MONDAY, 11:13pm: Talks between Blue Jays and Red Sox about a potential Downs deal aren’t currently progressing, according to Rob Bradford of WEEI.com. However, things can change quickly in the week leading up to the non-waiver trade deadline, so the Blue Jays are still scouting Red Sox single A pitcher Roman Mendez, according to Alex Speier.
SUNDAY, 12:28pm: ESPN.com's Buster Olney says the Blue Jays' discussions involving Downs are drawing "fascination" from rival executives who are curious to see what Toronto can acquire. The Jays have been asking for a significant return in part because of Downs' Type A status, but some execs don't believe that should be a factor, and feel the Jays are demanding too much for a non-closer (all Twitter links).
9:14am: The competition in the Scott Downs sweepstakes is "fierce," tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Morosi suggests that the Yankees and the Red Sox are the current front-runners, but that the Mets, Reds, and Twins are also involved.
In a year where the bullpen options are scarce, Downs stands out as not only the top left-handed arm available among an underwhelming group of southpaws, but also as one of the best overall relievers on the market. As MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith pointed out when he examined Downs' trade value, the lefty seems headed for Type A designation, meaning he could potentially be worth a pair of draft picks for whichever team he finishes the year with.
Besides the clubs Morosi names, the Dodgers, Rockies, and Phillies are among others that have been linked to Downs this month.
PLEASE NYY win this.. especially if anyone from the decent Sox prospect list of Lavarnway, Kalish names are involved and that does not even include Iglesias and.. Kelly..
Why? This is the type of trade Epstein makes, he doesn’t have to give up much, and still gets two draft picks.
And only crazy Anthopoulos would ask for Iglesias or Kelly in a deal… Epstein would laugh in his face if he asked for that.
Do you really think AA is just going to basically give him away? The competetion makes the price even higher. Alex Anthopolous is anything but crazy.
That’s just it.. epstein does not have a history of ever giving up top prospects for ANYBODY, or healthy ones at least, even Vmart he gave up Hagedone, 1 month back from TJ surgery, though he was a top prospect and Justin Masterson, but Kalish, Iglesias, or (gulp) kelly would be his worst move ever as a GM that I can think of.
The Gagne trade moved players stuck in the minors, Murphy they thought would never amount to anything and Gabbard had a decent 3 months and Boston just released him from Pawtucket a couple days ago, so wouldn’t really count that one as a boner, except that Gagne really stank.
Boston’s BP has been awful, but would rather see Bowden just called back up over giving up any of those 4, especially the way Lavarnway has been raking since drafted in 2008. he might just be the catcher over both Exposito of the future and Kalish the future RF when Drew retires. Not worth a reliever in my book.
let the NYY overpay for this guy, don’t offer them any of those 4, or Doubront. offer reddick, Lowrie, or let somebody else have the guy.
Top prospect in hand better than 2 draft picks.
So the red sox either over pay or not only don’t improve their bullpen, but allow their biggest competition to drastically improve their bullpen. Damned if you do damned if you don’t.
counter-example = Hanley Ramirez.
better come up with a better one that that.. epstein was away from the team for that short period and Luchino was mostly responsible for that move for beckett and anyway.. the sox didn’t do that bad with beckett and Lowell for Anibel Sanchez + Ramirez for the pair. doubt seriously that Epstein would have pulled the trigger, but he was in a contract +power struggle at the time with Luchino and came back after the deal was made.
I wouldn’t bank on him getting draft picks back for Downs. He’s a solid player but he’s 34 and he’s a bullpen guy. Neither factor really spells an aggressive free agent market for him if he’s offered arbitration…
Why wouldn’t there be? 34 years of age for a reliever really isn’t that old, and Scott Downs would most certainly turn down arbitration for a longer contract. He shouldn’t have any trouble getting a 2-3 year deal with an option, especially with his insane numbers the last 4 seasons.
You give up your first-round pick, but there may be a few teams who don’t sign their top pick from this draft, so that carries over to 2011.
Because he’s getting older and there’s always a risk that his velocity sees a drop at that age.
giants have to get in on this since affeldt is hurt now
News of Gregg and Downs possibly being dealt is always a good way to start the morning. Trade Frasor, Bautista, Overbay, and Buck and I’ll be the happiest fan in the world.
i think buck, downs and bautista are going to be hard to deal becuase AA is asking for a lot and rightfully so, baustista can mash, downs is probably the best LH reliever available and buck plays a premier position and he hitting great this year
Do you like anyone on your team?
Its not about not liking any of these guys. It about knowing that you unload a lot of good players for good returns in a year you know you’re not competing, and then seeing your team come alive 2 years down the road.
Aiming for a 3 years ago Rays-like minors, combined with an 125M salary would give Jays a real shot at dominating in 2012/2013ish.
Agreed. I’m excited as a Jays fan to look forward to a not so bleak future. I think Downs requires a lot and perhaps even a huge overpayment and is the biggest asset of the group. He’s been the most consistent, even while battling injuries and what not.
And the injury history, coupled with his age, is exactly why GMs will not give up big time players for Downs.
If the Mets don’t get a top reliever we are screwed cause Perez is out second trusted left-hander out there behind Feliciano (Perez gave up a walk-off home-run yesterday). We need Downs or get Lilly and move Takahashi into the pen’
The Jays will cash in on this. Anyone who thinks they won’t is an idiot, the potential Type A status and draft picks will drive the price up—-any of you guys that think second rate prospects will get this guy are dead wrong. AA will not be letting this guy go for nothing, all these contending teams better line up and offer some quality.
Anybody really think Downs would turn down an arb offer with the way the relief market has played out in recent years?
Relief market is bad for iffy relievers but if you have been one of the most dominated relievers for the past 3-4 years, then you will get a good deal. I can see something like 3yr/15
If Theo trades for him and gives up any kind of meaningful prospect when the Sox are in no position right now to overtake the Rays…
I think you might be right…no disrespect to the Sox, but IMO they will have a difficult time doing just that. They have a number of injuries with too many holes to fill.
Disagree strongly. The Rays should still be the favorite for the WC, but Pedroia, VMart, and Ellsbury should all be back within 10 days. The Rays should have already pulled away and they haven’t. The two teams have lots of head to head games left. I think that if the Red Sox get healthy and the players produce like they should (big if, but still), the Red Sox are the superior team. I’d make the Rays the favorite right now, but not by as much as you suggest…let’s not act like this Rays team is the 08 Rays, they have serious flaws too and without the benefit of multiple all star players returning to play.
what say…downs to the Yankees for a mid-level catching prospect (whoever is right below montero)? The Yankee farm system has tons of catchers and I’m sure the Jays would like decent catching prospects (who wouldn’t?) Obviously montero for a half year rental of a middle reliever is absurd, but whoever is next in line might do it.
Probably not to be honest. *If* the Yankees truly need or want Downs, the price would most likely be a bit higher than that. Not saying Montero per se, but maybe an outfield prospect+pitcher?
Reds and Blue Jays matched up last year wonder if they could do it again this year. Course I honestly think we got the better end of the deal last year. That might hurt us a little as far as costs go to get Downs. Is Downs a free agent at season’s end??
Yup
I’d agree with you, but the Yanks don’t really have any notable Outfielder prospects.
The jays system is loaded with catchers at each level. D’arnad (A) and Arenciba (AAA). Arenciba, who is tearing up AAA, will be called up as soon as the Jays deal Buck at the deadline.
It’s Arencibia. And you’re correct. If anything, Jeroloman has deserved to be in AAA almost all season. He’s better defensively, and will get on base more than Arencibia. He doesn’t have the power, but it’d be pretty awesome having a back-up catcher who could potentially put up a .370+ OBP. Wishful thinking.
Still not too high on D’Arnaud, just don’t see it yet. Maybe it’s due to all his supposed injuries. Jimenez is solid this year but Perez is definitely the most exciting.
Not to mention Perez in low A (BA says he’ll likely be a top 100 prospect) and even Jeroloman projects as a good defensive mlb catcher (backup type).
(Edit) Didn’t see the post by The Jesus…kind of makes mine pointless
Wow, really? I know Perez is tearing it up but he can also be a top 100 prospect? That would be great for us. Jiminez is also tearing it up and they’ll slowly bring along D’Arnaud. Arencibia will get called-up soon while Jeroloman will get bumped up to AAA.
Can’t really see us going after more catching prospects but I can see AA going after a good prospect + bullpen arm.
Sniderlover: He’s still at a low level, but he has hit everywhere he has gone and he has the defensive tools to stay behind the plate. He has good OBP skills as well, but his power potential is the big question and tough to know at this point.
Yeah, I’ve heard a lot about his defense. Power should come as he grows older but his numbers are incredible. So we could possibly have Drabek, Wallace, D’Arnaud, Perez in the top 100. I think Arencibia, Deck could have an outside shot as well.
A couple pitchers who could crack the top 100, albeit lower end of it most likely:
Henderson Alvarez
Chad Jenkins
They most likely won’t make the top 100, but some interesting names:
Darin Mastroianni, Trystan Magnuson, Alan Farina and Zach Stewart.
This is a typical statement from what I assume is a Yankee fan.
sorry to run your fun, however the Jays are DEEEEEEP with catching prospects rated ummm slightly higher then mid-level.
If or when most of the Jays that are going to be traded are traded it will be for pitching prospect in return.
What makes you think that the Jays will want pitching prospects? They have TONS of pitching prospects and very few impact bats in the system. I think they’ll just take the most valuable offer (assuming it meets the minimum demands)
Is Alonso too much to offer for Downs. The Reds don’t really need him with Votto in place and he has been heating up a lot in AAA lately. Maybe that is too much to offer for a relief pitcher that does not close??? Thought???
I would like Yonder Alonso. Adds another 1B option… one of them has to come through. Probably better to get a decent hitting prospect then necessarily trying to find someone at 3B who may not be that good.
Yes, I’m sure the Jays will trade the top left-handed reliever on the market for a middling catching prospect especially considering the Jays have the best catching depth in the minors.. Welcome to Cluelessville, population: you.
You don’t have to insult people…
Agree with “Sniderlover”…”Hullo” did not have to insult “Me” (who is different from me)…especially since the Yankee catcher in AA is also a highly rated prospect.
Also have to send the same message “Jon Stark”.
Actually, the Jays wouldn’t – they have about 5 or 6 guys who are serious prospects to play in the majors and 3 or 4 of those be very good major leaguers. Probably the weakest offer you could make for Downs is to offer your third best catching prospect.
Romine is too much for Downs.
If the Yanks are amongst the favourites, then they are willing to discuss Jesus Montero with AA. I imagine, the Yanks are asking for prospects to come with Scott Downs….similar to the Yunel Escobar trade….probably one of JP Arencibia or Travis D’Arnaud.
AA is developing a track record for these types of deals. He doesn’t typically chase B and C level prospects in trades. Especially when he can get them as free agents such as Chris Lubanski, Shawn Bowman, etc.
I can’t help wonder what the Red Sox are willing to discuss for them to be considered one of the favourites.
This is a stupid ass comment. Why on earth would the Jays trade Downs with Arencibia? He is the starting catcher for next season (or this season if somebody picks up Buck). If he is still in the minors next season he would almost certainly rank higher than Montero on the prospect list. Do you even know the type of season he is having right now? He is probably having one of the top five seasons in the minors right now. Numbskull.
In all honesty….your comment appears to be the stupid ass comment.
Jesus Montero is 20 years old….and playing in AAA. Probably will be in the bigs next year. Very similar to Gary Carter.
Arencibia is tearing up the league…but…in Las Vegas at 24 years old….very good prospect…but not as good as Montero….ranked 4th overall at the start of the season by Baseball America.
Yup, Montero is a far better prospect than Arencibia. You know, Arencibia is after all repeating the level… but for now there is no point in trading Arencibia. I doubt other teams would value him as much as us and there are no other ready catching prospects right now in our farm. Montero will likely play 1B in the future, Arencibia could as well but for now he’ll stick to catcher until D’Arnaud is ready.
OK…Sniderlover….you are making sense….how about this size
three way deal involving Milwaukee and Brett Lawrie….AA will use Downs to fish for prospects/players who interest Milwaukee…in order to get Lawrie….after all…Halladay trade had a Seattle and Oakland element to it.
I’ll be hard to get Lawrie. He’s a top 25 prospect right now and depending on the prospects you can get for Downs, then I suppose you can use those to get Lawrie. But the way I see it, Jays need to pick up some 2-way players that have good defense because guys like Arencibia, Wallace and even Snider are average at best defensively. Wells is declining as well…
What you are saying makes more sense….maybe….AA will just keep Downs for a chance to get the two draft picks. He doesn’t seem to be the type who “panic sell”. So far, he has traded up.
No scouts feel that Lawrie will stick on the infield, so it’s a pointless trade if he’s a LF IMO.
Yeah that’s what I’ve heard as well, but not the entire infield. I only heard he won’t stick to 2nd or SS and doesn’t have an arm for RF so LF seems the best fit for him. I still think he may be able to play 3B if he can just improve slightly at defense but his bad is incredible. If he sticks to LF, there really is no point getting him.
Between Thames, Loewen, and Mastroianni, one of them will stick. So yeah, an outfielder would be a bit pointless. If he could play 3B, then it’d be great.
We still need OF help, an injury to wells, or snider or any of the 3 you just listed and basically there is no one decent to come up and pitch in.
The consensus seems to be that he won’t be a second baseman, but I don’t think that’s true about third. Some scouts don’t see him there, either, others use “his bat’ll play in the OF” to describe his bat more than anything else, and some scouts see all the tools to handle 3b.
My favorite variation of this has Bautista going to Atl, Minor going to Mil, and Lawrie coming to Tor… fill with B-level prospects where necessary.
Other 3-way fun: Gregg to Col, Iannetta to Bos, Lowrie (Jed) to Tor. The balance isn’t perfect, but it’s fun to think this way.
The only winner in that 2nd trade is Boston.
I’d gladly take Iannetta and trade Arencibia. =)
Well, Toronto would win, too (I’d do Gregg for Lowrie in a heartbeat).
But yeah, I had it ingrained in my head that Iannetta was horrific this year, but when I checked, it was only, meh… which is pretty decent for a catcher. I was also off remembering last year.
If they were on par defensively, Iannetta for Arencibia is a near no-brainer (unless you’re a ways away from contention, in which case the 3 extra years is possibly more important). I haven’t read anything about Iannetta’s defense, though. Has that been part of the reason he’s been getting screwed around with so much?
I don’t know who the Jays would have less use for. Iannetta or Lowrie.
an OBP-heavy bat that should play an above average 3B? I’d take that.
Montero is the superior bat, no questions asked. but he is lacklustre defensively and not one scout has ever projected him to stick at the catcher position.. Jays have DH, 1B and C locked up for a while, they are probably more interested in athletic, high obp type players, either up the middle or corner outfielders… to bad you traded austin jackson, he would have been perfect
Plus, I would rather take Arencibia than Montero. At least JP could stay at catcher.
I’ll take the all-star caliber bat personally and I’m a huge JPA fan. I know he’s probably the best player in AAA this season but don’t be surprised if he posts a sub .300 OBP in the majors next year.
I agree that Montero is the better bat, but then who catches?
Why is Olney so convinced that Downs will accept arb? Buster is quickly turning into Peter Gammons and Joel Sherman with the Red Sox, Yankee shilling.
He probably thinks dominating relievers won’t even get 5 mil on the open market. Teams like Yankees and Bosox would be lining up for him on the open market.
I truly believe this is the perfect year for Downs to not accept arbitration. If he accepts arbitration, and has a bad year, no one is going to offer him good money and neither will the Jays. If he declines arbitration after having so many straight years of success, he has the best chance to get a contract for 3-4 years which is always a smarter idea.
Something worth factoring in is the fact that Downs doesn’t want to leave Toronto. He was quite emphatic about that in a recent interview, going as far as saying that leaving “is the complete opposite” of what he wants.
Accepting arb really is a strong possibility should Downs still be here, but I’ll still bet on him being moved by the deadline.
Most players say that… it’s equivalent to the “I’m in the best shape of my life” in spring training. Not that I don’t believe Downs or anything but it’s a complete non-factor for AA.
If it is a complete non-factor for AA, then he is less of a GM than I believe he is. He should take into account every potential factor and their likely repercussions. Mike Wilner speculated that Downs would likely take arb if offered, which wouldn’t really be a problem for AA given that they’d get another year from a quality reliever and could just repeat this trade scenario in 12 months.
FWIW, I think there is a perceivable difference between the usual player soundbites and bona fide feelings. If I was a betting man, I’d bet on Downs’ recent comments being in the latter camp.
Downs will have to strongly consider accepting arb given the relief market the last couple of years. Last year only 1 team gave a reliever a 3 year deal, and that was Houston. The year before only 2 teams gave relievers contracts 3 years or longer. The year before that 3 players got contracts of 3 years or longer, and 1 was Mariano.
The reality of the situation is that teams generally are not lining up to give set up men entering their age 35 season more than 2 years or more than 5-6 million dollars a year. If he thinks he can get $7 million in arb, he will have to strongly weigh that versus entering the open market. As good as Downs has been, that doesn’t change teams fears of the volatility of middle relievers in general as well as the fear they can hold up into their late 30s.
Even if he does decline, he is one of the lowest rated Type As according to the Elias numbers here. If Downs signs with a contender who also signs another type A, the team that traded for Downs is stuck with a late 2nd round pick to go with their supplemental pick that will be towards the end of that round.
When you factor in those risks, plus the fact that 1 team with a protected pick seems to sign a new closer every year (like the orioles signing Gonzalez), the odds of a team trading for Downs getting a 1st round pick are low.
In no universe will an arbiter give Downs 7 million. Maybe 5 if he’s lucky. Even that’s a stretch as he is in the ‘Money Year’ of his contract (4 million, final year of 3yr/10 million)
He will easily get more then $5 million if he goes to arbitration. If a club submitted a figure that is less than a million dollar raise the arbitrator will rule in Downs favor unless he submits some astronomical figure. His agent will compare him to recent RP signings like Velverde, Rodney, Lyon etc. and probably look for around $7 million, and a smart club will probably submit around 5.5. From there they would probably settle on the midpoint (which puts him over 6) or take their chances at the hearing. Recent hearings have gone in the clubs favor when relievers are involved, so maybe the club risks it. Either way, I would say the minimum he makes next year is around 5.5 considering his recent performance and market comparables.
Your second explanation made more sense for sure. 5.5 is reasonable. I just didn’t see a 3 million dollar raise. I like Downs, but I don’t think he’s worth 7
Teams are usually reluctant to sign type A relievers. being a type A will probably lower the amount of interest he draws
the “b-b-b-b-b-but he’s not a closer” mentality is tre asinine. Downs pitches in higher-leverage situations than the closer much of the time, and succeeds more often. And he can give you more than an inning if you need it. Probably the most dependable LHRP in the bigs right now.
If AA can’t get quality in this trade, especially given the Type A status, he shouldn’t make the move. He can either keep Downs if he accepts arb, or get two high picks if someone else signs him. I’m going to bet that he goes, though, in another three-team trade that diversifies the available prospects…
The Problem is if your not a closer, The market dictates that you won’t get a closer type deal.
maybe Downs himself wouldn’t get a closer-type deal as a FA, but I think the Jays are free to demand what they think he’s worth – because he’s worth a great deal to them, and to any team who trades for him.
exactly, sometimes the game is saved in the 8th and not the 9th, point and case todays jays n tigers game
Downs is just the kind of player the Reds need right now. We have had our issues with the pen blowing up in that 7th-8th inning area thanks to Massett regressing to his pre-Reds level of production. Granted a RH reliever would better serve our needs but I’d rather have Downs right now then anyone else currently being mentioned as “available”. We have 1B Alonso blocked by Votto available along with a log jam of young starting pitching we could offer up. I’d have to say of that group Travis Wood & Leake are untouchable. I wouldn’t have given either up in a Lee deal so there is no way I’d offer them for a reliever. Since Chapman is not going to be offered up either … anyone outside of those three is fair game. Lecure, Maloney, Valaika, Frazier, Francisco, & Klinker is a good pick list that I’d send over. Anything more then that I’d not be willing to part with for any reliever not names Soria who I don’t think KC is going to make available.
blue jays get : scott downs
reds get : yonder alonso,juan fransisco and
Alonso’s prospect status has fallen fast.. plus they have a better spec in Wallace.
Downs would be a great fit for the Sox but not at the price the Blue Jays want. If the price doesn’t come down, let the Yankees overpay for him. It’s fine with me if they do it and carry on with winning the division. I want Boston to win the division but right now a wild card berth would be nice too.
blue jays get : ryan kallish ,jed lowrie and felix dubrountred socks get :scott downs
DanHaren get: reality
First i will say the Yankees would be crazy to even consider putting Montero in a deal for Downs let alone for any potential rental. Montero is a blue chip prospect, if AA gets offered Montero then believe me, he would take it and so would i.
You cannot have enough prospects at one position. Who says Arencibia turns out to be anything? Remember Thigpen, Phelps, Diaz etc.
If Montero and Arencibia turn to to be good MLB players then you have a good problem on your hands.
Montero could be a DH, Lind can play LF with Snider in RF and Arencibia can catch.
If not trade one of them for help elsewhere. You never pass up on skill just because you have someone else there.
He won’t. He offered Montero for Lee, but not for Haren. He wouldn’t even consider dealing him for Downs.
Montero for Downs straight-up would never happen, but if talks are active with the Yankees, it could be possible as part of a larger package deal, like with the Escobar trade.
Lind-Wells-Snider… that’s one terrible outfield.
which is why lind is DH
I don’t believe AA is going around to teams asking…”What will you give me for Downs?”…..
I believe his starting point is…”What will it take for you to give up Montero?” or…”What will it take for you to give up Escobar?”……etc
Probably more so teams coming to him and saying what will it take to get Downs…
He is not going to ask for Montero. He is a top 10 prospect in the league and would cost too much, not to mention it block someone between Wallace and Montero.
Point noted.
If montero is involved it would probably mean its a Bautista + Downs for Montero + C prospect
As GTG said, if Cashman wasn’t going to offer Montero for Haren, he certainly would not offer Montero for Downs, since Cashman is pretty intelligent.
Now, 3 years ago, if this is the Steinbrenner-driven Yankees? Montero is wearing a Blue Jays hat, more than likely. Random by me, yes, but I always get bad memories of Yankee trades before Cashman had real GM power.
The inning Downs just put up should really help his trade value.
Does a package of Bautista & Downs return the Blue Chip prospect you guys are talking about, like Montero, Casey Kelly or Hicks/Gibson?
Might get you in the ball park. My sense is if you want a young stud or blue chip prospect….you have to include good prospects in the package….probably why AA is not afraid to load up prospects at one position
You would think the Tigers would take a look at Bautista. Plays OF and 3B and is under contract next season.
smart post.
After Downs strikes out two in the 8th, the network shows all the scouts watching in the stands…
If The Yankees get Downs im sure they’ll trade Joba in the trade for Haren. Maybe thats why the D’backs haven’t traded Haren to the Yanks yet :P
Haren is now rocking Angel’s red.
Red Sox receive: Scott Downs
Blue Jays receive: Stolmy Pimentel & Josh Reddick
Red sox won’t trade for Downs because they won’t let go of the pics required
Red Sox and Blue Jays not talking about Downs now. Time for the Yankees to swoop in and offer a couple of prospects. This of course is only if the Yanks can not acquire Joakim Soria from the Royals.
Yankees get Joakim Soria
Royals get Joba, McAllister, Nova, David Adams??? Who wins that trade?
Dude, the Yanks offered Montero to the Royals and they said no, its going to take a crap ton to get Soria. 1) He’s under control for the next few years. 2) He’s pretty much lights out. 3) Do you really want to pay that much for an 8th inning guy? 4) Whenever Mo does retire, Soria will probably be a free agent by then.
I hate to sound like this, but Number 4 is the sticking point. I don’t think anyone really believes Mo wants to hang it up yet.
Yeah, Mo could pitch another 2 or 3 years easily. He’s been throwing the same 93 mph pitch for the last four years despite old age, and continues to get guys out. He just has that much control where he can throw anything and get a called strike out of it. It also helps to have a nice and easy delivery unlike that clown across down.
Really? We’re scouting Mendez? It better A LOT more than that.
I was thinking Mendez was just a piece. It’s got to get better than him, right?
According to scouting reports mendez has the potential to be a front of the line starter with a fastball that hits 99mph. The kid sounds pretty good. Maybe Kalish + Mendez for Downs?
Kalish + Mendez for Downs would be pretty great IMO.
With Kalish almost ready for the MLB, that would be a beastly trade for AA to pull off. He’d probably have to add a little, say, Darin Mastroianni or something.
Maybe with the bidding war they also add Stolmy Pimentel?
Considering the Jays asking price is scaring teams off, I think it’s safe to assume it IS a lot more than that.
If the Jays are demanding a Montero/Kelly, or Iglesias type prospect for Downs.. he’s going to be playing in Toronto for the rest of the year and they will be getting the picks for him as a FA, cause neither Cashman, nor Epstein are fools.
That’s funny…I thought there were more teams interested than just the Skankees and RedSucks…but of course…they’re the only ones that matter
I agree demanding Montero/Kelly type prospect for Downs in unreasonable but asking for a Iglesias type prospect is very reasonable.
I rather have a GM asking too much than asking too little.
Kinda old news, but the Jays are possibly talking to the Twinkies about a trade.
link to twitter.com
And yeah, I would hope that Mendez isn’t the centerpiece of a trade for Downs. But, Anthopolous has 3 scouts for every baseball player on the planet, so I’m not suprised.
If the Jays wanted Montero for Scott Downs, what else would the Jays have to give up? Montero is a 1B/DH prospect, but he’s still worth more, obviously.
This is hypothetically speaking of course. Unless the Jays really want Wallace at 3B, it’s kinda pointless..
If Yankees trade Montero, they will want quality, meaning a big impact player not a reliever, albeit a good one.
Soooo.. Downs, Bautista and a B level prospect should do it then. Again, doesn’t seem to be worth it for the Jays.
Could be worse. Pat Tabler and buck Martinez were talking about how it should take 3 blue chip prospects for Bautista. And how the Phillies should offer Domonic Brown. Because obviously, it makes sense to trade their future RF and their current RF for another RF.
Which is why I only pay attention to them when they’re calling the game, and disconnect my brain when they start talking about things they have no clue of.
Buck Martinez loves the sound of his own voice, and Tabler will go along with anything!
Roman Mendez + Josh Reddick + Pimentel for Scott Downs + B prospect
I don’t think the Sox would be willing to include Mendez AND Pimentel. Even though both are young, raw and unproven they still BOTH have front-of-the-rotation potential. Pimentel is also the bigger name. I say 1 of Mendez or Pimentel + Reddick for Downs or if they want two pitchers they can have Mendez and maybe Weiland..
Can’t see AA going for Reddick unless he has a high upside that has been untapped.
His strategy has been to bring in the likes of Bowman, Lewis (who turned out to be a nice surprise), Loewen, McCoy, Hoffpauier etc in order to fill out the depth. When it comes to actual trades, I think it’s clear by now that AA wants to create packages that produce blue chippers or, at least, low level prospects with high ceilings.
Ehhh.. the Jays badly need speed and athleticism over what Reddick brings, plus he’s having a horrible year in AAA. Ryan Kalish brings alot more speed, is a year younger and made the transition from AA to AAA fairly smoothly. Plus, he’d be an upgrade to what Lewis brings, rather than changing the dynamics of the hitter.
I only chose reddick over kalish because we will soon need someone to play center and Scouts say that reddick can stay there and kalish is mire suited for one of the corners.
No chance the Jays get Mendez for a rental of Downs.
Mendez, in my opinion, is well worth Downs. His K/9 is pretty, but his other stats just aren’t good at all.