The Giants are seen as the frontrunner for outfielder Alex Gordon by some “rival evaluators,” ESPN.com’s Buster Olney tweets. One other possible target for GM Bobby Evans and co. is Dexter Fowler, per ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick (via Twitter). Of course, we’ve also heard San Francisco connected to some of the other top free agent outfielders available, so there still seems to be plenty of uncertainty and opportunity for the organization in that area.
More from out west:
- The Astros are “still trying to pry” young closer Ken Giles away from the Phillies, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports on Twitter. He’d cost some significant prospects if a deal is struck, Heyman suggests.
- The Angels are receiving the most hits on lefty Hector Santiago, MLB.com’s Alden Gonzalez reports on Twitter. He certainly represents an interesting chip after putting up 180 2/3 innings of 3.59 ERA pitching last year. The Orioles are among “many” clubs that have inquired on Santiago, Heyman tweets.
- Teams are not showing much of an appetite for C.J. Wilson, Gonzalez adds. Los Angeles would need to hold onto about $15MM of Wilson’s $20MM salary to get something done, which wouldn’t offer enough salary relief to make sense.
- The Rangers and Diamondbacks have been talking about a possible deal, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports on Twitter. Arizona “may have extra pitching,” suggests Sullivan, in light of its two major recent rotation upgrades. Meanwhile, Heyman says on Twitter that the D’backs might be hunting for relievers, which could be a target area with Texas.
- It does not appear as if the Padres intend to utilize Jon Jay in left field, writes Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune, meaning the team will be looking for another option there. GM A.J. Preller discussed the possibility of Hunter Renfroe stepping in there, but it seems as if he won’t be an option until the middle of the season at the earliest. That could leave the organization searching for an outside addition.
Ferrell as a Giles future replacement and Eshelman as a mid rotation starter with great control would be nice pieces for the Phillies to get, not sure what the main centerpiece would be though.
Looking at the Kimbrel deal which brought in a couple top 100 players and some ascending lower level guys, I’d assume they can get at least 1 top 100 player for the 5 years of Giles. AJ Reed would make a ton of sense with Howard being in his final season. Tucker would be ideal as the center piece. Of course this is from the perspective of a Phillies fan. I’m sure Houston fans think either of those 2 is too much.
I thought of Reed too but I’ve seen a few Phillies fans suggest Franco is destined for 1B
Franco may be destined to play 1B, but if the Phillies could get a player like Reed they’d probably be content to let Franco stay at 3B.
As an Astros fan I would say Tucker is expendable as depth in the OF positions are deep. In regards to Reed that is probably a conversation killer. Reed is the expected 1B of the future. If you look at his numbers in college and the minors (pure power machine this year) the loss would far out way the gain in a trade for Giles. In his first full year of pro ball he produced a slash line of: .340/.432/.612 (1.044 OPS) with 34 HR, 127 RBI, 19.6 K% and 13.8 BB%. For a power hitter that shows great plate discipline.
I like Reed a lot, but I’m not sure the Phillies would be interested in Tucker. He is only 18 and likely at least 3 seasons away from the majors. It sounds like the Phillies are mostly interested in prospects who are more major league ready, especially if they are trading away a young, controllable, dominant closer like Giles.
All depends which Tucker you’re referring to since the Astros have both brothers. Heck, let’s keep it simple…Giles for the Tucker brothers
Which one of the D-backs starters is worthy of say a Tolleson or Wilhelmson?
Robby Ray maybe, but for some reason I see Rubby De la Rosa with his third club in three years
Godley or Ray would easily be worth that but I may like them more than most, I would say the Rangers would have to add to one of those two, to get either. I think Godley is going to end up the odd man out., once Bradley is back.
The Dbacks basically have 5 arms for the 5th spot in the rotation. RDLR, Anderson, Godley,, Hudson(a full season of pitching after TJ), & Bradley are vying for that spot. They also have Collmenter & Delgado in the pen as relief pitchers who can start.
My guess would be that RDLR & Anderson are the ones being used as trade bait.
I think Delgado and/or Anderson. RDLR will be a lights out reliever against right handers. I don’t think Huddy or the D’backs will take a chance on starting him again. Did you see how much he relished finishing games? I think he’s our 100 MPH closer, with Ziegler sliding back to where he’s most effective–getting a crucial DP in the late innings.. And Godley is the new swing man replacing Delgado. Bradley will be the No. 5 starter. Lots of teams are intrigued by Delgado and Anderson is a capable No. 5 starter on a second tier team.
Didn’t they dfa Bradley the the Pirates picked him up?
That was Allen Webster
De La Rosa wouldn’t be enough. Rangers have enough pitchers like him in their own system so it wouldn’t be an upgrade. Godley or Ray would be where the conversation started. They strike out batters at a higher rate than the other options the Rangers have in their own system.
De La Rosa wouldn’t be enough. The Rangers have too many pitchers like him in their own system. Godley and Ray is where the conversation would have to start. They strike out batters at a better rate than the internal options the Rangers have at their disposal.
I would think Gordon is nowhere near signing with anyone. It would benefit him tremendously to wait until Hayward signs as the losers of that signing will more than likely overpay. My guess is Giants, Cards, or Cubs.
Doubt that Heyward and/or Upton’s market will dramatically affect Gordon’s. Gordon is what he is…he’ll get $18-$22M per season for 4-5 years, and that’s it. And for the most part teams that are looking to sign Heyward to upwards of $200M won’t then turn around give Gordon $150M; they might still sign him, but at a very similar price he could get now.
Let’s see how much Cashman can get the DBacks to overpay for Andrew Miller.
DBacks still have prospects left?
They Giants are winners at the meetings if they could sign Gordon and Leake.
Well the Dodgers still need pitching so why not Santiago or Wilson for Ethier
That’s not a bad idea legend27
I don’t see overpaying for an aging outfielder who gets most of his value from defense as a sound strategy for the Giants. Heyward could play center, which is their real problem. Bochy insisting on playing Pagan in center and leading him off drives me absolutely insane.
Shawn tollosen for Archie Bradley
I’m super surprised at the sentiment with Wilson. Yes, he is coming off an injury. However, the article makes it sound like if he was a FA the most anyone would pay is 1/$5M?
The guy posted 1.4 fWAR in just 132 innings. On pace for at least 2 fWAR. He’s a solid bet for 1.5 to 2 fWAR in 2016. That pegs his value anywhere between $12M and $16M. The fact that he comes on only a one year deal is a huge plus.
If the Angels are only going to get $5M in salary relief and no decent prospects they should absolutely just hold on to him. He will return far more value that in 2016.
Agreed. I was expecting 8-10 million in salary relief. Just hold onto him. Will eat some innings for us in Anaheim.