Nick Cafardo shares his Cooperstown ballot and some hot stove items in his latest column for the Boston Globe…
- Alan Nero, Yovani Gallardo’s agent, said he had talked with teams over the last week but nothing has moved forward with his client’s situation. The Royals, Astros and Orioles were all linked to Gallardo two weeks ago, and since those teams are also finalists for Scott Kazmir’s services, Cafardo figures the two pitchers have somewhat shared markets at the moment.
- It’s looking as if the Marlins may trade lefty Mike Dunn, as Miami has received interest in the reliever. Dunn posted a 4.50 ERA, 10.8 K/9 and 2.24 K/BB rate over 54 innings in 2015, a bit of a down year following very good seasons in 2013-14. ERA indicators and advanced metrics, however, don’t show too much of a difference between Dunn in 2014 and 2015 aside from an increase in home run rate (6% to 11.1%) and walk rate (3.47 to 4.83). Dunn battled severe control problems early in his career, and Cafardo says that Dunn’s rise in walk rate has scared a few teams away. The southpaw is entering the last year of a two-year extension that will pay him $3.45MM in 2016.
- Alex Gordon “prefers to stay in Kansas City, though that dream may be fading.” According to reports earlier in the week, the Royals offered Gordon a four-year deal worth around $12MM-$13MM per season, and Gordon’s agents told the club that it has “no chance” of re-signing him at the moment.
- The Dodgers are seen as the favorites for Kenta Maeda given their need for pitching, though Cafardo also says L.A. is looking at trading for Jake Odorizzi “and/or” Alex Cobb from the Rays. Odorizzi has already been linked to the Dodgers in rumors and I would have to think that Los Angeles would just target one Rays pitcher since the prospect cost for both would be overwhelming (even if Cobb will miss at least half of 2016 recovering from Tommy John surgery).
- Rich Hill tells Cafardo that the Athletics’ “immediate” and persistent interest, pitcher-friendly O.co Coliseum and the presence of pitching coach Curt Young (Hill’s former pitching coach in Boston) all factored into his decision to sign a one-year, $6MM contract with Oakland. Hill also noted that the A’s are “giving me a chance to make those 32 starts,” and according to Yahoo’s Jeff Passan at the time of the signing, Hill turned down a larger offer from another team due to Oakland’s promise of a regular rotation spot.
Royals don’t need to get Gordon. Go for Parra who would cost less than keep eyes towards Gallardo and Kazmir
They prob not In a rush to get Gordon because he prob wants to come back giving them to fill needs else where.
Make sense little
He for sure wants to come back and they want him back. But with that offer not a chance!
You never know. If he really wants to come back he will give it some serious thought, while his agent tries to squeeze out more money from kc pockets.
After that crowd at post WS they can afford him but he must relies he no spring chicken
I agree. I watched Parra as a Dback fan. He will hit for higher average, hit 10-15 HRs and a great club house guy. We all know that he is a great defensive OF. You can probably get him for a song.
Can make a Trade for a OF.
Dunn has been ok the last few years, just flat out gets over used because the marlins never get anyone to use in the “pen because they are cheap, other than 1-2 arms every year and wear them out. Happens every few years and It’s Dunn’s turn.
Somebody get Dunn and not run him out there 4 times a week, including 3 days in a row sometimes and he’ll be just fine again. Not like his velocity has dropped from Mid 90’s+ and he CAN get RH hitters out as well as lefties, unlike some lefties making a lot more than him who can’t buy and out vs RH hitters.. Let’s introduce one overpaid Javier Lopez here…
I’d take him in Boston right now, decent pen and all it seems. He’s what Matt Thornton was 5y ago.
Madea would be a great fit for a rebuilding Atlanta braves team innings eater and could go out there and get us some wins as well
If Gordon REALLY wanted to play in KC, then he would take the $52 million for 4 years. His family will not starve despite some people thinking that it is a pittance. If I loved an area, I wouldn’t leave it unless the money was life changing. When you can get $52 million, an extra $20-25 million is not life changing…it’s just icing on the cake.
I don’t think it’s only the money. I think he wants 6-7 years on his deal around 16-18 a year. 6/90 or 7/100
You say it’s not about the money, then describe a scenario where he is wanting twice the money. Years doesn’t matter because at the end of a 4 year deal, he will sign another one AND already have $52 million (minus taxes) banked. Your scenario is of him not betting on himself and thinking he will not be as good a player in 4 years when it would be time to sign another contract. That may very well be true, but I highly doubt that is the mindset of an ego-driven athlete.
*signed an extension in the past
You gotta consider the pressure the players’ union puts on players who might sign under-market contracts. That lowers the market rate for all outfielders, even players in general, and could affect what others can get..
If I am Alex Gordon, I don’t care about the market rate for other outfielders, nor should I. If I am going to negotiate my salary, I don’t consider the ramifications for my co-workers or people doing the same job as me for another company. I think about my family and myself first and foremost. If the union doesn’t like it, then tough. But then again, I am not a very greedy person and this is all about greed.
In a career that lasted 20 years,shortstop Alan Trammel was a 6 time All-Star, had 4 Gold Gloves,3 Silver Slugger awards,and 7 years in top 20 for MVP. Had 2365 Hits,185 home runs,1003 RBI’s and a .285/.352/.415/.767 slash line with a 70.4 WAR as a shortstop.
Cafardo should not “regret” leaving him off his ballot, he should be ashamed and not show his face in public.
Do you have that kind of money to say that an extra $20-$25 mil is not lifechanging? Maybe for you but he already signed a team friendly extension. To take approx $50 mil less than what he can earn doesnt make sense. We all know hes a good guy, but the $52 mil is frankly taking advantage of him. He deserves to get paid
If I had $52 million dollars, then YES I would say that an extra $20-25 million would not be life changing. Anyone that thinks otherwise is just simply being greedy. You can live extremely comfortably and not spend $52 million dollars in 2 lifetimes, so an extra $20-25 million would not change your life one iota.
I think the royals could make a tune at trading for Blackmon or Dickerson from Colorado to replace Gordon, still leaves them money to sign Gallardo, Send Colorado Christian Colon, Miguel Almonte, and Kyle Zimmer. Colorado gets young pitching and middle infield
Depth, Royals replace Gordon’s bat and are able to sign a pitcher that can help them
I think a trade for Blackmon or Dickerson would be good for KC, send over Almonte and Zimmer plus maybe another prospect and that fills the need to replace Gordon, then sign Gallardo and you’ve got the starter they’ve been looking for. Just my opinion