Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports has a new notes column posted looking at a number of situations around the league. Here are some quick highlights…
- The Mariners are on the hunt for a right-handed bat, but they prefer Nelson Cruz to signing Hanley Ramirez or trading for Matt Kemp. Justin Upton is also somewhere on their wish list and is potentially available. Rosenthal writes that the Mariners “are going to do something” of significance to address that search.
- The Phillies are doing background work on the makeup of Red Sox prospects Christian Vazquez, Mookie Betts and Matt Barnes, Rosenthal hears, fueling some speculation about a Cole Hamels trade. Rosenthal says the Sox are disinclined to move Vazquez or Blake Swihart, however, and previous reports have indicated that the team is loath to consider parting with Betts. As others have noted, Rosenthal feels that Hamels would likely require the Red Sox to exercise his 2019 option ($20MM) in advance, bringing the total he is owed to $110MM over the next five years.
- The Padres are continuing to listen to offers for Andrew Cashner, Tyson Ross and Ian Kennedy, with Kennedy being the most likely of the three to go. Kennedy is projected by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz to earn $10.3MM in 2015, and the Royals are interested in the right-hander. Rosenthal also speculatively lists the Rangers as a club to watch in the Kennedy market.
- A reunion between Nick Markakis and the Orioles seemed like a foregone conclusion at one point, but the two sides still aren’t close to a deal and talks are said to be merely “inching along.” Rosenthal wonders what’s taking so long but does note that the O’s are considering Yasmany Tomas and still working with Cruz as well, so it seems fair to speculate that having three options in the corner outfield is slowing the Markakis progress. As Rosenthal notes, the longer the wait, the more likely it is that Markakis explores other options more seriously.
- Since the publication of that column, Rosenthal has tweeted that the Orioles might be willing to move Bud Norris, who is projected by Swartz to earn $8.7MM in 2015. Norris is a free agent next season but pitched well in 2014, posting a 3.65 ERA with 7.6 K/9, 2.8 BB/9 and a 42.2 percent ground-ball rate in 165 1/3 innings. Rosenthal also hears that the O’s have gotten “moderate” interest in Ubaldo Jimenez, although with $38.75MM remaining on his contract, I’d imagine he could only be swapped for another bad contract.
I would rather keep Umbaldo and trade Norris. I’m ok with letting Nick and Cruz walk as both will require more money then either are worth. I’m intrigued by Tomas but knowing the O’s luck they will pump a ton on money into him and he will be a colossal bust.
Remember though even without Bud and Ubaldo we’ll still have Bundy, Gausman, Miguel Gonzalez, Chen, and Tillman. More than enough starters for the rotation. Ubaldo was just not good out of the pen. Bud Norris is great but if you can trade him to someone like the Blue Jays or Cubs for prospects you definitely do it. I’d like to see the O’s move both for an outfielder because it won’t look good if we lose both Cruz and Markakis. That will leave Steve Pearce and no one else to play the outfield.
I know he’s made of glass, but I’d also like to see them resign Nolan Reimold. Delmon Young was a great pinch hitter too, would love to see him back for bench outfield depth.
I would love to see Young back and I would take a flier on Reimold if its a minor league deal. As for OF if Kakes leaves, I’m okay with Lough as the 4th outfielder and would like to see the team resign De Aza (assuming that he is nontendered). I would also like to see Alverez in spring training and give him a shot at the big leagues.
We do have some great outfielders in the minors the two Cuban players Henry Urrutia and the others names slips my mind but Mike Yastremski is someone for a year or two down the road. Would be great to keep Cruz and Markakis but don’t get caught like we did with Roberts and Melvin Mora paying players for what they did and not what they are going to do is a big fault of the contract process.
I would keep Jimenez too
I would miss Norris a bit, but if we can get something of value for him so be it.
As for RF, I want CarGo and I still want Billy Butler.
I don’t ask for much! =P
I think Kakes is gone though.
Who are you willing to give for Cargo? Rox would ask for Gausman for sure, since he grew up in Denver.
This is for both. (Bleed and Seam)
I would trade Bundy and someone else or whatever it took…maybe. I would not trade Gausman though or Harvey for that matter.
The future of the Orioles is in these young arms. I wouldn’t trade Bundy, Gausman, or Harvey for Cargo.
The Orioles have a long contention window. Moving Bundy, who should help further that window, seems detrimental to the team. They aren’t a big enough market to pay all that money for CarGo while he is on the DL.
I would rather try and work out a deal for J-Up. Though I agree CarGo would probably hit well at Camden I think the prospects he would command would cripple the farm. If Kakes and Cruz both leave then I would consider Butler… but if hes predicted at 3/30 pass…. I would want Butler on a 1 year deal around 8mil.
Cruz as a Mariners DH is fine.
Even if it takes a 4-5 year deal to land him?
Not really lol. Cruz will be lucky to get a 4 yr deal. Five, I think is out of the question
I wouldn’t go more than three with a vesting option or buyout option on the fourth year. He’s going to be pretty old by that point. The M’s should have DH options in house by then.
M’s haven’t had a decent DH option since Edgar. Since ’04, Russell Branyan’s 3.1 fWAR over parts of 2 seasons is the best they’ve done. Given their historic problem with producing runs, I would say this is a rare case where it actually makes decent sense to spend on a DH.
Agreed the M’s need to pay up for an elite hitter in the DH slot…but I don’t think Cruz is the right guy.
Check out his park factors. He hasn’t hit in the AL West well at all, with exception to Texas.
Red Sox are better of spending 6/150 on Lester than spending 5/110+ Betts or Vazquez for Hamels. Its cost controlled talent like Betts and Vazquez that keeps big money contract from crippling a team
Plus they don’t lose a Draft Pick.
True. But only one team is going to get Lester for 6/150 (or 6/160, or whatever). … The teams that don’t land him are going to need backup plans. Specifically the Cubs and Red Sox. … Do they turn to Scherzer, who remains the great mystery of this early offseason? Or do they do their due diligence on a potential trade for Hamels?
Who gets Lester if not for the Red Sox or Cubs? Have to believe the Cubs would more easily turn to Scherzer than the Red Sox as they have a ton more payroll flexibility.
Everyone’s got money. Lots of teams want him. It’s wide wide open. Don’t be surprised if the Dodgers wade into the SP market again. Yanks love ex-Sox guys. White Sox have money. Braves (Lester lives in Atlanta). Rangers. I dunno, you name it. Because he has no QO, everyone wants him.
Not everyone has the kind of money to sign Lester. Dodgers and Yankees are always a possibility sure. The Rangers have already stated they are most likely to trade this offseason. I don’t think they’re spending. The Braves and White Sox have never even some close to giving out the kind of free agent contract Lester is going to command. No QO does little to take the sting off a 150 million dollar contract.
I would never count out the Mariners. If they show interest, he is from Tacoma. Might have some weight there.
AND, they would be able to call it an offseason if they could land Lester and then a big bat to protect Cano. I would still love to see them trade for Upton and Gattis. Some nice protection for Cano and a rotation of Felix, Lester, Kuma, Paxton, and Elias.
Probably more likely Walker is in that rotation, with Elias as a reserve in the pen for long relief or spot starts.
I’d love to see Lester in Seattle, but I think they’ll likely go much cheaper for starting pitching and focus the spending on bats. I agree that you can’t count them out, though. Hammel is from the area as well. He might be a more realistic target for the M’s.
The only reason I left Walker out is because he or Peterson would likely have to be involved in a trade for Upton and Gattis, and I’d prefer it to be Walker. I would want Upton to extend in a trade though, so if not, I would prefer the bat to be someone like Tomas or Kemp.
Tigers.
I have to believe Lester is plan A. And you’re right, you keep the prospects you save a ton of money in the long run.
Didn’t see your post…just posted the exact same thing!! I agree!!
Would the Phillies do due diligence if there wasn’t a chance of those players being included in the deal? I have to believe the Red Sox would be perfectly fine including Barnes in the deal, but I don’t see them parting with one of their catchers or Betts. Although the Phillies would be crazy to do this deal without the inclusion of Betts, Swihart or Owens. There has to be someone headlining this deal, and I can’t see that being Barnes. It seems the Phillies want way too much and the Red Sox are offering way too little. Barnes would have been a great get pre-2013, but he stock has gone down since then.
Yup, there’s a huge gap between Betts and the rest of the Sox prospects. Maybe someone like Owens could headline, but there would have to be a haul of 3 or 4 guys for it to be worth it for the Phils.
I don’t think there is much of a gap between Betts and Swihart, although Betts has some ML success under his belt. The Red Sox aren’t going to part with Swihart either though. It all comes down to Lester. If they can sign him, and keep their prospects they are probably better off. Unless they can get the Phillies to part with Hamels for a lesser package.
Another thing the Sox like about Swihart, is his ability to play 1st base
Sounds like (via Gammons) that Cubs believe Lester is going back to Boston. …. That would put the ball in their court: Do they want to pay Boras’ full price tag on Scherzer, or pursue other possibilites?
Or just up the offer to Lester
for some people its not about money and if he would be “coming” back to Boston it would be for less than Chicago would offer.
Sure, but how far does his loyalty go? Chicago could possibly offer more money and probably has a better chance to compete in the near future (with the way the rosters are currently structured… obviously free agency can change that)
I don’t see cubs competing until 2016-17. look at Rizzo and Castro took them a few years to get adjusted same with Baez, who I honestly don’t like. They have Soler and Bryant who I think I think will be good but as a team I think It will take a year or two. Red Sox with trading people away and big injuries can easily come back and win the AL East. Betts, Bogaerts, Pedroia, Ortiz, Cespedes, “3rd base”, Napoli, Castillo, and Vasquez/platoon. Along with say Lester, number 2, Buchholz, Kelly, youngster. Their depth of outfield and young pitching could help in trades for role players to help. To not be bias but if I want to compete right away I’d choose Boston.
Outside of Cespedes that is the same team that Boston ran out last year that finished dead last (without 2 starters Peavy and Lackey. Cubbies have a very good pitching staff already, a very solid young core, and enough money to make major moves. I see the Cubbies much closer than the Sox
I think the O’s should let Markakis walk if he seriously wants 4 years. He is basically average all around. He isn’t bad at anything, but he doesn’t excel anywhere either. That does not warrant 4 years a 10-12 mill per season IMO. If he would resign for 3 yr 33 mill, I would do it, but not way 4 yr 40 mill plus. Cruz can take or leave 3 years 45-50 mill IMO. Maybe the O’s can let both walk, and work out a deal for Ubaldo and prospects or Schoop for Gattis and BJ Upton. Throw Gattis at DH, Upton in LF, batting 9th, and then find a filler 2B,
BoSox fans – what would you expect to have to give up in order to get Hamels? Realistically, if Lester and Scherzer (who I haven’t seen connected to Boston) go elsewhere, who would you think would be reasonable to lose in a trade for Hamels? Would Owens, Margot, Ball, and Coyle be too much? Going by BA’s new list, that’d be your 2nd and 7th prospect – plus 2 guys in the (organizational) 10-20 range.
starts with Betts and Vazquez.
I’d just say pass. I’ll go see what San Diego or Cincinnati are up too.
Cole Hamels (who has an era over 4 sss in AL) at 5/112 plus Betts, Vasquez, and Barnes or Jon Lester at 6/140~ no draft pick.. Pretty clear which is the better deal.
Lester is there top priority.
According to Sox prospects (which I tend to trust more than Baseball America) that’s our #2, 3, 13 and 14. I’d say it more likely Owens or Margot, not both.
They should offer these kind of prospects for Chris sale(both Owens and margot of course). Hamels is in his 30s and is gonna be owned $110mm(as rsox are on their no trade list) and upon that all the money has to be paid by rsox so no.
Though chi sox won’t part with sale! They could aim for lester and/or shields on FA market. Or they can try to get mat latos or even cueto and extend them!
The White Sox are not trading Chris Sale.
For some reason, this reply didn’t pop up till I refreshed the page. Yea, BA’s rankings have been questionable this year (IMO), so I get going with a Boston list. Seeing 2 and 3 – that does seem like a bit of a stretch (especially with 2 other top 15 prospects) plus Hamels probably wanting the option picked up.
Lester is meeting with Boston today.
And he’s meeting with the Braves on Thursday…
I think too many people have made this a foregone conclusion that the BoSox or the Cubs are going to sign Lester, and the other is just going to “end up” with Scherzer.
All I’m trying to do is gauge on what Boston fans see as a realistic give for Hamels.
a bowl of clam chowder and a fenway frank.
Margot is probably better than Baseball America has him ranked. I think you could get Owens or Margot, but not both. The Sox are pretty thin on outfielders in the system, so I doubt they’d want to mover Margot. I think Owens is probably a good possibility though. Sub someone like Marrero for Margot and they’d probably make that deal. Ball’s a bit of a risk he’s more of an athlete learning to pitch at this point than an actual pitcher. Coyle looks to be a solid second base option in another year or two.
Thank you for an actual reply.
I think Margot is better than that too. He’s just someone I really like – and he’s only at A+ ball, so now would probably be the time to get him before he rockets up in value. BA also has Castillo in the rankings – so Margot is really 6th in terms of non-MLB prospects. Phillies are thinner than Boston on OF prospects – so they’d probably have to find a sub for Margot that was an OFer (or flip Marrero – because they are heavily invested in JP Crawford for the future SS). I’ve liked Ball since before he was drafted – and think now would also be a good time to buy low on him. And Coyle seems like he could be a mid-tier 2nd baseman to replace Uts.
the difference between John Ryan Murphy and Christian Vazquez is……?
MLBTR, Gammons, ESPN, etc don’t hype Murphy EVERY DAY.
The Mariners have to do something of significance to address it, but I’m already glad they prefer Cruz over Hanley. I really don’t think they should get Hanley. Definitely wouldn’t mind Kemp or Upton though, and would prefer both over Cruz. I’d even prefer Tomas over Cruz for that matter.
I agree…my preference in order is 1) Tomas, 2) Upton, 3) Kemp, 4) Cruz, 5) Hanley. I would also hope that we could get Gattis along with Upton if that’s the route we go, but I know that would be a bit more farfetched.
I would agree with that order. If Upton would agree to an extension, I would just switch him and Tomas around. In that case, I could see sending a package like Walker, Kivlehan, Saunders, and Pike for Upton and Gattis. That would be very nice for both teams.
I agree with all you guys…hopefully Jack Z agrees too!! Cruz and Hanley Ramirez are the worst of the big ticket free agent hitters considering what the Mariners need and what they already have.
If Christian Vazquez wasn’t on the Red Sox would he even get a mention on this site or any other?
The trade package for Cole Hamels is good to me EXCEPT I really do not want the Red Sox to trade away Mookie Betts. He only goes if this was Chris Sale, not Hamels who is in his 30’s and has $110 million left on his contract.
Is it even posible for the Phillies to go after Lester then get Boston and Chicago in a bidding war for Cole Hamels?
With their current contract commitments, I’d say no. Because that would put them at (or over) the luxury tax – for what everyone (even the GM/president) is saying will be a rebuilding team. They didn’t want to go over the luxury tax in 2010 – when they were a great team (which is why they traded Lee). Other teams would know they could just wait the Phils out till they lowered their demands on Hamels.
Plus, you’d probably have to give Lester a lot more than everyone else just to get him to come to Philly.
I don’t have a lot of time but if raj was smart he would at least go after Lester if nothing else drive up the price of signing him.
There is Shields and max on FA too! So lester will infact burden the team and put them over luxury tax too!
They’d be playing a dangerous game of chicken with their own payroll. Remember both Shields and Scherzer are still on the market.
I feel like a package of Henry Owens, Manuel Margot, Matt Barnes and Garin Cecchini is a fair price if the Sox eat all of the Hamels contract. #2, 7, 8, and 10 prospects.
I don’t see them moving Manny I could see the other three.
Phillies are asking for too much. Haha ok we will take your opening day catcher in this trade also
With a full season Vazquez will be one of the top defensive catchers in the game.
As a Yankee fan, if the Red Sox are planning the bring in a high quality pitcher, I’m all for them trading as many top-tier prospects as possible to the Phillies for Hamels. I never thought I would say this, but go Rubin Amaro–make the deal!
I somehow doubt the Red Sox can get Hamels without sacrificing Swihart or Betts. And I’m fine with not doing that.
I have to question whether or not the Mariners have taken a hard look at Cruz’s numbers in the AL West. His history at Angels Stadium, Oakland Coliseum, and Safeco Field–where he would play most of his games–has been terrible. If they have taken a hard look at those numbers, how is it they could be so strongly interested in him as the reports suggest? The HR’s? The rapidly declining defense? Have they not noticed how Hamilton’s done in LA? There’s your case study right there.
I can think of worse moves, but Cruz really doesn’t look like a fit in Seattle. For those who disagree, please spare me the dinger and RBI numbers (yes, I saw what he did in Baltimore) and take a look at his career park factors so you understand what I’m getting at. Feel free to look at each individual year as well if you’d like.
I completely agree. There are plenty of options that I would rather see the Mariners pursue over both Cruz and Hanley.
Matt kemp, justin Upton, Hanley ramriez, evan gattis, and others
I think Upton and Gattis would be my first hope if they can get Upton to extend, otherwise, go for Kemp. Walker would have to probably involved in a deal for Upton, where I could see a deal with LAD starting with either Miller/Taylor. I want to stay away from Hanley altogether though.
The problem is i don’t see us getting both. i like Saunders better then ackley. your trade is good. braves fans from what i have been reading want the moon for justin Upton alone dj peterson.
I’ve noticed that too. So many saying a deal for Upton starts with Walker and Peterson. Ridiculous. I was originally wishing we could pry both Upton and Heyward away, but that can’t happen now.
How about a deal for Upton (maybe straight up Upton for Walker, maybe add Kivlehan if needed) and then signing someone like Butler as an alternative?
What’s up stevil its roaddoggy. its been a while. i agree with you. what do you think we should do? Who would fit the mold?
I was thinking this way. we can get matt kemp, sign billy buter, trade miller ackley for prospects. sign beimel or miller and either get lirano or McCarthy.
In two moves we could be set. How about this:
1. Sign Lester
2. Trade Walker, Kivlehan, Saunders, and Pike for Justin Upton and Gattis (Upton extension)
Rotation: Felix, Lester, Kuma, Paxton, Elias
Lineup: Miller, Seager, Cano, Upton, Gattis, LoMo, Zunino, Jackson, Ackley
I have zero faith in Jack Z, so it wouldn’t surprise me if he ignored the better options and signed Cruz and ‘hoped for the best’ like he did with all the DHs last year. I don’t think Hanley Ramirez is a good option because he’s apparently not going to be a SS much longer, he’s blocked at 3rd by Seager and is not a proven DH. Some players only hit well when they also play the field.
What type prospects is SD looking for? I wouldn’t mind a package deal of Kennedy and Grandal coming to Texas.