 |
|
|
| |
« Giants, Pirates Discussed Sanchez, LaRoche | Main | Marlins Sign Brendan Donnelly »
Morosi's Latest: Blue Jays, Sanchez, Correia, Holliday
Jon Paul Morosi of FoxSports.com suggests the Blue Jays might want to set their sights on 2010, after which they stand to lose Lyle Overbay, Scott Downs, Scott Rolen, and Roy Halladay to free agency. Not to mention Cito Gaston and J.P. Ricciardi, whose contracts will both expire barring an extension. Morosi writes,
Morosi adds the following:
- Halladay is not going anywhere.
- Ricky Romero and Scott Richmond are most likely staying put, says Morosi, and I doubt anyone here disagrees.
- Pitching is not a need for 2010 with the anticipated return of Jesse Litsch, Shaun Marcum, and Dustin McGowan.
- The Jays are almost certain to keep Downs, who has become a premier reliever in the American League.
Morosi suggests, the Jays trade a pitcher or two to boost their team OPS which lags in the AL East behind the Red Sox, Yankees, and Rays. Given the above, Morosi suggests Brian Tallet as a trade chip. "Tallet could be looked upon as a viable option for teams looking for a mid-rotation left-handed starter, particularly if the Mariners stay in the race and elect not to move Erik Bedard and Jarrod Washburn."
They may also look at dealing from their collection of right-handed setup men, such as Casey Janssen, Jeremy Accardo, Brandon League, or Jason Frasor. Just speculating here but Janssen may be the most attractive since he can start. As a reliever in 2007, Janssen had a 2.35 ERA in 72.2 IP with 6 saves before missing 2008 with a torn labrum.
Morosi has a few more bullet points to discuss:
- Freddy Sanchez's contract contains an $8MM option for 2010 that automatically vests after 635 PAs, or only 600 if he makes the All Star team. So, it stands to reason that Sanchez will either make the All Star Team or see his trade value increase. This may be moot given Sanchez is on pace for 660 plate appearances. Morosi says one Mariners official doesn't think Pittsburgh is considering trading Sanchez. The M's have need for a pure hitter as well as a second baseman given concerns about Jose Lopez ability to stay at 2B long term.
- The M's asked about Jeremy Hermida, but there wasn't a lot of movement. Morosi notes Hermida's trade value has fallen significantly.
- Kevin Correia is pitching fantastically but the Padres haven't put him on the open market. Morosi doesn't report much excitement among other clubs.
- Morosi says "one person in the industry who knows Oakland general manager Billy Beane well," guessed Matt Holliday will stay with the team so Beane could collect the compensatory draft picks. Morosi quotes the source: "Billy loves the draft."
Comments
Verify your Comment
Previewing your Comment
This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.
As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.
Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.
Top Stories
Search MLBTR
MLBTR Features
Recent Posts
Rumors By Team
Monthly Archives
Live Chats
Tuesdays at 2 p.m. CST
A rotation of Roy Halladay, Ricky Romero, Shawn Marcum, Dustin McGowan, and Scott Richmond would make the Jays close to the Yankees or Rays level.
Posted by: metfan57 | July 05, 2009 at 10:27 AM
Forgot about Jesse Listch. Toronto probably has the most rotation depth in baseball.
Posted by: metfan57 | July 05, 2009 at 10:29 AM
"Morosi says "one person in the industry who knows Oakland general manager Billy Beane well," guessed Matt Holliday will stay with the team so Beane could collect the compensatory draft picks. Morosi quotes the source: "Billy loves the draft."
No offense, but unnamed sources *guesses* are now post worthy?
Posted by: SuzysMan | July 05, 2009 at 10:30 AM
SuzysMan - None taken. It's a discussable topic, a good prediction on a hot commodity, and coming from Morosi. That's indeed post worthy.
Posted by: Nat Boyle | July 05, 2009 at 10:46 AM
I trust Billy in a trade more though. I still think he can get more than the value of 2 draft picks, especially if Wolff eats salary, which he's done several times in the past and even when the team payroll was ~18MM higher (2007). Tons of suitors are in the mix if the A's are willing to eat a good chunk of salary.
[A certain former A getting benched/released off his contending team which has a collective park adjusted .318 wOBA might add a suitor. And the opportunity to acquire their 3B prospect and then some. :) ]
Posted by: melonis rex | July 05, 2009 at 10:55 AM
I fail to see how Sanchez's option is prohibitive. If it was like 3 more years at $8 mil a year I could see teams balking. But one yeah isn't that bad of a deal. If the Option didn't vest the team would have to pay $600K for Sanchez not to play with them, and still have to offer him arb. if they wanted picks back. My guess is that any team that trades for Sanchez plans on him being with them next year anyways. Otherwise why trade for the rental.
I do agree with the scout that said Sanchez could be a better 3B. He was always better defensively there. He won't have the power numbers but he still be pretty good offensively.
Posted by: Steveo26 | July 05, 2009 at 10:56 AM
"It's a discussable topic, a good prediction on a hot commodity, and coming from Morosi. That's indeed post worthy."
Well if we were to discuss it - it’s a 50% chance he is correct. If Trade Return > 2 DP, Beane would deal him. Pretty sure the unnamed source would also agree. That kind of ends any discussion, and leaves us right back to where we were before.
It's no big deal at all, was just a strange thing to see in a post. That said, you’re still doing a good job!
Posted by: SuzysMan | July 05, 2009 at 12:20 PM
WOW, an analyst that actually advocates for Halladay staying in Toronto? I think hell just froze over. Thats a wonderful thing to see though in all seriousness, maybe the baseball world is starting to give the Jays and their organization some credit.
As for trading for a bat, the Jays cant afford to trade Tallet right now and I struggle to think theyd get much of anything for him that would really help THAT much.
During the off season I think the Jays should explore trade options for Lyle Overbay, move Lind to 1st base and then sign Jason Bay if he is doesnt extend with the Red Sox.
Aside from that, I would buy out BJ Ryan or look for a trade that involves eating a lot of his salary and maybe sign on a couple of decent pen guys since Carlson has been brutal this season and the reliever market is looking like it could be decent.
Overbay could easily be traded to a team looking for some stability at 1st base and there's a few out there that could definitely use him. I wouldnt even be looking for much in return, just some prospects. Itd be a salary dump and between Overbay and Ryan they could afford to sign Bay.
Posted by: xethicx | July 05, 2009 at 12:37 PM
Oh and to add to that, extend Barajas and sign a better and half way competent back up catcher. Chavez is useless.
Posted by: xethicx | July 05, 2009 at 12:38 PM
Hermeida would be a good pick up for the M's.
They need young-ish offense him being a bad defender in LF hardly matters with Gutierrez and Ichiro out there with him.
Jays need to re-sign Holliday and then trade the rest of their Vets away... but what they really need is to get rid of Wells' contract.
I read somewhere about Rios' days being numbered in Toronto because of some public appearance, has that all blown over now?
Posted by: OhPityMe | July 05, 2009 at 12:50 PM
As good of a PR move it would be to bring Bay a Canadian to Toronto, it makes little baseball sense they already have two young, cheap all offense no defense Left fielders.
Posted by: OhPityMe | July 05, 2009 at 12:52 PM
Adam Lind has been taking batting practices and training sessions at 1B, Snider is a pure and 100% DH for life with occasional appearances at the corner outfield positions and maybe later in his career, 1B.
Bay makes perfect baseball sense, by your logic the Red Sox didnt have to trade for Bay either because they had Van Every and Carter putting up big production in AAA for small dollars.
The Jays dont NEED Bay however if he hits the free agent market the Jays will take a major run at him and make room accordingly. Lind said he would love a shot at a full time 1B position in the future.
Posted by: xethicx | July 05, 2009 at 01:05 PM
"Well if we were to discuss it - it’s a 50% chance he is correct. If Trade Return > 2 DP, Beane would deal him. Pretty sure the unnamed source would also agree. That kind of ends any discussion, and leaves us right back to where we were before."
Yeah I was going to say that the situation has already been pretty well established: Holliday stays in Oakland unless some team makes a trade offer that exceeds the value of the two draft picks that the A's would receive if he walks.
"As good of a PR move it would be to bring Bay a Canadian to Toronto, it makes little baseball sense they already have two young, cheap all offense no defense Left fielders."
Yeah, Toronto is going to need to fit Travis Snider into that lineup at some point soon.
I'd try to move Vernon Wells or Alex Rios, although moving Wells' contract is probably near impossible at this point.
Anyone want to talk about the Soriano/Wells swap that I thought up like a year ago?
Posted by: scribbletone | July 05, 2009 at 01:35 PM
I highly doubt the Jays make a run at Bay. First off, while Bay is Canadian, he is from western Canada so I'd believe he'd be more inclined to sign with the Mariners than the Blue Jays. Second, from the Jays perspective, they may not even have enough money to sign Halladay long term without ridding themselves of either Rios or Wells. I don't think they pursue a multiyr big money contract on anyone until figuring out the Halladay situation, which may not happen until after 2010.
I'd like to see the Jays sell for once. If someone gives a solid prospect for Tallet/Fraser etc, terrific...
Posted by: Jays2010 | July 05, 2009 at 01:39 PM
Scribbletone...in my opinion, if the Jays dump Wells it won't be for another burdensome contract like Soriano. Rather, I think they would just eat up half the money to move Wells and I also don't see this happening until Wells returns to becoming something close to a 25/100/300 hitter. He did this for 2/3rds of a year last year and he has added 25 SB speed this year. Sure, his CF defence isn't good, but GM's have shown in the past that they don't necessarily value defence accordingly. In other words, VW's gold glove reputation may be enough to warrant other GM's to consider his CF defence as a positive.
I belive if VW returns to .850 OPS territory with 25 SB's that a team would consider paying around $65-75 million at least of the remaining 5 years and $107 mill of his contract, while giving up decent (but not elite) prospects. I hope this is what the Jays do. Personally, I like Rios' contract because he plays a very good CF and still has untapped potential and, at the least, he has a decent chance to return to all-star status since he is only 28. And in a couple of years, Snider/Rios/Sierra may be a very nice OF. I don't see how a Wells/Soriano swap achieves the Jays' goals, at least what I consider their goals to be...
Posted by: Jays2010 | July 05, 2009 at 01:48 PM
"Second, from the Jays perspective, they may not even have enough money to sign Halladay long term without ridding themselves of either Rios or Wells. I don't think they pursue a multiyr big money contract on anyone until figuring out the Halladay situation, which may not happen until after 2010."
Totally agree with this.
The Blue Jays can't spend big money until they've figured out whether they're going to extend or shop Doc Halladay.
Keeping him as the main pillar of their rotation should be priority number one for them, and they should probably try to keep Rolen and Downs around as well, they've both been really good there.
Posted by: scribbletone | July 05, 2009 at 01:50 PM
"I belive if VW returns to .850 OPS territory with 25 SB's that a team would consider paying around $65-75 million at least of the remaining 5 years and $107 mill of his contract, while giving up decent (but not elite) prospects. I hope this is what the Jays do. Personally, I like Rios' contract because he plays a very good CF and still has untapped potential and, at the least, he has a decent chance to return to all-star status since he is only 28. And in a couple of years, Snider/Rios/Sierra may be a very nice OF. I don't see how a Wells/Soriano swap achieves the Jays' goals, at least what I consider their goals to be..."
Yeah, at this point the Wells/Soriano swap makes no sense for either team, really.
Wells has just fallen off so hard that I'm not really sure that any team would be willing to spend 5/75 on him while giving up talent, considering where the market is currently at.
In the past three years, Wells has been absolutely unimpressive.
He's posted a .264/.317/.433 line since the beginning of the 2007 season, which comes out to a 96 OPS+.
His once top notch UZR/150's have become absolutely horrible. He posted a -24.0 UZR/150 in 100 games last year, and this year he's been the worst defensive center fielder in the game according to UZR, with a UZR/150 of -33.3, which is almost unfathomable.
Or I could just put it this way: Wells has a -1.1 WAR this year, which means he's been 1.1 wins WORSE than a REPLACEMENT LEVEL PLAYER. Think about that.
I don't think that Wells is actually tradable.
Posted by: scribbletone | July 05, 2009 at 01:58 PM
Why are commentators so sure of high draft picks for Matt Holiday? Why does the choices angle appear so frequently in discussion? The qualifying player must first be offered and reject arbitration, then he must be signed by a team without a protected first round pick to get the best return.
Remember the draft choice "haul" that Milwaukee got for Sabathia or Toronto for Burnett?
Anticipating high draft choices is more dicey than anticipating the performance of the actual draftees.
Posted by: kimofromkauai | July 05, 2009 at 02:29 PM
kimofromkauai-
I agree with you, which is why I think the A's trade Holliday, even if it means eating salary.
Posted by: melonis rex | July 05, 2009 at 03:04 PM
Scribbletone...I agree that based on the last 2 and a half years Wells isn't tradable....however, 2007 he played the season with an injury. I consider that an aberration. He actually had a very solid (offensive) 2008. Obviously he has had a poor 2009 thus far, but it's a little early to call him "washed up". Based on what he did last year, he certainly still seems capable of hitting .300, 25-30 HR's and 100+ rbis depending on where he hits on the lineup. Sure, his walk rate always leaves something to be desired, but I am not sure how important that is to every GM in the league (KC certainly doesn't seem to care with Guillen and Jacobs). Basically, if he returns to his 2008 level and adds 25 SB's that is a very good offensive contributor.
And his defensive metrics aren't as relevant as how other GMs perceive his defence. He still plays a premium position (even if he plays it poorly) and he has the rep of a gold glove centrefielder which is probably worth something (even though both of us can agree that it shouldn't be). I'm not quite sure when people started suggesting that Jason Bay can expect 5/70...obviously he has had a monster year (140 rbis, fairly or unfairly, will be very well rewarded by opposing GMs). But, in my opinion, if Wells returns to 2008 levels over a full year with 25 SB's his value should be as high (or higher) than Jason Bay's value prior to this season because he plays CF (yes he sucks, whatever). Hence, I think that teams will give up something to have Wells at $14 mill/yr over the next 5 years...
Posted by: Jays2010 | July 05, 2009 at 03:52 PM