Ian Desmond is drawing strong trade interest, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The Nationals want starters and, other than Cliff Lee and Carl Pavano, the free agent pitching class has thinned out considerably. The free agent shortstop class is similarly weak, so Desmond is in demand.
Washington isn’t looking to trade Desmond, but they could part with him for a young pitcher with comparable service time, Rosenthal says. The 25-year-old batted .269/.308/.392 in 2010, his first full season. With just over one year of service time to his name, Desmond is still five years away from free agency.
I know the Cards just traded for Theriot, but how about Garcia for Desmond…I think they would both have similar service time remaining, and it seems as if(unfortunately) the Cards are dead set on booting Brendan Ryan. With Desmond at short, Theriot could be our everyday 2nd baseman or a superutility. We would obviously have a gap in the rotation, and would have to look at vet starters to fill it. I don’t think this is at all likely, but an interesting and pretty cost neutral scenario
i dont know alot about the Cardinals, but Garcia>Desmond…. and i dont think its that close
As a Nats fan, I’d take Garcia. I’m pretty sure that the Cards hang up first on that call.
I don’t think the Cards hang up – I think they drop the phone in a fit of laughter.
Nats hang up 5 minutes later when they still hear the Cards hyperventilating in the background.
Have to think Garcia is close to untouchable for the Cards right now. When is the last time they had such a promising young lefty starter? Ankiel??
I doubt the Cards deal Garcia, Chris Carpenter has a 15MM dollar team option for 2012 that the Cards will likely buy out for 1MM or trade him at the deadline if they are out of contention, in an effort to spend that money on keeping Pujols. They need to keep as many young cheap arms as possible. With Carpenter making 15MM and Pujols 16MM this season but Wainwright’s contract going up by 2.5MM, the Cards could offer Pujols around 29MM per season minus arbitration raises next year. That could be enough, but it’s dependent on them not keeping Carpenter.
Wow Garcia for Desmond ? I didn’t know the Cards were that desperate. Ryan isn’t that bad, he still had both his arms last time I checked.
Garcia shouldn’t even be in the same conversation as Desmond.
People should be more offended at the mere notion of Garcia-for-Desmond.
Garcia >>>>>>> Desmond.
I being a cards fan… dont see this happening. I could see us trading Pj walters and another young pitcher for desmond… Garcia was all to good last year for us to trade him away right away.
This is a stupid move. They should keep him because they can’t go after anybody else that would fill the hole without giving prospects.
Espinosa is a natural shortstop and he’s more surehanded than Desmond. With that said 2nd is an easier hole to fill than short
Wade LeBlanc and maybe a 2nd tier arm for Ian Desmond.
I don’t think that is in the ball park, John Lannan and probably even Ross Detwiler are better rotation bets than LeBlanc, who at best is a 5th starter outside of Petco. His splits are unreal, nearly .200 points of OPS and about 3.5 run difference in ERA. That is not a good fit for the Nats at all.
Yes that is possible however, the Padres have several arms (minor league depth) that could be alluring in a package.
I don’t think LeBlanc has any value at all, certainly not in a deal for a 25-year old SS who is under team control for another five years.
IF the goal is to get cheaper and more controllable players, maybe the Padres should entertain trading Heath Bell for Desmond. The Nats need bullpen help, and the Padres probably have no intention of re-signing Bell after 2011. Getting Bell could allow the Nats to pitch a ‘commitment to winning’ to their fan base, especially if they extend him.
Regardless of the player, there could definitely be a deal there that could benefit both teams.
I would agree. The question is, would the Padres veer from their defense first approach and take on someone with such glaring defensive shortcomings?
For a player with Desmond’s upside offensively, I would think so depending on the price. Even if he would just become an average defender. With the lack of middle infield depth in the Padres system, he could make a lot of sense especially seeing as he is still five years away from free agency.
Again, I agree. The Padres need the depth. If they were to trade for Desmond, the best case scenario would have him settling down defensively and Cabrera evolving into the long-term answer at 2B. Hopefully Cabrera could leadoff and Desmond could hit second.
That would be awesome. However, unfortunately it would probably cost the Padres one of Castro/Luebke or Richard/Stauffer in all seriousness.
I don’t think they can afford to trade Stauffer or Richard with their rotation losses. That said, I’d be OK with trading Castro for Desmond because Castro is probably still at least a year from contributing in the majors. That’s the price you pay for a major league ready SS under control for another five years.
As I said all year last year – they have to start bringing in players with offensive upside at some point. If they don’t, it won’t matter how much pitching they have.
Yeah, I believe dealing one of Stauffer or Richard would be too steep considering the Padres emphasis on “stabilizing the pitching rotation”, I think that goes without saying.I would also be fine with dealing Castro. You and I have both been screaming for young controllable upside players at premium positions for years. Hopefully Hoyer can take advantage of a players like a Desmond or a Lawrie type.
I’ve had enough of the David Ecksteins of the world taking up space on the Padres roster. It’s time to really rebuild and get younger.
I’d would be very happy if the Padres could get one of Desmond and Lawrie. If they somehow got both, which would probably require trading Adrian, I’d be ecstatic.
Dealing Stauffer is too steep, but Castro isn’t ? Hmmm, I don’t agree with that at all. If it really came down to it, I’d rather just put Castro in the rotation now and use Stauffer in a trade to address a middle infield spot. From what I’ve read about Castro, he’s a guy you could build a rotation around, not someone you trade away for a ~700 OPS shortstop. He’s a legit top ~30 prospect going into 2011, no? Plus, Stauffer is just about to start hitting his arbitration years….no way I do that deal.
Stauffer is in our starting rotation now, Castro is not. Castro (as much as I love him) is still probably at least a half a year away if not a full year and is not proven. According to Baseball America, Castro is rated number seventeenth overall. Some scouts do question him projecting stellar numbers on the big league level. Jim Callis gave response to me via Twitter, “jimcallisBA Jim Callis Reasonable bet is No. 3 SP. Might see him next yr. @mickeykoke: Thoughts on Simon Castro, MLB projection? How soon will he be ready? #Padres”. So while I have heard many positive things regarding Castro, I have heard some rumblings internally that would imply that the PADRES may not covet him as highly as a pitching prospect you believe he maybe be able to build a rotation around.
Baseball America pre 2010 had Desomond as the Nationals 4th best prospects behind Stausburg, Norris and Storen. Its not as if Desomond does not have an extremely high ceiling himself and has already shown a glimpse of that on the MLB level. Baseball America: ” If Desmond’s bat continues to develop, he has a chance fore or better tools across the board. His quick hands and strong forearms generate plus bat speed and average power, and he has done a good job of shortening his swing and becoming more patient at the plate. At shortstop he has good range and a 65 arm on the 2-80 scouting scale. He is a live-bodies and athletic, and he plays with plenty of energy, He has average speed and is a smart base runner.” Of course Desmond needs to refine aspects of his game, but the kid is extremely talented and under control. Some scouts have said that the tools that he possesses across the board that will enable him to reach “all around upside.”. It would be dealing from a strength, pitching to fill a black hole that the Padres desperately lack, the middle infield and PRODUCTION.
It’s not impossible for Castro to show up in spring, pitch lights out with two plus pitches, and put his name in the hat for the #4-5 spot in the starting rotation. Sure the Padres would like for him to get more experience pitching in the minors since he skipped Hi-A last year, but it’s very conceivable that he could hold his own at the major league level if he needed to.
I’m with you on Desmond, but shipping off 6 years worth of a top 5-ish pitching prospect while hanging onto an arb-eligible, post-surgery, post-hype deep sleeper like Stauffer would not sit well with me at all.
There is no way that happens. The Padres do not want to be in the situation where they have to worry about “super two” status again. The “work load” issues that they had with Mat Latos this year. Come on man, that’s a huge reach! I like Castro a lot, but that will not happen for several reasons. He will spend at least 2-3 months in AAA. It’s not what we (as fans) want, it’s what is realistic when given all the intangibles. I am not hearing anyone declaring Castro, “the Latos of next year” anywhere, the way they were looking at Mat last year. Stauffer, (appendectomy aside), still has very solid value even with him due arbitration. Another thing to remember, Desmond while has high value because of his defensive woes thus far, could go for less than many are projecting. However, they do not HAVE to trade him so it puts the Nationals in a very good situation given the high level of interest.
Trust me, I would love to trade Stauffer instead and jump Castro because of his upside but realize that there is virtually noway that happens because of some of the reasons I already listed.
It’s not impossible for Castro to show up in spring, pitch lights out with two plus pitches, and put his name in the hat for the #4-5 spot in the starting rotation. Sure the Padres would like for him to get more experience pitching in the minors since he skipped Hi-A last year, but it’s very conceivable that he could hold his own at the major league level if he needed to.
I’m with you on Desmond, but shipping off 6 years worth of a top 5-ish pitching prospect while hanging onto an arb-eligible, post-surgery, post-hype deep sleeper like Stauffer would not sit well with me at all.
Castro might need some more minor league “marinating” but there are certainly folks around baseball that think Castro could get major league hitters out _now_. With his combo of work ethic and stuff, it’s be super risky to include him in any deal that doesn’t bring a guaranteed return. With Stauffer about to hit his arb years, I’d much rather deal him than Castro…or Luebke for that matter.
Unless it was in a 3-team deal it wouldn’t make sense. The Nats bullpen was actually the strongest part of this team last year, and that was even after they dealt Capps to Minnesota. The Nationals need starters first and foremost, as well as a 1B, a couple OF’s and a SS if they deal Desmond.
Funny, the Padres have the same needs. About the only thing they don’t need is relief pitching.
As a Nats fan, I think I’d keep Desmond. I like Leblanc…
I don’t see how Desmond has hit enough to justify his glove. I know there are very few shortstops available, but it is really hard to make 34 errors the way official scoring is done in most parks.
You have to actually watch the kid play. As a Nats fan I am pretty annoyed by the 34 errors. But watching him play you can tell hes gonna get alot better. He makes the spectacular plays but botches the simples ones and he’s probably the best overall athlete on the field
two words:
Adam-dunn
It was his first full year at the position He will only get better ! I think they should keep him no matter what Desmond and Espinosa are a perfect up the middle and will be for a long time !
Desmond better get better. There’s not a lot of room for worse.
It was his first full year at the position He will only get better ! I think they should keep him no matter what Desmond and Espinosa are a perfect up the middle and will be for a long time !
Get in there Jed! Padres need a SS! Tim Stauffer + Aaron Poreda maybe?
Stauffer’s a steep price for a SS who might not even be better than Everth.
LeBlanc probably isn’t enough to get the deal done, Richard would be an even steeper price than Stauffer, Luebke or Castro have too much potential to move…Stauffer’s pretty much the only one left. Unless the Nats want Cesar Ramos for some terribly stupid reason…
Everth terrifies me. He’s been injured a lot over the last year (had to be removed from Venezuelan leagues due to a pulled hammy) and looked completely overmatched in just about every AB last year. He’s got more potential than he’s shown, but as of right now, he’s basically the infield-version of Gwynn Jr who’s about to be non-tendered.
Everth should not figure into their plans for 2011. He needs a minimum of a half season at AAA before he sees another big league AB. If they were committed to developing him, they’d start him in AA and see if he can earn a promotion.
LeBlanc probably isn’t enough to get the deal done, Richard would be an even steeper price than Stauffer, Luebke or Castro have too much potential to move…Stauffer’s pretty much the only one left. Unless the Nats want Cesar Ramos for some terribly stupid reason…
Everth terrifies me. He’s been injured a lot over the last year (had to be removed from Venezuelan leagues due to a pulled hammy) and looked completely overmatched in just about every AB last year. He’s got more potential than he’s shown, but as of right now, he’s basically the infield-version of Gwynn Jr who’s about to be non-tendered.
The Padres can’t afford to trade Stauffer with Garland, Young and Correia all likely to move on. Stauffer really took a quantum leap forward in terms of value in 2010, and the Padres need to find out if his performance is sustainable.
Poreda is useless. He lacks the stamina and pitch arsenal to start and lacks the command to be effective in relief. I’d be shocked if the Padres wait much longer for him to figure it out, the clock is ticking.
Wow, you’ve got this stuff down pat. I agree with you on both Stauffer and Cabrera. If only Black had started Stauffer a few more games the Padres may have made the playoffs, he really seemed to figure it out last year. As for Cabrera, they could easily send him down and watch him grow into what we all thought he was going to after his rookie season. This team should not be rushing him. As long as they can get Hairston Jr back in the fold they can take it easy on Cabrera.
I wouldn’t give up on Poreda just yet though. Another spring training with Balsley working with him might be enough to make something out of him.
As far as Poreda goes, he needs to learn how to throw and command at least two more pitches. He’s pretty much just a fastball slider guy, but he doesn’t get either over the plate enough to have much success. He needs to sharpen the slider, learn a change, and maybe learn a curveball. I think the best the Padres can hope for with Poreda is that they lower his arm slot, teach him to command his pitches, and convert him into a shut-down lefty specialist. I’m afraid hoping for much more than that is wishful thinking.
Forget about a curveball, I’d settle for him just learning how to throw his fastball/slider combo for strikes. Having even just two solid pitches is two more than he has now.
This is a move that I could see AA in Toronto looking into. Sure they have Escobar, but they could move one of them to second and switch Hill to 3rd. Toronto has a lot of good, young pitchers. The question is whether they want MLB ready pitchers in return. If that’s the case, I don’t see Toronto moving one of their top 4 guys right now except maybe Cecil.
So you would do Cecil for Desmond?
Cecil is from Dunkirk Md, WHICH IS LIKE 40 MINUTES AWAY FROM THE STADIUM, I love Desmond and wouldnt want to see him go but cecil is a beast !
Yeah I agree with you actually. This is one of the few trades I would pull the trigger on that includes Desmond. Do you know what high school Cecil went to? Im assuming your in the area
Cecil is from Dunkirk Md, WHICH IS LIKE 40 MINUTES AWAY FROM THE STADIUM, I love Desmond and wouldnt want to see him go but cecil is a beast !
actually this would make sense over all…but i would not move hill to 3rd he is a very very very good fielder but its looking more likely that Jose Batts would be moved to 3rd given the surplus of out fielders they have now with snyder, raja davis and vernon wells(playing in that order in the OF) jose to 3rd, desmond to 2nd, hill to 1st, lind either stays DH (assuming the BJ’s dont sign manny or another out fielder) or trade lind…
I could see this, too. Desmond is the type of fellow that AA would really like.
Toronto really does not need another low OBP guy.
I agree with you in a lot of ways about this. The acquisition of Davis did nothing much to boost that either. Letting Buck and EE go, with the trading Gonzalez should help that lineup. The difference with Desmond is that he’s still inexperienced enough at the MLB level to think he might actually get a little better as he gains experience. Buck,EE and Gonzalez are what they are.
I wish the Braves could get in on Desmond, he destroys the Braves… I think he is a good young talent and will only get better. I’m not going to propose any trades, but I think the Braves would have the pieces. I’m just not sold on Alex “Loaf” Gonzalez…
I’m not thrilled by his .308 OBP but I would prefer him to Gonzalez. But, at the cost of what young pitcher? They would want a lot more than Brandon Beachy and Minor is too much to give up for him.
This was hiss first full year at the position ,Guzman was our ss before
I realize his numbers a bit of a cause for concern but he was a rookie last year. Sure he debuted as an older rookie, but it did contribute to his woes. He probably won’t ever be a top 5 offensive SS but top 10 isn’t out of the question. I think the OBP will tick up into the .325-.340 range, and considering the fact that he has some pop in that bat and speed he is a pretty good option.
As for his defense it all comes down to the errors, that is what brought down his RZR and UZR ratings. His range rating as part of UZR ranked 8th among qualifying SS’s. His ErrR ranking was of course dead last but that is a fixable area of his game, while range you basically have it or you don’t. If you can get Desmond to cut down on his errors than he can be a good defensive SS. Considering the scouting reports on him, he seems fixable.
I think Desmond all in all is a quality SS who has a good future with the Nationals (or whomever would trade for him). He’s not an All-Star, but he should be a quality starter who is above average both offensively and defensively moving forward.
I wonder if the Mariners could package Doug Fister and a mid-tier prospect for him. Not sure that would be enough, but Desmond would be a nice fit in Seattle sharing time with Jack Wilson at short and keeping 2nd base warm for Dustin Ackley. After Wilson is off the books next winter, he would be the every day SS.
Just not sure this could happen…
I was just about to post something about the Mariners acquiring him. I wouldn’t mind giving up Fister for him, I wonder what else it would take.
Would Loney and a good pitching prospect or two be enough to get him to the Dodgers? Especially if the Nats cant resign Dunn…
The Dodgers have Furcal and just signed Uribe. Where would Desmond play?
I was thinking Uribe slides to third, with Desmond at second. It would free up room for us to sign Pena for first. A long shot but I can dream cant I.
Sure, you can dream.
But you’re really going to bump Casey Blake in favor of Uribe?
I guess Blake could be a utility guy for LF/3B/1B…
Why even have Loney in there from the get-go he basically has negative trade value at this point. He hasn’t had a good year since his first season in the bigs, and the Nats can do far better on the FA market for roughly the same amount of money.
Why even have Loney in there from the get-go he basically has negative trade value at this point. He hasn’t had a good year since his first season in the bigs, and the Nats can do far better on the FA market for roughly the same amount of money.
Trade Desmond, huh? Smells like a move to free up roster space to bring in Mr. Jeter!
hahah YES…..
No way that would be dumb ! I would rather have a young Desmond with Jeter like potential , Than a few years of Jeter who will only be remembered for his Yankee legacy
If I’m the Orioles I give them Britton and Givens for Desmond or Arrieta.
That i think would be too much if you are saying Britton or Arrieta. Desmond is young, cheap, with nice potential, but I’d say that is too high a price esp. when you add in Givens (obviously redundant with Desmond, but still has value).
That is WAY to much for Desmond. How about Tillman, his stock is somewhat down but he is still very young and was highly touted a year ago.
Maybe the Reds would give up Travis Wood and Frazier.
I wish! Desmond’s not worth THAT much
That is too much. Maybe Homer Bailey and mid tier prospect. Desmond hasn’t shown enough to warrant this much.
Idk who they could give back for him because Idk a lot about their farm, but the first team that came to my mind when I saw this was NYY.
Idk who they could give back for him because Idk a lot about their farm, but the first team that came to my mind when I saw this was NYY.
You guys are really overrating Desmond.
I agree with that. He’s nothing spectacular.
Just curious but where do you put him on SS chart? Obviously he isn’t Tulo or Han-Ram star type, but he could be pretty solid above average type guy. Not to mention he is pretty cheap, I mean with guys like Hardy and Bartlett on the trade market Desmond’s value is at a all time high if you need a young SS. If you look at it Desmond was better offensively than other young SS’s Escobar (Yuneal as well) and Andrus. There defense might have been better, but Desmond has the profile to continue to improve in both areas. In the end a guy like Andrus will likely be a better SS, but Desmond won’t be that far behind.
i dont think you realize how important defense is as a shortstop.
The SS/2B FA market is very weak. Teams that are shopping them (Ex. Bartlett, Hardy, etc.) are going to sell high with Uribe and Tejada gone and Theriot traded. There is only 3 ranked FA 2B (All B’s): Eckstein, Hudson and Felipe Lopez. SS are only 2: Type A Derek Jeter and Type B Orlando Cabrera. Jeter won’t go anywhere, so when you are looking at Orlando Cabrera and Orlando Hudson as the 2 best Mid. Inf. Options, Trading for a young SS or 2B would be better.
If talks completely break down, I wouldn’t mind the Yanks giving this a shot. Think Joba for Desmond is sufficient?
If they add Teixeira.
Simple question. No need to be sarcastic. Joba was regarded throughout the league as one of the top prospects before last season. After a down year, i think he just needs to get out of New York into a situation where there is less pressure and a clear-cut idea of where to put him – rotation or relief. I think he’d do well in the rotation down there, as he has Strasburg in front of him for the hype machine and Storen already as the closer.
That was just a completely ridiculous comment.
I can’t believe you’re ready to ship off Joba for him.
My main reasoning is because I was under the impression Joba’s trade value is very low as of right now. If the Yanks do plan on keeping him in the pen, I’d rather give one of the young guys in the system a shot at his bullpen spot than go with an unknown or rookie as the starting shortstop.
If Joba is too much, then perhaps one of our pitching prospects in the minors. It’s a starting point.
SSS notwithstanding, Desmond demonstrated tremendous power in his short Major League stint in ’09. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he goes on to become a solid-average defensive shortstop with a low-800 OPS.
This would put him in top 5 SS territory.
Not saying this will definitely happen but do not be surprised if it does.
Those wrists, baby. Those wrists.
34 errors and getting strong interests??? Translation hit 10 bombs and has a low salary
I haven’t seen him play much. But I hear that alot of those 34 errors were early in the season. His first full season, mind you. I definately think he’d be worth a number 3 starter in the long run. He’s still cheap. He can hit for a SS. And he was improving on the job.
Not sure how I feel about trading Desmond…From what I’ve heard he’s more of a leader in the club house and vocal than Dunn or Zimmerman ever were. But from what I’ve heard the organization thinks pretty highly of Lombardozzi as the future 2nd basemen and Danny Espinosa’s natural position is SS.
I guess if Rizzo can deal for a decent-pretty good Starting Pitcher I won’t be too upset, we’ll see though.