Let's take stock of each team's top trade chips, starting today with the NL West…
- Diamondbacks: Arizona moved two of its best trade chips this winter in Max Scherzer and Daniel Schlereth, and there's obviously no way Justin Upton will be moved. The cupboard is a little bare right now, but Stephen Drew could be available for the right price. He has two more years of team control left after 2010. Conor Jackson, who won't be a free agent until after 2011, could be attractive as well. Top prospect Jarrod Parker is recovering from Tommy John surgery.
- Dodgers: Matt Kemp and Clayton Kershaw are deal breakers, but Chad Billingsley could be dangled after popping up in rumors during the offseason. The 25-year-old posted a 5.21 ERA in his final 19 appearances last year, though his peripheral stats were in line with what they had been in previous seasons. He won't be eligible for free agency until after the 2012 season.
- Giants: Tim Lincecum and Pablo Sandoval aren't going anywhere and Matt Cain just signed a new extension, so Brian Sabean's best trade chip is lefty Jonathan Sanchez. The 27-year-old owns a career 9.3 K/9 and won't be eligible for arbitration until after the 2012 season. Madison Bumgarner's stock is down while he battles with Missing Velocity Disease, and Buster Posey isn't going anywhere.
- Padres: Adrian Gonzalez and Heath Bell aren't just San Diego's two best trade chips, they're among the best in the game. Gonzalez is one of the baseball's premier power hitters at age 27, and will make just $4.75MM in 2010 with a $5.5MM club option for 2011. Bell has emerged as one of the league's most dominant closers, and won't be eligible for free agency until after the 2011 season.
- Rockies: Everyone wants to get their hands on Troy Tulowitzki, but it's just not happening. Brad Hawpe is the player most likely to be moved, and there should be interest given his annual .890 OPS's and 25+ homers. He has a $10MM option for the 2011 season with a cheap $500K buyout, and Colorado has a glut of young and productive outfielders to replace him.
honestly.. stop. Chad Billingsley is not going anywhere. He has a career 3.53 ERA and is 25 years old. He had a 3.14 ERA before he injured his hammy last season, but continued to pitch, simply because he knew the team would fail with him out of the rotation, as Kuroda was out as well. If you take out his injury plagued year, his career ERA goes down to 3.33. HE IS 25 YEARS OLD. Why on earth would a team that just reached back to back NLCS’s trade Billingsley? The Dodgers have visions of the next Drysdale-Koufax combo at the top of the rotation. (no, I am not saying either Kershaw or Billingsley are at that level, but that is what the Dodgers are dreaming of… as they both have ace potential). To think Billingsley will be traded is like saying we are going to offer Kershaw and Kemp for Cano and Hughes…
Seriously, lighten up. This is all just speculative. And Mike was just mentioning that his name popped up in trade rumors in the offseason. Jeez.
Well, it’s pointlessly speculative. Everyone could be a trade candidate if that’s the rationale. The Dodgers need Kershaw and Bills going forward, because pitching is awfully sketch for them past that.
Look, all he was doing is listing every NL West team’s best MLB trade chip, excluding the for sure untouchable ones (Upton, Kemp, Kershaw, Timmeh, Panda, and Tulo). And Billingsley was in trade rumors, so he thought it was worth a mention.
By the way, I’m not saying Billingsley isn’t untouchable, I’m just saying he’s not at the status of the players I mentioned… yet.
As I said below, this came off harsher than I meant it. Simply put, I see no way how the team could trade Billingsley and convince themselves and the fans that it is better for the short and long term. It would be better to say the Dodgers have no MLB chips(that is, players on the MLB team, not having no guys that are MLB ready..) than listing Billingsley as one
Most fans have short-term memories. If Billingsley is only average/mediocre his first few starts this season, combined with his mediocre 2nd half from last year, I wouldn’t expect a huge outcry from fans if he were moved. The only protest would come from the fans who are especially attached to players who came up through the Dodgers’ farm system, and that is a minority.
That being said, the Dodgers would need to get solid pitching in return, as that is clearly their weakness. I wouldn’t expect the Dodgers to move Billingsley unless two solid starting pitchers were coming back to them. Which is, of course, unrealistic.
Loney seems like the Dodgers most likely trade candidate among the starters. Otherwise, DeJesus Jr., Xavier Paul, Chin-Lung Hu seem expendable. Lindblom, Withrow and Gordon obviously aren’t going anywhere unless an ace is coming back in return.
Fans that only Follow the team by looking at box scores are the ones that were OK with dealing him in the first place. Billz looked really strong in his first start and in ST, excluding his last ST start.
Fans that follow the teams minor leagues or simply understand the potential he has are the ones that feel trading Billz is dumb.
The only way I see Loney being dealt is if he is part of a package for a better 1B. Now, if Loney ends up learning how to turn on the inside FB, Loney goes from average or worse to the level that Votto is(they were compared as prospects and draftees). We simply don’t have someone that could take over 1b by midseason.
I don’t think Dejesus is dealt because they see him as a possible 2B option long term with DeWitt eventually going back to 3B
If DeWitt sticks at 2B, Belliard could potentially play 1B, especially if his bat stays as hot as it has been since joining the Dodgers. Or we could sign somebody like Delgado, or Dye if it is felt he could play 1B. Of course these would be stop-gaps, but Lambo’s future may be at 1B anyway, especially if Trayvon Robinson remains hot.
Honestly, Loney’s production should not be hard to replace at 1B. He ranked in the bottom 3 of starting NL 1B last year in OBP, SLG, OPS. Sad part is I really like Loney, but his offensive production is just not that hard to replace.
I wouldn’t say Billingsley looked “really strong” in his first start. He was in and out of trouble, threw 107 pitches in 5.1 IP, gave up 5 hits and 4 walks. It was OK, but not “strong” or “really strong”.
Belliard shouldnt start on any MLB team. He has had a very strong Dodger career, but is in no way that talented. I personally like Loney and dont want him traded this season. Id like to see if he can learn to turn on the inside FB first. That would turn him from an opposite field hitter to potential power hitter.
I think Lambo could end up at 1st, but only if Robinson repeats his 09. Even if Lambo has a great year, Robinson would provide more value defensively than Lambo in LF. Lambo could turn into a power hitting 1B, but I think he will be given a shot at becoming a power hitting LF first.
didn’t you hear? since he is a possible trade candidate, that means he’s already been moved.
He was mentioned as the team’s best piece of trade bait. That’s it. No one said they were going to trade him, all the post did was point out that if the team wanted to make a move, he would bring the best return among players that could be available.
Where was he mentioned as a trade candidate? I’m not being combative, I promise. Just asking.
He popped up in some Roy Halladay rumors, that’s pretty much it.
Ah. Well, again, not to be combative (because in comment boards that’s the overwhelming tone), but does that really classify him as a trade chip, or more as “what would be required to get it done, but wouldn’t be moved for someone below Halladay’s caliber”? I know I’m nitpicking on the qualifications for “trade chip”, but I just got back from the Rockies home opener and I’m in a talk-baseball mood.
I realize the language I used was very harsh and it was not meant to be an insult to you at all. I simply feel that the Dodgers could no way trade Chad Billingsley in a baseball move.. any move, IMO, would make the team worse, not better
Come on. Seriously. “ANY MOVE”? There are about 30 players (at least) that I would take right now over Billingsley. That doesn’t include scenarios where more than one player is being discussed.
It goes without saying that ANY player can be traded. Most players you will have to trade for perceived equivalent talent. Other players you pay perceived talent + a premium (usually reserved for big name/franchise players). If I had to guess Billingsley falls into that first category – his price tag would have to be at least his perceived talent. Meanwhile guys like Kemp and Kershaw would require perceived talent + additional value. I would say that most of the guys listed as being untouchable fall into that same category.
lets put it this way, when the Halladay rumors were going, I was one of the fans who wouldnt have traded him straight up for Halladay. Simply because Billingsley will most likely be more valuable over the life of the contract than Halladay(remember, you were trading 3 years of Billz for 1 year of Halladay…). Factor in the contract costs(Halladay will make 20M this year, Billz makes 5M), and the deal is not a good one.
Honestly, how many players are better than Halladay that would be traded? Not many. I think it is fairly safe to say that I wouldnt trade Billingsley in a straight up move when you consider all the factors, plus where this team is now. We dont need a prospect that is a year or 2 away, we are a team that is built for now and the future… why trade one of the core pieces for either a 33 year old for 20M per that will most likely be less valuable over the life of the current contract or for a prospect that will not help you in the now?
Keep dreaming about that Koufax Drysdale combo. If Kershaw keeps walking six to eight batters a game he will be a guy who has a lot of strike outs but about as many wins as losses, and billingsley is good either from april to july or august thru september. Kershaw might be better served spending some time in the minors and learning how to pitch.
OK, a couple things that I’ll go one by one..
I said they are not near Koufax-Drysdale right now. They are not at that level. However, to say that Im dreaming about it… not so much. They both have similar talent levels to their counterparts from 40 years ago, but they both are not there yet.
When has Kershaw ever walked 8 in a game? The answer? Never. He tied a career high last time out with 6 walks, which he did one other time. I get you were trying to make a point, but you could have easily made the same point by saying 4-6, instead of exaggerating onto an unheardof level
WINS MEAN NOTHING! Please, stop using them in an argument. Wins show what a team does, not what a player does. Quick fact. Kershaw has not had a win since last July 18. During that time, his ERA in starts is ~3.18. However, he has a losing record during that time… has he deserved to not win during that time? He did his job, but the team, usually the offense, did not.
How can you say that Billingsley is good for short stints? Because of one stint where he was injured? Honestly, do you think it is OK to ignore his minor league record and his first 3 years in the majors(he has a career 3.53 ERA, 3.33 coming into 09) because he struggled while pitching injured? Yea, that makes sense…
Kershaw to the minors? Yea, right before Verlander and Lincecum..
Yeah your right pal, they are almost as good as the best pitching combo in dodger history. Your going to be heartbroke as the dodgers fade away in the west and your dynamic duo also fade away with them.Don`t worry however I am sure the lakers are just playing possum.LOL
Both Billingsley and Kerhsaw have the talent level to be the best SP in the league. What were Drysdale and Koufax? The best starters in the league. Given that Billingsley had a 3.33 career ERA when healthy, a 3.53 ERA when you count his unhealthy year, and is just 25 with control that can improve, you dont think he could get his ERA close to 3 for his career? Not saying he is going to, but he has the POTENTIAL to do so..
Kershaw has the potential to be better than the best there ever were. He has posted better stats than HoFs at his age. Does that mean he follows their path, no. Is he on that path, yes. To have the same problems that the HoF pitcher had, and to have that same HoF pitcher to mentor you, and given that they were almost the exact same pitcher in different eras, yea, they could be the Koufax/Drysdale of the 2010s for the Dodgers.
Im assuming your fading comment is based off the recent playing of the team. But, lets ignore the fact that we are missing 2 of the best relievers in the NL(Kuo and Belisario) and our silver slugger RF has a rolled ankle and isnt playing, yea, this is what the team will be like…
The Lakers? Missing your 7-2 center who averages 15 and 8 would do that to a team..
No one cares about potential in the major leagues. You are a winner or a loser that is why they have minor leagues for players to develop. I guess you are going to compare Matt kemp to willie mays, and andre eithier to roberto clemente, and of course looney to willie McCovey. After all all the Dodger players already belong in the HOF based on how you compare players.
No one cares about potential in the majors? On most teams, when a prospect struggles in the majors, they are given multiple shots before they are considered a failure. You know why? They have POTENTIAL! If you think no one cares about potential in the majors, you should get with the 21st century.
Who the hell is looney? haha
How I compare players? This is what I said. The Dodgers see the Kershaw/Billingsley combo of what ownership in the 60s saw in the Koufax/Drysdale combo, a righty lefty combo that both are aces that dominate the league. I said multiple times in my original post, they are not there yet, but that is the vision of the Dodgers FO. There is no one player that Billingsley will be traded for. It makes no sense for the Dodgers. That is what I said. You have taken my words and transformed them in your head to make it sound like I was saying Billingsley and Kershaw were already at the level Drysdale/Koufax were in their prime. I never said that. Stop trying to make my words sound like I am expecting these guys to be clones of HoFers
Let me guess, your response is going to be something along the lines of “You dont know what true baseball is because you are too young” and Im too young to know what Im saying
Put your teeth back little pitbull. When you grow some hair on your genitalia then you might know something and be able to express an opinion.
so… i struck a nerve and you realized you were wrong, so you go to personal insults.. good job
I am not going to get into a battle of wits with an unarmed person.
OK, a couple things that I’ll go one by one..
I said they are not near Koufax-Drysdale right now. They are not at that level. However, to say that Im dreaming about it… not so much. They both have similar talent levels to their counterparts from 40 years ago, but they both are not there yet.
When has Kershaw ever walked 8 in a game? The answer? Never. He tied a career high last time out with 6 walks, which he did one other time. I get you were trying to make a point, but you could have easily made the same point by saying 4-6, instead of exaggerating onto an unheardof level
WINS MEAN NOTHING! Please, stop using them in an argument. Wins show what a team does, not what a player does. Quick fact. Kershaw has not had a win since last July 18. During that time, his ERA in starts is ~3.18. However, he has a losing record during that time… has he deserved to not win during that time? He did his job, but the team, usually the offense, did not.
How can you say that Billingsley is good for short stints? Because of one stint where he was injured? Honestly, do you think it is OK to ignore his minor league record and his first 3 years in the majors(he has a career 3.53 ERA, 3.33 coming into 09) because he struggled while pitching injured? Yea, that makes sense…
Kershaw to the minors? Yea, right before Verlander and Lincecum..
Keep dreaming about that Koufax Drysdale combo. If Kershaw keeps walking six to eight batters a game he will be a guy who has a lot of strike outs but about as many wins as losses, and billingsley is good either from april to july or august thru september. Kershaw might be better served spending some time in the minors and learning how to pitch.
I’m surprised Brad Hawpe wasn’t listed here.
Oh, nm, it popped up as I reloaded. Didn’t see it the first time. MY BAD.
Yeah, technical difficulties.
I wasn’t worried. Out of all the Rockies’ OF, Hawpe seems the most likely to be traded, as Spilborghs just signed an extension, CarGo and Fowler are really cheap right now (although both are Boras clients), and Smith hasn’t hit arbitration yet either. I’m sincerely hoping that some GM bites at him around the deadline, not realizing Hawpe’s night-and-day 1st/2nd half splits and miserable OF defense.
Also Manny Corpas could still be a strong candidate for trade, barring a complete loss of Street’s season.
what about chad qualls for the dbacks?
I don’t see it just now. The Dbacks’ window of competitiveness is closing, so they need him to try and salvage as many wins as possible in the next year or two. But I’m also not very familiar with Arizona’s bullpen depth as far as the minors.
i only said qualls because midseason if the dbacks are out of contention he is is a trade candidate sense he is a FA after this season.
Well, the depth isn’t very good.
I guess Gutierrez could be used as closer, but then we wouldn’t have a set up guy other than Heilman and Howry… and they kinda suck. I don’t think he’ll be traded. He was mentioned last year as a trade candidate though, so if we fall out of it this year, he’s probably gone.
Rockies should be actively shopping Hawpe. The guy is Adam Dunn lite. He should not be allowed anywhere near the leather. Hawpe needs to be pushed on the first AL team that loses their DH.
$10m for a good bat who can’t run and can’t field is a steep price to pay these days – especially for a team like Colorado (relatively modest budget + ample talent to take his place). On a positive note his career splits are pretty even. He doesn’t appear to get any bounce from playing in Colorado.
Dbacks should trade Conor Jackson, Gerardo Parra should be an everyday player.
Base on the NL Central trade chips, I’d be willing send Daryl Jones and Bryan Anderson to SD for Heath Bell today. They’re fairly blocked from the Cardinals big-league roster and we’re in desperate need for a closer.
As a Dodger fan, I’d love nothing more than for the Rockies to trade Brad Hawpe. That has absolutely destroyed the Dodgers his whole career.