Here are a few highlights from the latest column by Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe:
- Cafardo begins with a discussion of why many of the top available hitters on the free agent market haven’t signed yet (a question we also discussed a bit today). Cafardo quotes Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette, who argues that part of the problem might be a reluctance to spend big given the spotty history of “mega-deals” for hitters. Cafardo notes, however, that there are a number of teams with holes, and that the likes of Justin Upton, Yoenis Cespedes Chris Davis and Alex Gordon are ultimately likely to get their “mega-deals” from someone.
- The Yankees have been asking for a top young starter in return for Andrew Miller. Teams haven’t been willing to meet that price, so it seems likely the Yankees will keep him. (Yankees exec Brian Cashman has already said he intends to keep Miller.)
- Another top reliever who might be staying put is Mark Melancon, Cafardo writes. The Pirates have made Melancon (who will be paid handsomely in his last year before free agency eligibility) available, but thus far he’s still with the Bucs.
- From a statistical perspective, Gerardo Parra’s defense has taken enormous steps backward in the past two years — UZR, for example, had him at +31.1 runs in 2013 and -18.1 runs last season, while Defensive Runs Saved had him dropping from 41 runs to -10 over that period. But scouts aren’t convinced those numbers represent a real change in his abilities, Cafardo writes. “He’s still one of the best defensive outfielders in the game,” says an AL scout. “He takes very good routes to balls, and as a pitcher or manager, you feel comfortable with him out there.” The Rockies and Royals seem like possibilities for Parra.
Alex Wood for Andrew Miller…who says no?
I’m actually not surprised by the yankees asking price on Miller. Getting a young top starter would be a long term win, but anything else in return would hurt them more in the short term than any benefit in the long term could get them.
A Miller/Chapman/Betances back end both shortens a game significantly and takes pressure off of a starting rotation. So yeah, if they don’t get a solid cost controlled starter they’re better off keeping Miller.
I think the teams that have the young starting pitching the Yankees want probably cannot afford Miller’s price tag
Yea that’s what really makes a deal unlikely. No team is going to want to give up a quality starter for a reliever with three years and a whole lot of money remaining. Maybe a contender with deep pockets and a #3 ceiling starter stuck between AAA and AAAA.
The Yanks are not going to sett;e for a guy at AAA who at best MIGHT be a #3 starter. I think it would make more sense for them to get a young (under 28) mlb power pitcher who is already a #3 or #4 type but might have some issue that need to be resolved to perhaps be a #2 or #3 in the AL East but has a few years to get it right.
If you look at Eovaldi that’s basically what he was.
Strictly looking at trade partners that might want a Miller or Gardner type (contenders) I would say Trevor Bauer, Carlos Frias, James Paxton (depending on health reports), Tajuan Walker (might be part of a bigger package), Jared Cosart, Danny Duffy (part of Gardner deal) or Joe Ross, Maybe even Derek Holland if the Rangers go after a FA pitcher and the Rangers decide to move some salary since Holland is owed $10 mil next year.
A deal I could see is Miller for one of the Dodgers pitching prospects (whether the best, second best, or something lesser I don’t know). It would make the Dodgers markedly better this year (at least) and wouldn’t really knock the Yankees down much short-term (they’d remain longshots with a chance if they stay healthy) while setting themselves up better for the future.
Dodgers wouldn’t give up de Leon/Urias for Sonny Gray or Jose Fernandez, no chance that they would give up either of them for Miller. Not a bad idea but the Yankees would be better off holding onto Miller if they can only get a prospect pitcher who isn’t a sure thing (or at least close to it).
The Dodgers were not asked for just Urias or DeLeon for Fernandez. They were asked for both and Seager plus more. Miller for DeLeon would be a good trade with Urias being an overpay. As I have said before I hope the Yankees get Lee from the Dodgers. Obviously not for Miller but I am hoping some kind of deal could be made. I think the Yankees gave Wilson away on the cheap. He would have been a perfect trade matchup for Lee.
Does anyone else see the Angels as a landing place for Parra? I know what they’ve said about the luxury tax, but there is a possible bargain here.
Parra would be solid
I think he’s a great fit there especially with no draft pick attached.
And a much-needed lefty. Love the idea.
Well, they signed two left fielders in December. Neither is anything to write home about, but they don’t have any innings available at the other two OF positions so they’d have a bit of a problem bringing in another one. If they do that, I would think it would be for someone clearly better than Nava and Gentry, and then they’d have to DFA one of those guys. You don’t cause that kind of disruption for a Parra. You would for a Ben Gordon though.
Alex Gordon … duh … watching too much basketball.
Alex Gordon would be perfect but he would cost the angels a first round pick, I think Parra or Cespedes would work
Dead quiet tonight…..so far…..Maybe they need a “Good Swift Kick”, so here goes!
Cards……Stop screwing around! You need an “impact, middle-of-the-order” bat. You need a solution at 1B too. Pick one: A) Sign Alex Gordon to a 4/$80 mil del, and move Holliday to 1B…..or…… B) Sign Chris Davis to a 7/150 mil deal. C) Trade Marco Gonzales++ to the Rockies for CarGo’s next 2 years. DO SOMETHING BESIDES SIT STILL!!!
Mets…….Your acquisition of Cespedes last year ignited your team. Seems like that was a very good fit for you. Stop being so dang cheap and at least try to sign him at 5/$95 mil…..or so. MAKE THE OFFER!!!
Nationals…….Strasburg is probably gone after 2016….Werth is gone after 2017 (Yay!)…..Harper needs an extension (probably a $400 million contract) or he’s gone after 2018. The farm isn’t stocked with OF. Go grab Justin Upton and lock him in for 7-8 years so you’ll have somebody solid sticking around. THE TIME IS NOW TO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE!!!
Giants…….You need a LF. Your team, plus an impact bat would be nice. Gordon is weighing his options, and isn’t being wooed by anyone who is seriously interested but KC, and they want to pay him less than $15 mil/year. If he doesn’t get another solid offer, he’ll go back to KC because he’s very comfortable there. Offer the Guy 4/70 or 5/85 and be done with your search. You have the arms, now sign the Bat……..STRIKE WHILE THE IRON IS HOT!!!
White Sox……You’re not interested in giving the Big Four over 3 years or over $100 million. That’s fine……get out of the waiting room and sign Dexter Fowler for 4/60……then add Desmond to play SS …..(he’ll be much better than expected in 2016, and fine for several more years)…..If you give him 2/$23 mil, I bet he takes that deal to rebuild his value. These two guys fit your budget, your time frame, and your needs. STOP MUDDYING THE WATER FOR THE BIG FOUR AND GO GET THESE TWO GUYS (for less than the price of 1 of them)……
Giants have romanced Parra for a couple of years now. The fit may have passed though as they need someone capable of holding down center when Pagan breaks.
Parra is gonna be a nice little signing for somebody in this deep market I bet.
The Angels are a perfect fit for him , a solid defender and he can be a great lead off hitter in front of Calhoun and trout
Hector Santiago and Andrew Heaney? Plus a low level prospect
Parra’s solid. Would be a great pick up for you.
Brett Anderson and Grant Holmes for Miller? Who says no?
I think someone like an Alex Wood would be more involved in a trade like this. Feels like he’s been around forever and has already been moved in a trade deadline deal, but he’s only 24 and has had pretty solid success at the big league level. A deal centered around Alex Wood for Andrew Miller, maybe with one or two more prospects from the Dodgers, could be a win-win. Alex Wood is only depth at this point for LA.
I think someone like an Alex Wood would be more involved in a trade like this. Feels like he’s been around forever and has already been moved in a trade deadline deal, but he’s only 24 and has had pretty solid success at the big league level. A deal centered around Alex Wood for Andrew Miller, maybe with one or two more prospects from the Dodgers, could be a win-win. Alex Wood is only depth at this point for LA..
Alex Wood was a replacement level pitcher last year. That may have been a fluke, but you don’t get yourself an all-world closer type for a guy like that. Also worth pointing out that many scouts have predicted Wood’s good stuff wouldn’t last long given his delivery. I think he has very very low value. B minus prospect at best.
I think the yankees would want a young pitcher in return who is major league ready, I don’t think Holmes will be ready this year, It could take De Leon Wood and maybe zach lee.
A young stud SP is worth a lot more than Andrew Miller. And that’s before you factor in the salary differential.
Melancon to Arizona? Maybe Toronto? Anyone?
I think he is going to be a pirate. If we do trade him though we should go for a good starter plus prospects.
If they did trade him I think they would ask for someone like Archie Bradley and idk who they would want from Toronto, maybe Hutchison?
Archie Bradley Would be a good start for Miller
Bradley’s close to bust territory. No way.
I think the Yanks and Indians could match up well. The Indians could use a bonafide center fielder and a lefty out the pen. I don’t know if the Indians have enough to acquire both Miller and Gardner w/o sacrificing players they’ll need in order to compete, so let’s assume Gardner is the greater need.
Gardner plus Ivan Nova, one of Slade Heathcott or Mason Williams plus cash for Trevor Bauer, Shawn Armstrong and Justus Sheffield.
Indians have Kluber, Carrasco and Salazar under control for the next 3-5 years and they would have Anderson, Tomlin along with Nova (and maybe rookie Mike Clevinger) to fight for the 4th and 5th spots.
The Indians can slot Gardner in between Brantley and Chisenhall and solidify the OF defense. With Gardner leading off they can slot Gardner at leadoff with either Kipnis or Lindor sliding down to more of a run producing slot.
The Indians can move Raja Davis as their 4th OF and Heathcott/Williams gives them some AAA depth with some upside if they can stay healthy.
Yanks get a struggling young pitcher who has not lived up to his billing but still has upside and has been pretty healthy. He’s a power pitcher which the Yanks seem to covet. If he can improve his control he can be a solid top of the rotation type. He has 3 or 4 years of control left. Armstrong is a hard thrower with control and would be a nice pitcher to come out the pen and compete for a spot in the pen for 2016. Sheffield is in the low minors but can help our farm since we have little top pitching prospects right now.
If it were both Miller and Gardner then I would either ask for one of Salazar/Corrosco instead of Bauer and a couple of the Indians top prospects (other than Zimmer or Frazier but some combo of mlb ready prospects and at least one high risk/reward guy like maybe Aiken).
Why would the Indians trade one of their stud young sp who are cheap, for an expensive reliever? If you want to find a potential match look at the teams who were in on oday, or tried to get chapman. I’m thinking more nationals, dodgers, tigers. It would have to be a team who isn’t overly concerned with payroll who is looking to win now.
I If you read it again it says “Gardner would me the greater need”. And why would they want an expensive reliever? Because they have several of their players signed way under market value and if they felt that a reliever could be the difference for them then they might be able to stretch it out for a season or two. If Miller remains productive they can always flip him again and get prospects..
But I do think Gardner would be more of a need than Miller.