Yusei Kikuchi is on his way to Los Angeles to begin his meetings with prospective MLB teams. The Japanese southpaw told Sports Nippon (hat tip to Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times) that he hasn’t received any official offers from Major League teams, and he didn’t give away any hints about preferred decisions — Kikuchi only answered “of course” when asked if he was open to joining any of the 30 big league clubs. The 30-day posting window for teams to negotiate with Kikuchi opened on December 4, and representatives from a wide array of teams are expected to make their pitches to Kikuchi in L.A.
More from around the baseball world….
- The Dodgers are open to re-signing Yasmani Grandal, though on a one-year contract, MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi reports. Los Angeles is hesitant about adding any new catcher on a longer-term deal, as catching prospects Keibert Ruiz and Will D. Smith are both approaching readiness for the majors. To that end, the Dodgers only had interest in Wilson Ramos on a one-year contract, though they have been heavily linked to J.T. Realmuto (who is controlled through 2020) in trade talks. Morosi figures that the Dodgers could consider moving pitching prospect Dustin May and one of Ruiz or Smith in any potential Realmuto trade package, though that wouldn’t be enough to meet the Marlins’ large asking price. “The Dodgers were balking at the inclusion of at least one key player on whom the Marlins were insisting,” Morosi writes.
- After signing Justin Bour, Angels GM Billy Eppler told reporters (including the Orange County Register’s Jeff Fletcher) that the team isn’t yet sure how the first base/DH playing time will be split up between Bour, Shohei Ohtani, and Albert Pujols. Ohtani will miss at least some time at the start of the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, and will only be a designated hitter when he does return. Pujols, meanwhile, underwent surgeries on both his knee and elbow last year, leaving it unclear how often the veteran slugger will be able to play first base. “It’s difficult to forecast and we can’t accurately forecast plate appearances for either of those guys [Ohtani and Pujols]. What’s important is to approach those organically and see what the medical team says as we enter spring training, and see what we can do,” Eppler said.
- The Mets have A.J. Pollock and “a couple [of] mystery options” on their list of center field targets, Fancred Sports’ Jon Heyman tweets. Given how aggressive Brodie Van Wagenen has been in his first six weeks as the Mets’ general manager, any number of free agent or trade possibilities could be on the radar. Pollock would almost surely be one of the pricier options available, as his next contract is likely to cost more by himself than the $49MM in free agent dollars the Mets just spent to land Jeurys Familia and Wilson Ramos.
- Yasiel Puig in a Giants uniform? The idea isn’t as outlandish as it sounds, as Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle notes that new Giants GM Farhan Zaidi is “is open to dealing with his old team,” the Dodgers. While it’s quite common for a new general manager to explore players from his former job, the arch-rival Giants and Dodgers have only completed three trades with each other since 1953. Perhaps for this reason, there haven’t been any whispers about the Giants targeting Puig, though there is something of a fit on paper. San Francisco is looking for corner outfielders while Los Angeles is looking to clear payroll and perhaps a spot in their outfield for a larger target, and Puig has been specifically mentioned as a potential trade chip.
DodgersBaseball23
Puig for Bumgardner would be perfect
MetsYankeesWhiteSox
Man, that Madison sure knows how to mow a lawn! And the way he picks the weeds… and the way he trims the shrubs….
excusemeflo
I don’t know why, but the constantly added “D” in Bumgarner is one of the more annoying misspellings to me
ceebeck59
You kidding? He’s a bum gardener, not a good one. Plus, he’s mad, son.
captainsalty
Yeah he’s a bum I had to fire him…wasn’t trimming the shrubs as promised when I signed up for his bi-weekly service
MetsYankeesRedSox
Bushes?
BI-weekly services?
Not even going there!
deweybelongsinthehall
Any Puig to the Giants trade would likely be a salary dump. Giants would command a huge premium dealing MB within the division.
southbeachbully
Puig is not someone you dump for salary relief. He’s not making a prohibitive salary and is still productive.
deweybelongsinthehall
Giants will not trade with the Dodgers unless given a high premium. Separately, they want to did themselves of Puig’s contract primarily to cut payroll so they can go after Harper. Thus to deal with the Giants would mean a salary dump. Puig’s past behavior issues were not evident last year. He may be traded elsewhere. for equal value but not to the Giants.
BrewCrew1302
Theres a reason this has 18 down votes, and no likes…
WarrenSpahn
perfect for who?
Kenleyfornia74
Dustin May is someone the Dodgers are very high on and i would bet he is the guy they are balking on in a Realmuto deal
MetsYankeesWhiteSox
But the article literally said that the Dodgers offered him and the Marlins asked for more? Can you read?
politicsNbaseball
Where? All it said was “Dodgers could consider moving pitching prospect Dustin May”.
Kennypowers999
The dodgers balk at the Marlins asking price at time because the Marlins wanted bellinger in the package and the dodgers are not giving up bellinger.
Kenleyfornia74
Apparently you can’t
jbigz12
The marlins are absolutely idiotic if they wouldn’t take a Ruiz/May package. That’s a top catching prospect and a top p prospect. You aren’t doing any better than that. I’m sorry you sold most of your other assets away for a disappointing return but you can’t beat that
Bert17
You’re missing their strategy of waiting until every other possible destination has been lost. After a week of Mets rumors have amounted to nothing and they are now totally off the board, I’m sure that’ll make the Dodgers inclined to pay more.
captainsalty
They will be even smarter to just wait until he gets injured or loses more team control
jbigz12
The dodgers and marlins line up very well for this deal. The dodgers can’t rely on a rookie/Barnes or some lesser catcher to platoon w barnes. Especially in a year when it really should be a WS or bust season. Trade one of Smith/Ruiz and a pitching prospect and we should have a deal. I don’t see Grandal settling for a one year deal and the Marlins need to recognize plenty of teams have already pivoted. Red Sox don’t have the right pieces to get him and really the most logical fits are Houston, LA, or Atlanta. And to an extent Houston and Atlanta have given themselves a security blanket w their moves in FA.
puigpower
Sure they can rely on defensive catchers all season. There is no pressure for LA at all.
jbigz12
The dodgers should be trying to get over the hump this year. If Realmuto is the guy that does that he should be brought in. They already used Barnes this postseason and got 0 w the stick from him. The Red Sox won with the same formula but the dodgers have the means to improve as long as Miami comes back down to reality on their ask. Smith/Ruiz aren’t helping the Dodgers win a WS this year, Realmuto might.
Samuel
Think he goes to the Astros.
jvent
The marlins are idiots for asking so much for a player that doesn’t want to play for them,all the teams still involved in the trade should lower their offers or just leave him on the team he doesn’t want to play for. Screw Jeter. Lol
jamesalba32
You clearly didn’t see the asking prices the Marlins were giving the Mets. Syndergaard straight up. Rosario + Conforto/Nimmo. Alonso (MLB #53) + Gimenez (MLB #56) plus more. They are asking for the world and will be disappointed when they get nothing for watching him leave in two years.
Samuel
You (and others) clearly don’t know the future……
If Realmuto is healthy in 2018, imagine what the Marlins can get from a contending team that loses their starting Catcher to injuries; or has a starting Catcher that suddenly goes downhill.
The Marlins do not need to rush into anything. Realmuto is the top Catcher in MLB – and many, including myself, believe that the Catcher is the most important position player on a team.
MLB is not fantasy league – where one gets caught up in a Catchers offensive numbers and silly stats like pitch framing and runners caught stealing (which is determined by the pitcher under the direction of the manager and pitching coach). A Catcher calls and runs the game, and handles a pitching staff – THAT’s what’s important. Still waiting for a stat to measure that…..and Realmuto excels in that area…..his stats are icing on the cake.
bigkempin
The Marlins reportedly asked for Bellinger and one of Verdugo or Puig.
corey5kersh22
Man it would be hilarious to see Puig and Bum on the same team. How many times would we see Madison say “don’t look at me” to Puig in right field while he’s on the mound?
xabial
MLBTR predicts 4 yrs 60M for Pollock, Fangraphs 3 yrs 54M
I thought he should have took the QO.
He’s seeking 80M (Dexter Fowler, Lorenzo Cain money)
He’s always hurt, had a .316 OBP… How much does he get?
T_Rexx2
4 years 60m sounds right.
jbigz12
OPS 800. Don’t fall in love with walks again. You can still be quite productive without them
deweybelongsinthehall
His injury history is the major concern. He’ll likely have to give up average dollars for that 4th year.
Slevin
X, looks like those trolls got banned :>)
MetsYankeesRedSox
Buh bye trolls lol!
Slevin
What is mentally and socially wrong with someone to take the time to do this crapola?
Lefty Grove’s right hand
Haven’t seen 3rdstrikelooking in a while. All he did was troll. Never wanted to actually contribute in positive and dignified way. He particularly found it amusing mocking people’s usernames. What’s the point?! Good riddance I say.
MetsYankeesWhiteSox
No I’m right here! Hello!
matanzas1962
He should have “taken” not took!
captainsalty
I believe it’s tooken
Cat Mando
No, that’s the guy who wrote the Lord of the Rings J.R.R. Tooken
jvent
Pollack should get a deal like Tampa gave Morton if he gets hurt after year 2 he gets $1 mill for that year, Mets go get him.
jamesalba32
I’ll give him the 3 for 54. Rather over pay for less years with a 30 year old, often injured player. He’s a top 5-10 CFer in the game when he’s right though.
YankeesWarriorsPatriots
Puig for ellsbury. Then sign Harper so he can play 1st. Then keuchel and how can I forget the reliever market! Sign Kimbrel if we can negotiate down to 80 mil and resign Robertson.
Kenleyfornia74
Don’t be silly. Dodgers need to send way more to get Ellsbury
WarrenSpahn
Puig for Ellsbury and a lot of money might do it
Bart
Puig for Ellsbury?
What next, Beuhler for Grey? Kershaw for Sabathia?
YankeesWarriorsPatriots
Wow exactly what I was thinking. Great minds think alike 😉
MetsYankeesWhiteSox
Love this trade proposal. Really opens up a spot for Harper on the Yanks and we can trade for Trout now too. Don’t forget about Acuna, he’s really underrated big fan of his.
Slevin
Looks like I was wrong, another one popped up. Just when I think they’re out, they get pulled back in..
YankeesWarriorsPatriots
I think we should wait until trout becomes a FA. Don’t want to trade Adams and Florial. They’ll be the centerpieces of the yankees for years to come
captainsalty
Why not just trade Bird for Trout straight up? Maybe even get the Angels to throw in some cash to offset the salaries
YankeesWarriorsPatriots
That is a little lopsided. Think the angels need to throw in a PTBNL as well for the deal to get done
xabial
You couldn’t give Ellsbury away for a paper bag :/
He needs 2 play before being included in trade scenarios
deweybelongsinthehall
Xab,
The Dodgers and Braves last year were creative and theoretically now that NY got under the threshold, they could consider a trade where they absorb money now but frees up money later. I’m thinking should they not sign Harper or Machado, the savings on Ellsbury’s last year could coincide with Trout’s free agency and huge bucks for Judge and Severino.
jvent
I’ll take Ells and Andujar on the Mets for Cano lol
Slevin
reported bro!
MetsYankeesRedSox
I remember someone saying “brah” all the time.
Slevin
He probably didn’t grow up eating Nathan’s..First Bong of the day!! I’m missing me some Polar Girl, probably got banned.
pinstripes17
PopeMarley or whatever his name was, always says bruh
MetsYankeesRedSox
youtu.be/gn7VFeRoi7k
Cashford64
⬆️ No sense of humor
YankeesWarriorsPatriots
Reported? Why brah?
Payne Train
Fowler is a prime reason why players like Pollock won’t get that 80 mil money … OF’ers are going to be maxed out at 3 year deals with high yearly money or 4 watered down years —- unless they are great of course.
Pollock will sign for 4 year, 55 mil
My best guess anyways.
jayfaraday
I mean Lorenzo Cain did pretty well in his first year ♂️
Danny B.
Don’t mind Pollock on the Mets on a 3 yr, $48 million deal but that would be my max offer because of the injury history and the risk associated with that history. Other than that, signing Adam Jone to a 2 yr, $18 million deal would be a solid plan B. If the free agent doesn’t pan out, the Mets could always try trading for an OF. Maybe trade David Peterson & Kevin Plawecki for Raimel Tapia. Tapia has been buried in Colorado, still only 25 y/o & has 5 years of control left. Maybe the Mets should add Ronny Mauricio to that offer.
T_Rexx2
From what I’ve seen the Rockies are still high on Tapia.
Danny B.
I know, that’s why I would make an aggressive offer. Peterson, Ronny Mauricio & Plawecki is a solid offer, especially considering that the Rockies depth chart at catcher is pretty bleak.
Jt0712
That’s a lot for a guy who has only had 220 ABs so far don’t you think
Danny B.
That’s one way to look at it but he’s also probably the most talented of all these players. Don’t forget the 5 years of Club Control and the fact that he could become a dynamic name stealer. So, with all that being said, I think the offer is solid. Not giving away too much nor too little.
jbigz12
If jones gets 2/18 I will be shocked. Dude is a corner outfielder w a slightly above league average bat. Loved him in Baltimore but he loves that offspeed pitch down and away. I don’t think he’ll age very well. If he got two years I’d expect it’d max out qt 15. I expect something like a 1/8 for Jones.
Danny B.
@jbigz12
Even better then. Maybe the Mets can sign him to a 2 yr, $14 million deal with incentives. I love incentive based deals because it keeps the player motivated to max out his deal. How about that???
jbigz12
You putting him in CF? I think the Mets need a CF and I don’t like jones out there anymore. It’s not really the cash difference it’s just the fit. Lagares can’t hit but he can field 100x better than Jones. I think the upgrade w the bat you’d get from AJ would be nixed by his D. Remember too w Jones these are OPACY statistics. We saw MM’s and to a larger extent Schoop’s numbers decline. I’d be leery.
Danny B.
@@jbigz12
To be honest with you, I would like to see the Mets trade for either Raimel Tapia or Mallex Smith but I’m not sure how realistic that is. Maybe the Mets will sign Marwin Gonzalez and have him play some LF and have a Nimmo/Lagares platoon in CF.
jbigz12
Can’t imagine Dipoto would deal Mallex but you never know with that guy. Tapia I would have no idea about. He’s seemingly been ready for a few years but has been passed over in Colorado for the likes of Gerardo Parra and Cargo. I’d have to imagine he could be had for the right price
southbeachbully
Why would anyone want Pollock on a multi-year deal? He’s missed 250 games in the last year and aside from his homeruns which fueled his slugging/OPS he was below average in batting average and OBP. His glove is still positive but should anyone expect him to play more than 100 games? Don’t the Mets have enough players on the DL each season?
jbigz12
I’ll take him on a multi year deal. You’re just going to drop the guarantee to compensate. A guy like pollock with no health risk is close to a 5/80 kind of guy. With the health risk baked in you can get him for say 3/48 or 4/54. Id probably bite at that price if I was in need of a CF. Anymore than that I’d say no.
hojostache
Since becoming a regular MLB starter…Pollock has average 101 games per year. That’s it! Dude is an albatross contract waiting to happen.
Dan Hunter
Mets without a doubt do not have enough offense, still.
They need a Harper, Machado or Castellano.
They MIGHT win 6 more games as it stands now.
Brodie and Wilpon have to pull the trigger on a big bat.
Ramos and Cano will not get it done.
Same ol same ol, otherwise.
Vizionaire
yup, healthy pujols would play most of games at first. that’s the thing we heard from the team all through the last offseason. and it’s now unclear how much he’ll play. honesty is something hard to come by these days!
T_Rexx2
Pujols should probably just be released at this point. I mean, he’s barely even worth league minimum at this point. It’s such a shame because he was so good in St. Louis. And then he was not bad in his first couple years in Anaheim. But man, he doesn’t look good anymore.
Mike's Trout
If they release him they still owe him around $90 mil. I’d say keep him and maybe he will retire when he realizes his knees/legs are done.
Payne Train
I’m a bitter cards fan, still mad at Albert for leaving . But to call him not worthy of league min when he still hits 30 bombs and bats .280, your just being a nincompoop.
I hate you Pujols, for leaving and lying about your age …. but mostly for leaving .
Either way, HOF player . Shame on your comment .
jbigz12
Pujols hasn’t hit 280 since 2012. Hasn’t hit 30 hrs since 2016. None of that is a great barometer for how useful pujols is as a player but at least be factually correct if you chose to say it. There’s no reason to think pujols can hit 280 w 30 bombs this year. Nothing at all says he can do that
Cam
He literally hasn’t done that in over half a decade.
Maybe half a decade ago is when Cards fans stopped paying attention.
of9376
Do you even watch baseball? He’s been a huge disappointment. Father Time has caught up with Prince Albert. He will be lucky to be on the team by the end of 2019.
teddyj
Payne Train isn’t it nincumpoop?
jtkuch
Cervelli to Dodgers for Alex Wood and C prospect Connor Wong. Who says no?
captainsalty
Me
fox471 Dave
Me.
throwinched10
So I guess there is no place for Matt Thaiss on the Angels in 2019?
Mike's Trout
Well maybe he will make the team if Pujols and Ohtani start the year on the DL.
Bart
Bout has a one year contract.
mmarinersfan
let’s hope this pitch to a free agent goes better than the one last year
wiggysf
Yasiel Puig is literally the last player I want on the Giants. And the last player any Giants fan should want on the Giants. If they do this, aren’t they going in the complete opposite direction from keeping aging core members/ bumgarner in order to please fans?
murphydog
Yeah, but it would be fun to see him rush the mound after he perceives an inside pitch by Kershaw as a deliberate attack.
puigpower
This comment makes me realize that you know nothing about Puig. That said, the proposed trade by the author is just silly. There are some things that just will not happen.
jt3z
U act like Puig is some mid thirties player going to a contending team. He still young at 28 and would probably be your best offensive player outside of Posey. IMO you guys are better off getting as much as you can for ur players now and rebuild
Wolf Hoffmann
Don’t sweat it. It will never happen. The writer is making fake news to fill out a sports column.
ScottRC
Isn’t Posey already catching for the Giants?
angels fan 3
I believe he is going to start more often at 1B due to the wear and tear of catching.
larry48
Posey to start season on DL after surgery.
Payne Train
Posey is a bum – watches other teams charge the mound, and what’s this guy do …. stand on home plate and watches his pitcher get whooped up on …. sad stuff
atuck_sfg
Three rings, multiple silver sluggers, gold glove, all star appearances and an mvp would say otherwise.
callingoutdummies247
Don’t think he insulted his playing, just his manhood
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
So he’s supposed to charge after Bryce knowing he is going to be the one drilled? Why again? Oh wait, because his teammate is an immature mental midget that can’t suck up the fact that he was beat 3 years earlier, in a series they won. If you’re going to act like a punk on the mound, and take it upon yourself to intentionally throw at someone put your big boy pants on. You go renegade for no good reason and potential start a bean ball war you shouldn’t be playing baseball. This S gets old, grow up. Your take is sad.
LosAngelesAngelesAngelesAngels
The Bour signing keeps making more and more sense.
ammiel
Puig for Will Smith, Dodgers want another arm.
chicoescuela
Everyone in SF hates Puig. Get a grip
lowtalker1
No one outside of smell a like plug
captainsalty
It took me a while but I see what you did there…perhaps some caps or a hyphen would’ve made this easier for me
Redwolves3
Puig to the Giants. Beyond RIDICULOUS!!!
The Giants just got rid of one distraction – Strickland. Why consider Puig who is an even worse distraction and head case.
The real country boy would come out in MadBum behind closed doors. There would be no chemistry in the locker room … just chaos.
And Lagares for Tony Watson. Lagares isn’t even a real full-time outfielder. As Jim Bowden says, “Lagares is another dime-a-dozen outfielder … and pitching is a lot more valuable.”
hojostache
Lagares healthy is still gold glove caliber at a premium position. His issue has always been staying healthy. He is also a streaky hitter, which makes his bat suspect. He has worked with JD Martinez’s swing coach in the off-season…hopefully that will help him. He’s set to make $9m this year, which is steep for a defensive replacement 4th outfielder. If he stays healthy I can see him surprising some folks….but as a mets fan, we are not accustomed to nice things…so I expect him to get hurt and be on the dl at least twice per season.
afenton530
Puig in SF would mean an eventual trade of bumgarner or a flip at the deadline after bum goes full papelbon on him
scottn59c
Almost forgot about that incident! And that was Bryce Harper that Pap went after – for not being “Johnny Hustle”, right?
MetsYankeesRedSox
youtu.be/7aF0JojI99M
Redwolves3
Giants would definitely be opening the door to another “Papelbon” on Puig if Zaidi was dumb enough to take Puig off the Dodgers hands. Puig would immediately become a “cancer” to the Giants.
Obviously the Dodgers can’t find anyone to take Puig off their hands. And Puig may find out what teams really think of him after the 2019 season when he files for free agency.
Kenleyfornia74
Lol the fact you think this is a salary dump is comical. They aren’t trading Puig without something in return. Giant fans really dont know what a good OF looks like. Puig is better than any Giants OF in years
juicemane
Dodgers have Matt Kemp, Joc Pederson, Chris Taylor, and KiKi Hernandez in their outfield…so yeah all platoon players. Padres have a better outfield than this.
Bellinger is the one good outfielder you have, and he is streaker than your underpants Kenley
Kenleyfornia74
Oh it all makes sense now. You are one of the rabid Padre fans that roam around here. No wonder you hate Grandal. Fits your narrative. Imagine thinking the Padres have a better outfield than the Dodgers. Just pure delusion. Even Kemp turned into an all star again the second he came back to the Dodgers. Funny he isnt motivated to play for the Padres
algionfriddo
The was an additional trade between the Giants and Dodgers that was negated because the traded player refused to report. In 1956 the Giants traded Dick Littlefield to the Dodgers but the Dodgers player retired instead of reporting… Jackie Robinson. They made a baseball card with Jackie Robinson as a Giant. I kept that card closely guarded along with a prized Joe DiMaggio card, but unfortunately, both were lost in a house fire in the early 80’s.
hojostache
Bummer. Cool story though, thank you for sharing.
Cam
Eppler sounds like a muppet here..forecasting roles is exactly what you’re meant to be doing – it’s called roster construction
Cam
While its cool to speculate, considering the history between Puig and the Giants. But the idea makes zero sense – he only has one year of control left. The Giants need cost controlled players, not one year rentals.
jekporkins
Exactly, it was a stupid article to begin with. No real fan in SF wants Puig playing for them. He’s also a head case, which is not what the Giants need. He is going to go for free agent money so it’ll be a one-year deal on a rebuilding year, so the whole thing is pointless.
Freddie Morales
Puig to the Mets makes way more sense than Puig to the Giants. Mets can then flip Lagares to the Giants for Tony Watson
socalbum
Considering that Puig to the Giants makes no sense.
hojostache
I’d welcome that trade, as long as Puig is traded as a .700ish OPS bat with some baggage and not some “he could be a star” kind of value. I think Lagares for Watson is a fair swap, I think a fresh start would be good for both guys.
socalbum
Dodgers open to signing Grandal for 1 year seems more like Friedman misdirection aimed at Marlins rather than reality. Grandal was very upset with LA fans booing him off the field and then being benched in favor of Barnes for second consecutive post season.
captainsalty
Well in fairness to us fans he couldn’t hit his way out of a wet paper bag and made some big errors behind the plate
worthington
Open to dealing with the dodgers but no way Zaidi wants the 5c head pugi
NewYorkMetropolitans
I’ll be first to admit that I wasnt a fan of the Brodie signing but I’ll be honest, he’s killing it. Ramos is a great fit especially at his price which I’m shocked he took. This opens the door for hopefully a impact acquisition via bullpen or CF. Glad they didn’t trade any of nimmo conforto syndergaard or Rosario. Winter is far from over. As a fan of the mets this kind of offseason was long overdue. As a baseball fan, I find their potential competitiveness great for the game. Hoping for the best.
MetsYankeesRedSox
Me too. I was pulling for that Chaim Bloom guy because of his age and analytics. Seeing how things are going so far gives a person hope. I just hope this crazy injury bug they’ve endured has run it’s course. Injuries are to be expected but the Mets have had more than their share.
Last game I saw in Flushing was 1998. Maybe they’ll give me a reason to make the 500 mile trip to see them & the new digs.
Lets Go Mets!
shortytallz
I love mystery options, especially on menus.
BrewCrew1302
Annoyed that the Brewers missed out on Ramos. Would have been a perfect fit
MarlinsFanBase
I guess Realmuto is the guy, so you can send us the rest of your prospects.
BrewCrew1302
Worked out for us last time. Brinson package for Yelich. thanks lol
BrewCrew1302
The Brewers are not interested in unloading the farm for a catcher. If they are going to do that, they would use their prospects to get Thor or Kluber.
baseballpun
They’re always in the market for another second baseman.
MarlinsFanBase
Aren’t they looking at bringing back Moustakas so Shaw will be at 2b? Or bringing in Daniel Murphy to play 2B with Shaw returning to 3B?
If you’re in the market for 2B, maybe a deal where we add Starlin Castro?
BrewCrew1302
It would have to be a second basemen on a one year deal since Huira will be up soon. Castro could be a nice fit
hojostache
Supposedly the Mets were Ramos’ top choice going into the off-season. He definitely signed a lower than expected deal…and that 3rd year team option….even better. His stats put him top 5 for the last handful of years….at a position with very few available decent options…it was a great signing.
MarlinsFanBase
OK, we’re coming to the end of the Realmuto saga. Who’s left in the sweepstakes? I’m guessing in the end, it will be Yankees so everyone of the conspiracy theorists will have something to talk about.
MarlinsFanBase
The player that the Marlins are insisting on that the Dodgers won’t give is Bellinger. I don’t blame the Dodgers either. I’m wondering if both teams would agree to something like the following:
Marlines get May, Ruiz, Joc Pederson, and mid level prospect.
Dodgers get Realmuto and balancing pieces (like Starlin Castro as a salary dump)
Wolf Hoffmann
That is a far proposal but I don’t think the Dodgers should do it. They are better off keeping what they have and signing a solid defensive minded veteran catcher to split time with Barnes. I wouldn’t mind them trying to bring back AJ Ellis for one more season.
Wolf Hoffmann
I see no reason why Grandal would sign a one year contract with the Dodgers. It makes no sense for him. I am sure the Dodgers would love to do it. But no way Grandal misses the opportunity to cash out big time. Realmuto is a solid player however the Dodgers would be nuts to trade Bellinger at this point. The Dodgers should just sign a veteran catcher to split time with Barnes until one of their 2 catching prospects are ready for the show.
juicemane
This is the disconnect between fans and baseball FO’s. Nobody thinks Grandal is that great, He has been mostly hyped up by Fangraphs. They all hacks with no baseball experience. I bet he gets a 2 /19 mil like Ramos or less.
I mean they are willing to replace him with a unproven prospect. Now that means they’re broke, or they really just don’t think that much of him.
Kenleyfornia74
No there is just a disconnect in your brain with baseball analysis. Its simple. Grandal can hit very well for a C. Thats his value. Not hard
juicemane
Ok explain the 1`year deal….it should be simple? not hard…right?
Kenleyfornia74
The Dodgers want a bridge to their top tier catching prospects. Thats not very hard.
juicemane
right….well if you said it, it must be true. Kinda like Kemp was the bridge to….um wait that doesn’t make any sense. Kinda like Freese is bridging the gap to….wait that doesn’t work either.
And since when were these guys top tier??? Meija is top tier, hitting bombs in the majors. Your top tier catching prospect is hitting .260 in AA. lol but in 2020 he is gonna be a starter! LOL thats funny. I remember when Hedges was “top tier” doesn’t always work out. Dodgers know this, they also know nobody wants Grandal.
Kenleyfornia74
Mejia is so bad defensively the Indians traded him. You might want to look at Mejias MLB ba beforr you rip Will Smith. You are probabaly one of those loco padre fans that thought Hosmer made them a .500 team
macstruts
juicemane. There are teams that will not sign PED users. There are teams that don’t want to lose a draft pick. He’s been replaced in the post season., not once but twice. In combination, that’s a lot of teams.
Sign a one year deal and next go round maybe you can remove two out of three of those concerns.
The Dodgers have already shown they don’t care he’s used PED.s.
juicemane
We will be a lot closer to .500 if not above in 2019 and the Dodgers will be a lot further from making a World Series anytime in the near future…
Kenleyfornia74
LOL prove it. Padres were supposed to take a step forward this year but instead were just the usual punching bag for the Dodgers. Cant wait til the Padres ceiling of their core is a 2nd wild card
WarrenSpahn
“Nobody thinks Grandal is that great”
catchers that hit 20+ HRs each year don’t grow on trees….
Bobby Czyz
The Dodgers have been trying to deal Puig for years. His teammates don’t like him. Mattingly wanted him gone. Teams want no part of him, because he’s not a good fit in the clubhouse. Dodgers are stuck with him.
Squeezebuntz9
This is just terrible click bait saying anything about Puig to Giants. Anyone who knows the division knows there is no way the giants take on that personality in their clubhouse. This is just a false lead in and basically a non rumor. I respect this site most of the time but we all know There is no chance giants take on Puig.
jwag777 2
I will no longer root for the Giants (after 50 years) if they trade for Puig.