As we continue to march through a busy day in the rumor mill, here’s the latest from Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com:
- Pirates closer Mark Melancon has been made available, per Heyman. Pittsburgh seems interested in the possibility of cashing him in and re-deploying an arbitration salary that MLBTR projects to land at a cool $10MM. Melancon joins a loaded trade market that is fronted by appealing potential chips such as Aroldis Chapman (Reds) and Craig Kimbrel (Padres) and which could also include Andrew Miller of the Yankees.
- And that’s not all, as Shawn Tolleson of the Rangers has drawn interest, with Texas said to be willing to listen but not planning to shop the righty. The Phillies seem willing to part with Ken Giles at the right price. Then, of course, there are Jonathan Papelbon and Drew Storen of the Nationals, either of whom could theoretically be dealt.
- With teams such as the Yankees and Nationals potentially factoring as both buyers and sellers of late-inning arms, says Heyman, it could end up being a “wild closer’s market.” There are a host of teams with interest in Chapman and Kimbrel. The former is said to be “eminently available” from the Reds, while the latter may not be dealt by the Padres, who Heyman says will not enter a rebuilding phase. As for Miller, New York GM Brian Cashman’s openness to creativity doesn’t mean a deal is likely, with Heyman suggesting a significant player — he suggests the involvement of Stephen Strasburg — would be necessary to pry Miller loose.
- While he’s only likely to get a make-good deal at this point, Joe Nathan is working his way back and could be ready to throw by May of 2016, Heyman writes. The Tigers would be glad to bring back the soon-to-be 41-year-old on a minor league pact, per the report.
- While the Astros say they don’t need to do much beside adding left-handed arms to the pen, Heyman says that the club does have a shopping list. If Colby Rasmus departs, a left fielder could be added, while additional relief arms, a starter, and an addition at first base might also be pursued.
- Heyman also provides a few notes on some players of interest. Free agent second baseman Howie Kendrick is looking for four years. The Pirates are taking offers on first baseman (and DH candidate) Pedro Alvarez. And reliever Steve Cishek will soon become a free agent, as the Cardinals do not intend to tender him a contract.
- The Mariners still have some work to do after striking an early trade, Heyman writes, with a center fielder and starting pitcher among the needs. Adding to the pen and bolstering the catching corps will also be among the priorities of GM Jerry Dipoto and his staff. Seattle will try to solve its rotation needs by retaining Hisashi Iwakuma, as has widely been reported, with Heyman adding that the club will try to do so with a two-year offer.
I don’t see why the Rangers would make Shawn Tolleson available, they don’t have another proven closer in the organization, there’s no much money to sign an elite closer and they gave up a lot of talent to get hammels so I don’t see them trading for a closer either. So why are the Rangers even “listening to offers on Tolleson”.
Theyre just listening. It just means if they get a robust offer. In which case, they could always take papelbon for nothing. Personality issues aside, he can still pitch.
First off Shawn Tolleson wasn’t even a closer until this year, so I don’t think the Rangers care too much about finding a proven closer. Second is that Jeff Bannister didn’t have Tolleson pitching against the heart of the Blue Jays lineup, he had Sam Dyson (who was doing really good when the Rangers got him) do so, so it shows that Bannister thought Dyson was the better choice. The Rangers also have Keone Kela as well who did good his rookie season.
Now again it’s just listening, and if you get an overwhelming offer you do it. But let’s not act like Shawn Tolleson is irreplaceable.
You always listen on a trade offer even if you’re not looking to trade. Personally I don’t know how good Tolleson is or what his value would be but what if a team like the Cubs called and offered Kris Bryant. Would never happen in a million years but do you say no at that just because there’s no immediate closer to replace him?
They listen because it gauges the market for the said player. They do that with all the players if at all possible. It’s the nature of the beast of baseball business.
Dyson or Dierkman might be guys who could close if someone were to offer Texas a good deal for Tolleson
Pedro or Melancon being available is not a shock at all. Whether the Pirates can actually get anything of value for Pedro will be interesting. As for Melancon, I doubt he gets moved unless someone absolutely blows away NH with an offer
Yeah, I think teams will wait on Pedro to see if the Pirates even tender him, and I agree on Melancon even at 11 mil its a good deal for a top closer. and unless the pirates get more relief help I don’t see him going anywhere.with out being ‘blown away’
Strasburg for Miller, eh? Haha
If Miller costs Starsburg, what is Kimbrel going to cost??
Yankees and Nationals trade??? Stupid idea
I’m gonna laugh if Andrew Miller winds up an Astro after he turned down more money from them in order to be a Yankee last offseason. Frankly, I think it’d be silly for the Yanks to deal Miller. He’s not too costly and him and Betances is a money combination. I do hope that the Astros come through and get a true closer. Melancon would make sense because he got his first closing job with the Stros. Storen kind of makes sense too with some of the moves that Luhnow makes.
Well.. It actually makes sense. NY might be trying to cut down on salary to get under the cap for the 1st time in what? 10?, 12 years or so? If they can for just 1 season, the entire penalty structure will reset and they won’t be paying the max 50% any longer for overage and there was a story here on MLBTR that nearly half a dozen of the bad contracts would be off the books in a couple years, at least one (Beltran) after 2016.
Some they can’t move.. Tex, ARod, Sabathia, but Miller has trade value and they move him to fix other holes? Then after another yeaar or 2 they can address major issues again.
Trading Miller, if the return is large does make sense, or listening to what his return would bring does.
Trading Miller and his $9M salary would do nothing to the Yankees bottom line in terms of getting under the luxury tax threshold. If they have any chance of doing so it will come next offseason, when they shed better than $60M in salaries…as long as they don’t dive into the market this year or next…which doesn’t seem like a realistic possibility. They can afford to pay their payroll and the luxury tax and still add to it, so moving MIller would be a baseball move if it happens, meaning they’d get something that makes them better and they feel they can replace Miller with someone else.
Melancon for Gavin Cecchini and Ali Sanchez.
The Pirates dont need another Catcher or SS prospect. If Melancon is going to be moved,itll be for MLB ready players to fill holes now, including a back end pen option like when they traded Hanrahan/Holt for Melancon plus
I really, really do not understand the marginalizing of closers… People say the save stat is overrated, but is it really? I think the importance of the 9th inning is being horridly understated, think of the nerves you’d have trying to end a 1-run game. Why would the Yankees want to trade a brilliant lefty reliever at the peak of his career? This whole market makes no sense to me at all
There was an article on fangraphs I think that had them discussing the value of an elite reliever, and yeah they do have solid value in helping a team get wins. The save stat itself is sort of overrated, but having an elite reliever you can use to get yourself out of bad situations is extremely valuable.
fangraphs.com/blogs/the-extra-value-of-having-an-e…
Melancon is great right where he is. The RSox had him and dealt him then he became a “Closer.” We could use him now and he may be ready for the Boston crowds and media. I liked him then I would like him more now.Taz, Ross, Kelly, Koji and MM might be deep enough in the back end. to support a still young staff.
If I’m the Astros I wouldn’t touch Melanin with a 10′ pole. Odds are good he regresses in 2016.
Miller for Strasburg lol (yes others would be involved but that’s nuts if Miller is the centerpiece)
As a Red Sox fan, I’d rather see us sign Darren O’Day and trade for Ken Giles than sign Johnny Cueto.