Here's the latest from Joel Sherman of The New York Post…
- The Mets are making progress, albeit slowly, in contract talks with David Wright and R.A. Dickey. The impression is that there is still a substantial gap in talks with Dickey, and they've been gauging his trade value during the GM Meetings. They are not doing the same with Wright, however.
- The Yankees would not do a two-year deal worth $20MM or so for Torii Hunter since they want to get under the luxury tax threshold next year. They are fixated on one-year contracts this offseason and could fill their right field hole with a low-cost platoon.
- "The Yankees are not on him," said a source about Justin Upton, in part because they're unsure if he's a good fit for New York (Twitter link). The Rangers and Rays are strongest early players for Upton, and Sherman gets the sense that the D'Backs want to act quickly (Twitter links).
- The Diamondbacks want high-end, MLB ready players in return for Upton and would love to get Jurickson Profar or (more likely) Elvis Andrus from the Rangers. They don't love Mike Olt, however (Twitter links). GM Kevin Towers likes Yankees prospect Mason Williams, but he is several years away from the show and unlikely to be enough to headline a trade package (all Twitter links).
- Next year's crop of free agent starting pitchers is weak, which could benefit Zack Greinke since teams won't be able to find a stopgap and reassess next year. Josh Johnson and Tim Lincecum highlight next winter's pitching crop, and both come with question marks.
- The Mariners, who have young pitching, are said to be talking to the Royals and Twins, who have young hitting. Seattle would love to pry Wil Myers, Aaron Hicks, and/or Ben Revere loose.
- Jason Bay didn't produce with the Mets, but he lived up to his billing as a hard worker and good teammate. Sherman expects the outfielder to take a low-salary, change of scenery deal (Twitter link).
- Mets officials think Scott Hairston will get a two-year deal worth between $8-10MM this winter.
Yankees prospect Mason Williams should be a Classical Gas.
The Diamondbacks better get a great (not just good) haul for Upton. Say what you will about him, but he’s got ridiculous natural talent and is still so young. With a change of scenario (and probably even without), this kid will win an MVP award sooner rather than later. He’s only one year removed from getting serious MVP consideration. He had a down year, but still put up respectable numbers. While I understand the Diamondbacks considering parting ways with him, I will not accept getting a mediocre package in return. Some team is willing to take the gamble and the Diamondbacks have to make them put all their chips in.
I don’t really understand the DBs desire to part ways with him.
In all liklihood Upton isn’t going anywhere. There are very few players in the league that match up to what KT and Company have been asking for for Upton. A single, true “impact” MLB player, or a load of 3-4 top-end prospects with at least one of those prospects having something close to “Upton-like” potential is likely the only way J-Up wears a new uniform next season.
The Dbacks have some very specific needs, and only a few teams match up with those needs. And even fewer of those teams seem to be willing to bite. If Upton were to go anywhere, it’s likely Boston or Texas, with Texas actually being the preferred destination from the point-of-view of the AZ front office.
Hunter is looking for 2 yrs, totalling $20mil? Sabean! Call him up!!
Myers better not get traded from the Royals for anyone below Price.
The Rays are interested in Justin Upton? BJ leaves and is replaced by his brother. I can’t see that happening. The cool thing would be to have both brothers playing together. That might generate some serious excitement.
see Amaro, Ruben.
Or go a little farther back and say Roland Hemond
I actually could see something like this happening. They just lost BJ Upton, their most productive offensive player last year, which is going to create a pretty big void in the lineup, despite (hopefully) getting a full year from Evan Longoria next year. Justin is cost controlled, but the Rays do have the pitching to part with to get a deal like this done without compromising pitching depth. Sure, a quality pitcher will be lost, but you’re filling a pretty big power/speed gap that will be gone next year when BJ’s not there.
I suspect the Rays are looking also loking at Goldschmidt and the very best of AZ’s prospects. Upton’s future salaries are very high for their organization, and I am unsure how much salary AZ would be permitted to absorb by the commissioner’s office
For Mariners, Myers yes (but it will never happen), Revere maybe, Hicks no. While they need a legitimate leadoff hitter (Dustin Ackley ain’t it), they really need THUMP, not another average/speed guy. Realistically, they should target Moustakas or Butler from KC, or Willingham from Minnesota. Hosmer’s regression in 2012 sets off too many alarms, and Morneau’s concussion problems are too scary.
Of course Bay will take a low salary, the Mets are paying him $21M to walk. If he wants to go back to the Sox, and will go for a low salary, then I think the Sox should give it a go. They could use him in left and keep a kid or two around to fill in here and there if Bay starts slow. Why not? It’s one less need that they have to worry about.
the yankees are in on no one. why even mention them???? they are falling apart plain and simple. they wont even win the division and be lucky to even make the post season. redsox were smart they got rid of the big contracts when the oppertunity presented it self. yankees had the same oppertunity. dodgers wanted ARod back in july (so they said back in september) and the yankees said no.
Ya the yankees had the best record in the AL last yr and the best offense in baseball, ya they are really falling apart.
People have been claiming the Yanks are getting old and they’re done since like 2005. Yet every year they are still one of the best teams in baseball.
They didn’t just want A-Rod, they wanted CC. What 1st palce team trades away their ace pitcher? (Although I do know a 1st place team that shut down their ace pitcher, but that’s not the same thing lol)
I’ll bet Arizona would love to get Profar. So would every other team in baseball.
Never going to happen for anybody less than a King Felix.
Except the Dbacks actually have enough talent to obtain Profar. The real question becomes, how bad do they want him?
Profar has proven nothing yet. Upton is a proven top talent.
I wouldn’t mind seeing seattle going after a low risk/high reward Jason Bay if they miss on hamilton, swisher and trades for other OF’s. He’d provide some veteran leadership to help the youngsters. His offense and defense can still be pretty good and if the M’s are seeming out of contention yet again and he preforms well, they can flip him for B-Level prospects.
I would love Hicks! Revere would be awesome! Either or, and I’d be happy. Twins are in dire need of young pitching prospects, so hand them Paxton and maybe either Capps or Pryor.
If the Mariners offer Pryor & Paxton the Twins should hand over Hicks in a heartbeat
Dear Mr. Ryan… Torii is looking for a 2 yr 20M deal… I hope you have had a discussion with him as the Twins clubhouse could use a winner like Torii. Sign Hunter to play RF this will make it easier for you to trade Willingham for pitching when his value is at its peak while allowing ‘the manager” to move Revere to LF. This will give you a solid OF that still has depth to trade, experience to play, and value!
Plus you should be able to attract a decent arm for the rotation for a couple of years with Willingham + prospect. I realize this might be easier said than done but I hope it has been considered.
the new soul patrol?