Signing Mitch Moreland doesn’t take the Red Sox out of the market for hitting, president of baseball ops Dave Dombrowski told reporters including Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. And adding another stick wouldn’t necessarily mean trading away from the current roster to create space, the club’s top baseball decisionmaker added. But it surely does not seem that Boston will sign another first baseman; rather, a DH/corner outfield bat seems the likeliest possibility.
- Boston’s decision seems to take it out of the market for Eric Hosmer, which has raised some eyebrows in Royals country. As Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star writes, there are still many barriers remaining to a return to Kansas City for Hosmer, including the possibility that agent Scott Boras will find a way to bring some new suitors into the picture. But keeping Hosmer in Royals blue for the future now seems more plausible than might have been expected when the organization began giving indication it would rebuild. Of course, even if that comes to pass, the general rebuilding plan will remain, the Star’s Rustin Dodd notes on Twitter.
- The Cardinals appear to be showing more interest in veteran Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson than in Manny Machado of the Orioles, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today (via Twitter). Nightengale posits that the club may believe it’s better situated to pursue a long-term deal with Donaldson — who’s much older than Machado, though both will hit the open market at the same time — which would increase his appeal. Of course, it’s important to bear in mind there’s still no real indication that Toronto will move Donaldson and the St. Louis front office has suggested recently that it’s not all that keen on giving up significant assets for a rental.
- While there has been some chatter recently connecting the Mets to Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis, Ken Davidoff of the New York Post says that possibility is not as likely as it has come to seem. Especially with Carlos Santana moving on, says Davidoff, the Indians are not particularly inclined to part with Kipnis’s contract for a marginal return. New York is trying to thread the needle in finding an upgrade at the position, with the organization concerned with giving up too much in salary or prospect value to make a deal. As the Post’s Joel Sherman writes, the Mets’ lack of top-end, marketable pre-MLB talent has posed an under-appreciated barrier to its winter activity.
- The Mets, of course, are also eyeing the addition of another option at the first base position. New York had some interest in Moreland, per the above-cited Cafardo piece. And as James Wagner of the New York Times tweets, the Mets intend at least to take a look at the newest entrant onto the open market: Adrian Gonzalez. The veteran will be looking to bounce back after a rough, injury-plagued 2017 season, though he could conceivably bring some upside at a very appealing price.
padresfans1111
Hosmer to San Diego!!!
holycowdude
i’d rather see A-Gon to San Diego.
lowtalker1
Won’t happen
He isn’t premier anymore
Only way you’re moving myers off the bag is if you find someone younger than agon
A better than myers
Agon is neither anymore
He will never be a regular again
jkinser20
That was a good poem
Padres2019ha
Double Haiku
lowtalker1
I do that quite often without realizing
everlastingdave
Now it’s the middle of the night and I’m contemplating if Agon was ever younger than Agon.
luclusciano
Haha
beersy
Please don’t say Haiku, it makes me think of Ohtani and what could have been.
chevyheston
He was great on F-Troop.
NOPelicanFangirl696969
Hosmer isnt younger than myers tho?
largeunit
You may be absolutely correct, but it seems a bit unfair that everyone is ready to proclaim a player completely doneski because he has just one down-season…ONE. If I’m running a club in need of a 1B/DH type, I would gladly take a low cost flyer on a guy like Gonzalez. Without very much to lose except for a couple million bucks, you could easily catch lighting in a bottle and have him return to form, just by signing him to a low cost minor league deal. Like I said, you may very well be correct, but it seems like a worthwhile chance to take for a ball club in need of a bat, and his gold glove caliber defense doesn’t hurt either.
amendoza1539
No need to spend that kind of money right now…
amendoza1539
On Hosmer not Gonzalez.
User 4245925809
Nobody better at finding another buyer for a client than is boras, but this time he just might have over played his hand with hosmer and the supposed asking price of 200m.
Anyone see KC/SD paying 100m, or half for Hosmer? Believe Boras will be redoing his FA workbook on Hosmer with even taller tales and regards to his supposed abilities now.
outinleftfield
One of the articles they quoted on here said that KC had offered 5 years/$100 million for Hosmer. The Padres supposedly have made an offer as well. That is a long way from $200 million.
Dock_Elvis
20m for Hosmer is a very nice offer. Apparently, Boras thinks the Hosmer prestige value is worth twice that though. I honestly feel he’s marketing Hosmer back to KC. That’s the only place where he truly does have prestige value among the fan base. Having Hosmer back is excellent pr at the right price. He’s LOVED around the region….especially by merchandise buying females. Reminds me a bit of Hrbek in Minnesota…exception being Herbie was native.
Hosmer would be wise staying in KC and being a legend…he’d never be that someplace else. And it doesn’t look like his market is explosive.
Joseph Anderson
Hoz has a good relationship with KC. You’re right, he would be wise to stay but KC can’t overpay for him. If they don’t sign Hoz, they should try and cash in on Duffy and see what kind of prospects they can pull.
bastros88
agree
eqjohnson
I did not see that. Thanks.
ericl
The Cardinals have zero shot at Josh Donaldson if they don’t want to give up significant assets. Toronto is looking to contend this year & will only trade Donaldson if the get a haul for him. It doesn’t matter to the organization that many experts & fans of the game think they can’t compete with the Yankees & Red Sox. They believe they can & maybe they can. They have good starting pitching & will make moves this off=season at some point. Sure, it looks like they are the 3rd best team in the division on paper, but divisions aren’t won in December. The team that looks the best on paper doesn’t always win. Players get injured. Chemistry issues arrive. Players have down years. Anything can happen. There is no reason to trade Donaldson to St. Louis for a bunch of mediocre prospects or MLB players. That doesn’t help the Jays in any way
chitown311
Ok then your other option is to keep him, and WHEN and not IF you are out of contention in June, then you can trade him to an organization for much less because of the 2 month rental and whole QO thing, and watch him sign a multi-year deal with a team such as the Cards after this season is over. Or trade him and get the most while you still can
jdgoat
If teams aren’t willing to give up top talent for him, then that’s what you got to do. The wild cards are by no means locked up this offseason. Pretty much all of the wild card teams this past season we’re not predicted to be anywhere near the playoffs, and look what happened. I don’t know why everyone is always so willing to roll over and die in the MLB, especially with so many rebuilding teams selling right now
chitown311
I totally agree with your point, but do you REALLY think the Blue Jays are a World Series contender? They are the 3rd best team in their division, let alone AL and entire MLB. I understand the probability of trying to compete, but I think the best probability is to get what you can for JD, re-tool, and hope what you get NOW will help you in the present or immediate future IMO
jdgoat
No I don’t think theyre in the same league as the top teams, but if they can stay healthy this year, they can compete for a playoff spot. And baseball is the most unpredictable sport when it comes to the postseason.
seth3120
The Blue Jays aren’t making the playoffs. It’s simply not going to happen they aren’t good enough I don’t know how to see it differently. Other teams around them aren’t trying to compete they are going absolutely all in. You don’t try to hang with those teams when your chances of being competitive are so slim. Hard to win a wild card when you are an average team playing a couple of juggernauts in your division so much. Sell off your assets and rebuild and be poised to make your move when one of them is on the tail end of their reign. If they continue down this path they will end up third in the division with one of the other better teams in the al
seth3120
Taking the last wild card. You will have pissed away a chance to have a top system and a bright future to work towards because you let your assets walk out the door for a supplemental draft pick. Don’t understand what’s so hard to see here they aren’t very good
Caseys Partner
Sign Martinez and Darvish. Trade for Cesar Hernandez.
ThePriceWasRight
agree completely. why just try to squeak in. and don’t give me for the fans. You know what pisses off fans more than missing the playoffs this year and likely 2019 is? missing it for an additional 2-3 seasons because You didn’t maximize your potential return.
NOPelicanFangirl696969
You could argue the rays are better, and you could argue they are better than he sox. Imo the red sox are trash
ThePriceWasRight
how do you make that argument? the Sox won the division with price doing virtually nothing. if they add another bat and another rp they should be ok.
jdubs346
You still have to remember, if the jays can stay healthy, they can field a playoff caliber team, the rotation when healthy can shut down teams, if they can beef up that offence a bit, not necessarily with more power, they definitely have a shot
Who knows, judge and Sanchez could have the infamous sophomore slump, Stanton the bandaid could get hurt and every player could have a down year or get hurt
The jays have a chance
jimmertee
The Jays have no chance as built right now. Period. Get out of RaRA dreamland.
Frank kemble
Exactly. I don’t understand the fascination teams have with keeping the one year superstar type, these days. I understand the market value in general and the appeal of a player like Machardo but it makes much more sense to trade now. If someone takes up 15 million in payroll, trade em, get something now..some value..then use the 15 million to get a replacement. Come out with 3 or 4 players for the price of one or 5 players for the price of one. The orioles desperately need to shift resources and chemistry around, along with an injection of youth. A pitching first approach made up of young controllable starters would be a good start…and honestly id trade Machardo for what I could on good value..don’t have to over reach for the best prospects…move him and then trade for yellich… 5 yrs of control…new leader…build around him and pitching.
southbeachbully
Is it beyond thought that the O’s might want to resign Machado?
Serious question, we all know Boras is probably driving Machado to test the FA market after 2018. If the O’s wish to sign him to a new deal do you think it makes sense to keep him, offer the QO which they’ll decline, collect the draft compensation and then court him after the seasons? OR just trade him now, let him experience another organization and hope you can still entice him to come back.
The O’s have a ton of money coming off the books. Aside from the inherent risk of signing a player to the long term deal they can still afford Machado on a $30 mil per contract. They don’t have any major commitments past 2018 aside from Chill Davis till end of 2021 and 1 more year of Trumbo.
Adam Jones is a FA after 2018 too. He’ll be 33 at the end of 2018. I would let him walk and redirect his money towards a 8/$240 deal for Machado. That keeps himin Bmore until he’s 33.
stevebaratta
Wow, I didn’t know the I’d are still paying new Cubs hitting coach Chihi Davis.
LordD99
southbeachbully, Machado’s agent is not Scott Boras, it’s Dan Lozano.
8/240 isn’t nearly enough. Remember, by the time Machado hits free agency, it will have been five years since Cano signed his 10/245, and Cano was already 31. Machado will only be 26. He’ll cost at least 10/350.
stymeedone
That leaves Baltimore with Machado and a cast of nobodies. Don’t tell him your plan for the team, if you want to sign him.
stymeedone
Except FA doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Mathematically your projection works. If teams can’t afford that in their budgets, however, there is not a whole lot of bidding. Machado will get more, it just won’t be proportional.
ThePriceWasRight
southbeachbully, the problem in your scenario is they don’t get compensation if they sign him as a free agent. waiting only risks them more as they have actual competition. the Os and Jays are in the same boat. superstar 3b facing FA and neither has enough prospect depth to compete next two seasons after this year. Jays however seem to want to grasp at that last straw this year while the Os seem to be more competent in that they know they can’t compete and at least reset.
jimmertee
ThePriceWasRight, Right-on. Amen and amen.
tiberria
The issue – the Jays are as interested in selling tickets as they are in entering a full rebuilding phase at this point. They have had great attendance the last few seasons (#3 in the league last year), because they have been perceived as finally being contenders after 20 years of mediocrity, but their attendance was terrible before about 2012. The second you sell off Donaldson, you are completely ripping the facade off any potential of competing this year, so ticket sales will tank. Toronto (at least for baseball – hockey is obviously another matter) is very fickle and the attendance will only be there if the product is.
And, if attendance tanks, chances are that Rogers demands that payroll be cut for future years. Running a rebuilding project becomes useless if ownership won’t pony up to build a championship roster when the time comes because you’ve dipped to <10,000 attendance per game in the meantime.
If they wanted to move Donaldson, the time to do it was mid-seas0n last year when it became clear by about a month in that it was a lost season. Moving him now for a trash return is just admitting failure on multiple different levels and would infuriate the fan base (who already don't have a lot of faith in Shapiro, etc.). Like I said, given the conditions in that market (and especially because Rogers is likely trying to sell the team), the Jays are probably better off keeping Donaldson and being a ~.500 team unless they get blown away by an offer.
jimmertee
I don’t agree with that logic but the bean counters at Rogers are unfortunately likely thinking that way. It’s sad. The Jays need to sell all tradeable assets now to speed up a rebuild and the heck with the attendance.
ThePriceWasRight
the point of a rebuild from an ownership stand point is to sell contracts to save money so it would be perfect for this ownership group. that and if you want to sell the team, you might as well trade the pending FA since their value/contracts won’t be figured into the sale anyway.
jayssaskatchewan
Rogers has also had record TV numbers. The possibility of those numbers tanking likely concerns them more than attendance.
jimmertee
Good point about the TV numbers. But again their motive is money now not winning now or rebuild now. Sad.
infieldflyrule
Well said tibberia. As much as I would want the Jays to rebuild I’m not sure how our Toronto baseball market would react. Rogers is ready to bail and unless MLSE is the taker, not a lot of other deep pockets around.
tuna411
The jays front four – estrada, aaron.sanchez, stroman, and happ – are top 4 in the a.l.
Just because you don’t recognize the names in the pen doesn’t mean they are crap.
Offensively, teo.hernandez needs to produce as a regular in his first full time shot. Tulo and d.travis need to stay healthy.
The blue jays are not nearly as ‘done’ as so many of the posters seem to think.
ThePriceWasRight
IF Tulo is healthy, IF Travis is healthy, IF Sanchez is healthy, IF Soak doesn’t regress, IF Teoscar can hit as a regular. IF all that happens, the jays mat compete for a playoff spot. That’s a lot of IFs to be above avg.
ThePriceWasRight
But the rebuild will happen. this is my point. management has already said as much basically. The question is whether you wait to fail and then rebuild, or use your assets now to start the rebuild a season early. With JD i’ d argue the jays should move him now. Yes you don’t take garbage but if stl offers a good package with Reyes as a piece, why not. They may see it as a chance they can get him to resign after playing for a year vs 2 months.
I fear the jays fans who bring up the fan drop off don’t realize a 2-3 year issue becomes a 5-6 year issue if you don’t maximize your assets and a compensation puck likely isn’t maximizing.
ericl
You don’t know the Jays will be out of contention because you don’t know what injuries will occur during the season. The Yankees & Red Sox aren’t guaranteed to win. Things happen. The Blue Jays starting pitching is very good. That can keep them in contention. There are two wild card spots. They can easily compete with one of them. I’m tired of hearing that the Angels are a Wild Card team. Their starting pitching is average at best. The Jays can compete with them. They can compete with Boston & Minnesota. So, yes they can be in contention for a wild card spot. Even if they aren’t, it would be stupid to trade him to the Cardinals now for a bunch of garbage. A bunch of average players or middle of the road prospects doesn’t help the team going forward. I’d rather keep Donaldson for another season & if we lose him for a compensation pick, so be it. I’m sick & tired of everyone saying teams should just give up because the Yankees got Stanton. Who cares? Baseball is a competition. Go out & play the game and see what happens.
ThePriceWasRight
Boston, NY, Cleveland, Houston, Anaheim, Seattle are all teams I view as better than the jays and mini is up and coming and seem to be putting a focus on their weakness in pitching.
The jays likely won’t make the playoffs and even if they do, again do you think they can win the world series? that’s what this is about. teams who lose their best player for only a compensation pick are poorly managed and this jays team may be the same.
jayssaskatchewan
They need to receive significant assets in a trade, otherwise it doesn’t make any sense to move him.
ThePriceWasRight
I agree they should not sell for nothing but if they think they will see a package like the yanks got for miller, it’s not happening. pitchers are more valuable. 2 of a teams top 6 i think works.
Cardsfanatik
You’re an i diot. Noone that the Cardinal’s trade to the Jay’s would be “garbage”. Our 10th best prospect would be Toronto’s #1 or #2. You can want to keep your guys, but insulting the quality of other teams players is just d umb. You obviously have the intellect of a 3rd grader.
tuna411
cardslunatic. you want to talk about ‘idiot’? Look up bichette junior and vlad junior. Going to be top 6 by next year’s top 100. In fact, I think vlad is already in the top 3 or 4.
jimmertee
I am Jays fan and former bird dog scout. Vlad junior is going to be a star at the MLB level. Bischette, not so much. #scoutseyes
ThePriceWasRight
Harrison bader, Alex Reyes and Jordan Hicks for Donaldson and Estrada.
spudchukar
Cards aren’t trading Reyes. But the notion that the Jays would receive garbage is absurd. The Jays would receive some serious talent. I’m not sure it is a good deal for the Red Birds. I would prefer they save the prospects for an Archer/Colome package.
Cardinals17
Spudchucker…..that’s the combination the Cardinals need. If they throw in Longoria, that puts the icing on the cake for this year. At least until July 1.
ThePriceWasRight
if you think they are getting archer without giving up Reyes you’re nuts.
cards81
lol first off Archer is not that great…second the cardinals have plenty of other pitching prospects that the Rays should want…Reyes is untouchable and so is weaver….flaherty, hicks, hernadez, gomber, take your pick but Reyes no….I don’t think people realize how good the cardinals farm system is
ThePriceWasRight
lol. archer is not that great. then why would you trade for him. another example of someone thinking a prospect (one coming off TJ I may add) is better than arguably a top 25 pitcher in the league.
Benklasner
Would rather gyrko, grichuck, and kelly. Sure thats where the cards are at now which iswhy there isnt any traction.
brucewayne
The Cards won’t give that kind of talent for a 1 year rental !
jimmertee
OH please, the Jays have a crap starting rotation that will not compete longterm. Happ will regress, Estrada has a wonky back and can’t hit the corners start after start, Sanchez finger issues are not resolved and I hear there is a strong possibility he ends up in the pen. That leaves the Jays with a #2, Stroman.
No, this team with be 4th or 5th in the division unless they sign a #1, #3, 40% catcher, new SS, lefty releiver and a power bat for RF. What a joke thinking this team has a shot at anything longterm. They may start the season well, but it will get ugly quickly. Wake up!
Trade Donaldson, Smoak, Happ Estrada now while they can and get something for them and let this total rebuild happen now!
Comment Section Mod
That’s very odd cause I heard from a source that Happ will not regress, Estrada is healthy and can hit the corners start af yet start, and Sanchez’s finger issues are resolved and he’s not moving to the pen.
jdgoat
Lol
bastros88
Dipoto, shouldn’t you be looking for trades right about now
aussiejaysfan
You have got to be the most annoying fan constantly spruiking the need for the same thing every post no matter the content. Where does the money come from to sign all these players. You are basically asking for the top FA in every position. In your eyes the jays can only compete if they sign arrieta, darkish, JDM. Plus whatever catcher and lefty there is out there. Do you understand how a business works? Do you also not see that most free agents don’t really want to play in Canada full time and to sign them it takes overpays. And overpaying would probably cripple the team for a decade? But don’t worry I’m sure you probably think AA would have got it done!
Caseys Partner
The Blue Jays are a national team. Canada is much bigger than NYC.
Blue Jays fans have been scammed forever.
jbs32
Everything you just described would be short term winning not long term. Stroman pitched to an ERA just ovee 3 last year Thats better than a “#2”. I agree with a lot if your needs but really they need 1 SP (doesnt have to be a “1” or even a “3”) and some depth there. If they were worried about Estradas back they wouldn’t have resigned him so quickly and he rebounded after 2 poor months. They need a RF and there are lots of options. Might struggle to get a catcher and lefty and if you think Tuli is being replaced as starter i have bad news for you but they are already scouring for injury replacements and picked up one with a decent chance of success in Diaz.
jimmertee
Diaz is going no where, he is terrible defensively hence his move to 2nd from SS and pitchers figured him out after his rookie season and he couldn;’t adjust hence his poor softmore season. The only way this guy can add value to the Jays will be if he learns to adjust to the pitchers. Defensively he is poor. I suspect he might be a polished Rob Refsynder.
And a time will bear out what I am saying about the Jays need for a #1 and a #3. The goal is to win now. If the Jays Mgmt is saying that they want to compete, they do it right with the list mentioned, but otherwise, stop trying to decieive the fans into beleiving this team as built now has a shot at meaningful games in October. It does not. Period. I am okay with a rebuild, just be honest about it with the fans and media. If the Jays Mgmt actually beleive their own rhetoric that they can compete this year, without these upgrades, that fact indicates a greater issue of incompentence at the professional scouting level. They don’t see what they really need to be a championship level club. #scouteyes
tuna411
jimmertee: one of the very worst posts I have ever read on this site…and that says a lot.
jimmertee
Time will bear out what I am saying; look for it by all star break this year. I said similar in Dec 2016 about the team in 2017 and got the same responses until it became true.
frosttie
That’s a shame because the Jays won’t be contenders.
Caseys Partner
Trade for Rhys Hoskins, he’s a stud but the Phillies have no place for him now that MacPhail/Klentak signed the $20 million per year old man.
Hoskins would be the best RH bat since Manny Ramirez.
bravesfan88
Philly isn’t trading Hoskins…He’s going to be put in the OF, and when the Phils visit an AL team, he’ll be on 1st, while Santana DH’s.
Caseys Partner
Hoskins in LF is like Kyle Schwarber except Hoskins arm is a 20, he throws like a ball girl.
It can’t work.
Hoskins is a 1B or a DH. It makes more sense to put Santana in LF because he can throw.
bastros88
neither deserve time in the outfield
brucebochyisthemarlboroman
Why in god’s name are you so eager to trade Hoskins? The kid can flat out rake and just started getting used to the outfield. It’s like you enjoy not winning.
Caseys Partner
I didn’t sign Santana. That’s one of the dumbest signings in MLB history.
The Phillies aren’t going to pay Santana $20 million per year to PH and DH in interleague games.
outinleftfield
Sad for you then because Klentak said Hoskins is going to LF.
Caseys Partner
Of course Hoskins is going to LF. I just finished making a dozen posts saying exactly that.
Hoskins can’t handle the position though so…….
mlb1225
You make Hoskins out to be the worst fielder ever. Though he did have -1 DRS in LF, he still had 2 assists in 30 games. Can’t have that bad of an arm if he had 2 assists.
Solaris601
Hard to imagine CLE is more inclined to keep Kipnis after getting a pass from Santana. Where but 1B will he play going forward. I just don’t see Kipnis providing the necessary run production as a first baseman to justify his $15M/year salary.
stymeedone
If he was worth 15mm at 2B, why won’t he be worth it at 1B? They took their corner infielder, Ramirez, and moved him to 2B. As a team, they will get corner production from the middle infield, so overall infield production will be fine.
norcalguardiansfan
If Kipnis is healthy, he can be a 4 WAR player. That would certainly justify his salary. If it were me, I would put him in right and platoon Chisenhall and someone else at first.
mattynokes
This is why the Indians shouldn’t move Kipnis. He’s been a 4+ fWAR player and this year can certainly be attributed to injuries and a terrible BABIP. They have options. Brantley to 1B and Kipnis to LF. Or Like you mentioned, Lonnie to 1B and Kipnis to RF. If they aren’t signing a quality replacement for Santana, then they’re better off seeing if Kipnis bounces back.
norcalguardiansfan
I’ve come to the conclusion that any LH 1b they would sign would duplicate Chisenhall’s bat. Better to just play Kipnis and Chiz at RF and 1b than to trade them both. Kipnis, especially, is at his low-value point. If we did this, we would risk being caught short if there were a rash of injuries, though. We would have Guyer, Allen and Naquin to fill in. Allen makes sense. Those other guys would have to hold us over until the trading deadline.
charles stevens
I don’t understand the fascination with Hosmer in KC. Seems like the dumbest move ever to give him a huge contract going into a rebuild.
Dave Dombrowski loves to make ridiculous deals and he resigned Mitch Moreland. That should tell you something KC.
jwarden15
As a Royals fan, I agree. Whether KC resigns Hosmer or not, they have to go through a rebuild. Giving Hosmer say $100 million doesn’t make any sense. Royals may end up trading Duffy, Perez, Herrera among others, which will suck but if they can get good prospects that will help them rebuild, then that’s what they need to do. Resigning Hosmer will only hurt them in the rebuilding years since they won’t have enough money for other free agents or resigning other players.
twentyfivemanroster
it’s because of his leadership. I don’t recall any rebuild that doesn’t have at least one veteran to help with the younger players, but I could be wrong.
Yankeepatriot
I remember when Beltran offered the Yankees a discount years back before he finally signed with the Mets. You wonder if Hosmer will do something similar for another team. The pads are in great position to snag him, they have all the leverage
Frank kemble
Philly will not trade Hoskins. He does, in fact, have a position to play and Santana has a life time on base percentage as high as anyone in the league. 7 yrs of mlb service time does not make him an old man. I love young controllable players…but santana has picked up a thing or two in his years and has had the wisdom to average 98 walks a yr for 7 yrs. They have 5 players now in that lineup capable of a high on base percentage. And furthermore -Hernandez. Herrera. Santana. Hoskins. Williams will get on base as a whole. Santana brings so much to that team right now. He is also great in the clubhouse. As an army veteran of the 101st Airborne, I appreciate anyone who has respect and real leadership skills and Santana is that Integrity for the younger players to follow. But trading hoskins? Really. That is stupid. Santana? Besides more starting pitching, he is exactly what they need. So trading hoskins is the dumbest thing ive heard today. …. Good day sir. I said good day.
Caseys Partner
Signing Santana was beyond stupid unless he can play LF
Hoskins can’t throw and he runs and catches like Kyle Schwarber. People will be laughing at Hoskins in LF.
bastros88
agree, it’s ridiculous to imagine Hoskins in the outfield
Caseys Partner
I was laughing at him this year. Hoskins can only play 1B and he’s not good there either, but Hoskins would be alright there in the long run and the Phillies aren’t winning anything this year so he should be getting a season of practice at 1B.
Instead Klentak…….
stymeedone
Didn’t Philly win a WS with a poor fielding LF named Luzinski?
JoeyPankake
Any team that wants Hosmer should look at trading for Belt. They came up the same year and Belt has been worth 4.8 war higher over about 200 less games due to his propensity for getting hit in the head with baseballs. Belt will only cost 68MM over 4 years compared to what most people think will be much more for Hosmer. Giants probably wouldn’t ask for a huge return if they could get that cash off the books, allowing them to get further under the tax.
bastros88
the mets don’t even know how much money they can spend, why isn’t Manfred looking into this, that’s a serious issue. How does a team not know their own payroll limits
Caseys Partner
You believe this, that the Mets don’t know how much they can spend?
This is why the deep state thinks they can make the Russia Hoax work.
bastros88
the problem with the mets is that they are fully aware of how much they can spend, they just dont. that is why Manfred should be looking into this.
Caseys Partner
Frank McCourt owned the Dodgers for eight years. The Dodgers made the playoffs four of those years. When McCourt was forced out the Dodgers had one of the best farm systems in MLB too.
MLB wants the Mets run like this just as they want the Marlins run as a AAAA farm team to supply the Yankees and Red Sox with young prime-time MLB players.
MLB is a Mafia. No one can buy a team without permission from the other heads of the 29 families. If they don’t want you it doesn’t matter what you’re willing to pay.
start_wearing_purple
In other conspiracy theory news lizardmen run the world.and every major tragedy has been engineered by dolphins.
stymeedone
NO! Not Dolphins! They’re too cute to do something that despicable!
metseventually
Unfortunately, there’s no rules against not spending money. Wilpons “love baseball” though!
bastros88
they work under an invisible salary cap, because they don’t want to spend a certain amount of money, meaning that they truly don’t know their own payroll limitations.
ExileInLA 2
Of course the Mets are interested in Adrian Gonzalez…he’ll cost them MLB minimum while the Braves pay him $20MM+!
bastros88
the mets are interested in anyone that has a pulse, except they won’t spend beyond a nickel for it
Caseys Partner
F R E D___W I L P O N
SG
An open letter to John Henry and Dave Dombrowski:
Many are dumping on Hanley Ramirez but his career OPS and BA are comparable to JD Martinez and they already have Hanley locked up for this year and next if they want him so why take on a 7 year deal for $200M?
Starting pitching’s what the Red Sox need.
Getting Lynn ($15M per year) and Vargas ($10M per year)would really help.
That’s what you’d have to pay JD Martinez.
Each of those guys will likely give you over 175 quality innings and 15 quality starts.
If you have a starting rotation of Sale (23QS),, Pomeranz (17QS), Lynn (18QS), Porcello (19QS) and Vargas (16QS) you should be able to generate at least 85-90 quality starts.
And if Price (24QS in 2016) comes back you’d be putting your team in a place to have 100 or more quality starts.
They’ve got a great bullpen and their offense is capable of driving in more that 3 runs a game in 100 of 162 games so there’s your playoff berth.
koolga
I would personally look to sign Lynn (not Vargas), but I think Lynn would be looking at more than $15M per year.
If the cost of JD comes down, then I think they sign him, otherwise, let Boras play his cards and find another team willing to spend that much (probably not going to happen).
DD is calling Boras’ bluff by resigning Moreland. Lets see if it works.
SG
FYI i got my information on Lynn from MLB Trade Rumors:
“Lance Lynn – Rangers. Four years, $56MM”
Lynn made $7M in 2017..
SG
Also Vargas got $8M last year and he pitched 179 innings with 16 QS.
I view Varrgas as a potential #5 starter if Price, ERod, Wright or Kelly can’t be. And I think they will need him, Worst case Price or ERod works out and you can put Vargas in the pen. And I know what you’re thinking, pay $8M for the pen? They need a lefty in the pen, they didn’t get McGee and Price in the pen would cost them $30M, Do you see any LRP on the free agent market that are worthwhile? Who can they get in a trade? LRP are a scarce commodity.
SG
Maybe Brrian Duensing?. He’s not bad.
surefirewinners
That is a nice thought, but you are wrong.
Hanley Ramirez was abysmal last season (-0.3 WAR) and has had a negative WAR in two out of the last three seasons. His OPS+ was 89, 126 and 95 over the last three seasons as well.
JD Martinez has 166, 163 and 168 OPS+ over the last three years (those are not typos). He has also produced an average of 3.5 oWAR over the last 5 years.
They are not the same player.
As a separate argument, Martinez is not worth 28-32 MM per year for 6 or 7 years.
The MLBTR’s estimate of 150 MM over 6 years should be the absolute topmost salary range for Martinez and the Sox should pass if he wants more than that.
SG
I look at it this way.
You and I both agree that paying JD over $200M is ludicrous.
The Red Sox have Hanley already signed for 1 more year.
Hanley knows it’s likely his last year.
So he plays his ass off to get a contract elsewhere in 2019.
So assume they don’t get JD and Hanley sucks in 2018.
Now they have Lynn and maybe Vargas and they’re in the playoffs.
Why can’t they pick up a big bat at the trade deadline?
As I see it, having Lynn is worth more to the Red Sox than JD..
They can really use those extra 15+ quality starts.
More so than an extra 20 or so home runs..
Not to mention the $150M they will save.
SG
If Pittsburg is out of it McCutchen may be available at the trade deadline?
They can let him go after the 2018 season is over or even resign him as a DH..
SG
If Pittsburg is out of it McCutchen may be available at the trade deadline?
They can let him go after the 2018 season is over or even resign him as a DH..
jproteau17
If they could manage to not lose too much pitching depth, Yelich to the Mets makes too much sense
thecrown24
As a Mets Fan I think Yelich and Realmuto make so much sense but we have literally a depleted farm system. I’d offer Matz, Darnaud, Alonso but that is probably no where near what the marlins will want. Matz would be a nice piece but hate to say it the guy is a glass house. I still think being a lefty and still young maybe teams will take a chance but it just sucks how are farm system has been so shot recently.
outinleftfield
If the Mets are willing to take on some bad Marlins contracts like Prado, Zeigler, or Castro along with Yelich, the quantity and quality of prospects or pitching they have to send to the Marlins goes down considerably.
dgarn
I get that the Cardinals are linked to two really good third baseman, the problem i have is both of their teams will require quite a bit to get either one apparently and either guy is a one year rental player. Why have they not looked at Moose? He bats lefty, he can hit for power and will only cost money. I know there is a pick tied to him but they get a pick back when Lynn signs elsewhere. The other option is Longoria. He is older but still a very good defender. I am guessing they have not done that due to contract remaining but if they work out a package including Colome and (I know it is a long shot) Archer would it be worth the risk of his deal? It sounds like Tampa wants to unload money and the Cardinals have some good prospect pitchers and outfielders. They even have a few extra infielders that they just aquired that sound like good bargaining chips.
Wainofan
Pham, Reyes, Weaver, gyorko, grichuk, bader for donaldson and stroman, then cards send kelly, Flaherty and Jose Martinez for yelich.
Carp, yelich,Donaldson, ozuna, Fowler, Yadi, Dejong, wong pretty good lineup. Stroman, Martinez, wacha, Waino, Mikolas
extremecardinalsfan
I love that lineup and it would be better than the Cubs in my opinion. That just seems like way too much to get Donaldson though. I would rather go the aging Longoria route, I guess, if it would cost us that much to get Donaldson for one year worse case scenario. Pham, Reyes, and Weaver are not one year rental moves in my opinion. If Hosmer had a little more power, he would be worth the money he wants and it would makes sense to give away nobody, put Hosmer at 1st, Carp at 3rd, and just be done with it. Carp, Pham, Hosmer, Ozuna, Fowler, Yadi, Dejong, Wong.. That could be the best lineup in the National League and you are not giving up anyone.. Go get a legit closer and see you in the playoffs as long as the pitching can do its part. With Maddux on board now, I think pitching should begin to be where it should be.
Wainofan
Not way to much to get donaldson and stroman. And if we made those moves, prob likely that Donaldson resigns with us
extremecardinalsfan
It just seems like too much. I do like the idea of adding both of them, but Reyes has insane potential if his arm heals correctly. It surprised me how well Weaver did last year. He pitched like he could be the ace on most teams.. I just wouldn’t want to part with them. Pham, could be a possibility, I question if this year will be just as good as last.. Would love yelich for pham, just don’t think yelich is going anywhere.
BennyTheBoss
Your basically subtracting Pham and adding Yelich with the cost of several prospects. Pham is a much more complete player. Plus, you didn’t fix the closer situation. Tampa has Longoria, Archer, and Colome. That’s where they need to focus.
Wainofan
As Cards fan, and as much as I like Pham, I would subtract Pham to add yelich in a heartbeat. Pham is too fragile and I don’t think he’ll repeat his 2017 breakout. I hope I’m wrong
extremecardinalsfan
Agreed. ..I would take Yelich for Pham, don’t think the Marlins will move him though. I feel like if we were going to get Yelich, it would have been done with the Ozuna trade.
extremecardinalsfan
Everyone wants so much for old Donaldson. It actually scares me a little… Don’t even think about trading Reyes or Weaver. The rest of them, whatever. I think Kelly is going to go at some point. That is why they picked up Pena last week maybe? Kelly, Gyrko, and a lower pitching prospect should work for Donaldson. That is all I would give them.
66TheNumberOfTheBest
Ironic.
The market for Hosmer has shrank to the point where the Royals could actually keep him…except they already kept Alex Gordon.
Pirate fans should take a look at the Alex Gordon deal before they talk about extending Cutch and keeping him in one uniform for life.
mlb1225
A-Gon just adds to a market already flooded by a handful of other 1B/DH, power guys.
Rickeo02
AGon is heartless
reflect
When MLBTR releases its salary predictions I said they were way off on Hosmer. No one is giving him 6 figures. It’s just not happening. He’s not that good.
reflect
Released* and I meant 9 figures. I need my coffee.
rememberthecoop
Donaldson isn’t going anywhere until the trade deadline and then only if they are out of the race.
matanzas1962
As to the Cards, they have trickled down since 2011. After Wacha & Martinez as starters, they have some very questionable starters. If they are to compete, they will need One or Two proven quality starters. Otherwise, they will be singing the same tearful song after the 2018 season. The below average defense does not help either.
BennyTheBoss
Hit up Tampa and try to get Archer, Colome, and Longoria. They MUST get Colome at the very least. I still think they should sign Darvish because they’ll still have about $40 million before they hit the luxury tax. Now they can only get Darvish if Longoria doesn’t come over. Imagine a rotation of Martinez, Archer, Darvish, Weaver, Wainwright. (Wacha gets traded)
extremecardinalsfan
Not a bad idea, just don’t know what to do with Waino these days. After last year, I don’t know if he will be better this year.
BennyTheBoss
I hope he has a good year, but I don’t have too much faith in him. Newly signed Mikes Mikolas will also compete for the 5th spot.
ThePriceWasRight
blue jays creative offer
jays trade donaldson to NYY for Ellsbury, Sheffield Acevedo and D. Garcia.
jays add prospects for the future and take on ellsbury contract allowing the yanks to keep Frazier and actually lower salary.
baumrind973
Please don’t let Agon go to the Mets. They have enough issues.