We at MLBTR would like to extend our most heartfelt condolences to Marlins right-hander Edinson Volquez, whose 25-year-old brother, Brandy, was stabbed and killed earlier today in Volquez’s native Dominican Republic, per a report from Emmanuel Rosario of QuisqueyanoSports.com and this one from ESPN. A suspect is reportedly in custody. It’s been a rough couple of years for Volquez and his family, as Volquez’s father passed away just prior to his son’s start for the Royals in Game 1 of the 2015 World Series.
As we keep Volquez and his family in our thoughts, here are a few more notes from the NL East…
- Recent agreements by the Blue Jays (Jose Bautista) and Phillies (Michael Saunders) have caused the Mets’ potential trade options for right fielder Jay Bruce to dwindle, writes Mike Puma of the New York Post. (I’d also note the Orioles’ acquisition of Seth Smith in that list of deterrents to a Bruce swap.) The Giants and Rangers could be the only two remaining plausible landing spots for Bruce, Puma continues, noting that each team has had previous interest in Bruce. However, according to Puma, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson has not yet shown a willingness to absorb any of Bruce’s $13MM salary in a trade, which only further exacerbates the difficulty of trading him in a market flooded with cheaper corner options. Puma speculates that the Mets may be forced to open the season with Bruce on the roster and look to move him early in the regular season, as they did with Ike Davis back in 2014.
- Braves general manager John Coppolella spoke to David Laurila of Fangraphs about his slew of trades this offseason, discussing topics such as longstanding interest in the prospects acquired by Atlanta, moving Alex Jackson back to catcher, and negotiating trades with Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto. Coppolella says that the Braves had a folder on left-hander Thomas Burrows, acquired in last week’s Mallex Smith trade, on their table on draft day before he was selected by the Mariners in the fourth round. “…[W]e literally had our pockets picked by Seattle,” Coppolella said. He also acknowledged interest in lefty Luiz Gohara dating back to his amateur days in 2012 before Gohara agreed to sign in Seattle. Of Dipoto, Coppolella offered high praise. “It’s worth noting that Jerry is extremely professional about returning calls and texts, open to ideas, and not afraid to make moves, particularly in terms of trading prospects,” he said. “It’s amazing how many conversations get shot down almost immediately, but Jerry will listen and engage.” I’d highly recommend a full read-through not just for Braves and Mariners fans but for any fans that want a bit of a behind-the-scenes look on the player movement.
- Right-hander Aaron Nola tells MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki that he’s healthy and ready to go for Spring Training. The Phillies aren’t placing any restrictions on the former No. 7 overall pick, Zolecki adds, which is certainly good news for Phils fans after Nola’s season ended prematurely due to a “low grade” UCL and flexor strain. Nola, 23, was in the midst of an excellent year before his performance rapidly declined in early June. Through June 5, Nola had turned in a 2.65 ERA with 9.8 K/9, 1.7 BB/9 and a 53.9 percent ground-ball rate in 78 innings (12 starts). Over his next (and final) eight starts, though, Nola logged a ghastly 9.82 ERA in just 33 innings. His walk rate more than doubled over those eight starts (3.8 BB/9), and Nola also hit five batters in that short time frame as well. If healthy in 2017, he figures to be a critical component to a Phillies rotation that’ll also feature Jerad Eickhoff, Vince Velasquez, the returning Jeremy Hellickson and the newly acquired Clay Buchholz.
matt41265
geez Vasquez has had it rough the last few years r.i.p. to his brother
matt41265
volquez my bad
redsox for_life
Volquez!!!
Megadro2000
Rip. Praying for him and his family
MatthewBaltimore23
RIP Best of luck to Volquez and his family.
blueagleace1
Just thinking out loud, and I’m a die-hard Braves fan so there is no favoritism in this but could the Mets see how Bruce looks at first base during ST?
I personally think he’s still a decent right fielder but with all the variables surrounding him such as: his declining play in RF, somewhat hefty salary, abundant of similar profile type players available on the free-agent market, the seemingly diminished market/interest in him and the fact the Mets don’t have many 1B options (it could be argued Bruce would be an upgrade over Duda already) this could make some sense.
So, could Jay Bruce be a 1B option for the Mets??
Travis’ Wood
No, they have Lucas Duda there who is way better.
blueagleace1
Please read the last sentence in the second paragraph…
reflect
But the last sentence in the second paragraph is wrong. It can’t be argued Bruce is better than Duda because Duda is better in every way.
blueagleace1
Duda has to prove his back is fully healed first…
jimmyz
Duda and bruce wouldn’t work as a platoon since they both bad left handed.
grandplatinum
They should platoon Bruce with Duda at first base to start the season, they are already considering platooning Duda with Flores at first so this seems like a no brained for me.
grandplatinum
Meant no brainer
kingjenrry
you were right the first time…
Duda his righties and Flores crushes lefties. Bruce is a lefty, like Duda, so a platoon would make zero sense.
seth3120
Hahaha
sidewinder11
A platoon makes no sense with Duda and Bruce since they’re both left handed hitters..
Bruce 7
How can you platoon Bruce and Duda when they are both LH?
reflect
But Duda is a better player than Bruce…
layventsky
But does he draw rave reviews at 1B?
reflect
Now that you mention it, he does not have reviews at 1B or OF.
goducksgoagogo
They could look at this as an option but very unlikely. Duda if healthy is their best option at 1st and if not James Loney. Loney was decent last year, good defensively, occasional power. A great pick up for nothing by Alderson.
kingjenrry
No. Bruce is just as streaky as Duda but doesn’t get on base nearly as often. Both are lefty sluggers but Duda’a a better hitter by some margin, and Bruce isn’t a first baseman. I think he’s made 3 professional starts there and made 2 errors in that time. Bruce at 1B would mean a decline in offense and probably the worst infield defense in the Majors by sone distance.
Travis’ Wood
Bruce will not be traded until Alderson gets off his high horse and is willing to eat at least half of the contract. Bruce is terrible and overpaid; he wouldn’t get $8 mil on the free agent market much less the $13 mil he’s owed this year. Colby Rasmus, a far superior player, only got $5 million guaranteed.
metseventually 2
lol at “far superior”. What world are you living in?
Ryan The Riot Theriot
When you say he is far superior, in which way do you mean? Bruce was far superior at the plate (look at their OPS’s and compare), but he’s a nightmare as an outfielder.
reflect
Maybe he means Rasmus is a far superior player at checkers or something?
eatingpizzathenbaseball
That statement that Rasmus is far superior is absurd.
dematteo42282
Mets should just keep Bruce…
.240-.250 25-30hrs 80-90rbi are just about a given…i love Conforto and the player he will become…but you just dont know….how bad is it to have a starting outfield all capable of 30hrs..yeah..i know..defense….thats what Lagares and Nimmo are for…(id put Conforto in AAA to keep service time down) the rotations health is the key…stay healthy….world series contenders…i mean
1) Reyes 3B
2) Granderson CF
3) Cespedes LF
4) Bruce RF
5) Duda 1B
6) Walker 2B
7) Cabrera SS
8) d’Arnaud C
Bench
1) Wright 3B
2) Flores Utl
3) Rivera C
4) Lagares OF
5) Nimmo OF
1) Syndergaard
2) deGrom
3) Harvey
4) Matz
5) Gsellman/Lugo
1)Gilmartin
2) Edgin
3) Goeddel
4) Wheeler/Lugo/Gsellman
5) Robles
6) Reed
7) Familia
I like this team as is right now….make minor improvements..great…if not
Still a top 4 team in the NL
LongTimeFan1
That pen isn’t strong enough.
Gilmartin, Edgin and Geoddel – no
They should sign Blevins.
And a righty.
And have Smoker on the 25.
Regarding position players, it’s highly, highly, unlikely Conforto is heading to the minors. Mets have been rather vocal this offseason they want him to start..
Mets view Wright as starter, not bench.
And if on bench more often than not, he must play more than one position.
They should also figure out a way to keep T.J. Rivera on the 25.
kingjenrry
The Mets had the second or third best bullpen in baseball last season and only lost one piece – Blevins. And Blevins missed pretty much all of 2015, so he isn’t exactly healthy enough to give a 2 or 3 year deal. The pen can always be improved, but on paper, it’s a lot better than most teams – easily Top 10 overall.
kingjenrry
Conforto hit .422 in AAA last year. I’m pretty certain he’ll outperform the .215 or whatever Bruce hit after he got traded to the Mets. Trade Bruce for a bag of balls and give that spot to Conforto.
reflect
Mets’ complete bungling of this Bruce situation is insane.
dematteo42282
Its not soley on the Mets…the market is flooded with similar type players….imo…a salary dump should be out of the question…its either 2 prospects ( decent…nothing spectacular) or bullpen help…but as i wrote earlier…keep him. Take the .250 25hr 80rbi floor and be happy with it
chesteraarthur
He hit 217 and 226 in 14/15 playing half his games in gabp and exactly 250 in 2016 he also failed to reach 25 hrs in one of those years. I’m not sure that .250/25 is a realistic floor
dematteo42282
Why not realistic?? You pointed out 2 seasons out of his 7 or 8….with health..the .250 25 80 is a fair assessment imo…..and you are entitled to yours….point being….his numbers are more a sure thing than Conforto’s
Can Conforto hit .300 20+ hr 80+ rbi…i believe so….but Bruce is a vet and more likely to produce at his career levels than Conforto is to have his breakout season
raykraft88
Floor means the worst he could get, if 2 of the last 3 years he had a way worse batting average than the “floor” you mentioned, and one year he didn’t hit the “floor” you mention for HR’s then those lows should be his floor, not what you mentioned. Even an avg of the three years could be looked at as the floor.
costergaard2
I think that the Yanks could trade for him for Gardner. Similar salary (though Gardner has 2 years left, they are affordable). NYY too many CF, NYM not enough CF (Cespedes not natural position and Granderson too old). Would benefit both teams, and clear the way for Frazier in ’18 for NYY
dematteo42282
I had similar thoughts…but if the Mets swap for an outfielder…would rather it be for a right handed bat..Bruce..Grandy…Conforto…
Nimmo….all ledthanded bats
billysbballz
I bet most Yankee fans would hate that trade because they feel if they are gonna deal Gardner they should get a halfway decent prospect at the deadline rather then Bruce who is awful defensively, is blocked in RF hopefully by Judge and cannot DH with Holiday on the team. But in many ways it makes sense in that the Yanks are lacking left handed power and Gardner has two years remaining at 11million per while Bruce has one year at 13.5.
bravesfan82
Only problem is Gardner can’t play CF anymore. So he is also a corner OF
billysbballz
Who says he can’t play CF anymore?
Lol
He just won a gold glove and he’s better then everyone on Mets other then lagares who is a 4th outfielder.
Silly Braves fan.
jakem59
He legs are shot and his arm isn’t strong enough. There is a reason the yankees didn’t play him there. Him winning a Gold Glove means little to his actual overall defensive value, which was actually below league average last year. Only 3 other AL players qualified as LF last year, two of whom are “sluggers” in Melky and Upton and the other was Alex Gordon (who should have won the award) who out shone Gardner in every defensive catagory outside of arm strength, but because he broke his throwing wrist (hence Gordons usually well above average arm strength dip) and missed time (and because he’s a Yankee) it went to Gardner.
kingjenrry
Isn’t Judge starting in RF? And Gardner is a much better player than Bruce, so there’s that, too.
riffraff
Sandy totally dropped the ball on this one. You can make the argument that picking up Bruces option was the safe move to make if Cespedes didn’t resign – but Sandy should have looked at the flood of similar players that were available and seen that even if he didn’t pick up the option he could have resigned bruce at similar or lesser money – or at least signed a Rasmus/Jay/Moss to replace Bruce. Totally misread the market and thats a big part of his job. He panicked and made a premature move that has come back to bite him in the butt. Best case is wait until some teams OF gets hit with an injury or two and then dump off bruce for pennies on the dollar
BrodiesHairisGreezy!
He’s dropped the ball more than once. Remember he let Jose Reyes go for a 3rd round Draft Pick after he won a batting title.
jdgoat
And then he went on to become one of the worst defensive shortstops in the game and was barely above average offensively while being overpaid.
kingjenrry
Reyes got injured right around the All-Star break his last season with the Mets – that’s why Sandy couldn’t trade him. Not because he “dropped the ball”. You can’t rewrite history to suit your narrative.
kingjenrry
To be fair, it’s kinda shocking they can’t get rid of a 30 HR slugger on a relatively cheap 2-yr deal. Who’d have thought not a single team would be interested?
Thegreatandpowerfulsimba
MLBTR please understand that here are some other notes after announcing a tragic loss is tacky. Not complaining fellow bro’s/sports writers, but tragic news requires a sort of cordial solomnent empathy. Throwing a PS mets still cant unload jay bruce, coppy and dip have a gm bromance going on isnt the way to do it. Split the posts and ask your wife or grandmother if you have anymore questions lol
PS RIP Mr. Volquez and jay bruce/mets suck
(FYI- joking is allowed)
hojostache
Sandy will have to hold onto Bruce because the market just isn’t there. I’m okay with this outcome because it is better than dumping his salary. He still has value bc of his 30HR and 80-90+ RBI potential. Yes he is streaky. Yes his defensive is below average and statue-esque, but power still plays in MLB.
Someone will get hurt in the beginning of the season (hopefully not Bruce), and then there will be a market. Keeping Conforto down only works if he plays everyday, though the added benefit of gaining a year of control could be a factor. Boras would throw a tantrum, but there is a legit logjam in the OF as constructed.
Trading Grandy was on the table for awhile, but I’m glad that didn’t come to fruition. He is a great clubhouse guy and while I greatly disliked how Terry used him (as leadoff), I think he still has enough to offer to stay on the team. His trade value isn’t great, despite his HRs and intangibles.
The worst thing to come from the Bruce situation is the lack of movement to add to the BP. The Mets had a Top 3 or so BP last year (statistically) and only lost Blevins…who was league avg v. R and a solid lefty specialist. The Mets could string together another solid BP, but I wish for once the Mets ownership actually spent $ on “luxury” signings instead of hoping everything breaks right for them. Breaks is probably a bad term to use around their pitchers….
Signing Melencoln (sp?) or Chapman would have been what a real big market club does, but instead the Mets are continue to function like a small market team (Yeah…Ces and Walker were resigned, but they penny pinch everywhere else at the cost of getting better). Adding Holland would show some trust in the team, but again…I’m sure the Mets ownership will cheap out (or Wilpon Out) and let another club sign him because they are, “exploring other options”….that are far far cheaper. /diatribe
hojostache
ps. The Mets are indeed thin at 1B w. Duda coming back from a serious back injury and platooning with Flores (who kills lefties but plays first with the range of a tree stump), though Bruce there just doesn’t fit. As other mentioned he is also a lefty and has limited range. It would only make sense if Duda goes to the DL again for an extended period of time, and that would necessitate the Mets go get someone. Kelly Johnson is still out there…but the Mets are probably waiting for the Braves to sign him again before they look to trade for him.
BrodiesHairisGreezy!
Or until they have a good prospect to trade for Kelly Johnson for the third time..The third time is the charm isn’t it?
ncbravesfan2016
I think this would be kinda cool but don’t see happening but trading Jace Peterson and Markakis for Bruce. Now before you go biting my head off Jace has played CF for one game maybe he can transition to an everyday CF I mean he couldnt hurt and maybe use Markakis at first base or the Braves can thrown in Adonis Garcia and use him at 1st
lesterdnightfly
Coppy, like so many others, needs to learn what “literally” means.
GarryHarris
I don’t agree that Jay Bruce’s defense is poor. In 2016, Jay Bruce’s defense was better than Bryce Harper, Carlos Gonzalez and Gregory Polanco.
lesterdnightfly
Bruce’s range and agility are about the same as a nimble historical marker.
Joe Shlabotnik
Mets are an incredibly poorly-run franchise. They will squander the window that elite young pitching group affords.
TomG
“[W]e literally had our pockets picked by Seattle,”
If this is true they should bring up charges against whoever physically pilfered something from their pocket. Otherwise they may want to replace “literally” with “figuratively” (or just drop the word all together).