ESPN's Jayson Stark has a new blog post up with some trade rumor nuggets for us. It's behind the Insider wall (if you don't have a subscription yet, what are you waiting for?), so I can't give away too much…
- Stark lists 16 players currently on the trade block. Among the names we haven't seen mentioned recently: Willie Harris, Andy Marte, Tim Stauffer, Omir Santos, and Brad Thomas.
- The Mets are looking to move one of their extra catchers, either Santos or Chris Coste, and are looking to add "major league-ready triple-A pitching depth." Aren't we all…
- The Phillies are looking to add all sorts of pitching depth, and have interest in the recently released Chad Gaudin.
- Scott Sizemore's rocky spring has the Tigers looking for a second base upgrade.
- Kansas City is shopping Brayan Pena in their perpetual search for starting pitching.
- The Braves have told other clubs that David Ross is available, "possibly in a catcher-for-catcher swap for a younger backup-catcher type."
David Ross available? I know he isn’t used much because McCann plays more than your usual catcher, but Ross is an amazing backup and great in the clubhouse. I would perfer to keep him.
I think he is better than a few starting catchers around the league and it might be good for his career if he got traded somewhere where he can steal some real playing time.
The “swap for a younger backup-catcher type” confuses me because isn’t that what Clint Sammons is already?
Get it done Jim (Hendry).
Soto is much better than Ross. He’ll bounce back.
Oh I agree but Ross is better than Koyie Hill.
according To frank WREN ross is not available and he says he doesnt know where that rumor came from…Furthermore he is baffled by this rumor and says that trading ross would not only weaken their bench but would weaken their catching depth as well…IF anyone is traded it is inherently more likely that it will be one of the pitchers for an impact bat or additional bullpen
Why are the Royals shopping Pena? Kendall is not the future of the franchise and Pena can hit too. This makes no sense DM. How bout trade from a position you have depth like outfield or second base or Bentancourt.
Maybe they think some of their prospects are closer than before. Pina? Myers? Pena isn’t the catcher of the future either, and maybe they think we have one that is 2 years away, and Kendall has a two year deal.
Brad Thomas?
Lefty reliever for the Tigers. He spent the last two years in Korea.
Oh yeah I know who he is, I am just wondering why he would be on the trade block and why anybody would actually trade for him.
He’s lefthanded and he’s breathing. That’s all it takes sometimes.
Yeah your right about that.
what the heck? Ross available? I was more hoping he was going to get extended. He is a great back up for McCann and doesn’t create an automatic out when filling in for McCann.
I would hate to see him traded.
Agreed! How can they even think about giving up a guy that is fine with being the back-up to McCann and has the skill to be an everyday catcher
Ramon Santiago could play 2nd, no need to go out and get a replacement. Sizemore deserves a shot at 2nd though, he’s shown what he can do in the minors and AFL.
The Tigers faith in Santiago is puzzling. He is a utility infielder, who can’t play any position well (-10 UZR at 2nd -2 UZR at SS) and he can’t hit to save his life. I’d honestly rather have Dlugach at 2nd, or even Raburn…hes got to better than Santiago.
Again, still don’t understand Dayton Moore’s dislike for a fairly decent catcher in Pena. We need offense more than pitching.
In regards ESPN insider, I remember they had a deal last year in which you paid $10 on top of your MLB.TV subscription and you got a year of insider. I haven’t seen that again this year, can anyone confirm if that deal is still around? I may have just missed it.
I got mine last year when the website tanga.com had a subscription to the magazine on sale for 2.97 a year. So I got 3 years of Insider and the magazine for 8.91, a bargain I think.
Don’t understand why Ross would be available. Did a great job as a backup last year, and they have a good catching prospect already. Not like they really need any more depth anywhere either so I can’t see him being moved
I really like Ross, he’s the best backup catcher since Eddi Perez. That tells you how bad Atlanta backup catchers have been, but regardless he’s great in the clubhouse and there was an article about how written recently about how he loved Atlanta because he could accept being a backup. He mentioned that the competitive drive was in him and he wanted to play, but there was no doubt in his mind he was even in the same stratosphere as Brian McCann and that made life easier for him. I hope he sticks around for a while in Atlanta.
Ross has a ton of trade value and should be starting somewhere. The Braves apparently know that he wont be around next year and they are wanting to find another, young/capable catcher, for a few seasons. Also shows they dont have much confidence in Sammons
I could be wrong but this smacks of a desire on the part of Ross to get (deservedly so) more playing time. Why else would we be trying to downgrade at a position during Bobby’s final year?
That being said, I agree with the previous sentiments. If we can get some team to overpay for Ross then lets do it. Ross ould be a legit starting catcher for an assload of teams out there. The Mariners, Mets, Astros, Rays, Marlins, Padres, Royals, and Brewers come to mind, off the top of my head.
….if the catcher-for-catcher rumor is true, how about getting back Royals’ catcher Brayan Pena? He is a younger, switch-hitting catcher, he is familiar with out organization, and he just happens to be Yunel’s best bud. This might be used as leverage for a long term deal with Yunie.
The Royals won’t be over-paying for a back-up catcher with Jason Kendall given a two year deal, and Wil Myers in the making.
Brayan Pena is for trade? Really?
Who will back-up the zombie? Vance Wilson? Manny Pina? I’m not Pena’s biggest fan but he did slug a solid 442 last year. We won’t be getting Brian Matsuz in return either.