We’ve already heard that the Mets and Athletics have had discussions regarding the former’s interest in utility man par excellence Ben Zobrist. And New York GM Sandy Alderson has said that he is “prepared to overpay” for the right piece to boost the club’s sagging offense. In a post today, Joel Sherman of the New York Post connected those two stories, reporting that the Mets are specifically willing to offer a premium return for Zobrist. As MLBTR’s Steve Adams explained in the above-linked piece regarding the Mets’ interest, it’s easy to see why that would be the case: he potentially offers a solution at second, third, and/or the corner outfield, all while delivering the type of on-base threat that Alderson prizes. As Sherman goes on to explain, however, in spite of New York’s apparent willingness to go past what it deems fair value for the veteran, Oakland has not made him available. With the team surging in the AL West, A’s GM Billy Beane “has tempered sell-off talks, at least for now,” per the report.
Here are some more recent trade deadline notes:
- Despite recent public comments indicating that he’d consider a trade to any club, Cole Hamels of the Phillies has privately indicated to the team that he is not interested in going to the Blue Jays, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports. Hamels also appears unlikely to waive his no-trade clause for a move to the Astros, Heyman notes. But he would be amenable to being sent to the Red Sox “and possibly a few others,” per the report.
- Even if the Rockies are otherwise willing to move franchise star Troy Tulowitzki, writes Heyman, his value is down so far that a rival GM says he’s not sure another team would take on the rest of his contract — even before considering giving up pieces in return. And a source tells Heyman that owner Dick Monfort is exceedingly unlikely to keep a significant piece of that deal in order to get more value from Tulo. Yet another general manager said that Tulowitzki has not exhibited the same “lower half explosiveness” that he did before undergoing hip surgery last year.
- Heyman has items from much of the rest of the league, with a particular focus on possible sellers, in the column. It’s well worth a full read.
- After entering the year with eleven free agents-to-be on the roster, the Orioles have pared that down to eight after designating Delmon Young, Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com observes. The team still has little interest in moving any of those players in order to get some value back before they hit the market: as Kubatko puts it, “the Orioles are going for it again.” That makes deals involving lefty Wei-Yin Chen, slugger Chris Davis, or catcher Matt Wieters are highly unlikely, despite the fact that all are set to hit the open market. “[Chen] can help us win a championship and he’ll be here,” said manager Buck Showalter of his team’s best starter this season. “There aren’t many left-handed starters who are in the top 10 in ERA floating around and we couldn’t trade him for someone better.”
Hamels is really Hamstringing Amaro by blocking two potential suitors like that. Amaro already struggles enough on his own, he does not need Hamels’ help
Well, that is what happens when Amaro agrees to give him a no-trade clause as apart of his contract. Having said that, I find it somewhat strange that Hamels is willing to go to the Rangers, but not the Astros. Seems odd.
Leverage maybe?
I would want the Astros to go after Cueto or Kazmir than waster the roster spot, prospects and money on Hamels.
In what world is Hamels not worth a roster spot? And most would agree he is worth the money. It is the prospect return on top of the money that is the kicker
I think it all comes down to how much Hamels cost in terms of prospects over the other two. The price for rentals can reach astronomical heights at certain times, in which the Astros would be better off using their prospects to acquire a longer-term piece.
Hamels is under contract for another 2-3 years beyond this year
since I can’t reply directly to joshb600…
That’s what Draven Moss is saying. The previous poster implied that he’d rather the Astros go after Cueto or Kazmir (presumably because they’re rentals and would cost less than Hamels both in terms of money owed and prospects). But Draven Moss is saying that’s not always the case. Quite often, a rental like Cueto/Kazmir will still cost a huge haul in prospects and if true, why not just add another prospect and get a SP you’ll control for a few more years.
Interesting reading people discuss Amaro as if he’s a special needs© child
That’s why you sign a no trade clause in your contract, the Phillys had their chance to build a winner with him. Today’s players look at more than just the money to pick a team.
Oh man is Amaro gonna screw this up, I can feel it. NO TO BOSTON ! Boston wants to offer chump change, i.e. second rate prospects. How’s that Swihart doing for them ? Hitting as bad as Rupp, who the phillies have starting, and can’t carry Rupp’s jock throwing the ball. I simply tell Boston, Now it’s Betts must be included or no deal, PERIOD. Boston is a train wreck with horrible FA signings
I wouldn’t worry about Amaro. No way he trades Hamels without approval by Gillick and McPhail.
RAJ has been a puppet for years if the reports are true that Dave Montgomery was the one calling the shots. He was the one insisting on the Ryan Howard extension and so on. RAJ takes all the flak for being at the end of the puppet strings. I’m not defending him, I don’t believe he is a good GM.
Some of my point is this…. Are we to believe the rumors that he is a complete incompetent and has made poor decision after poor decision and still managed to retain his job or are we to believe that Montgomery called all the shots. Are we to believe the current (and that one time previous) rumor on who Hamels will approve or not, or should we believe the statement that Hamels gave. Rumors are just as the definition says… A currently circulating story or report of uncertain or doubtful truth.
I agree, he is a puppet right now!
I still see the Rangers, Cubs and Dodgers being the 3 main teams to get Hamels.
I see the Blue Jays getting Papelbon.
Cubs can get Revere w/ Hamels for Baez, Schwarber, Mckinney and Edwards.
Blue Jays get Papelbon and cash for Pentecost.
Rays get Ruiz and Howard and a ton of Cash for Casey Gillaspie.
Harang – Billingsley – Williams – Francouer – Brown (all traded for B Prospects)
Utley stays, doesn’t get his needed AB’s and retires after the season.
Papelbon isn’t worth the Jays fourth-best prospect or even a top ten, regardless what the fans think. Papelbon is worth a B prospect or two at the most, so Philly fans shouldn’t get too excited thinking they could get a Pentecost for an aging reliever that is seen as the future to replace Martin when his contract expires. Would Papelbon warrant Bryce Harper, Trout, Strasberg, etc in a trade. Not in this lifetime, so why do fans mention Pentecost that has the same ceiling as a Harper. Wishful thinking and a more common sense trade would see a player like Dwight Smith, Tirado, Smoral being traded for Papelbon and then Philly would need to eat the whole 13 million owed in 2016 to get one of those players.
You know, I was taking this comment seriously, until I read “Pentecost that has the same ceiling as Harper.” Then I burst out into uncontrollable laughter. While I agree Pentecost is an overpay for Papelbon, you’re an absolute lunatic if you think Pentecost has the ceiling of Harper.
Beat me to think comment
I struggle to take your comment seriously, but will respond anyway. There is no way that Pentecost is enough for Papelbon if the Phils are throwing in cash. The market has shown us that a closer with 1.5 years of control and owed around $10m is worth a top 50-100 prospect plus an MLB ready high leverage RP. Both Soria and Street received that type of return and had that type of control and contract left last season. Papelbon is better than both, but is owed around $19m over the next 1.5 years. If the Phillies add around $5-6m, the return will be similar, if not higher. Pentecost is not a top 100 prospect right now. He is a catcher who gets a lot of his value from his defense and has still not played this season after undergoing two different shoulder surgeries since being drafted.
Papelbon might not be worth a guy who has never hit a home run and might never play catcher due a shoulder injury that’s kept him out all year. The Blue Jays just traded two grade B prospects for an international bonus pool slot. Two grade B prospects won’t get you a closer who hasn’t blown a save all year. They should set their sites on Jonathan Broxton. That’s what he’ll go for. Last year the Orioles traded a top 100 prospect for 20 innings of Andrew Miller.
You’d be lucky to get anything for the 5 at the end of your post.
Papelbon wouldn’t get Pentecost
No way in heck Howard and Ruiz even with all of their contracts paid would get a first round pick with 30 HR pop.
The Hamels deal is too much for the Cubs, the Phillies wouldn’t 2 top 20 prospects (former and current) plus 2 more top 80 guys.
Rays but are they taking on Salary?
Cardinals another team maybe on Hames,maybe Royals to.
Utley Royals?
Utley could be traded in August if he comes back from the DL and shows he can hit again… Obviously, his ankle injury had everything to do with his batting. Utley is better than Infante – no question about that.
I pretty much am hoping this is a joke. Why would the Cubs ever want Revere when they have McKinney who is looking rather great so far, and Schwarber, if he never figures out catching, is destined for LF. Revere isn’t worth any of those prospects and the Cubbies aren’t really in the position to make a big trade. They were supposed to still be rebuilding, so they’ll sit tight, roll in the riches they have, and sign a Price this winter.
Jays giving up Pentecost for Papelbon, when they could easily use him to knab a top SP? Lol, must be a Philly fan, here.
Rays? Why would they need /ANOTHER/ catcher in their long line of horrid backstops in Ruiz? The Phills will sit on that contract, and Howard for a top prospect? That’s ridiculous, even if Philly payed for all of the money, absolutely ridiculous.
In conclussion, we found the Philly fan, everybody.
Cubs are in the drivers seat right now, they are in the playoffs a year ahead of time. They a trying to decide whether to get Hamels for prospects or wait until free agency and over pay for Zimmerman. I don’t see the Cubs giving up Schwarber in that deal.
I don’t think they’ll outbid the Dodgers for him
The Cubs are “barely” hanging onto the 2nd wild-card slot… But everyone knows that IF you make the playoffs, anything can happen… why would the Cubs not go for it THIS year???
I’ll answer another comment made about the Rays… They are tied for 1st place, but with their horrid offense, their Great Pitching won’t carry them – Howard is more productive than most on that team, and adding Ruiz would make that pitching staff even better, and would take off yet another .180 hitter in Rivera.
Gillaspie is the #6 prospect in the Rays organization… and while he looks like a decent prospect, the Rays have Jennings, Souza, Guyer, DeJesus, Kiermaier, and Butler in the OF already.
Of course – The Rays can offer anyone of those but DeJesus… instead of Gillaspie.
Playoffs = a Chance to go to and win the World Series.
The Cubs and Giants are fighting for that 2nd WC slot.
The Giants are GOOD and they lost Pence and Aoki for most of the season.
Cain is coming back soon too… the Cubs didn’t spend all that money to get Lester and Hammel just to wait for NEXT year.. and who knows what happens next year?? Injuries happen.
Getting to the Playoffs is no easy task. You GO FOR IT if you can.
Dodgers, Giants, Cubs, Pirates, Rays, Yankees, Orioles, Blue Jays, Royals, Indians, Twins, Tigers, Rangers, Angels and Astros are all Fighting for that chance (Nationals and Cardinals are sure bets to make it already)
That’s 15 teams looking to lock down 8 playoff spots. I think the Pirates don’t need to add anyone really to get a WC slot…
Getting into the Playoffs is EVERY teams goal. Not “wait til next year, sign another 200 million dollar pitcher and then assume its enough to get you in and your team will stay healthy and productive while teams above you regress”??
The Rays are shooting for winning the AL East, no team finishing 2nd in the AL East will be making the playoffs.
Ryan Howard is a no glove first baseman with a 92 wRC+. The only Rays regular who he out hits is Cabrera and Rivera. That means unless Howard can start playing an up the middle position he doesn’t help the Rays.
Ryan Howard has a .484 slugging percentage and a .775 OPS against right handed pitching. No Ray with more than 21 ABs has a better slugging percentage against righties and only Joey Butler has a better OPS. And his is only marginally better.
Howard is putrid against lefties, but a smart team will only play him against righties and wouldn’t look at his stats against lefties. The Rays have a bunch of players who hit lefties well but they desperately need someone who can hit right handed pitching. If they don’t find one, or even two, such players they aren’t going to win the division.
The issue with the raw numbers is Citizens Bank Park is a hitters park and the Trop is a pitchers park. If you look at park adjusted numbers, Howard has a 111 wRC+ against RHP and can only play 1B or DH.
While Howard has been better than Loney against RHP this year, Loney has been better over the past 3 seasons combined. Loney is also a far superior defender and the Rays second highest paid player, so I couldn’t imagine a scenario where Howard plays over Loney.
That leaves DH as Howard’s only other option. The Rays have DeJesus and Jaso as LH DH options. Against RHP over the past 3 seasons, DeJesus has a 116 wRC+ including 110 this year and Jaso has a 131 wRC+ over the past 2 seasons. Both of them compare favorably to Howard who has a 111 wRC+ over the past 3 years including a 111 wRC+ this season against RHP.
While I agree that the Rays need help offensively, Howard is not a good fit for this club and not the solution at his point of his career. It sure would be nice for them to find a catcher that could play good defense and hit anything. Also, the Rays need to get healthy so players like Jake Elmore don’t get 125 PA.
This article was funny and Hamels would be a train wreck in the AL. His record in interleague play tells the true story and he is usually gone by the fifth inning with the Phillies behind by 8 or more runs. He is actually doing teams like Toronto, Houston, etc a favor, since the fans don’t have to watch him get hammered each start. At least the fans would have many souvenirs in Boston if he goes there. The balls would disappear over the monster at a rate of two per inning. lol. He would be Rick Porcello 2.0 in Boston. lol. Can you imagine the comments of the fans when they scream to replace him with Masterson in the rotation. lol. Now that would be funny.
To me the funny part is when people actually believe games spread out over that long a period are a true indication. It ranks right up there with looking at spring training numbers and saying “this guy is a sure superstar”. I am not saying this as a Phillies fan I will say this about any player.. It is not a true indication. There is a retired pitcher and if you look at his numbers against Arizona and Colorado over the span of 51 games spread out over multiple years you would swear up and down (using your logic) that if he had pitched for Los Angeles or San Francisco and had to face the National League West on a regular basis he would’ve been a number three or four starter at best. A WHIP of 1.3 and an ERA of 4.58 is what Greg Maddux had in 51 starts spread out over multiple years so I guess he wasn’t really TOR pitcher because those numbers indicate he would’ve been a failure in the National League west, right?
I’m still waiting for Gary Scott to lock down the Cubs 3B…talk about the All time spring training player
Every time someone over-hypes a player in spring training I think of a few years ago when the Phillies had Yuniesky Betancourt in camp. He hit well over .400 that spring and many of the fans on the Phillies MLB page were outraged when they released him and did not take him north. Milwaukee picked him up and as they say the rest is history.
FYI, players going between the two leagues have no systematic performance bias. In other words, pitchers (like Hamels) who go from the NL to the AL do not underperform once they get there, once you account for the DH. This myth has to go away.
The issue here is, what exactly does Alderson mean by ‘overpay’? Something nuts and stupid like Metz for Zobrist? Or something nuts and stupid like Alderson thinking 2/20 on Johnny Peralta Johnny would be an ‘overpay’? (I saw that on Twitter, so unsure if it’s actually true.)
I wouldn’t trade a half-eaten, thrown out ballpark hotdog for Utley at this point.
Phillies would take that. Let some kid start and hey, free hotdog…sorta.
The “kid” is already starting – Cesar Hernandez, or haven’t you been watching?
Meaning that Utley has been sitting on the bench with his sub .200 BA and costing what, something like 16 Million? Great signing there, and Hernandez isn’t the full time answer for their woes. BABIP inflated but ride him while you can.
Theo won’t trade both Baez and Schwarber in a Hamels deal. Theo is real high on Schwarber, he might be untouchable along with Bryant and Russell
Not often someone has “a value so low” but is hitting well over .300 lol.
Not only that, Tulo looks to be getting his act together. Over his past 30 games, he has a 1.006 OPS and a 164 wRC+. Even more encouraging is his 9.4% BB% and 18.9% K% over that time. Those numbers are much more in line with his career averages of 9.8% and 16.1%.
I still believe that the dodgers will be the team that will trade for hamels
If the Dodgers win the Hamels trade, they will have to give up De Leon, Zach Lee, Schebler, Barnes and Sweeney. That’s the Price to NOT have Urias, Seager or Pederson involved.
Where exactly is Oakland surging to? They have the worst record in the AL, are 11.5 games behind the division leader and are only 5-5 in their last 10 games. That hardly looks like a team that should be holding onto their impending free agents.
They were on a run that slowed down earlier this week. They had the second best record for a three week stretch or so. Getting swept by the Royals killed the streak he’s referring to.
Sounds like there’s a GM out there that really wants Tulo cheap. The idea that there are no teams out there willing to take on the STILL best SS in baseball for $20m/yr, for no return, is utter bunk.
Tulo’s salary is too high. He’s another great Coors hitter. He’s a very fine SS but for that $20m, he’s not going to deliver the numbers he has for the Rockies over the years. Colorado would have to eat a substantial part of that contract for any trade to be made IMO.
I’m just not sure why the Mets would be interested in Zobrist right now. With the offense looking THIS bad, there isn’t one single player that can right this ship, so why trade for a rental? Sandy has certainly shown that he is smarter than that. DW and TDA being out so much has definitely hurt, but one player just isn’t going to make a difference. If they are going to make a move, they need to buy a long term, offensive asset, like a SS from the Braves or Cubs, or to sell off some short term or redundant assets, like Murphy or Niese.
But Zobrist to the Mets? That makes as much sense as he does to the Braves, and that didn’t make any sense either. Why not just trade Kazmir for Zambrano again? When the pitchers became better hitters than the position players, the season was over. No need to make matters worse by compounding a disappointing season with a bad trade on top of it.
For Christ’s sake! Red Sox fans need to accept the fact that they’re not getting Hamels without throwing in one of Swihart or Betts! They are only ever willing to trade their fringe prospects. A few years ago Jackie Bradley Jr. was seen as untouchable! Well how’s he doing now?