As we continue to read the tea leaves on the coming trade market, here’s the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports:
- With the Reds and Athletics playing winning baseball of late, the trade market is “tightening,” Rosenthal tweets. “No one is available, really,” a GM tells him. That jives with comments earlier today from Mets GM Sandy Alderson, who noted that very few clubs are truly out of the race at this juncture. Of course, much can change in a matter of weeks.
- Nobody would suggest that the Phillies are anything but sellers, but the club seems to be in something of a “holding pattern” in discussing transactions while it waits to finalize its reported front office moves, Rosenthal further reports on Twitter. That is understandable, given that Andy MacPhail is expected to be installed in a critical oversight role in short order. He’ll presumably desire a chance to evaluate the situation and have a role in any significant decisions.
- Some in the game aren’t sure whether MacPhail is the right executive to bring the Phillies up to speed with the analytical developments in the game, Rosenthal writes. But Rosenthal says that he believes that the organization and MacPhail are well aware of the need to modernize and will make that a priority.
- Reds outfielder Marlon Byrd may now be a more valuable trade piece because of his recent DL stint, Rosenthal notes. Byrd’s $8MM option would vest next year if he makes it to 550 plate appearances, but he’s racked up only 205 thus far. Of course, he’d still reach the mark if he stays in a lineup on an everyday basis.
- Rosenthal adds one interesting note on the Braves’ recent acquisition of Touki Toussaint from the Diamondbacks. Atlanta’s current director of baseball operations, Billy Ryan, was Arizona’s assistant GM at draft time last year, and actually was heavily involved in getting Toussaint to sign.
Why isn’t Ben Cherington trying to get out ahead of the other sellers? He doesn’t have great pieces to trade, he needs to get things happening before he gets drowned out by the other sellers in late July, ala the Cubs with Hammel/Samardzija last year
They are not gonna sell this early when they have had such high hopes of winning the division this year. They are not definitively out of it yet, and a comeback is still possible (though extremely unlikely). Also, they don’t have many great pieces to sell and their most valuable ones are relievers. Those guys net more near the end of the deadline, when teams get extremely desperate in helping their team. I highly doubt Buchholz is traded as I don’t see the Red Sox and interested teams agreeing on a price. Right now, it doesn’t make much sense for Cherington to sell, and I doubt it’d be advantageous by doing so.
Also, in not having very desirable pieces to sell he might want to wait for other pieces to fall of the board so market price can be set.. For example, if the rumor mill is accurate and Harang goes to the Pirates. That might make a team like the Cubs or Giants overpay for Buchholz at the deadline.. Perhaps, they could even get the Giants to take on Craig as well.. Unloading Craig, Napoli, and Buchholz will give them plenty of money to chase Price or Zimmerman.. That roster is still a powerful one and with a few tweaks could easily be in contention next year..
I wish we could still upvote :/
I don’t see Hamels going to a team that’s not a contender, the Sox look to be out on him!
I never saw any rumor of Pirates being interested in Harang, must not be a strong rumor.
Even though the Red Sox have done it recently, and the East being a weak division, it just seems overly hopeful that a last place team would rebound to first the following year. There is a reason it happens so rarely. Everything has to go just right. Cherington most recent acquisitions are the ones that are “underperforming.” Craig, Kelly and Castillo are in the minors. Ramirez, Sandoval and Porcello are having subpar years. It doesn’t appear everything is going just right. I would think teams would be lining up to trade with him. He doesn’t seem to be getting the better side of the trade recently.
I don’t see the East as weak, just a lot of parity in baseball, the worst teams can beat the best teams in a series that’s what makes the playoffs outlier.
As of today the East puts 2 wild cards in the playoffs along with NL Central, they must be considered the best divisions in baseball.
Right now it looks like 8 teams ready to deal to me, Oakland,White Sox, Cleveland, Boston, Philly, Brewers, Miami, and Colorado. There are some good difference makers on those teams.