Let’s catch up on some recent news and rumors as the trade deadline nears …
- The Dodgers have not declined to consider dealing top prospects Joc Pederson, Corey Seager, and Julio Urias except in cases of pure rentals, tweets Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times. Things remain “very fluid,” says Shaikin.
- There has been no contact recently between the Red Sox and Phillies regarding either Cole Hamels or Cliff Lee, reports Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald (via Twitter). Philadelphia is said to have had at least some discussions in the past with Boston regarding starting pitching.
- The Yankees still have “more work to do” in shaping the roster before the trade deadline, GM Brian Cashman tells MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch. Of course, New York seems to have a broad shopping list that could include additions to the rotation and several spots in the lineup card.
- Indians GM Chris Antonetti says that dealing away Justin Masterson does not mean that the club is giving up on 2014, as Paul Hoynes of the Plain Dealer tweets. “We’re looking to add big league players if we can do it,” said Antonetti. As Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports notes on Twitter, the acquisition of James Ramsey provides the club with minor league depth that could facilitate another deal if the club is indeed interested in reshuffling its roster rather than selling, per se.
- The Cardinals were never close to dealing away top prospect Oscar Taveras, GM John Mozeliak tells Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Indeed, Mozeliak says that speculation of a deal involving Taveras was actually amusing to him. St. Louis is still open to another deal after adding Masterson, says MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch (Twitter link), but Mozeliak left her with the impression that another move was not terribly likely.
CardsFan1980
Just don’t see Masterson as what the Cardinals need to make them better
mattt-3
I think it’s a reasonable risk to take, but overall I agree. I’d have liked to see this be part of a set of deals. Masterson could be a great pickup if it was in addition to another starter, because then he’s a reclamation project with high-reward possibility if they can fix whatever’s up with his mechanics this year.
But if this is their big move, that’s actually pretty disappointing. It’s one of those things where if we hadn’t been hearing their name connected to guys like Hamels, Lester, and Price, maybe this wouldn’t be so hard to swallow as being the only thing we’re going after.
I guess the good thing is it seems likely we can see Taveras develop, which could be pretty awesome to see if he ends up being as good as expected.
Lanidrac
I think those high end guys were pure speculation by the media and not what Mozeliak was actually after. Masterson has value as a now healthy ground ball innings eater moving to a much better defense in the NL. That’s all the Cardinals really needed behind Wainwright, Lynn, Kelly, and Miller, along with Wacha due back in early September.
Mark Kelevara
I agree, last thing you would want is to see Taveras hammering HR’s like they were going out of style in another uniform. Or even worse, against your own team that originally drafted him. Ouch.
john sands
I would have rather kept Ramsey..
sflomenb
Hamels for Pederson please!
john sands
won’t be anywhere near enough …
sflomenb
They should get Pederson and another prospect or two
NotCanon
If it’s a straight-up trade, the Phillies would be fleeced in that one. One prospect alone is not enough to get Hamels.
jeffm
Plus Seager, Anderson, Sweeney and Y. Garcia.
Jesus Gutierrez
who else…
jeffm
Carl and Larry.
Jesus Gutierrez
throw in urias , lee and holmes too
vtadave
Let’s throw in Urias, Lee, and Van Slyke.
Jesus Gutierrez
just to sweeten the deal we will throw in kershaw
KJ4realz
But that contract though
Matt He.
Only if they throw in Ryan Howard and all of his contract.
Jesus Gutierrez
just to sweeten the deal we will throw in kershaw
mrshyguy99
say no to trading them it not worth it ned. we need to build for the future as in win now.
Cdiaz
No one is worth all three top prospects from the dodgers . They have team control & cheaper
vtadave
No one AVAILABLE is worth it. Trout certainly is.
johansantana15
Trout and that’s about it.
Travis2014
Haha that’s thrown around too much. There are quite a few.
johansantana15
who else would you trade 3 top 30 prospects for? stanton maybe? felix? goldschmidt?
Travis2014
Felix, Kershaw, Trout, maybe Stanton, McCutchen, and a couple other players if I can extend them longer than their current deals.
Non of the 3 are can’t miss prospects. While they are all good so far they may not be future all stars. It would be pretty hard to say no if offered a perrenial all star under team control. Some of which are cy young winners or MVPs.
If you are the right GM in the right situation I could see such a crazy trade being plausible.
johansantana15
would you do those three for price if you knew you could extend him (which the dodgers almost certainly could)?
Murray Rothbard
The Dodgers clearly wouldn’t, Tampa would take that deal everyday of the week.
Travis2014
I’m not sure guys about to hit free agency would fit the bill of sacrificing those 3. Too close to FA in my opinion…why not just wait? Any player would have to be on a long term team friendly deal(McCutchen) or a player so good you won’t get them any other way(Kershaw or Felix or Trout).
Not sure Price fits in those guidelines.
Matt He.
maybe Tulo.
mike 81
LA Hamels is not a rental. Pederson and Urias should get it done. With Kemp stay LA has no room for Pederson anyway and Urias won’t be ready for years. Makes sense for both teams. Or Pederson and Ryu.
mrshyguy99
why would they trade ryu one of their best pitchers. they need to add to what they have not trade one good pitcher to get another.
mike 81
Because Hamels is better but your right. Phillies might want a mlb ready pitcher to replace Hamels in the rotation.
mrshyguy99
well dodgers will be smart with who they trade . reason why the havent jump at getting price when they can easily get him
soldiermedic
Hamels is no r that much better. Hamels is not worth giving up Pedersen or urias. Give them Lee and sager for Hamel and that is all.
mike 81
People overate prospects. Chances of them ever reaching Hamels level are slim.
Jesus Gutierrez
true but thats baseball for you
mike 81
That’s fans mostly.
MB923
And GM’s
mike 81
What’s the saying? GMs that count on too many prospects get fired?
Jesus Gutierrez
Urias goes no where he is mexican in a large mexican community
mike 81
That’s redicules.
mike 81
That is not smart.
Jesus Gutierrez
whats not smart