back up in Toronto because there might not be any serious offers from other teams.
A lot of people don’t like what Duquette is doing this offseason, but I really like the approach he is taking. They need at least one more outfielder to fill in right field (preferably Reddick) and another outfielder to platoon in right or left (preferably Rajai Davis to go along with Rickard). Getting a catcher is an obvious need, though I feel Joseph can be solid behind the plate when given the opportunity to start, so they would just need a platoon for catcher also. He showed his ability in 2014 and part of 2015 when Wieters was hurt. I’m hoping they go and get Castro so they would have 2 above average pitch framers to help out our pitchers, which is something Wieters struggled with. Then finally Duquette is looking for another LHRP to pair with Hart. The starting pitching in this free agent market would be a waste to throw their money at. This could be a very good offseason for the O’s no matter what the “experts” say.
they need a centerfielder. Jones should be in a corner by now.
I would think McCann and Gardner would bring back a nice piece or two we have judge hicks mason Williams for the outfield give andujar a tryout move Castro to third to tryout Mateo and Torres let the prospects get their noses wet
Both Andujar, Mateo, and Torres are a year away from the majors, next year the Yanks will see what others like Judge and Frazier can do. Let’s not rush the others. I think Cashman is looking for young starter in trading either Gardner or McCann, I do think both will be traded for pitching. Astros, Nats, and Braves for McCann, and Giants, Cards,Phillies, and D-Backs
Castro sucks and I bet he’ll suck even more at 3B, he’ll be removed sooner or later.
Umm. I’m going to use both. the eye test and defensive metrics here. Edwin is a terrible first baseman. He might be worse than Ortiz. He’s DH only at this point. Any team signing him to play 90 games at first gets what they deserve.
Ok I’ll bite. Pray tell, what are those defensive metrics? Everyone continues to perpetuate this fiction about EE’s defensive non-abilities but no one backs this without anything more than opinion.
The eye test shows Edwin’s a good fielder. If he’s even a little below average, that’s fine due to what his bat brings
I don’t even know where to begin, but that is one of the most ridiculous things I’ve ever heard. Worse than Ortiz at first? Are you kidding me?
Everyone could use EE’s elite bat. Why the Red Soxeont even try with their payroll flexible is quite ridiculous. Especially when all their young players aren’t looking for extensions.
currently they’re not looking for extensions, but if you give edwin a 4-5 year deal, eventually it’ll interfere with their plans. Eventually betts, bogaerts, jbj etc will need to sign extension, leave or be traded. those decisions will be made within the next 5 years, having a 25 million dollar DH hampers that
I am thinking of a deal between the O’s and the Braves. Atlanta sends superstar LH centerfielder Ender Inciarte, Top 100 prospect SH infielder Ozzie Albies (#4 in MiLB in 2016), and 2016 #3 overall draft choice and top 100 MLB prospect Ian Anderson to Baltimore for 3b Manny Machado plus catcher prospect Chance Sisco plus 1B prospect Trey Mancini.
Ignoring the fact that you can’t trade draft picks in MLB, that feels light even for just Machado (possibly my homerism, but Dave Cameron at Fangraphs had him ranked within the top 10 players in the league in trade value, so at least partially justified). Additionally, even ignoring value, this trade really doesn’t make sense for either franchise fit-wise. The O’s are trying to compete now so they trade their best player, plus their heir apparent at catcher, to pick up a CF when the face of the franchise plays that position? And I know the Braves are trying to pivot out of their rebuild, but does it really make sense for them to spend 4 long term assets to pick up a 2 year asset and two long term assets that are probably each roughly equal in value to the least valuable of the four given up by the braves? That’s an all in move and I don’t think they’re in an all in place.