MLBTR has offseason outlooks for the Nationals, Marlins and Mets with pieces on the Braves and Phillies coming soon. Here’s the latest on the NL East…
- Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen didn't rule out a position change for Hanley Ramirez, according to Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Guillen says he's happy as long as Ramirez is on the field every day.
- One insider told Jon Heyman of SI.com that he could see Jose Reyes ending up with any NL East team. Ramirez has said he'd change positions for Reyes, who is a possible fit in New York and Washington. I can't see Reyes ending up with the Braves.
- Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer points out that the Phillies have some flexibility on their 40-man roster. Phillippe Aumont and Sebastian Valle are locks for 40-man roster spots this offseason, according to Gelb. Jiwan James could be on the bubble and may be exposed during this winter's Rule 5 draft.
- The Nationals didn’t promise Adam LaRoche that he’ll have the starting first base job in 2012, according to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson (on Twitter). Until Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols sign elsewhere, rumors and speculation will link them to the Nationals, who haven’t been afraid to spend in recent years and aren’t so far away from contending.
“I can’t see Reyes ending up with the Braves.”
So I guess what you’re saying here is he won’t sign for 1yr/$2mil to join the patchwork quilt?!
I could see why they would leave Jiwann off. Why would anyone pick him up? Correct me if I’m wrong, but wouldn’t they have to put him on the ML roster? He played A+ ball last year, I’m pretty sure he isn’t ready for ML and I don’t think anyone will take the chance. But, the Phillies can not afford to lose him after losing Santana.Valle isn’t ready either, but he is a good hitting catching prospect. A team like the Royals or Pirates could pick him up and ride it out this year and then put him in AA/AAA next year and have a young catcher for the next 6 years. That is why they have to protect him.
Phillipe is an obvious choice and I think Gilles will be added as well. So, Ramirez, Aumont, and Gilles will be protected (the three they got for Cliff). Out of those players, I think Aumont will make the big leagues next year and have an impact in the pen.
Bowker, Gload, Rivero, Kratz, and Mathieson may be left off. Gload is FA I believe.
The Royals already have their C of the future in Salvador Perez
By “like the Royals and Pirates” I meant young teams that are planning for about 2 years from now…I didn’t mean those teams in particular.
Can’t wait to see what Valle can do offensively in Reading. Great hitters ballpark… even more so when compared to the pitcher friendly confines he was exposed to in the FSL. More concerned about his defensive development though, however that looks solid. I want to see Valle become more of a disciplined hitter, guy swung at everything last year, although his OBP did increase from what it was at Lakewood.
Yeah, I would like to see atleast 40 walks and I’d like to see that HR rate rise to 2010 numbers again. a .280/.340/.430 line would be very encouraging.
I dont see Valle posting a .340 obp ever…
I don’t know if .340’s obtainable for him… Maybe .320ish… but I’d like to see at least a solid .760 or higher ops. He’s got some pop and even profiled as the Phillies future Third Baseman when Travis D’arnaud was still in the system.
seriously just ignore Heyman
Extend Zimmerman, Trade for Denard Span, Sign Prince Fielder, Sign CJ Wilson, Trade Adam LaRoche
..ugh, I can dream can’t I?
LaRoche’s line of 43g and 3 hr with 15rbi didn’t secure his position?
I can see Prince signing in Washington…he’s all about the money and the Nationals apparently have it to spend. The Red Sox and Yankees don’t need a first baseman…the Cubs are going to go after Pujols, but if they can’t get him I imagine they’ll go after Prince, too.
As much as it depresses me to say it I don’t see the Braves getting Jose Reyes either. I can’t see signing him long-term with all of the shortstop talent we have in the minors like Tyler Pastornicky and Andrelton Simmons . Some of them like Matt Lipka, Myke Jones and Edward Salcedo have switched positions but you never know when they can switch back.
If the Marlins sign Reyes they would already start their search for a new SS. No way this guy completes a full year without medical issues.
I had a sarcastic “normal Yankee fan thing to say” comment all ready to go but then I realized that I completely agree with you. I doubt he’ll end up there though because the Marlins front office is a complete joke and is probably preparing an offer for Chris Bosh to play third base next year.
I’d love to see a lineup of SS Reyes CF Bonifacio 3B H Ramirez RF Stanton LF Morrison 1B Sanchez C Buck 2B Infante…I also wouldn’t mind trading Gaby for an outfielder or a starting pitcher so LoMo can move back to 1B.