Stark's Latest

Jayson Stark posted a new Rumblings and Grumblings column over at ESPN; it's definitely worth a read.  A summary of his trade rumors:

• GMs calling the Marlins have noticed that the team seems a little more open to trading Dontrelle Willis this year. Miguel Cabrera doesn't appear to be under discussion.  If the Marlins are out of the race in mid-July and a team ponies up with three legimate young regulars, they might be able to pry him away.  The D'Backs or Dodgers could probably pull this off without damaging their current group too much.
• Stark says the D-Rays are considering promoting both Evan Longoria and Reid Brignac before the trading deadline, filling out the left side of their infield.  Someone would have to be pushed out; maybe B.J. Upton to center, Akinori Iwamura to second, and Rocco Baldelli to another team.  Stark reminds us of past interest by the Red Sox.  And don't forget all the interest from Atlanta in December.   
• The Rich Harden trade rumors may just reflect frustration on Billy Beane's part, and not actual availability.
• Stark also debates whether the Rangers would still be on the hook for $21MM if Alex Rodriguez opts out and then the Yankees re-sign him.  Right now it's an open question.

Comments

[Ripwa]

I don't understand how people don't know the answer to that question. I mean it's not like i do, but i'm also not a professional.

[Baseballfan79]

What is a baseball season without the Willis rumor? :)

On another note I would kill for Justin Upton in CF for the Fish. He does state in there that it would take 3 stud players to get him.

Also it should be noted that Stark is a huge phillies fan. Was a huge homer for them when I met him.

Either way I would love the marlins to get a stud catcher and stud CF with a pitcher back for willis, if they drop out of it.

[bobo]

And that's why that IF he stays with the Yankees, he won't opt out, he'll simply be extended or given a bonus or something else. There are a million ways around it.

In my mind, this is cut and dry - if he opts out, Texas is off the hook. The contract is null and void, so how can Texas pay for it? If he doesn't opt-out, (i.e. is extended) Texas still pays. The old contract still stands.

And agree, Ripwa, I can't believe people don't know.

[bobo]

What happens when Willis still has an ERA in the high 4s come July? He has been unlucky this year, yes, but still not good.

Somehow the Marlins (and the rest of baseball) continually forget that he's done just about nothing since 2005.

If Florida was smart they'd trade him now while somehow people still consider him a top starter, and maybe get a Mulder-like deal for him.

[DRayDude]

Why don't we look at the last post and this rumor about Willis? Lastings fills that CF need in Florida and Omar's been able to do business in the past with the Fish. Figure in either Pelfrey or Humber and I think a deal could get done.

[bravesbeast]

I seriously think that the LA Angels could be considered in the running for Miguel Cabrera. I mean they have a ton of prospects. I expect the marlins would targer Reggie Willits for center and Brandon Wood for third to replace Cabrera. But, would some combination of Sean Rodriguez, Erick Aybar, Casey Kotchman, Brandon Wood, Kendry Morelas, Mike Napoli, Jeff Mathis, Joe Saunders, Dustin Moseley, or Reggie Willits not get the job done?

[Baseballfan79]

seriously think that the LA Angels could be considered in the running for Miguel Cabrera. I mean they have a ton of prospects. I expect the marlins would targer Reggie Willits for center and Brandon Wood for third to replace Cabrera. But, would some combination of Sean Rodriguez, Erick Aybar, Casey Kotchman, Brandon Wood, Kendry Morelas, Mike Napoli, Jeff Mathis, Joe Saunders, Dustin Moseley, or Reggie Willits not get the job done?

Posted by: bravesbeast | May 18, 2007 at 11:36 AM

No it would NOT get the job done

[bravesbeast]

Care to Explain Why?

[J.L.]

Let me guess... because Wood is the only real elite prospect on that list, and even he has some questions about how good he'll be.

Dodgers or DBacks could definitely offer a better package.

[bravesbeast]

I agree they could get a better package from dodgers or dbacks, but the angels would more than likely be the most aggresive pursuer of Cabrera. As a result, I think the Angels would package together their best prospects for Cabrera, while the dodgers or dbacks may be a little more reluctant to offer their 3 best prospects for him.

[Baseballfan79]

Care to Explain Why?

Posted by: bravesbeast | May 18, 2007 at 11:51 AM

Because there is no reason for the marlins to move Cabrera, they can easily finance the money to resign him. They arent in danger of missing out on a ballpark (stark is a fool for even bringing that aspect into the story). They have said repeatedly they wont move cabrera and they have built a team to win a championship type run next year. Moving the centerpiece of that team is just dumb

Would the yankees in 1998-2000 trade Derek Jeter? Or the Braves trading Andruw Jones in the late 90s when he was about 24 and they were poised for runs.

That is pretty much what you are asking for the Marlins to do here. Trade a top 3 player in major league baseball right when they have all of the pieces already needed to make a run.

IF they move Willis it will be for an over-whelming offer. But Cabrera they wont move even for that. Even the article states that and Starks has been a rather huge hater of the Fish for a while now.

[bravesbeast]

My argument was not whether the marlins should trade him or not, I was just wanting you to explain why the Angels would not have enough to trade for him.

[Baseballfan79]

Ahh in that case pretty much those you listed just wouldnt be the talent exactly needed to get him. He is the most valuable player in mlb currently along with perhaps Mauer, and maybe felix (I dont like pitchers values they go up and down too much, perhaps hanley and reyes too after the year but are lead off hiters worth as much as a big bat even if 5 tools?).

Like they said they would need more then that.

Honestly if Cabrera was put on the block every single team in baseball would make an offer of the largest possible sense. The marlins could hand pick any 5-6 prospect from any team. The guy is just insanely good and potentials.

[GoBoSox420]

is a 5 tool lead off hitter worth more than a big bat? I'd say there is no doubt.

[bobo]

He is insanely good, but given that he's a FA after 2009 and will be making nearly market value in 2009, he's not nearly the most valuable player. Off the top of my head, Wright, Mauer, Zimmerman, Sizemore, Fielder, Morneau, Hanley Ramirez, Reyes, Ortiz, are all likely more valuable.

But I agree, still no point in trading him. Willis, on the other hand...

[lih]

5-6? that's nuts. There are a lot of teams in baseball who would not make an offer because, like bobo said, they wouldn't be able to pay him to keep him around. He would need to go to a high payroll team as he'll be making over 20 million a year pretty soon. I mean, really if you want 6 prospects for him, you're going to get four lower guys and 1 or 2 solid prospects...maybe the dodgers offer something like: DJ Houlton, Delwyn Young, Wilson Valdez, Wilkin Ruan, Wilson Betemit, and Andy Laroche...that might be too much though...they're better off going for two great prospects or three very good prospects. Something like Laroche, Loney, and Elbert. I'm not saying I would make that trade, but the dodgers probably would. Of course, I don't think he will be traded this year.

[nrmax88]

"That is pretty much what you are asking for the Marlins to do here. Trade a top 3 player in major league baseball right when they have all of the pieces already needed to make a run"

Yeah, what pieces? You could start with getting a closer and an actual centerfielder. Not a 2B or a converted catcher or Reggie Abercrombie. Until you get a real closer and a real CF, you dont have the pieces do anything.

[J.L.]

Main reason I would think the a Dodgers deal for Cabrera (or Willis for that matter) won't work is Matt Kemp. He's the number one player the Marlins want, and the number one player the Dodgers don't want to part with. That's why I don't see this working. But its true, the Dodgers not only have great prospects, but they also have tons of serviceable ones that could be in the majors right now on other teams.

[tmar]

I'm sure this wouldn't be the best package FL could get for MC but from the DBacks, how about:
Eric Byrnes
Carlos Quentin
Chris Snyder
Juan Cruz
Chad Tracy

This would give the Marlins considerable cost savings going forward and likely a net increase in talent for the next few years.

[DentalPlan]

I don't think there's any 5-6 prospect return on Cabrera either, and that the list the other guy listed of 5-6 guys is not that great.

Furthermore, everyone talks about the Dodgers' great prospects, but if they're so great, why don't the Dodgers just use them? Are these great prospects all Joel Guzmans, Greg Millers, and Edwin Jacksons?

As for Willis, he's not worth the buy. He's simply not the ace people think he is.