Here's a look at the latest edition of Full Count from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (video link)..
- It's likely that the Rangers will pursue a trade for the Diamondbacks' Justin Upton this offseason. Upton would join Mike Olt and Jurickson Profar as a part of the team's future offensive core. Of course, Texas will be facing the potential losses of Josh Hamilton and Mike Napoli as free agents and Nelson Cruz will be entering his final year under contract. In a deal for Upton, the D'Backs would likely have interest in shortstop Elvis Andrus.
- Stephen Drew is basically on a six-week audition with the A's and the club won't rule out bringing him back for 2013, perhaps even by exercising their end of his $10MM option. Drew's agent Scott Boras has shown a willingness to do one-year deals to help players re-establish value and the shortstop has a strong relationship with Bob Melvin.
- The Red Sox won't regret trading Josh Beckett when they had the chance. Even though this winter's available pitchers aren't necessarily elite, there are plenty of more attractive options than Beckett. Three of the big free agents: Zack Greinke, Ryan Dempster, and Anibal Sanchez, haven't upped their value since being traded and their prices could sink. Dan Haren and Ervin Santana could be available if the Angels decline their options and pitchers like Gavin Floyd and Justin Masterson could be on the trade block.
- The Reds are leaning against promoting Billy Hamilton, who has 148 stolen bases in the minors this season. The idea of using him as a pinch runner in September would be extremely exciting, but the club doesn't believe that he will be ready to play in the majors next season and he would basically be a waste of a 40-man spot.
It doesn’t matter how well Beckett may pitch in LA, the Red Sox still wont regret it because he was never going to pitch well in Boston again. Sometimes things just run their course — this is one of those times. As a Red Sox fan, I love this move & can’t wait to start wearing my Cherington jersey around town…
^ Making me blush!
Why would he not pitch well in Boston again?
Gee, I don’t know. I was just using the last 12 months as my sample in addition to his complete indifference to the quality of his outings.
I highly doubt the D-Backs trade Upton to the Texas and don’t ask for Olt. Profar is obviously untouchable as he’s one of the top, if not the top prospect in the game.
That’s why Andrus makes sense
J-Up for Andrus swap makes perfect sense. Profar by all accounts will be ready next year & the D’Backs have nothing at SS. Parra would probably be the full time RF?
I dont think an Upton for Andrus swap makes much sense for AZ.
I don’t think it makes much sense for TEX
Works for me.
Why not? Upton would fill hole left by Hamilton (who probably is gone). Profar is ready to hit major league pitching. Could do something like
DH Cruz
C- Napoli
1B- Olt
2B- Kinsler
SS- Profar
3B- Beltre
RF- Upton
CF- Gentry/Martin
LF- Murphy
Know the problem with your lineup?? you’re paying $16mil for Young to ride the bench.
Texas would be better off moving Profar to LF/CF and keeping Andrus. Andrus hasn’t even reached his prime yet and he’s still awesome. Same is true of Upton, but I’d sooner keep Andrus, give Profar time in the OF at AAA, and roll with Murph, Martin, and Cruz for the start of 2013.
That $9 million Upton would be owed could be better spent on the pitching staff considering we’re about to lose Dempster, Feldman, Oswalt, Adams, Uehara, Lewis, and Feliz (Tommy John) next year.
I agree. I’m a Texas fan and I don’t see it making sense for either side.
texas would have to include olt and andrus for az to consider it considering andrus isnt locked up longterm and isnt the same player upton is. wont be that easy for texas
SS is more of a premium position than RF. Value of players roughly equal considering D-Backs are pretty much committed to trading Upton.
Show me where the dbacks are committed to trading Upton? SS or not, Andrus has never had an OPS+ over 100, and he isnt locked up past 14? Pass. OMG pass.
When the front office makes it pretty clear to anyone willing to listen that they are open to trade him for the past few months it seems likely that he will be traded or else why say anything? He will be traded.
Texas probably would’nt trade Andrus for Upton straight up. Especially after his down season. There would have to be other pieces involved perhaps on both sides. Texas certainly wouldn’t trade Andrus and Olt for Upton.
Remember Texas has about $45 million coming off the books this Winter in Hamilton, Napoli, Feldman, Oswalt, Adams, Uehara, and Soto. So they’ll have free agent flexibility. And even if they don’t sign a big hitter like Hamilton, they could just as easily move Profar to LF and save themselves the $9 they would owe Upton to lock up Napoli.
However, Texas will be losing several pieces from their pitching staff (including Feliz to Tommy John), so a bigger trade including Andrus++ for Upton++ may be possible if Arizona has some pitching or catching depth to give up.
Uptons value>>>>Andrus value
According to who? If I’m Arizona, I might agree with you. I’m sure Upton’s trade value will never be lower. But if you’re Texas, do you give up a defensive wiz at SS for a more expensive OF with a lower OPS this season? No. Especially when you have two or three top prospects who can play OF for a fraction of the cost.
Arizona will probably have to come down on their trade demands to move Upton this Winter. Otherwise, they’ll hold on to him and trade him next July (which might be the better move for them).
Good points – if Tex has internal options for OF, this makes even less sense. Its just sellling low on upton for a marginal improvment, and i dont like AZs replacement options for OF. A pretty big factor is that Andrus has one less year of control – so Andrus could walk after 14. Thats not the kind of player im trading upton for.
You might want to go check out Round Rock’s stats…
Leonys Martin – .361/.426/.615
Julio Borbon – .316/.381/.526
Joey Butler – .285/.387/.454
Yangervis Solarte – .282/.336/.395
Ryan Spilborghs – .294/.361/.429
The Rangers have PLENTY of AAA options for Major League playing time next year. There’s no point in trading a defensive wiz at SS for a guy who’s not any better than David Murphy. I’d rather, and I would put my money on Texas doing the same, run Murphy/Gentry/Cruz out there than trade Andrus for Upton in ANY capacity.
Leo Martin looks like a good prosepect, cant say i have seen much from the others, until i saw Ryan Spilborghs??? haha… Upton (until this year) wsa a 130 OPS guy in teh MAJORS before his 24th bday. its a little different. Thats great, so, why does rosenthal say TEX is looking for outfielders?
That’s ridiculous. The Rangers haven’t even had innings available to play their 4th outfielder, much less top prospects such as Leonys Martin.
Whats rediculous? Texas needing an OFer?? It wasnt my statement that said they did. I did make fun of you counting ryan spilborghs as a sutiable substitute for Upton though.
Did I say that Ryan Spilborghs is a substitute for Upton?? You need to learn how to comprehend what you read. I never listed ANY of those guys as substitutes for Upton, but rather substitutes for TRADING Andrus for Upton. Rangers HAVE outfielders. Perhaps you think that Rosenthal works for the Rangers… he does not, he works for Fox, and the Rangers don’t need outfielders.
Welcome to the Pacific Coast League.
.318/.419/.568 w/ .986 OPS
.325/.426/.532 w/ .958 OPS
.249/.400/.375 w/ .875 OPS
.279/.432/.365 w/ .797 OPS
“That’s Steve Pearce, Chris Dickerson, Jack Cust and Kosuke Fukudome. Let’s make a deal!”.
B.Cashman
AAA stats mean nothing. You are the Rangers with a huge payroll and have just joined the “must win the world series or bust” fraternity. Welcome aboard.
its not a guarantee hamilton leaves we got alot of money coming also we are a big market team.
Love how you present that “move Profar” to LF (if Hamilton walks) as if he’s a lock to provide all-star level play.
If Billy Hamilton can’t play better than Drew Stubbs RIGHT NOW, then I’m the King of England.
That’s an insane amount of steals even if it’s in the minors.
What kind of contract extension from the Snakes would Andrus agree to after the trade to keep Boras happy? Even though he’s not a power hitter Boras will still look for close to 100M right? Elvis currently has 2 years left after this season…