The Indians and White Sox were both rumored to be interested in Todd Frazier during last week’s Winter Meetings (the Royals, too, are said to have discussed him as a possible left field option), and Jon Heyman of CBS Sports adds a few more teams to the list of interested clubs. The Dodgers, Nationals, Rangers and Angels are all “believed to have some involvement or interest,” in the Reds’ third baseman, Heyman writes. Talks are “starting to percolate,” says Heyman. Last week, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer reported that the Reds are “heavily” shopping Frazier.
A few more notes from the game’s Central divisions…
- Utility man Sean Rodriguez is generating interest from four clubs at the moment, including the Pirates and Tigers, tweets ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick. The 30-year-old batted just .246/.281/.362 in 240 PAs with the Pirates last season, but his ability to play all four infield positions as well as the outfield corners is a selling point, Crasnick notes.
- In an appearance on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM, Pirates GM Neal Huntington confirmed that he’s willing to listen to offers on closer Mark Melancon (Twitter link). However, he also added, “We’re gonna have to get something that really makes sense to even consider moving him.” The Pirates recently freed up some money by trading Charlie Morton to the Phillies and may have saved a bit of cash in the Neil Walker/Jon Niese swap, so there may not be as much pressure, financially speaking, to move him as there was even one week ago.
- Despite last season’s World Series Championship, the Royals are expected to operate with a payroll that is similar to 2015’s mark of $115MM, writes the Kansas City Star’s Sam Mellinger. As such, it’s unlikely that the club is able to retain Alex Gordon, barring unforeseen circumstances. Specifically, Mellinger writes that the club could circle back to Gordon if he lingers on the open market, unable to find a significant pact (presumably, one of five years). Mellinger notes that recent Royals free agents James Shields and Ervin Santana saw their price drop substantially later in the offseason, and the team does believe that the crowded outfield market means that supply and demand are working in its favor with regards to the outfield market, Mellinger writes. It does seem unlikely (to me, anyhow) that Gordon’s price will dip back into Kansas City’s comfort zone, although the Royals do have to be encouraged to hear that the Cardinals aren’t likely to embark on an aggressive pursuit of Gordon.
GMDM doing exactly the right move. Wait out the market. The price will drop on someone valuable and we’ll pounce on that.
Reds –> Jorge Soler, Billy McKinney… Cubs–> Danny Salazar… Indians–> Todd Frazier
Of course, I still haven’t been able to properly re-calibrate my concept of a fair trade since the Braves robbed the DBacks in the Shelby Miller deal… But that seemed fair enough about 2 weeks ago.
Yes please.
As a Cubs fan: yes.
As an Indians fan: no.
Yeah I’d say Cubs win that big-time. Pretty fair for Reds. Not great for Indians.
Reds fan approves
I’ve probably been GMDM’s biggest supporter throughout his Royals career.
As the fanbase strongly criticized him and literally called for his head many times, I was supportive of numerous trades and signings that others ridiculed him for (Brian Bannister trade, Gil Meche signing, Zack Greinke trade, Mark Teahen trade, Kyle Farnsworth signing, Rick Ankiel signing, Melky Cabrera signing, Jonathan Broxton signing, Ervin Santana trade, James Shields trade, Omar Infante signing, Edinson Volquez signing, Kendrys Morales signing, etc..)
Pretty much all those I supported, and all of them ended up being great for the Royals with the exception of Infante (and maybe Meche). I still don’t think it was a bad move to make at the time, though as bad as he’s been in the past 2 years, the Royals also have two world series appearances since he signed. (keep in mind the Royals have had a decades-long hole at second, and he had hit 295/327/415 — 101 OPS+ —- in the four years prior to joining KC with decent/good defense).
In fact, the only real bad moves that he made were the Jose Guillen signing, anything that involved Yuniesky Betancourt, and arguably the DeJesus trade, maybe keeping Kyle Davies on the roster (531ip, 5.34 era, 1.58 WHIP. 10.3 h/9, and 4.3 bb/9 over 5 years), Juan Cruz signing (though 6M is hardly a loss), and Noel Arguelles signing (though once again, 6M is hardly a loss and everyone in the baseball world loved it at the time). All that over 9 years is pretty darn good.
With all that said, I think he should be more aggressive than usual in trying to keep Gordon, while not going too crazy. They don’t necessarily have to offer him 100M, and if that’s what he goes for than let him be gone. But I hear some saying if it’s over 60M or something they’re out — I hope not. I think Alex would consider some type of home town discount, and if the offer is not a slap in the face (someone suggested 4 years/48M max), I think he’d take it. I do think if he could snag up one of the Rockies OF’ers, or Jackie Bradley Jr or so, it’ll be great. But to settle for someone like Parra, still spend a ton of money, I’ll rather go with the names GMDM mentioned yesterday: Brett Eibner, Jarrod Dyson, Paulo Orlando, Raymond Fuentes, Jose Martinez.
Couldn’t agree more, great post!
Frazier sure would look good in Dodger blue. Shift Turner back to 2B.with Utley the lefty back-up for both..
I realize the Dodgers have no money constraints so it hardly matters, but Kike Hernandez is really good and I don’t see why they don’t stick him at 2B more or less permanently.
I agree, Hernandez deserves a chance to start everyday. Possibly as the super utility role he gets that shot, idk. He played really good everywhere they put him last year. I feel there still might be a Dodgers trade coming at some point to get a pitcher. Maybe Pederson is involved and Hernandez gets his shot to start in CF.
I would like to recommend that writers on the site stop mentioning that the Dodgers are interested in players. I think we all know that if a player can fog a mirror the Dodgers are interested
Currently it’s the Dodgers. In the early
I have no problem with the Royals not overpaying for Alex Gordon. I think if he wanted to stay in KC on a team friendly contract, he would of already done so before he hit free agency like he did in his previous contract. What I do have a problem with is the owner still limiting funds when they have a short window to contend. How can you go to back to back World Series, generate millions of extra dollars and keep the payroll the same. Record attendance was shattered, merchandise was through the roof, and fans did not even blink an eye about the increase in tickets. Yes the current tv contract still limits them but it makes no sense. They have no chance of keeping Hosmer or Moose in 2018 with Boras as their agent and may find it hard to even keep Cain. I have all the trust in Dayton but I am sure many of the fans are so tired of David Glass pinching his pennies.
I really think if DMGM recommended something within reason that Glass would spend the money. They fully understand the narrow window.
Fraizer is a good player- great clubhouse guy and competitor. However is 35 HR in GASP translate to 22-25 in most other parks. Still, he is desirable for several clubs I am sure simply because of his versatility.
No park in baseball has a 50% HR premium. Plus Frazier hit almost as many on the road as at home last year.
Rodriguez is exactly the player the Tigers need. He would be insurance at a lot of positions and brings energy. I’d like Wil Middlebrooks as well, could platoon with Castellanos and give another left handed bat. Still waiting to see that Classic DD trade of a big name guy from AA. LF could use some help.
Rodriguez also has a nice one-two punch. Did a nice job on the water cooler here in Pittsburgh during the wild card game
Worst case scenario we just team him up with Bruce Rondon and challenge for the tag team title.
There are dozens of FA still on the market and many teams have there 40 man rosters filled or close to it.As players sign, others will be let go and some of them could be quality trade options.
Avila would be wise to “hold his powder” as the rest of the market shakes out and both LF and a “super sub” could present itself. He has done most of the heavy lifting already.
I agree he has done a heck of a job filling holes with quality players and not giving up top prospects. The outfield is the only glaring need and there a tons of options via trade or free agency. I’m intrigued to see if he goes after any of the Cuban players when they officially become free agents.
40 man roster spots? You do know that teams are allowed to drop a guy to make room for a FA signing anytime they want, right?
You do know that teams don’t need to just drop guys unless they have to,,right? They would not have them on the 40 man unless they wanted them.
The player the Tigers need is Denard Span. He would fill the role of leadoff hitter, provide a LH bat, and have the speed to cover the spacious LF in Comerica. He probably won’t require a long term contract, and doesn’t cost a draft pick. If they have to settle for a platoon at to go with Collins, VanSlyke from the Dodgers might work.
I agree. They really need a LH bat. The only reason I see for them to be looking for a RH bat now is Maybin hits RHP better than LHP and they need a RH bat to sub with Gose.
I have been puzzled that since the big, power, lefty outfielder was not aquired that they did not go after a solid lead off guy like Span or Aoki. There are others that would fit the bill but it seems Avila is not interested in going in that direction.
Both of those players mentioned (Rodriquez, Middlebrooks) are right handed.