Let’s round up the latest trade chatter from the central divisions:
- Though he had previously indicated otherwise, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports (subscription link) that the Indians are exploring trade scenarios in which they’d dump a big contract (likely Jason Kipnis or Edwin Encarnacion) while dealing a top starter (Corey Kluber or Trevor Bauer). Clearly, the Indians are still working through scenarios that’ll increase their roster flexibility. Infusing young talent and enhancing payroll flexibility would both be of interest, and it’s not clear that either is a particular priority. It’ll certainly be fascinating to see how the market develops for those high-end righties.
- In talks with the Dodgers, per Jon Morosi of MLB.com (Twitter link), the Indians are showing interest in highly regarded prospect Alex Verdugo. The Los Angeles outfielder is clearly due for a full crack at the big leagues after turning in consecutive strong seasons at the Triple-A level. Still just 22 years of age, Verdugo is noted for his high-end left-handed hit tool and contact ability — not unlike Michael Brantley, who recently wrapped up a successful tenure with the Cleveland organization and who is expected to land a large contract elsewhere.
- The Tigers are “determined to move on” from outfielder Nicholas Castellanos, Antony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports. There’s initial interest from other clubs, per MLB.com’s Jon Morosi (via Twitter). It seems the Braves have at least “checked in” on the 26-year-old, who is projected by MLBTR to earn a $11.3MM salary in his final season of arbitration eligibility. The Atlanta organization has an opening in right field and has plenty of assets that’d be of interest to Detroit. Castellanos certainly has produced the kind of offensive output that’d be of interest — he’s slashing .285/.336/.495 over the past three seasons — but comes with anything but a sterling defensive reputation.
- Pirates backstop Francisco Cervelli emerged recently as a possible trade chip, but Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette tweets that the market situation may not be ripe for a move. With a $11.5MM salary and history of concussions, Cervelli seems not to be drawing the kind of interest that the Bucs would need to see to make a deal. While the Pirates obviously have confidence in their internal replacement options, Elias Diaz and Jacob Stallings, they surely also value Cervelli. After all, he just turned in one of the best seasons of any backstop in the game in 2018 and the Bucs made a notable pair of win-soon moves at the ’18 trade deadline.
Kluber/Kipnis will end up in LA for Verdugo+. Almost too good of a match to not happen.
plus what? Thats going to take a huge haul to get Kluber
Plus what? I don’t know but the dodgers have it. Want a catching prospect? Ruiz Or Smith are 2 of the top 5.. Want an infield prospect? Gavin lux is a top prospect. They have the chips to make it happen. Verdugo is the ML ready OF they need and any one of those prospects would be a nice secondary piece.
Significantly smaller if they are packaging one of those large contracts.
I don’t think it would take too much more if Dodgers were to take all of Kipnis’ salary.
Plus Puig and AA prospect
Verdugo, Puig, and Wood — net increase to Dodgers payroll ~ $13MM in 2019
I don’t think Cleveland has any interest whatsoever in Wood. But if they do attach Kipnis and his salary to Kluber, then Verdugo, Puig, + a lottery ticket might just get it done.
By the way, if the Indians take a lot less just to rid themselves of Kipnis, Tribe fans are perfectly justified in boycotting that team this year.
You need to check Wood’s pitching stats for last 2 seasons. Dodgers are not going to take on $22MM in payroll.
I’d rather they get rid of Encarnacion’s contract somehow.
Why? He’s only signed for one more year and they have literally nobody else capable of filling in that level of production. Lindor and Ramirez would be pitched around all season.
Cleveland’s payroll is already below 2018 levels, even with arbitration raises factored in. If they deal Kluber, it goes down even more. Attaching Kipnis or EE to Kluber and tanking the return you would get back is just plain dumb (or cheap, more accurately).
No, their payroll is around the same amount as last season. EE also has a $5M buyout after this season. If the Tribe wants to cut payroll, start there. Let Yonder and Yandy platoon at 1B and DH, leave Kip at 2B, and return Ramirez to where he’s comfortable at 3B.
Not Puig! He’s a FA after 19 and he’s got the emotional maturity of a 3 year old. The Tribe does not need a divisive figure in the clubhouse no matter the level of talent. We already dealt with Albert Belle once before.
Actually, I don’t think you are right.
spotrac.com/mlb/cleveland-indians/payroll/
This has their payroll at $95.3M without Bauer and Lindor’s salary and without the pre-arb salaries. That puts the total at about $123M. Still too high if they want to sign a couple free agents, but below last year.
No one would boycott over a trade of Kluber and Kipnis for Verdugo and another prospect almost ready for majors.
I’ll take those 3 Verdugo,Puig,Wood plus Ruiz on the Mets for Syndergaard and there’s no Kipnis or EE $$ to absorb
It would be an absolutely terrible return for Kluber, so yes, I think you’d see some really angry fans.
Unlike Kipnis EE is not a dead contract he is still a quality player and his contract is inline with what you would pay in this day for that type of quality player The Yankees and Rays according rumors are both interested in Edwin so IMO the return although not outstanding I believe they can snag a couple pieces of need and help now for the club
example Clint Frazier ( who is no longer considered a prospect but blocked but still comes with a medical question make ) and a guy they seem to be wanting to move on from in Greg Bird who could fill in at DH and 1st with Alonso and always hits well in our park.
I believe this could be best case for both teams here
we fill right field hole and 1st base / DH until Bobby Bradley breaks through at some point this season while chopping 20 mil from the teams payroll who says no .
For 1 year of a middle of the lineup power hitter like Edwin, I think that has value. Like I would think an American League team would value that. Kipnis is dead weight at this stage of his career, but I dont think EE is just a salary dump. I would hold onto him, and if i trade him you should get real prospects.
Kipnis sucks
When they are done adding to the outfield, bullpen, and arbitration raises, the Indians are likely going to be very close to last year’s payroll.
No. If the Indians want Verdugo, they won’t get to offload Kipnis’ contract too. They’ll get either salary relief or good prospects/players in return. Likely not both.
At this point I’d have to agree. I think Verdugo, a cheaper major league pitcher (Stewart or Stripling maybe), a mid-range prospect, and a PTBNL for Kluber and Kipnis would probably be something that could happen.
In a slightly related note, I’d want to see the Indians get Andrew Sopko since they’ve had a lot of success with pitchers of his type over the past few years.
Maybe if this was last year you could group stripling and Stewart together but stripling looks like a solid mid rotation starter at this point. Wide gap in value.
Kluber/Kipnis for Wood/Verdugo. Take the big contract attachment away, then CLE can and would expect more.
Kipnis is owed about $17 million (19 salary plus buyout) Wood about $12 million. Dodgers would probably only need to add one other prospect with Verdugo to get the deal done. $ have become a very important factor in trades.
Wood is projected to get $9MM in arbitration, Puig $11.3, Verdugo ML min around $550K. Kluber also $17MM. Dodgers take on $13MM, no more IMO
Doing that deal then the deal looks like we traded Kluber a 5 time finalist to the CY Award and twice winner over the last 5 year for Verdugo and another prospect and Kipnis for Wood . ROTF
ya if Chris Antonetti wants to get fired he will pull the trigger on this deal ASAP.
Sorry but no
How about we just eat half of Kips contract dump him on the White Soxfor bullpen help and a lower level prospect
Then trade you Kluber
Kluber for Bellinger and Ruiz
You’re probably right. Kipnis kills us on the field and now off the field. Keep him away from any Kluber trade because he would just dilute the return.
Kluber is not bringing back Bellinger and Ruiz. At that point the Dodgers would hold. Trade packages much like FA aren’t built on what has been done, but forecasting in the future. In fact that package blows away the Sale package, who in all fairness was the only guy. That same dynamic doesn’t exist in this market. Taking into account the decline, not steep of course, the Dodgers don’t place that same value in the 200+ innings. They don’t care about that. Which makes sense if they get the 160-180 elite innings. They’ll care about skipping starts and pushing him back so he’s fresh down the stretch. The simple fact is Kluber has been in decline as the innings build up and he basically carried a rotation on his back. It happens and every SP experiences those declines if they are consistently throwing late in the season. So sure if you’d like to throw out a reasonable package like Verdugo, Smith, Puig, and a lotto ticket such as Alvarez that’d hurt like a mother, but it’s more so based in reality.
That’s not to say Kluber isn’t a good fit for the Dodgers or isn’t valuable, but for 5 years of Bellinger they are going to value him as the 17 version and aren’t going to sell low. Add onto the fact that they steadfastly refused to include Bellinger in a Sale trade, they aren’t going to bail. They just don’t bail on the skill sets. They’ve been spot on and seen the benefits. Plus I think people undervalue his athleticism as his bat is a huge plus with his ability to play everyday as an above average CF.
I will argue with one point with you Blue Painted. Kluber carried the rotation on his back? The Indians have one of the top starting pitching staffs in baseball. Kluber, Bauer, and Carrasco would be the anchor of most staffs and they have an emerging star in Mike Clevinger. LA will have to pay a strong price if they want Kluber. If the Dodgers don’t meet their price, they can look to another team or just keep him and find other ways to get the money to fix the outfield needs.
That was in reference to the 16 playoffs in which he basically did and almost helped the Indians win the WS with 3/5 of the rotation on the shelf. I don’t think there is anyone arguing that the Indians aren’t well off on the mound with or within Kluber. No one is arguing that Kluber isn’t a valuable trade chip. What I am saying is there’s a realistic version to these trade talks and that example wasn’t one. There’s a bit of overvaluing Kluber, which hey it happens we’re all fans, just like there will always be some overvaluing of prospects. My point still remains Bellinger and Ruiz isn’t going to happen, nor is it realistic. A package headed by Verdugo with pieces like Smith, May, Alvarez that’s more in line. The evaluation isn’t the 8 WAR player he was in 16 or 7 in 17, it’s the slowly declining but still very very good Kluber of future value. It’s no secret the tax deep playoff runs and workhorse type innings put on the arm.
It seems pretty simplistic in thought, the Indians are trying to extend their window while also minimizing their risk in an older SP. They are trading a year earlier rather than a year late. And if someone severely overpays for Bauer, this offseason sure they’d do it. But that seems more of a next offseason type of move. With the kicker to 17M and an ability to add cost controlled OF talent is going to trump. The Dodgers or some team will pay a substantial amount in prospects, but assuming a trade package of greater than Sale well that’s bold. Especially when you can make a capable argument Sale was hitting his prime and was cheaper. His workload was less workhorse like and there were no extended playoff runs. And you can make the late bloomer argument which is valid, but it’d be misleading to not acknowledge the stress that associated Kluber. Sale is also a power LHP, which is rarer, and was the no doubt guy on the market. Regardless of the view Kluber is a stud and it’s still going to absolutely hurt to trade for him, just not exactly what most fans envision or hope for I guess.
Diaz still got 2 top prospects even with Cano’s contract attached. There is a little math to be done here if you compare the two. Kluber is a starter which trump’s closer. Diaz is much younger evening things up a bit. Cano is more useful in the Diaz attachment but Kipnis contract is less prohibitive.
Wieghing it all together, it seems reasonable that Kleuber should still be able to pull 2 top 100 prospects or a Puig and a wild card.
Or the Dodgers won’t use the Mets/Mariners as any kind of standard at all.
The Pirates are in a tough spot with Cervelli. Really, he shouldn’t be catching anymore, but where do you move him to? He’s not exactly ideal height for 1B. I’m sure he could handle RF, which would help fill in for Polanco. Perhaps some reps at 3B or 2B? He is very athletic he could possibly handle it.
How valuable is he if he’s not catching?
He has no value if he’s not catching.
almost none in trade with his salary. he can still catch though but won’t be for many more years unless some new concussion break through comes a bout in the medical world.
I’m well aware that his value is if he’s behind the plate. But he has concussion issues and could be one more away from his career being over. That’s why the Pirates need to find somewhere to put him because they’re not gonna be able to trade him.
really Cervelli’s value is behind the plate. and its not like he missed a TON of time last year. his 404 PA still puts him in the top 15ish for catchers last year. his bat wasn’t bad or anything but not really good enough to push anyone off their positions for more than a game here or there. 1b is probably best suited for him right now simply because Osuna is the only other real option unless the new guys play some first as well.
I didn’t like the contact extension – but if Cervelli can replace the bust, Josh Bell at first fo 40 or so games and catch 90 or so he is probably worth keeping unless they are wowed by an offer
As much as I’d like to see the Indians move Kipnis for the sake of financial flexibility, I’d rather they just keep him unless they’d directly reallocate his salary towards upgrades elsewhere (McCutchen, for instance).
I don’t know what the chances of doing that are though, so if they’d just pocket the savings I’d rather they keep Kipnis and get a better package of players back.
I agree with this completely. I also think that they should consider adding $$ to Kipnis to make him more attractive. Not that I think the Indians will do that, but saving $7.0 m while adding $10.0 m to a Kipnis deal is much better than saving nothing at all.
I have been on the attach Kipnis side for awhile but if it comes down to a deal of Kip and Kluber for Puig, Verdugo and Wood or Kluber for Verdugo, Ruiz or Smith and another lower prospect then I’m holding Kip. He had a better second half and even if he doesn’t play well you have about the same amount of salary relief and a better return for Kluber.
I might be crazy on this one but even if they trade Kluber to the Dodgers I would remain open to trading Bauer too. It sounds crazy to think about but what if the Yankees don’t end up with Happ or another free agent starter they like? Things could change but I don’t see Baumgardner, Syndergaard or Greinke being traded to the Yankees either each for a different reason. They could get desperate and overpay for Bauer cause they feel like they have to get someone. If the return is high enough is it worth taking a chance this year to possibly widen the window several more years?
I don’t see the Indians trading both Kluber and Bauer. Their window is open while you have Lindor.
I’ve actually thought about that exact scenario myself; in a seller’s market, it’s very possible that a team could significantly overpay and that the Indians could get so much back for Kluber and Bauer that it would make sense to trade both.
Carrasco, Clevinger, and Bieber is still a good start to a rotation, but my concern is that there isn’t really much in the way of immediate help beyond that unless part of the return included major league ready pitching. So I wouldn’t trade both unless some team just completely blew them away (and I mean like how the Shelby Miller trade was perceived a few years ago…that type of overpay).
With Ender & Acuna starting in the OF & Duvall having the ability to replace Castellanos in the late innings I wonder if that would work. But I am leery at that price. Unless they take back some salary like Teheran.
Maybe a package with Fulmer could work.
I’d definitely be in on a deal if it included fulmer. I wouldn’t even mind the salary for nick. A 3 win player who could play 3rd if God forbid Donaldson got hurt, plus a potential ace would be enough in my mind to take on the salary. If they just wanted teheran, of course I’d include him tho.
Hmm..do you think Camargo could play third if Donaldson got hurt?
Obviously yes because he played 3rd last season. Camargos capabilities doesn’t take away from Castellanos capabilities though.
Castellanos best defensive position by far is DH. He shouldn’t be counted on to catch much in the outfield or at thirdbase. He is a solid contender for an iron glove. Camargo is light years better than Castellanos at third.
His advanced metrics in RF were better than Bryce Harper’s and Nick has the excuse of never playing the position before.
Brewers may be interested in Teheran. Could be a nice rotation addition
We have like 7 Teherans
I had been saying Teheran for Santana since the deadline
Tigers won’t take Teheran now that they signed Tyson Ross. C, 2B, SS, RP and OF are theTiger needs now.
@steelerbrave
At what price are you leery of Castellanos? Absolutely no price was mentioned. I am unaware of his value being that high, and that was before he became a rental. As a Tigers fan, I’m expecting he would add more to their watchability next year, than he will add in prospects.
If Cleveland is rebuilding, this would be a slam dunk for the Twins to go after EE and Kluber. Perfect timing and everything.
They’re not rebuilding, they’re cutting costs
Do you work in Marketing or Political Advertising? If so, you have to be very good at it
I’m a sport management major actually lmao but there is a tangible difference between full-on rebuilding and remaining competitive while just trimming some fat from the payroll.
I personally don’t really agree with it (I’m of the mindset that you’re either all-in or all-out), but the plan seems to be to still contend but to save a little money now and prolong the competitive window.
You don’t know the difference between rebuilding and cost cutting?
Look, the Indians aren’t helping the Twins, ever. They sure don’t want to face Kluber 3 or 4 times a year. They also aren’t inclined to make stupid trades.
Michael Chaney;
So your a sports management major? Great!
You have to read how individual front offices and organizations operate. The Indians are big on not necessarily getting prospects and plugging them in, but rather being patient with young players and finishing them off (Royals do the same). Look at the time they spent on Yandy as well as pitchers like Clevienger and Bieber. Their track record is very good. Now…..
Ignore the nonsensical media rumors, and corresponding trade scenarios here, all throwing out the same names. Instead look at what they got back for Yan Gomes…….
They got a solid pitching prospect to work with. The Nationals have been awful developing their pitchers for at least 5 years now. They have to sign them as FA’s or trade for them. The Indians also got back a minor league OF the Nats sold low on as it appears he hit a wall in 2018. Then it came out that he played most of the year with a broken bone in his hand. And a PTNL will be coming.
I’d look for Bauer to be traded over Kluber unless Antonetti/Chernoff are knocked out with an offer. I’m looking for one ML ready prospect, and at least 2-3 guys that are under the radar.
@Samuel:
If they’re trading Kluber or Bauer (I’d prefer it to be Bauer too), I think a top prospect (very preferably an outfielder) and a close to major league ready starting pitcher — even if it’s a back-end type — have to make up part of the return. After that, I’d want another mid-range prospect or two and a lottery ticket.
The rotation depth behind the first four remaining starters and Plutko is relatively thin; McKenzie might be an option later in the season and Civale might too (plus I’m particularly bullish on Eli Morgan), but I want another guy that they could almost immediately throw into the competition to be the #5 starter. I think Salazar would be better served in the bullpen, so I didn’t count him.
I also agree on the “under the radar” type of guys; the Indians have had a lot of success with those guys, and I’m particularly intrigued by who the PTBNL from Washington will be. Rodriguez would probably be better served as a bullpen arm, but he could be a decent option there, and Johnson is a toolsy outfielder who just seemed to have an iffy year, which isn’t much of a hindrance to me. I also agree on the notion that their patience has helped them; if they weren’t so patient, Carrasco would have flamed out for sure, and others probably would have too.
But yeah, I ultimately want to work in this industry, and I’m excited to see where it goes.
The Indians aren’t rebuilding. They extended Corrasco which is NOT something rebuilding teams do. Notice the difference between how the Mariners and the Indians are goin about there off-season. Ones trading everything away while the Indians have traded nothing.
If the Tigers can manage to pry any decent prospects out of the Braves for Nick Castellanos. I’ll fall out of my chair. Even in a year some would label as a breakout season (itself a debatable proposition), he was still only a 3 win player, mainly because he lost over two wins with his glove alone. As currently constructed, Nicholas Castellanos is, at best, a second division starter who might make the occasional team mandate All-Star spot (aka Bobby Higginson Redux). Tiger fans are, of course, free to continue to overvalue Nick and dream.
i’m with you on this one.
& all other fans are, of course, free to continue to undervalue nick & yet still want him on their team.
@Chasfh
I havent seen anyone over value Castellanos in this thread. In fact, I havent seen anyone put a value on him at all. Fans in Detroit are aware he’s a one trick pony, but we also know he does that one trick, hitting, very well. It will be interesting to see what other teams value him at.
Smart fans know what you and I know about nick, but if you habituate any fourms that includes Tigers talk, you will see a good deal of overvalue all our players, which is a human characteristic anyway..
What about Bauer or Kluber and Encarnacion or Kipnis to the Brewers. For some combination of Hiura Woodruff Broxton Santana Aguilar
1 Example
Indians get Santana Aguilar Woodruff
Brewers get Bauer Encarnacion
I’d be shocked if the Brewers did anything like that but if they gave up Hiura they’d probably have a deal
Your right, I don’t foresee this happening. I just think there other suitors outside LA.
Seems like a good deal, addresses both teams needs. Saves the Indians $$$$ but I don’t think the Brewers would want that payroll as they are already looking at near record opening day payroll
I also think it’d be silly for the Brewers to trade Woodruff
You think it’d be silly to trade Woodruff for one of the best pitchers in baseball, please explain the logic
Bauer/Kluber and Encarnocion to the Rays for…whatever it would take from the Rays.
Probably 2 high end prospects and a commitment from 15,000 more Tampa residents to buy season tickets
For sure. Kluber and Encarnacion = TB’s entire payroll, or all Sternberg is going to pay out.
They’re talking about spending some cash this offseason. If they’re serious, Kluber/Encarnacion would be great for them. Edwin only signed through 2020 and that’s if they picked up the club option, so possibly only a 1 year commitment. Kluber on a relatively affordable 3 year commitment.
Better than throwing money at Nelson Cruz. Imagine Kluber and Snell at the top of that rotation.
Bringing the total to 16k?
Woodruff is not going anywhere. Him, Burnes, and Hiura are basically untouchables at this point. And why would we want Encarnacion? Im not following that. Santana or Broxton have to go. since they are out of options. Santana has the bigger upside IMO
Encarnacion is the older, more expensive version of Aguilar. I don’t think Aguilar can repeat his 2018 season. Woodruff is not untouchable. Agree Burnes and Hiura are way less likely
Santana or Broxton aren’t headlines for a premier SP. So the thought in the proposal was to save Cleveland money, get or ace, have Cleveland get value back.
As Edwin ages, he is going to need the DH more and more so idk if the NL is a great idea for him. I do think Aguilar will regress a little but I think hes a good hitter and is going to be a decent hitter for years to come. His swing is sort of “long slump” proof imo since he goes to right field quite a bit and has a great eye. But yes, the Brewers do need a starting pitcher. Dont think they are going to unload the farm to get it though.
I could see them more in the mix for Happ, but thanks to the Nats hes going to cost more, since they gave Corbin a RIDICULOUS contract
Agreed
I could see something like Woodruff, Santana, Dubon, Hererra for Bauer, Kipnis and 5M.
I like that match. Clearly the Indians and Brewers are set up perfectly to help each other here. We need SP and 2B, Indians want OFers. However, I do want to see what the young Brewers can do at 2B (Dubon) before we go trading for one. 2B is about the easiest position to find around the diamond.
calling Hiura untouchable, who is far from a sure thing never playing AAA, is beyond silly.
Brewers aren’t taking on that payroll. They’re pretty tapped out money wise from what I’ve seen.
Wouldnt put it past Stearns to do something creative. Other than the Schoop trade, which he admitted was awful, hes done nothing but terrific things. Dont be shocked if they make some big move here at the meetings.
I think the fact that their opening day payroll is projected slightly higher than last years doesn’t mean they are tapped out. Attanasio has always said he’s willing to spend when the time is right. Especially if it’s the ace to push them over the top. Kluber’s remaining contract fits their contention window perfectly
Touki, Wright,Pache, and 2 lower level non top 100 prospects for Fulmer and castellano
You must like the Tigers
Well, I do like John Smoltz. Fulmer is a potential ace and Nick’s a 3 win player who provides a potent power threat in the lineup. Cant keep our prospects in the minors forever you know.. A rotation of Folty, Newcombe, Fulmer, Soroka, and Teheran/weigel/whoever wins that 5th spot leaves no room for ALL of our pitching prospects.
I think the point the downvotes make is that those prospects (Touki, Wright, Pache) have been linked to trades involving aces including Kluber and/or 6-win players with 4-years of control (Mitch Haniger), so spending them on Fulmer and/or 3-win players like Castellanos with 1 year of control is kind of like taking your mom to prom when you asked out the head cheerleader.
But the head chearleader said no, and laughed at you.
Please note: This proposal brought to you by BrandonBrave91, and not from a Tigers fan.
That is WAY too much!!! I wouldn’t include any of those 3 for Fulmer and Castellano. Fulmer is not a big enough upgrade…That package could come close to getting Kluber
Come on man.. just 1 year ago people were talking that itd take Acuna, Albies, Newcombe plus to get fulmer. He had knee issues this season. The dude is a stud when healthy. If healthy, I guarantee you he could be a sub 3.00 era pitcher in the NL
Maybe I’m overvaluing fulmer just a touch, but no way do you get fulmer without at least 2 of Allard, Touki, Wright, Wilson, Pache, ect. Perhaps 3 is a bit excessive, but also castellano shouldn’t come free either. I contend that castellano alone brings back a top 100 prospect. I’d take a 3war power bat any day in a corner outfield spot. He’d be a 5 win player had he not lost 2 wins with the glove. You can teach defense tho. You cant teach power. Just my opinion tho
You can teach defense, in part. Some players are not athletic enough to employ the teachings, though. You definitely can’t teach instinct and Castellanos hasn’t shown he has the instincts to be good defensively.
Well put him in front of that big wall in right 81 games a year. With ender in center, nick wouldn’t have to cover much ground. I’m more interested in his offensive abilities and what he brings to the lineup than I am about a ball or 2 being hit past him in the outfield.
maybe Castellanos, Fulmer & Greene
Give them Allard, Wentz,Bryce Wilson, Jenista & Demeritte
That’s one of the problems with today’s game and many fans. Defense is readily given up to get offense.
A LOT has happened in 1 year. Acuna is the reigning RoY – Albies was an All-Star at 21 (was starting All-Star until the final hour when he was robbed…), and Newcomb looked like a stud the 1st Half (and equally bad with control the 2nd). Add to that Fulmer having his worst year and some injury issues. I don’t know what’s worse: being healthy and being bad or both.
Castellanos and Fulmer for Anthony Alford, Kevan Smith, Sean Reid-Foley, Forrest Wall and Kendrys Morales
Why would the tigers want any of that dreck?
Why would the tigers trade fulmer when he’s cheap & his value is at it’s lowest?
If Verdugo was the only roadblock to getting a Kluber deal done, you would think that both sides would have this wrapped up in a pretty red bow by now. The kid is good but doubtful he is the cornerstone of the Dodgers club even after some of the bloated outfield heavy roster has moved on. There must be more that Cleveland is asking for that the Dodgers see as untenable. Perhaps both clubs are waiting for the winter meetings before allowing anything solidify.
Yanks could use Encarnacion for 1B. Or is he more of a permanent DH now a days?
He can still play a capable first base once or twice a week (they had him there a little in the playoffs, for instance) but in an ideal world you’d just have him DH
Realmuto to SD for Mejia, Jankowski, and either Gore or two of Espinoza, Morejon, and Quantril. Then send Hedges in a package to Cleveland for Bauer.
Morejon is pretty much untouchable. The Padres paid $22 million for him in 2016 between the signing bonus and the fine and he hit 98 on the gun this season prior to the injuries, so he is going nowhere.
Espinoza has not appeared in a game situation since the Tommy John surgery, so I doubt most teams are willing to take that chance.
Maybe a MLB ready guy like Quantrill and a guy like Lawson who has tremendous upside, but is further away from the majors.
Padres will probably keep one of Hedges or Mejia. Hedges is the better game caller and defensive catcher, so it makes more sense to keep him.
If I were the Marlins I would ask for Mejia, Cordero, Quantrill, and a reliever named Gerardo Reyes who throws triple digits and just put up 18 scoreless innings in the Mexican Winter League.
The Red Sox spent how much to get Yoan Moncada? Was he untouchable? That $22 MM investment doesn’t make Morejon untouchable by any means. This is the same organization that just paid about 15 million for Bryan Mitchell. I dont see why the Padres should be In on any top player like realmuto unless they can get an extension worked out prior to the deal because 2 years does not fit your window.
I’d gladly take Encarnacions entire contract if it meant having Kluber too for a lesser haul of prospects
Castellanos has the misfortune of playing in an era where most AL teams are moving away from full time DHs.
Until teams realize that they have been devalued, and can be had cheaply.
His defense in RF was better than Bryce Harper whose going to make $300 Million.
I wonder if the Indians can’t accomplish their cost cutting and upgrade to RF by swinging a deal with Texas? Say Kipnis and Yonder Alonso for Shin-Soo Choo and $5M in 2020?
Rangers take on a little bit more money in 2019, but are out from under Choo for 2020. Then Cleveland is out from under Encarnacion in 2020 and can reallocate his dollars to Choo who can play RF or DH.
And what about Odor? Don’t think Texas wants 2 overpaid 2B.
Yeah, but Choo is a sunk cost for them at this point. DH Kipnis and use him to give Odor a day off each week. Or just DFA him. The point is that you’re basically just exchanging bad contracts. Indians get a marginal upgrade to RF, a little bit of 2019 cost savings, and the Rangers get cost savings in 2020.
smh…..
Hey now, Kipnis is an “outfielder” these days
And I am married to Gal Gadot these days….
No thanks to Choo, he had his time in Cleveland and didn’t want to resign so they dealt him. He has one of the lowest baseball IQs out there and his skills have eroded.
I don’t agree that Michael Brantley is set to earn a “large contract” elsewhere. He’s meh.
Meh = the Giants will sign him to a 4-year, $65M deal… They love doing things like that.
He’s good and I think he will make a good amount per year, but team are less likely to give a longer contract to players already over 30 (31 in this case)
Wait, the Indians are considering trading a starting pitcher?
There’s just some teams that historically have another teams number when it comes to making trades. The Tigers should not trade with the Braves. It’s never good for the Tigers.
Smoltz and Jurrgens. 3rd time’s a charm.
Nick C will be heading to Houston. They need a bat and he fits the Houston vibe.
There’s a deal to be had around Kluber and Kipnis going to the Phils for Carlos Hernandez. Phils add OF Odubel Herrera and pitchers Zach Eflin and JoJo Romero. There’s no Verdugo-quality prospect in this offer but pieces that are MLB-ready or close. Not a bunch of teams lining up to take Kipnis’ contract so it gets down to 2-3 (Phils, Dodgers, Yankees?) bidders.
No thanks.
-Indians
We have Jose Ramirez likely playing 2B in 2019 so no need for Hernandez. Eflin also does little to move the needle, Herrera and Romero is not enough for Kluber even with Kipnis..
You can look for younger cheaper players of equal value coming back for Kluber but it ain’t happening. If you’re riding 2 horses, comes a point you’ll lose contact with at least one. Indians’proposed deals presuppose shedding salary, particularly Kipnis. Pretend there’s a 10-team market for this and you’re deluding yourself. A clean trade where the Indians don’t take back a bad contract should garner interest.. If I owned the Indians and was contending, I’d hold onto Kluber and Bauer. But they seem ready to go in a different direction.
How bad can he be? I say braves go after him but I am a little scared what the tigers will want in return. He’s not worth that much in my opinion
Braves can’t let Kluber get thru their fingers. Make a deal & take back Kipnis contract. He can provide something even if it’s minimal on the bench.
Kluber is the exact leader the Braves youngsters need.
I’m pretty sure that a few weeks ago I suggested that the Braves would be a perfect fit for Kluber and you said you disagreed
Verdugo,Bellinger and Will Smith for Kluber. We will take Wood off your hands for Kipnis too
Brantley a “ Large Contract”. 9 HR’s and 52 RBI on average ummm I wouldn’t
If you don’t like the fact that he was hurt, just say it. Quoting average statistics – especially those statistics – over three years when he was hurt one of those years and recovering the other is misleading.
Brantley, when healthy, is a marginal All Star. He had a serious injury and is therefore a risk. That risk will be too high for some clubs, including the Indians. If he doesn’t get hurt the next three years, he will be worth every penny of 3years/$45 million.