Some hot stove buzz from FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, courtesy of two Full Count videos (link one, link two)…
- A rival general manager describes Johnny Cueto’s potential trade value as “lower than a rental’s” due to the added complication of Cueto’s opt-out clause, which could make it hard for the Giants to find a trade partner. If a team were to acquire a normal pending free agent at the deadline and that player got injured or performed poorly, the two sides would likely just part ways after the year. If such a scenario happened to Cueto, however, he might not opt out, so the new team would be taking on a potentially diminished asset for the remaining four years/$84MM on Cueto’s contract.
- The offseason trade buzz about Yasiel Puig has died down since he is playing well, so it doesn’t seem like the Dodgers would move the controversial outfielder unless they get full value in return. Interestingly, Rosenthal notes that Puig’s clubhouse reputation is still a work in progress, as “many” Dodgers teammates view Puig “as an annoyance.”
- Matt Adams is drawing trade interest, which isn’t a surprise given how he has been crushing the ball since joining the Braves. Whether Atlanta looks to move Adams or not will depend on whether Freddie Freeman is capable of playing third base, thus allowing Adams to stay at first base. Moving Adams into a corner outfield spot is problematic since the Braves would then have to deal Matt Kemp or Nick Markakis, not to mention the defensive shortcomings Adams displayed while playing the outfield for the Cardinals earlier this season.
- While the Mets are reportedly open to dealing veterans, Rosenthal says that Jerry Blevins is maybe the least likely of those players to switch teams. Blevins is enjoying his second consecutive excellent year in the Mets bullpen, and since the team plans to contend again in 2018, exercising the $7MM club option on Blevins would be a good way to lock up some reliable left-handed relief.
- A Tyler Chatwood trade “would be difficult for the [Rockies] to make,” a source with knowledge of the team’s thinking tells Rosenthal. If anything, Colorado will be looking to add pitching rather than move a solid rotation arm. Chatwood has a 4.08 ERA, 7.4 K/9 and a very strong 57.6% ground ball rate over 90 1/3 IP this season. He is a free agent this winter and he has a strong track record (career 3.10 road ERA) away from Coors Field, plus he may not be a prime candidate for a long-term deal given that Chatwood has twice undergone Tommy John surgery. Despite those factors, Chatwood probably has more value to the Rockies as a player than as a potential trade chip as the team battles in the competitive NL West.
I definitely trust this because Rosenthal’s track record of objective reporting based on sources who have information pertaining to Puig is great….
he literally said that the dodgers would be willing to trade him if they got full value. Not much to trust there
I think he was referring to his comment alluding to players feelings about Puig.
Yes thats what I meant. First, “Puig is a problem in the clubhouse” without further elaboration or substantiation is lazy journalism and could be from 2013 or 2017. Second, Rosenthal was the one who reported (via his sources) that when Puig was told last year he got sent down following the Reddick trade, that he stormed out and made a scene and left Dodger Stadium and went AWOL. Turns out none of that was true and Puig was told before he even got to the stadium and he reported to OKC as scheduled. So, in that case, Rosenthal and/or his sources were full of it. My guess is that someone exaggerated the story, Rosenthal fluffed it for headlines, and nobody bothered to fact check because Puig has been built into such a caricature that writers and sources alike operate on a “yeah, that sounds like something he’d do” basis and publish false accounts accordingly.
Objective > subjective in these scenarios
“many” huh?
I hope the Braves trade Markakis to a legit contender. The guy is a gamer and i want him to win a ring!
Just don’t think there is a team willing to take him for what he is owed. He does nothing great
He’s a .280-.290 hitter that can still play solid defense, mash 30+ doubles a year, and drive in a solid amount of runs while hitting anywhere in the lineup. A ton of contenders could use him.
He’s a 100 wRC+ hitter with bad defense and baserunning. The amount braves fans over rate him is hilarious.
Markakis is a pretty decent Fantasy Baseball Player (points league). He gets way more points than you’d expect, if you look at him from a “real life ballplayer” aspect. He most likely doesn’t get drafted in a 12 team league, but gets grabbed off the FA wire…..and provides some utility.
In the Real World…….He’s far too expensive for what he “adds” to any team. He’s old……immobile…..and couldn’t crack a starting lineup on any other team in MLB………………LOL
Let him go rb25…..
This is probably the first time I’ve seen someone say “mash” when referring to doubles.
Chesteraarthur throwing out stats that he has no clue what they mean. This is the kid who didn’t know the numerical value to each position on a baseball field. I would take anything he says lightly cause his trolling of braves fans is quite hilarious.
Markakis is a solid baseball player. You can throw out #’s, but they eyeball test never lies. The kid can play.
1) Nick Markakis is 33 years old, I think you can stop calling him a kid.
2) Your eyeballs are lying to you – Markakis is not good, especially in the field (unless you are comparing him to dead legs over there in left). The numbers don’t back you up either. Declining BB% and K%, AVG and OBP buoyed by an unsustainable .357 BABIP and a wRC+ just below average at 99.
lol It’s funny how armchair GM’s have evolved. You can find any #’s you want to support your argument, while I can pull any #’s I want to support my argument. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what #’s you throw out or an article that you are literally copying and pasting from just to support your argument. You can watch markakis and still see he’s a good baseball player. no #’s needed. Unfortunately, you can’t do that when your entire knowledge of baseball is limited to a computer screen. trust me, it’s ok to physically go outside and attempt to play the game. It might help you out. Better yet, maybe it will give you the slightest creditably when you attempt to talk about the game and help you avoid copying and pasting. .
Listen, I’m not arguing he’s the best outfielder there ever was nor am I saying he’s one of the top outfielders in the league in general. But the KID can play the game, and play it right. Any team would be lucky to have him for any role. .
Which numbers would you use to support your argument that Markakis is a good? I’ve watched every single Braves game this year, so have seen enough of him to see he is not a good baseball player. I may be an “armchair GM”, but clearly all the real life GMs are in agreement since Markakis has been on the block for the last year and change, with nobody biting.
They aren’t biting because of the asking price, not because of his skills. Sure, he isn’t worth what he’s paid and what we want in return for him, but that doesn’t mean he’s a solid baseball player. and you have to be completely ignorant to say otherwise. Remember, the braves, and their fans have recently trended to overvaluing their players. You might be the rare that is undervaluing a player. I’m not saying he’s a gift from God at baseball, but he’s a solid piece to any team.
Chatwood has been really underrated for a while now. His stats away from Coors Field last year were unreal.
Here comes the Adams to the Yankees trade scenarios.
Judge for Adams
I literally choked on my drink when I read this……LOL
You’re allowed to dream buddy
Well while we are wishing why don’t the giants take judge for Gorkys Hernandez
You mean, Judge for Adams, Freeman, Teheran, and Kyle Wright.
The only Judge for Adams would be if Adams got arrested for something
Then you’d have Freeman switch to 3B too??
Darthpaul….Deal! Send over the paperwork now
Even judge isn’t worth that haul. He has 1 good half of a year. Granted it’s outstanding and I personally think he’s gonna be a good ball player for years… you have to be insane to think that’s a good deal. Freeman for Judge along would be a conversation the way both have been playing this year.
I don’t know of anyone I’d be willing to trade Judge for straight up.
Dude..come on now!
Trout
Braves still wouldn’t do it cause Judge isn’t a pitching prospect…’can’t have too much pitching’ is all you ever hear when it relates to the Braves
Puig sounds like Sammy Sosa 2.0, will he ever hit 60 though?
The PED testing in MLB now that was lacking when Sammy Sosa was playing would make 60 HR’s for Yasiel Puig or anyone else highly unlikely. Besides, Puig has a big enough head as it is without the additional help from steroids.
This Cueto predicament is the first time I’ve ever seen this. Is it even possible that the Giants could send cash to the trade partner but only in the event that he ops in? So trade him for prospect(s) and if he ops in, send $15 mil to the team? Seems like it could help them get a larger return.
A more realistic scenario might be for Cueto to confirm or at least negotiate his decision regarding the opt out clause with the Giants or a potential suitor before a trade is considered.
Cueto has absolutely no reason to make a decision regarding his opt out before the deadline.
…unless he wants to go to a better team than the Giants, which is every other team in MLB.
Ellsbury and a prospect for Cueto is a perfect trade for both teams. The Yanks need a starter and the Giants need and outfielder. If Cueto opts out the Yanks lose his contract., If not, he is an upgrade. This opens the door for Hicks and Fowler in CF. while a healthy Ellsbury is their lead off man for the future.
Unless the Giants have a time machine, I don’t think a 33 year old Ellsbury is their lead off man for the future.
And obviously that’s just an example…. I know that they wouldn’t send $15 mil
Sure they would send that. They may even send $15 mil per remaining year if he does not opt out
Would Calhoun be enough to snatch JD?
Would Calhoun+Abdullah get JD?
Very strongly doubt it
Cueto didn’t fetch a good return in 2015 while he was pitching well in a hitter park. This year he is pitching with a 4.20 era in a pitchers park with the whole opt out scenario. Giants will get nothing good for him just like eveyone else on their roster. posey, crawford and bumgarner are the only players with value and they aren’t going anywhere
Nunez has value too, and is probably the most likely to be moved
There are other pieces too, the bullpen especially, osich or okert, I lean to getting rid of osich, remember smith is still signed and coming back next year leaving 3 lefties for 2 positions. Also melancon could be an affordable option for people in that a chunk of his contract came in the form of a signing bonus which the giants have already eaten. In addition pence is always an option to move if teams aren’t overly concerned with the injury history.
Cubs Nats trade of Davis, Almora, Strop, & Anderson (Cubs paying 8 million of contract) for Robles, Feede, Ross. The Nats window is starting to close so they need to go all in this year or next. This would address the closer, BP, & give them a CF to replace Eaton (& Robles in future years). This lets the Cubs retool since they have Happ, Heyward, Jay to play CF. Edwards is going to be their closer next year & is Calle of handling it this season.
Put down the bottle
Almora was a top 100 prospect before he graduated, & would also give you GG caliber defense. Davis is an elite closer with previous WS experience. A top closer is going to cost several top prospects. Strop would help shore up the BP. Anderson would be a throw in if the Nats wanted a BOR starter to allow their pitchers to rest once they clinch. Harper is leaving after next year & Scherzer, Zimmerman, & Gio are getting older. Robles is still in A ball. Ross was demoted to AAA, & Feede is still an unknown. I don’t see how this trade is absurd
Absurd from the Cubs standpoint. Harper and Scherzer(with Nationals paying 90% of the contract for Justin Grimm, Felix Pena and Brett Anderson is much more likely.
Cubs are getting 2 pitchers that can take Arrieta & Lackey rotation spots next year. Ross could be a nice BOR starter. Feede is the #54 prospect. Robles is tearing up A ball. He should be ready in a couple years along with Jimenez. That would be a great haul for the Cubs. They have no need for Anderson & might DFA him once he returns anyways. This isn’t a white flag move like trading Arrieta would be. They probably have a very similar record if they didn’t have Davis on the team
That half game back in the division is nearly insurmountable, lets make the East winner way better. Makes sense
Feede can pitch out of the BP now & Ross could take over a spot at the BOR this year. The only guy far away is Robles. This could help them win the division this year, while setting themselves up nicely for the future. If the offense doesn’t perform, they aren’t winning anything anyways. Almora isn’t getting a ton of PT, & they have plenty of depth in the OF. The Nationals are the ones that wouldn’t do this trade, not the Cubs
I don’t think either team does it
dude it’s not about the value of the trade it’s the fact that you have the cubs selling their contenders!!!
Hilarious. Some of the sh** you read on hear is unbelievable
1. That’s awful for the Nats
2. The Cubs aren’t trading any regulars on their team for prospects
The emergence of Happ has made Almora more expendable. The Nats would be taking a hit here, but would be doing so in an all in move to win before Harper is a FA. Cubs gave up a ton to get Chapman last year, but they probably don’t win a championship without him.
If there was a percentage less than 0%, that’s what the chances of the Nats making this trade would be. Really, really bad.
value wise to not get screwed and the cubs won’t punt the season when they are 1/2 game back
cubs are underperforming but this is still a team that is the defending champions they’re not going to sell lol they will buy
We are all dumber for having read that trade proposal.
That puig stuff should be ignored in my opinion unless the “many” players come out and say it. Don’t do it anonymously
Agreed…I could see it being a possibility but it also seems like he has improved in that department since last year and it seems like he’s having fun out there…that’s just the kind of media bologna you get to deal with in big market cities…if it’s true, put a name behind it
What? AJ wasn’t enough to get Puig out of the clubhouse….
One of our family friends is on the Dodgers coaching staff, and from what ive heard, the Puig stuff is so overblown by the media. There just isn’t much more to say about the team other than they are good. Controversy gets clicks.
True story. What we can know as fans because we see it on the field is Puig is sort of a knucklehead. One day he loafs around the bases on a homer to the point where it irritates the opposing team, the next bolting out of the box on a homer so quickly he could be running out a triple. That kind of behavior has to be at least a little irritating to some players on the team. Still the fans love him and the show he can put on, and when he hits those dingers or makes one of those spectacular fielding plays, he’s going to get high-fives all around from his teammates. Personal politics might be fun to talk about but the game is still in first position.
The Cueto take is inherently flawed.
If Cueto gets traded and then were to get seriously injured, he’s new team would more than likely be on the hook for his opt in contract. Ok, how is this different than any FA signing? If Darvish signs X years at $X million this off season and 3months into 2018 he needs Tommy John, guess what; that team is on the hook. At least with Cueto he’s incentivized to outperform the contract and even if he choose not to this contract is not an albatross. His first year of the deal he started in the all star game and this year he’s pitching above average, too soon to call the remainder of the contract a win or a loss.
It is your take, which is flawed.
Because if he’s hurt and opts in you’re getting an injured player, who was already performing worse than when he signed the deal and you’re only getting his older seasons, and missing out on the front end benefits of the contract. “this contract wouldn’t be an albatross” isn’t a very good defense of it…
Are you a giants fan?
Unlike Yu Darvish who will be a clear rental if traded this summer, Johnny Cueto’s opt-out provision means that any suitor will be guessing as to his trade value as the non-waiver deadline approaches. It is difficult to part with assets not knowing if he will be a rental or controllable beyond this season.