Former GM Jim Duquette’s list for MLB.com of five trades that should happen includes two deals involving the Braves. Duquette suggests the Braves deal Freeman to the Cardinals for Matt Adams, Kolten Wong and starting pitcher Tim Cooney — an interesting suggestion, given the Cards’ need for a power bat, although, Wong’s departure would create a new hole at second base. (The Braves, of course, emphatically deny that they will trade Freeman, as Duquette notes.) Duquette also suggests the Braves deal Shelby Miller to the Cubs for prospects Billy McKinney and Willson Contreras. Miller would provide the Cubs with a mid-rotation pitcher who might be an alternative to a free-agent option like Jeff Samardzija, and McKinney and Contreras would give the Braves a couple good position-player prospects to complement their collection of young pitchers. Of course, these are both just ideas, and not actual trade rumors, but they’re fun. Here’s more from the National League.
- Former Nationals starting pitcher and free agent Jordan Zimmermann isn’t quite on a tier with David Price and Zack Greinke, but there’s plenty to recommend him, beginning with his consistency, as MLB.com’s Paul Casella writes. Zimmermann, Casella points out, is the only MLB starter who’s made at least 32 starts and posted ERAs below 3.70 in all of the past four seasons. He’s also one of the best starters in baseball at limiting walks.
- Second baseman Max Moroff was little more than a sleeper prospect before the season, but after an outstanding 2015, he’s earned a place on the Pirates’ 40-man roster, Adam Berry of MLB.com writes. The Bucs gave Moroff a $300K bonus as a late-round pick in 2012 and moved him aggressively through the system, but it wasn’t until this year at Double-A Altoona that his patient approach at the plate started to pay dividends. Moroff hit .293 and walked 70 times en route to a .374 OBP. That earned him the Pirates’ Minor League Player of the Year award, and forced the Bucs to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. “We felt that he was one of those guys that, if selected [in the Rule 5], could do enough things to help a Major League team win that he might end up staying with another organization,” says GM Neal Huntington.
Given Zimmermann’s age and past performance, he is the one starting pitcher on the market that I would pursue heavily. He is about the only pitcher I would be comfortable giving 7 years to.
I believe the cubs could be making a run at him , but everyone says that price and the cubs are a match made in heaven
I think the Cubs (i.e. Theo) will actually pass on giving Price $200 million, and sign Zimmerman $140 – 150 million….and use the rest of the money to help sign a quality CF……
I agree , If its not the cubs for price then not sure who else maybe the cards. Zimmermann would be the perfect fit for the cubs then they could trade some prospects for either salazar or carrasco . I’d like to see them try to make a package for sonny gray but he might cost them Schwarber plus others. then add another post season veteran in lackey.
Watch out for the Dodgers to get Price..
the only way the could go after him is if they lose greinke and I believe they will, but I doubt they would want an all lefty rotation. Greinke will be a giant in 2016. And I wouldn’t sleep on the angels for price, they could be a dark horse.
Red Sox
I think it’s either the cubs or dodgers for price, the angels could be a dark horse
I think that Zimmerman goes to the Cubs also.
honestly he’s the nationals best pitcher over scherzer and strasburg. he’s more polished and even better after the tommy john. But would they sell the farm for a young ace?
I agree with this. It has been assumed that they will be discussing an Arrieta extension and I believe the Samardzija chatter might have legs.
I think the Cubs and/or Braves should be going after Marcell Ozuna. Huge upside, cost-controlled for several years….and 25-30 HR potential
also a boras client
Cubs won’t pursue Price seriously, they may just feign interest to drive the price up. I think Zimmerman is the guy they ultimately want.
Zimmermann would be the right choice, slide him behind arrieta or lester, and thats a solid 1-2-3 punch, then if they want to, sign lackey for a 4 or 5.
Agreed, Price, Cueto, and Greinke are going to cost more than their worth, Zimmerman is the best pitcher in the next teir.
and experts are saying that boston is going to try and outbid everyone for price, I don’t see him going to boston or greinke. I think boston goes after cueto. Greinke will go to the giants, then for price it’s a toss up if the cubs pass on him.
I think the Sox, Tigers, Giants, Nats, and Jays will all be in on Price.
I don’t think the jays bring him back, they signed happ and traded for chavez, if they go after a pitcher of ace caliber prolly the shark, I believe greinke goes to the giants? would you agree?
This may be way outside the box but I think the Nats put together a package (that includes Michael Taylor & Storen) and trade for Aroldis Chapman…..go after Chen or Leake to fill the rotation…..and sign Zobrist, Gordon, or possibly even Heyward.
I don’t think they trade a package like that for a year of control from chapman but it could work, I see them going after gordon. and maybe leake, i think they bring up giolito and cole next year
If they move Storen and re-sign Chapman to a 4-5 year deal…..it would be worth it. Backload the contract so Werth’s salary is gone (after 2017) before the big money kicks in. I agree that Cole comes up…..Giolito sometime in June (after super 2)
I don’t see the nationals signing another ace , they have a deep system starting with cole and Giolito. they could sign leake. but do you agree that the giants will snag greinke away? Because the dodgers want to lower the payroll and they took off 73 million. Add Greinke to the giants they have a nice staff with Bumgarner hopefully a healthy Peavy and Matt Cain plus heston.
If the Giants make their “Big Splash” with Greinke, they’ll need to find a cheap filler for LF. Bumgarner, Greinke, Heston is a nice 1-2-3…..but I’m not sold on Peavy or Cain. That’s why I think they go for 2 less expensive options in the rotation…..bring back Leake and go after Lackey
Lerner’s will do everything possible to win next year. I can see them making a good offer to Price. They have a lot of money coming off the books. I also see them making some trades.
You may be right about him being the best of the next tier but I don’t think the separation between him Leake, Gallardo are as big as people are making it, and the way Zimmermann is talked up he may cost a lot more than those two. I think the real bargains begin at Leake and Gallardo.
Yea and maybe the Shark can be a bargin as well. Zimmermann will get paid but not as much as price, maybe in the 130-145 range.
I don’t look at the price that much with all the new TV contracts they all have the money. I just want the best pitcher who is going to perform well and stay healthy.
Chen impressed me more than Leake and Gallardo. I like Zimmerman and Chen if I have to sign a good pitcher in free agency. I would add Lackey to that list.
Lackey is coming off his best season since 2007 when he was with the angels. He will be a bargin even if he cost a draft pick 2-3 years around 25-30 mill
Yes, and he pitched well for the Red Sox when they won the series.
he was a warrior during that world series run with boston, especially in game 6 of the world series.
Lackey……are you saying 2/25 ….or 3/30?…….
It depends on what he’s looking for , he’s what 37 ? and he’s pitching better ever since he got the tommy john surgery. maybe 2 years 25 with a third year option.
Agree wholeheartly on your ‘Chen’ take, s32′. Hence, that is why I think the Rangers will let Gallardo walk & sign him instead.
Problem is that he is six years post TJ surgery.
The industry is still gathering data on post TJ durability. Rizzo believes rightly or not that the likelihood of reinjury increases after 1000 innings or so. That’s why they didn’t extend Strasburrg yet and decided not to offer a long term deal to JZ. Could look smart in the long term.
But someone is going to give them 6-7 years each.
The Cardinals giving up Kolten Wong just seems flat out dumb. He’s still extremely young and has flashed countless amounts of potential, with the glove, the bat, and on the bases. He has a lot of power potential and has proven it on the biggest stage with a sensational 2014 playoffs. He’ll only continue to get better. While Freeman is good, that’s way to big of a haul to give up for St. Louis.
You wildly overrate Wong. He’s nothing that special, just an average everyday guy. Freeman has a way higher ceiling and is only a year older than Wong.
Freeman may have a higher ceiling than Wong but I wouldn’t trade Wong, Adams, and cooney for freeman. No matter how good he is. Just got that feeling that deal would be one-sided.
Freeman is already at his ceiling……he is who he is…..
What….
Really? He was projected to have his highest HR totals before what was to be a nagging wrist injury on June 17 vs. BOS. He looked like he would hit 30 HR, easily, which he has never his more than 23. Freeman will hit for average and is adding a power stroke, not to mention being one of the highest AVG w/RISP over the last few years. He has not hit his ceiling.
He just seems to be one of those guys that every year they say he’s going to break out….. and he’s very good….. but I don’t see him getting a lot better…….just my opinion.
Which isn’t a very good one. Clearly your observations of Freeman are limited and your Cardinals bias is apparent. This is why we’re Arm Chair GMs
Davis looks to go to a team that is willing to spend like the Jays, Mariners, Angels, or Astros. I’m thinking Astros.
I don’t think the astros will, they have plenty of dh options and that reed guy in the farm who looks like he is ready to come up. the angels I doubt because they have pujols and cron.
Freeman is underrated, if you ask me. To me, he belongs in that tier with AJ Pollock of guys that are left out of talks of being the best in MLB. For many years it was because he came up in Heyward’s shadow. Now, without JHey, Freeman needs some protection. Even without any he was hitting until the unfortunate wrist injury. When he’s healthy, he’s about as consistent as they come. For me, ATL shouldn’t trade him without an overpay because their ability to compete at high level would be pushed back by at least 2 years by his departure. ATL can afford him both now and when his price increases.
I read some place that the Braves said they aren’t trading Freeman.
Stats speak for themselves. Freeman played 118 games (73% of the season) and hit 18 HR’s. Projections put him at 24.6 HR’s….his best was 23. Not a big change. OPS has been fairly steady his whole career (6 yrs). BA peaked in 2013, dipped a lot in 2015 (wrist injury contributed, I’m sure)…..slash line for his career is .285/.366/.466/.832. His defense is solid, but his DWAR is a negative number. He’s a solid player, no doubt. Many teams would be lucky to have him. I just don’t see very much “upside” here on offense….maybe he’ll stroke 30 HR’s some year……
He had 12 HR in 66 games leading up to his nagging wrist injury, which in a full season should be 30+. You’re projecting him while he was playing with a nagging injury. If he’s healthy, his totals would be greater, as the first 66 games of 2015 would suggest. Even Stevie Wonder sees the upside.
Completely agree smelliott. …..
I got a notification that the o’s are not going to offer davis a contract between 150-175 , so my guess he is not going to re-sign with them,
The Pirates need him badly but they won’t pay.
Should the Cards sign Heyward for 8/200 or Davis for 7/165?
I hope the angels sign heyward, they need a lefty bat and a left fielder. either heyward or gordon and I’ll be happy with that, the o’s better come up with a contract for davis because I don’t think christian walker is ready to take over unless they trade for ryan howard.
Heyward it’s going to be twice as much money as Gordon……or close
Arte said he’s willing to go over the luxury tax this year for the right players
If LAA had Heyward to go with Trout, you would only need 2 OF.
And Calhoun is emerging and is very under rated , would be one of the best outfields.
Just have Simmons, Trout, Heyward, and Calhoun take the field and everyone else a DH. I might subscribe to MLB Network just to watch the defense — and I’m a Braves fan. Have fun watching those guys…
I was really shocked the angels pulled off that trade and when the mets asked for simmons and the braves wanted Harvey or Degrom, It’s a steal for the angels but I was upset that they gave up sean newcomb, and I heard eppler values defense , so hopefully they go over the luxury tax and add heyward.
They asked that much because it’s an in-division trade, not because he was actually worth Harvey/degrom/etc
Yes and no for me. I love watching Simmons, but we really need our SS offensively producing. He never really found his spot in the order, which is partially Fredi’s fault, but if we either had more offensive parts, I couldn’t see him being traded. That being said, I really like what little I’ve seen of Newcomb. Really have high hopes for him and Kolby Allard to be front-line starters (fingers crossed) to go with Touki, Tyrell and anyone else.
Newcomb had a lot of upside, he reminds me a lot of jon lester,
I’m leaning toward Davis, only because he fills a greater need. We have enough outfielders in-house (piscotty, grichuk, Pham) although the outfield would need addressing in future off-seasons after Holliday eventually departs. Those 3 are all young, controllable and have shown power potential.
It comes down to impact. Davis would have more impact (barely) than Heyward would, and would be slightly cheaper. Not to mention, Holliday would also see more pitches to hit with Davis slotted hitting 4th.
I think that they end up costing the same per year. ….but Heyward gets more years……maybe even 10 with an opt out after 5 or 6)
I really hope Arte and Billy Eppler decide to go all in for Heyward or Alex Gordon plus an ace, and I forgot about Zobrist.
Agreed, every team should be going after them, they have the best chance of being good value picks.
Those moves will put the angels back on top for a deep playoff run imo, it’s what they were missing last year
Either one would put them in good shape as long as they add a pitcher.
Out of those two I would say Davis.
Cards will be smart with Wainwight coming back, I can see the signing a pitcher like Zimmerman or Chen. I think all smart teams would want them.
Definitely not Davis for that amount…. I’ve never seen such an inconsistent first baseman. In the contract’s first season there’s the risk that he only hits 15-20 hrs, which is what you’re paying him for since he’s going to strike out 200 times
Davis is high at $165, but these guys are getting ridiculous salaries. If Davis drops under $140 million, the Orioles are back at the table.
Agreed in a market with a lack of second baseman and plenty of decent first base options out there, I wouldn’t be willing to give up wong
Agreed. STL is not foolish enough to make such a trade.
Agree……totally
Braves don’t envision 2B as a major area of need, and Adams being Freeman’s replacement is not enticing. With all of that, Cooney is not all that enticing to make up for that. Now, Priscotty would be an interesting return.
The Braves aren’t foolish enough to take that trade. My god Cardinal fans over value worse than Braves fans and we’re notoriously bad at it
The main value for Wong is his defensive abilities and his offensive potential. Matt Adams in one full year is also capable of having a Freedie Freeman type season and the Cardinals pitching prospects are getting thin. That would be a bad trade for both sides, especially St. Louis. Its not about “overvaluing players”.. its about weakening the farm system and giving away already proven young talent.
I agree.. Wongs defense alone is worth keeping him.
The Cards won the most games in the majors last year, I don’t see them trading any of their regulars.
The Shelby Miller trade is terrible. The Braves could get a lot more than 2 minor players that lack power. Miller should get you a top prospect that will have a impact. McKinney is a OBA outfielder and Contreras is not a very good catcher at all. Braves would need to bring back young starting pitcher prospects in a return for Miller.
Agree, if it was Baez, McKinney & Contreras then that’s a fairly even trade for 4 years of Miller.
don’t you think the cubs would make up that kind of package to get salazar or carrasco ?
Maybe but the indians do not want to trade either one of them. Pitching is becoming more valuable than hitting. Back of rotation pitchers are getting $10 million + a year.
Could make a package for sonny gray but he would cost more then Carrasco and Salazar.
Sonny Gray is “not available”….from everything that I’ve heard. ….
so they say , but if somebody makes up the right package for him then beane will accept it I bet. but if it was the cubs , it will have to start with schwarber prolly
Cubs need to keep Schwarber
boston could be that team if it’s not the cubs, they have the two deepest systems in baseball to come close to what the a’s would want in return.
Boston tried twice and was turned down by the A’s. Aces are in such high demand that a team would need to empty out their top 5 prospects for a ace. Beane wants to contend this year so Gray will not be traded for any amount of prospects.
I don’t see the a’s contending again for awhile, he traded away Donaldson which was a big mistake, and after they traded cespedes , I think they lost their mojo, he gave the team a spark and they won when he was playing.
Contending means keeping above a .500 record. The astros are the only team that could pull away in the AL west. The other 2 divisions are getting more competitive. If the A’s can rebuild their bullpen they can contend for a WC spot.
the angels could if they make the right moves
Angels need to sign a ace starter. They also need a catcher and closer. If they sign a Price or Greinke they would have a dominating starting staff.
I think they could be a dark horse for price, but I honestly think Zimmermann would fit there, or Price, but they signed soto to back up Perez. I believe eppler will fill those needs
FYI it’s 3 years now
Contreras won the AA batting title – and when prospect rankings are out /redone he will be either # 1 or #2 in their system. G Torres is ranked #1 and equal to Braves top SS prospect in MLB top 100 rankings.
I hate that trade too, but in the other direction. McKinney is going to be a beast. Cubs have other quality high upside players in the minors that would be a better fit. Besides, I’m not convinced that Miller is anything more than a solid #4 rotation guy. He was highly touted, but doesn’t get very many K’s, because he’s not a power pitcher.
they could use McKinney for another package for one of the indians pitchers
Carrasco >>>>Miller…….
Sure, no one is debating that. But ATL will not want what CLE will want for Carrasco.
McKinney lacks power and is a corner outfielder because of a weak throwing arm. Offensively he will be Adam Eaton like stats. Good solid hitter #6 hitter.
If ATL doesn’t come back with a package including Soler – they’d be selling low on Miller. That would help address OF, which would be convenient considering we sold Heyward to get the piece that would get us Soler.
rundmc, you and I are always on the same page. Soler is who the Braves need. No other name pops out to me like his.
I think you guys are over – valuing Miller………again, just my opinion
Once again not a very good opinion. Miller (no fault of his own) broke one of the most obscure records in MLB. If he was on a team that had run support he would have been a 20 game winner. You can say what you want about him but he was better than most of the Cardinals rotation last year.
I think the major difference here is that I value bats over pitching….which admittedly is “old school” thinking. I would covet Soler’s potential power numbers over Miller’s potential “Ace potential”……and I saw Miller pitch when he was with St Louis. Anyway……I don’t see any of the trades in this article happening….and it seems we all agree on THAT…..lol
Thing is, Miller has already proven himself at the MLB level. What has Soler proven? He hasn’t broken out. Miller’s shown he can attain his ceiling which can be a poor team’s ace, and a 2-3 in an excellent rotation. This seems like another example of prospects being overvalued for proven MLB players.
As a matter of fact, the other pitcher that you got in the trade for Heyward is probably going to be better than Miller
Well, that was the initial expectations…and Miller was just the high-upside pitcher with MLB experience coming off a down year. But yeah, Jenkins was the main target when they couldn’t get Carlos Martinez – from what I’ve heard.
I play softball with a few former Cardinal minor league guys…..they all say Jenkins is a little crazy, but has a Huge upside…..very talented.
That’d be a great get…but I doubt the Cubs taking it.
no way the braves would trade freeman for that kind of package, I think if there is a team that would trade for freeman it would be boston
Freeman trade — Personally, it doesn’t look half bad. Adams isn’t anything special, then you get 2 really good young players in Cooney and Wong.
Pollock deal — It would take more to get Pollock for me. You’re talking 3 years of a potential super star kind of player in exchange for a might-be #2 and a prospect that has some question marks.
Chapman deal — seems about right.
Not enought for Shelby Miller
Too much for CarGo.
I highly doubt the Cubs trade Contreras for anyone other than as part of a package for a potential TOR starter. Contreras will be top 50 prospect at a position the Cubs need
C’mon Duquette. You’re better than that. Braves make neither of those trades. No chance, Jim.
Agree!
Pretty clear why Jim Duquette why Duquette is no longer a major league GM.
That, and his Scott Kazmir for Victor Zambrano trade.
I totally agree with Duquette the braves should send Freddie Freeman to St Louis for Kolten Wong, Matt Adams and Tim Cooney.The Cardinals are giving a lot of talents to the Braves,it would work for both teams.Then Cardinals can make a trade for Lawrie of the A’s to play second base or let him play third and put back matt carpenter in second base.
And those two trade ideas are why it says “Former GM” in front of his name. They are both bad ideas all around. Wong is a talented player that I’d love to have but 2B is not as big of an area of need as 3B or C is. Makes no sense in trading away the biggest asset we have for a position that is already serviceable. Not to mention the fact that we don’t have an answer for everyday 1B at the moment. So we’d have to trade or sign someone.
I know in the Card trade idea Wes get Matt Adams but he’s streaky and if he were everything he was hyped to be then the Cards wouldn’t be needing and everyday 1B
Matt Adams, Kolten Wong and starting pitcher Tim Cooney for Freeman??? No Thank You. Cards are not giving up Wong.
With suggestion’s like that (involving the Braves) is it any wonder that J. Duquette is a ‘former’ GM?
I believe the d backs and the braves can make a trade, it is known the d backs want pitching julio t shellby m for aj pollock ……….. maybe a couple more pieces coming from the braves? Then the diamondbacks sign a bat . Instead of wasting money on pitchers they can buy a bat or two I hear they have a new TV deal. Maybe justin Upton J hey cespedes ? On the braves side they have pitching coming maybe contending 2017?