The latest from the American League East…
- While the Yankees have been trying to trade for a starting pitcher recently, Joel Sherman of the New York Post argues that the infield should be a greater priority for the club. The Yankees have a full complement of starters on hand, after all, while they’ve lost second baseman Starlin Castro and the third base duo of Chase Headley and Todd Frazier since last season. With that in mind, Sherman runs down a host of veteran infielders the Yankees could add either via free agency or the trade market. Notably, Sherman senses that the Yankees have never been bullish on free agent infielder Brandon Phillips, which would seem to rule out one potential target. Sherman goes on to suggest that the Yankees have had questions about whether Athletics infielder Jed Lowrie has the temperament to play in New York. So, while Lowrie looks like a prime trade candidate, it doesn’t appear he’ll end up in the Bronx.
- Rob Bradford of WEEI explains why the Red Sox’s interest in Orioles infielder Manny Machado is unlikely to lead to a deal, contending that the two sides don’t match up well in a trade. The Red Sox already have a quality shortstop in Xander Bogaerts, whom they could theoretically package with a pitcher(s) to land Machado, but that would perhaps be too risky on the team’s part. Machado is only under control for another season, while Bogaerts has two more years left. What’s more, the Red Sox don’t seem to have the high-level pitching to entice the Orioles, as Bradford notes that top prospects Jason Groome. Tanner Houck and Bryan Mata haven’t gotten past the Single-A level yet.
- The Red Sox haven’t participated in the robust relief market this winter, and it’s likely to stay that way until they have an answer on free agent slugger J.D. Martinez’s future, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald writes. If Martinez signs elsewhere, the Red Sox could use some of the money they were going to give him on relief help, observes Mastrodonato, who points out that their righty-heavy bullpen could use some balance. Tony Watson and Brian Duensing are among the top southpaw setup men currently without teams.
101reklaw
Kipnis, Salazar, prospects for Machado providing he signs extension.
tenman85
I’m not sure if Kipnis has much trade value, but the Indians do have some solid prospects still.
thesheriffisnear
O’s have already said that they won’t do an extension window for Machado. Which doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me. If they’re going to deal him, they might as well maximize the return value.
mlopez2
scottbour
Manny is not signing an extension, so why bother with a window to sign, Manny made it clear, he is going to test the market.
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
Offering an extension window would be pointless! Machado would just shut them down and the trade wouldn’t get made.
thekid9
Thank you Johnny Superscout
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
No problem Richie Ultrasarcasm
Michael Chaney
I’m an Indians fan so this would be cool and everything, but it doesn’t seem at all plausible. Getting rid of Kipnis and his money seems great (cashing in on Salazar could be intriguing too), but the cost in prospects would probably still be too high for the Indians, and they’d never pony up the money needed to sign him to an extension.
That said, an infield of Machado, Lindor, and Jose Ramirez would be absolutely insane. Just not plausible.
Chris Sale Amateur Tailor
I don’t think the Indians have the money to extend them
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
Machado isn’t signing an extension, mmmkay? Don’t waste your time suggesting such things.
jdgoat
How do you know he won’t?
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
Because if he wanted to it would have happened already. The idea of taking an extension is to lock in long-term job security which isn’t necessarily going to come by waiting several years for free agency. He’s not several years from free agency. He’s one year out with an established track record of success. Doing it now would just be pointless.
CobiEven
Lock in long term with Baltimore? No one would/should. A different club maybe.
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
Has explicitly said he would love to stay in Baltimore. The team isn’t the issue. The fact that he’ll get more money in free agency is.
Wesly Marshall
Mmmkay Mr. Mackey!
stratcrowder
That’s not a very well thought out trade suggestion. Kipnis? Sheesh. Wish I could take back reading that.
RealHalSteinbrenner
You must be high?
thump
Garbage deal
halos101
indians aren’t the kinda team to give out 300 mill. Plus, as everyone else is saying, Os aren’t giving a window
a1544
machado to boston is a funny joke after last year’s incidents
dwhitt3
Machado doesn’t have a say
dynamite drop in monty
This is such an empty point. That drama is for ESPN. these players are professionals, and money talks. People said Price would never join Boston as well because him and Ortiz had a feud 10x more real that the BS from last year. I like fish fry.
Speak da Truth
What are you even talking about? Same type of thing happened with Price and Ortiz and where is Price now? Oh yeah on the Sox..
Beside the O’s can trade Manny to where ever they choose. Better to trade him to Boston where atleast he has a chance to win and sign long term if he chooses.
Anywhere else more than likely he will only be there for 1 year, and that’s if the team chooses not to trade him at the deadline if there out of contention,So who knows?
Manny is going where ever the O’s wanna send him like it or not.
Mikel Grady
Would Indians give him 10-12 year contract 30 mil per?
Boi34
Who????????????????????
sufferforsnakes
Not a chance.
Michael Chaney
They wouldn’t give that to Lindor, much less someone from outside the organization.
User 4245925809
Indians last 10y contracy was Wayne garland coming up on 40y ago. i’ve gone over that one here a few times how badly it went. Google it.
sufferforsnakes
I talked with a guy at a Tribe game this past Spring Training, and it turned out he worked for the company that financed that Garland deal for the Indians.
Yes, they had to borrow the money to pay Garland. How sad is that?
halos101
indians? no. others would
qbass187
How man Machado trade articles do we have to endure??
Gogerty
None, you can skip them.
qbass187
Is that true? Thanks Capt.
GaryWarriorsRedSoxx
About the same amount as we endured for Stanton trade.
Gogerty
You seem like a very happy individual. God bless you.
thesheriffisnear
No one is forcing your to read any of them.
thesheriffisnear
You
qbass187
Oh good! Here I am thinking since there’s 4-5 a day with no real news in them that I HAD to read them.
That was totally my point so thanks for clarifying.
thesheriffisnear
Glad I could help!
dynamite drop in monty
You should get laid.
qbass187
You should do more with you’re life than hovering on message boards with sad quips.
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
Do more with he is life?
mdunkel
Amen to that
dynamite drop in monty
I know right???!!! What a chore, reading these Major League Baseball trade rumors!
qbass187
I see. You like the redundancies of the same non story over and over.
I’m sure you’re a real hoot at parties.
For your sake I hope they post 4 more stories about how there’s “nothing imminent” since like the 15-20 they’ve posted since the Winter meetings.
InPolesWeTrust
Might be time to put the mic down Monty.
dynamite drop in monty
You wanna hurt me? Go right ahead if it makes you feel any better. I’m an easy target. Yeah, you’re right. I talk too much. I also listen too much. I could be a cold-hearted cynic like you, but I don’t like to hurt people’s feelings. Well, you think what you want about me. I’m not changing. I like me. My wife likes me. My customers like me. ‘Cause I’m the real article. What you see is what you get.
simschifan
He’s somehow someway gonna end up with the Yankees bank on it
canyon2129
The Cubs offer is to date imo the best yet. If Baltimore can’t say yes to that, well, other forces would seem at play. For Baltimore fans, one would hope so.
stollcm
What was the Cubs offer again?
tycobb016
Cub offer best to date. I’ll be the judge of that. What was the offer?
Yankeepatriot
I haven’t heard any specifics of any offer made to the o’s at all
Alexis
Russel, almora, and montgomery.
Yankeepatriot
What were the other confirmed offers ?
ncaachampillini
Man I’m a Cubs fan and would love Machado but that if it can be confirmed that that offer was actually made that is truly an awful lot. Plus and this really should matter 0% but supposedly Almora is Machado’s best friend from their youth so it might help a tiny, tiny bit in their chances to extend him if Almora were still on the team.
ncaachampillini
Although $ means way more of course. Baltimore will never get more than that as an offer and I also don’t know if that threesome was ever officially offered.
AndThisGameBelongsToMySanDiegoPadres
That’s like trying to help Natty Lite be a good tasting beer. It’s just not going to happen.
thesheriffisnear
Hey now, Natty Lite definitely gives Keystone Light a run for its money!
sotaguchi
That’s pretty steep for one year rental, although part of it might be reflective of the fact that the Cubs don’t really have what the O’s want and need, (controllable pitching) so they have to overbid a little since they lack another near mlb-ready pitcher to offer..
Michael Chaney
They never offered all three of those guys together…it said in a separate article that their names had all been discussed, but not in the same offer
thump
Garbage offer..
signedepsteinsmother
An awful lot is an understatement. Russells value would b to much.
The only feasible way that offer was put on the table was if someone like Gausman and/or others were included.
Chris Sale Amateur Tailor
do we know that’s a real offer
Yankeepatriot
Also if that was a real offer how could it be the best when 1 it’s subjective and 2 we haven’t seen any of the other offered presented ?
In an era where mystery teams, contract offers and players being floated around in trade talks seem to get outed so easily surely these offers would have popped up by now
cards81
The only thing I read, and it came out of Chicago was that the Cubs and Cardinals have made the best offers…no one knows for sure what those offers are but they know Montgomery is part of the package with the cubs…the Os might be playing these teams against each other till they get what they want…Cardinals for sure have the best pitching to offer
Yankeepatriot
Just start andujar and Torres please ?
2018 can’t come soon enough !!!
driftcat28 2
Agreed! I’m really intrigued by what both of them could do
lucienbel
I just don’t see any way Boston trades for Machado right now and doesn’t over pay. Coming from a division rival and only one year of control…unless they were quite sure they could lock him up for an extension ala the Adrian Gonzalez trade, it seems like it’ll be an over pay.
pasha2k
As a Redsox fan I’d love Machado, but I serious doubt they (Os)-:¡would trade in their own division.
Marcos A. Cruz
I believe in “money talks” if the Red Sox offer him a good contract he will go for it….
southbeachbully
As a Yanks fan I don’t have a problem letting Torres, Andujar, Wade and Solak, shoot even Torreyes, duke it out for 2B and 3B. The Yanks can bring in a vet like that will be solid and can play 2B/3B for a cheap 1 year deal. We have enough offense that we should be able to carry both of them.
I don’t want the Yankees bringing in a vet who either by 2017 performance or their pride, feels like they should be the starter at whichever position. That could make a transition to a youngster a bit sticky. Rather, I would prefer they bring in a vet who knows his time as a 130 games a year starter are coming to an end but can still hold a decent glove and a decent bat and willing to be a mentor during spring training and throughout the season.
I wonder if Jose Reyes or Eduardo Nunez would be willing to fill those roles. Utley would be ideal but he’s limited to just 2b.
Docbridaman
Am I the ONLY person that wants the Yankees to sign Mike Moustakas?!?! His 2017 is comparable to Machado. He’s a natural 3rd baseman (we already have a SS). He’s only 28. And he’ll come a LOT cheaper than Machado. I, also, think that his stats will go UP in the AL East ballparks, especially in Yankee Stadium. He’s a PERFECT fit for the Yankees!!! Make this happen Cashman!!!!
7mick7
The Yanks are trying to stay under the luxury tax threshold in 2018. Machado would be cheaper for the Yanks in 2018 than Moustakas.. I am not advocating for the Yanks to empty the farm for Machado , just pointing out that Moustakas would not be cheaper in 2018 for the Yankees. After 2018, he certainly would be cheaper.
RealHalSteinbrenner
Yes
lucienbel
Doubting Eduardo Nunez will take a bench role after the year he just had. Likely his one chance to try and cash in as a starter.
thecoffinnail
Martin Prado is the exact player you are talking about and has already proven he can play in New York.. He should have been included in the Stanton deal..
7mick7
Don’t forget about Thario Estrada. He is in the mix for 2nd also.
southbeachbully
I knew I was missing somebody. Thanks.
halos101
jose reyes has no place in baseball. Unless it’s the mets who seemingly only add old and cheap scrubs
Pax vobiscum
The Red Sox have no pitching prospects to entice the Orioles. Machado will sign with the Phillies when they back dump truck full of cash up to his front door in 2019.
stratcrowder
I like the player, but I’m way more in favor of the kids playing and saving the big dollars to sign or trade for a true #1 starter. I’m pretty certain that’s the direction we’re headed.
SG
But agree Duensing or Watson are candidates for LRP in Boston possibly Krol.
I also think Lynn @ SP
Nunez & Frazier also make sense for depth and multiple uses.
KnicksCavsFan
Kopech was traded two years ago to obtain Sale.
msjrn509
Passed up great offer from StLouis Cardinals.
rmullig2
The Red Sox should offer Bogaerts, Bradley, Groome, and Kelly for Machado and Jones. Worst case scenario is they both leave after next year but bring back compensatory picks. Boston could then shift Benentindi to center and sign a slugger for left field.
Bogaerts has done well for them in the past but he’s beginning to outgrow SS and third base is occupied.
rit2940
I can see it now ….Bird, Torres, Didi and Machado . Yankee infield for the next 5-7 years .
shiz1156
To much smoke around the Machado fire not to be traded now. Whoever gets will pay too much thats for sure.
nitemare
Yankees don’t need infield or pitching. Go with youngsters and win a ring
CursedRangers
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Adrian Beltre traded to the Yanks at the break.
Soxman81
I’d happily trade 2 years of Bogaerts for 1 year of Machado. Not trading Groome or Houck though. No way.
baseballfan90
Judge, Sanchez, and Clint Frazier for Machado is more than fair
madmc44
Mookie and Xander have both been offered extensions and refused. I say find out where they would like to play for the remainder of their careers and try to make the best deal possible.
The Sox have fine players available to take Bogaerts place and if they traded Betts sign JD. In fact if you traded Betts for Machado and a pitching prospect, then sign JD you might have a more solid lineup.
Bogaerts for Brian Dozier. The only pitching prospect I wouldn’t trade is Houck..
Based on the moves above, bringing in Dozier, JD and Machado:
Dozier 2B, Bene RF, Machado SS, Devers 3B, JD LF, Moreland 1B, Hanley DH, JBJ CF,
Vazquez/Leon C.
That lineup would be comparable to the Yankees, maybe even better.
Pen: Kimbrel, Kelly, Smith, Thornburg, Barnes, Maddox, Workman–Lefty Relief could be one of Sale, Price, Pomerantz or ERod–whoever needs an inning of bullpen that day. You match up well against the Yankee RH bats from the 6th to the 9th.
dynamite drop in monty
Lol
Bruin1012
What are you a Red Sox fan or trolling those are some of the worst proposals I have ever seen.
Bruin1012
Seriously these trade proposals for Boston why would the Red Sox trade Betts whim they control for 4 more years and Bogaerts whom they control for 2 more years for assets they control for only one year.
I think that the Red Sox should are what happens with Cora. Maybe he will be a coach that the players will feel loyalty to. We don’t know yet. There is absolutely no reason to trade Betts at all and maybe you trade Bogey for Machado straight up but not much else with that Bogey has two years of control and Machado has one. I am sure Baltimore will want more then that so it’s a moot point.
Once again Boston will try and sign JDM but if they don’t it’s not the end of the world let’s see what the new coaching staff can do. I am big believer that JF wasn’t a very good manager and there new staff will be better let’s see what happens before advocating blowing up the team.