The Rays have at least opened a dialogue with the Rangers about infielder Jurickson Profar, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. It seems that the discussions are just preliminary at this point, but it does seem there’s a rather intriguing possible match on paper. Tampa Bay is in need of a second baseman after trading Logan Forsythe (and might also like the idea of having another player capable of playing short). For Texas, Profar is something of an underutilized asset; the Rays possess a variety of pitchers that might be of greater function. Of course, lining up on value and finding common ground isn’t as simple as finding mutual interest; it remains to be seen whether these talks will gain traction.
- Veteran second baseman Chase Utley has received “multiple offers” and appears to be nearing a decision, per Jon Heyman of Fan Rag (via Twitter). We haven’t heard much at all of late as to what teams might be in pursuit — beyond the incumbent Dodgers, at least, though they don’t seem like much of a fit at this point. Still, it’s not surprising to hear of rather robust interest in Utley, who is a highly respected talent and still managed to hit at just below the league-average rate (.252/.319/.396) in near-regular duty last year. He is especially useful against right-handed pitching, and might suit a variety of organizations depending upon how much playing time he is seeking.
- Though the Braves remain interested in bringing back veteran outfielder Jeff Francoeur, per MLB.com’s Mark Bowman, the club is only willing to offer a minor-league deal to do so. Francoeur is still hoping to find a guaranteed contract, though Bowman notes that he has yet to receive such an offer. The 32-year-old spent much of the 2016 season in Atlanta, where he also once starred as a rookie. Over 331 total plate appearances, including a late-season run with the Marlins, he hit just .254/.297/.378.
- Righty Justin Masterson is planning to build up for a late-February showcase, per Paul Hoynes of the Plain Dealer (via Twitter). The 31-year-old last put together a successful MLB campaign back in 2013, with shoulder and knee injuries playing a big role in the 5.79 ERA he has posted ever since (over 188 innings in the 2014-15 seasons). Masterson did pitch last year, throwing 59 1/3 minor-league innings in the Pirates organization, but managed only a 4.85 ERA with 6.1 K/9 and 4.4 BB/9.
Cobb for Profar?
Sorry but I’m not high on Profar, missing 2 years to injury at a young age just isn’t nice.
i think texas would say no to that, but i get your point in the injuries
Agreed, but maybe Daniels pulls the trigger for Odorizzi + either Romero (to replace LHP Diekman) or Erasmo Ramirez
Odorizzi plus anything else for Profar? A .235 hitter with no power? Why not ask them to throw in Longoria or Keirmaier too?
Exactly Valkyrie at-least Cobb and Odorizzi have proven themselves in the majors especially in AL East nonetheless.
No thanks!!! Wouldn’t want to do that for Cobb straight up. Not sure who would be excited about picking up and often injured utility man, who wrapped up the second half of last year below the medoza line. Much rather prefer seeing Miller shift to 2B and sign Carter/Napoli for 1B/DH.
You have to compare the value he brings to Texas against the value he would bring to Tampa. It’s probably more valuable to Texas for them to wait it out and see if he finally comes through after the injuries even though they may be able to get a pitcher for him.
Why do you think Miller was moved to 1B? His defense sucks. I’m not saying no to your plan because if you run the numbers, yes it would help the Rays. But one could also argue they need to keep Miller at first and seek out a cheaper option for second base. Whether it’s through trade or the minors, they will find a guy. (The price for Kolten Wong will keep decreasing as time goes on and he gets less and less playing time)
No power? This is not Ronnie Belliard, Manny Lee, Mark Lemke, Scott Fletcher, or even David Eckstein we are talking about here. We are talking about a kid who still has extremely strong hands and a very quick bat. The kid has Odor power. He just needs to:
1.) Stay healthy
2.) Get and stay on the field. (More playing time)
This guy can easily hit 15-25 HR’s. .265-.285.
But he can satisfy your needs if he can’t get the AB’s.
Check those facts first before “eyeballing” a player and making the judgment call – “Oh he has no power!”
Remember BIG ASS Gabe Kapler or even Laynce Nix?? They were suppose to smash 30 HR a year. But they were unable to get those steroid muscular arms around fast enough to hit the damn ball!
Almost exact thing could be said of Cobb.
I agree with that however I do think Cobb had more of a track record before. Also many pitchers have surged in their 2nd year back from TMJ. Albeit Profar’s ceiling and control years do have merit
Profar doesn’t have much control left at all . 4 years have been used up . As for value cmon he’s done nothing in 4 years . He’s shown he can’t hit at this level nor can he stay remotely healthy. As for Gallo he’s a triple a hr champ with s giant hole in his swing .
Glad to know you’re able to tell if someone is going to have a successful career with less than 100 games played. 3 years is also a decent bit of control. Not a lot but that’s the same as Chris Sale and no one was complaining about his years left.
1.) Who are you comparing Sale to? Cobb or Profar?
2.) WHY are you comparing Sale to either Cobb or Profar?
1) Obviously Profar
2) He compared the amount of control they had left. Which since it’s the same, doesn’t seem like something to try to make a big deal about.
It kind of is actually he’s comparing a top 3 MLB pitcher who has 3 years of control to a utility infielder with 2 or 3 years left! There’s a huge discrepancy in value between the two.
That’d be like saying Justin smoak has two years of control so I suppose we can trade him and get Bryce Harper cause he also has two years of control left!
By your standards smoak is actually more valuable because he has two guaranteed years of control but also has an option or two, so that’d be 3-4 years of control for 2 years
Profar barely has more than a full season worth of ABs and you deem that he’s proven he can’t hit MLB pitching at age 23?
I guess you wouldn’t have given Jose Bautista a shot, then. At age 23 he slashed a .205/.263/.239 and that’s with 4 teams giving him a chance.
Did I ever say Profar should net a return that Sale did? No, just the fact that people are complaining about his years left when it’s the same as Sale and no one said anything. Sure the role is different and they’re different caliber but that doesn’t affect the years. Also Profar is only a utility player for us because their set up the middle. When he was starting at 2nd from Odor suspension he KILLED it. Once he moved to utility role and had to learn new positions he came back to reality. My point being is that if he’s in a constant starting role at 2B or SS he’s going to far surpass what he did at the end of the year. He won’t have his .320-.350 avg like the first week or two he came up but he’s also not going to be hitting .230
To be fair, a lot of Profar’s ceiling came from his defensive abilities at SS, where he projected as an above average defensive player.
Once his shoulder got him off of SS, his value took a hit.
Also these major shoulder issues can impact a player’s offensive game as well as his defense.
He doesn’t have big time power, or a big time on base tool…. now he can’t play SS so, at 24 years old, what is his realistic ceiling?
He can still play SS but with Elvis being paid 15M over next how ever many years that’s not gunna happen. He played OF, SS, 2B and 3B last season so while there is still some concern over the shoulder he definitely proved he can play almost anywhere
You got a bunch of hate for this one apparently, but I like the fit for both teams. Texas’ window is dwindling, and this may realistically be their last chance at contention, so taking a shot at one-year of a high-risk, potential All-Star caliber pitcher makes sense, given the uncertainty in their rotation.
On the flip side, I think this would be great for the Rays as well. They have the pitching depth to withstand the move, the vacancy at second base, and they seem to love asset maximization. They end up with the more valuable player while not making themselves much worse for 2017, while Texas seemingly gets better immediately. Win-win IMO.
As a Rangers fan I’d do it provided Cobb is proven to be healthy and ready to go.
If I’m the Rays and that’s offered to me I take it in a heartbeat. I can’t imagine the Rangers would offer it though. Cobb has so many question marks after missing a year and a half for TJS and he didn’t look great after he returned last season, not to mention he only has one year left on his contract.
Doesn’t profar have a lot more question marks? Profar looks more like the flop. if they can salvage Cobb for him it would be a huge haul for the rangers. That rotation is too top heavy and def needs quality innings in The middle if they want to do anything in the playoffs
It’s gonna take more than the dodgers paid for forsythe so potentially a top 30 prospect, top 100, then MLB ready depth.. they wanted Deleon , buehler, Stewart pretty much equivalent to the twins asking so looks like rangers over value profar they think it’s 2012 still and he’s still the top prospect in baseball .
I wish the Rangers could go for a big deal like Gallo, Profar, and a top prospect for Chris Archer. Unless Tyson Ross can be really good I don’t see the Rangers going too far in playoffs considering how the teams that go deep seem to have at least three top notch pitchers.
Two players that Texas has no use for/no faith, plus a prospect. I didn’t realize Texas had acquired Moncada, cuz that’s what it would take if you start with scraps.
CLE only had 1 starter for there playoff run.
That wouldn’t get you Odorizzi.
Braves might trade Matt Wisler or Mike Foltynewicz for Profar, Gallo and Mendez. Add a great catching prospect and could get Teheran if you take Kemp or Markakis.
Wow, the Braves might trade Wisler for Mendez+, huh? That’s awful generous of them
Horrible
Seriously horrible ideal
I’m a Padres fan and that’s a horrible deal for Cobb
Cobb could get something better than a short stop with shoulder issues
You realize Cobb just returned from TJ and only has a year left?
Seriously. I’d rather have a shortstop with shoulder issues under contract for 3 years than a pitcher with elbow issues under contract for one
What is tommy john ?
Seriously, who doesn’t have it
Tommy John in itself isn’t that concerning, but Cobb had multiple setbacks in his recovery and didn’t exactly look like the same pitcher he was pre-injury last year
Sorry if you don’t agree but it would at least be a tradeoff of risks. As mentioned before many pitchers have surged in their 2nd year back from TJ. Cobb has value it’s a pitching-barren market but he also has just a year of contract left. Profar, while injured for a long period of time still has the talent that made him a perennial top prospect. A breakout from him and 3 years of control may be worth more to the Rays than a year of a mid-rotation starter, especially with their pitching depth. The Rays have acquired many young players this way
1 year vs 3 years is the big deal here is take it off I was the rays
I’m a fan of Profar for Cobb. Maybe if the Rangers throw in Guzman they can land Odorizzi? Makes sense to me.
Asking price on Odorizzi is big. It would take a lot more than Profar and a non-Top 100 prospect
From what I hear if there is a trade it will be a prospect in higher levels like Faria or Hu a lower level guy
Ryan Schimpf or Corey Spangenberg to TB for Tim Beckham? San Diego has a log-jam at second
Tampa Bay has SS depth. Duffy, Robertson
Adames as well, Beckham would instantly be the starter in SD.
Padres are looking for long term control and great defense in a shortstop. Beckham fits at least half of that. I remember back in 2009 when he was considered a top prospect. He has really fizzled at the MLB level. Probably not a doable trade, but a good suggestion anyway. I think Preller would be more likely to want Robertson than Beckham. Maybe Schimpf for Robertson and a low-level guy like Gadea who is next in line for DFA if the Rays can’t find a spot for him in their pen. Schimpf give the Rays some serious pop at 2B and Robertson gives Sardinas competition at SS and has 6 years of team control.
Can’t really think Spangenberg has much trade value at this point. He barely played last season, and, I don’t know if Padres fans (and I am one) have noticed, but he isn’t really very good. Maybe an average hitter but with no power, not a base-stealer, strikes out a ton, okay at second defensively and can stand around at third but can’t play short, so he”s not even much of a utility option.
True but the parameters are pretty identical for one of those “change of scenery” trades for both Spangenberg and Beckham. Both high first round picks (1st overall
True but the parameters are pretty identical for one of those “change of scenery” trades for both Spangenberg and Beckham. Both high first round picks (1st overall & 10th overall), neither of them excelled in the minors, they were almost just brought up to justify the fact they were high draft picks and the club wanted to see what they had in them. Injuries & inconsistency have plagued the duo and it just so happens that they play a position of depth with their current team, in which a trade to a team with a hole there could give them the at bats they need to hopefully settle in at the big league level. Just something to think about.
Somebody could probably get Beckham for a bucket of batting practice balls.
Beckham put up a 1.3 WAR last year in 62 games, makes peanuts, and played 4 different positions in 2016. He’s also controlled until 2021. He has some talent and some value.
I know this is going to sound weird, but the Padres should be content with Sardinas at short. He’s a switch hitter that needs a little improvement with contact, but has a high BABIP. Some people see luck, I see speed and on base ability. At such a low price, they can keep him for a few years and wait for a guy like this Cordoba kid to develop. He seems like a guy who will surprise us all.
Sardinas is a failed prospect for a reason. He’s a legit bad shortstop defensively and the bat doesn’t really play anywhere else. Córdoba has spent five years trying to get out of rookie ball. He’s not a prospect.
Someone making sense here. To sell low in a Cobb/Profar deal makes zero sense for the Rays. Cobb starts the year in the rotation, unless there is an offer for a guy that put up 2 years of 130ish ERA+. Cobb gets dealt in June/July for a much better return than Profar. This allows them to keep DeLeon in Durham for 2 to 3 months to get settled in the organization and limit his innings a little to start the season.
It’s going to take a lot more than a couple of iffy prospects to land Cobb.
The issue with Cobb remains that he’s in a walk year and hasn’t thrown. He threw 50 inn last year after sitting in 15 for TJ. So you hope if you’re trading for him you can bump him 80-100 in. Meaning he probably fades on the backend. Now why would a team trade for a guy like Cobb? He has front line stuff and when right can be a difference maker. But the issue still remains you better have a deep staff in order to manage him and limit his innings. The catch here is teams in need of a guy like Cobb probably don’t have a deep staff. It also doesn’t help that his return wasn’t the prettiest. So all in all Cobb is a deadline type target most likely treated with kid gloves like Hill. The acquiring team might not even get value for Cobb. His value might just be in his 1 year FA contract. So in any talks I suspect Odorrizi would be the target. Cobb has little value as of now. It’s tough, but if I’m the Rangers I’m not trading three years of Profar to wish and pray on Cobb. Maybe at the deadline if I’m hoping for a 3-4 to cherry on top my playoff spot. But then we have to reevaluate the value of Profar.
I’m a Cardinals fan and I TOTALLY forgot Masterson pitched for the Cardinals and for good reason. Arguably one of the worst acquisitions by Mozeliak.
That said, he did have pretty good stuff in Cleveland. Maybe he has a little something left in the tank and can hook on with at least a bullpen job.
A great match-up with the Rangers is the Atlanta Braves. Sure, the value of Jurickson Profar and Joey Gallo have taken a hit in the past year with their unimpressive debuts, but there is still some appeal to a rebuilding club. Julio Teheran would be a great addition for the Rangers and help set them for a championship run. They could probably also use a great left-handed hitter and leader capable of playing first base or right-field, I’m talking about Nick Markakis. The swap that could be great for both the Braves and Rangers would be Julio Teheran (4/38) and Nick Markakis (2/21) for Jurickson Profar, Joey Gallo, Yohander Mendez, and Brett Nicholas. Rangers add 5-6 wins, enough to assure the division championship and stay ahead of the Astros. The Braves take a chance that Gallo and Profar return to expected level, pick up another pitcher and catcher.
I wish I could downvote this multiple times. Horrible, just horrible.
Horrible? for whom? For the Rangers to add 5-6 wins or for the Braves to trade mlb players for prospects?
The fact that you called Markakis a great hitter…smh.
This is a horrible trade! Ya ok let’s trade a proven MLB pitcher who gives on average about 200 innings and a 3.50 era, plus a corner outfielder who has been a steady .270 hitter with a .340 obp and a reliable defender, for a utility infielder with no bat and shoulder problems, a 3rd baseman who’s a 1stbase/DH type player and can’t hit MLB pitching, a backup catcher, and a top prospect. Makes sense
He would be the best outfielder for the Rangers.
Need to put your 2019-2020 glasses on.
That doesn’t make him great. That makes the Rangers’ OF pathetic.
The Braves aren’t rebuilding. The want to win this year going into their new digs. The want Teheran leading their rotation.
The Rangers aren’t getting anything but minor leaguers for Profar or Gallo. They aren’t elite prospects anymore.
Trading with the Braves is a bad idea. They currently over value their players as they move into a new stadium. The only pitchers they have available aren’t projected to make their rotation and you’d be better off signing a FA then giving them what they want for Nick
How does that assure them a division championship? That wouldn’t even project them to be better than the Astros.
No for the Braves. They already have great infielders lined up in the next few years. Freeman, Albies, Swanson, Maitan. If Albies or Maitan don’t come up like they expect, throw Austin Riley in there. They have a surplus of young infielders and adding Profar and Gallo won’t help their rebuild. As for the other side, yes the Rangers would love to add Teheran, not so much Markakis but hey, a bat is a bat. My counter offer would be Teheran for Yohander Mendez and a AA or A OF or C lottery ticket prospect
Best thing the rangers can do is hope profar and Gallo have great seasons. Bc both of them are at their lowest in trade valves and rangers need to restock their farm system
In the Rangers farm system you see some flashes that would make Daniels be content, but they lack depth in my opinion. Restocking the farm takes full commitment. I would say for the Rangers, wait until Beltre retires and the Darvish-Hamels duo dissolves. Could be next year, could be in 2021. But the Rangers shouldn’t throw away contention in 2 years unless they lose their core
Pretty clear that there are either 1.) a lot of Ranger homers in this thread, or 2.) a lot of people that are wearing their 2013 glasses when looking at Profar.
Cobb isn’t a blue chip, but it takes Profar-plus, (and more likely Profar, plus-plus) to balance that potential deal.
You got a problem with my 2013 glasses? Smh
but where is Cobb’s value at with only 1 year of control coming off of tj
But where is profars value with missing 3-4 years with shoulder surgeries and other injuries. The most the rangers can do is try and sell off the hype of him being a former top prospect who can’t hit the Mendoza line but can play multiple positions and is a switch hitter who is still youthful but there’s tons of players just like him so unless he can turn into a zobrist but start hitting then there’s basically no value.
Seriously? Guys a past ace and this will be his second year back. from TJS. Check his numbers against the Blue Jays in a few starts towards the end of last year. Quite promising indeed. Held his own and then some against the toughest offensive division the ALE for 3 straight years. . Missing anything?
Exactly raysdaze I’m a Jay’s fan and Cobb and odorizzi have not only been good pitchers against the Jay’s but the whole AL East which is pretty spectacular seeing as how the AL East is the toughest division in baseball
Yes you are missing a lot. He’s thrown 50 inn in the last two years. With all do respect he’s not getting back to a starters workload until maybe next year when he is on his first free agent contract. Here’s the issue he is talented beyond heck, but he has no control. It’s a different story if he has one more year of control. So now as a Rays fan you want healthy built up sp value for Cobb, but the team receiving likely inherits a fading 2nd half Cobb unsure if he will even be built up to go 150 ip. Which is no fault of Cobb, but just a result of his injury and the timeline to health. The best thing the Rays could do would be start him late, but they can’t do that for many reasons both trade value wise and service rule wise. Think what you want about his ability and talent, but his value lies in his ability to help make a backend push and a dent in the playoffs all which are enormous questions marks. And all which make it easier for teams interested to keep a watchful eye on his progress and make a push during FA.
True visions of blue but it would still take more than profar who he himself has more of an injury history and was out of baseball for like 2 years then came back and can’t hit over the Mendoza line
Oh I’m not arguing Cobb won’t maintain value at the deadline. My point is he has little value right now just because of everything mentioned. That being said 3 years of Profar holds value. He did hit over the Mendoza line so that’s really not even an argument one can hold. He didn’t stand up for a whole season, but that’s expected seeing his long layoff. So it’s inaccurate to say Profar holds no value. They both would be selling low.
Okay, instead of Profar, how about Utley and the Rays as a love connection?
Everyone rightfully so is down on Gallo who was once a top 100 prospect and now appears to be a AAA home run king. I would love to have him play third base at Yankee stadium and give him a full year there to see what he has. Yanks are in a rebuild and lack big left handed power in lineup so a one did one deal to free Gallo from Texas AAA seems like an idea. Headley is a real good guy and wants to be a Yankee but maybe he fits with a team that’s looking to compete or a team that has no option at third and doesn’t want to trade anyone for Gallo, like the Braves. In the past which actually was last season I read Texas fans wanted top prospects for Gallo based on where he fell on prospect sheets. Now I’m thinking a moderate prospect will do or better yet a decent major leaguer (Gardner) to fit Texas run for a championship this year for a flyer to see if he can stick with a major league team.
That’d be a pretty good trade but I can’t see the Rangers taking on another outfielder unless they can find somebody to take on Choos contract and even then they still have a fair amount of MLB outfielders
Billysbballz While I won’t disagree with you on much of what you posted,I will say that you are wrong about the Braves perception of their thirdbase situation. Repeatedly they have claimed it wasn’t as huge a priority this offseason as other needs were. Repeatedly they have said that they were comfortable with some combination of the players that they have on their roster (which now includes: Sean Rodriguez, Adonis Garcia, Jace Peterson and Rio Ruiz and includes possible future guys like Travis Demeritte and Austin Riley) That isn’t to say that there isn’t improvement that could be had at third (quite certainly there could be), but all indications are that the Braves aren’t comfortable paying the cost on what they think would be definite improvement at this time. Some one like Gallo or Profar DEFINITELY is not a sure fire improvement as both of those players have MAJOR question marks still about them. Of course we don’t know how internally they view other candidates like Headley or Frazier, but obviously they haven’t dealt for them yet either and the off season is almost over.
Braves are looking gooood! I think they should look internally for that 4th outfielder (maybe Adam Walker.) Walker will strike out less the more he trains with Seizter (Braves Hitting Coach.) I’m looking for the Braves to trade Markakis as the deadline nears. Hopefully trade him to Cleveland as they try to repeat as pennant winners.
Utley to the Cardinals?
Why would the Rays trade Forsythe for a pitcher, only to give up another pitcher for another second baseman- of which Profar still hasn’t proved he is a long-term asset?
To up their cheap control. That’s kind of what the Rays do- move short-term pieces for long-term potential assets. It’s how they generally sort of remain fringe contenders hovering around the WC (imagine if they didn’t completely suck at drafting/player development)
Sign Utley or trade for Kolten Wong. A trade for Kolten Wong would look like a AAA second tier outfield prospect and a A second tier starting pitcher prospect in many opinion
If I’m JD, I wait til Profar sees playing time this spring and look to deal maybe at the deadline. Again, not selling Profar low.
I’m a bit surprised that Masterson hasn’t turned up in Pittsburgh. He’s the perfect addition: a guy who had a couple good years, went south and can likely be had, cheap. This is the kind of guy ownership in this town is looking for
I can’t believe jeff francour is only 32. Seems like he’s been around forever. I thought he was like 42. Still in his prime baby !
Lol why didn’t the Rays just keep Forsythe if they’re trying to do this now? He only has one less year of control than Profar and has been better the last 2 years.
The Rays have several in house options for 2B that have shown more in MLB than Profar and have just as much, if not more remaining control. If Texas truly values him anywhere close to the levels mentioned in this post, that’s an easy pass for the Rays.