Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe has a few hot stove notes in his latest column, but before he gets to those, he discusses Ken Griffey Jr.'s career, noting that the Mariner "walked away very quietly, with little fanfare, just as he said he would." Here are the rest of the highlights from Cafardo's piece:
- It doesn't appear any teams, besides maybe the Rangers, are too interested in Mike Lowell. Cafardo lists the Angels, Mariners and White Sox as potential matches, though a Sox official says Lowell "doesn’t fit for us right now."
- The Angels, meanwhile, seem committed to giving Mike Napoli playing time at first base for now, diminishing any interest they'd have in Lowell.
- The Diamondbacks have had internal discussions about trading Dan Haren, but one baseball executive expressed doubt that Arizona will pull the trigger. The exec pointed out that rebuilding from scratch isn't necessary in the NL West, since almost every team could be just a couple moves away from contending.
- Kurt Suzuki will likely be the Red Sox' top trade target this winter.
- A scout offers his opinion on the Orioles' young arms like Chris Tillman: "They’re kind of stuck and maybe have even taken a step backward. But sometimes that happens. Every kid has a hump they have to get over once they hit the big leagues." Last night, we discussed the possibility of the O's having a fire sale and turning their roster over to their youngsters for the remainder of the season.
Once again.. Not sure the red Sox even need to give up the farm for a maybe 2 year bridge until at least 1 of Exposito, federowicsz, or maybe even Lavarnway can make it to the MLB. Finding a lower cost replacement should be a priority.Wow john, not sure you give up a MVP of 2 seasons ago and top3 2nd baseman in all of MLB just “to start with” for a catcher.
Why shouldnt A’s alot for suzuki, he hits great in fenway. Red Sox had their choice in the 2004 draft between pedroia and suzuki. They obviously still like the guy. A’s have him under control for 3+ seasons there is no reason to trade him anytime soon. A’s have landon powell, jake fox, josh donaldson (.900 ops in AAA), and later max stassi. So if they traded suzuki they have sufficient short term and long term catching depth
What do Powell, Fox, and a teenager have to do with replacing your current starting catcher? Fox can barely play any position at all, Powell is an injury prone giant, and Stassi batting under 250 in Low-A.
What do Powell, Fox, and a teenager have to do with replacing your current starting catcher? Fox can barely play any position at all, Powell is an injury prone giant, and Stassi batting under 250 in Low-A.
I love how Cafardo thinks the Red Sox will get Suzuki, theres pretty much no way in hell the A’s trade him away. Especially with the talk of extending him.
Well Beane traded his favorite nick swisher. only because white sox came with an aggressive offer at the time. Rated their 2 best prospects then DLS and Gio along with Ryan Sweeney. A’s seem to really like AAA catcher Josh Donaldson who was part of that Rich Harden Deal. The only way to free a chance for him would be trading suzuki. Or donaldson could be trade bait himself if A’s need some help at the trade deadline.
Why is iy so many people who have zero reading comprehension skills gather at this website?
Cafardo says the Red Sox want to get Suzuki; He NEVER says they will, and in fact says “What it would take to get him is an entirely different story, but he may be worth the price.”
He’s just saying they want him. OK. And maybe they make a pitch or two and see what happens. He NEVER says anything will happen.
But naturally someone sees that. It’s like when Peter Gammons says “The Red Sox won’t trade Brad Penny, unless someone blows them away with an offer, like Justin Smoak” and then some illiterati says Gammons is clearly stating the Rangers should trade Smoak for Penny. Umm, not what it says at all, folks…
Cafardo is in dreamy land when it comes to many of his wish list acquisitions for the red sox over the years when you really look back and Suzuki is another prime example.
Boston is thin at 2nd base in the system.. Like REALLY thin and top prospects like Tejada and Gibson are several years away, if at all, meanwhile, catching and starting pitchers are the 2 positions they are loaded with at the AA and lower levels. it really makes -0- sense to go out and acquire a prime catcher at great cost when they have decent at LEAST guys now within a couple of years that 1 at least should be ready within a couple of years and Ibarra expected to start his professional career soon at least at the A ball level.
I agree that saying you like a player does not mean you will trade for him. Beane has always wanted Youk but the redsox turned down every offer for him. Landon Powell is the guy that teams in need of a catcher should go for. He is above average defensive catcher that could produce playing everyday. Would only cost a good right handed outfielder which the A’s need.
I would think Ryan Hanigan would be a better trade target than Powell. Cincy might prefer to keep him, but he is already 30 and not a long term solution. The Reds are clearly not sellers, but they also have Hernandez, too.
Landon Powell can’t play everyday. His knees are shot, so he’s limited to backup duties. Granted, he’s a good backup, but after so many knee surgeries, he could not handle everyday catching duties.
(And for anyone wondering why Powell keeps going up and down between Sac and Oak, its by virtue of being the one with options left).
Landon Powell can’t play everyday. His knees are shot, so he’s limited to backup duties. Granted, he’s a good backup, but after so many knee surgeries, he could not handle everyday catching duties.
(And for anyone wondering why Powell keeps going up and down between Sac and Oak, its by virtue of being the one with options left).
Just another example of the Boston media machine exhibiting its absolute lack of comprehension for teams on the West Coast. I have news for Boston fans and the media swine that is the Globe and ESPN, the Padres won’t give you Adrian Gonzo just because you ask. The A’s won’ give you what you need because you ask.The first thing you need to understand, these teams have a purpose greater than feeding the unlimited payroll of East Coast teams with players. They want a World series too.The Second, having unlimited payroll is a great advantage, but it says nothing about your minor league system. This may be the greatest insult, but Boston, your minor league system just isn’t THAT good. You have some good players down there, but because of the system they play for, they are over hyped. The teams out West have stronger prospects because they HAVE to. They can’t afford to buy championships, they have to grow them. The Red Sox and Yankees simply don’t have the prospects to bring in an Adrian Gonzalez. They have the major league talent for sure, but not the minor league talent. To sum it up, if Boston really wants Suzuki, who is a West Coast kid and loves playing out here, they will need to construct a deal with Casey Kelly, Daniel Bard, Clay Bucholtz and a ton of money. If Boston wants Gonzo, a San Diego native who’s living out his dream playing with the Padres, think Kelly, Bard, Bucholtz, Ellsbury, Anderson, a catching prospect and enough money that takes care of every contract on this list and then some.
You want to make those trades, fine, but your team will be crippled.
These small market west coast fans do have lofty and unrealizitic trade expectations.
Not one Red Sox fan or reporter came on here and said “Michael Bowden should be enough.” But it is really, really safe that the price tag won’t include Pedroia. And Buchholz on his own would be more than enough. Ellsbury? A likely candidate, but I don’t think Oakland needs him right now, and probably not to keen on any arbitration-eligible Boras clients anyway.
These east coats buy a championship bandwagon fans are funny. They think you can trade for the best player on a team and the team will be happy to trade that player. Suzuki is the A’s best all round player and unless a team throws some great players not one good player at the A’s he is not going to go any where. As for Buchholz he is a good player but the sox need him much more than the A’s do. The sox is lacking starting pitching and will not trade him just like the A’s need right handed hitters and will not trade Suzuki. A catcher that can hit and play defense and calls a great game is much more valuable then another starting pitcher for the A’s.
And the A’s may or may not have any interest in Buchholz, but that would not prohibit them from making subsequent deals involving Buchholz or whoever – something Beane is no stranger to doing. And it certainly does not mean Suzuki is worth Pedroia and others, as you previously suggested.
I think Boston would definutely offer Ellsbury, but I cannot figure forthe life of me why Oakland would be interested. He’s already arbitration eligible after this season, represented by Boras (so no team friendly contract), and has barely played this year.
In fact, Suzuki himself is eligible for arbitration after this season. And this may actually factor into whether or not Beane prefers to keep him. It will most defintely mean he will listen to a few offers, though he might prefer to stand pat and simply pay Suzuki. Best player or not, this has certainly happened in Oakland before, with mixed results.
I’m not going to speculate what Beane would want for Suzuki, but given his trade history, I would suggest it won’t be anyone in the majors already. I’m sure Beane will mention the name Casey Kelly (and why wouldn’t he?) if these conversations happen, but it may or may not be a deal breaker. One safe bet in any deal with Boston will be that Luis Exposito would be sent back to Oakland, but he won’t be the key piece…
The problem is you are not a A’s fan so you have no idea what the A’s needs are. Second why would the A’s even trade their best player? That is why this so funny of a post. The A’s have 2 good young Catchers that could be traded if they need a bat without trading Suzuki. Second Beane is not trading for youth since he said the rebuild is over and now it is time to reap the awards. Of course they would like him but that doesn’t mean they will trade for him. Bosox GM will just wait the 3 1/2 years when Suzuki is a FA and try to outbid the yanks for him.
The problem is you are not a A’s fan so you have no idea what the A’s needs are. Second why would the A’s even trade their best player? That is why this so funny of a post. The A’s have 2 good young Catchers that could be traded if they need a bat without trading Suzuki. Second Beane is not trading for youth since he said the rebuild is over and now it is time to reap the awards. Of course they would like him but that doesn’t mean they will trade for him. Bosox GM will just wait the 3 1/2 years when Suzuki is a FA and try to outbid the yanks for him.
And the A’s may or may not have any interest in Buchholz, but that would not prohibit them from making subsequent deals involving Buchholz or whoever – something Beane is no stranger to doing. And it certainly does not mean Suzuki is worth Pedroia and others, as you previously suggested.
I think Boston would definutely offer Ellsbury, but I cannot figure forthe life of me why Oakland would be interested. He’s already arbitration eligible after this season, represented by Boras (so no team friendly contract), and has barely played this year.
In fact, Suzuki himself is eligible for arbitration after this season. And this may actually factor into whether or not Beane prefers to keep him. It will most defintely mean he will listen to a few offers, though he might prefer to stand pat and simply pay Suzuki. Best player or not, this has certainly happened in Oakland before, with mixed results.
I’m not going to speculate what Beane would want for Suzuki, but given his trade history, I would suggest it won’t be anyone in the majors already. I’m sure Beane will mention the name Casey Kelly (and why wouldn’t he?) if these conversations happen, but it may or may not be a deal breaker. One safe bet in any deal with Boston will be that Luis Exposito would be sent back to Oakland, but he won’t be the key piece…
These east coats buy a championship bandwagon fans are funny. They think you can trade for the best player on a team and the team will be happy to trade that player. Suzuki is the A’s best all round player and unless a team throws some great players not one good player at the A’s he is not going to go any where. As for Buchholz he is a good player but the sox need him much more than the A’s do. The sox is lacking starting pitching and will not trade him just like the A’s need right handed hitters and will not trade Suzuki. A catcher that can hit and play defense and calls a great game is much more valuable then another starting pitcher for the A’s.
I was with this post until the absurd trade needs you gave for Suzuki and Gonzo. Lets get some things straight about Suzuki. He has never:-Hit over 15 homers-Drove in over 90 runs -Had a WAR over 3Yet, in return, you want 2 of the best pitching prospects in the game, one (Buchholz) which has been extremely dominant this season, another who throws 100 mph consistently, another guy (Kelly) who I’m not familiar with but must have potential. But not only do you want 3 players that have a chance to be better than Suzuki, but you also want money?!?! Suzuki is the only one on this list who has the opportunity to command a pay day after this season. Yet you want Boston to send money to the A’s. I think you need to re-examine your point of view here. Same for Gonzo. I’m sure the Red Sox not only want to give up 6 of their best prospects for Gonzo, but also send money to San Diego (as if the $25 million annual they would have to pay to resign him wouldn’t cost enough).
Buccholz doesn’t even come close to touching 100 MPH. Casey Kelly isn’t that dominating in AA either, granted he’s still young.
I was talking about Bard there…
Maybe you’re right about Kelly, I hadn’t heard of him.
But the point is that it’s way too much to give up
I was with this post until the absurd trade needs you gave for Suzuki and Gonzo. Lets get some things straight about Suzuki. He has never:-Hit over 15 homers-Drove in over 90 runs -Had a WAR over 3Yet, in return, you want 2 of the best pitching prospects in the game, one (Buchholz) which has been extremely dominant this season, another who throws 100 mph consistently, another guy (Kelly) who I’m not familiar with but must have potential. But not only do you want 3 players that have a chance to be better than Suzuki, but you also want money?!?! Suzuki is the only one on this list who has the opportunity to command a pay day after this season. Yet you want Boston to send money to the A’s. I think you need to re-examine your point of view here. Same for Gonzo. I’m sure the Red Sox not only want to give up 6 of their best prospects for Gonzo, but also send money to San Diego (as if the $25 million annual they would have to pay to resign him wouldn’t cost enough).
Sorry but Casey Kelly, Daniel Bard and Clay Buchholz ?
Look, I know WAR isn’t the end of the argument stat but just for the kicks of it,
Clay Buccholz 2010 : 1.7 WAR/ Daniel Bard 2010: .7 WAR
Kurt Suzuki 2010: 1.0 WAR
By the way, is anyone here actually surprised the Angels went with Napoli? That’s what a smart franchise would do. THeir coach prefers a defensive whiz and pitch caller at catcher, which Jeff Mathis is. That forced Mike Napoli’s thunder stick to the bench. With Morales out, Napoli’s stick now stays in the lineup.
No taking on extra money, no taking on extra players and ego’s. It doesn’t cost any prospects. It’s the perfect fit. Then Once Morales is back in September or next year, Napoli takes over at DH with Matsui’s inevitable exodus. All this garbage about Derek Lee, Lance Berkman, Adam LaRoche, Paul Konerko, Mike Lowell, it’s all media making something of nothing.
The comment about how everyone is a couple of moves away from competing in the NL West can be misconstrued. Every team can compete because these are the type of homegrown cores that are in the division…. Sandoval/Lincecum, Upton/Webb, Kershaw/Kemp, Tulo/Jimenez, Agon/Bell… Every team has at least two guys that could and should be all stars, and most teams have even more. The question from there is how management handles building the rest of the team. It seems that with proper management, each team could be where the Dodgers/Padres are(at the top of the NL regarding record) if these guys play to their talent
Heath Bell is not a product of the Padres farm system. He came up with the Mets and pitcheed there for 3 years before he was traded to SD.
SD does have plenty of young pitchers from their farm such as Latos, LeBlanc, Stauffer, but no star caliber pitchers (yet) like the comparables from other teams. Their position players after Gonzalez and Headley, are all either from elsewhere or nothing exciting. Even Everth Cabrera was taken from the Rockies in the Rule V draft.
That’s what I get for assuming… Still, my point is still that all teams are stacked with young players/prospects who are either AS’s or should be very soon
I hope Suzuki doesn’t go anywhere. He’s still young, he’s been good with the young pitching staff, he hits, and he’s just fun to watch. Catcher is a key position, and it’s hard to fill. When you get a good one, you keep him. Then you make sure you get the best backup you can get to keep your primary guy healthy.
It really would have to be an offer Beane couldn’t refuse for him to even consider it.