The Diamondbacks are already involved in "active discussions" about Justin Upton, and now ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reports that the team will also listen to trade offers for Trevor Bauer (Twitter links). The right-hander has fallen out of favor with some in the organization.
Bauer, 21, was the third overall pick in the 2011 draft. He made his MLB debut this season and surrendered 13 runs in 16 1/3 innings across four starts while also battling a groin problem. Bauer pitched to a 2.42 ERA in 130 1/3 innings split between Double-A and Triple-A this year as well. Between Upton and Bauer, GM Kevin Towers may be in possession of this offseason's two biggest trade chips.
Am I the only one who thinks that Kevin Towers is crazy? Not in a bad way though. He just likes to do shocking things.
I think there is a certain mentality by some baseball people that you listen to every offer. No one is really off the table because someone could get really creative if they want one of your pieces bad enough.
Trade James Shields and Hellickson for Bauer , Chris Johnson and Upton!
We would fill holes in the OF , SP and 1B.
D’backs are trading pitchers because they have depth there. They need position players
Last I read during the trade rumors is they were hard after a No.1 Pitcher. Hellickson and Shields are No.1 pitchers and the Rays have 5 of them with a few more potential No.1 in the minors.
If they had five #1 starters they would have made the playoffs.
they still had a better record than the AL Chump Tigers
I love the Rays pitching (who wouldnt) but 5 #1 starters? Shields is a fringe #1 for me and Hellickson more of a #3. Jury still out on Matt Moore
This is more accurate Shields is more a #2 and would match up better against other teams num.#2’s Hellickson is a better num.#3
Price #1
Shields (MAYBE Moore) #2
Hellickson/Moore #3
Archer/Cobb/Torres/Colome #4/5
Rays had the AL’s best team ERA in history.
Price #True Ace along with Kershaw Verlander
Shields #1
Hellickson #2
Moore #3 with potential to become #1
Archer #Future #2 according to 2013 BA report
Cobb #3 with FIP 3.66
Price is a No. 1, Shields was a No.1, Hellickson is neither…
Who are the “few more potential No. 1’s”?
They’re mostly after an innings eater at this point, and I don’t see Bauer and Upton BOTH going in trades without us getting something on the left side of the infield.
Dbacks are focusing on a top of the rotation pitcher/veteran inning eater. With and infielder on the left side of the infield as well this off season. Texas and Tampa Bay seem the teams interested in our surplus of outfielders and Starting pitching. This will be exciting. My likes are Chase Headley and James Shields, second tear choices would be Andrus and Profar, Texas
Hellickson is a 3 MAYBE. Probably a 4.
Hellickson most certainly is not a #1. You can’t just throw that tag around. There are very few actual aces, right now…
That is correct and they do have a lot of good better then average arms Shields and Hellickson for Upton sure.
Shields and Hellickson? If you are asking for Upton alone then okay. But you’re talking more like Price + Hellickson for Bauer + Upton. Getting a great pitcher and an average pitcher for a great outfielder and a #3 on the worst possible day pitcher who has the ceiling of an Ace.
I would say Hellickson is above average—probably a fringe 2 starter or solid 3. Upton has the POTENTIAL to be great, of course, but has yet to prove anything. He had an excellent season sandwiched in between too “meh” seasons (for his standards). I wouldn’t consider him a great player until he actually strings together a couple 2011-esque seasons.
Think Hellboy is a little overrated, but mid rotation starter not #2
I somewhat agree. I think that he has done a hell of a job the past 2.5 years. But, he’s gotten a bit lucky, and that more than likely won’t hold up. I’m torn on whether or not I want them to sell high now, or hope he exceeds expectations next year (once again), then sell even higher.
Johnson plays third da
Something built around Moustakas?
That could do it.
Moose + Colon + Reliever for Bauer. GMDM would probably ask for some throw in high risk high reward C level guy just to even things out a bit.
I smell a Justin Upton/ Trevor Bauer Blockbuster happening
That would be crazy. Not something you see every day. Young, talented and somewhat cost controlled guys shipped out. AZ would have to fill multiple holes for that to happen.
I smell Arizona being bad for a long time.
Proposed trade of Justin Upton and Trevor Bauer to Astros for Bud Norris, Jed Lowrie, Wesley Wright, Mike Foltynewicz, Nick Tropeano, and Paul Clemens. In this trade, Arizona fulfills all of their off-season goals: upgrade at SS, experienced SP, and LH reliever and pick up 3 pitching prospects who are solid 4/5 starters with upside. Dbacks also rid themselves of Upton’s contract which calls for $10M in 2013, $14M in 2014, $15M in 2015. The Astros pick up a young bonafide CF with speed and power coming off an average year in Upton and a top pitching prospect in Bauer who rates as a 2/3 starter.
Just a warning. You are DEF gonna catch flak from Dbacks fans for this.
we can add Jimmy Parades too. DBacks have no future 2b once A Hill moves on. But I would like to get Matt Albers in return. So the blockbuster would be Upton, Bauer, Albers for Norris, Lowrie, W. Wright, Paredes, Mike Foltyneweicz(7th best prospect), Tropeano (11th best prospect), P Clemens (19th best prospect).
So….it has to be something about his makeup, since this was just his first full professional season and he reached the bigs, which is remarkable. If it wasn’t for his quicker promotion to the bigs, he may have been the K leader in the minors over Straily.
It can’t be a production thing
It’s makeup and attitude. He showed a lot of immaturity and stubbornness this past season. A little too cocky for a rook.
bauer for profar straight up
Not a chance. Profar on a different level.
andrus for bauer
That would be more likely I guess
Honestly Profar + lesser prospect or two for Upton and Bauer might be a trade the Rangers would have to consider I think. THAT would be a blockbuster
I don’t know about “lesser” prospect but I see your point…..Perez, Buckel, someone along those lines.
That’s worth pursuing.
No way Dbacks do that.
Bauer for Headley or Andrus
No way. Maybe Bauer and Bradley or Skaggs
Adding a potentially high-quality, cost-controlled arm is something the Cubs have to check in on but gosh, I have no idea if we would be willing to part with what it would take to acquire him. Do the teams match up for any kind of need-for-need prospect swaps?
Red Sox are going to be ALL over this. This deal is almost too perfect for the Sox to pass. De La Rosa, Bradley, potentially Bogaerts, and likely Doubront would get it close
No. God no. Way too much. I’d rather keep Rubby, Bradley, and Boegarts.
What are you talking about? Bogaerts alone is borderline, let alone 2 more top-prospects and a young and promising SP who just had a decent year with a huge K/9.
I was more thinking of someone like Middlebrooks. I doubt the D’backs would be interested in making a lateral SP-spec for SP-spec. But if they are, Barnes/Webster+ for Bauer is always a possibillity.
I don’t see the Red Sox trading Middlebrooks. Fans would turn on the organization if they trade the guy they traded Youkilis to accommodate.
borderline for whom? I certainly hope you mean Bauer and not Upton, because one prospect in the lower minors isn’t near enough for Justin Upton.
AA isn’t the lower minors, and a likely top 10 prospect who plays SS and has 30+ HR (and .285+ AVG and .350+ OBP) potential isn’t too far off from what it should take to get Upton.
Of course it is. You’re talking about a guy that one year ago was in MVP conversation and is in his mid 20s. You need a real package to get players like that.
And he spent most of the year in High A ball.
You’re also talking about a guy who wrapped two mediocre seasons around his great one, and a guy who they are trying to get rid of, and have tried to get rid of in the past.
Bogaerts alone doesn’t get it done, but Bogaerts and a couple guys outside of their top 5ish range would be more than reasonable.
As much as am high on Bogaerts you are talking about a guy who hasnt even reach the big leagues. Upton has proven that at worst he is .280 20hr guy. Even if Bogaerts pans out, I dont think he will better that the career averages that Upton has so far. and btw Bogaerts is not a sure bet to stay at SS.
I don’t it understand when people bring up the whole “he hasn’t even reached the majors yet” thing. That always the case with prospects, and those trades happen all the time – in fact, that’s what most trades are, a major leaguer for non-major leaguers. And I know he’s not a lock to stay at SS, but he is currently a SS, and most are saying he has a legitimate chance to play SS in the majors at this point.
Upton’s career averages so far are .278/.357/.475 with 22 HRs per 150 games. That’s a reasonable projection for Bogaerts, his ceiling is considerably higher, and he would be doing it from SS if he sticks, or 3B if he doesn’t – either one would be considerably more valuable than getting it from RF.
Ok, i’ll give you the prospect thing but for me it makes no sense to trade a young player like Upton who still has a very high ceiling and has also had 2very good years in his career so far for a guy like Bogaerts who might turn out to be the same type of hitter as Upton. Dbacks have more to lose than the Red Sox, as its always the case when you trade for prospects. Some pan out some don’t.
The same type of hitter at a more valuable position, who is way cheaper, and is under control for twice as long, and they’d be getting other useful pieces with him. You even said yourself that the risk the D’Back would hold is no different than any other time teams trade players for prospects and those trades happen all the time, and the D’Backs are obviously willing (even trying) to trade him anyway.
Of course Bauer. Upton for Bogaerts wouldn’t happen straight-up, I’ll give you that, but there is no way Rubby, Bradley and Doubront would have to be included…for neither one.
Span, Benson, Hendricks for Bauer!
That wouldn’t come close to doing it. A package built around Sano, Span and another top prospect (Hicks/Arcia/Rosario?) might.
Sano, Span and Rosario for Bauer and Goldschimtt
That would be a horrible trade for the Twins.
Goldschmitt isn’t going anywhere believe me
I can see a Upton + for Andrus + framework deal with Texas and then they will turn around and move Bauer for another outfielder like maybe Choo.
Bauer for Choo straight up? I would think Arizona would want Cleveland to include in that Asdrubal at the very least.
Dbacks aren’t trading for another OF. They have too many to begin with.
I agree with you. I was just going with the hypothetical that they traded Upton
Right,this is why they are listening or contemplating using there biggest asset to get what they need.
Ok good point. Bauer for a the best position player that makes sense for them to replace Upton’s production.
A high-ceiling pitching prospect that hasn’t yet produced are a dime a dozen. Bonafide major league shortstops are not. No way Cleveland trades Cabrera in a deal for Bauer.
21 year old pitchers with mid-2.00 ERAs in the high minors, and who made the majors in their first full pro season are not a dime a dozen. Maybe it takes a little more than Bauer to get Cabrera, but it’s not that far off.
How Bonafide is Cabrera? Not a very good defender. Hits for .270. Not a great baserunner. Had a decent power surge the past two years, but HR/FB% spike will do that to you. And he is a FA in 2 years. He’s a good middle of the road SS no doubt and has good value, but not in this trade.
I think the D-Backs would rather trade for Andrus than Cabrera.
Especially with Bauer’s CRAZY high upside potential. He has the makeup of a true Ace. He has comparisons to Lincecum.
….and lincecum crashed and burned this year.
Yes…after winning 2 Cy Youngs. If you’re gonna tell me Bauer is going to win 2 Cy Youngs then sign me up now because I’ll take that kind of crash and burn.
The Indians are listening on Cabrera, a two-time all star who is only 26 years old (thats a middle of the road SS I guess). The Rangers aren’t listening on Andrus.
Indians coveted Bauer in the draft but the Tribe will need more than Bauer to get a deal done. Bauer is still an undersized and unorthodox right hander with a bit of an attitude problem.
After getting past the idea that a prospect, even one with a high upside arm isn’t the same as a major league all star (it may take Shaun a while to come & believe that conclusively, then you might expand this prospective trade a bit.. Most of the sane DBax fans would agree, an all star SS is a key element in competing in 2013. Asdrubal fits this profile times two. The DBax could go one of two ways..
-OF addition::Shin-soo Choo is an all star RF’er and could ease the loss of Chris Young and J-Up (who would be dealt in a separate trade, not part of this one) and be traded with Asdrubal for Bauer, Andrew Chafin, Matt Davidson and a serviceable replacement OF’er in a guy like Gerardo Parra. .
-RP addition; Vinnie Pestano, perhaps one of the best set up pitchers in the AL, young and under team control for four years is included in the same deal along with one of Jose Ramirez or Tony Wolters.
Comments? (and, indignation over high prospects for all star players won’t look good for you)
The Rangers are listening on Andrus. Just because John Heyman hasn’t tweeted it, or Olney hasn’t written an Insider article on it, doesn’t mean it couldn’t happen. Jon Daniels knows he has a stud SS ready to go soon in Profar. So if they promote Profar where do you put Andrus? 2B? Then Kinsler to the OF? Profar at 3B blocks Olt and also takes away Profar’s great glove at SS. Andrus is the most expendable in this scenario, even though he is awesome.
You’re gonna use All-Star as a credential and a positive? Cabrera isn’t as valuable as your making him out to be. He wasn’t touted at all when he was in the minors. Besides all the reasons I mentioned above, Cabrera is a FA in two years and is going to make $10,000,000 next year. Bauer isn’t going to make more than $2,000,000 for the next 3 years combined, and he may not even be arb eligible in 2015, so he’ll probably get no more than a small increase from $1,750,000 then hit arbitration.
Bauer for Cabrera sounds great for Cleveland, but not very good for Arizona.
I agree
I’m not saying that trade is likely/possible/whatever. But, considering Arizona’s immense need for a SS, you would have to think any trade involving Bauer would net them their “SS of the future.” Be it Asdrubal, Lindor, etc. That deal isn’t as far off base as you depicted it.
He’s fallen out of favor because they want him to change his warmup routine and he doesn’t want to. The team felt it was contributing to his fatigue during the season and his control issues.
Man it’s too bad the Padres are in the same division as the DBacks, because they could really use a guy like Bauer and they have the prospects to make it work.
Would you be willing to do a Bauer for Headley deal straight up?
DBacks would be foolish to bite on that.
Not a bad trade you ask me
Personally no. Headley is somewhat of a proven commodity, whereas Bauer is strictly a projectable prospect.
I’m a die hard through and through snakes follower all the way down the minors. The snakes are considering moving Bauer cause our minor league pitching is deep. Skaggs, Corbin and Miley are great not to mention Hudson will be back in August. Take a look. Kennedy,Miley,Cahill,Corbin,Skaggs,then Hudson back later, Bauer for Headley hell YES, Upton for Shields and Hellickson why not. Or Upton to Texas for Andrus and Profar
It will be interesting to see how long Cahill remains. He’s already getting the big bucks and is the #4/5 starter going into next season. Once Hudson comes back, then what?
Also, with Kennedy getting deeper into arbitration and having Boras play hardball about an extension, don’t be surprised if the DBacks try to get back a haul for him in another year.
Upton and Bauer for Mason/Sanchez/Austin/Phelps/Nunez/Nova. Had to do the first Yankee troll proposal
I’ll go ahead and handle the Mets troll proposal: Upton / Bauer for Duda, Familia, Nieuwenhuis, and Havens.
Bauer will not be moved unless the Rangers offer Profar or Olt straight up. Towers is excellent at trading valuable commodities for nothing, so maybe I ma wrong.
Trevor Bauer for Mike Olt and then Upton, David holmberg to Cleveland for asdrubal Cabrera and Justin Masterson
As a dodgers fan, I really want Trevor Bauer to be a Dodger!
For what though? We’re not about to take on any of the huge money commitments you guys took on. And your farm system doesn’t have nearly the depth we have. We need affordable “immediate impact” players, not more prospects (that LA lacks).
The Diamondbacks are not gonna work with there competition in the west
Does Kevin Towers want to be the new Jerry Jones?? He wants to be in the publics eye all the time. Am guessing he wants to win a WS with players that he acquires or signs and say it was because of him or else why would you want to trade maybe your best 2 players??
Two best players? I don’t hear Montero’s name being mentioned. He would be their best player. And Bauer is all potential at the moment with 3 young arms(Miley, Corbin, & Skaggs) that pitched well in 2012 ahead of him right now.
Out of the 3names that you mentioned there, I could only see Skaggs possibly being better than Bauer.
I think Goldschmidt is their best player. And I could definitely see Skaggs having a better career then Bauer.
The Cubs really need a young ace.
Jed and Theo need to be proactive about this. Vogelbach, Lake, Jackson, Amaya and Vitters. Not enough, but Baez and Soler aren’t going anywhere. Worth a shot.
Giants should be all over this. Would be great to see Bauer and Lincecum together in a rotation, both guys got similar mechanics.
Easier to hit DUR DUR DUR
I predict Bauer will go the same place Upton went, nowhere.
Of course Bauer is a potential trade atrget, KT is running the show. EVERYONE in the organization is available for the right price. The key is, the right price for the likes of Bauer or Upton is well above what most any team would be willing to pay. KT isn’t dumb though. If aa team wants to seriously overpay for a player, then it would be negligence on his part to not listen and entertain the idea.
Upton and Bauer for Ellsbury, Rubby De La Rosa and Iglesias. Maybe some other chips from boston too
“Maybe” some other chips?
Change RDL to Barnes and Igelesias to Bogaerts.
No Ellsbury, RDL and Bogaerts maybe
I wonder what he did to fall out of favor?
He hasn’t really fallen out of favour. The organization does want him to work on altering his pre-game routine, but that is something that has already been started. The problem with DBacks rumours right now is that the team’s GM is Kevin Towers. Towers and the DBacks have a pretty straight policy, they will listen to offers on anybody in the organization, no matter who it is. If a team blows them away with what is perceived as an overpay, then even a “franchise player” could be moved. But the sorts of packages that it would take to get a talent like Upton or Bauer are hard to come by and few teams will offer what the DBacks would want back in return.
The DBacks lose nothing by fielding offers, and, if no one offers the moon and stars, they just keep the talent.
100%correct. Good call James. Then you know trading from the dbacks positions of strength and depth is how we can get our SS or 3rd base and Starting pitcher.
Really Andrew Mc. He has some issues in his warmup approach and pitches his pitch not the catchers wants.
Red Sox should make a move for Bauer. Farrell has a tremendous background in pitching and helping guide young pitchers into maturity. Plus Bauer would be able to learn from Buchholz and Lester.
Sox have a decent amount of young guys in the farm system; i.e. Boggarts, Jackie Bradley Jr, and Iglesis. Just depends on what AZ would want back in return.
Red Flag.
Blue flag
I wonder what it would take from the Pirates to get Bauer. Cole and him were teammates at UCLA so maybe whatever attitude problems he had will be fixed if he comes over here with someone he knows. Taillon/Cole/Bauer/Heredia would be an absolutely crazy rotation
Without including Cole in the deal, it is unlikely the Pirates could come up with enough talent to acquire Bauer.
I dunno you have to keep in mind that his ML debut wasn’t so great, and also the injury. I think we have enough minor league talent to get it done depending on what the dbacks need, just not so much at the majors
His debut wasn’t great, but it was not a complete failure either. Furthermore, it was accelerated by half a season – something that HOPEFULLY the front office has learned from. Bauer has absolutely dominated in the minors. He’s embarrassing AAA clubs already. He needs more seasoning, just like Skaggs did. Unfortunately, they chose to bring him up before he was done cooking. If Bauer gets the Skaggs treatment from here out, he’ll be a stud in the bigs.
get in there, Antonetti. Hell, I’d take Bauer for Cabrera straight up.
No way DBacks trade Bauer for Cabrera straight up. Acquiring Bauer will take a monster package. Just because KT has a policy to listening to offers on anyone in the organization does not mean that they can actually be had at anything other than a HUGE price.
Why trade a young stud pitcher who can be your future ace?
If someone is willing to overpay for him, why not? That is what it would take for KT to trade him.
Gibby is just loving this. His least favorite players are all being dealt.
I can very easily see Braves trading for both Upton and Bauer
Same with the Red Soxs, Bogaerts Vitek Brentz Iglesias and Barnes
Red Soxs… CF Ellsbury 2B Pedroia 3B Middlebrooks RF Upton DH Ortiz LF Ross C Salti 1B Loney SS Ciriaco Rotation: Lester Doubront Bucholz Lacky Bauer
I smell Ruben Amaro all over this. This may be the deal that actually nets someone Cliff Lee. Lee, Dom Brown, Jesse Biddle and Freddy Galvis for Upton and Bauer.
There’s no way that Kendrick lets KT spend enough money to acquire the Cliff Leee contract. That’s purely a big market contract, not something in AZ’s comfort zone. They didn’t even pay Randy Johnson those kind of dollars.
Bauer for Moustakas. Keep Upton.
Listen to all but remember our biggest needs and make the Semi blockbuster.
Get r done Dbacks NL west champs 2013.
trade with the Brewers for Matt Gamel. Hes a lefty big bat, but with rameriz at 3rd base and hart at 1st, he wont be starting. he has 20-25 homers potential, and possibly .280-.300 average. average defense. offer Ziegler. We just got Heath Bell anyways, why hang on to extra arm, when we could balance out the offense.
I believe that the Mets and Sandy Alderson will make a move for Upton and Bauer. The Mets need a slugging corner outfielder and the Mets need another arm. They will have more player control if they make such a deal, and Dbacks land Wright and perhaps several prospects. The Dbacks can sell tickets with Wright at third, giving them a legit 3B and star.
why would they try to trade a 21 year old pitcher. They should sign Hamilton trade upton and then sign Youkilis, Edwin Jackson and Ryan Dempster. That would give Bauer and another year or 2 of work in triple A or even a long reliever. They could even trade Upton to the Orioles for Nick Markakis. If unable to get Markakis go after Chris Davis, Steve Pearce, lew ford and Jake Arrieta