We heard somewhat varied reports yesterday on whether there was any real connection between the Red Sox and Marlins on Giancarlo Stanton. Today, there’s clear indication that the sides aren’t firmly engaged on the slugger: per Sean McAdam of the Boston Sports Journal (subscription link), the teams have not engaged on the matter since the GM Meetings. It certainly sounds as if Boston is not actively pursuing Stanton, though it’s always possible that could change if his market continues to drag — which remains a distinct possibility. MLB.com’s Jon Morosi tweets that the Marlins haven’t set any sort of deadline for teams to submit their best offers, so perhaps Boston could reengage if their reported talks for White Sox star Jose Abreu do not prove fruitful.
Here’s more chatter on the trade and free agent markets:
- It seems the Rays are at least entertaining the possibility of dealing closer Alex Colome, per Morosi (Twitter link), with “active discussions” said to be ongoing with multiple rival organizations. The Cardinals have “sustained interest” in Colome — a connection we first heard about two weeks back. Colome’s less-than-dominant 2017 campaign has likely cabined his trade value somewhat, though teams will still no doubt see significant value in the hard-throwing, high-leverage reliever. MLBTR projects that Colome will earn $5.5MM in his first of three potential trips through arbitration.
- The Astros can now be added to the list of teams with some interest in Mike Minor, according to a report from ESPN.com’s Buster Olney (Twitter link). Jake Kaplan of the Houston Chronicle previously explained that the southpaw would make for an interesting target for the ’Stros; we have also heard of prior interest from the Mets, who Olney also names. There’ll likely be quite a few other teams poking around on his market, too, after a high-quality season in which Minor bounced back from shoulder problems. As a lefty with a starter’s arsenal, Minor could be awfully handy on plenty of rosters, though his contractual upside will likely be limited by his health history.
- Free agent righty Alex Cobb, meanwhile, still seems to be facing a fairly wide-open market. Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times tweets that “a lot” of teams have interest, but that there’s “nothing close” to coming together at the moment. Quite a few organizations could end up having interest in Cobb, who certainly has some earning upside beyond the four-year, $48MM contract that MLBTR predicts he’ll land. Cobb turned down a qualifying offer from the Rays, so the draft compensation he’ll return to the organization will depend upon whether or not he’s able to surpass our best guess and earn a $50MM guarantee.
- The Blue Jays held talks with the Braves regarding veteran outfielder Nick Markakis, Morosi tweets. But the chatter has “failed to advance” and it’s not clear whether the sides will pick things up. Markakis has continued to put up roughly league average offensive numbers, compensating for a lack of pop with solid on-base numbers, but isn’t much of a value on a $10.5MM salary. Presumably he’d have provided the Jays with a platoon piece for their outfield mix, but it stands to reason that the organization is looking to spend a bit less than that — particularly given that it has other, greater priorities.
Paclypse71
Markakis or Kemp need to go.
southi
Preferably BOTH Markakis and Kemp (who obviously needs to go first) need to be moved off the Braves roster this off season. Unfortunately that will be a very difficult task.
inkstainedscribe
The more salary the Braves eat, the easier it’ll get.
ckguffyiii
The braves are paying him 7 mil a year off his contract…the original contract is very bad but the braves are only paying about a third of his total salary
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
Braves are paying Kemp $16m a year. Dodgers are paying him $3.5m and Padres are paying him $2.5m.
NL_East_Rivalry
If you took off Oliveras remaining contract the Braves only added 8 million a year. That’s where they are getting that number.
jbigz12
Kemp provides negative value to the team. Clocked him in at -1.3 WAR. Olivera would’ve provided 0 and cost you half that. Someone would’ve had to replace Kemp though it wouldn’t be hard to argue you could’ve gotten a better value out of that additional 8 million. Kemp didn’t really do much offensively either. 270/310/781 19 doubles and 23 hrs in about 450Pa’s. That’s decent at best. Can’t believe any team would want that at more than 6-7 mil next season.
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
I remember a year ago when Braves fans were saying they would get actual prospects for Kemp
bravesfan88
Unfortunately, as a Braves fan, I recall the exact same stupidity from some fellow Braves’ “fans.”
I was thinking he could have a fairly productive offensive season for the Braves, and when he was healthy, he did..But, he was still an absolute nightmare defensively…lol
EndinStealth
And they were saying Teheran was a top 5 MLB ace.
realgone2
well I can promise you I never thought that about JT
Chris Sale Amateur Tailor
of course GT is a top 5S Kershaw Bumgarner Scherzer sale Tehran
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
So in other words we know nothing about Stanton that we didn’t already know a month ago.
timtim007
Maybe you have forgotten what site you are on. This is a trade rumor site. If the writers hear any new news, they will report it. That is their job.
I am not trying to be a smart as s about it. I apoligize if i come across that way. I am always checking for updates about whoever, including Stanton. I enjoy all of them, no matter how miniscule they may seem.
customcrown
Agree. Didn’t know rumors meant fart dust with lil wind behind them haha
bravesfan88
See timtim’s comment above, which I thoroughly agree with.
It’s a site for rumors…Whether those are just small gas pains, actual farts, or the occasional blockbuster…well, enough said…lol haha
sufferforsnakes
Hey, I resemble that.
liamsfg
Complaining about free updates?
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
These aren’t even updates. No one has any idea who Stanton will be playing for next year. It’s all speculation. I could just as easily comment on here that the Rays will get him and have as much credibility as their so-called sources. In fact, I think that’s what I’m gonna do.
Chris Sale Amateur Tailor
it’s better than nothing and if you don’t like it don’t read it it’s free it’s not like they’re doing these instead of reporting a whole bunch of other MLB news because there is none
calibearwaltzer
really hope the stros get minor… need a good lefty in the pen. Sipp is not good
astros_fan_84
I’d like to see the Astros add Minor. Would 3/20M do it? I’d love to DFA Sipp and add a useable player.
Cardsfanatik
3/20 won’t get out done. 3/30-35 might.
chrisones
Not with his injury history. 3/25
outinleftfield
MLBTR predicted Minor would take a 4 yr/$28 million deal.
Cardsfanatik
I actually meant 4/30-35, but you get the idea, he’s not going to take a 3 year deal with less AAV than if he’d just excersed his option. IMO. He was guaranteed 10 million in 2018, don’t see him signing for 3 years under 7.
chrisones
Sure he would. Relievers especially do it all the time. He’s coming off a career year. He has no guarantee to replicate that next year. He definitely would decline that option if the market was only 2/15.
jbigz12
He’d decline one at 10 for 2 and 15? We’ve got some risk averse puss pops around here. 25% paycut for a year pact? Doubt that. 3/22.5 I’ll listen.
beetlejuice
I didn’t know that Jeter fired their TV announcers till today. I liked Waltz.
Zachary Hines
I d be good with the cardinals going after colome.
Dotnet22
I would love to see a Colome/Odorizzi package go to the Cardinals.
bsb129
I’ve thought the same thing, plugs two holes with one trade, on the bad side the cards would have to give up a lot in return.
therealryan
What would the Cardinals be willing to give up in return? Seems like a lot of Card fans on here highly overrate their prospects and 3 years of Colome won’t be cheap.
Gogerty
Honestly, who doesn’t overrate their prospects? Most fan bases do.
Sheldon Bowen
Mariner’s fans don’t.
mp2891
I had this debate earlier on another site. If we’re talking prospects only – Rays fans think a package of Carson Kelly, one of Flaherty/O’Neill and several boom/bust Class A and younger players might only be enough for Colome. That’s a trade I’d do in heartbeat if I’m the Rays. Regardless of whether it’s a prospect rich trade or one involving MLB pieces on both sides, I’m thinking Carson Kelly would have to be part of any package for Colome/Odorizzi. I’d also expect the Rays to target one of St. Louis’ young/controllable MLB outfielders. But I doubt the Rays will trade Colome/Odorizzi as a package. They’d expect too much in return.
Sheep8
“cabined his trade value somewhat” Jeff is getting fancy on his word choice…keep it up JT!
citycat
Wish the Orioles would get Markakis back
steelerbravenation
We are not competing next season keep both til deadline trade Markakis & hope Kemp builds value for an AL club let the 3 lefties get their lumps and build for 19. Bring Acuna in after the deadline give AA a year to sort out what we got
outinleftfield
Bored and just spitballing.
How about Stanton to the Rockies for Pint, Patterson, and Tyler.
The Marlins send $45 million to the Rockies starting in 2021. $5 million per season plus the $10 million option buyout.
Marlins get the impact pitching prospect they want and payroll relief they need for 2018 – 2020. They also get a 4th OF type that is MLB ready in Patterson and a project relief prospect with plus plus velocity but poor control in Tyler.
The Rockies get the best power hitter in baseball.
Why would the Rockies do that and what else would they have to do to be a contender in 2018-2020?
The Rockies have said they are willing to go up to $150 million in payroll. Trading for Stanton puts their payroll at $128 million for 2018.
They will still need a catcher, a closer, and at least one setup man.
Sign Lucroy to a 2/$20 million deal with a $12 option for 2020 a $4 million buyout.
Trade McMahon, Howard, and a low-level prospect to the Padres for Hand. Hand’s projected salary in arbitration is $3.8 million.
Sign Minor to a 4 year $28 million deal and sign Joe Smith to a 2 year $6 million deal.
With those changes, the Rockies are at $154 million in payroll for 2018 and that looks like a team that can contend again.
So tear it apart, praise my acumen, or post your idea for a trade. I’m just bored of all the nothing rumors and thought I would make up my own.
Deke
I have no idea about the trade but man. I would love and hate to see Stanton playing for the Rockies. I’d love to see him hit but then I’d hate to see him hitting against my team.
aff10
Feels like an underwhelming prospect package. Tyler and Patterson have marginal value at this point, and, while Pint’s stuff is still intact and he’s still very much a prospect, he did just murdered in Single-A. If the Marlins are still eating $50M or so, I’d bet they end up with a better package than Pint and some change
Chris Sale Amateur Tailor
what are you talking about pint is thier second-best Prospect no way they get him in return for Stanton
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
I’m not saying the Marlins can or can’t get Pint in a Stanton trade but saying they won’t get him because “He is the Rockies’ second-best prospect” is a terrible argument. Like, would they not be able to get Jahmai Jones if they traded Stanton to the Angels? Cuz he is their 2nd best prospect.
Sheldon Bowen
I would say Seattle offer Kyle lewis and Nelson Cruz for Stanton. Cruz is expiring and Marlin’s can easily flip them and Mariner’s can open up dh to protect Stanton more and go for otani to DH when not pitching.
beetlejuice
Wow! Your’e way out in left field.
mlb1225
I think The Braves should market Kemp to AL teams. He’s so defensively limited anymore, that he should be moved to DH. He’s still putting up decent offensive numbers though. I could see The Yankees interested in Kemp. With Holliday leaving, that leaves DH open.
steelerbravenation
I would love the Yankees to have interest but I don’t see them with that salary. Even if we eat the contract I think the Yankees like having the flexibility of having the regulars rotate in the DH spot as a half day off
floridapinstripes
His power #’s are way down and considering a .318 obp doesn’t really fit as DH for any team nevermind the young yankees that are playoff contenders again.
seamaholic 2
He’s not good enough to DH on any team I can think of. Braves are going to have to just release him.
JeremyR
I realize everyone looks at saves when it comes to closers, but Colome’ doesn’t seem to strike out many people, something a bit scary in a closer.
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
It’s just a weird position. Like, with starters wins and losses are obviously a poor way to judge how good they are but literally the closer’s only job is to get out of the ninth inning with the lead intact, with the end completely justifying the means. So if a closer were to allow the other team to come within a run and leave the bases loaded but get out of the ninth with the lead intact every time he comes in, he technically is the best closer in baseball.
Wainofan
Technically correct but those peripherals would suggest that going forward you should not expect that to continue. That’s why we have advanced stats, to determine if player is good or not so good and just lucky or carried by a good team. Neither of which would be expected to continue in same manner.
kylelohse
I watched pretty much every save Colome had in the past two years. 2016 he was a sure thing every time, kind of like Fernando Rodney in 2012. However in 2017, Colome was shaky, blowing some important saves and making some really ugly ones. Kind of like Rodney in 2013, you need a bottle of Pepto Bismol to watch.
Chris Sale Amateur Tailor
at least he’s not Fernando Rodney 2017 talk about an arrow to the heart
0428April
Yeah….as a Tigers fan Rodney gave me my fair share of indigestion, but not as much as Todd Jones.
Lance
Kemp is a proven power hitter and an asset to an AL team needing a DH. They could give up a mid level prospect and get ATA to kick in more money on Kemp’s contract so that AL team could get a solid right handed DH with some thump.
Wainofan
Cards all time saves leader is jason isringhausen. However he’s far from best reliever cards ever had. Bruce sutter, eckersly, Lee smith, and countless others had less saves but better pitchers. I can’t even begin to tell you how many times izzy would come in with 3 run lead and no one on and end up with bases loaded and third out caught a foot from the wall. He still got the save.
0428April
I hope Stanton is still in a Marlins uniform in April. Screw Jeter! Why should another organization bail him out. Stanton has maybe 3-4 years left of playing at this level before he starts declining. Then the team is screwed, ala the Angels with Pujols. If this were still the steroid era then I would invest in 10 year contracts for every guy that hits 40+ homers early in his career.