The perception in the industry is that it’s “only a matter of timing” before veteran starting pitcher Chris Young re-signs with the Royals, ESPN’s Buster Olney tweets. Previous reports had indicated the two sides had been in talks, although, after pitching 123 1/3 innings with a 3.06 ERA for $675K last year, Young was looking for a deal better aligned with the quality of his performance. On a runs-allowed basis, the 36-year-old has been very useful the last two seasons despite an 87-MPH fastball and underwhelming peripherals. Here are more quick notes from the Central divisions.
- The Cardinals ultimately did not win the bidding for David Price, but their willingness to shell out big bucks to sign him was telling, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes. “We felt like we stretched in the Price situation, and we’ll stretch again if we see the right opportunity in someone who has the characteristics that he had. Those are tough to replicate,” says Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. With Price off the board, the Cardinals are now focused on re-signing star outfielder Jason Heyward. They would also still like to add starting pitching.
- The departures of several key reserves have been “addition by subtraction” for the Cardinals, Jeff Gordon of the Post-Dispatch writes. Pete Kozma (.152/.236/.152), Peter Bourjos (.200/.290/.333) and Tony Cruz (.204/.235/.310) have all departed, and the Cardinals almost can’t help but do better with their roster spots, Gordon suggests. Aledmys Diaz, Brandon Moss and Brayan Pena will all play key roles on next year’s bench.
- Heading into the Winter Meetings, Reds president of baseball operations Walt Jocketty says there’s little going on with trade talks for players other than Aroldis Chapman, MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon writes. “We really haven’t had a lot of discussion, with the exception of one player, maybe,” Jocketty says. “Other than that, it’s been pretty quiet. I don’t know what’s going to happen when we get to Nashville. It’s been pretty slow since Thanksgiving.” Todd Frazier and Jay Bruce have recently come up in rumors. Both say they would like to remain with Reds (although, of course, Frazier does not have protection from being traded and Bruce has only a limited no-trade clause).
dhud
Here’s an idea Mr. Jocketty, have you ever thought about starting the conversation?? You’re allowed to call people you know. You don’t have to sit back and hope somebody makes you an offer…
MK 3
Absolutely right DHud. Seems he has a tendancy to wait until the more aggressive teams make their moves then the mRket gets depressed for his players. Padres made a great trade for Kimbrel that Walt could have made if not waiting on them to call him.
AlphaZero
There’s a chance that Jocketty actually knows what he’s doing …
I know that we all want to see quick moves and immediate results, but let’s at least give him until the end of the meetings before we start skewering the guy. He really hasn’t lost very many trades in his time as GM of the Reds.
onlyringsmatter
Jocketty doesn’t know what he’s doing.He wanted from the Red Sox a bigger package than the one they gave for Kimbrel.Think about that
charles stevens
I will be shocked if the Cards pay Heyward.
tim815
Interesting
braves25
I tend to agree with this. If they do pay him, it will be because every other team backed off and they are the only ones left standing there in the end. The Cardinals have the money to spend, they just seem to be afraid to go the extra step to sign a guy. They seem to be content to be the 2nd or 3rd best offer on most people. Don’t get me wrong it had worked out over the years for the Cards, Mo is one of the best GM’s in baseball and they are great at developing talent. So I guess you can’t hate on their philosophy.
Cletis
Me Too. As a matter of fact, I see them getting shut out on all of the top players. No Heyward, no Davis, no Upton, no top tier pitcher. That’s a Cardinal trait during the Mozelack era. It’ll be secondary player additions for an aging core of players. Hate that, but that’s how he is. It’s getting frustrating for us season ticket holders.
Mark 20
its frusterating finishing first ever year?
Cletis
Mark…. Wouldn’t you agree, had they picked up and impact bat and a #3 type pitcher they would have gone further in the play-offs in 2015??
Bank On It
I would rather get Davis/Kazmir
Cletis
Me too! I see them getting shut out on all of the top Free Agents. No Heyward, no Davis, no Leake, no Upton. Over the last 3 years, the Cardinals trait has been fill from within. No strong hitters are currently in the minors, and they seem content with having the 24th in the league batting average.
kbarr888
Do they really need him? With Picotty, Grichuck, Pham coming along…..Holliday has 1 more year, and Jay as a backup….shouldn’t they spend that 200+ on a guy like Davis…. Plus grab a guy like Chen or Leake?
braves25
Piscotty could play 1st if they sign Heyward. Let Grichuk play CF and then after Holiday leaves next year they have Pham in LF…Or maybe Tilson is ready for CF in 17 and Grichuk slides to LF. THey do have OF depth but Heywad is probably a better investment then Davis is since Piscotty can play either RF or 1st
kbarr888
But….since Piscotty can play both, and so can Davis…..and there’s some more talent coming down the pipeline. ….why would you spend the extra 60 million on Heyward? He’s going to want an opt-out after 5 years anyway.
braves25
Davis in the OF is not really an option for a team like the Cardinals. They pride themselves on defense. Davis and Holiday in the corner outfield position would be a terrible idea. Yes Davis would give them a hr bat in their lineup, but I think Stl is more of a small ball team and Davis doesn’t fit that style. Why change your teams identity when it has been working for them for so long?
kbarr888
Davis would primarily play 1st base and only play in the outfield on the days when Holliday needs to rest …..and Adams plays 1st
timyanks
what makes you think holiday leaves?
timyanks
i say the cardinals should sign justin morneau. davis is a strikeout artist and hayward is overrated.
gopads
Trade for Bruce Rockstar!
petenhall14
Walt Jocketty has a history of overvaluing, understating, and over-waiting. When he speaks to the media he talks at length in order to say nothing at all. It’s obvious to all us amateur armchair fans that other teams GM’s have seen it to be a pitching market and they need to strike early to get the best deal for their team(s). While Walt sips his cocktails and speaks of “being prudent with our talent inventory, we’ve had multiple conversations with many other clubs but haven’t found the right deal to make.” In layman’s terms: I’m convinced a closer under contract for 1 year is worth at least 4 top 100 prospects , at least 3 of whom are mlb ready, I mean heck he throws 100+ mph! I’ll wait till these other GM’s realize his true value!”
Gardner_012
Big blockbuster
Padres Get
Aroldis Chapman
Jay Bruce
Zack Cozart
Amir Garrett
Reds get
Hunter Renfroe
Robbie Erlin
Kevin Quackenbush
Rhymer liriano
Travis Jankowski
No way it happens but it’s fun to imagine the possible trades even if they make no sense
braves25
This would be a terrible trade for the Padres. They are trying to shed money. Why would they trade Kimbrel away to turn around and trade to get Chapman? This trade makes zero sense for the Padres
Gardner_012
Like I said it doesn’t make sense you should read my whole post big boy
kbarr888
We heard you before. …..but we’re still discussing the possibilities. ….ok with you…little man?
braves25
Why is it “fun” to consider a trade that makes no sense and isn’t a possibility? I like to try and think more like a real GM and see both sides of a trade. As a Braves fan this has helped me a lot the last 2 years LOL… If you look at things constantly from one side (I’m assuming you are a Reds fan) you will be disappointed by the trade that is eventually reached.
Gardner_012
Not a Reds fan at all wish I was it would be easier then watching the Phillies, and getting a crop of young guys from San Diego is far from impossible because preller will seem to trade for anything that he thinks will get them to win this season so it’s not impossible they get chapman or Bruce and to get either it would cost them some of the guys mentioned above
braves25
Why would Prellar trade away the best closer in baseball…then trade for another top closer?
Gardner_012
Because preller will do whatever he can to win now then later
dhud
As a Reds fan, I’d probably make that trade. The organization is VERY high on Garrett, so that’d be a tough pill to swallow, but those look like 3 solid OF who could possibly step right into the starting lineup together in 2016 if Bruce is dealt and Hamilton shows no progress
braves25
If you want to consider blockbuster trades involving San Diego it would be more realistic to consider something involving them eating salary and sending Shields to Dbacks for Dansby Swanson. Obviously this isn’t going to happen straight up, but it gives AZ another really good pitcher to place behind Grienke. I think Az would rather get Ross in that type of trade, but I think the Padres want to move Shields more then Ross or Cashner.
kbarr888
How about Shields & Ross to the Cubs for Castro (or Baez), McKinney, and Corey Black?
braves25
I think it is a great idea! I am not sure the Padres want to move both though. Maybe Ross or Shields for Baez and McKinney
kbarr888
You could have either Baez or McKinney. ….and Corey Black maybe…….but not both….lol
braves25
You don’t think Ross could get both Baez and McKinney? I am not sure how much the Cubs value McKiney. I know they like Baez, but he is currently blocked everywhere on the field. If they can’t get him on the field he has no value to them, and other teams will use that against them. Just my opinion, like I said I don’t know how much they value McKinney. With Schwarbber in LF, Almora (future CF),and Soler in RF he seems blocked as well. They also have Coughlan who they seem to really like.
Gardner_012
I said it doesn’t make sense lol
gopads
i do see the possibility of Bruce coming to san diego in some kind of trade
mbgutt
All quiet on the Pittsburgh Pirates front…. Color me surprised.
braves25
That is because they don’t have a lot of holes in the offense, or the money to spend on big free agents to drastically fill the holes they have. They need a 1st baseman but Davis is way out of their price range. I wish they would open their pocket book a little though and be willing to part with some of those prospects they have.
Braves send Freeman and Teheran to Pittsburgh for Glasnow, Meadows, Bell, McGuire, Keller, and their competitive balance pick.
I know that seems like a lot Pittsburgh is giving up. However they are getting a cheap controllable good pitcher in Teheran plus the big left handed bat they need to pair with McCutchen. I think it is a good deal for both teams.
cardfan2011
Im starting to wonder if the Cards resign Heyward just so he doesnt sign with the Cubs
Outlaws12
I have always liked Heyward and I am a die hard Cards fan, but I don’t think we should pay him 200 million or sign him for 10 years. I would rather have a big bat. Hell, I don’t even know anymore. Lol