Thursday linkage…
- Just a reminder that MLBTR has a mobile site: http://www.mlbtraderumors.mobi.
- Jim Souhan of The Star Tribune wonders if the Twins will be forced to trade Joe Mauer if they're unable to sign him to an extension. Meanwhile, MLB.com's Kelly Thesier says any talk about a trade involving the reigning AL MVP is premature..
- MLB.com's Bill Ladson interviewed Stephen Strasburg, and they discussed everything from how he's getting used to pitching every five days to how he deals with all attention.
- Tom Krasovic of AOL FanHouse says Kevin Towers will be announced as a member of the Yankees' front office on Tuesday.
- Free agent Jarrod Washburn told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports "the odds are probably not great" of him returning to Seattle this year. Morosi's article explores the Mariners' question marks this year. Click here for MLBTR's Offseason In Review of the club.
- The Yankees have spent the most time scouting Cuban shortstop Adeiny Hechevarria, says George King of the New York Post. The recently-unblocked 19-year-old is drawing interest from the Angels, Blue Jays, and Cubs.
- Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer thinks the Indians should keep closer Kerry Wood, and explore their long shot at contending in the AL Central.
- ESPN's Jayson Stark talked to impending free agents Carl Crawford and Jayson Werth about working alongside their possible future replacements, Desmond Jennings and Domonic Brown.
- Marlins pitcher Hayden Penn has a relaxed attitude this time toward being out of options and on the roster bubble, writes Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald. Check out MLBTR's full list of out of options players here.
I think the yanks are gona get this kid. They have no long term ss in the organization, and with Jeter’s career closer to the end then the beginning, it seems logical to get a fit through a prospect rather than free agency or the trade market.They’re also a team that likes to build through the middle of the field.
Much as I’d like to disagree, I think you’re probably right. I’d like to see him sign with the Cubs, but the Yankees have the greater motivation to go along with their greater resources. The Cubs have two top SS prospects and lots of depth at that position. It doesn’t make sense for the Cubs do get in a bidding war here when they could use their resources for other organizational needs.
Ya, Cubs do not have a chance if the Yankees want him…You don’t come to a gun fight with a knife.
Well, the Cubs aren’t exactly poor. But seeing that the Yankees have a huge organizational need for a SS (whereas SS is a strength in the Cubs organization), they have far greater motivation to go well above market value. I don’t think any team is going to match what the Yanks are probably willing to pay.
I think the team that may actually drive the price up for the Yanks is the Blue Jays. They may be even more needy at the position. They were willing to go in pretty heavy for Chapman, so they’re not afraid to spend big in Cuba.
Let me reiterate….If the yankees want this guy, they will sign him. The big question will be who is better, Inglesias or Hechevarria. As far as a huge need ,I think that Jeter still has at least 4-5 years left in the tank.
4-5 years for Jeter…at SS? That’s a stretch. He’s already below average there and has been for years.
I like Hechevarria over Iglesias because he has more pop in his bat, and he’s good enough defensively to have bumped Iglesias to 2b when they played on the same team. I don’t know if it will take Hechevarria as long as it took Kendry Morales, but when he’s ready, hopefully the Yankees can accomodate him and Jeter is willing to change positions.
Last year was the first time in the past few seasons that Jeter was healthy and his defense as will as his offense reflected that. Heck, the guy hit 334 but most telling was the 30SB. Not saying he can play SS for the next 4 or 5 years at this level but willing to say he will still be able to contribute better than most SS that are now playing.
I know it was a smaller sample, but UZR had Jeter had above average last season. If anything, it showed that he has improved.
Agreed, a few things though. First, I think Jeter still has atleast 2 – 3 years left at short. Next, this kid is apparently 19. He’s going to have at least 2 years in the minors for seasoning and to figure out what he really can do. Last, while at this point it seems like he’s going to sign with the yankees, things change. Until he’s officially signed, I wouldn’t say he’s Jeter’s replacement.
I did notice that but I’m not sure it isn’t due to the year-to-year fluctuations that seem to be a characteristic of UZR. I prefer to use UZR over a larger sample size than one year whenever possible. It’s hard for me to believe his range got better at age 36. Anything’s possible, but call me skeptical until I see it over a larger sample size. At any rate, if Hechevarria signs with the Yankees and lives up to his defensive billing, it’s hard for me to imagine Jeter would be the better SS in 4-5 years. But they did ask A-Rod to move when he was the better defensive SS at that time, so who knows?
i agree with jeter having 4-5 yrs left but is that 4-5 yrs at SS or moved to 3rd, the Out field, 1st, or even DH. I would guess a year or two at ss maybe switch him and A-rod(arod should have never moved to 3rd he was a better ss than jeter) or move jeter to left(alot of people in the mlb and espn believe he could be an above average Left Fielder, but logically i can see him with 2 yrs at SS and then be the DH he will end his career with the yankees
I was thinking something along the same lines. A couple of years and if they have a legitimate replacement, they should do it and move Jeter. I can see it from the Yanks point of view, though. Jeter is an icon at SS…asking him to move wouldn’t be an easy thing to do.
As I have already stated the reason Jeter played better last year was because he was healthier than he’s been in previous seasons. Also, Jeter will be 36 this June.
Okay 35…but people don’t normally develop better range at 35 either. And his UZR was far better last year than it had been for any year going back to 2002 — when he was 28 and presumably in his prime physically (he did steal 32 bases that year). You can’t tell me he was unhealthy for 7 years. Everything about that 2009 rating says fluke.
You people are funny. You believe UZR when it says Jeter is bad and when it says he’s good you doubt it. Jeter is in a no win situation with the likes of you, add to the fact that UZR is the most over-rated statistic out there and should NOT be held to a high standard. The fact is Jeter was hurt the 2 seasons prior, knee, hand and wrist injuries. 2 years ago was a weak .300 due to those injuries but even then he can still hit. Then he wins a gold glove, hits over .330 and now you are fickle with the UZR ratings which you hold so dear when there is a positive reflection in it for Jeter. Keep the hate coming.
UZR is an imperfect stat but that’s why I prefer a larger sample size over a one year outlier. And just because I don’t believe he’s a good defensive SS it doesn’t mean I “hate” Jeter. I’m actually a fan of his.
I’m not saying Jeter is great defensively, but to say he’s not good defensively is just over the top and to me that speaks to some underlying issues you may have with the man’s success.
ahh the derek jeter and defense saga.
just another perfect example of why gold gloves are overrated.
Yea, those awards are so meaningless.
And you can’t tell me he was healthy for the last 7 years. In the final analysis every aspect of his game improved…Since 2002, last season he had the 2nd. highest batting average and the 3rd. highest SB. Was this also a fluke or maybe he was just healthier last season than he has been in the past seven.
Im kind of curios as to why you would even want the cubs to get him except for obviously depth, as you said they have two top ss prospects.
You can never have enough good players, I guess. And if you’re going to overload on a particular position, SS would be the best place to do it. It gives the organization great flexibility. One, a young SS is usually the best athlete on the field and many switch positions and 2), it gives them great flexibility when it comes to trades. Teams will pay a premium for a top, young SS. That being said, while you’d like to have that kind of flexibility, it’s probably not so important that it’s worth getting into a bidding war with the wealthiest team in baseball!
MAUER!?!? Who would they possibly trade the twins for mauer? Who?? The TOP 10 guys in their farm system wouldn’t be enough as 4 of the 10 are catchers!! You think the yanks planned to repalce posada via the draft?!? Duh! They simply don’t have what it takes prospect-wise. So the yankees would be way way down on the list of teams who could actually trade for mauer. Believe me any trade would involve TOP TOP TALENT as this is a guy you do NOT want to miss out on if and that’s an MONSTROUS IF he becomes available.
I’m having a hard time understanding why the M’s won’t give Washburn a 1YR/4M deal to boost their rotation. He gave the M’s a terrific 133IP of 2.64ERA stuff off the mound. Yes I know that it is greatly in part to the awesome defense of Ichiro and Gutierrez in the OF, but come on. Washburn is a for sure upgrade over Vargas, Olson, French or Fister at the #5 spot in the rotation!
Agreed, it wouldn’t be as high a risk as it may seem, but if he shows up pitching like he did for Detroit in the second half last year then it may as well be Vargas, Fister, or even that bum Olson
because 4million for 1 year is 3.999million more then than next guy willing to pay him.
Finally – someone takes a realistic look at the M’s. Hats off to Morosi for digging behind the numbers. The M’s are good – could be an 85 win team. However, that’s only going to be 3rd best in the AL West unless something major happens to the Angels or Rangers.
uh oh. the words “joe mauer” and “trade” in the same sentence.
let the trade proposals from yankees/red sox/mets fans begin in 5..4..3..2…..
Any team that would trade for him would have to give up a lot…he’s not worth a half season rental for all the talent that would be have to given up. It’d have to be a Halladay type trade where he signs an extension.
not a chance will be traded.
Yankees are gonna drop their pants for Carl Crawford mid-year and honestly, who do they have left in the farm that aren’t catchers!?!? Montero will probably be a RAY by years end.
After the recent Joe Nathan news, the worst thing the Twins could do is trade Joe Mauer.
Re: Joe Mauer staying or being traded:
“Staying…we are not linking to the lame column that came out about trading him.” -Tim Dierkes, via Live Chat earlier today
Forget about that line Timmy?
I was just going to mention that! Must have been a slow night!
Dang, great pick up there! I wonder why timmy hasn’t responded to this?? My guess is, he won’t. Prove me wrong!
Never listen to anything from the Star Tribune from anybody but LaVelle or Joe C. The rest are either too old or too lazy to do research and put out anything more than half thoughts they came up during their afternoon nap.
From all that I’ve heard/seen Joe Mauer isn’t really the mercenary type looking for a massive payday. He has ties to Minnesota and is going to be ridiculously rich wherever he goes. I really can’t see him leaving there.
But the fact you even mentioned a trade means that Boston & Yankee fans will be here ‘offering David Ortiz & Clay Bucholz ‘because David Ortiz likes Minnesota and Bucholz is an ace’ OR NYY fans begrudgingly ‘offering’ Phil Hughes & Brett Gardener ‘only if you kicj in $40 mil for Mauer’s wage.
Washburn and Seattle are a perfect match, Seattle really need a number 3 SP type and Washburn really needs a pitchers park that has a great OF defense. That being said Seattle are in the drivers seat… I’m thinking 1 year $3.5 mil is fair.
Cleveland will only contend for last place in the AL Central. Does Paul Hoynes really expect them to compete with the Twins or White Sox… not happening… I’d still argue Detroit are in with a shot too. That being said, the only viable trade option the should look to execute is Kerry Wood. Whats the point in keeping him, I would say a good closer on a bad team is a complete waste but judging by last year Kerry Wood isn’t a good closer… he has a good first half of course you get rid of him.
I use to agree with you with the Mauer thing, but I heard somewhere yesterday that him and the twins have a long term deal for 20 million per, and he’s not accepting it. He clearly thinks he can significantly more, and he’s probably right. I’m a yankee fan, but I don’t think they’re gona go after him too hard. Most of their top prospects are catchers. I think if he doesn’t stay, as much as it pains me to say it, he’s going to the redsox. Victor is a free agent also, and they could probably make a huge deal with them.
You’re nuts! I don’t need to explain why, it’s just a fact based on what you’ve written.
MAUER: shameless rumor not based in reality at this point. Twins are gonna be contending all year even without Joe Nathan closing. One thing the twins have been very effective at, it’s dealing with the unexpected. When Morneau went down last year, what happened?? The guys stepped it up (Cuddyer, Young) and went out and won the central. It would take an epic offer to obtain mauer via trade. We are talking like a massive minor league prospect dump from the team willing to pay the highest price. Bidding starts at the top 5 guys in your farm system. Mauer will be a twin long long long term, this I have full confidence in.
I hope you’re right
Even 3b or the outfield. BJ Upton was an error prone SS but turned out to be a heckuva centerfielder.
So you should not use the UZR as a moniter to cricize Jeter’s defense, but then again you are after admitting to it’s flaws. I have a feeling if the UZR said Jeter was crap at the position you’d not be in “wonder” at it’s measures.
Note that I did say it was a small sample size. I don’t think Jeter is that good at all, but I’m not sure he is “terrible” at SS like everyone says. Could be a change in positioning…or maybe he just had better luck this year.
Don’t worry, you have Cora there to save the day till Reyes makes his triumphant comeback.
The thing about UZR is, you can’t base compare your own judgement to UZR. For example, if you watch Raul Ibanez play the outfield, you may say that this guy is a full time DH at this point in his career. I think that. Also, some people think that Mark Teixeira is one of the best defensive first baseman in Baseball. (He certainly is). But UZR has Raul Ibanez as one of the best defensive players in the game and Mark Teixeira at one of the worst at his position. With that said, UZR means nothing but when you take in to account certain players speed and ability to cover certain zones in his position whether it be Kaufmann Stadium or Coors Field, it can be very understandable that the player either can or cannot field his position well. So I think there are positives and negatives about UZR and UZR/150. Jeter on the other hand had very few errors and was also ranked above average according to UZR. Therefore, UZR is on pace with errors and range as well. I understand what you are talking about metsvilleslugger I just think that UZR works better than most people think in certain situations.