The Rockies’ decision to make a qualifying offer to outfielder Michael Cuddyer makes more sense in light of reports that the club could be open to making some larger moves, possibly involving stars Troy Tulowitzki or Carlos Gonzalez, writes Dave Cameron of Fangraphs. For his money, MLB.com’s Thomas Harding believes the likeliest scenario involves a trade of first baseman Justin Morneau, whose remaining contract is attractive given his production last year. I discussed this very issue last night with Denver Post writer Nick Groke for today’s podcast, which will be made available shortly.
Here’s more from out west:
- The Padres gave the Dodgers permission yesterday to interview scouting director Billy Gasparino, Corey Brock of MLB.com tweets. It may be more of a done deal, in fact, according to a report from Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (via Twitter).
- Turning to the major league side of things, the Dodgers face yet another offseason with questions about an outfield logjam, as Mike Petriello of Fangraphs writes. With Joc Pederson now clearly having proven himself at Triple-A, Petriello takes a look at the available options. The likeliest, in his opinion, is a trade involving Carl Crawford.
- The Rangers expect to be more active on the trade market than in free agency, as Calvin Watkins of ESPNDallas.com reports. “I think just by nature free agents will cost more money,” said GM Jon Daniels. “I think we have some areas of depth and have a chance to get some players with a little bit more cost control.” Daniels went on to discuss some general possibilities. “I feel pretty good about our [minor] league system just based on the players we’ve been asked about, and other teams feel about it the same way,” he explained. “It’s a pretty unique market, there’s quite a few pitchers who might be on the market, and that’s probably the strength of the marketplace in free agent and trade standpoints. I don’t know how quick it will be, but I think we’ll be able to address our needs.”
yeah Mike!
If the rangers are most interested in trades than free agency then let’s hope they have a good minor league system because trades don’t come cheap that’s for sure
It is not what it used to be, but it seems if needed, Jon Daniels will be willing to trade from the Majors to get some one of value.
I know one pitcher that the rangers can get
Who is that?
Cole hamels of the Phillies the rangers will get him him
Hmmm, interesting possibility, but he might take more than Daniels would be willing to give up, so it will all be up to if Amaro is going to sell low on their biggest trade chip. Latos might be a cheaper option in terms of prospects though he obviously has far less team control (since I am sure he would want to test the market after next year.)
I like latos too it’s just I don’t know if Daniels is going to trade you know how he is
Yep. Only time will tell what Daniels is going to do.
It’s funny that Dodger fans will tell you Eithier will somehow get traded when he’s got no value and would cost the team more to trade him rather than just releasing him. I’ve been saying for awhile Crawford is the only going out of the bunch likely to regress who can be moved for something of any worth right now.
How will the Dodgers pay more trading him than releasing him? Paying for his plane ticket?
Well they’d have to eat all of his contract, and they’re forced to play him atm just because he’s got potential to turn it around. If he doesn’t I don’t care who you are nobody and I mean nobody wants to eat $60M. Even rich billionaires hate lending out lots of money to a lost cause. So they’re hoping he rebounds.
If they release him, they still owe him every dime of his contract.
Pretty much why I said they’re hoping he rebounds. If he does than he’s likely worth the contract. I originally meant to post that they’d cost themselves more because they’d have to package him with a actual prospect and eat nearly all his salary to get rid of him right now. He’s horrible defensively and his bat isn’t anything above replacement level.
Uh, no, A journeyman outfield is worth $3-5m these days. Ethier would be worth that much at least to some team.
You keep thinking that, everyone seems to think Ryan Howard and him are in the same boat. Howard and Eithier would be journeymen had they not signed these ridiculous contracts.
You’re team was able to move Vernon Wells and his 86 million left on his contract while throwing in only 5 mil. Even the yanks paid him 7 mil a year after he was in Anaheim. Ethier isn’t unmovable, besides his 2014 he’s been fairly consistent his entire career. He had OPS+ and WRC+ of 120 or more for 6 straight seasons prior to 14. LA will have to eat a massive chunk which is why they haven’t been keen to move him even though everyone has said they must trade one of the 4 OF for the last 2 years.
Stop making sense.
Vernon Wells posted a 4WAR season in his last season with the Jays. Also hit 31 homers and had a 125OPS+. Eithier hit 4 homers last season with a 97OPS+ and a 0.8oWAR.
Vernon also had two recent years with an OPS+ below 90 right before the Angel’s trade. That’s why LA should hold onto Andre until he either rebounds somewhat or the remaining $ left on his contract shrinks. He holds more value as insurance against injury than as a $60 million salary dump. Crawford, Kemp and Puig have all had injury concerns and they’re only getting older.
If Detroit cannot re-sign V Mart, Justin Morneau would be perfect to DH/1B platoon.
What does DET have left to trade? Their farm system is pretty barren these days.
Miggy planning on playing SS or something? And getting Morneau for DH is a waste. He’s a fantastic defensive 1B.
If V-Mart goes then DET could trade for Morneau who would man 1B while Miggy would take on the DH role. It makes perfect sense in my mind. Only problem is finding the right prospects to trade.
Miggy, like Morneau, was a finalist for the Gold Glove last year…for what that’s worth.
Ive just read the piece from Cameron on Fangraphs re: the Rockies.
Its excellent and i agree with it totally, this is absolutely the best time to deal both Tulowitzki and Gonzalez, sure you likely wont get a sell-the-farm haul for Tulo (not far off though) and less for CarGo, but its time they committed to a rebuild and did the hard yards.
In light of this the QO to Cuddyer makes a little more sense, not a lot, but a little.
If the Dodgers trade Crawford they would have to eat half of the contract at most. All depends on what type of prospect (or bad contract) they want in return.
Trading Crawford makes no sense. The Dodgers are not in rebuilding mode.
Makes plenty of sense, there is a logjam. Dump Crawford and Ethier and get some fresh blood in there like Pederson.
Cargo to the white sox????!
possible but i feel hes more likely to land with the red sox as they have a deeper farm system. White sox could trade for morneau and move abreu as a permanent dh though
Abreu is not dh-ing. How do you figure? The Red Sox have many outfielders to begin with. They need to focus on pitching and infielding
Well for one thing abreu is at -11 defensive runs saved and morneau is at +8 for last year
I rather take my chances on cargo then justin. The sox could find a low quality defensive 1b somewhere else
true but if you look at morneau’s splits he hit .341/.389/.538 against righties. If you have abreu play first against lefties his splits are .353/.437/.662. That platoon would be the best hitting firstbase in the league and the you can search for a lefty smashing dh a la mark reynolds (who shouldnt be too expensive and you have yourself a very powerful dh firstbase combo.
I take that back, have reynolds play first and abreu still dh, reynolds is a better defensive 1b than abreu as well
Since when has proving yourself at triple-A meant anything?
Right ? I’m pretty sure it’s just the writer trying to overHype things. Nothing new.
It means he has nothing left to prove there. It’s time to see what he can do in the majors.
I don’t buy the “he deserves a chance” theory. We’ve seen enough of him to know that it isn’t worth gambling a season on him fixing the holes in his swing, especially when there’s no good reason to do it.
18 games? That’s all it takes to know he’s not MLB ready? He does have 6 months to improve, a long time considering the large strides he has made in only 4 years after high school. He’s in the Dominican winter league after playing in the Venezuelan league last winter. Should he stay in the PCL and learn how to win the PCL MVP twice? He lead the league in BB, HR, TB and runs. He was also 3rd in SB. I’m not sure he can improve much besides the 28.9% K%. That 23.7% BB% is otherworldly but 18 games isn’t much to go on. It’s the fact that the Dodgers claim he’s there best defensive center fielder that makes me feel like he should be in the mix in spring training. With a staff like that up the middle defense should be as strong as possible to maximize the pitching and park advantage.
Pretty much, yes. We agree Either is going, but not Crawford. Pederson could knock everybody’s socks off in spring training, but what if he doesn’t and they’ve already traded Crawford? What’s Plan B in that case? The Dodgers have the luxury of postponing that decision. And if they trade Crawford, who plays where in that OF?
Base on a rumor I saw Crawford might be a ranger and we would be getting their SS
I think Dodgers can find something for either ethier or Crawford. Sure we won’t get much in return. Aside from catcher and bullpen help Dodgers don’t need anything
Uh, I’m pretty sure we’re going to need help at SS.
I don’t think so they do have the defense first SS they sign last season. Or they can use Alex guerrero since dee hold down 2nd. So I don’t see SS as a big need if Hanley not back
Guerrero isn’t playing SS, or starting at all for that matter.
Well their a rumor going we might be looking at a deal for rangers SS
Dodgers don’t need anything? Yes they do. They need a shortstop, tons of bullpen help, a catcher, and need to shore up the back end of their rotation.
Umm I dd say they need a catcher and bull pen help. Plus they already are set with 4 pitchers so it won’t be too hard to find a 5th pitcher maybe zack lee ready
Dan Haren is the Dodgers #5 starter. Lee isn’t making the big league club after last year’s minor league showing. Dodgers should be looking for a #4. Maybe Billingsley, Brandon McCarthy, Kuroda, outside chance they try and splash on a big name like Scherzer or Lester because Greinke can opt out after next season.
Crawford to the Mets and ethier to whatever team wants him