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.
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.
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.
Let’s not get THAT carried away. Infante >> Carroll.
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.
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.
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.
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.
uggla is already heading to san fran in his mind
You know him?
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…
I sure do hope so
I hope so too so we can get SF 1st rd pk.
He will be coming in FA. Not this year.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
A small player move with the Yankees? Iwonder who the Yanks might be getting.
Rosenthal just put up a piece about Bill Hall a while ago. Something along those lines?
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)?
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.
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.
Which is why you trade him now!
leave out Teheran and throw in Delgado and Oberholtzer then you’ve got it
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.
it would KILL me to watch him go
Read the Fangraphs article on Upton…it would ease your pain.
So idiotic it hurts. The Braves could trade Teheran for a great outfielder who isn’t owed $50 million.
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.
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.
$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.
leave out Teheran and throw in Delgado and Oberholtzer then you’ve got it
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.
Steve Trachsel is mentioned!!
Twice!!!
This is the most relevant he’s been in years.
This is the most relevant he’s been in years.
Steve Trachsel is mentioned!!
I don’t know the Jays organization that well, but that offer seems better for Uggla.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
All of those guys were scrubs.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
“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.
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
If papelbon is available.. Hmmm..
Papelbon and 4 million to Angels for Mike Napoli who platoons at C with Salty!