Joaquin Benoit agreed to a lucrative three-year deal yesterday, but a former bullpen mate of his could be waiting a lot longer for his free agent payday. As Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports explains, Rafael Soriano may find more teams pursuing him if he shows some patience. Here’s how some teams other than the Angels could end up in pursuit of the former Rays closer, plus other hot stove notes:
- If the Red Sox send Daniel Bard or Jonathan Papelbon to Arizona in a potential Justin Upton trade, they could be willing to spend on Soriano.
- The Rangers could be looking for a closer if Cliff Lee signs elsewhere and Neftali Feliz moves to the rotation and the White Sox may non-tender Bobby Jenks.
- Agent Scott Boras says closers like Soriano are rare. “A closer of this caliber — at 30 — is almost never in the marketplace.”
- A source suggests to Morosi that the Pirates could deal Evan Meek or Joel Hanrahan and sign a replacement.
- The Tigers would now like to add left-handed relief and are considering J.C. Romero.
I really don’t like the idea of moving Neftali Feliz to the rotation…It’s so hard to find a consistent closer. Iff it aint broke don’t fix it.
Ok, I’m not buying the Dbacks would take Paps in a Upton trade.
Yeah the sox would have to eat a lot of his salary.
And also include Bard.
Where’s the update on Dunn talks with the Tigers?
LH reliever is nice and all, but let’s get down to brass tax already.
I wnr what kind of value Meek and/or Hanrahan have. Any thoughts?
If the Red Sox send Daniel Bard or Jonathan Papelbon to Arizona in a potential Justin Upton trade, they could be willing to spend on Soriano.
Or Papelbon? Why would Arizona want a washed up reliever? Bard would be the one going back to Arizona, if they work out a deal, along with many others.
The Red Sox would have to cover all of Papelbon’s salary….but even then Papelbon is going to free agency next year anyway. Would hate to see Bard leave…but I dont really know much about Upton to make a call on whether it’s worth it or not.
Paps had ONE down year and he is washed up? He is a 4 time All-Star in a 5 yr career! I think he will be just fine!
How come Papelbon is washed up but I’m willing to bet you won’t call Jeter washed up? Both had down years…
jeter and pap are both washed up.
Well at least you’re consistent.
*IF* Boston sent Ellsbury< bard and according to all stories coming out so far.. At least 1-2 more people for Upton.. Epstein should get in deep hot water to say the lest for giving the D-Backs a dominant closer for 5 years of control, one of the fastest players in the game, who gets on base consistently and is a legitimate leadoff hitter and as mentioned.. PROBABLY 1-2 more top prospects.. Maybe a Rhizzo, or Doubrant type.. This would lead to a disastrous type deal that Boston would be better off filling by just signing Crawford as a FA and giving him 5/90M, or a tad more if that is the way they want to go.
Far, far too much to give up for this kid IMO.
The only way Papelbon is going to Arizona is if Theo sends him to carry Upton’s bags to the car.
Yeah if I’m KT I have no interest in Papelbon in a Upton trade…If it is the Sox, Bard, Ellsbury, Kelly, Rizzo, and Tejeda.
I tend to agree with you. The Bard + Ellsbury proposal that everyone claims to be TOO MUCH, I feel is too little. Bard, Ells, Kelly and Rizzo would be an incredible haul and if I’m the DBacks it would be extremely hard to turn down.
Thanks Joe but yeah I don’t understand how that’s too much. I’d anything, its far too little.
Yeah, I just think we are all guilty of over-rating our favorite team’s prospects. I admit I do it too sometimes lol.
There are just so many Yankee, Brave, Sox fans on here and that is why we see so many comments over rating these farm systems.
You know what’s interesting? There aren’t that many Phillies fans on here. Surprisingly so.
But you’re right. have to stay in check withThe farm.
Then on the other hand, lol there are a select few like you who love every baseball team; so I must say you have a pretty fair grasp on prospect value for all teams, which is commendable.
Thanks Joe I really appreciate it. Just due dilligence!
Ellsbury is nearing arbitration. I doubt the DBacks would want him. I think Bard plus a top line prospect to start, then add a few other people.
Upton’s contract is beyond team friend for a team with resources like the Red Sox. The DBacks know this and would want to rape their farm system in return for him.
Perhaps you didn’t read the post where it said “Jacoby and Bard/
Meek is under team control for several years still (5 I think), and is easily one of the most electric arms in the National League…his value would be exceptionally high for a reliever.Hanrahan would have similar value, but for slightly different reasons. He throws super hard and does it with consistency, those guys are exciting to have on your team. Joels true worth is in his experience as a closer. He has proven that he can do the job. His contract is worth a bit more, and I believe he is arbitration eligible after next season, so he is due a significant raise if he remains the closer.The Pirates would want a kings ransom (In terms of typical returns for relief pitching) And I think either of the two warrant just that. I would assume the only possibility of them being included in a deal would be to get a true 1-2 starter already pitching at the major league level. But obviously it will take more than just Evan or Joel to accomplish that.
Benoit had a very good year with the Rays, yes.But I can see “Choke Artist” written all over him.He’s only had 1 very good season which was last year and 1 good season which was in 2007.Other then that he has been terrible.
But if he pans out for the Tigers then good sign.
Wouldn’t be a smart move by the Bucs… Keep the strong end of the rotation, their one strength…
If they could get a true 1-2 starter by packaging one of the two closers along with other players, then it would be a brilliant move. I think we could easily part with one of them, but losing both would be rough.
>> Agent Scott Boras says closers like Soriano are rare. “A closer of this caliber — at 30 — is almost never in the marketplace.” <<
Yeah, like K-rod… how did that work out Scott?
For Scott it actually worked out quite well…Im pretty sure he still appreciates his commission checks from that deal.
Paul Kinzer is KRod’s agent, not Boras.
It’s not Scott’s fault he got Metsified.
I thought the same thing. Boras says the same thing about all of his clients.
Why does everyone think Upton is worth all these players Towers is asking for? 4 or 5 mlb ready players? for Upton? people act as if this KID is the next coming of junior…hardly..I wouldnt go anywhere near this trade..The sox will lose big time
They just need one club to pony up that kind of package and he’s worth it- by definition. Might as well try.
COME ON!!!! Pirates, do not trade our bullpen. It is finally becoming dominant. It is one of our two bright spots of the team right now, the other being 2/3 of our OF.
You can have the best bullpen in the world, but if you never allow them to pitch meaningful innings or play in enough meaningful games, then there usefulness is kinda wasted.
I have no problem parting with one of them as long as it helps bring us a true top of the rotation starting pitcher.
The value for either of them will be TWICE as much at the trade deadline. We are not going to compete again this year so there is no reason to trade them yet in my eyes.
However, the Rays might be interested in a Doumit, Meek, Minor league prospect (or 2) for one of there starters. They have plenty of talent in the minors to fill the void. Same with the Padres. I dont want to see us give up much though.
If we can get a dominate front end of the rotation player, then I’m all for giving up one of the big pieces of the pen, but aside from that…. NO WAY. Move Doumit for sure, he’s not any use to the team anymore and see if we can turn some of those young arms in the minors into a trade piece along with him. Maybe swing a trade involving Maholm, nothing against him, but I think he may need a change of scenery unless he can stay healthy and pitch like two years ago. I think this team can make a run at .500 if the young guys pan out as expected and the starters pitch like they have shown at random, various, opposite times in the past. Never in the same year.
Matt Moore and Reid Brignac for Matt Morris and Evan Meek.
Matt Moore and Reid Brignac for Matt Morris and Evan Meek.
Just thinking, the Dodgers like to give us over the top talent for relievers!!! maybe we can give them a call and get Kershaw!! I know, wishful thinking.
Feliz would really be exposed as a starter as he doesn’t have a third pitch at all. It makes sense to keep him in the bullpen, for at least one more year, and slowly work him a third pitch. I do expect the Rangers to sign Kerry Wood. Being a local boy, boy hood idol owning the team, the Rangers need for a more veteran bullpen. That weakness really showed through in the World Series. If Rangers don’t sign Lee, they have to be the favorites to pay the price for Greinke.
I agree completely. lol. Nothing to add, just had to give praise to this comment.
If we can move Papelbon, kick in money and sign Soriano I would be happy. Upton is going to be a star at some point.
someday?? for 50mil over 5 years he should be a star NOW…
He’s 23? They’re the ones that offered him the money. He’s still learning the game relax. Not all would be stars are top players at 23.
Seriously, Upton for Papelbon? Even though we’ve beat up on the guy, as a Yankees fan I hope the BoSox are all over that non-starter of a deal.
Wouldn’t mind seeing Romero take Coke’s spot in the pen if Coke does in fact transition into the rotation
Romero walks a damgerous amount of batters. I would rather sign someone else.
If we’re going to sign guys like Dunn and or Martinez, since we’re already losing a high draft pick, why not go and sign Scott Downs for the lefty job?
Better yet, sign Crawford, Dunn or V Mart, Downs, AND Pavano, and stick the Twinkies with a third rounder for Pavano!
I want absolutely no part of JC Romero. His WHIP numbers have escalated each year recently, from 1.34 two years ago to 1.61 last year. No thanks. Not even for free! I’d rather bring back Bonderman and have him throw left handed!
Sox w ill go strong after Upton and might offer Bard, Ellsbury, and Papelbon. They sign Soriano, Werth, Beltre,and Frazor, they trade Scuturo for a relief pitcher, and bring up Iglesias.
What’s DD obsession with 34 year old relievers? I looked at Romero’s numbers over the last 3 years and they are in decline. a 1.6 whip? Pass
No more multi-year deals for aging relievers. We need hitters!