The Nationals are checking over the market for starters, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports (subscription required). While the team’s potential targets aren’t yet clear, Rosenthal does list two interesting options, both of whom were among the names we floated as hypothetical candidates in our review of the Nats’ offseason outlook. Gerrit Cole of the Pirates could be a name to watch on the trade market, says Rosenthal. And the Nationals are “kicking around” a pursuit of free agent Jake Arrieta, per the report. Certainly, the club’s numerous dealings with Scott Boras make that possible match one to keep an eye on. It’s certainly still possible the Nationals will go in any number of different directions in filling out their rotation, though the report does suggest the team shouldn’t be ruled out for a significant addition.
Here’s more from the National League:
- Billy Hamilton is generating the most interest of any potential Reds trade pieces, Rosenthal also reports. Hamilton, obviously, is a limited offensive player due to a lack of power and on-base skills, but his baserunning and defensive skills are among the game’s elite. If the Reds do ultimately find an offer to their liking for Hamilton — he’s arb-eligible for two more years and projected to earn $5MM next season by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz — Rosenthal writes that they’d likely sign a short-term stopgap in center field rather than play a corner option out of position.
- Both the Giants and Cardinals are now out of the running to land Giancarlo Stanton from the Marlins, but their pursuits still carry some information worthy of note. In the case of San Francisco, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports (Twitter links) that many of the players rumored to have been in the teams’ agreed-upon trade package were not, in fact, slated to be moved. None of Joe Panik, Tyler Beede, Chris Shaw, Heliot Ramos, and Christian Arroyo would have been dealt, per the report. Meanwhile, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch tweets that the Cards would have absorbed about $250MM of the $295MM still owed to Stanton.
- Brewers GM David Stearns chatted with the team’s beat writers, including Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, in advance of the Winter Meetings. Regarding the team’s rotation needs, Stearns says that the organization’s “market and history” under his stewardship are “a better indicator of the types of moves we’re seeking than some of the external speculation.” That seemingly hints that the organization won’t be chasing high-end free agents, though perhaps some of the top pitchers could still be considered in the right circumstances. He noted that lefty Josh Hader could yet end up “in a multi-inning relief role, similar to last year, or a more conventional starter role.” While the team wants to ensure Hader is able to “accumulate innings,” its winter moves could dictate his precise usage. Generally, Stearns said the club has many talks at various stages of development, though nothing that is nearing completion as of this particular moment.
hatstotheleft
I could see Jake going to the Nats, he wants 7 years & money could be deferred until like 2050.
dhud
If the Reds signed Ichiro I would be so happy
ScottySmalls25
He’s more of a DH/corner guy than a CF guy if you’re talking about replacing Hamilton if he were dealt
TJECK109
Surprised Dipoto didn’t try to get Ichiro to enhance his chances at Ohtani.
Ry.the.Stunner
That wouldn’t have enhanced anything, that would’ve hurt. Ohtani made it clear he wanted to play for a team that didn’t already have an established Japanese star.
JKB 2
@RytheStunner
Ohtani never made that “clear” show me one link to Ohtani or his agent saying that crap.
It was just many speculative media members with nothing to report guessing.
Yet you claim he not only said it he made it “clear”. Amazing. You just believe gossip then say its fact and clear!
JKB 2
Watch Darvish sign with the Angels now. Or is Ohtani gonna tell them they cannot RytheStunner. You must think Ohtani is calling the shots now huh.
You think Ohtani “made it clear” to Eppler that Ohtani now needs to approve the roster and he “made it clear” that Eppler cannot sign Darvish, his friend and his idol. You now the guy who left Japan and then Ohtani took his number in his honor.
You think he made it clear huh
Daryl125
That was beautiful.
Dock_Elvis
Of all the organizations that dont take directives its one with Mike Scioscia in the dugout.
brucewayne
Yea! Especially the “You now the guy” part!
redsfan48
I’d love to see the Reds get Ichiro as a 4th outfielder type. But I don’t agree with the idea of signing a short term stopgap to play CF regularly. I think Schebler could handle CF at least 3-4 games a week and play a game or 2 in right or left and that would allow regular playing time to him, Winker, and Duvall. If the Reds were planning on contending this year (which they may still be if they can get a ML starter for Hamilton I guess), then the stopgap makes a little more sense I guess.
Pops
No I’m hoping Orioles sign Ichiro to platoon in RF. Lefty bat. On base machine.
AZPat
If the Reds got Ichiro they would then have the all time hits leader.
outinleftfield
Rosenthal and others have said that some combination of Arroyo, Ramos, Bede, Shaw and Panik were included in the Giants offer. I believe Rosenthal far more than I do Shulman who has had little to say about the possible trade until now and nothing of note.
ScottySmalls25
Very true I thought the same
kgreene3
Very happy to hear Stearns say this. Last thing the Brewers need to do is chase some over paid free agent pitcher in his 30’s.
jjgreedy
Amen. I wouldn’t mind trading a little OF depth for Archer though.
SuperSinker
I’m afraid Chris Archer isn’t getting traded for outfield depth. He’s require a haul.
augold5
He means trading One or two of Broxton, Santana, Phillips, Brinson, Ray plus others.
kgreene3
Everyone would love to see Braun moved but it sounds like they are stuck with him the rest of the way. Stearns is probably kicking himself for not get the deal done with the Dodgers. If Archer is still available I have no issue with the Crew dealing some of their talent. At some point in time its going to happen.
JKB 2
No that is not what he said
JKB 2
Of course jjgreedy that would be a great trade for the Brewers.
Here is the problem though:
Why in the world would the Rays trade Archer to the Brewers for some “outfield depth?” Huh?
Boy fans like you crack me up. Now why has not every team offered the Rays something so silly. I guess they are not smart like you and did not know Archer could be had so easy
Brewers39
What he most likely meant was that we would trade some of our outfield depth to the Rays. Those players would potentially become stars in Tampa Bay. How is that silly? Anybody who wants Archer will have to trade some prospects. Those prospects usually come from positions where a team has “a little depth”.
brucewayne
Ignore that idiot! Don’t know why he’s so angry all the time
brucewayne
I guess his Mommy doesn’t hug him enough!
cardfan2011
Dang $250MM? Well glad they don’t have a chance to get him now XD
GarryHarris
There’s getting to be enough heavy contracts around MLB that Ryan Braun could be moved for another similar contract.
slider32
I think the Yanks might make a move to get Cole, they have the prospects to get him.
The Pirates could move him at the winter meetings.
Phoenixdownyjr
Who would be a suitor for Braun that would interest the Brewers? He’s has no trade protection from all but 5 teams. (Angels, Dodgers, Marlins, Rays, and Nationals)
Luckybrew
Braun has to approve all trade involving him now after his 10 years with the Brewers.
Phoenixdownyjr
google.com/amp/s/www.brewcrewball.com/platform/amp…
Braun is on record saying he’d only approve a dodger trade so it looks as if SD is out of the picture.
Dock_Elvis
San Diego top of my head. If they are serious about Hosmer and paying that kind of jack to him….why not Braun?
kgreene3
I’d be fine if they traded him for a bag of balls right now. It would be nice to get that contract off the books.