The Astros’ reported deal with Yulieski Gurriel adds another notable option to the mix in the left side of the infield, but that doesn’t mean top prospect Alex Bregman is on the trade block. Far from it, in fact, per Jon Morosi of MLB Network (on Twitter). A source tells Morosi that the club isn’t interested in flipping Bregman for a top-flight starter — though certainly the rising prospect is the kind of blue-chip asset that could net a major piece in return.
Here’s more from the AL West:
- Just-promoted prospect Ryon Healy will serve as the Athletics’ primary third baseman, manager Bob Melvin told reporters including John Hickey of the Bay Area News Group (Twitter link). That leaves hot-hitting Danny Valencia to pick up plate appearances at first base and the corner outfield. Oakland’s decision to modify and reduce Valencia’s role seems to suggest that he isn’t a major part of the club’s plans for 2017. That, in turn, would presumably increase the team’s inclination to deal him this summer.
- Athletics reliever Fernando Rodriguez will miss four to six weeks after being diagnosed with a lat tear, Hickey tweets. Rodriguez expressed surprise and disappointment with the prognosis. The 32-year-old has been a steady, albeit not a dominant, member of the A’s pen for the last two years. Over 40 2/3 innings in 2015, he owns a 4.20 ERA with 8.2 K/9 against 3.8 BB/9.
- As the Rangers continue to browse the shelves of potentially-available starters, the team has at least asked the Braves about Julio Teheran, per SB Nation’s Chris Cotillo (Twitter links). That hardly means there’s any real action on the righty, particularly since we’ve seen Texas tied to a whole host of starters in recent weeks. Cotillo also hears that the Rangers have had talks with the Brewers on catcher Jonathan Lucroy and southpaw Will Smith, though Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel tweets that the chatter “went nowhere.” All told, it still seems that the Texas front office is canvassing possibilities with the deadline a few weeks off.
A'sfaninUK
Reddick’s also getting moved soon, so Valencia won’t be benched for long if he isn’t being traded.
johncena2016
Bregman would be able to headline a package for Sale, Archer, or Gray right? I think a few more players would be needed, but not much more. I like Bregman a lot, but I’d take Sale for him.
Niekro
Yes I’d say he even might be the kind of piece that actually brings Oakland or Tampa to the table even if they had no intentions of trading either. Bregman will get just about any GM’s attention.
chieftoto
Teheran, Flowers, Inciarte for Bregman, Gattis. Sorry for continuing to bring up the Teheran discussion guys but it’s a legitimate proposal.
Sam.rhodes16
I wouldn’t do it as a Braves fan. Giving up way too much for just Bregman as Gattis is barely replacement-level.
A'sfaninUK
Agree with this, also think the Tucker brothers for Gray gets done too, if Beane choses to move him now, at the lowest value he’s ever had in the bigs.
Sam.rhodes16
Not enough. Gray gets more than that easily. You would be buying his high value, not his current low value
chieftoto
I’m just saying, but you Braves fans are going to regret overvaluing Teheran now when he loses his value by this time next season. I’ve stuck with you guys saying he’s a great pitcher and isn’t over performing, but you should want him traded now, while his value is most likely the highest it will ever be. Bregman>Teheran. Just my opinion though.
southi
The Braves fans on this website have NOTHING to do with trades with the real team. Their over valuing or even under valuing will not affect anything. Please don’t act like what happens (or doesn’t) is their fault or that they will have anything to regret.
Sam.rhodes16
Teheran for Bregman and a small piece would be interesting. He could basically immediately slot in at 3B at AAA for a few weeks and then hopefully man 3rd for the next 10 years. Not sure which side would say no honestly. He is the MLB ready bat Coppy wants, but he alone isn’t close to the Miller haul, so Coppy would probably want more.
I just know I want Bregman pls 🙁
JT19
Well obviously he isn’t close to the Miller haul…but EVERYONE knows the Miller trade was an overpay so stop expecting more than a MLB ready hitter, a team’s top prospect, and a top pitching prospect for a #2 pitcher (albeit a very good #2).
Sam.rhodes16
Why would I stop expecting that? The Braves have ZERO reason to move Julio who has pitched like a GREAT #2 for almost all of his MLB career unless they get blown away by an offer.
It would take exactly the return you described to get them to CONSIDER moving Julio. Coppy has all the leverage in the world.
texasranger777
Here’s a MASSIVE trade idea. I first thought my idea was nuts, but the more I think about it, the more I think it makes total sense for both teams. First though, 2 big-picture assumptions must be agreed upon for the following massive swap to make sense. 1 – with just a few key pieces added TEX has a 3-4 year window to be dominant AL champ favorites. 2 – with an influx of on-the-cusp, high ceiling, cheap and controllable pieces, ATL can rebound from the cellar to consistent contenders within the next 2-4 seasons and sustain that status for several years. If these assumptions are valid, then the following may seem ludicrous at first (to either side), but makes more sense upon further consideration:
To TEX from ATL:
Julio Teheran (RHP)
Freddie Freeman (1B)
Arodys Vizcaino (CL)
From TEX to ATL:
Jurickson Profar (SS/2B)
Joey Gallo (3B/OF)
Dereck Holland (LHP)
Dillon Tate (RHP)
Luke Jackson (LHP)
Mitch Moreland + Cash (1B)
For TEX, a 3rd front-line starter in Teheran and a top-10, productive 1B fill massive holes and vault them from contender to favorite in the AL for the next 3-5 years.
For ATL, Profar and Gallo provide likely All-Star level talent, shoring up the the left side of the infield for years to come. Holland could excel in the NL and take a leap in new confines, and Tate has a high floor and high ceiling as a future SP. Jackson provides ATL insurance in case Holland or Tate don’t work out and added value if they do. Moreland, like Chirs Davis and other former TEX 1Bs, will likely excel elsewhere. At a minimum, a qualifying offer to Moreland this offseason will secure an extra draft pick for ATL if Moreland moves on in free agency. As a group, these guys will put ATL back in thick of perennial contenders within 1-3 seasons. And with their youth, ATL can extend that run for many years.
The chief question in this deal is: will Profar or Gallo exceed Freeman’s WAR within 1-2 years? If TEX believes that is likely, then they should convert one to 1B and scale this trade down to Tehrehan for the other and the pitching prospects.
Sam.rhodes16
Interesting to speculate, but has no real world traction as Coppy has literally promised to sever his right arm from his body if he trades Freeman.
madmanTX
As a Rangers fan, I would never do that deal. I don’t think Profar and/or Gallo are touchable right now for trade bait.
Sam.rhodes16
As a Braves fan, there’s not enough value coming back. Freeman is a higher average less powerful Gallo who’s already succeeding in the majors. Profar is an immediate upgrade for the short term, but will his bat have the power to play at 3rd when Ozzie and Dansby take over the MI in 2017?
Not sure how much Holland is worth at this point. Moreland isn’t that good, and Tate might not stay in the rotation long term after only being a starter for one year in college.
That’s a lot of uncertainty coming back for established talent, so it looks like neither team would do the deal.
JT19
Mitch Moreland is not getting a qualifying offer. If he does, he’s probably accepting it.
stymeedone
If he’s traded, they can’t offer one.
bsteady powers
There’s no way the Braves with give up Teheran plus players for a prospect
bsteady powers
They are rebuilding. No use for Gattis. He strictly belongs in the AL
chieftoto
Would Moreland feed Coppy after he cuts off both of his arms?
ilikebaseball 2
Should be moving CC to 3B and let Bergman stay at short. Don’t get this signing unless it was made to prevent another team from grabbing him. I guess he would of slotted into 2nd nicely for the Mariners.
JT19
Slotted into 2nd base? Because I’m pretty sure someone by the name of Robinson Cano mans that spot. Might have heard of him before.
steelerbravenation
Frenchy, Tehran & Vizzy to the Rangers for Profar, Brinson & Nick Martinez
WAH1447
As a braves fan that won’t happen in a million years
Sam.rhodes16
Horrendous value. Swap out Pro for Gallo and Martinez for two pitching prospects who don’t completely suck, and then MAYBE that deal gets done.
mikey_mags
If Valencia isn’t going to play 3rd, he should be the starting 1st baseman until he gets traded. Alonso actually sucks.
Twentyone21
Oakland has really made a lot of deals that just don’t make sense recently. Not sure how they could have a talent like Addison Russell and move him. If Burns is available the Tigers would be a great match down the stretch, maybe they send Gose to Oakland as a part of the deal.