The starting pitching market appears to be in flux, with numerous buyers reportedly considering an array of options and a variety of potential sellers weighing whether to deal away impact arms. Here are the latest rumors on the rotation front:
- The Royals are interested in both Johnny Cueto of the Reds and Yovani Gallardo of the Rangers, as well as other arms, Jon Morosi of FOX Sports reports on Twitter. Both, obviously, would be pure rental pieces, and we’ve mostly heard of Kansas City connected to half-year contracts. The club’s level of need certainly went up with the loss of Jason Vargas, though it’s unclear whether that will prompt any effort to add more than one pitcher.
- Some rival executives believe that the Braves are willing to deal Julio Teheran, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports. But an Atlanta source indicates that the team sees too much upside in the young righty (and his reasonably-priced extension) to consider such a move. Teheran, 24, has not matched his excellent results over the prior two seasons, but it does seem hard to imagine the club selling low on him unless president of baseball operations John Hart is just not a believer in his future.
- Rosenthal also addresses the possibility of the Tigers dealing David Price, noting that the team is unlikely to retain him beyond this year if it doesn’t. If and when Detroit puts him on the market, some of the most obviously starting pitching buyers — the Dodgers, Cubs, Blue Jays, and Astros — would have interest, per the report.
- The Padres are not only all ears on outfielder Justin Upton, but are “listening … intently” on soon-to-be free agent starter Ian Kennedy, tweets Jayson Stark of ESPN.com. Meanwhile, rival executives say that San Diego would “love” to find a taker for righty James Shields. Given that we’ve also heard suggestions that the Padres are holding conversations regarding Tyson Ross and Andrew Cashner, it would appear that the club is considering a variety of possible scenarios involving its staff.
someone please just make a trade already…
I was just thinking the same thing! Maybe they’re trying to turn the 2015 trade deadline into a must-watch event on MLBNetwork, fit into a special time slot on July 31st. All trades must wait until then!
The market has changed in MLB due to the obscene contracts.
Up till now teams could dump salary and get a number of young cheap players. Now teams that take the salaries are putting more and more value on the cheap, cost-controlled players they have, and are hesitant to trade the quality ones. Teams that have payroll space and excessive good young hitters are in the catbird seat. Kudos to Theo Epstein and his staff for reading the market years ago and developing a business plan to work with it.
There is something funny about this “sellers market”. If it were truly one, deals would have been made by now with sellers being given offers they could not refuse. Everything I’m reading regarding the known sellers is that they’re being offered lower-tier players then they were expecting.
The market has changed the most due to the expanded wildcard. Non-waiver deadline trading has always been a game of brinksmanship, but it is even more so now with a larger number of teams believing they have a chance to qualify for the postseason. The few true sellers at this point have lots of customers, so they are naturally going to maneuver for the best deals. So no surprise the big shoes haven’t dropped yet. Another week to go.
My guess for the first the first trade: Juan Uribe and Jim Johnson to Pirates for a middle tier prospect (various possibilities).
A braves-pirates trade must be big enough for Bell and/or Meadows or nope
Bell/Meadows are top prospects — Uribe/Johnson won’t fetch you that unless you’re dipping them in gold and rolling them in diamonds. And I’m a Braves fan.
No it doesn’t if the Pirates are looking at Uribe and a bullpen arm. The only way it is getting to the Meadows/Bell level (both have been rated top 50 prospects) would be one involving Teheran or Freeman. Obviously the Braves aren’t trading Freeman so it would have to involve Teheran.
The Braves love multiple prospects. And I would think that considering the lack of 3B options, Uribe looks like one of the better hitters and they could wait it out on him unless receiving the right package.
Yea, middle tier prospect won’t cut it unless you’re talking about one of the guys listed above only
Anything new on Jonathon Papelbon?
29 other clubs saw him tackle and punch teammate Odubel Herrera after yesterday’s walk-off win and decided they couldn’t risk that type of presence in their locker room…
(sarcasm for those that can’t pick that up)
He’s trying to act Nice since he’s under the Micro Scope, Good relief Pitcher, Trouble with Me first attitude, same has A-rod and hundreds of other Major Leaguers Owners and players these days. He do the “JOB ” for whoever gets him !
He really isn’t a bad clubhouse guy. He gets a bad rap because he’s outspoken, but that all stems from his competitive nature. The man does not like to lose. Yesterday wasn’t the first time he’s been the first one out of the dugout/bullpen to run after a player after a walk-off win, and that was done in a meaningless win for the worst team in baseball.
Any team that acquires him will be getting a stud closer. For me, his attitude isn’t the issue; his contract is. If the Phillies pay it down (especially the option), they should find no shortage of suitors and get a good prospect in return. Heck, money isn’t an issue for the Phillies so I’d pay half of what remains and make him a $6.5 mil closer for next year. That has tremendous value.
it appears with MacPhail wanting to take time to get up to speed nobody is in charge for the Phillies, so i really don’t know what is going to happen. Unless the Cubs think Motte and committee can get it done, they just seem like a logical landing spot since Epstein, Lester, Ross, know him. phils eat half his $- would Baez be too much for Cubs to give up?
Good question. Even with his value down, I have a feeling Baez is still worth more than Papelbon at $6.5 mil. Maybe Pierce Johnson or McKinney? Then again, maybe they’re valued higher than Baez with his stock down. I really don’t know.
Yup…he is still a douche.
A trade has to happen, right?
Still think the Jays should be in on James Shields. It’s been reported that they have around 8 million to spend this year, Shields is owed less than 5 for the remainder of this season. Yes his contract goes up to 20 million next year, but that will be covered by the 40 million or so coming off the books with Dickey, Buehrle, and Romero being done. Shields has proven success in the AL East. He has control for a few more years. Makes a lot of sense to me.
Tigers playoff rotation slogan:
“Cueto and Price and roll the dice…”
Tigers can leverage Cespedes to make that happen via a 3 team deal.
Does not make them that much better on paper at first glance, but Greene to Cueto is a HUGE upgrade v. the downgrade from Cespedes to Davis. They need pitching much more than hitting and Cabrera is coming back.
And if they make the playoffs, they can have Cueto/Price/Sanchez pitch 60%+ of their playoff innings.
You posted it this in another thread and it didn’t make much sense to me. After your explanation, it made a little more sense, but it’s contingent on a number of things. First, that the Tigers think they actually have a shot this year. They’ve actually outperformed their Pyth W-L and are still only at .500. I’m not sure Cueto puts them in the playoffs.
They’d also need to throw in something else to sweeten it (both because Cueto is worth more and because Cueto can net a QO/draft pick where Cespedes can’t) and then find a third trading partner who needs hitting and is willing to give up something good prospect-wise for Cespedes knowing full-well that they’ll get nothing when Cespedes walks at the end of the year.
I think it’s a tall order for the outside chance at making the playoffs. Not impossible, but pretty improbable.
Cueto will not net a draft pick. He has to be on the team for the entire season. It was part of the new CBA.
But he can from the Reds, which makes him more valuable to them, which is all that really matters. Regardless, Cespedes doesn’t get you Cueto.
I didn’t really think of that, but stl_cards16 below explains it. Reds would be losing a draft pick here, so Tigers would need to sweeten and to cover the gap.
Here’s a breakdown of what teams would need to give up:
Reds – Cueto (+QO pick)
Third Team – prospect that would net you Cespedes
Tigers – Cespedes plus whatever covers the gap between Cespedes and [Cueto (+QO pick)]
RCT you can not trade the QO pick. Once he is traded that goes away. It can not change hands. The only tradable picks are the ones from the Competitive balance lottery.
Good points RCT. Well done.
Nope. If the Tigers trade Cespedes they’re also trading Price. You don’t trade a guy like Cespedes if you’re trying to make the playoffs. Just ask BIlly Beane.
Preller!
James Shields for Pablo Sandoval and Deven Marrero
Padres should take that and run. Preller went after Sandoval in the off season so I could see him swapping contracts.
Fills a major need for both clubs, and it gives Shields and Sandoval a second chance to make a first impression on their new contracts. Plus, both guys have had former success in those divisions (Shields in the AL East and Panda in the NL West).
Interesting trade proposal. I think we’ll see more trades like that. As I noted above, the day of a team trading a contract they don’t want anymore and getting multiple quality young players in return is passing (they may get young players, but not the quality ones). We should see more of teams trading like contracts for players that aren’t working out. What’s interesting to me is how many teams are stuck with contracts that they can’t move.
Laughable if you are anything but a Bosox fan.
Cueto and Leake to KC? What would the price tag be for that to happen? Lol
What are your packages for Tehran???
Either from Redsox, Cubs, or Pirates
Boston would go for Teheran in a heartbeat, although the control and homer issues are a bit concerning. Maybe Brian Johnson, Marrero, Barnes?
Gotta think the Braves would want hitters in return. They are stacked with young pitching talent, but almost no hitters.
Teheran for Mookie Betts or Yoan Moncada straight up.
Lol I would do that..
If the Pirates, i would Meadows+ and/or Bell
I believe the Braves would deal Teheran for Meadows and Bell and they would throw in a 3B choice of Johnson or Uribe.
I like a deal between the Braves and Pirates. Pirates get Julio Teheran, Chris Johnson, Jonny Gomes and Juan Uribe for Austin Meadows, Josh Bell and Pedro Alvarez.
hmmm…. we sould have to give up money in Chris Johnson’s contract. And you added Gomes.. i dont understand why
Cause Alvarez cost is far over value. Gomes evens it up.
I think its more like Tehran, Uribe, and Jim Johnson for Meadows and Bell
Pirates most likely wouldn’t do that. The players coming to them make sense but I don’t think they will trade Bell. I could see Meadows and Hanson but Bell and Glasnow most likely will not be traded.
I see you didn’t say Taillon (maybe bc he is injured too much)? Maybe Tehran for Meadows, Taillon and Mcguire? or Meadows, Mcguire, and Hanson?
You are overvaluing Teheran. The Pirates wouldn’t give up 3 of their top 5 prospects for him. Maybe Meadows and other pieces like Tucker or Ramirez or even both but they wouldn’t deal all of those guys for a guy having a down year.
Why would Braves want Hanson? They have enough young middle infielders. They need a 3B or OF prospect
No interest in Hanson, How about Reese McGuire and Meadows for Teheran, Uribe and J. Johnson.
This comment makes me know its trade season. Let the insane, illogical trade proposals begin!
Johnson with almost $20M remaining is not a throw-in, he negatively affects any deal unless ATL plans on paying all the remaining money, but even then, he could cost the other team a roster spot.
To your point rundmc I think the Pirates should go for that if they attempted to acquire Teheran to offset prospect cost. They have said they have financial flexibility to add salary so that would be a good idea in my opinion.
these are actually more sensible trade ideas then alot of what i see the national guys making up, i mean, reporting.
Lol Mookie has more value than Teheran. Mookie just landed #11 on Dave Cameron’s trade value list. Hes put up 6 WAR since being called up and is one pace for a 7 WAR season
From the Redsox you’re probably talking Swihart+ for Teheran
The reason for no trades, is easy. Every team values draft picks and not wanting to destroy its farm system. Teams are asking for way too much in trades.
I like a deal between the Braves and Dodgers. Dodgers get Julio Teheran, Chris Johnson, Jonny Gomes and Jim Johnson. Braves get Yasiel Puig, Alex Guerrero and Paco Rodriguez. (Dodgers buy out the Trade-Opt-Out contract provision for Guerrero)
i dont see how that a good trade for the dodgers. you trade a very good talent in puig for avg players. out of all 4 of them only players that good is jim johnson. that trade pretty much makes the dodgers weaker. that trade only works for the braves does nothing for the dodgers at all. hope that was a joke
Ok, you evaluate talent different than most. Teheran is projected as a top 25 pitcher in the coming years, an Ace. Puig has regressed some this year and has apparently been a clubhouse problem, Guerrero is a bench player hitting under replacement level, lower than both Johnson and Uribe, then you have Paco on the DL vs. Johnson, one of the best Rps in the game for the past five years with over 100 saves.
sure puig has regressed but he still a good player and worth alot more then those 4 guys, guerrero sure he not hitting but why trade a player who shown to have power for a guy with no power and who not really hitting either, ok projected to be a good player, but he sure not showing it this year with his over 4 ERA.. i just dont see how this trade works for the dodgers. .
Probably right. The Dodgers probably not interested in a Ace pitcher under control cheap for six years or the best hitter against LH pitching over the past three years or a clubhouse leader with WS experience and a ring, or a pitcher with 132 Saves over the past four years. Nevermind dumping a head case and a player who can not break into the lineup and a pitcher on the DL. You are right, it makes no sense.
i wouldnt call him a aced till he prove it for more then one season. a guy with a ERA over 4 not really a ace and if he is one he not really a good one at the moment. if dodgers get another ace it will be a more proven one like a hamels or price. dodgers dont need a guy who can save they have jensen one of the best closer in the game. dodgers have a guy already with WS experience in rollins. all what your saying doesnt hide the fact that some of them arent good players. im sorry you want to make this trade look good but it doesnt. to me it only looks good for the braves.
I’m not saying Tehran is an ace but…
But according to your definition, I guess Glavine, Smoltz, nor Maddux is an ace. They all had more than 2 seasons of 3.80+ all the way to a mid 5 ERA in the beginning of their careers.
lol…might as well aim high, right? Tehran hasn’t done it for long enough. He probably caps out as a consistent #3 with the upside of a #2.
He has never really had great peripherals. Good yes but not ace level. More like #2-3 numbers.
If you take out this year, Tehran has pitched like a number 1 or 2… not an ace, but a number 1.
actually he pitch what 4 seasons and only one season he shown ace like numbers. so i wouldnt call him a ace like pitcher till he prove it. he might get better but for a team like the dodgers to give up pretty good talent for avg players wouldnt be a smart move. it would make the braves look good and make the dodgers look bad. it would also do nothing to help improve the team it might actually weaken the dodgers.
How can a guy with declining numbers project to be an ace?
IDK, Is Kershaw an Ace?
I have a feeling once the first trade is made a flurry will follow. It’s the calm before the storm… Sounds like Padres may want to start over in building their team lol
padres trying to buy a championship hasnt work out so well for them. it seem like they stack their team with good players but most of them were OF they seem to for get about some other positions
All 30 teams are trying to buy championships. The only difference is how much they are prepared to spend.
…except the Mets. “Buying” implies the use of money, and ownership frowns upon the spending of ANY money.
What return can the Pads get in a trade of Tyson Ross and the Astros farm system?
I’m a Pads fan so on the wishful thinking side: Phillips and Kemp a possibility in the trade?
Tyson Ross is worth two A level prospects. a choice of #2-#4 and a choice of #5-#8. Phillips and Kemp would be a no brainer for the Astros.
i don’t see Phillips getting traded. He is the best hitting prospect they have. – with so much depth in talent i guess they could..just don’t see it.
Gallardo to the Royals for Kyle Zimmer and Scott Blewett
When are the Mets going to make a Trade for a Big Time Righthanded Bat , Gomez, Upton or Tulo, Giving up “ONE” Young Gun Arm is not going hurt to them . !
They don’t want to trade Confronto nor a pitcher, so never
They aren’t.
deGrom, Harvey, Syn, Matz, Wheeler, and Conforto are all off limits. Too bad Montero is hurt bc he could be a cost-controlled #3 if he stayed healthy…though not the main piece for a legit bat…besides MAYBE Gomez if packaged with a Low-A or AA guy. Tulo…that’s not happening. Age, injury, history, and Coors Bump…the Mets would be better to look for a younger option.
Gallardo to Blue Jays for Miguel Castro and Sean Reid Foley
lol- that’s not going to work
I don’t think that’s terrible, but we would need another guy like Tolleson or Kela back as well
I think they would consider adding Tolleson to the deal. Kela probably not.
Gallardo to Cubs for Pierce Johnson and Duane Underwood
underwood is the cub’s best pitching prospect, so I seriously doubt any interest in including him in the trade. pierce johnson maybe… the cubs would look for more of an upgrade than gallardo anyway.
I really think that if the Braves decided to trade Teheran they could get back a top 10 prospect if not higher then that. Even though Teheran is having a up and down season his numbers do lie. In 2 of last 3 starts Teheran should have got the win. Also Teheran he us just 24 years old and his contract that he signed it a very friendly team deal. A team such as the Blue Jays Cubs, Dodgers, should really look at getting Teheran.
Top 10 in MLB or in the team? if top 10 in mlb, thanks fam- Seager for Tehran
Teheran for Seager works for me.
Top 10 for a team prospect. I don’t think LA would do a Seager for Teheran straight up but they should consider doing so.
lol that laughable. if they wont trade segaer for hamels a proven vet. they wont trade him for teheran
Two Cubs scouts were in attendance for Shields last start in San Diego. Obviously there is interest in him.
Doubt there is any interest in a 33-year-old #3 starter getting paid ace money for the next 3 years.
Wondering about a Julio Teheran, Juan Uribe and Jim Johnson for Josh Donaldson and Daniel Norris trade.
I don’t think the Braves will do it unless they find a taker for Chris Johnson.
Could try to substitute Chris Johnson for Uribe, Johnson four years younger with three years plus control but less power.
your trade proposals are awfully biased for the braves and downright laughable
idk, Atlanta might need Hoffman as well to get that deal done
This is an absurd suggestion. Donaldson is the best player in that trade and it isn’t close. I am going to be nice here because a Blue Jay fan would not be so kind if/when they see this. You are still massively overvaluing Teheran.
OK, guess you don’t keep up. Braves Package 39.9 WAR/3.94 per year: Jays Package 14.1 WAR/2.83 per year. That is over an $8 million annual edge to Toronto to compensate for age of Uribe.
no one values uribe more than a 20-30 range of the team’s top prospects.
well, that is ten million.
Zero chance of the Jays trading Donaldson. Zero. Donaldson is one of the best 3B in the game. Wait. One of the best overall players in the game, and under team control yet for 2 more years after this one. The Jays will not accept one pitcher with “potential” to be a top player, and 2 other garbage players for arguably one of the best players in the game.
He was just as good a talent with more team control when the A’s (smartest trades in MLB) traded him. DUH!
Daniel Norris WAR is going to be low because he hasn’t really pitched much at the MLB level. You are skewing the stats to your point. Besides that I could offer the Angels 15 1.0 WAR players for Trout and by your logic the Angels win that Trade because Trout is only worth 8-10 WAR so they get a 5-7 WAR/year advantage.
That would be correct, provided the projected total lifetime WAR had the same ratio.
Wait he was serious, lolololol
wow, i cant see toronto doing that.
omg I thought you were joking, that might be the worst proposal I have ever seen!You think Toronto should be the team giving up the top prospect just shows how high your IQ is
Sounds like you disagree on the relative value of the assets Barrack.
I disagree that an average reliever, a back-up infielder on most teams and a struggling starter should cost a team a perennial MVP candidate plus their top prospect. NO GM in the league would ever make that trade
at this point i think trademeister just here to comment crazy trades to get a reaction out of us. which is working pretty well
Does Hutchinson have a better performance this year than Teheran? Is Dickey better? Was Teheran the #1 prospect in the MLB a few years ago? Are any of the Jays Starters under control for six years and less than 7mil per year? Look at all the facts.
You’re trade is basically the equivalent of Freddie Freeman and Matt Wisler for Hutchison, Valencia and Hendircks. Im sure you as a Braves fan would not be very happy with that return
Please don’t trade Shields, Preller. He does have a back-loaded contract, but he’s a durable workhorse who is a great teammate and a mentor for the younger players. Plus, trading him four months into a four-year deal reeks of impatience and desperation. It’s a Marlins-esque move and would likely deter future free agents from signing.
I don’t think anyone wants to trade for Shields BECAUSE of the backloaded contract
Braves reportedly talked about a Chris Johnson for Nick Swisher deal. How about a Julio Teheran, Jonny Gomes and Chris Johnson for Michael Bourne, Clint Frazier and Francisco Mejia partial swap of bad contracts.
Does Dombrowski stay on the phone if Epstein pitches Albert Almora, Edwards and Baez for Price?
Doubt the Padres will find any takers for Big Shame James