Some links to sift through as your Monday night winds down…
- Carlos Lee is remaining quiet on the potential Astros-Dodgers trade that would have sent him to Los Angeles, writes MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. "When I'm ready to talk, I'll come to you," Lee told reporters on Monday.
- Mike Newman of Fangraphs and Scouting the Sally writes that Gabriel Lino, who the Phillies acquired from the Orioles in this weekend's Jim Thome trade, is one of the Top 5 catching prospects he's scouted in person in terms of talent and ceiling. Newman opines that Ruben Amaro Jr. did well to turn a one-year deal like Thome into a talented teenage catcher.
- Josh Slatger of MLive.com writes that if the Tigers decide to make a run at Cole Hamels, third base prospect Nick Castellanos could be the "golden ticket" to acquiring the Philadelphia ace. Castellanos is blocked with both Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder locked into Detroit long-term.
- MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince looks at the ten biggest buzz topics heading into this year's trading season.
Lunchbox45
How is castellanos blocked exactly.
you move one of fielder/miggy to Dh and castellanos plays 3rd.
Bob M.
If Hamels isnt signable, Id pack his bags for him to get Castellanos.
Andrew Streeter
Were only making that trade if there is an extension involved
bigpat
1B named Lee- drama queens
Wes Whitenack
Is it really wrong of him to use his no trade clause to turn down a deal to a place he’s not comfortable? He’s happy with himself in Houston, so why leave? Maybe playing to win isn’t important to him, but where he plays at. Some people are just so cynical.
Chris
I agree, nothing wrong at all to want to stay where you have played most if not your whole career. some people care about loyalty more then championships.
LazerTown
He signed his deal with the no trade clause because he wanted to stay, Signing team gave it to him, they shouldn’t expect that he just drops it if they ask, what would be the point.
John Tharp
Im curious what they offered (If anything) to accept the trade. Give him a check for a mil or two and i think he would have waived it.
vtadave
Doubtful. He’s made well over $100 million in his career already, so that’s like giving normal people a couple grand to go somewhere where they aren’t comfortable.
Matt Mc
Not saying that Carlos didn’t have a right to veto the trade, but it’s not really loyalty that he cares more about than championships. It’s convenience and comfort.
He lives halfway between his ranch and Minute Maid Park. He visits his ranch about 4 times a week during long homestands. He couldn’t do that if his home games were at Dodger Stadium.
Chris
Im sorry i know you guys prob think other wise but Hamels is not worth all of these prospects. unless he agrees to a sign and trade deal I just dont see him sticking around with the team he is traded to whether its Texas,Detroit,New York or even boston. believe it or not i can see him ending up right back in philly after they get these prospects. just not worth it for 1 championship.
nm344
Anything is worth a championship.
Lunchbox45
when you start off saying you guys will probably think otherwise
you are saying, hey I know I’m wrong but here’s my wrong opinion anyways.
prospects flame out, championships are forever
LazerTown
Getting hamels does not guarantee a championship, and for 5 prospects with 6 years control of ml talent vs 2 months of hamels, prospects give you more chance win more championships long run.
nm344
Its not going to be 5 prospects. Its going to be 1 great prospect and then some mediocre filler with a chance of upside.
LazerTown
It’s gotta be more than that, they get a first rounder and a sandwich if they keep him the rest of the year and offer arbitration. Plus then they could still make a playoff run.
fred
its going to be similar to the deal the Indians got for CC. two top end prospects and two average prospect. otherwise why would i trade him especially with the second wild card. this pitching staff can get hot and sneak into the playoffs. if your not going to get close to what you want id rather take the draft picks and try to make a late seaon push
Phillies_Aces35
It’s going to be a fairly large return. WE get draft picks for him.
Even if we’re not contending, it’s not like we can’t resign him.
melonis_rex
anything is worth a championship.
bad rental trades happen when teams that are not well positioned to make the playoffs trade for rentals, or teams overpay for mediocre players that don’t really get them closer to making the playoffs.
but you trade prospects to get into the playoffs and get that championship every day.
brocnessmonster
Sounds like the Carlos Lee trade.
Phillies_Aces35
I don’t think anybody’s going to meet the asking price. Texas and Detroit are two “win-now” organizations that might be crazy enough to do it but even then, it’s a lot to ask for a 2 month rental. Even though he’s a difference maker in the post season.
Ultimately, my gut tells me he stays here and the Phillies and he work out a long term deal in the off season. He’s not going to be a Dodger.
If somebody IS willing to meet that asking price (Olt + or Castellanos +, etc) they’re going to have a tough decision to make.
Paul H.
“When I’m ready to talk, I’ll come to you” Translation: Never going to talk about it.
dylanp5030
Castallenos and a LHP prospect for Hamels makes sense.
Pawsdeep
Pretty sure the Tigers can just move Castellanos to a corner outfield spot IF he is even ready within the next three years. If he is going to be as good as advertised, pretty sure they can find a spot for him on the field somewhere.
windycitywarrior
I think the Astros would be stupid to get rid of Carlos Lee. Next year they are going to need to sign a DH and with Lee they know he can hit in their park and he would be a veteran to have in the club house.
Phillies_Aces35
It’s not like they couldn’t sign him in the off season after trading him…