9:00pm: While Los Angeles might have reached out previously regarding Lawrie, the team doesn’t seem to have active interest, Slusser tweets.
6:24pm: The Angels are also looking into a deal for Lawrie and have had talks with the A’s, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports.
1:40am: The Indians, Tigers and White Sox all have interest in A’s infielder Brett Lawrie, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Trade rumors have swirled around Lawrie and Danny Valencia ever since the A’s acquired Jed Lowrie, with Slusser noting at the time that Lawrie was the more likely of the two to be dealt.
Lawrie, who turns 26 in January, hit .260/.299/.407 with 16 homers over 602 plate appearances in his first season in Oakland and also posted defensive metrics far below his usual standards, adding up to an 0.6 fWAR season. On the plus side, Lawrie is still young, controllable through the 2017 season (MLBTR projects him for a $3.9MM salary in his second time through the arbitration process), able to play second or third, and he’s not too far removed from his status as one of the game’s top prospects.
With this in mind, Lawrie could provide an upgrade to the three AL Central teams, all of which have needs in the infield. Giovanny Urshela provides a great glove but no bat for the Tribe at third base, plus Cleveland could also use more right-handed hitting pop in its lineup. Detroit has a former top prospect of its own at third in Nick Castellanos, though he’s posted sub-replacement fWAR totals in each of his two full MLB seasons and the Tigers may want more production as they look to contend. Lawrie could fit at either second or third for the White Sox as Chicago as needs at both positions.
As Slusser notes, the Yankees are also thought to be a potential trade partner if they look to improve themselves at second base. The keystone has been a problem spot for New York since Robinson Cano left, and the Yankees currently have unproven rookie Rob Refsnyder and Dustin Ackley (who’s played only 10 games at second in the last two seasons) as their top options at the position in 2016.
Avi. Garcia for Lawrie, Sox may throw in a prospect
Don’t think he’s a fit with Reddick in RF and Butler at DH. They probably want some bullpen help.
F.Montas, S.Adams, A.Garcia, B. Lawrie to Colorado
N.Arenado to Chicago
T.Danish to Oakland
White Sox get a “YOUNG” thirdbaseman who can play defense. Sign “YOUNG” outfielder Jason Heyward (no comp pick attached) to a overpriced deal to take over duties in RF. LaRoche/Danks money come off the books next year to get the budget more friendly with JR if he chooses. Sox have shown at least some ability to draft and develop some pitching talent, so stick with that plan and replace the farm system in upcoming drafts (while currently enjoying 2 new superstars on the ML roster).
People can dream.
That’s a sox fan comment. Seattle’s least need is an avg outfielder
Tigers willing to give up on the only prospect that Dombrowski never traded? WHAT???
Memo…DD is gone.
No they wouldnt trade castellanos for him
Lawrie plays second base as well.
Kinsler
Would be a very good fit for the Indians, he is much better than his defensive metrics showed last year, and Urshella could legitimately be one of worst regulars in majors next year even with his glove. His OBP is going to be so bad. Lawrie I think will settle in a 2.5-3 fwar guy soon, likely doesn’t have the star upside anymore but I still expect him to be a solid regular going forward.
I think people underestimate Urshela. He was, allegedly, playing through some injuries and still managed to hit around 220. That’s about where I had him hitting at full health for a rookie. So if he comes in healthy he could hit 250-270. I like Lawrie, but unless we’re not giving up much I don’t have any interest. He’s too injury prone.
I actually agree that Urshela will have a better year next season, he was hitting above 260 before he had an injury. Clevelands true need is in CF not 3rd base. I think getting someone to play third will hurt the Indians future not help it since Urshela needs the playing time to become better. You have a pitching first ball club so the is no reason to replace Urshela especially since they have some ground ball pitchers.
I hope the white sox get lawrie. They need him
Ehhhh I still like Nicky C. over Lawrie
Why do the Yankees hate Refsnyder so much?
I don’t think the Yankees make sense. While Beane and Cash are close, its rare for them to make trades. They talked Zobrist last season at the deadline, but the asking price was Refsnyder and Warren. I’d give that up for Lawrie, but I doubt Beane would. We will see but I have hard time finding a prospect match.
I don’t think that the Tigers would give up on Castellanos per se. Perhaps another team is willing to give up a good lefty reliever for him. If so, they have a hole. Or perhaps they are just part of a three team discussion in which they would not get Lowrie, but instead get that reliever they are looking for.
Castellanos would probably have to have one season that was above replacement level before another team would give up something for him. He might still have potential, idk, but what I do know is that over the last two+ seasons, he’s been one of the single worst players in the game of baseball.
He’s also just 2 months older than Jacoby jones, the Tigers 10th ranked prospect. He needs time. He’ll come around
Kole Calhoun for Brett Lawrie straight up who says no?
Gee I wonder.
A’s won’t trade him within division unless the return is good. Calhoun is pretty good.
Why in the world would Kole Calhoun be traded? He is a really good player and a great glove and only figures to be better. I see him as an integral part of the LAA lineup for years to come.
Angels and anyone who knows anything about baseball say no
Pretty sure the Angels don’t have much a supposedly-contending A’s would want.
The absolute worst thing I’ve ever heard lmao
You must have never been told anything before then.
Royals for Zimmer and so on?
Can’t the Mets use him as well?
Valencia is a better trade chip. Better production, more versatility and more cost effective– Probably similar return.
I think that Tyler Saladino is a perfectly suitable third base/shortstop option for the White Sox. He showed flashes of a gold glove caliber glove while learning a new position in third base on the fly in the majors. The average wasn’t grade, but he has a history of great pop and good speed and contact during his time in the minors. I don’t see it as as much of a glaring need as others do.
I agree with you. Saladino played good D; his offense was wanting, but it was his first year. Lawrie is pretty poor offensively himself. This is just like Beane – he’ll extract a lot for a mediocre player (and with the Sox involved, it is for sure to be an overpay).
Sox need to stay away and find a stopgap SS.
I like Jimmy Rollins on a one year deal or one year w/ an option as a stopgap. They can ease Tim Anderson in like the Dodgers did with Seager and still compete.
Great*
The trick comes down to how much Oakland values the guy. They obviously LOVED him last year when they moved Donaldson. But if you look at actual performance he’s now gone 3 years posting a sub 2 fWAR season. Throw in injuries (in 2013/14) and a generally poor season in 2015 and Lawrie comes with a bunch of question marks.
It felt like the A’s were willing to roll the dice and hope a return to 2011/12 Lawrie. If he were to rediscover his game he would have been incredibly valuable as a member of the A’s as well as a potential trade chip. That didn’t happen and now the team has to decide whether to roll the dice once more or cut their losses and move on. My guess is the latter. In which case, Beane should be open to reasonable offers based of Lawrie’s performance, not promise.
Angels want to trade for Lawrie? They going to start offering front office furniture because they don’t have much in the area of tradable assets left to offer.
Billy bean must be looking at Lawrie the same way the rest of baseball viewed him. once one of the games better prospects, to bust. Beane will prolly work his magic and get a solid return.
which he should, Lawrie is a great player
I wonder if the Braves would have any interest? They need a third basemen and really second base isn’t that strong for them either.
This would help the White Sox infield defensive woes how? Saladino’s WAR was only 0.4 points lower and he played 80 less games. Lawrie’s about to turn 26 and last year was the first time he played more that 125 games in an ML season. Go after Todd Frazier, go after Joey Gallo. Stop chasing mediocrity.
How about a deal with the Braves. Brett Lawrie and Stephen Vogt for Nick Markakis. Markakis and Williams Perez or Manny Banuelos. Markikis is a great OBP player and solid outfield defender, Perez started 20 games going 7-6 with 98 loss team. Braves can send Christian Bethancourt in lieu of pitcher if preferred.
Tigers please don’t give up castolanoes for lawrie! Nick is better, younger, smarter and has way more potential