The Diamondbacks are willing to trade Justin Upton even if they’re in contention, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports. Arizona GM Kevin Towers won’t make a deal unless he’s “dazzled”, Rosenthal reports. Here are Rosenthal’s latest rumors, starting with Upton:
- The Diamondbacks could pursue Major Leaguers instead of prospects for Upton if they remain in contention for a postseason berth. Upton raises some questions with his effort level and body language, according to Rosenthal, but the outfielder appears to have drawn “huge” interest from teams such as the Pirates nonetheless.
- The Rangers prefer Cole Hamels to Zack Greinke, though they continue scouting Greinke.
- Francisco Liriano has a 2.74 ERA in eight starts since returning to the Twins’ rotation, but clubs are “wary” of trading for the left-hander, Rosenthal reports. It’s doubtful that teams would part with significant prospects for Liriano, who’s thought of as a bullpen option by some teams. Matt Capps will also be available once he returns from the disabled list, according to Rosenthal.
- The Tigers are prioritizing offense over starting pitching, according to an executive that has spoken to the team. The Tigers need second base help and could also explore trades for corner outfielders, starting pitchers and relievers.
If I were the Rangers, I’d be more interested in Hamels too. He’s the better fit to finish the year-left handed, great season, doesn’t wilt under pressure and has tons of playoff experience. They could always go after Greinke in the off season.
The Rangers got to have something in the minors they aren’t going to use-like a blocked 2nd baseman or 3rd baseman; young pitching prospect, and extra outfielder or two.
I’m a Phillies fan, but Hamels deserves to be on the Rangers this year and get another ring. For those Rangers fans saying that he isn’t worth Olt and another prospect, that will change if/when he pitches his butt of for them in the WS.
Unless the Rangers give up Olt, they aren’t getting Hamels.
If giving up Olt would guarantee getting that final strike in the World Series, then sign me up! Watching Game 6 in person was probably the most painful sports moment of my life.
Why does he deserve it? Makes no sense to me. Just because the powerhouse Phillies are having a rough season, their big ticket pitcher who’s going to get more money than he knows what to do with deserves to hop onto the best team in the AL and get a ring? Not adding up to me.
I don’t think he’s worth Olt+, but obviously winning a WS would take the sting out of losing someone like Olt. It wouldn’t negate the fact that we would have given up a future All-Star for a rental.
Little early to declare him a future all star don’t ya think?
I meant to say “potential”, but yea, either way it wouldn’t be a good deal.
Did I just read that right? He’s better fit to finish the year left handed?
No, you didn’t read that correctly. There’s a hyphen with an intended pause. “left handed” is the start of the qualifications for which he prefers Hamels over Greinke.
Yeah, that wasn’t real clear. I was also referring to Cole Hamels history of durability.
My screen name is that of one of my favorite authors, but I am not a he. I’m a Mrs. That’s just for gammaraze, so you’ll know.
“He’s the better fit to finish the year-left handed”
You talking about Cole Hamels or Pat Venditte?
D-Backs have interest in Lincoln, could also be interested in Alvarez. The latter being a long shot
Does anyone know how bad Upton’s left shoulder is?
Liriano has the stuff to be an ace. The problem is he has zero confidence.
Liriano has had 1 good season (actually I’ll be fair and say it was a great season) in the last 5 years. He has been a well well below average pitcher in those other 4 years. A 10.2 WAR in 5 seasons.
Yes anything can happen in any year, but I just can’t see this guy producing great seasons for multiple years in a row. He is at best right now a #4 or #5 pitcher
Actually……he’s had two great season’s, not one.
2 in the last 6 seasons, I did forget about his rookie year, but only 1 great season in the last 5 years.
Do the Dbacks need a closer?
Nevermind, just looked it up. It appears they do need a closer. I actually think the Pirates would be more likely (and better off) trading major leaguers. I’d exchange Joel Hanrahan, Jose Tabata, and a maybe a Robbie Grossman for Upton. Thay way all the top prospects are still under the Pirates’ control. Brad Lincoln is a closer in waiting, anyway, or even Jason Grilli. Trade Hanrahan at his peak. The Buccos won’t want to pay him next year anyway, and this way they can use that money for Upton’s contract. Tabata is losing his job to Starling Marte, and Grossman has a high ceiling but is further from the majors than Marte. Sound fair?
Also, if Pirates could swing that, maybe they get Jed Lowrie from the Astros for one of their pitchers in AAA?
Why would the Astros trade away a 28-year-old power-hitting SS for a meh AAA pitcher when they’re at least three years away from possibly contending? Let’s get realistic here with the trade possibilities. You’re not getting these players without handing over actual prospects.
That’s not even close to enough for JUP
Who else do you add?
For Upton? Tallion & Marte to start.
Why would you trade away an All Star closer in the middle of a pennant race? They need to add. Not add by subtracting. Lincoln isnt a proven closer, as he is just a kid. He hasn’t pitched in pressure situations
People ovverate relievers far too much. Hanarhan is a dime a dozen relievers like him are found ever year for dirt cheap. 5 tool players like Upton are found once every 10 years.
Yeah, it would be very smart to find another stud closer in the middle of July when the team already has one and is playing their best baseball in the past 20 years.
So your saying a closer who at the most is going pitch 80 innings is more important than a 5 tool 24 year old mvp candidate? Very flawed logic my friend.
A middle reliever, a fourth outfielder and a fringe prospect for a 25 year old 5 tool player who hasn’t even hit his prime yet? Are you crazy?
Joel Hanrahan middle reliever? He’s one of the top closers in the game. You don’t think the rest of the package deal is enough, fine. But Hanrahan is one of the best closers in the league: 23 saves so far this season, and 40 last year. pIrates usually are in a ton of 1-2 run situations, so he is used to the pressure.
“that way all of the top prospects are still under the Pirates control”
this is beyond wishful thinking. If any GM was able to acquire upton for filler and relievers, it would have been done along time ago. Terrible proposal. go to your room.
Just following the main post saying the Dbacks also would accept major leagures. I believe Hanrahan is the Pirates’ best major league who they would be open to trading. I am of the opinion that I’d trade just about whoever it takes to get Upton. Why are the Dbacks willing to trade him in the first place?
they are not going to be dealing an All-Star closer like Hanrahan in the thick of a pennant race. that would be just absurd. and word has it both the Padres and DBacks are interested in Brad Lincoln, Dbacks sent scouts to triple A Indianapolis (so probably looking at Marte) and the Padres sent a scout to low A west virginia (looking at Hanson, Polanco, Willy Garcia)
That wouldn’t be enough, but I’d also be opposed to trading Hammer unless they have another deal with a proven closer lined up. I know guys don’t believe in prove closers and some relievers can have success in the 9th as long as they’re good (Casilla, Janssen, Clippard), but there’s also many instances where the pen is lacking that guy and tries to mix and match all season long without success.
If they were to trade Hanrahan + something else for a quality starting pitcher or SS, and were to acquire Street and Quentin from San Diego I would be ok with it, but throwing Lincoln who’s rarely pitched in late inning situations this year in the middle of a pennant race, is a recipe for disaster.
Arizona would have no interest in Hanrahan in a deal for Upton.
Really???? You think we need a closer? JJ Putz not to mention David Hernandez as a set up guy. Granted our GM is always looking for bullpen but to say we need relief and to center a potential MVP for years to come for relief is insane.
The Orioles need to go out and get Liriano and Colon like today.
It’s really that simple. I swear Duquette’s acting like he’s buying a house here!
Also if I am the Orioles which I am not just a fan here, I would not trade our top prospects to get anyone and I mean ANYONE!
They need middle infield help. Sutton is not an answer, and they can always bring up Starling for outfield help. They have the #1 bullpen and ERA in the majors.
If I was the Pirates my offer would be Taillon, Hanson, Lincoln, one of Owens/Locke/Wilson, and either Tabata or Presley. This would be a good mix of guys that can help the Dbacks both now and in the future. They get a top 10-15 pitching prospect, a top 50 hitting prospect(per BA), an outfielder that can help now and a MLB ready pitcher and a very good reliever.
The Pirates get Upton and retain Cole and Marte and still have 2 MLB ready starters
Personally, if I were the Pirates, I wouldn’t be messing around with Upton. Sure, if the D-backs had a record like the Cubs, their Minor League system was bare and Upton was hitting .275 with 20 Home Runs, 60 RBI’s and 15 Stolen Bases, then I could see why the Diamondbacks would want to trade him and why the Pirates would want to give up a LOT to get him. But THAT is NOT the current situation.
So, I would, instead go after Liriano and Willingham from the Twins.
Willingham gives power and On Base Percentage from Left Field and Liriano HAS to be better than what Bedard is currently producing.
I would think what the D-backs would take for Upton isn’t much different than what the Twins would take for Willingham and Liriano. The upside for the Pirates would be that they aren’t putting all of their eggs in one basket (Upton) HOPING that he isn’t injured and HOPING he can increase his offensive production.
I think the Pirates would be better off just promoting Owens/Locke/Wilson rather than Liriano. As for Willing Ham I think I would rather have Quentin he would be way cheaper and provide similar production.
Willingham’s contract is very reasonable and under team control for two more years. He’s having a great year. Terry Ryan won’t deal him unless the offer is well worth it. As for Liriano, its a gamble. If he pitches like he has the past eight starts he’s hands down better than Owens/Locke/ Wilson, but if he reverts back to how he started the season (and there’s no indication thats happening), than he’s only a half season rental for the Pirates.
Happy to see a Bucs fan with common sense re: Upton. Hit almost every red flag point on the head.
“I would think what the D-backs would take for Upton isn’t much different than what the Twins would take for Willingham and Liriano.”
Whaaaaaat???? The Twins were ready to give Liriano away a few weeks ago. Even after his recent success, teams are still really wary of him. Upton will take a significantly larger package to land. That being said, I think the Pirates should seriously consider it. Aside from the obvious help this season, he’s under team control through 2015, so even if they fall back into their old ways the next few seasons, they could turn around and probably get back the same level of quality they would give up now.
I have wanted Josh Willingham for over a month to be a bucco. I feel giving up 1 of the AAA lefty starters and Grossman pain a A baller would bea fair deal or if they wan a major league rady OF instead of wating 2 years on Grossman than give them Tabata heck through in Presely and keep Gorkeys as your 5th of.
As far as Liriano goes if he were a through in then fine but i wouldnt give anything of value for him with 2 major league ready starters in AAA you need to find out about before the offeaseason.
Prepare to sit on your hands then Kevin, because you won’t be “dazzled”. I would hope nobody is moronic enough to trade the farm for Upton, especially since he’s struggled and all of a sudden Kevin wants to move him… While in contention. Something smells funny.
Braves traded Yunel Escobar in the thick of things
Cardinals traded Colby Rasmus in the thick of things
if attitude problems are the reason for moving him, 29 other teams will still be interested.
Justin Upton to the Blue Jays.
I would be more than happy to have my team take his attitude off of Arizona’s hands.
I find it a bit ridiculous that it seems Uptons (MLBTR) trade value is based on his potential rather than the numbers he has put up thus far. I always thought “Potential” is supposed to be how you measure the value of a prospect- not a player in his 6th year?
He’s a year off a MVP type season, where he is still 25, so he has yet to reach his peak as an athlete; so yes, his “potential” is still important as a whole
sure, a year off….he received one first place vote and finished fourth in the voting. Michael Young also received one first place vote that year. My whole point is just that if I were trading my top prospects away, id be much more comfortable trading for a sure thing.
you’re right though, its only right for the d-backs to ask for the world for upton.
if it were me, id be much more willing to trade my top prospects for kate upton than justin
So your saying that if you had a player that had not reach the MVP level that you think he can accomplish yet you would trade him for lower prospects than what you think his potential should be???
No, but i would hold onto him until he really begins to shine to try to increase trade value instead of “selling low”. Sometimes I wonder if that is one of the reasons he has still not be dealt.
But, in your example, what “i think” he can accomplish, and what he HAS accomplished are not the same thing. Im not saying he will never win an MVP, im just saying I still havent seen that breakout that everyone expects every year.
The only reason why we are supposedly “trying” to trade him is because we have kevin towers as our GM. Towers isnt afraid to trade anyone. Im sure if he were with the dodgers he would say the same thing about kemp.
As far as MVP stats im not saying that he is there yet but he is pretty close. I mean in three full seasons he has a 20 20 season with a 300 average, as well as a 30 20 season with 290 average. His rbi’s are what have killed him but that is partially because dbacks havent had the best support around him until last year.