For a rundown of some of the top Cuban talents who could soon be on their way to Major League Baseball, MLB.com’s Jesse Sanchez lists several Cuban players who are full free agents and some who are subject to the July 2 international signing limits. Some of the free agents have yet to be officially declared as such due to paperwork, including righty Yaisel Sierra, who is considered to be the top Cuban player available on the open market this offseason. Here’s some more from around baseball…
- The Mets are one of many teams to contact Ben Zobrist’s agent but the Yankees don’t appear to be in the running, according to Ken Davidoff and Dan Martin of the New York Post. The Yankees aren’t willing to pay what is likely to be a pretty significant price tag for Zobrist considering the number of teams interested in his services, and are more apt to upgrade their roster through trades rather than major free agent signings. The Mets, meanwhile, would use Zobrist to replace Daniel Murphy at second, and also give him some time in the outfield.
- Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly says his team’s payroll will drop from its $300MM threshold in 2015 to much closer to the $200MM level, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports. The vast Dodger payrolls of the first few years under the Guggenheim group’s ownership were meant to ensure the team could stay competitive while rebuilding the farm system, and once this young talent starts to emerge, the spending will drop. Boehly thinks “sustainable is more like the league average [payroll], plus some, or plus a lot.” As Shaikin notes, this still leaves the Dodgers with the flexibility to maintain a payroll at or near the luxury tax level every year.
- Bobby Witt, Yovani Gallardo’s agent, discussed his client’s free agency with Jim Memolo and Brad Lidge of MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (Twitter links). Gallardo is looking for a long-term deal, Witt said, which is why he rejected the Rangers’ one-year qualifying offer. Witt said that a market for his client has yet to really develop and it may take time until the pitchers at the top of the market (i.e. David Price and Zack Greinke) pick their next teams.
- In their end-of-season discussions, the Indians briefly considered using Jason Kipnis in the outfield next season with Jose Ramirez taking over at second, Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer writes. The team abandoned the idea, however, since Kipnis is just too valuable at the keystone. Cleveland is in dire need of outfield help and may need to make a big trade to fill the void, Pluto argues.
- More Indians outfield possibilities are discussed by Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer as part of a reader mailbag, though Hoynes doubts the Tribe is quite ready to trade one of its highly-touted starters for an everyday outfielder. Michael Brantley’s status will be a big factor, as if it looks like his injury rehab will keep him out longer than expected, Cleveland may have no choice but to trade a pitcher or sign a notable free agent.
- The Phillies should trade Ken Giles while his value is at its highest, Jake Kaplan of the Philadelphia Inquirer opines. Giles isn’t even eligible for arbitration until 2018, so he carries much more cost-effective and long-term value than other notable closers on the trade market like Aroldis Chapman, Jonathan Papelbon or Mark Melancon. A rebuilding team like the Phillies, Kaplan argues, has little need for a top closer.
I think the Dodgers should look at Yovani Gallardo he would be a great fit there
A RH Brett Anderson?
Astros can offer some OF depth to Indians for, or as part of a deal including Carrasco…. Tucker? Marisnick? Especially the second one would a great defensive upgrade and is starting-ready. If not carrasco maybe good bullpen arm
Indians would need much more than that to get it done
JBJ and Henry Owens for Carrasco?
Carrasco for Moncado, Owens and one more might keep Cleveland on the phone.
And that’s when the Red Sox hang up.
Yup. I don’t think there’s a match there. Boston would be better just grabbing Greinke and one other FA SP and calling it a day right now.
Red Sox arent moving Moncada for anything less than a top level starting pitcher above carrascos level especially if they add in a Henry Owens
What can Ken Giles bring back in return for the Phillies?
Article states..”If a team is willing to include in a package for Giles at least one prospect the Phillies project to be a productive everyday position player or a front-to-middle-of-the-rotation starter, that is a move worth making.”
Tigers should offer one of Ryan,Farmer, Lobstein, maybe Boyd or outfielder Moya and then a lower tier pitching prospect. All four are young and have major league experience. They are in the mix for the 5th spot in Detroit’s rotation in 2016. Moya is a monster,(I think 6’7″ 245lbs.) Lots of power who needs to cut down on strikeouts.
Phillies get 2 pitchers or Moya and a pitcher. One of the three could make the Phillies rotation in 2016 and Detroit get a closer. The $$’s Detroit has allocated for a closer could go to upgrade their SP FA options or LF.
Moya plus lower tier pitcher, i’m in.
I think Hill keeps Phily on the line a little more than Moya, but that’s, my own personal preference, either one and a pitcher gets it done.
One thing the Kimbrel trade did was blow away the trade market on closers, Giles is in a way, more valuable than Kimbrel, Miller, Chapman and Melancon because he costs nothing and isn’t a FA until 2021, so part of me expects whoever trades for him will have to give up as much if not more than what Boston did for Kimbrel.
Or Phily can keep him and raise his value even higher next year to whoever doesn’t sign Chapman or Melancon.
The only thing with Giles is that he doesn’t have a lengthy career of success. He’s been dominant for his two years, but I think teams are still wondering if he’s the rare consistent reliever (i.e. Kimbrel, Chapman). He’s certainly a better bargain than Kimbrel for his current performance, but I think Philadelphia would be better off moving him now, because they can’t risk him getting the unexplainable “bug” that oftentimes hits relief pitchers
Interesting that the Mets, who know Murphy best, would prefer to have Zobrist. I’m assuming that’s because they are valuing the relative total contract cost vs. return. But does remind people that a huge contract for Murphy might end up being an albatross.
Zobrist is just a better all-around player, and when you add in his versatility (plus the fact that Murphy leaving nets them a pick), their preference makes even more sense. I also wonder if they would try to use him at third to spell Wright. He’s almost never played there, but I wouldn’t put that past him.
don’t understand all this love for Zobrist. nice player to have on your team but at the prices/years being discussed for a 35-year old utility player, seems that money could be better put to use.
Zobrist is one of the premier second basemen in MLB and may well be so over the next few seasons. He also happens to be one of the most versatile players in the sport, but the main reason he will command such a large contract is that he is very good and the best available player at his position. A team that needs a starting second baseman will sign him to a large contract and my guess is it will be the Mets since they have shown an affinity for signing older players to large contracts as a way of complementing their young core (cf. the Granderson, Colon, and Cuddyer contracts.) My guess is he gets something similar to what Granderson got; he is older but arguably better and demand is certainly greater. Remember, Victor Martinez got $68m for his age 36-39 seasons last offseason so a large contract for an older player isn’t so farfetched.
well, the victor martinez contract proves there’s a sucker born every minute. i suspect the tigers would like a re-do on that contract. or the yankees deal with carlos beltran. I’m sure you’re right……someone is going to pork up big $$$/multi years for Zoebrist. I wouldn’t consider him a “premier” player but that’s just my opinion. As I said…a nice utility player.
Victor is a DH. Zobrist will actually have to play the field at 35-38
Call me crazy, but after his strong postseason and being a veteran leader on a champion team in addition to all his other qualities and current hype, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Zobrist land a Hanley-type deal.
It is kind of weird that a guy who has 10.1 fWAR over the last 5 years, or even 11.9 over his last 4 when got a 4/88 deal when his performance wasn’t as good, when no one thinks Zobrist and his 24.7 fWAR over his last 5 years or 18.4 over his last 4 will sniff that. Steamer has Hanley at 2.2 WAR next year and Zobrist at 3.1. Zobrist is only 2 years older than Hanley with less injuries over his career too.
I think for all his outstanding work over the last decade or so, if there ever was a guy who deserved to be overpaid, its Ben Zobrist.
Those are all really good points, but I still have a tough time seeing Zobrist getting that much money. For starters, he’ll be 35 next season. Second, the Hanley contract was a big overpay, imo, and if memory serves, people considered it one as soon as it was announced.
I do think he’ll get more than MLBTR predicted, though (3/$51M)
I think this would be a perfect trade for both teams. Since the tribe has a surplus of pitching and the blue jays have a surplus of offence they should make a deal. Im thinking Carlos Carrasco for Ben Revere, and Sean Reid-Foley. Both carrasco and revere are relatively young and controlled while not costing very much. Reid-Foley is one of torontos better pitching prospects. So while Cleveland loses a good starting pitcher, they get an amazing outfielder back with a nice young pitching prospect. Works out for both teams while keeping payroll available for more signings.
Revere isn’t exactly amazing. He’s a nice player, but he’s not a great defensive player in center, which is Cleveland’s big need in the outfield, and his lack of power makes him an average at best hitter. I’m not too familiar with Reid-Foley, but Revere is not the outfielder Cleveland is looking for if they’ll move Carrasco