Here's a look at the latest from Buster Olney of ESPN.com (all links go to Twitter)..
- Rival teams say the Phillies' asking price for Shane Victorino is extremely high right now, Olney tweets. Last week, people familiar with the club's thinking told Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com that whether he is dealt before the deadline or plays out the year in Philadelphia, he doesn't appear to be long for the organization.
- Victorino would be a fit for many teams including the Indians, Pirates, and maybe the Yankees, but it's not clear if anyone would give them value equal to the draft pick they would receive as compensation, tweets Olney.
- Speaking of the Indians and their outfield situation, they're not completely ruling out a return for Grady Sizemore this year, Olney tweets. They're also not necessarily expecting to see him back in action as his legs haven't responded in rehab.
- It makes total sense for the Braves to pursue Mariners infielder Brendan Ryan, says Olney. The 30-year-old is making $1.75MM on the back end of a two-year pact.
i really hope the braves dont get ryan. id rather them go after someone else
Like? We only need a 6 week solution. We can drop Wilson, pick up Ryan and keep him once Simmons comes back and send Pastor packing or back to AAA.
willie bloomquist. he can fill in and produce better than ryan. offensively ryan is jack wilson. get bloomquist and then keep him on the bench. he has played every position except pitcher catcher. you mean to tell me ryan would be passable at all?
In only 59 games at shortstop, Willie Bloomquist’s glove has cost his team 10 runs, while Ryan’s has SAVED 22 runs. Bloomquist has scored more runs than Ryan, but has fewer RBI. According to Fangraphs, he’s been worth 0.6 WAR this season compared to Ryan’s 1.6. Ryan also makes a little bit less money this season.
So…yes. Ryan would be passable.
Aaaaand Paul Janish makes it all moot.
I don’t even see Arizona dealing him, on top of the excellent analysis Colin Christopher provided.
What teams are interested in Shane and what is a realistic expectation for a return?
It can’t be anything amazing. Victorino hasn’t performed particularly well this year, he’s a rental, and it’s obvious Philly wants him gone.
According to Jim Salisbury, “Cincinnati, San Francisco, and Pittsburgh”. The Dodgers have also been mentioned often
In San Francisco and Pittsburgh he probably wouldn’t play center
I hope the Giants stay out of this one. It feels like a deal they would try to make. Still can’t believe they deal Wheeler last year and don’t even make an offer to Beltran in the offseason. Such a waste.
I’d ask for a top 10 and a top 15 prospect or a controllable bullpen arm and a prospect.
Not really going to get much.
I wonder if Phillies would be interested in Soto (Reds) if they think he could play LF…he can hit bombs
I don’t know if he can. Just checked out his baseball reference page, he’s only played 1st/3rd… and his fielding percentage (for what it’s worth) is awful at third.
He could be a guy they acquire and flip for another player eventually.
Personally, I would want Ryan LaMarre and Sean Buckley or Ryan Wright. I’d love a guy like JC Sulbaran but I doubt the Reds would trade him for Victorino.
Why trade for a rental SS? Pastornicky isn’t very good but it’s not like you’re going to get a worthwhile upgrade over him without giving up more than they should. I would prefer for them to use their ammo to either get a consistent starting pitcher or to solidify the bullpen.
they should get willie bloomquist he can fill the hole for the six weeks THEN go to the bench he is a solid bench option. and plays every position aside from pitcher/catcher
Because having Pastornicky as the everyday shortstop is like batting two pitchers at this point.
I tend to think of .248 as a pretty high average for a pitcher but to each their own
Um, no. Now if you had said Jack Wilson instead, then you’d be correct.
pastornicky’s bat isn’t the problem. it’s his glove.
Sounds like Todd Redmond will be going to the Reds for a SS. Likely Valdez or Janish. Looking to confirm.
Mark Bowman Tweeter
In San Francisco and Pittsburgh he probably wouldn’t play center
Confirmed: Braves have traded Todd Redmond to the Reds for SS Paul Janish.
Mark Bowman Tweeter
Braves just traded Todd Redmond to Reds for Janish, per Mark Bowman
I think the market is in disagreement over Victorino. And when I say that, I mean that I think the potential buyers are operating under a different set of beliefs than the sellers, in this case the Phillies.
The Phillies are under the idea that they need to be compensated for giving up a potential two first round picks. Under normal circumstances they would be right. However, Shane has said that he would consider the qualifying offer. Once he said that, he destroyed the Phillies trade value for him.
The potential buyers know this, which is probably why there is such disagreement in the market for Vicotorino right now, aside from the usual “start high and work back” games that are played.
The Phils are coming from a position of weakness with Shane, and I say that they should sell now and take whatever they can get. He is having a horrible year, and the cat is out of the bag as far as Shane’s willingness and desire to stay in Philadelphia. That is a sunk cost. Acknowledge it, and move on Phils.
I’d be alright if he accepted a qualifying offer. I tend to doubt that he will though.
He said in the offseason that he would consider it, and then his agent quickly threw ice water on that quote.
With the year Shane is having, its a huge risk for the Phillies.
the phillies will take him on a qualifying offer, Id be okay with this. He will be better next year most likely, after all he went from career best to career worst in one year and is only 31.
Sizemore =[
I love Bourn, but realistically don’t think Braves can sign him. Victorino, good plan B option, good defense and leadoff hitter
I’d like Bourn to stay too but I’m with you and believe he’ll go elsewhere next year. The Braves will offer him a contract that is fairly reasonable, but something that can easily be beat by several other clubs just so Wren and Co. can say they “tried and did everything they could” to keep him in Atlanta.
Victorino would be a serviceable Plan B for a couple of season, but I think they go after BJ Upton before Victorino due to the fact that he is younger and isn’t on a downhill slope yet, not to mention the Rays already have Desmond Jennings who will take over in CF next year. Just MO though.
Upton’s prime is not as good as Victorino’s decline.
I don’t know if Victorino’s decline is going to be that drastic… a lot of analysts think he’s going to age like Johnny Damon. I’m not sure if BJ Upton is really a better option (offensively. Defensively, I would. Shane’s probably going to move off CF to Right in 2 years).
No surprise, I totally disagree.
Damon is a smart hitter, he works counts, he does not try to kill the ball, and is a smart baserunner.
Shane is NONE of these. He is a guy who gets bye on pure athleticism. That’s not something that really ages well.
Defensively they are night and day too.
Cleveland just needs to avoid draining the minor league system in a trade again this season. They aren’t that far out…and they are fun to watch…but there really not as strong of a club as their place in the standings would indicate.
If you’re seriously planning on going to the playoffs and advancing beyond the championship series, Victorino is in your plans. The guy is a pro all the way and is unfettered by pressure. I think he ends up in the AL East