Trading Jonathan Papelbon wouldn't solve much for the Phillies at this point, opines Corey Seidman of CSNPhilly.com. Seidman runs down a possible scenario in which the Phillies ate $6MM to move Papelbon, noting that GM Ruben Amaro Jr. would then still try to sign a replacement. Names like Grant Balfour and Joaquin Benoit could cost upwards of $10MM per season anyhow, meaning the Phillies may not even save much money should that scenario play out. Papelbon will have more value to teams at the trade deadline when fewer quality options are available, writes Seidman. Here's more from the NL East…
- David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution tweets that the Braves have approached some of their young stars about extensions over the past two years but felt they'd have to overpay to get something done.
- O'Brien also runs down the Braves needs on the heels of a quiet Winter Meetings, noting that they're optimistic about re-signing Eric O'Flaherty. Atlanta is still pursuing a veteran bench bat — O'Brien mentions Eric Chavez — and are still interested in Jeff Samardzija. The Braves may be considered the favorites to land Samardzija at this point, says O'Brien, noting that payroll constraints will likely preclude them from pursuing David Price.
- After adding to their rotation, bench and bullpen, the Nationals will now turn their focus to extending Ian Desmond and Jordan Zimmermann, writes Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post. Should the Nats be unable to extend Zimmermann, they may be forced to consider trading him this time next season, one source told Kilgore.
- Nate McLouth spoke to former teammate Adam LaRoche (whom he called one of his favorite teammates ever) and asked what the Nationals clubhouse was like before deciding to sign there, writes Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun. McLouth doesn't hold ill will toward the Orioles for not retaining him.
Can someone explain what the Phillies are doing? They want payroll relief but then they would just sign another closer. They want to get younger but then they extend Utley. They want to rebuild but then might ship out more of their farm system.
All their ACTUAL moves seem to indicate that Rube is working on a very tight budget. All the rest is a smokescreen to make the fans think they are willing to spend and making every effort to make a big splash and improve the club. They want to get rid of Papelbon because he’s a jerk with a horrible contract and they can’t stand him. All the contradictory messages are a reflection of their poor planning and their inability to maneuver because of the bad long term deals they are stuck with.
Yeah the Hernandez signing does say that. There seems to be a lot of this smokescreen.
I agree it appears Ruben is working on a budget, but that’s gotta be ownership’s doing. They’ll get almost $100M in guaranteed money in 2014 from TV and revenue sharing and even in a bad year they should take in at least $100M from tickets, parking, merchandise, etc.
The Phillies need to give themselves an honest look in the mirror. They’re just not good enough to compete right now. Holding onto Lee along with re-signing Utley and Ruiz just prevents them from being competitive any time soon.
Seems like most of the Braves young talent has been moved up to the big league roster already. Cubs prob would want the main attraction in this trade to be Sims…but Braves prob wouldn’t want to move him. Maybe Alex Wood would be a possibility?
Wren said Sims’ basically off limits. Wood + seems like a good place to start. Im not sure what needs the Cubs have though. everything?
If you’re talking to contend now, then yeah they’re pretty thin. But they have one of the top three farm systems in baseball but are very thin on pitching. Contention isn’t expected for another couple of years
The Braves system isn’t bad, but it’s not spectacular. If Sims isn’t on the table, the deal is a complete non-starter.
The Cubs are not motivated sellers at all and Shark has 2 years of control left.
I think you are undervaluing Wood and even Graham and Cabrera for that matter. I think the Braves have plenty to get this done without Sims especially considering Shark doesn’t figure to be around for the next contender in Chicago.
Eh, No I’m really not.
I’ve replied to others on here about it, but the Cubs have NO urgency to move him as he has two years left of arbitration and they want a very high return back.
The Braves pretty much only have Sims as far as top-100 prospects so if he sin’t available, it’s a no-go.
And keep in mind, it’s not ME doing the “undervaluing”.
Epstein is asking for a ton. Because he can.
Last deadline the D-backs asked what it would take and the Cubs said they needed Archie Bradley AND Skaggs.
In that case, Cubs can keep him for the next 2 years, not compete for both of them, and watch him walk for nothing. The dude is a 3/4 starter, not an ace.
This. He’ll be moved, but I really don’t want to see the Braves move Wood or Sims for him.
Many would say you’re undervaluing Alex Wood. He may have lost his “prospect status”(he’d certainly be considered a top 100 guy if he didn’t) by throwing 78 innings this past year(3.13 ERA, 2.65 FIP), but I’m more than confident he could be the center-piece. Not that I’d want that as a Braves fan….
The Braves have the talent to win now, trade for Price.
Samardzija owns the Nationals for some reason, hope they don’t get him
Is Lucas Sims untouchable? If not, then a package of Sims with a couple more pitching prospects would easily land Samardzija
They should trade for either he or Kyle Lohse and sign either Ibañez or Eric Chavez. Then try to move Uggla and prepare to help fix BJ. For a team that won 96 games, a lot of those without the two players they just lost to FA, I think that’ll be more than enough.
Hope the Sox get in on Chavez soon. Cause as much as I respect Drew I really think he is the best bench option for the left side of the IF. For some reason I think its gonna end up being Michael Young though.
I just don’t see how getting Jeff Samardzija would give the Braves that much of an upgrade. He’s been pretty average his whole career and is entering his age 29 season. He’s about to be due for an extension and would probably ask for more than the Braves would be willing to give him. I’m not overvaluing the Braves prospects, but given their financial restraints, trading them all away wouldn’t help the Braves.
Call me optimistic or whatever you want, but I just feel like a combination of Alex Wood, J.R. Graham, Lucas Sims, etc. would be able to give the Braves the same production as Jeff Samardzija, but at the league minimum.
I’m not even for the Braves trading for David Price for the same reasons. The loss of prospects just doesn’t make sense for a team that can’t routinely make pushes for high priced free agents. Plus, Price would want to test the market and I don’t see the Braves being able to afford him given the eventual contract extensions owed to Heyward, Freeman, Kimbrel, etc.
That’s sort of how I feel. I think Samardzija is better than his ERA would suggest but he isn’t worth giving up prospects like Lucas Sims (a top 50 overall prospect). I also wouldn’t include Alex Wood in a trade for him since I think Wood could easily be the best pitcher on the staff next season.
Maybe Kris Medlen plus Sean Gilmartin/JR Graham and Christian Bethancourt.
My thinking on Shark is that under the tutelage of McDowell and with a human vaccum like Simmons behind him his value could go up dramatically. That said I think Wren is extremely talented at player evaluation and if he doesn’t feel like he is seriously winning a trade he won’t do it. (If only he could win a contract negotiation/free agent signing)
That’s sort of how I feel. I think Samardzija is better than his ERA would suggest but he isn’t worth giving up prospects like Lucas Sims (a top 50 overall prospect). I also wouldn’t include Alex Wood in a trade for him since I think Wood could easily be the best pitcher on the staff next season.
Maybe Kris Medlen plus Sean Gilmartin/JR Graham and Christian Bethancourt.
It is extremely disappointing to read that the Braves don’t want to “overpay to extend their young stars” but have been more than willing to roll the dice with Dan Uggla, BJ Upton, and Derek Lowe in the past.
Yep, Wren will give too much money for aging players whose best years are behind him. But pay a young, home grown player what they are worth? Nope.
DOB suggests that he has and is trying to extend but trying to get team friendly deals.
I don’t think Heyward’s a possibility at all, sadly. He’s scheduled to hit the market at the age of 26. Assuming he stays healthy and continues to produce, there’s just no chance he allows Atlanta to buy out any of his free-agent years.
Simmons and Minor need to be priorities. Hopefully this quiet off-season indicates that extensions are on the way.
Agreed on Heyward, sadly. Not many players ever get the chance to cash in big twice in their careers. Heyward can make bank at age 26 or so and possibly again in his early 30’s if he plays really well.
Braves have plenty of pitching without giving up Simms, Hursch, or Graham for Samardzija. Cubs have an awesome array of positional talent on the farm but are in dire need of pitching rebooted into system.
If the Shark is dealt by Theo for a young starter with some MLB experience like a Alex Wood or David Hale (although he’s 26), Theo will gather as much pitching prospects to go along with the starter too. Maybe a Cody Martin or a Aaron Northcraft combined with a reliever like Avery Moore.