Tigers general manager Al Avila appeared on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM today and discussed the lack of activity on the trade front for the Tigers since sending Cameron Maybin to the Angels on the first day of the offseason (All Twitter links via MLB.com’s Jason Beck). “I had many conversations through the winter, but nothing to the point where I felt we were going to make a trade,” Avila stated. “I thought there was going to be opportunity. That never really developed to that point where I was close to calling ownership. … Frankly, ownership has not told me to dump salary. Basically they asked me: If you can make a good baseball trade, that’s great.” Those comments cast doubt on the Tigers’ ability to trade of one of their veterans before the season begins, although the Dodgers reportedly could circle back to the Tigers about Ian Kinsler now that their talks for Brian Dozier have reached an impasse. Kinsler has a no-trade clause that includes the Dodgers, but his agent told FOX’s Ken Rosenthal a couple of months ago that the clause could be waived in exchange for a contract extension.
A few more notes pertaining to the AL Central…
- Earlier today, MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger reported that the Twins have met with Jose Bautista‘s agent and are doing their due diligence on the top bats left on the market. That obviously raised an eyebrow or two, and chief baseball officer Derek Falvey explained to KSTP’s Chris Long that the Twins aren’t ruling out any opportunities this winter (video link). Falvey was asked specifically about the report linking the Twins to Bautista, and while he sidestepped a specific comment on the longtime Blue Jays star, he didn’t rule out that type of addition, either. “We’ll continue to monitor all potential avenues for players, whether it’s free agents or trades,” said Falvey. “…For every potential free agent that’s out there, [GM Thad Levine], [assistant GM Rob Antony], me — our group — we have our list of everyone who’s still unsigned and values where we think it would make sense. I wouldn’t shut the door on any player out there right now, even if it was slightly unconventional.” Falvey added that the Minnesota front office “has [owner Jim Pohlad’s] blessing” to pursue free agent additions.
- White Sox top prospect Yoan Moncada, who was the centerpiece of the trade that sent Chris Sale to Boston, tells CSN Chicago’s Dan Hayes that the magnitude of being a part of such a high-profile trade isn’t lost on him. “I also have expectations about myself because of the trade,” Moncada said via his interpreter. “This team gave up a lot to get me. I feel very humbled for this opportunity.” Moncada said that despite playing some third base last year with the Red Sox, his natural position of second base is his “favorite” position to play, and he hopes to remain there. However, as was the case in Boston, Moncada said he’d be willing to move anywhere on the diamond if asked by the ChiSox.
- ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick tweets that another key piece in that Sale trade, right-hander Michael Kopech, has changed representation and is now a client of CAA Sports. The 20-year-old Kopech boasts a triple-digit fastball and split the 2016 season between the White Sox‘ Low-A and Class-A Advanced affiliates, making a dozen starts and compiling a 2.08 ERA. Kopech tossed 56 1/3 innings, and while he battled his control (33 walks, five hit batters, 11 wild pitches), he also racked up an impressive 86 strikeouts against much older competition (especially in High-A). His switch is now reflected in MLBTR’s Agency Database.
- Indians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti tells MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian that top outfield prospect Bradley Zimmer could make his MLB debut in 2017. That’s not a surprising revelation after Zimmer, a former first-round pick and a consensus top 50 prospect in MLB, enjoyed a solid season at Double-A and reached Triple-A late in the 2016 season. Bastian writes that the current plan for the Cleveland outfield is for Lonnie Chisenhall and Brandon Guyer to platoon in right field, with Tyler Naquin handling center on most days, Michael Brantley returning to left field and Abraham Almonte functioning as the primary fourth outfielder (possibly helping to shield Naquin from some lefties). Further injury problems for Brantley, regression from Naquin or an injury elsewhere on the roster could create an opening for the 24-year-old Zimmer. Bastian, though, also notes that Cleveland could still pursue a trade for an affordable center field option. Recent comments from GM Mike Chernoff suggest that Cleveland is mostly tapped out in terms of payroll after signing Edwin Encarnacion, though, so any acquisition would need to be very low-cost in nature.
Not 100% sold on the Tribe outfield. I don’t like the RF platoon. Naquin could be in store for a sophomore slump and who knows how Brantley will perform. I hope bradley and Diaz are ready sooner than later.
I mostly agree. I hope the Indians sign either Jackson or Jennings and explore Naquin’s trade value. I think he’s due for regression and he’s never going to have more value than he does now.
I do actually like the RF platoon though. I think they play off each other well. And I guess we’ll see about Brantley.
Agree with RF both guys do well in that situation, especially Guyer (hbp king lol) but naquin’s D is scary, hopefully Brantley can recoup and be CF maybe, still seems to me they are an athletic OF short, Jackson and Jennings make sense but they are just names at this point, Peter Bourjos would be a fit if he’s healthy, the tribe is none for trying like 3/4 spring invites for a fit.
Fine, trade him to the Tigers
yeah, no chance that naquin keeps up the 411 babip. And that iso is likely to come back down too
Sophomore slump? Halfway through his season he crashed down to earth. He was hitting for power that he’s never done in his career, so I’m curious to see how he progresses. OK with Guyer and Chisenhall, but we need Brantley to be able to return to form and stay healthy. As for Almonte, I don’t want him or any PED users around, find a backup OF somewhere else, they’re a dime a dozen and easily interchangeable.
I don’t like Chisenhall routes on fly balls. There were too many games in which he struggled and his bat is just okay. He’s cheap so they’ll keep him but I would rather see better defense.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see him slump. I’ve never seen a major league player swing and miss at so many straight fastballs.
Kopech played for the Red Sox, not the White Sox, affiliates
I wuz gonna say that
Indians should make a deal with Padres. Something like RHP Brian Shaw/ RHP Triston Mackenzie/ RHP Shaun Armstrong/ SS Erik Gonzalez/ OF Oscar Hernandez for OF Travis Jankowski/ 3B/1B Yangervis Solarte & RHP Brandon Mauer. Indians could move Jose Ramirez to LF, Brantley (if healthy) to RF, Chisenhall to bench as RF/LF/1B options. Chis. could also play SS/3B in emergencies. Lonnie is a utility guy, not an every day player imo.
Interesting proposal, specially Jankowski leading for the Tribe
4 maybes with only one being a good prospect for 3 MLB regulars? Not going to happen.
I’d be more curious as to what it would take to pry Myers from SD. Does a package built around Naquin and Clevenger get the conversation started? Maybe throwing in something like McAllister (who they could try in a higher leverage role and flip later) plus 2 decent prospects (Benson and Hillman or the like)?
Chisenhall hasn’t played SS since 2008, where he had 16 errors in 58 games. I highly doubt he’ll ever play there again. But why was he moved off thirdbase in the first place? Is he really that bad?
He didn’t have rave reviews.
(Yes, he was bad)
Ramirez is not the long term solution in the outfield and you don’t want Chisenhall anywhere near third base. Besides by doing this you block Diaz and Zimmer from making an impact in July.
I feel like the Indians can use one of the Mets outfield bats on the block
Hahaha!
Oops, this was meant to be in response to a different comment.
But seriously, none of them draw rave reviews for their D except Lagares, and the Mets aren’t letting him go anywhere.
I’m really starting to think there are some bugs in the commenting function.
Agreed. For some reason, sooo many comments are showing this ‘rave reviews’ nonsense when surely the horse has been beaten to a pulp and no commenter would ever use those 2 words consecutively again.
If y’all aren’t careful, I’m going to start using that repeatedly in posts just to troll you!
Just set a word filter that changes every phrase that means “is good” to “draws rave reviews”. One of the forums used to do that for April Fool’s Day (reddit or chive or something).
I was actually talking about the double-posting of comments and replies going under the wrong comment. The rave reviews thing was intentional because…well, you know how it is with memes on the interwebs.
By the way, thanks Jeff Todd or whoever for deleting my duplicate comments.
Your appreciation of the ongoing joke does not draw rave reviews
Nor does my defense at catcher or in the outfield.
My apologies. I couldn’t resist.
chive:
Sure, let’s all join the Censor Everything Club.
Lighten up.
Tribe is gonna be just fine in the OF. Everyone needs to stop worrying.
Really. Brantley’s shoulder will be just fine …….. maybe. Naquin’s bad second half, lack of power and unsustainable BABIP is no problem ….. maybe. Chisenhall will eventually learn RF ….. maybe. So, the OF is “gonna be just fine” ………. not likely.
I really like what the White Sox have done so far and the number of good pieces they have left to sell.
But I have no interest in the Pirates helping their rebuild into Cubs 2.0.
For some reason I thought Austin Meadows was a right handed bat, he’s a lefty. ZERO chance I’d trade him if I were the Pirates. Polanco is the only meaningful lefty in the lineup.
As a White Sox fan, I’m naturally hoping the exact opposite. As for holding on to guys, I think it’s probably the right move for the Pirates to hold onto Bell, Meadows, and Glasnow. I honestly think the team over-performed in 2014 and 2015 a little and, with the Cubs as good as they are, I’m not sure this is the right time for Pittsburgh to go all in, even on a pitcher as good as Quintana.
Yeah you would have to think that if they end up moving Quintana, Frazier and Robertson that they will have a stockpile of prospects that will be second to none
There’s also Abreu, though he might have to wait until the trade deadline with all the good bats still out there.
The number of “prospects” is secondary to the number that become “major league players”. Unfortunately, having the first doesn’t guarantee the second. Stock piling is not necessary.
You’re right. Having the first does not guarantee the second. But having the first makes having the second much more likely. Stockpiling young talent is the smart move in a rebuild.
Kopech spent 2016 in the Red Sox system not White Sox system
Kelly Richards does not get rave reviews on this site
Just wondering — which Sox system, Red or White, did Kopech spend 2016 with?
Bautista has ridiculous career numbers at Target Field (14 HRs in 21 games). Small sample of course, and would never translate over an entire year, but if you’re going to sign a guy, why not one that absolutely mashes in your ballpark.
Huh?! You say the small sample size means it won’t translate and can’t be sustained, and then you say sign him, because it will!
I didn’t say it will be sustained, you’re just jumping to an extreme. I’m saying his track record there can count for something while obviously not being sustainable over a longer stretch of games.
As for the Tigers…………..we’re in trouble.