The Diamondbacks expect to enter 2017 with approximately the same payroll level that they carried last year, GM Mike Hazen tells Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic (Twitter link). With about $60MM in obligations and another $30MM or so in projected arbitration salaries, it wouldn’t appear that Arizona will have a lot of free cash to work with this winter after opening 2016 with just under $100MM on the books. While it’s always possible that trades could shift things around, indications from the front office are that players such as Zack Greinke, Paul Goldschmidt, and Yasmany Tomas aren’t likely to be moved. All said, then, the odds appear to favor a fairly quiet approach to the free agent market from the D-Backs.
Here’s more from the NL West:
- The Giants feel confident they will land one of the three major closers available in free agency this winter, a club official told Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link). We’ve already heard the team linked to Aroldis Chapman, Kenley Jansen, and Mark Melancon (who they met with today), though as John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle writes, the organization is considering alternatives as well. GM Bobby Evans called rehabbing righty Greg Holland a “very good option,” and there are always trade routes to consider. But the expectation has long been that San Francisco would go shopping on the open market to address the ninth inning, and the club seems a strong favorite to land one of those premium arms.
- Meanwhile, it’s rather unlikely that the Giants will make a splash at third base, Shea further reports. Evans left little doubt as to how the club sees things after already acquiring Eduardo Nunez over the summer. “You try to stay nimble and flexible,” Evans said. “If something comes along, you can always adjust. We’re very comfortable with Nuñez. He’s our third baseman.”
- Dodgers GM Farhan Zaidi addressed his club’s decision today to ship Howie Kendrick to the Phillies, as Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports. “Financial flexibility” was a motivating factor, he said, and the organization also liked the idea of adding Darin Ruf — who Zaidi said was pursued over the summer. Addressing second base, which Kendrick could conceivably have played, Zaidi noted that the Dodgers could go with players already on hand — Enrique Hernandez, Micah Johnson, and Chris Taylor — but added that there’s ample time “to bring in a more experienced player.” Free agent Chase Utley still seems an option, though Zaidi did not discuss him specifically, and there are certainly a variety of interesting trade candidates that might be considered. Kendrick had occupied left field in 2016 for Los Angeles, and his departure leaves an opening there, but Zaidi said that’s “not a position we are targeting right now.” He expressed confidence in existing players such as Andre Ethier, Andrew Toles, Trayce Thompson and Scott Van Slyke in the corner outfield. Of course, right field is also up for grabs, though the team could yet rely on Yasiel Puig along with those other options.
- The idea of the Rockies bringing back Matt Holliday may not be an unreasonable one, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post writes. The veteran slugger has expressed interest in the concept, and Saunders notes that Holliday could see time both at first and in the outfield — which currently features three left-handed hitters.
- The Padres will look to make a few targeted veteran additions this winter, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune recently explored. GM A.J. Preller spoke of finding one or two “guys who have good makeup, guys who are in it for the team, guys who are willing to work, guys who aren’t selfish.” That could be outfielder Jon Jay, who the team is still interested in. Preller spoke highly of the versatile outfielder, but noted that preserving opportunities for a variety of younger players ill be a consideration “as we’re talking to Jon and determining an offer, the term and length.” Shortstop is perhaps a greater priority, with Preller noting that it’s “still an area we’re looking to address.” The team still isn’t sure whether Luis Sardinas is prepared to be an everyday player, Preller suggested. Jose Rondon will also receive consideration, but the organization certainly seems open to pursuing alternatives via trade or free agency.
JT19
The last thing the Dodgers need is more OFs without at least solving some of the surplus issues. While I get that they could probably use better options in the corners, it would still make sense to try and deal from the surplus before making a quick decision and bringing in more OFs.
BlueSkyLA
Totally agree. The Dodgers’ OF looks like the rotation: lots of depth, but out of the six or so OF options, do any three of them look like an every day starting OF?
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
Well Pederson and Ethier, bc of his 10-5 and rights his 18.5 salary, appear to be locks and beyond that who knows. Puig is a lock to be on the move. SVS and Ruf are one in the same. SVS and Kikè are easily kept and have options. My hope is that the Dodgers can acquire Eaton. He’s an equal split guy, a great defensive RF, provides power/speed, and is a grinder. But that is contingent upon the Soxs wanting to trade him and the price being agreeable. Obtaining Eaton means Thompson, Puig, and Toles can be valuable trade pieces or even in a Eaton trade.
wsox05
What would be your offer for Eaton??
JT19
Not a Dodger fan so don’t really know their farm that well, but I’d imagine an Eaton deal starts with de Leon and at least one, or two if the White Sox like them, of Thompson, Puig, Toles. So starting with that, say Shields (Dodgers take on his contract, despite his poor numbers, should at least give them a durable arm) and Eaton for de Leon, Puig/Thompson/Toles, and multiple other top prospects (again, don’t really know the farm so I won’t go listing off names or how many others would be included). If the White Sox really like Pederson and/or want to get rid of Melky, maybe throw in both of them?
BlueSkyLA
I can’t imagine the Dodgers being interested in Shields. They are already up to their ears in bottom of the rotation starters. We also see them trying to get cheaper so I don’t see them absorbing any bad contracts to facilitate a deal.
JT19
True, but one of the Dodgers’ biggest rotation problems is health, and having all these bottom of the rotation starters doesn’t mean much if they can’t stay healthy. Shields has been pretty healthy the past few years if I’m not mistaken. If it meant acquiring Eaton (or hell, even Sale or Quintana), I think the Dodgers would eat his contract in a heartbeat if the price (in terms of what would be going to the White Sox) was right.
BlueSkyLA
Yes and even if everybody proved healthy and ready to go, they will still lack any legitimate 2-3 starters. Quantity can become quality, but only on the battlefield, and not on the playing field. Shields does little to improve the situation on that score. As for Sale we can dream I guess but I see this FO dealing mostly low cards.
sfgiants333
Holy sh– what? This is adam eaton you are talking about
sd19
i see you here a lot, you know that the sky in LA usually looks like mexico city?
wsox05
Remember he’s on a 5 year very cheap deal coming off a 6 fWAR season and a total of 12.8 fWAR over the last 3.
He’s going to cost a lot in a deal.
thecoffinnail
C.f.Eaton would require a bigger return than the Dodgers would be comfortable parting with. Perhaps maybe a package deal with one of their bad contracts would be a good way for them to go. I am not saying Shields bad, but maybe Melky. Even packaged with a bad contract Eaton will cost a lot.
Imo Jon Jay is a better fit for the Dodgers, than the Padres and he will only cost money. Maybe Hollliday on a short 1-2 year contract.
wsox05
Shield is only owed $5M more than Melky. The Sox owe Melky 1yr/$15M and Shields 2yr/$20M.
wsox05
Plus the Sox won’t care about those contracts if they are rebuilding because they can easily afford them if their rebuilding. They won’t take less to get rid of a 1 year deal.
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
In terms of Jay and Holliday those don’t fit their needs at all. At that point, they might as well just platoon Ethier in RF. And let Toles and Thompson play in LF.
BlueSkyLA
Pretty sure Ethier would approve a trade to a team where he’d get a full-time job. He was totally snake-bitten last year and the one coming will be a walk year, after which he will probably be looking at his last bite of the apple. If the Dodgers hang onto him they will probably platoon him with a RHB. At the moment that’s Puig but as you say he is a pretty strong candidate to be traded. Van Slyke I think gets traded or non-tendered since they just picked up his twin in Ruf. So when you get right down to it the only lock for starting jobs in the OF is Pederson. Everybody else is a platoon partner, a fourth or fifth outfielder, or potentially a piece on the move.
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
The question being would anybody be comfortable handing him a full time job know his option could vest. That’d be another 18 mill headache. Toles and Thompson are legitimate pieces but I can see them on the move in the right package. Puig would be just a throw in. Like I said I’d love to see Eaton roaming RF but idk if it’s realistic.
BlueSkyLA
What are Ethier’s vesting terms? I see also he’s got a $2.5M buyout for 2018 so realistically the Dodgers could add that much cash to a trade to neutralize the option. If the Dodgers are trying to make a real splash they could reopen the Braun talks and offer some combination of Puig, Thompson, Ethier and Toles. Puig I think is more than a throw in but maybe not a lot more.
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
550 PAs and his option vests. Even if they acquire Braun, RF is still a defensive liability. But talks weren’t really close and if they really wanted Bellinger as reported it’s not going anywhere.
BlueSkyLA
Thanks for the info. Braun is about an average fielder but of course they would want him mainly for the desperately needed big RHB. Not sure that Bellinger is an untouchable but he does have to figure into the team’s plans a year or so from now.
sd19
i love that you “LA” dodger fans keep the Brooklyn. haha your city had Jackie Robinson and couldn’t care less. Now you adopt it. Weird.
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
Puig is a lock to be moved? What happened to last July when they told him he would be traded as long as they could find a taker but then when someone claimed him on waivers they pulled him back? Clearly he’s not as much of a lock to be moved as we might think.
BlueSkyLA
Lots of players are waived, claimed and pulled back. It doesn’t mean a whole lot except that the owning team know nows that somebody was prepared to take him at his full contract value. So I would not call it a lock but a high probability event.
rnyrican88
Kinsler and JD wouldn’t be bad. Dump puig and ethier
Rbase
Not sure the Tigers (or any other team) would want Ethier, but Puig could be a part of the package in a hypothetical trade for Kinsler and JD since he is cheaper than both of those players and the Tigers wouldnt need a replacement in right field immediatly.
Kinsler and JD for Puig, Johnson and Stripling?
vvadnala
I don’t think the Tigers are interested in Puig
vvadnala
However, I’ve seen some mock trades where prospect Willie Calhoun and Trayce Thompson are part of a return for a JD and/or Kinsler trade to the Dodgers
Rbase
Why not? He would be their main option in right field for the next two years while costing less than JD (and Kinsler). I think he could thrive hitting behind Cabrera and Victor if he sets his mind to it.
Stro-Show
That’s a terrible trade offer! Why would they trade a very valuable 2nd baseman who is still very productive with the bat (even though he is aging) and a 29 yr old corner outfielder who has tremendous pop and avg defence for a outfielder who has been getting lit up the past 2 seasons plus off field trouble and a terrible 2nd base prospect and a fifth starter who might have #3/4 stuff? They could probably get Martinez alone for the three of those players.
JT19
Citing “he would be their main option in right field for the next two season while costing less” doesn’t make the deal good. Puig comes with his fair share of baggage and isn’t exactly lighting it up with the bat so it’s not like he’s overflowing with value. Puig can definitely be a centerpiece of a deal, just not that proposal.
theo2016
Martinez was one of the worst defenders in baseball last year, it’s a value suck to a lot of his offense which is already dragged down by his bad base running. can people stop acting like offense only involves what you do at the plate
stryk3istrukuout
JD Martinez and Kinsler…for that???
Kinsler is a top 5 second basemen and JD has been great offensively these past few years. Even with only one year from the both of them, expect giving up a big prospect or several good ones or else where is the incentive for the Tigers? As intriguing as he is, Puig still hasn’t proven that he will ever fully develop.
jmgara
The Giants should at least take a flier on Hwang at 3B. Assuming that Arroyo will fill that position in the long term without having another option is foolhardy.
Dookie Howser, MD
There is a certain former Giants third baseman living over on the East coast now that could be available. Not sure if he meets the “nimble and flexible” criteria, though.
Michael Macaulay-Birks
Please yes take him, LOL in all fairness I saw a picture of him the other day and it looks like he’s lost a lot of weight
tattooed trash
Pablo sucks! That’s why the Giants let him walk. Definitely do not want him back in SF.
Nick4747
They let him walk because he’s a fat a$$ and wouldn’t take a deal that had a weight clause. Now Boston is stuck with him.
gojira15
I’m hearing a lot about this Matt Holliday to the Rox scenario. It makes sense except Holliday’s defense is good nowhere and and he would likely stay healthier as a DH.
Michael Macaulay-Birks
I think he would make sense in Boston as a fourth outfielder/designated hitter
gojira15
Yeah, but I think Boston aims higher. They’ll want a bigger splash, as they have to replace Ortiz.
JT19
If he’s still on the market after the first or second initial waves of signings, I could see it. Again, Sox don’t need to go out and get another hitter right away, so it makes sense for them to address their pitching first and then circle around to guys who can fill the DH spot.
Lance
Ramirez is their new DH. Watch Boston maybe go after Moreland to get better defensively at first.
Nick4747
As someone who watched alot of sox games hanley really isn’t that bad defensively for a first year guy. But as someone with an injury history with nagging types like hamstrings and such I’d like a dh that can expel him sometimes. I.e Holliday who can do both there and the outfield. Our offense can make up for David’s departure with a full year of benintendi (not saying he’s superstar immediately if @all) more consistent plate appearances @ 3b and jbj.
gojira15
I don’t think Holliday is much of an outfielder or firstbaseman anymore. I think he’s more of a straight DH. Sox could maybe save some money by trading Buchholz for a 3B or 1B, like Matt Adams or Adonis Garcia.
buckhenry
Among the big three, Melancon to me is the Giants’ most likely target, because he comes cheaper than Chapman and without giving a first round pick to the Dodgers. I still think Reddick is on their radar screen for the outfield, although he isn’t the big RH bat they need.
Alternately, there are RH third basemen who might be available through trades that would allow them to move Nunez to the outfield.
dscards
Would Dozier be a fit with the Dodgers? They’ve got the young pitching it’ll take to land him.
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
Yeah but the Dodgers don’t want to give up that you pitching it’d require unless they can attract that tor piece with it.
stryk3istrukuout
Holliday back to Coors? Might as well give him the comeback player of the year award already.
nailz#4life
Phillips to LAD
amhidalgo
Don’t count out the Giants going after Turner to play 3b – B Evans told Duffy not to worry about his job when Nunez was acquired and bam Duffy was traded for Moore. Nunez can be the super utility man who can play 3B,2B,SS and LF. Let’s see what happens.
GOUSA9
Padres need starting pitching more than anything else. The young core impressed and just need some veteran pitching to keep them in the game. Jon Jay is a good piece but we already have enough outfielders. Pitching pitching pitching
sd19
agreed!