In response to a reader question about Matt Holliday as a possible trade candidate, MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch doubts the Cardinals would move a such strong bat since the team’s main winter goal is to add offense. Langosch isn’t sure if the Cards have any interest in dealing Holliday or if he would accept a trade via his 10-and-5 veto rights. Even at age 35 and battling injuries last season, Holliday still posted a very respectable .279/.394/.410 line over 277 plate appearances. 2016 is his last guaranteed year under contract (St. Louis has a $17MM club option on him for 2017) so it’s also not like Holliday is a long-term roadblock for the club’s upcoming young outfielders. Here’s some more from around baseball as we look forward to leftover turkey tomorrow…
- The Astros aren’t likely to be big players for Chris Davis, a source familiar with the situation tells Evan Drelllich of the Houston Chronicle. Davis will command a big price and Houston already has a lot of high-power, high-strikeout hitters. I myself speculated that Davis and the Astros could be a fit in my Astros Offseason Outlook piece, under the logic that the team needs a big left-handed bat, Davis is a Texas native and first base would be open if Chris Carter and Evan Gattis were non-tendered. Drellich’s piece looks at that first base situation for the Astros, and the presence of prospects Tyler White and A.J. Reed might also make a Davis signing unlikely.
- Six general managers who recently spoke with Peter Gammons believe the Red Sox will sign David Price this offseason. “Boston will go $30-40M above anyone else” to land Price, one NL GM opines. This is just the latest chatter connecting Price to the Sox, and while Gammons writes that “some feel he is uneasy about Boston, but David is so sophisticated, so talented and so intelligent he will make the best of any situation.” Another GM, however, speculates that the Cardinals could be the ones to make the big play for Price, passing on re-signing Jason Heyward in the process.
- Gammons shares some more chatter from his sources, including “a lot of John Lackey and Alex Gordon to the Cubs speculation.”
- Recently designated players like John Axford, Daniel Nava, A.J. Griffin, Danny Hultzen and Wilin Rosario could all be intriguing targets for the Padres, Jeff Sanders of the San Diego Union-Tribune opines. The first three are free agents, Hultzen was outrighted off the Mariners’ 40-man roster and Rosario is still in DFA limbo.
- Fangraphs’ Eno Sarris tries to identify some of the smaller-name or underrated relief arms on the open market that could blossom into bargain pickups. The Cubs are one example of a club that has built an entire bullpen (and a strong one, at that) out of such under-the-radar pitchers, as Sarris notes.
- One of the underlying stories of 2016 will be the negotiations between MLB and the players union over the next Collective Bargaining Agreement, ESPN’s Jayson Stark writes. Stark’s piece highlights some of the major issues that are likely to play a big role in the upcoming talks, ranging from revenue sharing, free agency and the qualifying offer, the length of the season, a possible international amateur draft and more. Another interesting topic could be how the league may address teams “tanking” several seasons in an attempt to rebuild, and possible solutions include a draft lottery or a rule prohibiting teams from drafting in the top five in consecutive seasons.
- The good news about the CBA talks is that multiple sources on both sides tell Stark that everyone wants to keep the labor peace that baseball has enjoyed for over two decades. “It’s a 9-and-a-half-billion dollar industry. Nobody is going to want to blow it up,” one source tells Stark.
Peter Gammons optimistic about the Red Sox?! Shocker. I liked him so much more before I knew how much of a saux homer he is.
What country have you been living in? If your just finding this out now your a newb of epic proportions
too funny. gammons is gammons, like him or not…
No offense to Stark, but his article is basically just a re-hash of what Nathaniel Grow wrote at FanGraphs a few weeks back in his two-part series about the next CBA.
In offense to Stark, Grow’s article(s) are better written.
fangraphs.com/blogs/an-early-preview-of-mlbs-2016-…
fangraphs.com/blogs/an-early-preview-of-mlbs-2016-…
This is the best comment of the week so far
I could see each of those five players mentioned fitting into Padres roster. I really like Hultzen and hope he can turn his career around and become the type of player he was projected to be before injuries.
Also just because a team may offer more money doesn’t mean a player will go there, at least if they decide to just focus on the money solely.
Hultzen and Griffin remind me of what the dodgers and royals did last year with medlen and beachy. Wouldnt be too bad if the padres gave them a shot, plus maybe moving hultzen to the bullpen as the lefty specialist might be what his career needs and padres need one.
Rosario is interesting. If they sign him that all but moves norris out of SD.
why would signing wilin rosario move a catcher out of any place that catcher already was
any american league contender could pick him up for a dh
Sanders’ piece really could have been headlined “Five DFA’ed Players I’ve Heard Of: Please increase my page views via listicle!”
As Mark notes, Hultzen is no longer available and Rosario makes no sense for a team that just claimed the cheaper version of him this week.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Cardinals land Price they have that new tv deal with FSN Midwest so they have money to spend
Seriously Red Sox, if you could just try 10 million more than everyone else before going 30 or 40 million that would be nice.
Well, considering the total ticket likely to be paid, $10M might seem like a rounding error. $30-40M–now, that’s money.
I think David Price will go wherever the most money is, this will be his last contract
I learned to ignore anything Gammons writes about the Red Sox long ago.
Alex Gordon to the Cubs doesn’t make much sense unless he plays center, which he’s never done in the Majors per BBRef, or Soler gets traded for starting pitching. Schwarber is going to be in one of the corner OF spots in 2016 and makes most sense in LF.
I know the playoffs are a very small sample, but watching Schwarber play LF the way he did almost makes someone like Manny Ramirez look like a gold glover.
Is he a poor catcher? Obviously that spot is blocked by Montero anyway, but maybe they can trade Montero for a pitcher and put Schwarber at Catcher? (If he can catch well that is. I don’t know, which is why I’m asking ).
If I recall correctly, he was decent behind the dish, but he didn’t pop up real well, and as such had a hard time throwing out anyone. He also wasnt a ringer on accuracy if I remember right. I like Swarber and think he could be a great hitter, but he’s got DH written all over him. Unless the NL decides to finally adopt the DH position next year, I kind of think they should shop him around a bit and see if they could snag a good rotation arm off the trade market so they don’t have to make a play for Price.
You don’t recall correctly, he is worse than replacement level defensively at catcher. There’s little in his minor league career to think that’s turning around. Dude’s a DH. Cubs are doing their due diligence on outfield upgrades. If the price is right, they’ll trade Scwharber. He’s a DH and they don’t need that.
Schwarber had never played the outfield before his call up. SSS, on the national stage, but he did OK considering. He’ll never win a GG, but will put the work in.
As far as his backstop skills goes, all reports are that he had come a long way, with a long way to go, in less then a year in MiLB. He basically had no advanced training, even in college. His bat forced his way onto the MLB roster, for good reason; he’ll put the work in. With Montero signed for 2 more years. and Contreras coming fast, he has time. The hope is he can platoon with Contreras (who also can play 3rd) and play LF on other days. Joe loves him some flexability.
Tell “Joe” we all said hi
He had some awkward line drives find him in the postseason. He played a decent LF in the regular season considering he’s already played more games there in the Majors than he did in the Minors. He’s a good athlete, especially considering his size, so given some time to work on his routes, he’ll be more than serviceable out there. His bat will make up for the rest of it.
I’d rule out a trade unless it’s for a world-beating starting pitcher and then some. By all accounts, Schwarber is on the untouchable list with Rizzo, Bryant and Russell.
Montero is working with Schwarber over the winter, so we’ll see what he looks like coming into the spring. Best case, he can get some starts behind Miggy and David Ross in 2016 and platoon with Contreras in 2017 while getting the rest of his starts in LF.
I dont think its a good idea for a team that is looking to contend to have an inexperienced catcher handling their pitching staff. It makes much more sense to have him play LF full time and catch part time and learn from a veteran until Montero’s contract is up after the 2017 season.
I can’t see the Cubs signing Gordon and Lackey. That would mean the only pick the Cubs have in the first two rounds would be compensation for Fowler.
Price won’t go to Bosox. Club house is caustic with Hanley and Panda. Run away! Run away!
Rooster—-you hit it on the nose!! Take a little less, (at what he’ll get, it won’t make much difference), go to a solid team, a perennial contenders, good clubhouse mix, and enjoy the rest of his career!! Sounds more and more like a good fit for him and the Cardinals!
Imo, it will come down to the Cubs and the Cardinals. Chicago wins the recruiting battle with sales pitches from Joe Maddon and Theo Epstein leading the way.
I still say money will be the biggest determiner. It always usually is.
Price isnt going to Boston regardless of what their awful FO offers him. In case you didnt watch baseball before 2014 (Royals fans) Price hates Boston and Ortiz said he would beat him up.
Awful front office? Are you delusional?
When did Ortiz say that? Source?
Where would Gordon play on the Cubs?
At 18 to 20 per year, he won’t
Hypothetically speaking sir.
The Cubs need Gordon like they need a hole in their head. They already have four corner outfielders. So, why add another one for $100 million?
Gammons shouldn’t listen to agents when trying to gauge a teams interest in a player. The agent is trying to drive up player value.
“Six general managers who recently spoke with Peter Gammons believe the Red Sox will sign David Price this offseason.”
Assuming Gammons polled all the G.M.’s, that would leave 24 believing he signs elsewhere. My money (all 2 cents worth) says he signs with the Cubs, reuniting with manager Joe Maddon and helping them finally win a World Series along the way.
Gammons shares some more chatter from his sources, including “a lot of John Lackey and Alex Gordon to the Cubs speculation.”
John Lackey makes some sense, especially with his connection to Theo Epstein and Jon Lester from his Red Sox days. Lackey would make a fine addition as a #3 pitcher in the Cubs rotation behind Jake Arrieta and Lester. It’s also conceivable that the Cubs could sign both Lackey and David Price this off-season and just keep all their vaunted young position players and prospects in the process. A rotation of Price, Arrieta, Lester, Lackey and Kyle Hendricks or Jason Hammel would be second to none.
Alex Gordon makes less sense. The Cubs need a CF, preferably one who could also assume the lead-off role as well. There has been a lot of speculation in Chicago recently about a potential match up of the White Sox and Cubs, primarily centering on pitcher Jose Quintana for some core help to aid an impotent lineup on the south side. Javier Baez and/or Jorge Soler have been mentioned as possibilities heading back to the White Sox. Perhaps another potential fit between the White Sox and Cubs can be explored, maybe one involving Adam Eaton going to the north side separately or in an expanded deal. In such a scenario, the Cubs might be willing to part with Kyle Schwarber, a player the White Sox would covet as a power hitting DH/LF/C. A possible mega deal involving both Quintana and Eaton as centerpieces for a package that might include some combination of Schwarber, Baez, Soler, and perhaps a future CF in Albert Almora could be feasible and help both clubs in the short and long term.
the cubs could also make a run at jordan zimmermann
I was really excited this fall when the news spread about Price coming to the Cubs. My heart still would love that signing. But as I have been watching trade rumors daily, I’m not so sure to be honest. Really If I had that cash I’m not so sure I’d go that direction. Look what happened to the Yankees. The Cubs have money and options. To blow 220 Million on Price would about wipe out everything except a few little trade deals here and there. Anyone who is dreaming of any of the BIG 4 (Price, Greinke, Zimmermann or Cueto) on the same team or 2 of the 4 on the same team is dreaming and it wont happen it wont even be close. Add 2nd tier to those names like Lackey, Samardzija – Even to land one Big 4 and 1 2nd tier would be a gift from the Gods. Not to mention so much talent is out there, which in my opinion is really going to off set this Winter’s market. Lets forget about those pitchers, and look at others – The BIG 4 Players (Davis, Heyward, Upton, Cespedes,) then the 2nd tier Gordon, Zobrist, – Not to mention Fowler, Murphy, and Desmond – Those guys wont command $200 Million on the bottom of this list but the likes of the BIG 4 are going to be close esp Davis and Heyward if not right there. WHO GOT MONEY FOR THAT DAMEY? YOU? Don’t say the Yankees cause they are not the same Yanks and long ago were here is my Black card have fun. The Dodgers pay role is so screwed up right now they be lucky to match for Greinke and seeking a 6 year deal at 32 meaning he will be 38 when it is all said and done may not got the job done. a 5 year 165M deal might get it done. I see the Giants probably offering him something like that maybe 5 year 170 deal or 6 year back loaded or out options.
The Dogers can’t afford Price and are not going to get him so forget it. No one wants the Dogers blown high deals they did with Kept and those guys. They are 40% yes 40% over the Lux tax this year and will go up next year. IF I say IF they can find suckers to get rid of that payroll burden then they are back into action. Their best best is lower end pitcher or If they can swing it Zimmerman. Boston would be stupid to pay $30 to 40 Million over Price’s highest offer. He wants 7 to 8 years that reaching into 36 / 37 years of age, to long of a gamble. I don’t really think any pf the big 4 will repeat the year they had. They are all great but you won’t see a 1.6 something ERA from G. Price wont do a 20 year win season. Even the Cubs ace I don’t think will repeat a year as he did have. *I look for Lester to settle in now and be the Cubs ace and hit 18 wins..You heard it here first. So its not all that easy with everyone out there. The Cubs were smart they go after Zimmerman hard, get Lacky and go after Gordon, that would be a WINNER in the WINTER! My option. Skip Price and Grek. The Cubs do need a centrer field guy, not to mention some bull pen help, but yes a great starter would be great but 220M, 230, 240 hmmm maybe not. Just imagine if your dad said here is $300,000 buy yourself anything you want or a nice Exotic sports car you always dreamed about. $300 Grand in your hand – you zoom down to Toys are US lol and tell the salesman I have 300K to send from my dad I’m in the market for a exotic car. There is the LAMBO (PRICE)- it just came in. Black, or Yellow or what ever color, all 720 HP – 300 G sure you would be the the talk of the town, talk of the block and no doubt have the best car around and those women would be all over you. But think there goes your 300K – You also have to think the maintenance on that car its about 10K a month btw. I know lol. Don’t forget insurance, and what if your showing off one day say in a year and you blow the engine, then its over. Maybe you don’t like the Lambo. There is that beautiful red Ferrari (Greinke) its almost the same thing, a bit faster but not as a statement maker like the Lambo. But close that drop you $280 K but the maintenace, Insurance and everything about the same. Do you really want to do that. Now you could get yourself a lower tier car like a nice Porsche $120K to150K (Zimmerman) and have some money left over to buy a nice Harley motorcycle, or a motorcycle if your not a Harley guy. That would work. You go go another way and buy a nice house say $220 K and a Motorcycle or a nice Truck for $50K – Or even go one lower and buy a Viper for $120K, and Motorcycle say 15K or so, take a vacation to Hawaii and bank some money. You have 300K to do what you want with. Maybe buy a Vette for 80 to 100K Buy a Truck for 50K, buy that Bike for 15 – 20K, take that vacation, and have some spending money. So think of the Price thing in that prospective. WHAT WOULD YOU DO? I love the Lambo, I can’t have the Lambo and the Ferrari, I think I buy that truck 50K, Buy that Viper 120K, Buy that Bike 20K, Go to Hawaii, bank the rest. Thats what I would do. YOU? The End. Mike
Could trade for an ace and sign john lackey?
Gordon would play center if they got him. Again as someone posted getting Price and Lacky would be a gift from the Gods. I just don’t see the money there. Price will probably go to Boston if his heart int he money. If he will take less and go to the Cubs then all the more power, but at the very least it going to be 200 Million at the very least. – Then your looking at the Cubs doing minor trades and BS the rest of the winter maybe getting Span, for Center.
Personally I still Like Zimmerman and Lacky if they can sign that deal then maybe going after a Heyward. Even a Shark and Lacky and Heyward would work. Or start trading some people.
They can dump, a starting pitcher, Castro, Beize, Solor, even a Catcher, so they need to do something here, cause once the chip falls the whole damn house is coming down.
It was like two weeks ago that Gammons was saying that price didn’t want to pitch in Boston and he wasn’t going there?
Pick a lane, Pete.
Just so the writer(s) know, Holiday has a full no-trade clause in his contract, as well as the 10-5 protection. Jenifer Langosch should have known this, as she covers the Cardinals on a regular basis for MLB.com. Not very thorough in researching for an article.
I will be pissed if the Cubs sign Lackey. Don’t be the team that awards an over the hill pitcher for 1 good year with a multiple year contract. Hendricks had a better 2015 than Lackey had in 2014. Lackey has a career ERA near 4 and a WHIP north of 1.30…… and he’s 37. He’s going to command $17M per season. On a 1 year deal, fine, roll the dice and hope and pray he can repeat his out of the blue 2015. But he is rumored to want a 3 year deal. Not worth it. Since joining Boston and not counting 2015, he has an ERA of 4.45 over 762+IP during that span of 4 years with a 1.36 WHIP. He’ll be the white, old version of Edwin Jackson.
not being able to have top 5 picks consecutive seasons is dumb, that’s like saying you’re not allowed to be bad for more than 1 year. I get if you did it for like 5 years to prevent an MLB version of the 76ers, but that’s a pretty bad recommendation
Baseball has the most parity of any sport so they are going to do little to change the draft. No lottery and absolutely no on teams being in top 5 picks for 2 straight years. It can take 3-4 years to rebuild a team.
Nothing can be done with the length of the season. Current TV contracts are 20+ years and they are based on a 162 game season. The cost to break ALL of those contracts would be staggering.
Look for big changes in the international free agent market. Right now it is being dominated by the big revenue clubs who will simply spend tens of millions in a year and take a couple off of big names.
Many big market clubs are angry that they pay into the revenue sharing system and then teams like the Marlins, Rays, Pirates and A’s are consistently at the bottom of the heap even though they are collecting $80 million in revenue sharing + their share of the national TV contract. The MLBPA is also angry that these teams are simply not participating in the top of the free agent market. They claim that the small number of teams bidding on top FA is driving down salaries. To get the minimum payroll levels they want, the big market teams are going to have to give up more revenue sharing. To get the small market teams to go along with a payroll minimum the MLBPA is going to have to go along with a hard cap.
The QO needs to go away. It kills most players that are offered its value.