Some items from around the AL East…
- Chris Sale is only under contract through the 2019 season, and his potential future in Boston “could be the key to the entire offseason” for the Red Sox, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald writes. The Sox are sure to discuss an extension with Sale this winter, though if they don’t feel the southpaw will be staying beyond the coming season (or the team is wary of spending big money on Sale over the long term), then Mastrodonato believes landing another frontline pitcher will become an immediate priority. If the Red Sox are able to extend Sale or believe they’ll be able to re-sign him next offseason, starting pitching likely won’t be a pressing priority this winter. In my opinion, I’d guess the Red Sox would pursue some type of controllable starter regardless of what happens with Sale, given that Rick Porcello will also be a free agent next winter and Eduardo Rodriguez’s injury history makes him a bit of a question mark for 2019.
- Also from Mastrodonato’s piece, he notes that the Red Sox will be bringing Blake Swihart to Spring Training as a catcher. With Christian Vazquez and Sandy Leon ahead of Swihart on the catching depth chart, the team experimented with Swihart as a utility player last season in an attempt to get him into the lineup, with unremarkable results. While Swihart will continue to get some work at multiple positions, his trade value would be maximized if he could stick behind the plate. Swihart has been the focus of trade rumors for well over a year, and the Red Sox were known to have a very high asking price in talks with other teams as of last May. Those demands seemed high at the time, given Swihart’s struggles to break through as a Major League player, and he did little to raise his stock over the rest of the season.
- The Yankees “pushed hard” to acquire infield prospect Yu Chang from the Indians when the two teams were discussing the Andrew Miller trade in the summer of 2016, Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. Chang has made steady progress since, with MLB.com currently ranking him as the sixth-best prospect in the Tribe’s system following a .256/.330/.411 performance over 518 PA at Triple-A last season. It isn’t known if New York still has Chang on its radar, though with the Yankees recently showing interest in trading for one of Cleveland’s top starters, Chang could become a target again if the two clubs expand talks into a multi-player trade. Pluto also notes that other teams have called the Indians about Chang in trade discussions.
- Tuesday is the deadline for teams to set their 40-man rosters in advance of the Rule 5 Draft, and the Blue Jays are one of several teams that face losing at least one player, Sportsnet.ca’s Shi Davidi writes. With newly-acquired Tyler Thornton requiring Rule 5 protection, Toronto currently has 36 players on its 40-man, with Davidi figuring that pitching prospects Hector Perez, Patrick Murphy, and Yennsy Diaz will account for three of the four open spots. This leaves multiple Rule 5-eligible prospects vying for just one roster spot, though the Jays could also create more space with trades or releases before Tuesday’s deadline. Yangervis Solarte is a likely non-tender candidate, for instance, and there has been speculation has the Jays could part ways with former top prospect Dalton Pompey, who is out of options and seemingly buried on Toronto’s depth chart. Davidi’s piece also contains a broader overview of the challenges that teams face when they have a surplus of minor league talent at one or more positions, as a club can risk losing or overlooking someone simply due to lack of playing time, only to see that player blossom elsewhere.
Indians arent trading Yu Chang. Given Francisco Lindor has only 3 arb years left the uncertainty around his long term outlook with the club would make the Indians reluctant to deal him. They already dealt a decent SS prospect in willi castro to the tigers and could always put Chang at 2B which is a need for the Indians.
That being said. I do think the Indians approach the Padres about their OF depth and RP depth. Renfroe or Reyes would be of great interest to the Indians along with Yates, Stammen, Stock.
That being said would the Indians do a Renfroe, Stammen, Stock trade for Shane Bieber and Nolan Jones?
As a Braves fan I’ve said a lot this offseason that I want Renfroe
Gohara for Renfroe straight up would do it for me although I wouldn’t mind throwing Teheran in if we could get something small back in addition to Renfroe
Id prefer Allard to Teheran if Renfroe is going to the Braves, which would probably be a larger deal with RP involved.
Yes and I prefer Acuna to Inciarte when it comes to a Jason Hayward trade.
Im sorry, I said Koby Allard who’s stock fell a bit after his MLB debut. Not Mike Soroka, Kyle Wright, or Ian Anderson. I know those names are very similar in spelling it can be tricky as to which pitcher I was referring to.
Yes, of course. I was referring to how minimal the return to the Padres would be. I’m guessing they ask for Albies too, because Renfroe has 40 HR potential.
Course. Gohara and Allard proved to be building blocks just like Albies did this year with the chances they were given; Not like the Padres and Braves would be swapping cost controlled potential for cost controlled potential in areas of needs for both teams with the Braves picking up OF Renfroe and someone RP like Stock and Yates and the Padres picking up SPs Allard and Gohara.
What has renfroe proven? Other than being a strikeout machine. Glad you aren’t a GM.
Legit right handed power. 40 HR potential if he was given playing time every day. That and he cut his k rate 5% to more managable 24%. He’s proven that. May need to get your glasses fixed if you’re having trouble seeing.
Excuse me as I adjust my spectacles just for you, Waiting’s the Hardest Part.
I don’t think Cleveland will trade Bieber or Clevinger as they both have many years of control. I can see a trade with the Padres, but not one involving Bieber or Clevinger.
Kluber had 3 years 45 mill ish, Carrasco has 2 years 18 mill, Bauer has 2 arb years. I get wanting to keep Clevinger given his 4 years, but the Indians are really only 2 OFs and some relief pitching away from being a contender.
You talk about trading for a power bat in Renfroe plus Yates, Stammen, Stock to boost the relief unit and sign someone like Andrew McCutchen and Jon Jay to be the 4th OF and maybe swap Triston McKenzie for Alex Verdugo or trade for Andrew Toles from the dodgers to play CF you have a serious contender.
But are they? They won the AL Central by default last year and looked overmatched against the Astros. With the losses of Brantley, Donaldson, Miller, and Allen I don’t see the Indians competing against teams like the Astros, Red Sox, and Yankees.
Once you make the playoffs anything can happen. Look at 2016. Cleveland had 3/5 of their starting rotation injured and they still made it to game 7 if the World Series. Cleveland made it as far in 2018 as the Yankees did. Astros have lost 2 starting pitchers, Boston lost their closer and the Yankees starting pitching is a weakness among the playoff teams.
The Yankees might trend negative this year if they don’t do some big successful smart SP moves. Pitching and defense and coaching make the Indians a legit threat. The Astros have played long seasons for several straight years and the abbreviated off seasons are starting to show with injuries.
I stopped reading after the 2 OF and some relief pitching away from being a contender line.
Why? What did he say that was wrong?
Indians had the most wins by their SP with 76. That was +4 more than Houston, +8 more than the Red Sox and + 11 more than the Yanks. They had the 2nd best ERA, FIP and xFIP. They had the 2nd best K/9 and were #1 in fewest BB/9. They are a bunch of studs. Their achilles is the bullpen. The pen had a 15-29 record which is the worst among all the contenders last year. and had the 3rd worst ERA and FIP.
Offensively, they were one of the top teams ranking top 5 in the AL in homers, runs scored, stolen bases, BB%, lowest K rate, batting avg and OBP. They were also one of the top 5 teams in overall defensive value.
I agree that if they can replace the production of Brantley and rebuild their bullpen they can repeat in the Central division.
I think they will look for mlb ready pieces if they trade Kubler, one of which being a young closer like Diaz perhaps. There would probably need to be a 3rd team involved since the M’s would be rebuilding and wouldn’t need Kluber during their rebuild years,
Please, I beg you, please please please stop using w-l records for pitchers as any sort of meaningful statistic. (Relief pitchers, of course, usually have losing w-l records because they come into tie games often….). Cleveland has good starting pitching and a questionable bullpen, yes, but w-l records have nothing to do with it.
True but to be fair he also used many other stats to back up his argument
To me, that’s way too much. Renfroe is someone I’d gladly buy low on, but he really doesn’t have a ton of value. Stammen is a decent, but not great reliever. Same with Stock, but with probably bigger concerns about whether he can repeat his performance.
None of those three guys are bad by any means, but if I’m giving up Bieber and Jones, I want someone more proven than any of those guys. That would be kind of an underwhelming return for the Indians.
Ill be honest, forgot to add Yates. I mentioned him in the interest and forgot to list him in the deal, Just noticed.
Idk how much Renfroe, Yates, Stammen, Stock moves the needle for Bieber and Jones.
Yates is a good pitcher too. All four of those guys are very capable players that would fit with the Indians, so I like where you’re going.
I just think that package has a lot more quantity than quality, and I feel like it would be hard to trade Bieber and Jones without getting a “wow factor” back.
I think there is a greater likelihood Chang being traded than Bieber. The whole reason that Cleveland is willing to part with their top tier SP is because their payroll is getting too high.
All of y’all really know how to low ball
Renfroe is an OBP challenged power bat. May never see an OBP above .310 in his entire career. Possibly could belt 40 to 50 HRs. Lets be honest what he is. Padres tried the power bat OF in 2015 with Myers Kemp and Upton. Id rather have a better defensive outfield with Margot Cordero and Reyes.
Stammen has 1 year and is 33, Yates has 2 years and is 31. Stock is 28. Padres have a plethora of RP prospects waiting in the wings- Reyes, Munoz, Weir. .
That being said. Padres are looking for an “ace” Renfroe, Yates, Stammen, Stock have 0 appeal to the Mets for Syndergaard. Bieber and Nolan Jones theoretically would. Allard and Gohara theoretically would. The purpose of trading for such players is to either keep them while we trade others for an ace or use them to trade for an ace.
Chang doesn’t appear to be that great of a prospect. It’s defense that strong? He’s 24 net year. Can’t see the Indians thinning 3 years down the road as him being a replacement to Lindor.
Future Tribe SS? Tyler Freeman. Should be ready when/if Lindor leaves.
Not saying the Indians will/wont trade Chang. But I dont think they wouldnt trade him because Lindor “only” has 3 years left. 3 years is a good amount of time to find a replacement if need be for Chang and Lindor. It would be something else to consider if Lindor only had 1 year left on his contract.
Imo Chang very well could be the 2019 second baseman for the Indians they have been moving him around the last 18 month so he could be a option if they do not bring back a hi upside young second baseman if they do deal a starter which I believe they will.
Another option could be playing Chang at 3rd and using Diaz more as a utility player.
Kluber and Chang to the A’s for Puk, Barreto, Canha and Fowler?
Puk was the guy they needed in tgeir WildCard game. With Olsen and Chapman Puk fits. Kluber doesn’t fit with the current crop. You add Kluber you lose a prospect and then they regress back to where everyone thought they should and tgen they are stuck with an aging veteran instead of a high potential top of the rotation arm.
Bird in the hand. Klu-Bot is a proven top of the rotation arm right now – the odds that Puk becomes that, are slim.
As an Indian fan I have little interest in Canha. Fowler and Barreto have struggled in their time in the majors. Fowler is interesting as is Puk. I would not do that trade for Kluber let alone having to add Chang.
Baseball rosters are change.
He who handles change wins.
No big secret…..
I’m registering an account on BrainyQuote.com just to post this. Beautiful.
I’ve chuckled at several of your comments in this thread. Bravo.
Pull the trigger before Davis leaves. The future is now!
Swihart, Holt, Devers, Travis for Goldschmidt and a prospect. Then Eduardo Rodriguez for Michael Wacha.
Trout for Swihart. Maybe Ohtani too. Just because its Swihart.
Gonna wind up in the MLBTR HOF just like Middlebrooks, Lavernaway, Nava, and Doubront.
Don’t forget Bradley Henry Owens and Devers! So many overhyped prospects just because their Red Sox that end up busts.
Wainings and Pinstripes, every team has players that become overhyped. that said Nava? Cost the team $1. Devers is 22 you jealous clown. I try hard to have respect for others but you too are just idiots. Bradley? The co-anchor of the best defensive outfield in a LONG time. Yes Henry Owens and Swihart have been disappointments but as a 25th man this year, Swihart is getting a ring. Enough said.
Henry Owens! Him and Brian Johnson. Trey Ball too. Blast from the past.
“you too are just idiots”
*two?
Its a joke not a d!ck. Dont take it so hard. Lighten up pull the st!ck out of your butt. Relax.
And what did your team’s 2 great rookies get you? Another envious Evil Empire fan.
Yup Pinstripes the Red Sox were loaded with busts from their farm system. Oh wait they won the World Series with overrated guys like oh I don’t know Betts, Bogey, 10d, Bradley Jr., Vazquez, yup those guys were busts. Every team has guys that don’t pan out but hey the Red Sox win the World Series so you can talk all you want. Truth is Yankees have plenty of overrated prospects as well.
Bradley and Devers are busts? You’re out of your mind!
Remember the would-be greatest closer of all time? Craig Hansen. I’m a Sox fan and even I find the prospect hype annoying. The worst was Henry Owens. I recall seeing him pitch for the first time and thinking “that’s Henry Owens?” Underwhelming. Jackie Bradley is still overrated. I digress.
LOL at myself. I just read the spelling. That said, I’m not a Brian Johnson fan but he did just partake in the exhibition as an All Star against Japan whatever that’s worth. Sometimes it’s unclear on a joke especially when the players listed are all over the map. Finally, as to your last comment, I won’t respond except to say there are those that like it..
Oh how can you possibly not mention Casey Kelly? He was sooooooo over-hyped. As were Joba with the Yanks.
Kelly was the poster boy for failed TJ surg. The reason SP and C prospects have so much trade value is that so few succeed. Therefore, rebuilding teams look to add numbers and hope that they will hit on one. Most of the power bullpen guys are failed starters.
Rob Refsnyder has to be in the MLBTR HOF too. And maybe Peter O’Brien.
Oh Rob Refsnyder definitely belongs. Don’t forget John Ryan Murphy too! Jorge Mateo could possibly wind up there too. Slade Heathcoth ah man we really need a MLBTR HOF article of prospects that were SUPER valued by commenters more so than teams valued them and what they were worth.
Lars Anderson was so hyped even I believed it. Probably going to add Giolito here soon.
GOAT Jesus Montero though! He was supposed to be what Gary Sanchez was in 2017.
Don’t forget Greg Bird, Jesus Montero who brought back Michael Pineda. Also Michael Pineda. I’m waiting for Sanchez to hit under his weight again then I’ll add him to my list.
Lars Anderson eventually became Steven Wright. Indians took a flyer and lost. A good knuckleballer is still underappreciated and valuable.
Finally an insightful commenter. I agree, Red Sox will most likely land Goldschmidt, but I think that’s a bit of an overpay for an aging first baseman. I think maybe add in a small throw-in like Archie Bradley or David Peralta and the Sox would say yes, otherwise just keep Goldschmidt.
Get Bradley and they dont need to sign a closer.
Yeah, I’m thinking Travis/Leon/Brian Johnson/Devers for Goldschmidt and Bradley sounds reasonable. May need to add Lamb to help fill the void of Devers. I’m sure the Dbacks will take on the contracts as well.
As good as Goldie is, the team would not have just re-signed Pierce since Goldie plays every day. A team with Moreland and Pierce that needs pitching if not now then next year and has in house players potentially leaving is not trading for a stud first baseman. What’s he going to cost and who would you rather have potentially in 2020 , him or Bogie? Just not a serious fit. Bogie seems gone as it is but if they had the flexibility, Bogie is the guy. The position he plays is too important.
Sandy Leon doesn’t have as much trade value as people think. I think Michael Chavis (3B), Triston Casas (1B), Tanner Houck (RHP) and Cole Branden (OF) for Goldy and Bradley. The Sox have traded top prospects before which is why I could see them dealing a couple for goldy and a reliever. Then deal Moreland to Twins for Zack Littell (RHP), and possibly Trevor Hildenberger. Might have to throw in like Swihart to get Hildenberger since Minnesota likes him so much but could help you’re bullpen much
Michael Chavis at 3B
The Sox have traded top prospects before, which is why they no longer have any.
Lotta people in these comments want Goldschmidt, or Syndergaard, or Kluber for their team’s 5th best prospect. Trading for guys like that is gonna HURT. The Red Sox in particular don’t have the bullets any more.
Trading 3 of their top prospects for a 1 year rental of Goldschmidt? Are you high?
Goldy is 31. Same age as JD Martinez. The only thing that brings his value down is that he’s only controlled for one year.
With that being said, if someone wants him he won’t be cheap.
Rentals are cheap. Look at what Machado brought back. Then think less.
Goldy is worth more than Machado at this point. He’s older but has more team control than Machado did at the time of the trade, and Goldy plays defense and runs the bases better than Machado as well.
Yea at this point if a team traded for Goldy it would be for 6 months not 2 and they could also make a QO and get something back if he then left as a free agent so I would think more than Machado would be his value
Small throw in? Peralta just won a silver slugger and Bradley is just one year removed from being one of the most dominant relievers in baseball
Fevers is the future, Holt is clutch n a great attitude, but I like Goldschmidt too.
Sox just won 108 games and the WS. They only lose 3 arms; Eovaldi, Kelly, Kimbrel. If they trade for anything it should be a bullpen arm. Other than that, why make a move. They will likely hit better at C, 2B, 3B and get more power out ofBenintendi. In other words even if you think Betts, JDM, and Bogey fall back a little ( I don’t), they will be a top contender again.
…you’re forgetting the part where the D-Backs give them Grenkie, pay 25M a year of his salary, and insist on Tzu Wei Lin……..
Red Sox just need to focus on their bullpen and maybe resign Eovoldi (or someone similar). Otherwise, Red Sox will be just fine for another year. Would love to see some extensions.
Sale, Porcello and Bogie all in contract years……all 3 could be HUGE, much better than they were this year……ya, I think the Sox are pretty well set (tho I think one gets re-upped)……they could use another starter (who couldn’t? the Yanks need 3)…need another reliever or two (who doesn’t?)…..health…..just about no one figures to regress (JD MAYBE)……Mookie might even get better……….Benetendi/Devers almost certainly will……
Leave it to the Red Sox to demand top talent from other organizations in return for their junk, this time in the guise of Blake Swihart. Cause as everyone knows, .230 hitting catchers with no power are in great demand across all MLB—IF someone is absolutely desperate for a backup or a backup TO the backup.
The Swihart haters should at least get his history right.
2015 was to be his AAA year. Instead he was forced to have 300 PA’s at C for the Sox because of Vazquez’s TJ surg. He hit .278 and was ok at C except for a couple of games trying to catch the knuckle ball.
2016 was again to be his AAA year, but because of issues with Rusney , he was shifted to OF where he hit .258 in less than 100 AB’s before FXing his ankle. He lost the rest of 2016 and most of 2017 to injury.
Out of options he had to be carried as a 3rd C in 2018. Blake is much better as a left handed hitter but because of the fact that Moreland/Holt were available he tended to get his AB’s from the RT side in 2018.
I do not know whether he will succeed but a lot of teams see the tools and know that he has never been given a chance to succeed. That is why he has trade value.
If the Red Sox ask too much, they don’t get a trade. They’ve made tons of trades, I guess they find common ground somehow despite their overevaluation of their prospects.
The Jays will likely protect Jordan Romano, Travis Bergen & Corey Copping as they all have equal shots of pitching for the big club at some point in ’19. I bet they want to protect Forrest Wall, too, so that means 3 from the 40-man have to go, and I reckon Solarte & Pompey & Mark Leiter are goners.
That would mean they’d be exposing Max Pentecost, Jon Harris & Jacob Waguespack, which wouldn’t be huge losses since acquiring Thornton is an upgrade over JH & JW while the Jays have Jansen/McGuire/Maile in the catching pipeline behind Martin.
Solarte is a good piece, can’t beleive they couldn’t sign and spin him into a prospect via trade. All depends on Solarte’s price I guess. Otherwise he’ll be gone. Pompey should have been gone years ago and Leiter doesn;t belong in the majors.
The Jays don’t need 4 catchers on the 40 man roster. Cut Maile. Dangle Martin via waivers since no one will claim him, and put McGuire in the minors. Problem solved.
Solarte is not a piece unless he’s snacking.
Moviejay is correct; expose all but Harris.
I like Harris but truth be told, not as much as I like Max Pentecost. He is a late bloomer and injury has held him back and eventually he’ll hit the bigs and be very good. Not Johnny Bench good, but perhaps Ernie Whitt good.
Would someone claim him based on his AA .252 10Hr 52 RBI .684 Ops last year?
Pentecost is a lost cause. Can’t rake in the minors as an older’ish player. Was a mistake to draft a catcher that had TJ surgery just before the draft. Typical Anthopoulos and company logic at the time.
Age 26 and not ready for AAA. He’d be lucky to be Julio Mosquera.
Yu Chang?
Any relation to Donna Chang?
I think Chuck Chang is a distant cousin.
Yu Chang Clan?
ey Changri la
She’s not Chinese; I was duped!!
What would YOU give up to get Blake Swihart on your team?
A cherry slushy and a bag of bbq corn nuts
Aaron Judge, Gleyber, Andujar, Severino, Sanchez and maybe some international bonus money. I don’t see how any MLB team can win without him.
The rosin bag
AL East Notes
All teams need pitching of some type. This is what I feel are biggest weakness:
BOS – 2B
TBR – C
NYY – C
TOR – LF
BAL – C
Rays just got Zunino. Their biggest need is actually a DH. They want to upgrade Crohn with Nelson Cruz.
Bos will be fine at 2B. If Pedey can play 90 games with lots of rest they will fill in with Holt/Nunez. They also have Lin/Hernandez at AAA. Cora will not play Pedey much if at all in Tor/Tampa with the turf. If Pedey can’t come back there will be loads of 2B available in June.
Bos does not need Goldie. Moreland / Pearce (and Sam Travis at AAA) will be fine for 2019. Devers/Chaivis/Dalbec/Casas are all 1B/3B/DH options for 2020 and beyond.
The Blue Jays acquired Tyler Thornburg, huh?
Kluber trades this is what I feel a 2 time Cy Young Winner with 3 years of a very club friendly contract should bring back.
Brought up in several sports shows fans throwing out trade rumors are not taking into account the actual money saved with the cost friendly Kluber contract. What is the actual amount he would be worth on the open market if you had to pay for him 3 year 75 mil I would guess would be the ballpark.
Padres
Franmil Reyes
Mackenzie Gore
Josh Naylor
Brad Wieck
Yankees
Kluber & Alonzo
Miguel Andujar
Clint Frazier
Jonathan Loaisiga
Deivi Garcia
Greg Bird
Atlanta Braves
Ozzie Albies
Austin Riley
William Contreras or Drew Waters
Jessie Biddle
Adam Duvall
Nobody wants Alonzo
If Kluber was a FA you’d be giving him much more than that. He’s a 100 million dollar pitcher on the open market and that’s not even up for debate
If the Red Sox ask too much, they don’t get a trade. They’ve made tons of trades, I guess they find common ground somehow despite their overevaluation of their prospects.
I’d be signing Sale. The guys a gamer and the Red Sox have a team mixed with young and veteran major leaguers. The back end of the deal is not guarantee but the front end keeps this team capable of anything. You have the payroll who better than this guy? I don’t know this I’m just speculating but Sale dealt with a bad White Sox team I think being in a winning environment somewhere will be a big factor for him. I’d go at him now and see where he and his agent see his market going forward