As teams scan the trade market for pieces that can make a difference down the stretch, many GMs are experiencing sticker shock, writes Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. “Some of the demands out there are ludicrous,” said one NL adviser. “We asked about a lefty pitcher and they asked us for our best pitching, best hitting, and a couple of other established players. I said, ‘Are you kidding me?’ That’s why I’m thinking despite all the talking, I’m not sure much is going to get done.” Here's more from Cafardo..
- The Rays have sniffed around on Rockies catcher Ramon Hernandez. The Mets and Nationals are also said to have interest in the veteran, though teams are wary of the $3.2MM owed to him in 2013.
- Diamondbacks rightfielder Justin Upton hasn’t drawn as much interest as expected. The Pirates obviously have a great deal of interest in him but find the asking price was prohibitive. Pittsburgh may also be interested in B.J. Upton of the Rays and they inquired on Billy Butler of the Royals and the Phillies' Shane Victorino.
- The Cubs could be interested in Red Sox pitcher Daniel Bard in a Matt Garza trade. Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer, and Jason McLeod all have a strong history with the right-hander.
- There hasn't been much news about him in the last week or so, but Red Sox catcher Kelly Shoppach remains a viable option for teams like the Mets in need of a catcher. Boston can afford to part with him as well with Ryan Lavarnway waiting in Pawtucket.
- Cafardo cautions not to dismiss possible interest by the Yankees in Royals outfielder Alex Gordon, with Brett Gardner having surgery.
- The Orioles, Tigers, and Royals are among the teams that have made inquiries on Mariners left-hander Jason Vargas.
It’s not unreasonable for asking prices to start high, but recent hauls for young arms has been ridiculous. If one GM scores a huge deal, obviously, the next GM is going to start at that level.
Of course they are interested in Bard on a buy cheap proposal, as is every team in the league.. Throws 98-100mph and strikes before the ill advised move to the rotation, now he throws 95 (tops) and can no longer throw strikes due to a inability to maintain his delivery mechanics from pitch to pitch..Sound familiar..Andrew Miller?
Teams need to cease this rubbish and leave well enough alone when they have closers in waiting, looking for that pot of gold that is rarely over the rainbow, all to often ruining what they have and taking sometimes years (if ever) to repair the damage they inflict.
SP you can find, if possible on the go, like Morales. When Bard was showing in ST he wasn’t even able to hold his velocity at mid 90’s even, mainly working in the low- 92-3 mph range and his change, plus slider was mediocre at best, should have been game over..
Morales and Doubrant’s transition went smooth from the start on the other hand, no loss in velocity, their off speed pitches were fine.
The Bard transition was nothing more than being pig headed and trying to force something that never existed.
I hope this has taught management something for a few years at least, or until a new group comes in and the lesson will have to be learned all over.
They should have known better. Bard has mental make up issues since he was drafted (rumored as to why he fell). He only has two pitches he can really pitch with. He should have never been a starter – they were trying to save money by putting Bard in the rotation and it failed as predicted.
Interestingly, Andrew Miller seems to have done well in making the transition to the bullpen.
Yeah. That was the point. The Sox ST, later Minor league instructors did a jam up job fixing Miller, now they need to repeat the same mechanical fixes (well, mechanical, but different ones of course) with Bard.
I watched Miller with the Fish. he couldn’t repeat the same delivery 2x and his velocity fell to 90-91mph on his heater even, sometimes he would even fall off the mound his mechanics were so toasted his last MLB call up.
Now? Miller repeats his delivery and regularly throws 95-97mph.. Boston MiLB instructors… Those same people need to get it through bard’s head they can fix his mechanical issues and repetition of delivery problems, just like they did with miller.
Daniel Bard? What happened to wanting young prospects? I guess if he is included along with a couple of prospects it might be okay …
Why do the Orioles have interest in Vargas? He gives up a lot of home runs!
In fact, he’s averaging more than one a game and leads the league.
His WHIP is half decent this year because he hasn’t walked that many.
He’s an innings eater that actually owns the A’s in 2012, he hasn’t won every game, but he has shut them down, so why doesn’t Beane trade for him? Also, if you take him out of Seattle and put him in Camden Yards, I there’s going to be a bit of a problem. As Jim Palmer stated many times, you can’t defend the home run.
Oh and one more thing, I wouldn’t dismiss the Yankees interest in Gordon either, but I cannot imagine the Royals trading him unless its for a “Royal” Sum and then some.
Royals need pitching and lots of it, I don’t think the Yankees have anything in the system that wil get the job done there.
“The Cubs could be interested in Red Sox pitcher Daniel Bard in a Matt Garza trade. Theo Epstein, Jed Hoyer, and Jason McLeod all have a strong history with the right-hander.”
Let me clear it up for you, Mr. Cafardo: No.
I mean hey, if you want to throw him in for funsies then go for it. If you think he is going to be a significant piece of any return for Garza you are flat out in the wrong line of work.
You have this on what information? The same incorrect as Cafardo?
Agree Boston should not sell low on Bard, but same they should not buy high on Garza.
it doesn’t make sense for either side. boston shouldn’t sell low on bard. and the cubs shouldn’t target a reliever, even an elite closer-type with multiple years of control, as the centerpiece of a garza deal.
Agree. Cubs could use a closer, but on a team with many needs and a closer who isn’t even performing at the AAA level right now?? Epstein has many other needs other than a project pitcher, like Andrew Miller was, even one with 4 years of control.
Bard would just be like a older (28) top prospect in a deal who had previously performed exceptionally well and 4 seasons of control.
When and where the Cubs eventually move Garza, it is not going to be for older side people like Bard and also don’t think they are looking for those “MLB ready” people either some of the Cubs fans on the site here seem to be mentioning over and over.
Epstein is smart enough that system was ravaged for years by poor scouting and developing and he needs to redo it from the bottom up. they are looking for prospects from the bottom up in deals have a feeling and realize can get more (and better) high risk, but also high potential prospects from the A to AA level for the few pieces he has that are market worthy.
I would LOVE Butler on the Dodgers. He’s just a consistent hitter, Eovaldi plus for him?
Your joking, right? You wanna trade us a 22 year old who has 4.7 SO/9 innings this season for the dodgers? For Billy Butler? Think again.
Billy isn’t going anywhere, and certainly not as cheap as Eovaldi. No chance. The ONLY way Butler (or Gordon, who was referenced to the Yankees possibly) moves is for a SIGNIFICANT package deal that would include multiple ready-to-play-now players, including starting pitching. KC is very well positioned with Gordon, Perez, Hosmer, Moustakas, Escobar, Cain, and a couple of young pitchers…we don’t need to trade for prospects or minor league roster fillers.
As to who COULD move off the Royals? Frenchie, sadly, is on the block. I say sadly because I think the guy is pure money in the clubhouse as far as being a leader and example to the young players, plus he is still a top-of-the-line outfielder with a cannon. Will Meyers is just too good to keep down in Omaha. I could see us packaging Frenchie, Yuni Betancourt, Doug Davis, and Clint Robinson for a #1 or #2 starter to a team who needs an outfielder (Frenchie), a utility infielder, a decent long-reliever/spot-starter, and a guy who has proven he can handle anything the minor leagues can throw at him (Robinson). We also have two more-than-adequate back-up catchers, although I’d rather part with Pina from Omaha than Pena in KC simply because Pena is a switch-hitter.
Look, I’m a Royals fan and all, but don’t be stupid. Francoeur, Davis, Betancourt, and Robinson do NOT get you a #1 or #2 starter.
You might be surprised, especially with teams in need of OF help right now, and CRob being the prospect that he is. I’m not saying it WILL happen or that it is a likely off-season trade package, but I have seen some interesting package trades, especially around the deadline, on rental or potential rent-to-own players… Plus, there are a lot of teams who would really benefit from a 4-for-1 trade, especially since everyone that we would be offering is big-league-ready.
I’ll be honest…I’m really suprised we didn’t promote Davis when we DFA’d Sanchez.
No. Your over-valuation of Royals players is constant and exaggerated to a sad degree.
Maybe the Cubs have so much money tied up in payroll and Theo that they can’t afford to send scouts out to Pawtucket to watch Bard? That’s all I’ve got for explanations.
Neither Butler or Gordon is going anywhere this year.
Nope, and you can add Perez, Escobar, Hosmer, Moustakas, Duffy, Cain, Will Meyers, Jake Oderizzi, and a couple of other minor league pitchers to the “not going anywhere from KC’s roster” to that list…
Cain is the only one from that list I could see going somewhere, and that would be a longshot.
I would say a REAL longshot considering he has shown his bat and defense both in the short period he has been able to play this year. Plus, no way KC wants to rely on Dyson to be the sole true CF on the team, especially with Mitch Maier not even on the 40 man now…
Upton was in the MVP voting last season. He’s only 24. The Diamondbacks are looking to trade him because Towers isn’t a huge fan of his and they feel he’s gotten complacent in Arizona. A change of scenery is what he needs right now. No injury major injury history and he’s a great teammate, it’s just time for Arizona to move on. To get talent you’ve got to give up talent.
Clubs are worried by Ramon Hernandez’ $3.2m salary for 2013. Have they noticed his .195 batting average (including home games at Coors Field) in 2012?? Exactly why do they seem him as an upgrade