In his latest run of notes from around the game, Jon Heyman of Fan Rag touches upon a variety of topics. Many are covered in an omnibus post, while others get their own full treatment. Here are a few highlights with particular hot stove relevance:
- The Nationals have put out feelers on the top available relievers, says Heyman, even though the club surely isn’t desperate to find a new option in the ninth inning. While Wade Davis is now off the board, it seems Greg Holland could yet be an option for the Nats. And of broader importance, the report suggests that further bullpen upgrades are still under consideration as the team considers how it can put the finishing touches on an already-strong roster.
- Numerous teams are obviously preparing to pursue Marlins outfielder Christian Yelich, who the Fish are reportedly increasingly willing to deal. Just how likely is a deal? Heyman cites a few sources who describe the situation as one in which the club is making Yelich and teammate J.T. Realmuto available in talks. Among the organizations with some level of interest in Yelich, per Heyman, are the Diamondbacks, Braves, and Giants. No doubt there are plenty of others, too, that will line up for both players.
- Speaking of options, the Giants are evidently still looking at quite a range of options in the outfield. Heyman says that trade candidates include not only Yelich but also Andrew McCutchen and Juan Lagares. (Others, of course, have linked the team to Billy Hamilton throughout the winter.) The free agent market is still chock full of possibilities, and Heyman says the team is still a potential landing spot for top option J.D. Martinez as well as the previously rumored Jay Bruce. Beyond that, Carlos Gomez, Carlos Gonzalez, Jarrod Dyson, and Jon Jay seem to be on the radar for the Giants.
- There have been some conflicting signals floating around on slugger Mike Napoli, it seems clear there’s serious interest between him and the Twins. The veteran slugger hasn’t lined up yet with Minnesota, but Heyman says some believe it’s “something of a likelihood” that a deal will ultimately be struck between the sides. Of course, there are still quite a few other defensively-limited sluggers on the market, but it seems the Twins are focused on Napoli both to add some pop and provide a strong veteran presence to the young squad.
redsFAN86
…. Giants interested in anyone who plays Outfield
Solaris601
I think I’ve heard the Giants connected to every single OFer on and off the market over the past 2 months. They have nothing in the minors they’re willing to trade for a CF, they have limited payroll flexibility, and I see them ultimately waiting out the market and signing a Carlos Gómez to a 1 or 2 year incentive laden deal for less than $10M AAV.
BarberSM702
If the Giants have “limited” payroll flexibility , believe you,me it’s because they so choose…..if they decide to exceed the competitive tax , they can do it without blinking an eye
walkitoff
^ this. exactly.
Kenleyfornia74
Who on earth could the Giants trade for Yelich. They are easily dead last among all 29 teams that could trade for him as far as building a package goes
redsFAN86
SF could offer 8 prospects and still get denied Yelich their farm is that bad lol
gigantes 2
True, but the Giants farm system could still beat the Reds.
sixpacktwo
You are kidding of course! The Reds have a top five farm
system.
Tyler 20
uh check again
Kenleyfornia74
Reds have 2 top 20 prospects in all of baseball
wiggysf
He was saying that the Giants’ AAA team could beat the reds
walkitoff
^ I guess it went over his head
cainer18
If the Marlins throw in Tazawa or Ziegler, they’ll be more inclined to accept less minor league talent. Giants would still have to gut their farm to get Yelich and some bad contracts, but the Marlins could consider a lot of options that save them some cash
adamontheshore
While I’m sure they want to save cash, I don’t see the Marlins doing another salary dump type trade, especially with someone like Yelich, considering the bad press from the Stanton trade. It would be a PR nightmare if they did, or rather a PR night terror since they are already past the nightmare.
justinept
Agreed. Lost in all the craze about the Marlins salary dump is how ludicrous it was for a small market team with financial issues signing a player to the largest contract in American sports history… I’m still unsure why anyone was surprised the new ownership group dealt him.
Adios pelota!
While I agree they could eat some money I don’t know that Ziegler would be on that list. I know he’s older but Miami should be able to get prospects at the deadline (assuming he is solid). Unfortunately the giants don’t have much to give, watched him a number of years here in AZ always neat to see that “unique” delivery.
Chris Sale Amateur Tailor
okay they’re not even close to dead last in their far far from the top of it but that’s an insane overstatement
kaskro
Heliot Ramos.
Kenleyfornia74
Nice. 1 guy with 2 good months of rookie ball. That will go a long way towards an established big leauge star
mlb1225
Yea, and now that they traded their only prospect with some worth, they’re already bad farm system got worse.
WarrenSpahn
Yelich is not old enough or decrepit enough yet for the Giants. in about 10 years he will be ready…
dynamite drop in monty
Giants reportedly offers Bobby Rayburn a multi year deal
cvarneski
… as Robert DeNiro sharpens his knives.
Lanceuppercut1
Victor Robles for Roberto Osuna
tbonenats
lol
TradeAcuna
Yelich Inciarte Acuna
Just think…
JDSchneck
Sounds great, but I’m honestly more interested in Realmuto. I don’t know if he’s a good framer, but if he is I’d really like to see him in a Braves uniform I’m exchange for some low level prospects that may have high ceilings but later projected MLB debuts. Braves don’t need Outfield help, they need catching for the future. For now, they have a suitable situation with Flowers and Suzuki. I think we have enough depth and flexibility with prospects to worry about the outfield after Markakis’ departure.
justinept
There’s no true standard for the stat but He’s in the 10-15 range among catchers in most places that measure it.
tbonenats
Marlins aren’t trading JT for a bunch of low level prospects. They are rebuilding but they probably want to contend in 4 years which means they need players that are more like 1-2 years from the show. They’d maybe take 1-2 low level super high ceiling guys in a package headlined by a couple top 100ish prospects.
soggycereal
yelich trout upton sounds better to me
Tyler 20
sounds expensive too
167975819
Besides the Nationals, who are the likely suitors for J.T. Realmuto?
brewfan27
Dodgers?
geniusfriedman
The dodgers are one of the deepest catching teams in the league. Two starter quality mlb’ers. Ruiz and smith in the farm. Kyle farmer even got run, granted mostly as a pinch hitter. W grandal heading for 2018 free agency I wouldn’t be opposed to seeing the Blue trade him.
cvarneski
DBacks, A’s, Orioles
skip 2
Oakland!?!
CCCTL
Eh, who knows.
Word is Maxwell may take a plea deal for drunk & disorderly, and the team seems to be behind his skills as well. But we’ll see, as MLB has oversight on punishment, and I can’t really guess what will happen. If he’s out for significant time, I think we’d be interested, but I think by the time we find out, Realmuto won’t be available.
tbonenats
I don’t see Oakland giving up any of their top 3-4 prospects for JT. So I assume they’re out on JT.
JDSchneck
Hopefully the Braves.
jacknbd
Brad hand for Juan Soto who says no first
beard
Not a bad deal for either side if it is just Soto. Doubt it would happen though
aamatho18
Nationals. They like Soto more than Robles.
outinleftfield
Soto and who else. Preller has been consistent in asking for an elite prospect plus at least one other good prospect. Since Soto is not elite, who else would be included in that trade? Fedde?
aamatho18
And you think Fedde is the elite prospect out of the bunch?
tbonenats
I honestly don’t see the Nationals trading Soto for anyone with less than 4 years of control. Many in their scouting dept. and FO like Soto more than Robles long term. Soto isn’t elite yet, but there is a reason he’s top 50 on many lists despite not logging tons of time yet.
I could see them trading Soto for someone like Archer if he’s put on the block but they refused to include Soto or Robles in deals for Eaton and in talks for Sale…hard to see them trading him for Hand, especially since his stock improved last year despite injuries.
Jamespfunk
I don’t foresee the Nats trading Soto or Robles. Harper is gone after this season and Robles will slide into an outfield spot with Eaton, the following year Soto will most likely slide into another outfield spot. They’ll have 2 hopefully very good young controllable outfielders for years.
Of course things change all the time, the front office starts to sour on one of them(like Giolito), they resign Harper next offseason, they don’t sign Rizzo to an extension and the new GM wants to make moves, Rizzo wants to make a big splash at the trade deadline to try to finally get over the hump and get to the WS. Time will tell, I’d keep them both, Nats are strong at most positions don’t screw with the future.
tbonenats
Agreed man. If Taylor shows last year was legit they could maybe sign him to a Yelich or Eaton type of extension this season. Making Soto expendable but most likely outcome is the Nats trade Taylor for some prospects if he is proven to be legit.
Personally I would be okay trading Soto for Archer and Taylor plus Fedde and others for JT and sign Martinez to give the lineup some elite pop. But I am more than okay standing pat for the most part.
aamatho18
Soto still needs plenty more of seasoning in the minors. He may get a call up in 2019, but 2020 i think is the earliest realistic year that he’ll be a regular for the Nats.
Chris Sale Amateur Tailor
Fedde would be a part of that archer package tho along with a few other top guys in your farm.
tbonenats
Maybe, I was thinking the Rays may prefer Ross and Keiboom. But yeah very possible Fedde would have to go along with Soto. Regardless with Harper leaving I doubt the Nats trade their farm system depth
tealmarlin
Man I hope Jeter gets some good prospects for Yelich ane Realmuto. I feel like he’s ok with a vending machine in return for Yelich. Some top tier prospects for one of our favorite and most loved player in the team.
JDSchneck
My favorite Baseball player ever is Jeter, but I’m gonna be honest. He has decimated the Marlins and reduced the value of the franchise dramatically. The Stanton trade was completely illegitimate. Jeter wants the Yanks to succeed, bottom line. Ozuna trade wasn’t bad, I think they could’ve gotten more. The fact that this fire sale has focused more on the “tanking” method rather than using MLB talent to create a good farm system really stinks for them. Tanking doesn’t and will never work in baseball.
22222pete
Jeter owns less than 3% of the team. He is basically a salary man taking orders from the majority owner. His contract has incentives for cutting payroll. Jeters main role with the Marlins and MLB is as a PR tool. Jeter is a popular and respected brand and lots of folks will defend him no matter what he does
adamontheshore
Yawn…Seriously, more of the same. The Stanton deal was pretty much forced on them, and they need to rebuild in order to build a true contender not just a fringe one. If Jeters Name wasn’t attached to this people wouldn’t be so up in arms. Let them go through with their plan and if it’s a failure in three to five years then complain. You act like Jeter is giving all the best Marlins players to the Yanks out of commitment rather than trading Stanton out of necessity, and remember that Stanton vetoed two trades before the Yanks trade went down.
matthew102402
I’m not so caught up on the Jeter thing, just the whole Marlins FO. They’re not rebuilding to rebuild, or improve their farm system. They’re doing it to shed money. Although now they are entertaining offers for Yelich, and JT, there’s a reason that Stanton, and Dee Gordon had more rumors than Ozuna did, or Yelich, and Realmuto do right now. Do you legitimately think that if the Marlins were actually rebuilding to rebuild, they couldn’t get one top 100 prospect for Giancarlo Stanton, Dee Gordon, and Marcell Ozuna? That’s my take on it, at least.
adamontheshore
Stanton and Gordon no if they needed to shed most of the salary, or maybe in Stanton’s case but he could veto any trade. Both were close to market value, so it’s not worth overpaying. With the trade of Ozuna I assume the team did their due diligence when they were scouting for Stanton, and got the players they wanted (top 100 is not an indication of value). People forget that the goal is to make a profit and the investment first and build a winner second. There is some cause and effect, but they need to build a plan to make a profit first. It sucks for fans, but that’s how it is.
thump
Ugh. The Jeter/Yankee conspiracy therioes are so dumb. Why is Jeter getting blamed for trying to help the Yankees, totally not the case. He had Stanton dealt to not one,but two other teams. His hand was forced. Staton is the,one who said no to BOTH other trades. Stanton gave the Marlins very little choice. Financially, the Marlins had to move that contract.A contract which was signed by the former owner, not Jeter.
TheMikeAG
Stanton gave the Marlins no choice? Did Jeter’s group not realize that Stanton was making all that money when they put in their ownership bid?
The problem with the Stanton trade is that everyone knew from the moment that Jeter’s group took over the Marlins, that they didn’t have the funds to sustain the team as constructed. They essential played their hand from day one. Who is honestly that dumb? Has Jeter never played a game of poker in his life? He basically showed out on the flop and said hey guys, are these cards any good?
B_MAC
How did tanking not work out for the Cubs and Astros? Seriously research before making asinine statements.
Wainofan
Tanking worked for last two World Series winners
Tyler 20
get out of here with the jeter yankees conspiracy. its plain dumb
Kwflanne
One of Quantrill or Baez, along with Lucchesi, hunter renfroe, and one of spangenberg/solarte/asuaje…. for Yelich and starlin Castro….
Not sure. But as a starter, doesn’t sound bad for either side. Marlins get one of the top 2-3 starters in the Padres system (Quantrill or Baez), another top 10 SP prospect in lucchessi, big power potential in a 25+ homer rookie season from renfroe (admittedly has to improve average and cut strikeouts, but a controllable young power threat who was only a rookie last year), and average/serviceable second base option that lets marlins shed castros contract…
soggycereal
id say no as the pads… too much SP talent given up IMO. they need all the sp prospects they can get if they want to succeed in their rebuild. look at the twins, amazing position players were developed there but they have probably one of the worst rotations of all the contending teams next year.
Chris Sale Amateur Tailor
a actually relitvely even trade purposal probably have to switch the infilder for a 10-20 range prospect but could be a framework
connorreed
I think there’s a pretty big gap between Baez and Quantrill, to be honest.
You need a subscription, but check out what Kyle Glaser of Baseball America said about Baez in the San Diego’s Top Ten chat: “Baez is a premium prospect. If when all is said and done he’s the Padres No. 1 pitcher and Gore is No. 2, no one should flinch”. He also said that it’s a distinct possibility that he could be the number one pitching prospect in baseball next season.
If the Padres really wanted Yelich, I think they could get him easily, even if Tatis and Gore are untouchable. I think Yelich will command a pretty significant package, though. If you’re going Baez, Renfroe, and Asuaje, I’m wondering if Miami might want Morejon over Lucchesi (although those three and Lucchesi still might be better than anything other teams offered). If they’re giving Castro, Miami might make a push for Urias to be included instead of Asuaje. Although it would mean a lot of pieces, perhaps Miami even includes Barraclough to maximize that return.
San Diego simply has an incredibly deep system. Tatis is easily a top 10 and Gore is probably a top 20. Baez, Urias, Morejon, and Quantrill could all easily be top 50 guys, and Espinoza should be in the back of the Top 100 as well. Not to mention that they a wealth of intriguing prospects outside of their top ten: Esteury Ruiz, Eguy Rosario, Jeisson Rosari, Tirso Ornelas, Pedro Avila, Luis Campusano, Josh Naylor, Luis Almanzar, Jorge Ona, Jacob Nix, Eric Lauer, Mason Thompson, Austin Allen, Chris Paddack, etc.
22222pete
It seems to me the Marlins sell off has totally messed up the FA market and you can bet thats why Manfred approved the sale to a team that could not afford to operate them.
If I am Tony Clark I fight to get December and January to be no trade months. Just like August and September are restricted trade months. But Tony Clark has no fight in him.
matthew102402
Really? Just going to ban trades for 2 months in the offseason? My god.
Tyler 20
so teams wait for the trade market to be available and every offseason is like this? kewl
Chris Sale Amateur Tailor
wow that is just rediculos lol
tbonenats
That’s worst idea I’ve ever heard. Teams rely on trading to know what holes they need to fill via FA and visa versa. Players also don’t want to be traded in February and have to move their family and find a house etc while they are in training camp.
Rickeo02
Giants have contacted Troy OLeary
sidewinder11
Realmuto makes a ton of sense for Arizona. I’m curious how much it would seriously take for Miami to part with him though.
connorreed
It’d definitely be a nice fit, but I don’t know if Arizona has the farm to get him. If they do, it would end up just about gutting it and likely give them a bottom five farm.
Considering Realmuto’s age (27), value (3rd highest WAR among catchers since 2016), and control (3 arb years), I can’t imagine Miami dealing him without at least one blue chip prospect involved.
And Arizona doesn’t really have one. Duplantier may have had a historic season last year, but his stuff does not match that of other top prospects. Some evaluators still see him as a future reliever or mid-rotation guy.
If it turns into a bidding war, even if the DBacks decided to go all in and package Duplantier, Banda, Smith, Varsho, etc. (which I think is unlikely), I’m still not sure that offer can’t be beat by some of the other teams interested if they wanted to, like the Nationals (Soto, Fedde, Read, Kieboom), Texas (Taveras, Calhoun, Mendez, Ragans), Toronto (Bichette, Jansen, Pardinho, Pearson), etc.
wes carroll
Braves need to go get both. Take on the contracts of prado Ziegler and tawana and still give the marlins the prospects they need. Anderson,gohara, pache, newcomb and 2 high upside lower minors players.
Braves fill a future void at catcher, corner outfielder.
Only big holes would be 3b and ace.
Marlins would get 4 top 100 players that would be 4 more than they got in the first 3 deals
24TheKid
Teheran for Kyle Seager.
tbonenats
Why would Mariners do that?
24TheKid
Just google Kyle Seager trade.
Chris Sale Amateur Tailor
there’s no way they’re getting both in one deal and the Marlins payroll is low enough now that they don’t need to dump that contract to get less for Elite Talent
tbonenats
I think the Braves have enough to get both but I doubt they will want to pay the price.
Chris Sale Amateur Tailor
that sounds a little bit much for just yellish but it would cost even more for realmuto it would have to be separate deals I think
TheMikeAG
Anderson, Gohara, Newcomb… That’s a horrible idea. More like Allard, Wentz/Muller and Pache.
It makes zero sense to trade away 2 pitching prospects closest to the majors for Yelich and Realmuto. ZERO. You’re lineup is set while the team waits 2-3 years for the next pitching wave to be ready; meanwhile, Realmuto becomes a free agent and Freeman is 30+, brilliant.
Backatitagain
No way, don’t need them for that. No Gohara, No Newcomb, No Pache, rather give up Inciarte.
Billy 3
In two years Pache will be the Braves CF w/ Acuna in RF
As much as I like Yelich…Pache may end up being elite !!
Travis 11
No the Atlanta Braves won’t give up that much
tbonenats
That’s what they’d have to give up to get both.
slider32
Just look at the teams with the top pitching prospects and you can find a home for Yellick. Teams like the White Sox, Braves, Padres, and Pirates. Rockies, and Arizona.
Chris Sale Amateur Tailor
exactly if they don’t have enough pitching to surpass the Adam eaton deal they’re not a contender for yellish
wartdog
If they want Yellowich they really have the prospects to do any trade, even Trout.
Sarah Brecht
LOL! Way more ways to genuinely misspell Yelich than I could have come up with. And in the comments of an article that has his correct name all over it, no less.
Backatitagain
I hate this deal because of Prado, but a multi-player trade with the Marlins to move Christian Yelich, JT Realmuto, Dan Straily and Martin Prado to the Braves for four pitchers, two catchers and an outfielder (Ian Anderson MLB#50, Kolby Allard MLB#21, Matt Wisler, Aaron Blair, Kurt Suzuki, Lucas Herbert, NIck Markakis) saves the Marlins $70,5 Million over next three years and is additive to their WAR by 2021.
BarberSM702
Whatever the Giants are going to do , I just wish they would do it….if I had to guess , I would guess they sign Jay Bruce to play LF , trade for McCutchen to play CF , then sign someone to compete with the young guys for a spot at the back end of the rotation….maybe a lefty bullpen piece…..the snails pace that the off season is moving can actually benefit them , but enough is enough , get your guys and get to work already
WarrenSpahn
Even with 98 losses staring them in the face, the Giants seem to be in denial and think that if only Pence, Bum, Cueto, Samardzja, Pablo, etc bounce back, stay healthy, blah, blah, they will again compete in the NL west. not going to happen. they need to blow it up and rebuild around Buster and Bum.
Gary Rogers
Please pull the trigger! Trade with Fish===========Newcombe,Allard,I.Anderson and Markakis FOR Yelich and Prado…Trade with Cubs—–Folty,Muller and Culberson FOR Happ.. Then sign Darvish(7yrs.-325mil.). Rotation========Darvish,Gohara,Teheran,Freid,McCarthy.