The Braves don’t seem to have interest in bringing Brandon Phillips back to his hometown team, David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports (Twitter link). Phillips spent the first five months of the 2017 season with the Braves, hitting .291/.329/.423 over 499 PA before his production fell off after an August 31 deal to the Angels. Atlanta is known to be looking for veteran stop-gap options at third base until prospect Austin Riley is ready, and Phillips already moved to the hot corner last season to accommodate Ozzie Albies’ promotion to the big leagues. There hasn’t been any hot stove buzz about Phillips this winter, as the 36-year-old looks to catch on for his 17th MLB season.
Some more news and notes from around the NL East…
- The Mets are still looking for help at second base, though they don’t appear to be close on some of the options on the trade market, Mike Puma of the New York Post writes. Team officials “indicated there was little momentum” in talks with the Phillies on Cesar Hernandez and the Pirates about Josh Harrison, while the Twins are giving the impression that Brian Dozier is unlikely to be dealt. The Brewers’ Jonathan Villar is available in the wake of his down year, though Villar isn’t seen “as a serious possibility” by the Mets for now. Looking at outside-the-box possibilities, signing shortstop Zack Cozart and switching him to second base seems like a “long shot” scenario, a source tells Newsday’s Marc Carig (Twitter link).
- In a full story from Carig, he reports that the Mets are more willing to take on salary than give up significant prospects in trades. This could lead them to Jason Kipnis, who both Carig and Puma cite as potentially the Mets’ top second base target. The Indians owe Kipnis $28MM over the next two season, plus a $16.5MM club option for 2020 that carries a $2.5MM buyout. Also from Carig, he reports that the Mets don’t seem to have much interest in another second baseman, the Athletics’ Jed Lowrie.
- It probably isn’t safe to rule out the Nationals on any Scott Boras client given the relationship between the team and the super-agent, and indeed, SB Nation’s Chris Cotillo (Twitter link) hears from some in the industry that Washington could be a “dark horse” contender to sign J.D. Martinez. In this scenario, the Nats would obtain a long-term slugger that would help them withstand the potential loss of Bryce Harper to free agency next winter. Cotillo suggests that the Nationals could shop Michael Taylor if they signed Martinez, though I’d argue that Taylor is better served as an (overqualified) fourth outfielder for 2018 who could move back into a starting role in 2019 if Harper leaves.
- The Phillies announced the hiring of Jose Flores the team’s first base coach and baserunning/infield instructor. This is Flores’ first job on a Major League coaching staff, after spending the last five years as the Cubs’ minor league infield coordinator, and several teams coaching and managing in Puerto Rico, including two years as the manager of Puerto Rico’s national team.
Phillips to the giants
He’s starting to decline
He actually started to decline several years ago and is now entering free fall.
Kipnis to the Mets is the most Mets thing ever
yeah, definitely.
What’s wrong with Kipnis?
Nothing, three years ago. He’s just got a Metty look to him.
Kipnis would be an ideal target. He won’t cost more than a lottery ticket prospect and his full contract. I really like Kips chances bouncing back. You’re only locked in For 2 years with him at a pricey but not ridiculous sum.
Three years ago (2014) was one of Kip’s worst season.
Their meatball parm is their worst sandwich!
Trust me, Tribe isn’t expecting any significant talent in return for Kipnis – just salary relief.
Victor Robles will be up soon for the Nats, especially by 2019, which is why they would deal Taylor if they signed Martinez. I hope they don’t though, because that basically puts the nail in the coffin of a harper deal
Nats cant afford his next contract anyway. Almost certain he is gone, unless he takes heavy deferments. Something along the lines of a 15 year contract to be paid out over 25+ years. Or a steep discount, and i just dont see that.
So the Nats will lose Harper and Murphy next season. Ouch. I get Eaton is a monster WAR player. But I will never understand that trade.
Solarte for Seth Lugo
I would do that
Not a bad idea for either side. Solarte would almost definitely play third and Cabrera back to second. Switch hitter, some pop. Probably would bat 2nd or 5th
The Tribe is trying to deal Kip to free up money to resign Santana, I would wager.
Huge news for Klentak‘s Phillies?
Braves should bring back Phillips for his social media game alone
Out with the old in with the new
Maybe Cleveland brings him back since they have him up for a pine tar rag and bag of balls and then watched him have a very good career elsewhere.
Why would the Twins trade Dozier now? That shouldn’t even be a talking point.
Yeah. He’s eclipsed Mauer as the face of the team.
He plays well in Minnesota for a southern guy.
Dozier is Utley 2.0…meaning he has another 5 years of value.
Why won’t he Mets look at Phillips for a one or two year deal. He had a low war year last year I think but his numbers didn’t look bad and he still has a decent glove. Could be a good veteran presence and could help Rosario out like Reyes did last year too. Just a thought.
I’ve kind of thought the same thing. Who is the better defender? I think Mets should prioritize that since they are kind of going all in on their young arms
I thought maybe Phillips to the Giants on a 1 year deal until their young 3B is ready .
Did I miss something? Did Eaton retire?
Eaton in center Martinez and Harper in the corners Taylor on the bench
Salary relief is part of the reason Kipnis has to go. Ramirez needs to be at 2b to create one of the best double play combinations in baseball.
Why not Castro to Mets? Cheaper and more reliable offense than Kipnis.
Good question. Castro and Kipnis still under contract for two more years both have a 3rd year option that the Mets would def not pick up. But Castro makes less and is younger. Why they have no interest in him is beyond me the only thing I can think of is the Marlins are asking for too much for him. But even that seems skeptical. Chuck it up to Sandy thinking he’s smarter than anyone else. again.
Why do so many of the Braves updates on here usually just say what they’re not going to do?
Phillips to Yankees
RE: The Mets and the Athletics, Jed Lowrie… If they’re “unlikely to pursue Jed Lowrie”, then why is his name even mentioned in the heading of, or anywhere within the article/paragraph? If the Mets don’t want him, that’s great, but why say anything about him at all? Wow!
Because he is an oft-discussed trade candidate who the Mets were linked to previously in the offseason.
as a Nats fan I’m starting to want the Nats to sign Martinez. Harper is pretty much gone and the Nats don’t have any power coming up in the minors. Nats could sign Martinez to help soften the blow of Bryce leaving and enhance their odds of competing for a WAS this year. plus Martinez could shift to 1b when Zimm leaves.
Would of Soto, Fedde, Antuna and a couple other 10-20 prospects like Voth be enough for Archer?