The five most untradeable contracts in baseball? ESPN's Jayson Stark's poll of baseball executives say it's Alfonso Soriano, Vernon Wells, Travis Hafner, Carlos Lee, and Barry Zito. Hard to argue; check out our Bad Contract Swap Meet from last year for a look at other ugly deals. It was interesting to see Daisuke Matsuzaka and Kosuke Fukudome nab honorable mentions in Stark's poll. On to his other rumblings…
- Stark's conversations led to repeated mentions of the new collective bargaining agreement, which will go into effect in December of 2011. The uncertainty will have an impact – will 2011 draftees lack leverage, knowing that a slotting system could be installed the following year? Does it make sense to worry about Super Two status for Mike Stanton now, when that provision might not exist in 2012?
- Teams have kicked the tires on Alex Gordon, but the Royals have no interest in trading him. MLBTR's Luke Adams led a discussion post on Gordon yesterday.
- The Dodgers are scouring the trade market for starting pitching, while the Royals and Phillies seek bullpen help. The Mariners and Braves are trying to add offense. The Diamondbacks are actually more interested in starting pitching than relief, and are expected to have Chris Snyder available once Miguel Montero returns.
- A "baseball man familiar with the Nationals' thinking" expects Adam Dunn to return in 2011, though not necessarily via an in-season extension.
- A friend of Mike Lowell tells Stark the third baseman would love to play for the Twins or Angels if the Red Sox plan to trade him.
- The Phillies have recently adopted a stance against full no-trade clauses, which is reflected in the Roy Halladay and Ryan Howard extensions.
Yeah Lowell would be a solid addtition to the Twins, and they could sub Punto in late innings for defensive purposes. His RH bat would help balance out the lineup a bit but I think its moot as the Red Sox likely won’t move him.
Even if Boston wanted to move him, they wouldn’t like what the Twins would be willing to offer. “Future considerations” and enough cash to eat off the dollar-menu for a week.
Ryan Howard’s contract has a full no-trade clause based on the amount of money he is owed over it’s length!
No doubt – history hasn’t been kind to players w/ his build… not to mention he is essentially a one-tool player, although that one is a doozy…
In Howard’s defense, he’s not nearly the fatass he was two seasons ago. He still wears really loose uniforms, which kinda hides the fact.
If you see him during warmups he’s alot closer to Frank Thomas than he is Albert Belle. I understand your point though.
There’s no reason I can see as to why the Phillies exercised Rollins’ option for next season back in December, or why they signed Howard to this mammoth extension. Rollins is getting older, and besides the point what if he broke every bone in his body tomorrow and now they’re on the hook for him next season?
To me, Howard is just a very powerful hitter who strikes out a lot. Those pretty RBI numbers come from the lineup around him. Put this guy on the Royals, and he never wins a MVP.
I would rather have any of these 5 first basemen over Ryan Howard. (In no particular order)
1. Albert Pujols
2. Prince Fielder
3. Miguel Cabrera
4. Adrian Gonzalez
5. Mark Teixeira
Ryan Howard does not deserve to make more money than any of these players in my opinion.
I hate howard!! But atleast the doesnt strike out as much as reynolds…I would take youklis over howard too!
Got to agree with you on youkilis over Howard. Howard is due 7/165M, while youk is only due 4/46m, youk is a FAR better defensive 1st baseman, strikes out less, can play another position about as well if need be (3B) and both are the same age.
Howard’s contract may be dragging the Phillies down well after he stops producing.
Eh…not quite understanding what you’re saying here, considering Teix and Cabrera will both make equal or more than Howard for the next 4 seasons, and Pujols Fielder AGoz will probably all sign for above what Howard got.
So Howard doesn’t deserve more money than them…and he doesn’t make more than them. ????
“So Howard doesn’t deserve more money than them…and he doesn’t make more than them. ????”
Howard’s contract gives him the 4th highest average salary of all time. (Behind Clemens, ARod’s 2 contracts). He didnt get a larger total amount, but he was also 2 years away from FA
I’d add Morneau to that list. Not as a homer, but just as a guy who values Morneau’s superior defense over Howard’s slightly-better career slash line.
I also agree with everyone else on your list. The only debatable one is Prince – I’m skeptical of how he’ll hold up over the years. “Cardiac arrest” isn’t something you often see someone go on the DL for, but he unfortunately seems like a candidate…
I honestly think the Red Sox should keep Lowell…he can obviously still hit and ortiz cant…bench ortiz, dh lowell, it would help the offense I’m tired of seeing ortiz come up with the bases loaded to strike out, hit a grounder to second or pop up in the infield. Or it just came to my mind what if the Red Sox trade lowell for a reliever…and then trade for chris snyder?? Move martinez to dh.
While I think that dumping Ortiz ASAP is a absolute necessity, I think if they can get any type of value for Lowell now then they should strongly consider it. You have a bunch of guys potentially gone at the end of the season and some holes might get filled internally in the midst of a season that is already appearing on the ropes in may.
Oh yes, the Braves need to add some offense. As you can see, Moyer pitched a complete game shotout while only giving up 2 hits. Not to mention the Braves almost got no hit for the second time this year.
Could the Braves possibly acquire Lance Berkman from the Astros? It’s already been anounced the stros are willing to trade berkman, and the Braves REALLY NEED consistent offense. I know Berkman hasn’t had good numbers so far, but he was injured the start of the season, and he has no body batting in front of him.
So the Braves could package Melkey Cabrera, possibly Christian Bethancourt(seemilgly beeing blocked by McCann), and a Brandon Hicks?? THen stros pay for a lump some of berkmans contract? Far fetched, but i would like to see it happen. THen just move Lance to LF.