Check out MLBTR's "Justin Upton Rumors" for the daily collection of trade buzz about the Diamondbacks outfielder. For any "Justin/Upton Rumors" in regards to the alleged Justin Verlander/Kate Upton relationship, you may need to check out our sister site, MLB Dating Rumors.
Here's the latest from around the majors as we prepare for the second half of the season…
- Red Sox GM Ben Cherington told reporters (including WEEI.com's Rob Bradford) that his team isn't going to be a trade deadline seller. "There's no such thing as taking a year off in Boston," Cherington said. "We feel like we're right in it and have as good a chance as most teams to be there at the end….We've got some ways to improve the team internally, potentially. And we've started to look at ways to improve the team externally. If we play to our capability with the guys we have here our hope is we don't have to make a lot of moves."
- Rangers prospect Jurickson Profar holds the top spot on the midseason top 50 prospects list from ESPN's Keith Law (ESPN Insider subscription required). "Profar has the ultimate mark of an elite prospect. He keeps improving even as he is challenged with better competition," Law writes.
- The Royals are looking for Major League talent in trades rather than prospects, GM Dayton Moore tells Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star. “We’re at a stage in our development where we want back ready Major League players to help us," Moore said. "Three or four years ago, yeah, we’re looking for prospects….Now, we have prospects in our system. You can always use more. But we need guys who can help our Major League team.”
- From that same item, Moore said he has been given no directives by ownership to move payroll at the deadline, nor has he made any calls looking to move any of the Royals' veteran players.
- The Athletics are 2.5 games out of a wild card spot and are wondering if they should make a playoff push, reports Joe Stiglich of the Bay Area News Group. "I don't think if something is within your grasp, you ignore it," said GM Billy Beane, though he added that, "We are going to have to be somewhat leery of a short-term fix if we give up players for the long term, because I do like this group." A's co-owner Lew Wolff, meanwhile, said that Beane would have payroll space to make a deadline addition if he wished.
- Twins GM Terry Ryan spoke about his drafting, scouting and player development philosophies with Fangraphs' David Laurila.
- Tom Krasovic of the Inside The Padres blog wonders why Carlos Quentin would re-sign with the Padres when he is better suited for a DH role in a less-spacious ballpark.
- The week's minor league transactions are recapped by Matt Eddy of Baseball America.
like if you clicked to see if they actually made a “Mlb Dating Rumors site”
I had to see what they linked it to. I loved the Sidd Finch page. I got a good laugh out of it.
same. I honestly expected a picture of a trollface, so I was more than pleasantly surprised.
Well played, sirs.
Quick Hits: Kate Upton, Justin Verlander, Kansas City
HAHA Sidd Finch
I think this is the perfect time for the Red Sox to make a “lifestyle” change that needs to happen. There are too many under performing superstars for this to be merely coincidence and I don’t see what indication there is that things will get better.
I’d personally trade off Ross, Sweeney, Aviles, and Shoppach to start things off. I think that it is realistic to get mid-low level pitching prospects in return, possibly even more than that for Ross. Then closer to the trading deadline i’d trade off Padilla, Albers, and Atchinson. All are pitching well and teams tend to over pay for relief at the deadline.
Finally i’d let it be known that for the right price Lester, Becket, and Ellsbury could be available. These three I would only let go if a desperate team paid for past performance rather than current value. Otherwise i’d hold on and hope they add value in the second half.
Sorry for the length.
You’re speaking my language.
I’d start by trading away Ellsbury for a starting pitcher, if possible. Shoppach and Aviles SHOULD be traded, just common sense.
Padilla’s value won’t be higher. Same with Ross really.
Personally, I’m in no rush to see the Sox trade off Ross. I’m sick and tired of all these friggin’ lefty hitting OF’ers! This is Fenway Park not Yankee Stadium! The Sox should have at least ONE RH power hitting OF-er!
Ben Cherington: “There’s no such thing as taking a year off in Boston.”
This is the myth that ownership likes to convey, that the fans wouldn’t stand for it if the Sox traded off players in an effort to rebuild. But the truth is more like this: The Sox have such a bloated payroll, ownership can’t afford not to sell out Fenway Park every game. So they have to pretend they are “going for it” each year, because it is what the fans demand. Most fans would welcome a rebuilding year and a chance to scrape away at least one or two of the absurd contracts that have been doled out.
Yes I agree with you. I think the Red Sox have to face reality – I don’t think they’re going to make up a lot of ground on the Yankees/Rays not to mention Orioles and Blue Jays. They have a good club when healthy but let’s face it, their whole outfield is on the DL. Finally I don’t know why, doesn’t really makes sense considering the players on the field, but I always get the feeling when watching them that they have terrible D. Maybe if they put in an excellent defender at SS and/or CF that would help resolve that.
I haven’t given up on this season yet. We’re close to the wild card.
How is being a .500 club in the AL East “close to the Wild Card”? Do you honestly think the Sox will have a better record than the Yankees, Angels, or Rangers? Come on get real. They need some pieces and now could be the time to get them
They are only 2.5 games out of the wild card, yeah I would say they have a chance.
Since we are getting “real”, you do understand there are 2 wildcard teams this yr right??
Also, do you understand that every team you mentioned plus the Red Sox can make the playoffs this yr?
Of course the Red Sox CAN make the playoffs. The question is are they likely to, and, if so, how far CAN they go in the playoffs with the pitching staff they have? My original point wasn’t that they should not go for it… my point was either really go for it (i.e. trade for some decent starting pitching) or be realistic and build for next year. The in-between stuff that they’ve done the past few years has not worked.
Except… they have Ellsbury and Crawford returning. IF those two play up to their potential AND we get better pitching, then YES, we gave a real chance to turn this around.
I hope you are right. I’m not convinced, however, that Carl is really healthy. But it will be interesting to see.
Ells and Crawford will not fix their problem (and the CC of late may make the OF worse). Their starting pitching sucks and there is nothing to indicate that it will get better. We can hope, but with 5 straight months of subpar performance from your 1-3 starters, a “rookie” starter carrying the bulk of the SP weight, Aaron flippin Cook, and Dice-k I don’t forsee any sort of run.
They don’t have to have a better record than the Yanks, Texas or even the Angels. They just have to be the 4th or 5th best team in the AL and that’s not unimaginable with the likes of the Orioles, Rays, Indians and Tigers ahead of them. Not exactly well built teams impervious to a collapse. If the Sox get a few stars healthy and go on a well timed run then they would be right in it.
I, as a Yankee fan, won’t ever get comfortable until the Sox are mathematically eliminated.
I was “getting real” Mcgee.
“Mr. Mcgee, don’t make me angry. You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.”
1) I don’t like anyone when they’re angry
2) I don’t even like you now
IMO it’ll be:
– Yanks
-Texas
-Angels
– somebody from the Central
– Rays get 2nd wild card. Anyway I remain with my original convictions and personally dont believe in sacrificng the long term for the short term.
I encourage all to reply with some more belligerent comments…thats how you southies roll
I think Red Sox ownership can afford anything it wants. But I prefer they not try to out Yankee the Yankees and keep developing young players like Ellsbury, Pedroia, Youk, Lester, Middlebrooks, etc. I do think some changes need to be made on pitching, but we just need healthy players for a change.
Yes, ownership can afford it, but John Henry is in this to make money, not lose it. This team is run with one purpose: create profit. That’s why they want to fill the park every night, and why they feel they need to never admit they are in rebuilding mode.
More to the point, I don’t think “no such thing as taking a year off” means “don’t honestly evaluate where the team is at.” I’m not going to make a judgment, but he needs to seriously evaluate his team’s chances and whether or not it is worth buying to go for it. They were obviously going for it in the offseason and that’s okay — now it’s midseason and time to evaluate whether it’s time to go all-in or fold.
Acquiring Grienke would be a disaster for the sox
Please explain.
Insert generic “but he had a bout of social anxiety 6 years ago” here. You should also ignore that it hasn’t affected him since.
Right it hasn’t effected him since he was traded for Kansas City to Milwaukee, WI. Look…when people tell you about themselves you should listen. He himself said he might not be a fit for big market teams.
but he had a bout of social anxiety 6 yrs ago!
It doesn’t hurt that he is playing in the smallest market in all of MLB, i.e. Milwaukee.
I agree. I do not think Grienke has the mental make-up to play in the high pressure of the Boston media market.
Agreed – We, as Red Sox fans, are so quick to forget about the mental aspect of players in this market.
Daniel Bard is the perfect example. He’s completely fallen apart in AAA and mental makeup was right up at the top when it comes to concerns.
Greinke would be frightening here. Just a bomb waiting to go off.
heck, just listen to the stuff coming out of Carl Crawford’s mouth right now: “Probably because I feel the pressure of everybody wanting me to be out there,” he answered. “I want to be out there, fans want me to be out there, management, everybody, kind of a mixture of all that.” – from weei blog
Yeah – Crawford is scary. There’s being mentally incapable like Bard, but Crawford is VOCAL about it. And we’re just 2 years into a 7 year abyss.
the real scary bit is that since that interview he is now saying that “the boos are his little anthem wherever he goes now” – makes me wonder about all that private detective work that Theo supposedly did. I’m still pulling for Crawford to turn all this into anything positive but I must say this is wacky.
The Royals don’t have to move payroll? By major league standards, they don’t have one. And if GMDM thinks major league players coming back in trades are Quintero and Bourgeous, then ask for prospects.
I could see the Royals dealing for depth guys solid veteran bench types…bullpen help..etc…especially if they are going to make a run at some free agent pitching this offseason. I look for them to do that…as the new CBA is going to hinder them going too far over slot in the amatuer draft. They might even be a winter late in going out in the market.
The Twins need to get Profar and build around him with Morneau heading out eventually. I’d be willing to give up Plouffe even, although it would take another player to get Profar probably.
lol Plouffe? I would maybe consider moving Profar in a deal for Mauer. The thing is that we have so much else to offer that it pretty much makes Profar off limits, and unecessary to trade.
Hey A’s fans would you move B McCarthy for Z Cox (STL) striaght up?
Yes but Mccarthy is on the DL right now so instead it might be Colon who is more healthy and is pitching great.
Mayb nopt he is on the DL, just what we need another p with shoulder problems! Is it considered serious?
Fear not Red Sox fans! Lucchino has released a letter re-assuring us. We can cheer for the “cheeful” Cody Ross. We also have varisty players coming back!
I hate this team 🙁 I wish this ownership would sell the team and rid Lucchino.
The Sox do appear to be fragmented at this time, the loss of Youk and trying to fit new players in the system have hurt. It will still come down to the Sox pitching in the end, there hitting will be good.