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Archives for July 2015

Adding Ben Zobrist A “Long Shot” For Mets

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TODAY: Acquiring Zobrist is a “long shot” for the Mets, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports on Twitter.

YESTERDAY: There are no active talks between the Athletics and Mets regarding utilityman Ben Zobrist, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports on Twitter. A prior report suggested that talks had reached the stage of discussing prospects, but Rosenthal’s report indicates that any such conversations have been put on the back burner.

All said, it’s unclear whether New York will be a serious participant in the lively Zobrist market. He makes a great deal of sense for their club, in particular, given his relatively low salary, high on-base bat, and capability of playing both the corner outfield as well as second and third.

But some reports have suggested that the team is headed more towards a less impactful upgrade, with Zobrist (like other premium targets) carrying a steep price tag. New York is said to be willing to move some of its better-regarded position prospects, but is uninterested in parting with outfielder Michael Conforto and shortstop Amed Rosario.

Nationals Release Jose Valverde

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The Nationals have announced the release of veteran reliever Jose Valverde. As Mark Zuckerman of CSNWashington.com notes on Twitter, Valverde had an opt-out clause in his deal.

While Valverde never got the call to the big league club, he did put up some solid numbers over his time at Triple-A. Over 26 1/3 innings, he owns a 2.39 ERA with 7.2 K/9 against just 1.0 BB/9. The latter number is particularly notable, given that Valverde has walked nearly four batters for every nine innings pitched over his lengthy MLB career.

It has been a few years since Valverde has been a productive pen arm at the game’s highest level. He’s been hit hard since a three-year run as a quality late-inning arm for the Tigers, during which he tossed 204 1/3 innings of 3.00 ERA ball. Nevertheless, given his results in the minors, it would not be surprising to see the 37-year-old pop up onto an active roster late in the season.

Latest On Phillies: Hamels, Papelbon, Utley

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The Phillies are honing in on a decision on lefty Cole Hamels, Jayson Stark of ESPN.com writes. There is at least some consideration being given to holding onto Hamels, per the report.

“This isn’t do-or-die for us,” says GM Ruben Amaro Jr. “In the end, it’s about, ’What is the return?’ and, ’Is this the right return?’ If it is, we’ll move forward. And if it’s not, we won’t.” 

There are about six clubs still in talks with Philadelphia on the club’s staff ace, per Stark. But sources from other teams indicate that they believe the Cubs, Dodgers, Red Sox, and Rangers are most likely to land him. We heard yesterday that the Astros were also still in the mix, along with Los Angeles and Texas.

Regarding the interest of the Dodgers, Stark says that Philly has asked for as many as six quality prospects in a package that would not include top youngsters Corey Seager and Julio Urias. While Los Angeles won’t give up that volume, per the report, the industry consensus is that the Dodgers are in the lead.

As for the Cubs, rival executives tell Stark that Chicago is offering a deal centered around Starlin Castro and/or Javier Baez (though it’s unclear whether both would conceivably be included together). But Philadelphia is not enthused about either player. The Red Sox, meanwhile, just sent top evaluator Allard Baird to watch Hamels throw and obviously have a stacked farm from which to deal. While they (like the Rangers) don’t really profile as a traditional buyer, Boston could still act with the future in mind.

Stark goes on to discuss some other, less likely suitors as well as the impact of the team’s upper-level front office transition on trade talks. It’s a lengthy and information-packed piece that you’ll want to read in full for all the latest on Hamels.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia is obviously also listening to offers for closer Jonathan Papelbon. According to ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick (on Twitter), however, the Phillies are having trouble gaining “traction” on a deal. Papelbon’s $13MM option for next year, which is all but certain to vest at this point, “remains a sticking point,” per the report. Stark also adds (on Twitter) that, despite prior interest, the Blue Jays, Cubs, and Dodgers are not presently involved with talks regarding the reliever.

Meanwhile, Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com provides an update on veteran second baseman Chase Utley, who says he is progressing as he works his way back from a sprained right ankle. As Salisbury notes, Utley could profile as an August trade piece if he can return to health and show increased productivity. While Philadelphia rebuffed the Dodgers and Marlins last winter when they asked about Utley, explaining that he was not interested in waiving his no-trade protection, Salisbury says that the 36-year-old “seems to have softened his position” on being dealt since that time.

Padres Option Will Middlebrooks

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The Padres have optioned third baseman Will Middlebrooks to Triple-A, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports on Twitter. Outfielder Abraham Almonte has been brought up to take his spot on the roster.

It’s a disappointing, if unsurprising, move for the 26-year-old Middlebrooks. The former top prospect was acquired over the offseason from the Red Sox as something of a turnaround candidate, but has put together a sub-par .212/.241/.361 batting line in 270 plate appearances on the year. Though a .237 BABIP explains some of that, particularly given that Middlebrooks is making as much hard contact as he always has, he’s always carried a low average on balls in play in the majors (.276 career).

Throw in below-average defensive ratings, and Middlebrooks has once again sported a WAR mark well into the negative figures. While San Diego surely held out at least some hope that Middlebrooks would provide a long-term option at the hot corner, he’ll need to do some work in the upper minors to earn another shot at big league playing time. With his first crack at arbitration on the horizon, he could be a non-tender candidate at this point (though he is rather unlikely to command a huge salary).

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Latest On Blue Jays’ Interest In Marlins Starters

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10:48am: Toronto has no interest in Latos but might consider Dan Haren, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com (Twitter links). He notes that the club is very aware of maintaining a healthy “clubhouse mix” in making any additions.

10:14am: Latos is little more than a back-up solution for the Jays, a team source tells Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star (via Twitter). The team has yet even to discuss any prospect names with Miami, says Griffin, indicating that talks have not progressed very far.

9:32am: While Toronto is “tracking” Latos, he’s not among the team’s “top targets,” Morosi clarifies on Twitter.

8:46am: The Blue Jays are one of multiple teams with current interest in Marlins starter Mat Latos, Jon Morosi of FOX Sports reports on Twitter. Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun reported earlier in the month that Toronto was taking a look at Latos as a possible acquisition target.

Certainly, the more recent results have been impressive. As many others have noted, Latos has featured increased velocity and improved production since dealing with knee issues early in the year. He’s been particularly impressive in his last two outings, allowing five hits, three walks, and one earned run combined over 14 frames while racking up 23 groundball outs and 14 strikeouts.

Latos, of course, comes with some questions. Though he’s pretty much always produced positive outcomes when healthy, Latos also missed half of last year. And he isn’t cheap, playing on a $9.4MM salary, though the fact that he’s a pure rental eliminates any long-term injury risk. Obviously, an acquiring team would not be eligible to make Latos a qualifying offer.

Toronto has long been said to be pursuing one or more arms, with reports suggesting that the team is exploring a wide variety of possibilities. Latos is not as exciting as some of the top names that could be available, but he is relatively affordable from a salary perspective (compared, at least, to players like David Price and Cole Hamels) and likely won’t cost as much in terms of prospects as names like Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija. That’s especially important for a Toronto club that reportedly has little payroll space available and is reluctant to part with young pitching (especially given that many of those arms factor into the present big league roster equation).

Cubs Designate Clayton Richard

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The Cubs have designated lefty Clayton Richard for assignment, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports on Twitter. Chicago has brought up Yoervis Medina to take his spot on the active roster.

Richard, just acquired from the Pirates to provide a temporary rotation option, has allowed nine earned runs over 15 frames with Chicago. He’s permitted 19 hits (including two long balls) and five walks in that stretch, while striking out only six batters.

It remains to be seen whether any other clubs will be willing to give an active roster spot to Richard, who could conceivably find a role with a team that deals away from its rotation over the coming days. He did produce rather excellent results (1.89 ERA in 62 innings) during his run at Triple-A for the Pittsburgh organization.

Trade Market For Shortstops

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Shortstop has been a tough position to fill around the league this year, as the average player at the position has averaged just an 83 wRC+. Eight teams have received composite sub-replacement-level production at short, though it’s not clear that any of those clubs — with the possible exception of the Twins (though we’ve not really heard that suggested) — are really in the market at the position. The Dodgers, Nationals, and Cubs have not fared well there, but they all seem likely to stick with their veteran incumbents or turn to other internal options.

All said, then, it’s not clear that there is significant demand at shortstop. The Mets, perhaps, are the clearest buyer, particularly now that they’ve moved Wilmer Flores to second. And the Pirates have at least a short-term need with injuries to Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer. While the Padres certainly have looked at times like they could play in that market, San Diego will (if anything) likely be weighing a long-term option given its place in the standings. Likewise, it’s possible to imagine the Reds as a future-oriented buyer. Other teams that could consider an addition, potentially while shifting their current regulars to other roles, are the Angels and Mariners (if the latter can be considered an acquiring team at this point).

Let’s see where things stand on the supply side:

Current Starters

Alexei Ramirez (White Sox), Troy Tulowitzki (Rockies), Elvis Andrus (Rangers), Jean Segura (Brewers), Asdrubal Cabrera (Rays), Jimmy Rollins (Dodgers), Starlin Castro (Cubs), Brad Miller (Mariners), Chris Owings (Diamondbacks), Freddy Galvis (Phillies)

  • The veteran Ramirez may be the single shortstop who is most likely to change hands. Now 33, Ramirez has scuffled to a .224/.251/.298 batting line after a strong campaign last year, and he’s playing on a not-insignificant $10MM salary this season. (Plus, his $10MM option for next year comes with a $1MM buyout). Ramirez makes sense for a team in need of a veteran presence, but he doesn’t have the kind of cachet he might have carried last summer.
  • Since hip surgery last year, Tulo has not matched his career output — not to mention his huge first half of 2014 — but he’s still been productive and remains a top-end talent. But with nearly 31 years under his belt and $98MM left on his contract (through 2020, plus an option), it’s far from clear that other teams will give up the kind of premium prospect value that Colorado would demand to even consider moving its franchise icon. And he has made clear that he won’t be publicly requesting a deal.
  • Andrus’s struggles have been so pronounced that his $120MM extension (which just kicked in this year) now looks like one of the worst obligations in baseball. He’s not without function on a big league roster, and has yet to turn 27, but at this point Texas will almost certainly hang on and hope for a turnaround before even considering an attempt to move him.
  • Segura is controllable through 2018, but he’s about to start getting paid and the Brewers don’t have an immediate replacement. He hasn’t been all that productive since his breakout first half in 2013, so it’s hard to see another club doing what would be necessary to pry him loose from Milwaukee.
  • Heading into the season, the major question was whether Cabrera could play a productive enough shortstop to match his sturdy (if unspectacular bat). That script has flipped thus far. Regardless, it seems unlikely that the Rays will move him absent a total collapse over the next ten days.
  • Rollins is in an analogous position to Ramirez — an aging, expensive veteran who hasn’t matched his 2014 performance — except that he plays for a definite contender. It would take a bold stroke for the Dodgers to move their shortstop and replace him with younger, higher-upside options, but it isn’t entirely out of the question.
  • We’ve heard chatter about the possibility of a trade involving Castro for some time, but nothing has gotten done and his value is down after a mediocre first half. While the solid play of Addison Russell makes it plausible for him to take over at short, the team may not be comfortable relying on other young infielders at second. The odds of an offseason deal seem much better.
  • Miller has had his ups and downs, particularly with the glove, and may offer more future than present value. He looked more like a trade piece when it seemed that Seattle might be a buyer than he does with the team struggling to gain traction.
  • The Diamondbacks continue to surprise, plugging the less-touted Nick Ahmed at shortstop and seemingly branding him as the long-term solution there. Owings, 23, has not matched his promising previous output in the big leagues, but could have more value to another club that wants to us him at short.
  • Galvis is cheap, young, versatile defensively, and reasonably useful. And the Phillies are obvious sellers. But the club may see more value in keeping him on board as a flexible stop-gap than in achieving some relatively meager return.

Backups/Utility Options

Clint Barmes & Alexi Amarista (Padres), Jonathan Villar & Marwin Gonzalez (Astros), Eduardo Escobar & Eduardo Nunez (Twins), Ruben Tejada (Mets), Andres Blanco (Phillies), Pedro Ciriaco (Braves), Mike Aviles (Indians)

The first three teams listed possess a series of utility types that are probably available and could conceivably provide some function to other clubs in need of a utility option or temporary fill-in at short. The veteran Barmes has paired a solid .284/.324/.440 slash with his typically sturdy defense, while Villar and Gonzalez may have some upside left that another club might take a chance on (with Houston soon to be lacking a need for either with the ascent of Carlos Correa and nearing return of Jed Lowrie). Nunez has put up career-best batting numbers but has done so only in part-time duty. While Aviles might be a useful veteran piece, it’s unclear that he’d be moved with his daughter dealing with serious health questions in Cleveland.

Currently in the Minors

Deven Marrero (Red Sox), Jose Ramirez (Indians), Javier Baez & Arismendy Alcantara (Cubs), Christian Colon (Royals), Luis Sardinas (Brewers), Josh Rutledge & Ryan Jackson (Angels)

Players like Marrero, Ramirez, Baez, and Alcantara offer some upside and appear blocked (to greater or lesser extent) within their organizations. They could be involved in deals that send back some prospect value for likely sellers (in the case of the first two) or dangled as bait for MLB-level upgrades (in the case of the two Cubbies). The other players listed look more like utility options at this point, but could conceivably change hands.

Quick Hits: Anderson, Vargas, Moreland

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There were two potentially significant injuries tonight for teams already expected to be active in the market for starting pitching at the trade deadline. Here’s the latest at the end of a busy day of news and rumors:

  • Dodgers lefty Brett Anderson left his start with what the team described as irritation in his left Achilles tendon area, as Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times reports in a series of tweets (1, 2, 3, 4). Anderson said he hopes it’s not a significant injury, while manager Don Mattingly indicated it was too soon to tell whether a DL stint would be required. MRI testing tomorrow should offer additional clarity. Needless to say, any absence from Anderson would exacerbate an already difficult situation in the back of the Los Angeles rotation. GM Farhan Zaidi acknowledged as much, as Mark Saxon of ESPN Los Angeles tweets. “I don’t know that we could ratchet up our search for starting pitching any more,” said Zaidi, “but this emphasizes the need to add.”
  • Meanwhile, fresh off a rehab stint, Royals starter Jason Vargas was forced out after experiencing left medial elbow pain, Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star reports on Twitter. He, too, will need an MRI to assess his condition. Kansas City had just demoted Opening Day starter Yordano Ventura, who could be recalled if Vargas hits the DL. But the team was already said to be looking to add to its stockpile of starters, so any uncertainty regarding Vargas could increase the team’s needs over the next ten days.
  • In what may be a thin market for bats, the Rangers have received plenty of calls on first baseman Mitch Moreland, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports. Moreland has enjoyed a breakout campaign, but Texas is fading and is over-loaded with left-handed bats going forward. With another year of control remaining (after playing this year at only $2.95MM), Moreland could be a solid first base/DH addition for a team that could reap more value from him than can the Rangers. But Texas “would likely want at least a young starting pitcher” in return, says Rosenthal, and it appears more likely at this point that he’ll be retained.

Brewers Declined Extension Overtures From Jonathan Lucroy

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Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy indicated today that he was rebuffed by the team when his representatives raised the possibility of a second extension last offseason, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports. The 29-year-old first mentioned that “a little bit of talk earlier in Spring Training … really didn’t go anywhere” in an appearance on 105.7 The Fan (audio link).

Expanding upon those comments in a chat with McCalvy, Lucroy said that he came to the team with “a proposal that would have kept me here for the rest of my career, most likely.” After submitting the offer in January, said the veteran backstop, he was informed that the team was not “interested in doing anything at this point in time.” Lucroy is represented by Sports One Athlete Management.

Lucroy agreed previously to a five-year, $11MM extension that has turned into one of the game’s more valuable contractual assets for Milwaukee. Since putting pen to paper before the 2012 campaign, Lucroy has compiled a .291/.353/.455 slash with 46 home runs while contributing outstanding work behind the dish. Though he has been off to a slow start this season after missing time early on, he’s begun hitting again over the month of July.

Under the deal, which was struck when Lucroy was more a solid youngster than the outstanding player he’s become, Milwaukee can control its franchise backstop for two more seasons (through his age-31 campaign) for just $9.25MM. The last year of that contract, 2017, consists of a $5.25MM club option.

While many teams have doubled down on cheap early extensions to grab more control at attractive rates, it seems that the Brewers were pleased with their existing commitment. There are many possible reasons for that, of course, including Lucroy’s age and unknown contractual demands as well as the amount of time remaining to discuss another agreement.

Certainly, it would not be fair to assume that Milwaukee’s apparent lack of interest in another extension indicates any particular inclination towards dealing Lucroy. We’ve heard numerous reports suggesting that Milwaukee is not looking to move him despite its place in the standings, and Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel tweeted today that “multiple top prospects” would need to be offered for the team to even consider such a move.

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