The Cubs remain interested in a reunion with Jeff Samardzija, reports ESPN’s Jayson Stark, but the team may be getting uncomfortable with the level to which his price is rising. Samardzija, who has reportedly received offers of $90MM and $100MM, is of interest to both the Giants and Dodgers, and the team that loses out on the services of Zack Greinke may very well turn to Samardzija, per Stark. Said one executive from a team that has interest in Samardzija: “I don’t know if he gets to nine figures. But if you put the over/under on him at $90 million, I’d go ’at’ or ’over.'”
Some more notes on what has been an aggressive and high-priced market for starting pitching thus far…
- As the prices for arms like Samardzija and others rise, a two-year deal for John Lackey is becoming increasingly appealing for the Cubs, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. While the Cubs may indeed have interest in two years for Lackey, it seems reasonable enough to me to believe that interest in him could push the requirement to three years. Lackey will pitch next season at 37, but he’s delivered results that are either on part with or in excess of expectations for younger, second-tier starters and won’t come with as extravagant a price tag as Samardzija, Mike Leake or Wei-Yin Chen.
- Having already completed five trades and signed four free agents — most recently Nori Aoki — the Mariners will turn their focus to re-signing Hisashi Iwakuma, writes MLB.com’s Greg Johns. General manager Jerry Dipoto told Johns and other reporters that while he still needs to address utility infielder and determine who will play first base in 2015, his focus will be shifting more to the rotation for the time being. “We are continuing to move along with Kuma and we’ll see where that takes us,” said Dipoto.
- Turning from free agency to the trade side of the starting pitching market, Stark tweeted yesterday that the Padres are hoping to move James Shields without having to eat any money in the deal, citing unnamed clubs that have been in trade talks with San Diego. Not only that, they’re hoping to land a younger shortstop option in the deal. Clearly, that’s a lofty and unlikely goal, as Shields along doesn’t carry that type of value on his own and comes with significant downside given his opt-out clause. If the Padres were willing to take back a sizable contract in exchange for Shields, perhaps the scenario would become more plausible.
- The Padres, though, think the rising price of free agent starters could make the remaining $65MM on Shields’ contract look more appealing (links to Twitter). That may be the case, but Shields certainly isn’t a bargain, and some scouts tell Rosenthal they feel that Shields’s stuff is in decline. And, as Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune tweeted yesterday, his opt-out clause makes him a risky target for any club. Shields isn’t a lock to opt out of the deal even with a big 2016 season, per Lin, because he loves living in San Diego. A trade might make him more inclined to re-enter the market if he performs well enough, so a team could be acquiring just one year of him if he performs up to his previous standards. On the other hand — the aforementioned downside — if Shields repeats his 2015 results or struggles even further, then the team would be left with the two years and $44MM on his contract from 2017-18.
- The Rockies like Braves right-hander Shelby Miller quite a bit, writes Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post. However, Colorado and Atlanta haven’t discussed a possible swap “in a while,” a source told Saunders. While the Braves are seeking outfield upgrades, an expensive and relatively short-term asset like Carlos Gonzalez wouldn’t hold appeal to the Braves, he writes. Rather, a player like Corey Dickerson and other prospects would probably be Atlanta’s asking price, he continues, adding that the Rox aren’t presently in the Miller derby.
- The White Sox were interested in both Jesse Chavez and Ivan Nova last month, reports George A. King III of the New York Post, but the fact that Chavez is now off the board following a trade to Toronto hasn’t increased Chicago’s interest in Nova. The Yankees have discussed Nova with multiple teams and will continue to market him at the Winter Meetings, though the asking price reported by King — a younger arm with more controllable years — seems too steep unless the Yankees are adding other pieces to the deal.
- The Marlins aren’t shopping ace Jose Fernandez, president of baseball operations Michael Hill tells MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro. Hill said he’s “not sure where that came from” in reference to rumors that Fernandez could be had in trades, but the plan is for Fernandez to front Miami’s rotation next season. Hill said that teams, naturally, ask for Fernandez all the time, just as they did with Giancarlo Stanton prior to his extension. But, that’s to be expected with elite players that are not locked up on contract extensions, he notes, and inquiring teams are informed that Fernandez isn’t for sale.
184729
In the part about the mariners, it says 2015 not 2016, it should be 2016
batman
A larger deal centered around Jeff Locke and Neil Walker for Nova plus
seamaholic 2
Doesn’t work. Yanks don’t really need another back end starter (and Locke is a downgrade from Nova), and their existing 2B tandem is probably pretty close to what Walker can give them.
Francys01
The solution for the padres is to trade James Shield to Texas for Elvis Andrus.And then the Rangers might keep Shield or trade him.
Grey Suit
I think the Padres are looking to move shields to have less of a financial commitment, not more.
jimmyjack
If the Rangers KNEW Profar’s arm was good to go then you’re spot on. Rangers have Hanser Alberto as well but I’m betting they/we (ranger fan here) want SOME offensive production from SS as well.
I was playing pretend GM and looking at bigger trades for these two clubs. One problem with a Rangers-Padres trade is that AJ Preller was with the Rangers until he went to the Pads. He knows who the Rangers REALLY value. Teams say all the time who is “untouchable” but sometimes I think that is to pique interest in the player, “oh he must be awesome, we want him now.”
JT19
Easier said than done. Despite Andrus’ bad contract, Andrus probably has slightly more value than Shields (especially given the Padres SS hole). Also the Rangers don’t have a huge need for pitching considering they have Hamela, Darvish, Holland (I know they have other pitchers I just can’t think of their names). Also, despite the asking price of Shields, I imagine the reason its hard to find a suitor for him is because of his contract. Trading him to the Rangers doesn’t exactly solve that problem.
zippytms
Preller has three solid SS prospects in the system that are 1-3 years away. Andrus’ contract runs through 2022. I don’t think they’re interested in getting him only to have to move him once one of Rondon/Guerra/Giron is ready for full-time action.
jimmyjack
Fair enough. I’ll scrap that idea. Good luck with SS for the next 2-4 years.
disgruntledreader 2
A) Neither Rondon nor Giron is going to be on SS when/if they reach the Majors.
B) No team has ever nor ever will consider it a “problem” that a few years from now, there’s a chance they’ll have multiple players capable of playing SS well. [Ask Theo/Hoyer if they’re worried about the massive problem they have right now.]
tdmorgan
The reason people always ask the Marlins about their elite players is because they are a small market team and almost never hold onto their stars.
justinept
A team with a long history of trading away its top talent shouldn’t be surprised when other teams call to ask if their top talent is on the trade market –
mrshyguy99
Jeff Samardzija a nice player but he no where near as good as zack. if dodgers lost zack and sign Samardzija. they would be getting a 3rd pitcher and if ryu healthy i say he the new number 2 pitcher. Samardzija when he on can be a very good pitcher but he hasnt shown that as a white sox. so im kind of surprise by offer he getting.
justinept
But then – isn’t this the exact reason why you’re hearing that Greinke might receive a contract upward to $192 million over 6 years while Samardzija is looking at a deal that approaches $100 million?
mrshyguy99
100 mill i think still alot for a guy who had a big down year and past numbers dont help him much. like i said when he on he a good pitcher but he hasnt prove that much thoughout his career
bravesmatt
I’m going to sit back and dream about Arenado in a Braves jersey. Cuz in my dreams is the only place it will happen
anarchoburrito
Marrero, Miley or Kelly and Hanley for Shields and a throw-in. Who says no?
justinept
Lost in the Lackey talk is that he’s going to cost a draft pick… We’re talking about similar AAVs between Samardzija and Lackey with one expected to be signed for 5 years while other is signed for ‘maybe’ 3.
Is it more of a commitment for Samardzija because of the years? Sure. But he’s a considerably younger player, and when you’re talking about giving up a draft pick (as you would with both these players), then wouldn’t you prefer NOT to surrender that pick on a short-term investment like Lackey appears to be?
JT19
Agreed, and also in Shark’s favor is that he has less usage and not nearly as bad of an injury history.
seamaholic 2
I dunno. At least lately, Lackey has been a much better pitcher. It’s possible Shark just isn’t very good.
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
Cubs would have only drafted at #28 anyway and the comp pick they get for Dexter Fowler isn’t going to be much lower than that.
jb226
I thought the two year term was what Lackey said he wanted? Either way, as a Cubs fan, I wouldn’t have a problem giving Lackey three years. Even if it does go bad the commitment is still small enough to not be a big problem.
It leaves some money to address center field if that’s the way the Cubs want to go (though there are certainly other options as well — exploring a Marisnick trade, picking up Gentry on a minor+invite contract, etc).
JT19
If teams get into a bidding war, asking for three years isn’t a terrible move by Lackey if a team is willing. Assuming all the years are guaranteed, or at least a buyout option if the third year is an option, most smart players will ask for as many guaranteed years as possible.
rct
I find it funny that Shields is usually viewed as an untradeable albatross at basically 3/65 while there are apparently multiple teams offering Samardzija more years at a similar AAV. Shields is unquestionably a better pitcher, both over the length of his career and last year. Shark has had literally one good season as a starter.
Grey Suit
But can Shields also play WR?
JT19
Shields is also three years older. Three more years of Shields takes him to 36 with a lot of usage on his arm, and a sharp decline/arm injuries wouldn’t be too surprising. A four to five year deal takes Samardzija to 34-35, where he could experience a similar decline/arm injuries, but the fact that he doesn’t have as much usage gives him a slight advantage.
CubbieChris
Shields also cost players to be traded to the Pads on top of the same money being spent. That is, if they dont send money to the team that would be trading for him.
sigurd 2
^ This. Shark only costs $$$ and the QO. But if you are going to splurge anyway, the QO isn’t nearly as bad as giving up talent you already have on the farm.
rct
From the sounds of it, you wouldn’t have to send much at all in the way of prospects if you ate his entire deal.
I guess I just don’t understand how Shields’ deal is viewed so negatively when a worse pitcher with a far thinner track record has suitors in a huge bidding war. imo, I’d much prefer to give up a mid-level prospect and pay Shields that money vs. paying Samardzija even more.
Not that I’d want either of them, mind you. But whoever signs Shark will probably instantly regret it, moreso than the Padres seemed to with Shields.
disgruntledreader 2
I think that first sentence is a misreading of what Stark and others have written. They’ve said that the Padres are telling clubs they have no intention of paying anything and they are looking for a strong return if they move Shields.
I also think anyone who writes anything that claims to report what Preller is actually thinking is completely full of it. Dude is a different guy.
SixFlagsMagicPadres
He is a man of many names:
2014: The Rockstar GM
2015: The Enigma GM
2016: ???
seamaholic 2
Shields has an opt-out after this year. You trade for him and he pitches decently, he’s gone. You trade for him and he pitches poorly, you’re stuck with him. Lose-lose situation. Without that opt-out I’d agree with you.
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
Unless Shields has a career year I find it highly unlikely that he opts out. $44m over 2 years is a lot of money for a 35 year old who has never been better than above average.
Dave 8
The Yankees should consider Shields. Big innings eater which the Yanks need. Give them Nova in return even though Nova is younger. James will eat those innings for the next 3 years. Then get rid of Gardy for Castro or Kinsler. Then splash into the free agent market for Hayward! This club would be very exciting very quick!!!!!
gopads
Nova & that young ss for Shields
acehammer
Padres’ “hoping to land a younger shortstop option in the deal” for Shields. I bet Mike Rizzo can’t step foot in San Diego without being arrested for grand larceny after stealing Trea Turner with Joe Ross.
gopads
Myers is an All Star in 2016, Trea ends up not having the arm to play short long term & Ross goes down with arm injury this year
ChicagOs
Castro for Shields. No money exchanged.
If Shields opts out give him a QO and get a good pick. Castro is only 25 and signed to a reasonable 4/40 contract through 2019
mrshyguy99
would the cubs want shield for his price with his numbers? i think castro has more value as a player who can play second and ss with a decent bat. shield has 3 good years compare to many not so good. he no ace which the cubs dont need. he more of a 3rd/4th pitcher. sure castro Fielding not great but it helps he has a decent bat with some pop
seamaholic 2
That’s not bad. About what Castro is worth (i.e. not much).
brandons-3
I’ve always been intrigued and felt there were enough money in bad contracts to have a Strasburg/Shields trade work. Escobar would fit as a SS/2B option for San Diego, maybe a Wil Myers goes back to the Nationals. Again, a LOT of creativity would be involved but it’s intriguing bc San Diego could sell the hometown ace for their All Star game and then recoup value at the deadline or get the QO while shedding some salary. Nats could get a solid 2/3 guy without making the long term commitment. They’d like a catching upgrade so maybe Derek Norris could go. There’s some bad contracts that could be swapped. Again, there’s too many moving parts and a lot of uncertainty for anything to happen but it’s still very intriguing to think about.
seamaholic 2
Strasburg’s a one year rental, which makes little sense for SD. I think you may have come up with that rare internet trade proposal in which BOTH teams would hang up instantly.
RunDMC
(Note sarcasm):
How about ATL ask for Nolan Arenado…
123redsox
Nova and Gardner to the angels for nick tropeano
tropeano gives them a young controllable starter while nova gives the angels a solid when healthy vet starter and a left fielder in gardner
angels lineup when pupils is healthy as of rigjy now:
Gardner LF
Simmons SS
Trout CF
Pujols 1b
Cron DH
Calhoun RF
Perez C
Cowart/kubitza 3B
Giovatella 2B
Yankees Rotation:
Tanaka
Pineda
Eovaldi
Severino
Tropeano
Sabathia is traded in the scenerio for a low level minor leaguer and PTBNL/Cash
mattdsmith
Rangers-Padres trade? Shields for Andrus?
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
I don’t think anyone wants to forfeit their first rounder to pay a guy with an ERA just under 5 $100m.