The Yankees believe that the Marlins’ unexpected pursuit of Aroldis Chapman — Miami reportedly offered Chapman a five-year deal worth $87MM — forced New York to spend about $10-15MM more than they would otherwise have had to offer in order to finalize the deal, Joel Sherman of the New York Post writes. Sherman also adds that the Yankees are still hoping to add a starting pitcher and multiple relievers (one of the left-handed variety), though the Cashman said earlier this week that he doesn’t anticipate adding a free-agent starter due to the high asking prices around the league (via Sherman’s colleague George A. King III).
More from around the American League…
- In an interesting read for Yankees fans (or for any fan, really), Mike Axisa of River Ave. Blues examines the decision to re-sign Chapman from a variety of angles. Axisa questions whether the Yankees, who currently look to be a ways behind Boston in terms of expected 2017 performance, did the right thing in “paying a lot of money now to buy Chapman for the future” and notes the possibility that Chapman will be opting out of his deal just as the bulk of New York’s vaunted young talent is solidifying itself at the big league level. The move also flies somewhat in the face of the desire to get below the luxury tax threshold, Axisa observes, and there are of course ongoing public relations considerations due to last October’s domestic violence allegations.
- Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet tweets that many in the industry still consider the Rangers to be the most logical landing spot for free agent Edwin Encarnacion. Texas reportedly feels that it doesn’t have the financial means to fit Encarnacion into the budget, but GM Jon Daniels and his staff have certainly made some creative value plays for free agents whose markets have crumbled a bit in the past.
- The Astros prefer not to move upper-level prospects in their search for rotation upgrades, GM Jeff Luhnow tells MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart. Houston has been asked about top prospect Francis Martes on numerous occasions, McTaggart writes, though Luhnow downplayed the possibility of dealing the right-hander. “The players we’re staying away from are the players that are probably going to start the year on the big league club and are key parts of the 2017 plan,” said the Houston GM. “Martes is a very valuable player, and very valuable players that are close to the big leagues get asked about a lot. That’s no different with him. It would take something significant for us to move him.” McTaggart also notes that outfield prospect Kyle Tucker is “generally considered untouchable.”
- The Tigers aren’t pursuing an Andrew McCutchen trade tweets MLB Network’s Jon Morosi. They’ve also yet to get involved with the recently non-tendered Ben Revere, tweets MLB.com’s Jason Beck. Detroit has a clear question mark in center field at the moment, but the team is also well-known to be striving to shed payroll and get younger. With that in mind, a pursuit of McCutchen never would’ve made much sense for GM Al Avila’s club, though Revere could be a low-cost option that would have plenty of surplus value in the event of a rebound from last year’s disastrous season.
Detroit could go with Anthony Gose
I rather have Ron LeFlore in CF
Is there a Ron LeFlore, Jr., Jr. that I don’t know about?
Now that is funny….
No. There is no Ron LeFlore Jr. or other that I know of. Making the point of how much I’d like to see Gose prowling CF in Comerica Park.
It was a joke.
Anthony Gose had a .224 BA in AA last year… AA
Gose in CF? Simply put: no
Why is he still on the roster? No way he can play in the Motor City.
While I am hoping for better, right now, I could see Gose as part of a platoon in CF. Yes, he had an argument with a coach. I sincerely doubt, over the coarse of a season, that this is such a rarity. It just happened that this was public. Knowing he’s on a short leash should keep it from reoccurring.
I’d rather have Collins as the left handed platoon partner for Jones
But… look at his slash line last year. It’s brutally bad… in AA. I don’t think he’s the answer and I’m surprised they’re keeping him in the organization
Collins might be needed for RF. Besides, Romine has more range than Collins in CF.
Gose had a bad year last year. Agreed. The year before was workable.
The Tigers don’t have a viable CF option in their organization, assuming they’re serious about competing. I think it’s pure BS that they intend to shed payroll, so don’t be surprised if they sign someone who can actually play the position and hit.
Yankees sign Harper next year anyways
They have to wait two years.
I’m a Red Sox fan and I hope the Yankees do just that. 10years and 400 mill or more.
Probably right. The Yankees, esp. after Chapman, are back to their wild spending ways.
I think Machados the better sign. Might as well get the tougher position to fill, plus they can’t sign both of them.
Especially with chapman signing. Good luck trading trying to trade that for the next four years
Agree 100%
Gotta pony up big time for harper. I think nats will keep him
Yankees want a starter….. Jose Quintana? They have the farm to get something done with the White Sox.
They dont want to rip up the far system
Wouldn’t be shocked if Quintana is on team until trade deadline. With the returns for Sale and Eaton, Sox have painted themselves into a corner as only a few teams could give up the type of return they’d expect. More likely that all the other pieces go (Frazier, Jones, Robertson, Cabrera) before someone goes all in Quintana.
not sure if you feel that not too many teams could offer enough now you are going to see more at the deadline. CWS is better off trying to force a teams hand now rather than risk an injury to quintana. quintana is one of the final 4 items left at the yard sale. if someone offers you something of decent value take it and don’t be greedy.
I wonder if the yanks you be willing to part with Mateo and Judge to get Quintana. Would be a steep price but with all the depth they have in their system in the outfield and middle infield, plus the years of control remaining for Q, could make sense
Not really. They won’t be competitive during Quintana’s remaining years of control, so why give up future pieces for him? Especially when they will be reaching the majors around the same time as the rest of their prospects, in about 2 years.
It would be a great trade for the White Sox, but a horrible one for the Yankees.
Why would the yankees not go after q considering he has 4 years of control, especially after signing chapman to a 5 yr deal? So the window is in 4 years?
Because emptying your farm system (which they just put so much effort into loading up) for just 1 good pitcher is silly, especially when there are so many other holes in the team.
Yankees aren’t the Nationals either, they have obviously shown they’ll maximize their return with every trade. Almost zero chance Yankees ever give up as highly thought of prospects as the Nats did for some Adam Eaton. And Quintana is likely going to cost even more.
Not true. Whitesox have more value to sell than any rebuilder since the 70s As (and those guys were literally sold). They could be ready in 3 years.
And it will take a couple of top 30-40 prospects to get Quintana, and it should.
I wouldn’t see them getting rid of both, but one. I’d put a package around Mateo, Rutherford, Clarkin, and Sands. But would the Yankees want to do that? Also, what is their window? The beginning of it is coming up in the next couple of years you would think.
No way Yankees trade Rutherford in that package. The other three maybe.
I agree on Rutherford, he’s not going anywhere. Judge on the other hand, is ready and seemingly without a spot in the starting lineup this year, especially after the Holliday signing. Mateo, judge and a fringe type pitching prospect like clarkin or worse seems like a good deal for both sides
I’d like to see the Yankees take on a reclamation project for a starter. Derek Holland won’t cost an exorbitant amount of money yet has the potential to be a number 2 and at worst a number 5. Also a trade for someone like fiers should not cost too much that it’d effect the farm system.
I’m not sure you’re ready to deal with Holland. He’s got the tools yes but I’m not sure that he’s that serious about being more than a average SP. won’t miss him in Texas, but not to be spiteful best of luck, but boy was he frustrating
Cashman could find a younger arm through a trade that wouldn’t be ask risky.
But it’d probably cost more. The Yankees are not going to make a serious run at the World Series this year so it’s not worth trading top prospects yet
Yankees need to stay put in my opinion. All we hear about is they are dedicated to this youth movement. We have Severino, Mitchell, Montgomery, Adams, Cessa, Green, Enns, etc. all at the Major League level or knocking on the door. Now is the time to give them a shot and see if the can produce in the big leagues. Two of those guys will push their way to the front in Spring Training and fill in behind Tanaka, CC, and Pineda. I liked Holliday and Chapman signings as neither is really blocking a young player. Holliday will protect Sanchez and his injury risk is cut in half by being a full time DH plus it’s a one year deal. Chapman is 28, a closer, and built like a tank I really dont think he will break down dramatically over the course of his contract. Signing somebody just to eat up innings that has no part in the future of the team wouldn’t be a good move.
LOL. it’s not just “public relations” consideration. It’s called ethics. Morals. You do realize that doing the right thing actually matters yeah? Not simply appearances or “public relations”. unbelievable. or, I guess it kinda is believable actually when you see the things teams and fans will look past just because someone can throw a ball hard or hit it far. after all, Mets fans sure didn’t care about what Reyes did. Sigh. I can see this writer is in that category also
Interesting to me how Reyes was all over the news when with the Rockies. You’d see about how the team had to deal with this problem, etc etc.
Then he signs with the New York Mets and the problem is gone.
Chapman with the Reds and the team felt pressured to get rid of a bad egg. Goes the the Yankees and Cubs and not a peep.
Moral? Big markets can spin or play with perceptions or even “coach” the media and fans a lot more than other places. Example, The same rules applies to why so many high level prospects from the Yankee, Dodger or Met systems get too much hype and once they’re traded go bust (not saying for all, but a larger percentage).
“President-Elect” Donald Trump is a clear indication Americans don’t give a flip about ethics anymore. Pretty soon, they’ll replace “In God We Trust” with “Just Grab’em By The #ussy” in the dollar bill.
Donald Trump certainly has his flaws, there is no denying that whatsoever.
Let us not forget though, during Obama’s run in office, racial relations between African Americans, Caucasians, and/or Hispanics, etc. al has truly been set back to about the 60’s and 70’s…
Not to mention the turmoil and sheer chaos that has ensued between the public and police force during his time as president.
People possess their own thoughts, opinions, and beliefs; therefore, I can’t really blame Obama solely…It would be idiotic to solely blame him…Although, if we are talking about morals, ethics, and public perception, under his leadership as our president, I truly cannot remember a time when this country was so divided and morally negligent…
How is Obama to blame for racial tensions? Your post makes no sense.
Why are we politicalling when we could be baseballing? This is a trade rumors site, not a news site. If we politics then peoples are just going to get more fired up. I would rather baseball.
Yes, I know my grammars are wrong.
I see, so if they voted for Hillary they would’ve been more ‘ethical’, please, give me a break. Why don’t you stick to talking about baseball.
Didn’t anyone ever tell you, sport and politics don’t mix.
Chisox city you have a lot to learn about life. Stick to baseball here.
Unless Trump just bought a team, you’re on the wrong board. If you think you’re on the right board, you have some serious maturity issues.
So when an athlete does something wrong, should they just be put down like a dog that attacks someone? Or should we allow them to rehabilitate and repay a debt via the channels in place. He sat 30 games last year and was docked more money than you’ll probably ever see in your life, so don’t act like he’s getting off for free. What he (allegedly) did was not excusable, and I’m not trying to excuse it, but how long would you like him to be punished and have to grovel before Internet commenters such as yourself? If he gets off unpunished, then you can have at him saying it’s unethical for him to be on the team and he’s so terrible, etc. but if he serves a suspension, is essentially fined, and at least goes through the US legal system (even if no charges are filed), then you need to sit back and let the man have his career. You don’t have to like him, you don’t have to go to his barbecue, but get off your freakin soapbox and let him play. This is not an example of a greater societal issue, it’s one guy who has issues he needs to work on, who happens to also play baseball. There have been no reported incidents since, so as far as any of us know, he has learned a lesson. I certainly hope that is the case. Perhaps he hasn’t learned a thing, but none of us know any differently, so don’t sit here and whip out the lecture on “doing the right thing.” Tell me how wanting to further punish, shame, and ruin the career of someone who has already served a punishment for their actions constitutes “doing the right thing.”
Reds and Yankees seem to match up on paper. DeSclafani is young, controllable, and proven to be a solid #2 starter and Yanks have loads of high end position prospects that the Reds need. I don’t want the Reds to trade Disco, personally, but if the Yanks offered up say 2 or 3 of their first 5 prospects or 2 and a couple throw ins, it’d be hard not to listen
Sorry yanks aren’t giving up any of their top 5 prospects at the moments…see their youth movement as a reason why
That’s fair. It does take two to tango. But if they were interested in such a deal, could be a win win
Tigers should have kept Maybin. Avila has been told to cut payroll, so I guess they’re keeping the band together. Nobody is going to take on those albatross contracts of JV, Miggy , V-Mart or Sanchez.
DD also claimed that he was gonna cut payroll. That being said you’d be surprised on Sanchez. the others aren’t going anywhere. Sanchez used to be a great pitcher and he’s shown signs last year of his old self he’s still owed a lot of money (16 mill a year I believe) but I’d pay 16 mill in a heart beat for the old anibal. as for Maybin it was a good thing to walk away from. he’s a career .230 who plays about 100 games a year. Tigers would’ve been dumb to pay him 9 mill
$9 MM for Maybin is an affordable contract. They liked him at $8MM coming off his so so year in Atlanta. Unfortunately, his was a contract that was movable. The year he just had may not be repeatable. Great trade for the Angels if he finally had his breakout, and not just an outlier. Plus, unlike the Angels, the Tigers no longer can move him to LF (which is where they planned to play him before Illitch signed J-Up) to hide his deficiencies in center.
Your comment only makes sense if Det actually intends to compete in ’17 and intend to upgrade at CF.
JV’s and Vmart’s are very reasonable. Sanchez’s contract wasn’t that bad either, but you can expect on the back end of a 5+ year deal there’s going to be some decline. You always are going to get more value in the front rather than the back end of the contract.
VMart’s is no longer reasonable as he has become the absolute slowest baserunner in the game. If he was a FA, he would be much like Chris Carter. He can’t play a position. All he has is a hit tool. Carter has more power. Victor has more average. I love watching him hit, but watching him on the bases is brutal.
Leave politics out of this you stupid liberal
Though some of them can be annoying, being liberal typically means that they advocate for equality, I guess that’s somehow a bad thing in redneck land. Follow your own advice first if bothers you so much.
Tell me all the people who are not ‘equal’ in USA. Would they be any of the people who play NFL, NBA, MLB…..Or is this a word used by Liberals and lefties who love the institution of victimhood and bleating. Most people are sick and tired of Liberal bleating, and it’s mostly always the case that Liberals bring politics onto these boards and expect no one to say a word or respond.
“Liberal” comes from the root “Liberty”. I can see how that would bother you. You are right in that the people who play in the NFL, NBA and MLB are above equal.
Well it’s certainly asinine bleating when you try to argue liberals don’t care for equality because they like to watch a guy hit or throw a ball for some entertainment.
And no, it;s not always liberals bringing politics everywhere. When you ignore 8 years of Obama birth certificate discussions going about in like every random place, it’s pretty clear you’ve chosen to overlook one side’s negativity completely.
Now I know your name.
I dont get why liberal is being used in a derogatory manner. If you make that type of comment which 50% of people would find offensive, no one is going to listen to you but instead fight you. Idgi
Chapman signing in a rebuilding team surprised me a bit, but what many people are failing to see is that it does help their bullpen woes, even in 2017. You don’t know what you’re gonna get from the youth movement in 2017, but last year when they unexpectedly started competing with it, you could argue they might made the wild card or close to it had the bullpen not blown up so many times late In games.
It just says big market Yankees don’t rebuild like most teams either, for better or for worse, they’ll always spend.
People fail to see that signing a good bullpen pitcher helps their bullpen? I don’t think so
Any who, my Halos should sign Revere and Coghlan or Utley. I also Want Yunel and Street out, get some prospects please. Let Marte play third, and then have Cowart come in for late inning defensive replacement. The month that we did that, we were over .500.
Let Bedrosian/Bailey close. Street is declining, just get something out of him while we can, or deal him at the deadline. Why the hell did we sign Jesse Chavez when we can resign Weaver? Or just let Nate Smith or Alex Meyer be the #5. Sheesh…
I believe in Bandy, but why weren’t we in the market for Wilson Ramos if he was that cheap.
Damn, I love Pujols, class act. But I blame the contracts of Pujols, Hamilton, and Wilson for where we are now. Thanks Dipoto.
I’m missing Trumbo, Segura, Morales, Grichuk, and what Bourjos could have been…
BRING BACK JOHNNY G.
Why would you want to re-sign Weaver? He is washed up. If he was the pitcher he used to be, he would have been off the market already.
Judge,tate Gardner and maybe Mateo or or lower tier prospect for McCutchen and garrit cole? Would love it
That’s not even enough for one of those players and still makes no sense for rebuilding team
This is coming from a Yankees fan… stop being a stereotypical Yankee fan. That package would be a starting point to get Cole, let alone adding McCutchen. Will cost a lot more than those players to get both.
No way. McCutcheon today is not the same as several years ago. Yankees would be better off keeping younger players instead of getting older ones whose best years are behind them. They seem to have learned from past mistakes.
How about Yankees send Serevino, Judge and Frazier to Pittsburgh for McCutchen?
Not a chance.
Nope. Cutch isn’t the same player, and Frazier will be a better player in two years.
Yankees are just trying to stay competitive without touching their future.
I understand the opt out after 3 years but at the pay he will be receiving in year 4 and 5 I can’t imagine Chapman opts unless he can expect the same $$ a year stretched out over a longer contract.
I still don’t mind the move he is absolutely lights out and will keep fans in it a bit- they’re good for about low to mid 80’s for wins as they prepare for a run in 2019
Stay far away from Harper. He’s going to cost anywhere from 330 million and up- he’s not a guy they want for 8-10 years(no way he doesn’t get an opt out as well)
He’s a head case and inconsistent. Go after Machado – has played heathy- great offense, consistent, great defensively – seems like a solid teammate and clubhouse kid
Dan Mizer
Agree with your comments regarding Harper….Machado a much better fit and if the outfield kids the Yankees have actually grow into key roles, Harper isn’t needed.
The opt out in 3 makes sense to both Chapman and the Yankees as it gives both a chance to hit the pause button and determine whether the fit forward makes sense.
I wonder why the Marlins would pursue paying that much on Chapman. I wonder if they were just being Trolls lol.
Astros Unwillingness to move top prospects is going to keep them out of the pitching trade market. No way Archer, Quintana, or Gray end up in Houston without multiple top prospects moving out. Especially with what 3 years of Sale cost.
You’re right. Astros want to improve their rotation, but don’t want to trade their prospects in the upper minors or the good ones in the lower minors. Who do they think they’ll get for a couple of decent, not great prospects that are 3-4 years away? Not anyone of the caliber of Archer or Quintana. Maybe the Red Sox will be willing to trade them Buchholz.
Staying in the NL central. Classy move.
That River Ave article was complete bias trash…
So do the Yankees still have an offer out for Jansen or did they retract that because of chapman. I had heard they had offers out for both anybody know anything about that?
I think the Yankees should bring Nova back. He’s as promising upside as anybody out there for price. He will be first year fully recovered from TJ this year.
The Yankees are pretty smart I think they know McCutchen isn’t the same player but so does everyone Pittsburg looking to dump his salary getting 2 prospects and a player might get it done. As for cole he had a down year and he was mentioned as a trade chip for lower tier prospects last year. It helps both teams yankees need a starter and could use a bat. It’s a step up from gardner! And Pittsburg gains salary relief and a vet in gardner to groom young outfield as well as a couple good prospects in judge and Mateo as well as a prospect in tate who could be a solid reliever or 3rd starter in the nl
No way the Tigers could have been in on McCutchen, if the Pirates wouldn’t accept what the Nats offered then there’s no way since the Tigers couldn’t even match that offer. Hose is truly a horrible center fielder. Takes bad routes, has a great arm, but seems uncoachable. Better to use him as a throw in on some minor trade and let him be someone else’s problem.
Would Edwin Encarnacion even have an interest in going to St. Louis???? If so, what would it cost the Cardinals to get him???