Headlines

  • No Planned Future Discussion On Expanded Playoffs, Universal DH In 2021
  • Framber Valdez Diagnosed With Fractured Finger
  • Out Of Options 2021
  • Royals, Hunter Dozier Agree To Four-Year Extension
  • Giants, Scott Kazmir Agree To Minor League Deal
  • Kelvin Herrera Announces Retirement
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Indians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • Last 100 Comments
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Vernon Wells Trade On The Horizon?

By Tim Dierkes | August 20, 2006 at 9:32am CDT

Former Blue Jays assistant GM Keith Law stirred the pot a few days ago in his blog, mentioning that:

"Vernon Wells has told Blue Jays’ management that he has no intention of signing a contract extension to stay in Toronto."

J.P. Ricciardi responded by calling Law an idiot, and Wells himself said the conversation was fabricated.  While the drama here is amusing, let’s take a look at some suitors for Wells if Toronto does make a deal this winter.  It’s potentially a long list.


Red Sox – They can afford a long-term extension for Wells, and did shop Coco Crisp this July.  Wells is a top five defensive CF, and Crisp doesn’t even enter the conversation.  And I didn’t even mention the offensive difference.  The obvious problem: both of these teams are trying to win the AL East in 2007.  That makes a trade here highly unlikely.

White Sox – They’ve shown a strong commitment to Brian Anderson despite a very rough start.  Anderson has at least shown signs of being a league average offensive CF over the last two months, and his defense has drawn praise.  Kenny Williams is certainly capable of an unexpected splash, but there’s not a big need here for Wells.

Angels – Let’s hope the Halos realize next year that Garret Anderson is no longer a starting left fielder.  Juan Rivera has already stepped up to fill his shoes, and Wells could be added to play center.  That leaves Chones Figgins bouncing around again, but does his .698 OPS really need to play every day?

A’s – The A’s are committed to Mark Kotsay through 2008, though Kotsay’s performance has been less than inspiring this season.  There’s certainly a chance Billy Beane goes after Wells; the Oakland lineup has been missing a player like that.

Mariners – Adam Jones isn’t ready for full-time duty this year, but he’s only 21.  Jeremy Reed will still be with the club next year to help out.  The Mariners should probably focus on starting pitching this winter.

Rangers – As has been speculated, the Rangers make an excellent fit for Wells.  Gary Matthews Jr. is on the wrong side of 30 and an impending free agent, so Texas is in search of a long-term center field solution.  Do they have the cash to lock up both Wells and Carlos Lee?  Probably not, but Lee is not guaranteed to stay in Texas this winter.  I think if he signs elsewhere the Rangers would step up their pursuit of Wells.

Astros – Houston could try some combo of Willy Taveras, Jason Lane, and Chris Burke out in center next season.  That could work, but with money to burn Tim Purpura is expected to bring in some big names.  Wells should be at the top of his list.

Cardinals – There’s plenty of debate about whether to exercise Jim Edmonds’s $10MM option for 2007. I think the Cards should do it, but trading for Wells would be even better.  I’m not sure how that would make Colby Rasmus feel, but the team could cross that bridge if they come to it.  There’s probably room in the budget for one major splash, though it should probably be a pitcher.

Cubs – The unfortunate lack of a Juan Pierre trade this summer may indicate that the Cubs want to keep him around for three, four more years.  Bringing in a star like Wells would be exciting for Cubs fans, but the team seems more likely to focus its dollars on Carlos Lee and some starting pitching.

Reds – Only if Junior will finally move over.  In Ryan Freel and Chris Denorfia, the Reds already have some workable options for center if that does happen.  Wells seems a very long shot for Cincy.

Dodgers – How about an outfield of J.D. Drew, Andre Ethier, and Wells?  I can’t see any reason Ned Colletti wouldn’t be involved if Wells is available this winter.  They’ve got an opening, the cash, and the talent to make a deal.

Rockies – Now this would be a fun destination.  Bring some firepower to the middle of the Colorado order and sparkling outfield defense.  There would be a lot of athleticism between Matt Holliday and Wells.  It’s not a bad idea if the financials and prospects could be hammered out.

Looks like the major players would be the Texas teams and Dodgers, with the Angels and Red Sox as dark horses.  Wells grew up in Arlington, Texas, for what it’s worth.   


Share 0 Retweet 0 Send via email0

Toronto Blue Jays Vernon Wells

Phillies Acquire Jamie Moyer
Main
Minor Trades and Rumors
0 comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    No Planned Future Discussion On Expanded Playoffs, Universal DH In 2021

    Framber Valdez Diagnosed With Fractured Finger

    Out Of Options 2021

    Royals, Hunter Dozier Agree To Four-Year Extension

    Giants, Scott Kazmir Agree To Minor League Deal

    Kelvin Herrera Announces Retirement

    Braves Extend Brian Snitker

    Yankees Sign Justin Wilson

    Braves Sign Jake Lamb

    Athletics Sign Mitch Moreland

    Recent

    No Planned Future Discussion On Expanded Playoffs, Universal DH In 2021

    Diamondbacks To Sign Heath Fillmyer

    Minor MLB Transactions: 3/3/21

    Aaron Boone Taking Medical Leave To Receive Pacemaker

    COVID Notes: Locastro, Happ

    Health Notes: Leake, Sox, Rox, Angels

    MLBTR Poll: Expectations For 2021 Mets

    Jon Lester Will Undergo Surgery To Remove Thyroid Gland

    Framber Valdez Diagnosed With Fractured Finger

    Cubs, Eric Sogard Agree To Minor League Deal

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Kris Bryant Rumors
    • Jackie Bradley Jr. Rumors
    • Jake Odorizzi Rumors
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Indians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version