Links on a busy Tuesday as the first day of the GM Meetings wraps up…
- Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer says (via Twitter) the Indians "kicked the tires" on Jake Westbrook, but never formally offered him a contract before he re-signed with the Cardinals.
- FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal tweets that the market for Jorge de la Rosa won't take shape until Cliff Lee signs. He's a fallback option for several teams.
- Former Orioles reliever Dennis Sarfate is in talks to join the Hiroshima Carp according to MASNSports.com's Roch Kubatko.
- ESPN's Jerry Crasnick tweets that the Giants are currently in on just two players: Aubrey Huff and Juan Uribe.
- Bob Brookover of The Philadelphia Inquirer says that Phillies GM Ruben Amaro offered a lot of "no comments" when asked about the team's interest in retaining Chad Durbin.
- SI.com's Jon Heyman says (via Twitter) the trade market for Jonathan Papelbon is "very weak," but the Red Sox are willing to pay part of what will surely be a sizable 2011 salary.
- SI.com's Jon Heyman hears that the Yankees will bid at least three years to keep Derek Jeter (Twitter link). Owner Hal Steinbrenner added that "things are going well."
- Chad Jennings of The Journal News has a quote from Yanks GM Brian Cashman: “I’ve got a small player move that I’m working on that might get done at some point this week … But it’s small.”
- Meanwhile, ESPN's Buster Olney tweets that the Yanks are still waiting to hear whether Mariano Rivera wants a one or two-year deal.
- Troy Renck of The Denver Post tweets that the Athletics are not moving Conor Jackson, though he remains a non-tender candidate.
- Twins GM Bill Smith said it's "not at all" a question when asked if the team would tender Matt Capps a contract, according to Adam Kilgore of The Washington Post (Twitter link).
- John Fay of The Cincinnati Enquirer says that Reds GM Walt Jocketty has talked to Arthur Rhodes' agent and plans to do the same with Miguel Cairo's, but he has yet to talk to any other free agents.
- SI.com's Tom Verducci lists players available on the "secondary market" that could have a big impact, starting with Jack Cust.
- Roy Halladay's Cy Young Award netted him $250K in bonus money, tweets Matt Gelb of The Philadelphia Inquirer. The bonus was negotiated into his original contract with Toronto.
- In the wake of Justin Upton being made available, FanGraphs' Dave Cameron examines his trade value.
Don P
The Atlanta Braves acquired All-Star second baseman Dan Uggla from the Florida Marlins for utilityman Omar Infante and pitcher Mike Dunn on Tuesday in the first trade of the general managers’ meetings.
underdog
I’m sure the contract demands had something to do with the Marlins’ leverage here, but sure seems like they didn’t get a lot for Uggla, unless you think being an All-Star makes Infante great, which I don’t. (Solid player though.) Still, thought they’d get more for him. As someone on another blog commented, feels like Dodgers could have offered Jamey Carroll and Scott Elbert and even that would be about as good as this.
vtadave
Let’s not get THAT carried away. Infante >> Carroll.
underdog
He is better than Carroll, yes, agreed, though not by as much as you think. I think Infante got a little overvalued this year because he was an All Star pick at utility position. He’s good, but compare JC and OI numbers this year f’rinstance.
baseballprospectus.com/card/card.php?id=INFANTE198…
baseballprospectus.com/card/card.php?id=CARROLL197…
But still, yes, agree, Infante’s a bit better, and more importantly quite a bit younger than Carroll. Was just throwing that out there. Still think Braves got a good deal,esp as they got to hold on to Martin Prado.
underdog
He is better than Carroll, yes, agreed, though not by as much as you think. I think Infante got a little overvalued this year because he was an All Star pick at utility position. He’s good, but compare JC and OI numbers this year f’rinstance.
baseballprospectus.com/card/card.php?id=INFANTE198…
baseballprospectus.com/card/card.php?id=CARROLL197…
But still, yes, agree, Infante’s a bit better, and more importantly quite a bit younger than Carroll. Was just throwing that out there. Still think Braves got a good deal,esp as they got to hold on to Martin Prado.
not_brooks
Five/71 is even more nuts than the Five/58 that we were hearing about forever.
Unless the Braves can hammer something out with Uggs, I have a feeling he’s going to be sitting on the market for a while next winter. Hitting is only half of the game, Danno.
dunnetg
Uggla probably is a rental, but I don’t mind – considering his age and his already lousy glove, I don’t think Atlanta needs to be paying him eight figures for his age 35 season.
That said, the deal looks great for 2011. A reliable right-handed power bat, freeing Prado as Chipper insurance at 3B, in exchange for a (good) utility guy and a very replaceable lefty reliever. His glove will cost Atlanta some runs, but Prado-Jones-Heyward-Uggla-McCann is a very good top five in the order.
mozelpuffski
uggla is already heading to san fran in his mind
vtadave
You know him?
mozelpuffski
ya; we burn every night. dude loves the bong…. him and cody are apparently good buddies and cody has been pushing him to wait for FA and come to San Fran. with his reluctance to work with Florida I can definitely see this happening…
gigantes2425
I sure do hope so
Jay212033
I hope so too so we can get SF 1st rd pk.
turkeyslayer80
He will be coming in FA. Not this year.
turkeyslayer80
Cody Ross and Uggla are friends. Uggla and Ross have both hinted that Uggla would love to come to the Giants when he hits FA.
Dave_Gershman
Justin Upton…
Billy Butler, Danny Duffy, and Louis Coleman
Brett Oberholtzer, Randall Delgado, Carlos Perez, and Mycal Jones
Casey Kelly, Drake Britton, Ryan Kalish, and Stolmy Pimentel
Ben Revere, Kyle Gibson, Anthony Slama, and Miguel Sano
Dellin Betances, Joba Chamberlain, Manny Banuelos, and Francisco Arcia
Kyle Drabek, Anthony Gose, Travis Snider, and Danny Farquahar
Felix Pie, Zach Britton, Patrick Egan, and L.J. Hoes
Stephen Parker, Chris Carter, and Grant Green
Just some ideas.
55saveslives
I’m hoping the Giants make a call, although I’m not sure they’ll trade in-division.
Dave_Gershman
Brandon Belt, Zack Wheeler, Heath Hembree, and Ehire Adrianza should get it done.
Reaper87
I wouldn’t give up that much for Upton, that’s potentially 3 impact players for the Giants, but to trade in division would take a package like that. If we get an Upton, I’d go for B.J. who can be gotten for much less and possibly even packaged with Bartlett for less than that
vtadave
Wheeler is so far from the big leagues that the only player in that package I’d lose sleep over giving up is Belt. That said, this is Justin Upton here, not B.J., so it may be worth it.
Reaper87
That is true, I’m just not sure that keeping Belt and adding Bartlett while hoping a fresh start helps B.J. is not a better option than losing Belt and adding Justin
Christian
I’d drop a Belt for a BJ!
Christian
I’d drop a Belt for a BJ!
Reaper87
That is true, I’m just not sure that keeping Belt and adding Bartlett while hoping a fresh start helps B.J. is not a better option than losing Belt and adding Justin
turkeyslayer80
they will not trade Belt. Period.
yankeesfan88
What are you saying with this post? I see 20+ names, pitchers and position players, and then “Just some ideas.” You understand that has to be the least clear post I’ve seen in a long time. If you are going to take up space on the page, try to speak English and get your point across.
Dave_Gershman
This is the second time in two days where you have knocked me just to knock me…
Each line is for a different team.
PookieGonzales
If you deal with every hater in the world that’s all you’ll spend you time doing. Don’t even bother anwsering to this tool. He’s not worth effort. Anyone with any prosepct knowlage got it pretty quick.
Dave_Gershman
Gotcha Pooks. Thanks dawg.
yankeesfan88
Before rushing to the guys aid, read what he says:
mlbtraderumors.com/2010/11/dan-uggla-rumors-monday…
yankeesfan88
Before rushing to the guys aid, read what he says:
mlbtraderumors.com/2010/11/dan-uggla-rumors-monday…
eviola1
Okay but what do they mean? Does each line represent the set of players you would want for Upton?
Dave_Gershman
Yeah how is it that unclear?
Dave_Gershman
Yeah how is it that unclear?
eviola1
Okay but what do they mean? Does each line represent the set of players you would want for Upton?
Steveospeak
wow dude I really think that is harsh, it seems fairly clear what he was posting here, and I think they are overall pretty good ideas. And unless you had better suggestions for each team what is the big deal? I found his post interesting, as I’m sure others did as well. Even if you disagree with some of it, doesn’t make him wrong. just saying
Dave_Gershman
I agree. Thanks man…I don’t get it either.
yankeesfan88
Before rushing to the guys aid, read what he says:
mlbtraderumors.com/2010/11/dan-uggla-rumors-monday…
Steveospeak
yeah what did he say there that was so wrong? About Hill having a bad year? no idea what point you are possibly trying to make
Steveospeak
yeah what did he say there that was so wrong? About Hill having a bad year? no idea what point you are possibly trying to make
yankeesfan88
Before rushing to the guys aid, read what he says:
mlbtraderumors.com/2010/11/dan-uggla-rumors-monday…
0bsessions
It’s an MLB rumors site and the guy listed a line of prospects from multiple teams under the name of a guy who’s allegedly being shopped. Anyone with even a vague grasp of simple logic and knowledge of current baseball happenings can easily figure out what he’s talking about. I think you’re letting some kind of petty grudge get in the way of simple rationalization here based off of your repeated linking of some benign comment.
AllYourBaseAreBelongToUs
Francisco Arcia isn’t a prospect, he’s organizational depth.
Dave_Gershman
What? No he’s not…He’s among the top 20/30 catching prospects in the game.
yankeesfan88
This is a really funny comment given the fact that hes in his 3rd year at A ball with extremely uninspiring numbers. Prospects are players who look great in the minors, not just any bat boy wandering around a minor league ball park.
Dave_Gershman
He was really good in the Sally League then got injured and went down to Staten Island where he played through injury and wasn’t the same. I’m pretty sure that was the case.
Steveospeak
I think Arcia is well above organizational depth, but he probably isn’t on the level to be the 4th player in a deal like this. I’d say this next year is crucial for him, but right now I’d say he is most likely to develop into a backup catcher type.
As for the rest of those deals I think a lot are fairly close to what you will end up seeing if a deal is made. Just out of curiosity what would you put in a potential Nats deal?
Dave_Gershman
For the Nats I’d have to say…J. Zimmermann, Brad Peacock, Brad Meyers, and Derek Norris. That’s a little light…But could work.
myname_989
If I was the D’backs, I would absolutely demand Drew Storen in any deal.
NYBravosFan10
the nats would have to be the most idiotic team in baseball…so it would get done
Steveospeak
That is what I was afraid you’d say from the Nats, as for them I think J. Zimmermann would be a deal breaker. Norris, Meyers, Peacock and even Storen plus a prospect would be something they could consider, but given their lack of SP and Strasburg on the shelf for a year I don’t think they could make that deal.
Dave_Gershman
Ill do Millone, Peacock, Meyers, Norris, and Storen. That would make sense to me.
mrmet128
how would anyone not get your post up there, i understood it easily.can you do a trade offer for the Mets? i’m not sure what it would take to get him, and i know we don’t have a need for him and won’t get him, but just for the hell of it.i was thinking maybe Mejia, Flores, Niuwenheis, Martinez for Upton?
Dave_Gershman
Thanks dude.
I’ll go with, Wilmer Flores, Armando Rodriguez, Kirk Nieuwenhius and Bobby Parnell.
Steveospeak
That is what I was afraid you’d say from the Nats, as for them I think J. Zimmermann would be a deal breaker. Norris, Meyers, Peacock and even Storen plus a prospect would be something they could consider, but given their lack of SP and Strasburg on the shelf for a year I don’t think they could make that deal.
Dylan Zane
is there a way the yanks can get him with banuelos, joba, sanchez/romine, laird, and another arm
Dave_Gershman
Not sure that Laird has value…But Banuelos, Joba, Romine, Gardner could work.
0bsessions
I don’t see Garnder being a viable piece in the puzzle. He’s much older than Upton, will be hitting arbitration after next season and is actually under team control for a shorter amount of time. Same goes for Chamberlain who’s actually hitting arbitration this year. The two of them alone could very well prove pricier than Upton (Especially with Gardner coming off the season he just had, unless he collapses in 2010, he’s going to get mighty expensive soon).
If they’re trading a 23 year old cost controlled outfielder with extremely high upside, they’ll want guys in the high minors (Essentially MLB ready, but not having ticked any time off of the arbitration clock), at least one of them a sure thing. As an example, the Yankees wouldn’t get a deal done without including Montero.
Joshua
Seems like a heck of a lot coming from Toronto relative to the other squads. Not sure how it would make sense for the Jays to trade Snider in an Upton deal at all, especially with those other guys.
roberty
I don’t think the Braves would have to give up that much to get Upton. He is an unproven player who is guaranteed $50 million over the next five years, with $30 million over the last two years of the contract. Not a horrible deal if he can post stats like he did in 2009, but his 2010 numbers should make a lot of GMs think twice about taking on that kind of money. The Braves have a ton of very good pitching prospects, I don’t see why they would be giving up three so high on the list. If a deal went down I would imagine it would be a for package based around Brandon Beachy.
RiverKKiller999
I think the D-Backs would want more than Oberholtzer,Delgado,Carlos Perez,and Mycal Jones.I’d say include Arodys Vizciano in the deal instead of Oberholtzer and they would think about listening then.4 prospects like that is well worth 5 years of Justin Upton who is on a 6 year $51.25 mill contract and he is only 23 years old and isn’t even at the peak of his prime yet.
Camden P
Twins could pull off a deal that didn’t include Gibson, Slama, or Sano.
mozelpuffski
infante will help them with very solid d – bats solid average with good speed. defense saves runs and provides more confidence to your pitcher. dunn fills a glaring need. buck will help immensely… marlins pitchers will be happy to have him. There aren’t many infantes out there. guy can do a lot.
csg
you only got him for a year though. Marlins shouldve held onto Uggla and at least got some draft picks. After next season, you only have Dunn. Loogies can be found anywhere
Im glad Uggla is a Brave though
rob s
Why would the Yankees give up Betances and Banuelos for Upton? The outfield is set for another year. Maybe with Gardner in place of one of them, or in a deal for a top line pitcher, but I doubt it because I don’t see Lee walking away from the Pinstripes/money.
danthebaseballman
A small player move with the Yankees? Iwonder who the Yanks might be getting.
myname_989
Rosenthal just put up a piece about Bill Hall a while ago. Something along those lines?
Backup_Slider
I’m wondering whether a “small player move” is a small move for a player or a move for a small player. On the latter train of thought, maybe the Yankees are looking to trade for Danny Herrera (makes more sense than dealing for David Eckstein)?
MLB_in_the_Know
I know we just got Uggla, but don’t stop there. I would offer Julio Teheran, Jonny Venters and two to three lower level guys (somewhere around our 10-15th ranked prospects) or AZ’s choice for Justin Upton.
Teheran may well be the best pitching prospect in the game.
Jonny Venters would come in and be the closer in Arizona for the next 5+ years.
We all know how terrible their bullpen was last year.
Backup_Slider
I just don’t get how Venters has gone from so-so minor league starting pitcher to bonafide closer based on one professional season of extremely good relief work. I’m thinking he could be due for a really long and painful sophomore season in 2011.
MLB_in_the_Know
Which is why you trade him now!
NYBravosFan10
leave out Teheran and throw in Delgado and Oberholtzer then you’ve got it
MLB_in_the_Know
See…there’s the thing, you can’t leave Teheran out. No matter what anyone says, there’s no way it would be possible. I know we have a ton of pitching prospects but for a player as good as Upton…you need to give up your best. The only way we would be able to top every other team in MLB, because they would ALL make offers, would be to include Teheran.
It’s tough but it would be worth it watching Justin become one of the best players in the league along with Heyward.
NYBravosFan10
it would KILL me to watch him go
MLB_in_the_Know
Read the Fangraphs article on Upton…it would ease your pain.
roberty
So idiotic it hurts. The Braves could trade Teheran for a great outfielder who isn’t owed $50 million.
MLB_in_the_Know
You do realize $50 million is an absolute bargain for a player of Justin Upton’s upside?
Why don’t you read the article about Upton from fangraphs on here before you ever speak to me again.
turkeyslayer80
I totally agree. Upton could be a top10-20 player in this league if he can stay healthy, plus he is only 22. 50 mil over 5 years for a player that is as good as he is at the age of 22 is a steal.
roberty
$50 million, plus Teheran and Venters and THREE other pitching prospects?? How is that a bargain? I realize you read an article but jeez. Read some more articles. Did you read about Uptons 25.9% career strikeout rate? It wouldn’t take that much to bring in Rasmus, who has no guaranteed money on his contract and he actually plays center field, a position the Braves need. The Uggla trade forces Prado into left, thus alleviating the Braves need for a right handed hitting corner outfielder.
Haha someone at fangraphs suggested the Braves trade Hanson, Freeman AND Teheran for Upton. Hilarious. Some people don’t _Know much about baseball.
NYBravosFan10
leave out Teheran and throw in Delgado and Oberholtzer then you’ve got it
roberty
This post makes me angry. For one, Teheran is probably the top pitching prospect in all of baseball — why would you consider trading him for anyone? Secondly, the Braves actually need Venters next year, as they lost their closer and setup man and won’t have the money to sign replacements. Thirdly, the Braves just traded one of the three left handed arms they had in the bullpen, if they also traded Venters that would leave EOF and the lone lefty in the pen, and everyone knows you need three lefties in the bullpen if you have to play the Phillies 20+ times a year.
Also, you probably didn’t look at the terms of Uptons contract, but he is owed $50 million between 2011 and 2015. That is a considerable amount of money to committ to a player who posted a .273/.356/.442 line in 2010.
Tko11
Steve Trachsel is mentioned!!
Backup_Slider
Twice!!!
Ian_Smell
This is the most relevant he’s been in years.
Ian_Smell
This is the most relevant he’s been in years.
Tko11
Steve Trachsel is mentioned!!
wickedkevin
I don’t know the Jays organization that well, but that offer seems better for Uggla.
Steveospeak
I agree, nothing major but better long term value from the Jays than the Braves. Atlanta’s deal ‘stops the bleeding’ so to speak, whereas the Jays offered upside.
Steveospeak
I agree, nothing major but better long term value from the Jays than the Braves. Atlanta’s deal ‘stops the bleeding’ so to speak, whereas the Jays offered upside.
BlueJays45
I would say its about equal only because Farquhar, Goins, and Mastroianni have not proven their worth yet. Its clear that Florida wanted big leaguers in this deal or they for sure would have accepted AA’s offer.
Ian_Smell
I like the Braves’ offer better. They get a major league ready pitcher and a good utility player in Infante while the Jays offered either a major league ready pitcher and a Double-A guy or an old minor league outfielder and a fringe shortstop.
Ian_Smell
I like the Braves’ offer better. They get a major league ready pitcher and a good utility player in Infante while the Jays offered either a major league ready pitcher and a Double-A guy or an old minor league outfielder and a fringe shortstop.
roberty
All of those guys were scrubs.
Sniderlover
Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com says that the Blue Jays had the most early interest in Dan Uggla, offering prospects RHP Josh Roenicke, RHP Danny Farquhar, and either SS Ryan Goins or OF Darin Mastroianni (Twitter link).
Did we seriously offer that? Lol… I know they wanted to trade Uggla and all but oh my goodness, that is one awful offer. I think AA could have thrown in a prospect like Jenkins instead of Farqunar and it would have gotten the deal done.
Joshua
Heh, one post saying this offer is horrible, and the one above it suggesting it’s better than the Braves one. I find that funny.
phillipmike
Jays fan here… If that was the Jays offer then it was a terrible offer. Those prospects are not on my top 15.
AA does not show disrespect so that must mean the market was terribly weak for Uggla and they wanted to move him right away.
But the Jays offer was garbage!!! Marlins were better off keeping him for a year and taking the picks.
Still disappointed the Jays could not get him considering what he went for to a division rival. Its hard to believe but that must mean the asking price from the Jays had to be low. Would have been nice to have Uggla.
Sniderlover
Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com says that the Blue Jays had the most early interest in Dan Uggla, offering prospects RHP Josh Roenicke, RHP Danny Farquhar, and either SS Ryan Goins or OF Darin Mastroianni (Twitter link).
Did we seriously offer that? Lol… I know they wanted to trade Uggla and all but oh my goodness, that is one awful offer. I think AA could have thrown in a prospect like Jenkins instead of Farqunar and it would have gotten the deal done.
MeOnTheInternet
Braves’ offer was better than the Blue Jays’
Marlins placed extra knock against ATL b/c it’s a trade “in-division”, and they still chose ATL
ATL deal offered major league players, TOR only offered lottery tickets
baseballz
I have to admit that was a very weak offer from the Jays. I was thinking it would be more then fair to offer at least Zack Stewart. He could have been the best guy in Florida’s pen next year, though we couldn’t have been able to offer a major leaguer that would have been as helpful as Omar would be next season for Florida. Weak offer though on the Jays part especially for a guy who’d get you two high draft picks or be wicked trade bait at the deadline next year.
Sniderlover
It’s a very weak offer from the Braves as well and I’m sure Marlins would be thrilled if Jays added Stewart who has potential to become a #2 starter.
I think if Jays took out of those relievers and added Rzep or Jenkins, I think Marlins would take the Jays offer.
CitizenSnips
“FoxSports.com‘s Ken Rosenthal tweets that the market for Jorge de la Rosa won’t take shape until Cliff Lee signs. He’s a fallback option for several teams.”That’s quite a fallback option.
cubfan4life
With Boston picking up part of his salary I wouldnt be surprised to see Atlanta get in on talks for Papelbon. Anaheim might be a fit as well depending on if they can sign Soriano. It may take a little while but i think that Papelbon will be closing for another team this season. I dont think that they should trade him it just seems like thats what will happen
Yankees579
If papelbon is available.. Hmmm..
RedSoxDynasty
Papelbon and 4 million to Angels for Mike Napoli who platoons at C with Salty!