Some links pertaining to MLB's two eastern divisions as Prince Fielder is crowned Home Run Derby champion for the second time…
- Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com writes that Jonathan Papelbon says he and his teammates understand the business side of the game, but that trading Cole Hamels would still not go over well in their clubhouse.
- Carlos Beltran told Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca and other reporters that the Blue Jays showed interest in him this offseason, but never made a formal contract offer. Beltran said the Indians and Rays were also interested, but most AL clubs wanted him to spend significant time at DH, and he wanted to play in the field regularly. According to Beltran, he would have considered the Giants, but they never called.
- The Mets are open to adding veteran pieces at the trade deadline this year to strengthen the club, but they won't be trading top prospects like Matt Harvey and Zack Wheeler, writes Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. Heyman offers speculative lists of relievers and catchers who could interest GM Sandy Alderson.
- Heyman also writes that the Braves are not currently in extension talks with Michael Bourn, and that Bourn will likely be pursued by the Giants this winter when he hits free agency.
As much as I hate to say it, the Mets are really turning it around in the front office. They have two potential 1/2 type pitchers that should help out very shortly and they should be able to resign Wright to a long term deal and make him the captain.
As for my Phillies. Hamels will get some really great offers in FA. While I don’t doubt that he will give the Phillies a shot, I think a team will go up to CC money and that is just something the Phillies can’t do this offseason.
They do have Halladay, Ruiz, Pence and Utley coming off the books after 2013 however, although I do expect an extension for Ruiz and either Pence or Halladay (or maybe both, who knows).
What they need is for Domonic Brown to get healthy and get time in the majors again. I know a lot of people are down on his defense, but he will progress as he gets more confidence, but he has a great approach and works the count very well. He should be a high OBP guy with 20-25 HR power (maybe more if he fills out a bit more). And most important of all, he would make league minimum.
STOP IT with Domonic Brown. They’ve given him two different chances at making it in the majors and he cannot hit consistently – that long, loping swing isn’t going to cut it. Let’s not even talk about the fielding issues he has all over the outfield. He should have been part of the Halladay deal with Drabek, but hindsight’s always 20-20.
You expect an extension for Pence? What are you smoking? You’re overpaying RIGHT NOW for a worse version of Jayson Werth who can’t play the outfield, steal bases or do anything situationally at the plate. And Werth wasn’t worth anything close to what he got from Washington, and I’m sure Pence will look for that kind of crazy money as well.
And we can all love Ruiz, but unless he gives a hometown discount, what are you going to sign an early-30’s catcher for – the same kind of money that Montero and Molina have received? Let’s stop all the resigning of the old players, it is what has us in this bind now anyway (Rollins, Polanco, etc).
Focus on youth and the BULLPEN – it’s what won the world series for us back in 2008 along with a strong offensive lineup. We won with Pedro Feliz and a bad Pat Burrell. We have the starting pitching – let’s move on!
If we gave up on players that quickly there’s a good chance that Utley and Schmidt wouldn’t have been Phhilies. No, I’m not saying that Brown is the next franchise player, but to say he got his shot isn’t really fair. He was brought too early and then he was sent down after the Pence trade. He needs to get 500 PAs before I start saying he’s a bust.
Also, last year he was doing what Victorino is doing so far this year as a rookie for about 9 million less. So many fans are giving up on the guy, but scouts still view him as a solid MLB player with all star potential (if he can stick in the field that is).
When have they given Brown a shot? They’ve never given him a real chance. A young player cannot prove himself in less than 250 At Bats, many of which were sporadically off the bench. If the Phillies gave up on young players this quickly we would not have Mike Schmidt or Chase Utley. Give him a shot in Center for lord’s sake. He can still be fantastic, he’s young, and he’s cheap. No idea why everyone gave up on him so quickly.
The last place I’d put Brown is CF. That’s the toughest defensive position for reading the ball & it’s the most ground to cover. Stick him in RF (good arm), move Mayberry to CF and say goodbye to Pence. Pridie can play LF. I’m so sick of watching Pence’s awkwardness. Send him back to whence he came.
I watched Brown in center in Triple A, the dude can play. Made diving catches, tracked a lot of balls down and threw a guy out at the plate.
Incorrect. Most OF consider LF/RF trickier because the ball slices more, making it more difficult to read. Obviously in CF you have more room to cover, but overall, the ball is easier to read off the bat.
The Phillies are trying to build a better bullpen. The problem is, it’s a very young bullpen… and a very injury depleted bullpen (No Stutes, Contreras, Herndon, DeFratus, etc).
Domonic Brown was actually out performing Raul Ibanez when he got sent down last year. He’s never gotten a full chance at a starting position the way guys like Heyward, Trout, Harper, etc have.
Dom Brown is actually a great fielder. Watched him live at my Triple A internship and he was making diving catches, tracking long run catches and even threw a guy out at the plate.
Stop with the hate for KC. Geez, it was fun. Not that big of a deal. Cano had fun with it, but I’m sure Yankees fans all over will blame his performance on the fans. If booing hurts the player, they shouldn’t be playing the game.
Some Yankee fan is pissed that Cano GOT 0 HOMERUNS. For me and the rest of baseball fans, it would awesomely funny. You go, Kansas City Fans!!!
Can0.
I really like Cano, just one of those things that will go down in history. He wins it, then doesn’t hit one. Still one of the sweetest swings in baseball along with Hamilton. Great dude too.
Cano himself isn’t even upset that he hit 0 homeruns. Yankee fans are not upset that he didn’t hit a homerun. They are leading baseball with the best record overall. Cano is on very little sleep and admittedly tired after playing 15 hours of baseball in Fenway. What Yankee fans and many baseball fans in general are upset about is the fact that an event that was supposed to be something enjoyable to watch was cheapened by the actions of many bitter Royals fans. Last year, Cano and his father bonded on the National Stage and really gave the Derby a positive and encouraging feel. This year, with the false cheering and blatant hatred the Derby lost a lot of what makes it special. Cano took it well and in the end, it means nothing but you could sense the jealousy and inferiority complex in each fan and that is just uncalled for. Respect whether in online internet blogging or in sports goes a long way.
The Royal fans at the Derby clearly forgot what that is like.
He promised to take a Royal for the derby (Butler most likely) and broke that promise, so the fans have a right to boo, along with being a Yankee anyways.
Aren’t Yankees’ players kind of used to getting booed in most places? For breaking his promise, and for the cost of those tickets, the fans deserve to boo a player if they want.
Hatred? It wasn’t hatred. Half the fans were laughing while they were booing, and Cano even had fun with it.
While he should have taken a Royal, the guys he did pick put on a heck of a show for the fans. Other than himself of course.
I personally had no problem with it and if I was Cano I would’ve been amused.
Very true. The players (Trumbo, Bautista, Fielder) Cano picked did very well. And the American League won.
Chase Utley got booed a couple years ago during the All Star Game at Yankees Stadium (was the Met fans in attendance) and nobody really ever talks about that, so I’m sure all will be forgotten eventually.
I just remember what Utley said that accidentally made it on the air hahahaha classic
I’d be shock if Paps didn’t understand the business side of the game after signing a big contract with the Phillies.
and going year-to-year for his entire career prior to signing with the Phillies.
The man always said he wanted to set the bar for closers. He knows it’s mostly about the money.
Bourn isn’t going anywhere with Chippers retirement plenty of money for Bourn to stay. Plus I doubt he goes west even further away from his Houston home.
I agree…if we lose Bourn…..I will be one angry Braves Fan… I want the braves to retain him more than McCann (after next year)…he is the most feared lead off hitter in all of the MLB.
Mike Trout is the most feared in the game.
…until Billy Hamilton
Well to be fair Trout has more power and has proved he can hit Major League pitching.
Trout is insane, I agree. But he’s had what, 350 or so plate appearances? I think he’ll be an elite talent throughout his career, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
Small sample size aside, Trout has a 4.6 WAR – the highest in the game apart from Lawrie (5.0) and Wright (4.7). Being that he’s the top leadoff man, that’s why I said that. Bourn is 3.9. Trout provides power where Bourn has little with similar speed and more discipline. If we’re talking about game-changers and “most feared leadoff men”, I’d say all that applies. And for me, Bourn’s AVG won’t hold up where it is.
Not so fast, my friend. I’m all for Bourn staying around, but there’s no precedent for him making blockbuster money. And yes, I, too, want ATL to retain him more than McCann, but I’d be more ticked that we don’t have anyone to replace him (Heyward could move to CF) than losing Bourn altogether.
I always forget about Trout (I focus my attention in the NL). I agree completely. Braves are past the Ted Turner days when Money wasn’t an issue.
Braves might need some of that money for a starting pitcher or two, considering Beachy being out for the majority of 2013, Hanson’s velocity drop, Jurrjens mediocre skill-set, Teheran getting lit up since last August, Minor being terrible, and Delgado still learning to pitch. I think it’s unlikely that they re-sign Bourn. Only way I see it is if they don’t pick up Huddy’s option, which is unlikely assuming he stays healthy.
Why not pick up Tim’s $9M option for ’13?! That’s a steal. Even after missing the 1st month of the season he’s on pace for 15 wins. He’s a big game pitcher who’s durable and a veteran voice on a young staff. I’d think we HAVE to pick up that option, especially knowing that we’ll have close to $40M available this offseason.
Give Minor some credit. He won’t be this bad. Delgado has been just as inconsistent as Minor. Hanson’s velocity isn’t a problem. He’s pitching some of his best baseball and is on par for 20 wins. Teheran will look good again. If we don’t re-sign Bourn, there are other CF options available. Sure, they’re not as a dynamic, but a year where BJ Upton, Shane Victorino, and Melky Cabrera (no chance ATL bids on him…) are fall-backs is a pretty good year. And I still like the thought of moving Heyward to CF. He’s got the range, he’s showing plate discipline, and it’s easier to find a corner OF than a center.
everybody and their mama’s know that hamels is coming to the dodgers #donedeal
#nottwitter
#YouMad?
not mad, funny though
I want you to know, I tried “liking” this, accidentally clicked out of the page but realized it didn’t register, came back on the page and re-liked it because I liked it that much.
we won’t extend him because he’s a Boras client hitting free agency for the first time, and those guys don’t sign extensions unless it’s an unreal amount of money
I’m just enjoying it while it lasts. I just hope the Nationals, Mets, and Marlins stay away from him in the off-season…..
Count out the Mets/Marlins, but WSH will be suitors. They’ve tried for a CF for the longest time and unless there’s a bigger need they have to address, they’ll target the best CF on the market to free up Harper.
I disagree even though he’s a Boras client he won’t get 16-18 mil a yr no way. Now if he put up 25HR yes but he doesn’t. 13-15mil per yr at 4yrs should be enough to retain him.
Agreed. Unfortunately, I don’t think we’ll be able to sign him for just 4 years.
I honestly can’t understand why the Braves have yet to talk an extension with Michael Bourn. This guy has done nothing but impressed since being apart of the Braves organization. I do understand he is getting older but he is far from old and he still has a few years of high stolen base numbers left. He is the first legit leadoff hitter the Braves have had since Furcal.. The whole team has changed in the stolen base aspect of the game since he has arrived.. He produces runs and hits for a great average.. And he is one of the best if not the best in the league when it comes to stealing bases… Pay this man!!!
Braves have always been an organization that talk money when it’s time. Now is not the time. Boras doesn’t do a lot of negotiating in-season and with ATL’s FO tied up in trying to improve the team before the deadline in other areas (starting pitching, bench depth, SS), it’s hard to see there being enough time in the day to also negotiate with Scott Boras, Inc. on an extension. Seems fruitless, if you ask me. I do hope that they make a qualifying offer to him, so we can get compensatory picks if he bolts.
Part of me thinks that they’ll make him an offer and he’ll stay. Unless Washington just blows out Atlanta’s offer. But, we’ll have a lot of money next off season.
From what I’ve read with Bourn, he’s saying all the (politically) right things to be indifferent about all teams and try and receive the largest bid. I’m not saying it’s wrong, but ATL usually doesn’t like to be in a bidding war – because they’ll usually lose – and they like to play the hometown card more than anyone else. Bourn has no relations to ATL other than what he’s made recently and they can’t do that this time around. SF and WSH is reportedly interested and both have deep purses.
My sentiments are that we have a few needs, especially with Chipper retiring. I like having the flexibility of Prado playing LF or 3B, but both positions will be expensive to replace. This is where our lack of positional depth in the minors is going to show. Depending on who we have in CF, I wish we could wrestle Josh Willingham away from MIN to play LF — though ATL brass have panned him several times.
Could a Braves fan enlighten me on why the Braves seem to have no interest in retaining Michal Bourn? Is there some stud center fielder in their system I don’t know about? Because center field was a black hole from the time Andruw Jones vacated it and Bourn was acquired.
If the Braves aren’t interested, I think Bourn would look pretty good right back where he started-with the Phillies.
This is what I said to a similar inquiry:
Braves have always been an organization that talk money when it’s time. Now is not the time. Boras doesn’t do a lot of negotiating in-season and with ATL’s FO tied up in trying to improve the team before the deadline in other areas (starting pitching, bench depth, SS), it’s hard to see there being enough time in the day to also negotiate with Scott Boras, Inc. on an extension. Seems fruitless, if you ask me. I do hope that they make a qualifying offer to him, so we can get compensatory picks if he bolts.
Good luck seeing him in PHI. If they had that kind of money free, they’d be giving it to a shorter, lesser contract to a proven CF defender in Victorino. If they have any hope of signing Hamels, they won’t be contenders for the top CF on the market.
If they do sign Bourn, heaven help ’em. Just another 30-year old they give a plus-size contract to. I’d love to see him in PHI, in that situation.
Sure, what you say makes sense, and the Braves are always quiet about what they are going to do. I just find it curious that there hasn’t even been something like, hey, we’ll talk when it’s time to talk. Boras only negotiates in public when he thinks he has to negotiate in public too.
The braves have interest, just not enough money. Besides, the braves dont like doing business with boras because of past deals. Thats why we need to get rid of JJ. JJ never settles in when pitching, he is always one pitch away from being bombed.
As a Braves fan, and one who really enjoys having Bourn, I believe there is little to no chance he signs with the Braves. He knows he’s is about to cash in, and it shows on his face. No matter how large of a contract is offered by ATL, there will be at least a few teams who can and will go higher, and Borass will make sure he takes the one with more money than the $15 million less ATL will offer.
And I really wanted McCann to follow Chipper in doing his entire career with them. Now I can only see that happening if he either decides to take a shorter deal and not play into his late thirties or there is some plan established to convert him to a first baseman within the next few years. The Braves’ future catcher is being prepared right now.
Does anyone else not buy into Beltran’s comments? I generally like Shi Davidi’s Jays reporting, and am glad he asked Beltran about the rumours linking him to the Jays. But what lead me astray was that Beltran is quoted as saying the Giants never even spoke to him. The Giants trade Zach Wheeler for a half season rental, and then don’t even pick up the phone to ask about his availability the following year?