Over the coming days, we’re going to be running down the potential summer trade candidates at each position. First up: starting pitching, where it’s a true seller’s market.
The old adage that you can never have enough pitching remains as true today as ever. Just ask the Mets, who entered the year with a borderline-unfair collection of rotation talent but now appear to be in need of a fill-in piece. And New York is far from the neediest buyer. I’d list ’em all, but it’s easier just to note that only a few viable contenders — the Indians and Nationals being the obvious examples — have no real cause to look at starters.
That’s not to say that the entire remaining slate of postseason hopefuls will be chasing arms as a top priority, but there’s loads of demand. Some organizations are likely to be looking more at sturdy veterans to shore up the staff, with the Royals, Orioles, and Blue Jays among the teams that could fit that profile. Others — the Marlins, Rangers, and Red Sox come to mind — could be willing to give up a bigger return to add a quality, controllable pitcher.
Here are the trade candidates that teams like those could consider pursuing:
Top Rentals
Rich Hill (Athletics), Jeremy Hellickson (Phillies), Andrew Cashner (Padres), Jorge De La Rosa (Rockies), Jhoulys Chacin & Tim Lincecum (Angels), Jered Weaver (Angels)
- In a very thin rental class, Hill clearly stands out as the highest-performing arm. It still feels funny to be talking about him this way, given that he’s 36 and lacks a real track record, but Hill has now compiled a 2.06 ERA over his last 105 innings with 10.8 K/9 against 2.8 BB/9. Teams will likely value Hill as a frontline starter, at least as a three-month asset.
- That assessment is informed by the fact that the rest of the market is so barren. Hellickson is surely next in line, and he looks to be a useful arm. But most contenders would be adding him as a solid piece to help win some games down the stretch, not because he’d upgrade their post-season rotation. Still, he’s a useful pitcher and carries a sub-4.00 ERA into the All-Star break.
- Cashner has the pedigree and the stuff to rate as a top target, but he’s still producing middling results — a 4.60 ERA and 7.6 K/9 vs. 3.4 BB/9 since the start of 2015. The right club might still bite at a chance to try harnessing his talent.
- The rest of the bunch would have been much more interesting three or four years ago. As things stand, the best that can be said is that they’re all still pitching in major league rotations. It’s hard to consider any more than gap-fillers, though De La Rosa has shown signs of late of returning to his typical form.
Controllable Arms
Jake Odorizzi, Matt Moore, Drew Smyly & Chris Archer (Rays), Drew Pomeranz (Padres), Julio Teheran (Braves), Sonny Gray (Athletics), Anthony DeSclafani (Reds), Matt Shoemaker, Hector Santiago & Nick Tropeano (Angels), Patrick Corbin & Robbie Ray (Diamondbacks), Jimmy Nelson (Brewers), Tyler Chatwood (Rockies), Nathan Eovaldi & Michael Pineda (Yankees)
- As moribund as the rental market is, that only increases the intrigue surrounding the many controllable pitchers who play for non-contending clubs. Valuing these arms, and guessing which are likeliest to be dealt, is awfully complicated. We’ll largely just have to wait and see which sellers are most motivated and which pitchers are most valued by the market.
- Tampa Bay still appears in the most obvious position to deal a controllable starter. The Rays would be selling low on Moore, Smyly, and Archer, but perhaps another organization will look past their struggles in the results department and make a fair offer. Odorizzi, though, might be the likeliest to be shipped out; he owns a 3.91 ERA with 8.5 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9 over his four years with the Rays, and is set to enter arbitration next year.
- If you’re looking for a single arm on this list that’s most likely to change hands, it may be Pomeranz. There’s an argument to be made that San Diego ought to keep the breakout southpaw for itself, but if another organization is willing to treat him like the 2.47 ERA pitcher he’s been over 102 innings thus far, the time may be right to strike a deal.
- Teheran and Gray have long been discussed as possible trade pieces, with their affordable and lengthy contract situations serving to burnish their trade value. The former has been excellent, while the latter has had a rough go thus far. Regardless, we’re not seeing clear signals that either is truly available, and it’d take a truly significant offer to produce any movement.
- Similar things could be said about the remaining pitchers from this group. To take a few examples, teams will need to bring big offers to motivate the Brewers to deal away their ample control over Nelson, convince the Reds to part with DeSclafani, or get the pitching-needy Halos to cash in Shoemaker in the midst of an interesting season. All of the players listed are plausible trade pieces in the right scenario; while none seem particularly likely to move on their own, it seems fair to expect one or two of the group to end up in a swap.
Big Contracts
Zack Greinke (Diamondbacks), Ervin Santana & Ricky Nolasco (Twins), Jon Niese (Pirates), Matt Garza (Brewers), CC Sabathia (Yankees)
- There have been whispers about the idea of a contender chasing Greinke, who is pitching as well as should have been expected — which is to say, not well enough to continue last year’s ridiculous pace and probably not quite to the value of his monster contract. But we’ve yet to hear any strong connection of his name to the real-world market.
- That’s not the case with regard to Santana, who has reportedly been scouted quite closely. Teams looking for a durable, back-of-the-rotation type of arm will strongly consider him, assuming the cash can be sorted out.
- Nolasco, Niese, and Garza have all coughed up over five earned per nine on the year, but each has some potential appeal. The younger Niese could be the most desirable of this bunch, as he is controllable by a club option, though Nolasco is carrying an appealing K/BB ratio.
- A resurgent Sabathia would be a pretty interesting guy to watch were it not for the fact that he’s headed toward the vesting of a whopping $25MM option for 2017.
Back-of-the-Rotation/Swingmen/Minor-League Depth
Ivan Nova (Yankees), Dan Straily (Reds), Tommy Milone (Twins), Jesse Hahn & Nick Tepesch (Athletics), Lucas Harrell (Braves), Wily Peralta (Brewers), Jordan Lyles (Rockies), Brad Hand (Padres)
- There are a variety of possibilities here, ranging from fifth starter candidates (Nova, Straily, Milone) to bounceback types (Hahn, Peralta, Lyles) who are not currently working in a big league rotation. Harrell has had two nice starts for Atlanta, though he’s go a way to go to proving he’s worth surrendering real value. Hand has been a new man since moving to a full-time relief role this year.
Think you’re seriously underselling de la Rosa. He’s a 35 year old with an exactly league average ERA+ for his career. Had an awful early 2016 but is still averaging almost a K per inning and has been coming on strong. He’s clearly more interesting than Hellickson, to me anyhow. Somehow Rockies pitchers never get the benefit of the doubt from having to pitch at Coors …
I meant to refer to my prior post that addressed his situation – updated with a link. With these types of pitchers, scouts will be looking at how they are throwing right now … he’s shown some positive signs but also some ugliness since returning to the rotation, so hard to guess from the outside.
Can’t wait to see how all this plays out. I love this time of year.
Agreed sir, always fun.
As ac marlinsfan would love to get Eddie butler or jordan lyles from colorado i know the numbers are not great but i think a change of team will be good for them
I love it too
I’d like to see the Cubs let Bosio work his magic with Cashner or Eovaldi. Bosio is really really good. And these two guys have good stuff. Just need the right FIT. At this point, I don’t mind Hendricks starting a game 4 for the Cubs. Only prob is Hammel is usually not the same in the 2nd half. And if the Cubs aren’t going to let Hendricks start a game the playoffs, I’d rather have Lackey go game 4 and acquire a No.3 starter. Or if go Sonny Gray and Josh Reddick for A. Russell and Dan Vogelbach
I was a big cashner fan. Hated to see him go for rizzo(I was wrong) love to have him back
Pls God take him back! I am so tired of “potential” while he nibbles on the corners and misses! BMOC refused to throw to Grandal who has out performed Cash. Enuff already! We got this big stiff because Josh Byrnes thought Rizzo could not hit! Sickening in SD!
Beane just hung up on you. You are going to need to give up quality to get Gray and Reddick. A’s don’t need a SS anymore with Semien putting up higher numbers than Russel.
He won’t stay at SS. Improved on D this year but will likely slide to 3rd or corner OF
If Darren Balsley can’t “straighten out” Cashner in Petco…….no one can except Cashner.
I agree. Here’s a crazy one.. Though I’m not exactly sure of his contract details. Opt outs and dollars. Though dollars shouldn’t effect the Cubs. Trade for Grenke. We have enough prospects to do so even without giving up the “untouchables”. Or not many of them. Include Hamel or Hendricks(doubtful Hamel has much value), Vogelbach, Cease, Soler, Candeleria, and a few smaller parts possibly.
I thought about Greinke too but with the Dbacks getting robbed in the Miller trade they are probably going to ask for ALOT to try and make up for what they lost. Greinke in Chicago would be fantastic
Russell is a real piece to use in a trade. Vog though? A first basemen who can’t field, can’t throw, can’t run and doesn’t have a chance to play with the Cubs even if he WAS okay at those things is who you want to use in a trade. I think the A’s can do better than this.
At the trade deadline you don’t trade your starting ss to try and improve your team to make a playoff run. People always talk about the things that Vogs can’t do and never talk about what he can do. He hits and has hit at every stop throughout the minors. Last I knew the American league has the dh and can use him there. Vogs is no headliner in a trade but he is a very solid piece in a package deal
That’s cool and all, but you’re not getting gray and Reddick for him.
Vogelbach can field. He doesn’t ga e a lot of range but his fielding percentages are not that poor
I agree. Vogs wouldn’t be the main piece in a package for Gray but if the A’s were smart they would ask for him to be included. Butler is a guy who plays terrible D but has had a legit bat over the years and he has been useful for teams, there is no reason to say Vogs can’t. Big Papi, terrible D, look at him. The DH is for professional hitters and I think Vogs can be just that
Wouldn’t be surprised to see the Red Sox target Drew Smyly or Hector Santiago. I think both could be a good fit for them without having to give up the farm……literally.
I bet it is going to be hard to get Santiago away from the Halos. As is stands now he is going to be one of their top arms going into next season with both Richards and Heaney missing next year. That being said I think he would be a good piece to ship out if they get a decent package back.
I wouldn’t mind the Tigers re-acquiring Smyly. Hasn’t been that long since the two teams looked at each others systems. Any of the TB Starters would work though.
Devers for Gray
Not even close to enough for Gray. Maybe if you add three more good prospects to a Devers-led package, then you might be getting somewhere.
Baez, Happ, Vogelbach & Zagunis for Gray works though. I think Beane might try and get a few of those guys for Hill, Reddick and relievers first.
Vogelbach is so sick and needs to be in MLB – Zagunis is blowing up too. Happ’s a year or two away but again, blocked.
Happ isn’t really blocked. He can play all over the OF.
Agreed… I’m a Six fan and Devers for Grey is light for Grey
Would love to get eddie butler a nicolino for butler trade what would it take to get him?
For the Cubs
The dream
Grey, Archer, and Teheran
The reality
Moore, Smyly, Ray, and Hill
Do you mean one of those three or all three? I just can’t see room for all 3 in their rotation.
Just 1. Their staff would have to be pretty bad to add 3 starters
Bringing back Hill makes most sense.
I would take Cashner over all of them. He has the stuff to be an ace.
The only problem is hes not pitching like an ace right now and hes a rental. Rich Hill is pretty clear and away the best rental option listed.
Hill hasn’t pitched over 100 innings in years. Don’t trust him myself
So does Clay Buchholz.
I’m hoping the Astros grab Moore or Pomeranz. Both are young, controlled, and left handed. I think trading for one of the two wouldn’t kill the farm by any means.
I think Godley is the only potential Dbacks pitcher to be sold low on simply because he seems like the odd man out and the lack of pitching being shopped might over ride his struggles even though they have not really given him much of a chance to even do any thing this year which is strange with everyone else in the rotation not named Greinke falling on its face. Maybe Collmenter too but not sure any one will offer.
Red Sox get: Smyly and Vizcaino
Rays Get: Moncada
Braves get: Swihart
Actually not a bad idea. Red Sox fans will probably not like it at all, but as a neutral observer, it looks pretty fair.
Trading their top prospect for Drew Smyly? I don’t think that’s fair at all.
Seriously… Forget the names, you would trade the number one prospect in MLB for anouther lefty starter, which they don’t need that’s got a 3-11 record right now… What are you all smoking? It must be pretty good… Haha
I agree with you but don’t bring up wins and losses. It makes you sound foolish.
Get that “3-11” out of here! Pitcher wins and losses are irrelevant!
Not for starting pitchers they aren’t. It shows how often they get outpitched. Its not the be all, end all stat, but ignoring W-L records on starting pitchers would be like ignoring FIP. They both provide insight, and neither is always an accurate read.
They are totally irrelevant. Team-dependent stats are the worst way to evaluate pitchers. That you compared wins to FIP, possibly the least team-dependent stat out there, shows that you have no idea what you’re talking about.
Pitching isn’t done in a vacuum. It is done with a team behind the pitcher. That’s why you ignoring an actual stat, like W-L, is no different then my ignoring FIP, “the least team-dependant stat out there”, in a Team sport. FIP may be an estimator of future results, but for some pitchers, may not be. Teheran is an example of one that has “outpitched” this evaluator on a regular basis. Perhaps it is because of the type of pitcher he is. (I prefer actual ERA to FIP.) Again, both can provide insight, but ALL need to be used to get the complete picture. Weight them how you will, but they all need a weight. It’s easy to point to Cliff Lee’s record with the contending Phillies to discount wins and losses, but that means you would also dismiss Steve Carleton’s record with a losing Phillies team, one of the greatest individual performances in the sports history.
Drew Hutchison went 12-5 last year with an ERA over 5. In 10 years I hope and think wins wont be viewed as a stat. There’s so many more stats that give a more accurate description
YES THEY ARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wins and losses don’t tell you jack. Last year Shelby Miller led the league in losses because he had the Braves sucky offense playing behind him. But he was easily one of the top 20 pitchers in baseball last year. I can’t believe you would suggest that wins and losses have any relevance at all! Wow…
Yes and Steve Carlton led the league in ERA that year. He could have gone 0-30 that season and my opinion of how he pitched that year would not change.
And again, they provide no insight. You keep asserting that they do, but don’t have any actual argument. Stop already. You’re looking dumber each time you repeat yourself.
I can’t see the Sox trading their top prospect to a division rival.
So Smyly for Moncada…thats likely a firm no
The Sox aren’t trading Moncada for anything short of a TOR guy such as Sale someone like that my guess is if he became available then DD would back up the truck but short of that Moncada is off the table.
Swihart for Vizzy and Julio? Not gonna happen or even close Coppy said Miller return or we keep our ace till 2020. Btw Hill and Pomeraz are NOT established not matter how big of a season they are having it doesnt compare to the years of Julio pitching well.
The dream (from an A’s fan): Hill, Reddick & any reliever for Vogelbach, Zagunis & Happ.
I feel like Beane would jump on that.
Vogelbach and Zagunis would go directly into the A’s lineup, and Happ would probably be the opening day 2B in 2017. Big wins for both sides.
I know Happ probably ends up going somewhere in a trade and wherever he ends up that team is getting a future stud. He will be tough to lose. I’m high on Zagunis too. He doesn’t get the recognition as alot of other prospects on the farm but I think he ends up being a good baseball player. How do these three look to you, as an A’s fan, in a package for Grey??
Probably very good considering Gray is carrying an ERA over 5 with peripherals to match.
Yeah Gray is having a bad year but maybe a change of scenery would do him good. Hes still only 26 and has been good in the past. Hes definitely worth the cubs trading some blocked prospects for
Gray’s been hurt all year, hence the poor numbers, doesn’t change who he is and what he’s done so far, plus he’s got 3.5 years til FA. He’s one of the biggest trade assets in the game still.
But I think Beane holds onto him. Can’t say the same for Hill, Reddick or any bullpen arm.
Gray isn’t bringing in 3 prospects, Beane would need 4 for him, but is looking 5+ ala his Dan Haren haul. Now if you want to say Schwarber + 2 prospects thats a good offer too. Cubs and A’s are a great match right now, with the Cubs having so many blocked guys at AAA and pitching needs, as well as a need for a guy like Reddick.
I still think the best trade is Hill, Reddick and the Cubs pick of the A’s relievers for Zagunis, Vogelbach, Happ & another piece from Chicago. Both teams gotta be happy with that, Hill is a true beast and would be an excellent playoff rotation option., better than Hammel or even Lester at this point. He’s truly dominant.
I don’t know that GMs insist on a certain number of prospects for a given player. The quality of the pieces, combined, would seem to be more important, no?
As a Cubs fan… Done deal
I think Nationals are in need of starting pitching too. Their current rotation is Scherzer, Strasburg, Roark, Gonzalez, and Ross (when he returns) or Giolito (if Ross is sidelined longer). GG has struggled a lot lately. Ross has never pitched more than 160 innings in a year. Giolito is sure to have innings limit. Roark has been great for Nationals but can they really count on him as #3 in postseason?
I’ve said it before, but Roark needs to request a trade or a release if the Nats aren’t going to let him start.
Arroyo still filtering up, several other Triple-A options. Petit is a fall-back as well. I mean, it’s not wholly inconceivable, but I just don’t see it happening.
Agreed. Scherzer is hit or miss. He could throw a no-hitter, or be hit hard and out of the game by the 5th inning. Gonzalez has been better lately, but continues to struggle. Ross is hurt, and Roark is good, but more is needed.
Sometimes I wonder if a loaning system could work with mlb players. DBacks could loan Zack for a year to a contender while they save money in a lost year and get him back when they plan to contend and the contender gets their ace for a short while without additional money commitment.
That would be an even firmer no than the Moncada for Smyly trade I think.
Yeah I think MLBPA would never approve of that. I feel that could be exciting though.
Since the edit system is broke.
I don’t think it would work because sports in America are a lot different loaning a player to a competitor would seem very odd, all though at the rate players are changing teams I could see it happening in 15-20 years. When every team is like Oakland and you can not buy a favorite players jersey.
Hellickson will be a good addition to someone. He’s been going against other teams aces so he’s not a fluke
What do you mean going against other aces?
Self explanatory. Pitching against other teams aces. With his ERA and record, not bad at all for what was supposed to be a ho hum signing
Record means absolutely nothing. Nothing you do as a SP makes your team score runs. Theoretically you could have a sub 1 ERA and if you have the worst offense in the league you could have a losing record. Records don’t show a pitchers value at all for a SP. For a RP it is a little different. What I am saying is that going against other team’s aces doesn’t have a factor at all. Except record, which doesn’t mean much.
Hellickson and a reliever to Rangers for Matuella and Sadzeck. Phils are position player and #3 starter deep. Need to go ace hunting/fishing these 2 are good lottery high ceiling guys.
Sox- Tehran and vizcaino
Braves- moncanda and low a pitcher
No.
The sox are not trading moncada for anyone short of Jose Fernandez or Chris sale so all the crazy braves fans who think they can get moncada for Tehran JUST STOP its getting ridiculous. Ps I’m not even a Red Sox fan.
I am a Braves fan, I will say this, not all of us are crazy lol. I will also say Moncada for Teheran
Just kidding. These suggestions need to just be laid to rest. It simply is just not going to happen. Red Sox fans are high on Moncada, and Braves fans are High on Julio. Neither will get moved this season, especially not for each other.
Luckily, in spite of some prospects being fan favorites, the fans don’t make the trades.
As a Fellow Braves fan, I cannot wait until August 2, tired of all the bickering and moaning from both sides on Teheran and Moncada.
Trades can still happen after August 2. More difficult but often done
There is a zero percent chance Teheran would get traded to the Red Sox after the non-waiver deadline.
Agreed bigjohn, also expected that comment because of the truth in it. But as stl_cards said, much more difficult. Especially since Teheran would be a huge claim.
Braves say no
So do the Red Sox. Moncada is the number one prospect in all of baseball. This is similar to trading Bryce Harper, which would have NEVER happened.
This is nothing like trading Harper… Harper was the number one prospect back in highschool and Moncada wasn’t even number one going into this year. The nationals were not contenders when Harper was in the system, he made them contenders (not just him, but you get the idea) and the Red Sox are already contenders. Moncada is also blocked by Pedroia, and the Sox won’t move him off of 2nd until he learns to field his natural position first. Nothing would have stopped Harper from coming up to the big leagues. But the Sox won’t even move Moncada off of 2nd to get his bat in the lineup sooner. It’s not even close to being similar.
Moncada isn’t blocked by Pedroia that is just silly. The Red Sox will move him off of 2nd as a matter of fact Moncada himself said that he will play another position. Mookie was blocked at 2nd supposedly and he is doing just fine if you can play they will find a spot for you and Moncada can play so let’s stop the blocked talk. As a Red Sox fan I would never compare Moncada to Harper. Harper is a generational talent however Sox aren’t going to trade him and others for Teheran not going to happen.
The problem with Moncada is Pedroia, Betts, Benintendi and Bradley Jr exist. He really has no future with the Sox unless they want to move any of those guys – and I doubt they ever will. So we are going to see Moncada in every Boston trade idea until Boston’s front office specifically comes out and says Moncada is never ever ever getting traded.
I think that being said is still useless. Until he has a place on the roster, fans will still include him.
He will be a fine fit at 3B. Mookie Betts was blocked at SS and 2B, he seems to be doing just fine
I don’t know a lot about Moncada, but you are turning down an even swap for Teheran,? Has he already been elected to the hall of fame?
Has Tehran been elected to the HOF? Tehran’s best asset is his team-friendly contract, not his arm. You don’t trade the best prospect in MLB for a player like that (I’m not a Sox fan either).
Moncanda has done nothing against major league pitching? At this point Tehran has more value in a trade than the two beloved sox PROSPECTS
No, he doesn’t. Learn how players are evaluated, because you obviously have no idea.
Did u know that most hall of gamers started of as PROSPECTS
I would not trade Teheran even for Moncada, it would take more. he may be the greatest player to ever play the game, and he may be out of the game in two years
And Teheran could be one of the many pitchers that can’t get the job done in the AL East. It’s not worth the risk for Boston. There’s a reason the Braves would jump on that deal.
Moncada is not going to be blocked he has already said he will play Third base with his athleticism should be able to handle that. The Sox are going to have a hell of an inexpensive nucleus for years. They are not trading Moncada for a heavy fly ball pitcher in Fenway.
Has Teheran been elected silly comment.
Didn’t you know? Most Red Sox prospects are future HOF’ers. Having won two World Series in the last 10 years, Red Sox fans forget how rarely the opportunity to win one comes along. They think whatever they have is better than whatever anyone else has.
OR, they had gone so long without a World Series, that playing for “next year” is ingrained in them, and rather than trade for the missing piece this year, that minor league “stud” will be the next messiah, so they should stand pat until the second coming of Ruth happens.
Take your pick of theories.
I don’t think Sox fans are being unrealistic about a guy who doesn’t appear to be a good fit being a fly ball pitcher. I haven’t seen any Sox fans saying there guys are future hall of famers with prospects. The Sox currently have very valued prospects. The only one of which that seems to be blocked would be Devers. If the Sox trade Moncada or Benentendi then they will lose financial flexibility in the future. They will have a very inexpensive nucleus for years to come most likely. If DD thought Teheran was the missing piece then my guess is he would back up truck and unload but I don’t think he thinks Teheran is that guy. If Sale or Fernandez became available you just might see DD trade Moncada and Benintendi and more but not for Teheran.
I agree with a lot of what you say,…. but while Fernandez has great stuff, Do you give up your price jewel prospect for a guy that has not pitched for a full season yet.?
I mean since Fernandez won the ROY in 2013 (and Teheran was 5th) …Teheran has logged 539 innings as a work horse dependable starter on a terrible team, while Fernandez has thrown 223 innings.
Fernandez is also Arb Eligable next year and a UFA in 2019 while Teheran is signed at about a $10M average through 2020 for his prime 25-29 years.
Not saying he is the right fit for Fenway, or that he is better than Jose, or he is worth Moncado. But I understand why it would take a lot more to get him than some want to admit.
I just think that DD doesn’t look at Teheran as a difference maker which I agree with. So if we assume that DD feels that way then they just aren’t going to break up that financial flexibility in the future. Now with that being said you bring up valuable points on Fernandez and durability. I do think a Healthy Hernandez or especially Sale would cause DD to go for it this year and give up the flexibility in the future. I think they would trade both Moncada and Beneintendi plus for Sale. I also thin that BC last year would not so this year the Sox are far more likely to make a sensible trade then last year when BC wanted to hold all prospects at all costs. Just dont think Teheran is the right guy and dont think that DD thinks that either even with Frank Wren telling him to trade the farm for Teheran lol.
It cost Wil Myers, who was a top 5 prospect, to get James Shields, who was at the end of his prime. How would you compare Teheran, now, to Shields, then? I’d start with younger, cheaper, and more years of control.
I would argue that James Shields was a much better commodity then Teheran. I’m pretty sure he was on a very friendly contract and he was coming off back to back best years of his career and did it in the American League. The Royals only let him go after he became expensive. The fact that they gave up a number 5 seems about right for Shields. He was a much better pitcher then Teheran is now by every advanced metric you want to look at. The Braves want much more than what it took to get a better pitcher in James Shields a pitcher who was looked at as a #1 starter.
You’re right. In fact he has so much value, the Braves can keep him or trade him to someone else, b/c Boston isn’t going to meet that value. And everybody will be happier for it.
Not a Sox fan but JBJ turned out pretty well in the end after being declared a bust. Red Sox are where they are in large part due to their home grown talent. Also 2 WS in 10 years is pretty dang good. Better than the free spending, trade happy Tigers have done.
Wait, wasn’t the trade happy GM of Detroit now the Red Sox GM?
If you think ownership does not have a role in trading the game’s top prospect your are mistaken.
Yes but if you look at DD’s track record of trading he has gotten elite talent or at least very good talent for what he has traded. His prospects with Detroit aren’t near at the level of the Sox prospects. It’s like this he reason the Cubs could go on an offseason spending spree is because of their elite cheap talent the Sox are going to be in the same boat for the next several years it appears. In order to break that up you would need to get elite return the one who could put you over the top or else just stand pat. Potentially he Sox will have a team of 7 home grown talent position players that cost very little. That will leave them with a lot of money they can allow on there other needs. That is very valuable and should only be broken up for an over the top piece.
I guess Boston saw the long string of contention that the Tigers enjoyed without the constant yo-yo to last, and thought it might be better. I think I saw Boston spend both money and prospects to get pitching. Is Boston free spending and trade happy, too? ( Detroit wouldn’t pay Price or Porcello what Boston did.)
DD is very highly though of as a GM and the Tigers were one Papi swing from going to the World Series themselves its all about getting to the playoffs then anything can happen.
DD saw a serious need with the Bullpen and Starting pitching and went out got the best that were available at the time while he trade valuable trade commodities for Kimbrel they were mostly blocked assets and were probably not going to play for the Sox.. This is far different then at least two palyers that I’m sure are slated to be starters for the Sox at least by the end of 2017 if not sooner maybe much sooner for Benentendi.
Boston spent a ton of money for David Price but they could afford too because of all of the home grown talent and Moncada and Ben will just add to this flexibility. You better get used to the Sox being able to afford the high end free agents and in your league get used to the Cubs for the same reason so much homegrown talent.
If the Sox trade anyone it will probably be Devers and pieces for a pitcher.
Spotted the butthurt Cardinals fan.
The top prospect in the game for Teheran? no way that happens. Not all top prospects become stars but Teheran is not a Clayton Kershaw level talent. It just does not make sense to trade the game’s top prospect for an inconsistent starter with a FIP of 3.91.
Nobody is going to trade for Jered Weaver. They can find equally interesting pitchers on the waiver wire.
Or any Angle pitcher for that matter.
I find it laughable that the Angles pitchers listed above are even included in this discussion.
Them halos can’t afford to lose any of these arms.
DD has shown in the past he is willing to trade prospects and he isn’t the one who drafted cultivated these so my guess is he is not attached to them like BC was but he is also not stupid and not making a silly deal.
Agreed. The pitchers available really aren’t that good. Gray and Archer would have brought back big return last year, not so much this year.
I miss the old MLTR. They actually posted rumors.
“If it’s whispered, we hear it.”
Need to add “We just don’t repeat it” to the end.
Not required to be on the site.
word
I’m not an Oakland fan but getting them a new stadium should be among top of the list.
Note to the Angels: Trade ’em all! Build up the farm system. Have Trout pictch every game and burn himself out before he becomes a Yankee.
Do other Braves fans really need to propose Moncada for Teheran in every thread? It feels like trolling at this point. The Sox aren’t going to do that and I don’t blame them because I wouldn’t do it either.
I think at this point it is to bait conversation and argument.
Right, trolling
Medlan or Volquez to Cubs for Baez
and so on if the Royals decide to sell?
Sabathia/Gardner to Mets for Ninmo,Montero and so on?
Gose to Rays for Moore?
Kemp/Cashner to Rangers for Brinson and so on?
Why would the Mets take:
CC with his $25m option (~$40m left total)…as a #5 starter and probably #7 starter for the Mets in ’17.
Brett Gardner with 3 years and ~$35m left (+ remainder of his ’16 salary) 91 OPS+…no thank you.
So…$80m to one of the cheapest ownership in sports to get a #5-#7 starter, a 91 OPS+ left fielder…AND give up an OF prospect with some talent AND displace a former 1st rounder in Conforto?
That’s just not going to happen.
I think the cubs need to make a splash to play like they were earlier in the season. I think in the end they will be the ones to trade for chapman or miller.
The Cubs do need to make a splash and Miller or Chapman would be ideal for what they are looking for but there are roadblocks
1. The Yanks may not become sellers
2. The Cubs aren’t going to pay the price the Yanks want
3. Other quality left handers that can be had for less (Logan, Abad, ect)
Baez won’t be moved. He has too much value to the Cubs with his versatility on the field and bat. He wouldn’t go for either one of those pitchers anyway. Medlen is way to big of an injury risk, every pitch he makes may be his last and Volquez just isn’t that good. I don’t see much of a fit with the royals tradewise
A Santiago to the Orioles trade nearly happened in February am I crazy for still thinking it could happen
As an A’s fan I’d like to get Benintendi from the Red Sox, but one Rich Hill may not be enough. Maybe Hill and Madson would do that. The Red Sox although would like to give a World Series ring to Big Papi so this year might mean more for them so they will be more willing to give away their future.
Would probably take hill and Reddick to get Benni included. And I say that as an uninvolved Braves fan
it’s cute that you think that a Rich Hill for 2 months and Madson would net you Benintendi
The Sox aren’t trading Benentendi he is just too valuable to the Sox assuming they look at him as there left fielder in 2017 and beyond. If a true number 1 became available aka Sale then they would probably pull the trigger but with how much of their farm I don’t know. I think the Sox will look to trade Devers if anyone of there big 4.
Well if the Red Sox are desperate who knows, if there are many teams fighting to get him there is always a chance someone will offer a lot like a Benintendi. But I don’t think its going to happen, I still think Hill will go to the Red Sox but instead of Benintendi A’s will get like a group of 3 good prospects for example Pat Light, Brian Johnson and Sam Travis.