Brenda Branswell of the Montreal Gazette reports that a feasability study conducted by the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal and the Montreal Baseball Project suggests that a return to Montreal for MLB could be financially viable, given a set of realistic assumptions. Those assumptions include league average ticket prices and local broadcasting deal along with a "modest, but competitive payroll." The study estimated that the project would cost $1.025 billion — $525MM to acquire an existing team and $500MM to build a new stadium. Major League Baseball has deemed moving a team to the old Olympic Stadium to be an unacceptable scenario. Here's more from around the league …
- The Orioles are looking at trade possibilities involving third baseman Danny Valencia, reports Jen Royle of the Boston Herald (via Twitter). Dealing Valencia could free a 40-man slot for a new addition, though he had figured to provide some insurance as Manny Machado recovers from knee surgery. The 29-year-old has seen scattered MLB action since a mediocre stint as the Twins' everyday third bagger in 2011. In 170 plate appearances last year for the Orioles, he had a nice .304/.330/.553 slash line to go with eight long balls.
- As the Giants attempt to clear 40-man roster space for Michael Morse, they're pursuing minor trade ideas, Comcast SportsNet Bay Area's Andrew Baggarly tweets. Henry Schulman, meanwhile, tweets that one such minor trade could involve 1B/OF Brett Pill. The Brewers had previously shown interest in Pill, Schulman notes. The Morse signing is likely to become official tomorrow.
- The Braves turned their attention to Gavin Floyd only after ruling out the possibility of trading for Jeff Samardzija, MLB.com's Mark Bowman tweets. In addition to Floyd, the Braves also looked at Edinson Volquez (who eventually went to the Pirates), Chris Capuano, and Bruce Chen.
- Multiple teams have made offers to Jesse Crain, who is deciding if he wants to aim for a one- or two-year deal on the free agent market, reports Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (Twitter links). Presumably, Crain is weighing whether or not to take the security of a two-year deal or gamble on re-establishing his value on a one-year pact.
- With many second base options flying off the board, it's looking more and more like Ryan Goins will get a real chance as the Blue Jays' everyday second baseman in 2014, writes Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet. Nicholson-Smith runs down some of the remaining keystone options for Toronto GM Alex Anthopoulos to pursue.
- Jordany Valdespin has changed agencies, leaving ACES for Metis Sports Management, reports MLBTR's Tim Dierkes (on Twitter).
Steve Adams and Charlie Wilmoth contributed to this post.
Huh? Valencia? Why come the O’s no fill needed roster spots? This makes no sense. I really hope Duquette has a grand plan with a positive outcome for the O’s.
Depending on what Crain wants, it may do well of the White Sox to take a flyer on him as he was pretty good before the injury. Just would not give him too much
Does anyone actually want valdespin?
After all his issues this year, I doubt it’s his agency not getting him work…
Why would you assume that is why he changed agencies?
Several of the players who were suspended as a result of Biogenesis have left ACES too.
Melky Cabrera
Everth Cabrera
Nelson Cruz
Jordan Norberto
Jhonny Peralta
The Levinson brothers could be cutting ties with these clients as a way to reduce the stigma, The clients may just want a fresh start with a new agent not previously tied to the biogenesis scandal, or it could possibly be a mutual feeling to part ways.
That isn’t what I assumed.
I am saying I don’t think it’s the agencies fault he hasn’t found work yet (if that was the case).
I hope the Giants dont trade away Pill. He has good minor league numbers, but has never seen enough playing time to justify his mediocre major league numbers.
If we can get something decent for him, why not? He has nowhere to play for the next several years.
The Giants aren’t getting anything decent for him. they’re throwing him away.
They have to clear space somehow, and Pill is completely expendable. They probably won’t get anything notable for him, but that’s because he’s just not very good. He’s a 29-year-old backup first-baseman/emergency outfielder with little power and a low BB rate.
He can’t hit breaking balls well. That’s his major problem. And the reason why he has good numbers in the minors while he hadn’t much success in the big leagues besides a few bombs. The Giants know that and I would not mind trading him to someone else for little return.
If the Brewers trade for Pill they better not give anything back in return. Pill’s # in the PCL at age 27-28 are not that great for that league. Hunter Morris’s # are similar minus the BA.
If the Brewers trade for Pill they better not give anything back in return. Pill’s # in the PCL at age 27-28 are not that great for that league. Hunter Morris’s # are similar minus the BA.
I can’t imagine Montreal ever getting another baseball team. Blame Loria all you want but nobody ever came out for Expos games, even when they were good. I would think the next canadian city in line would be Vancouver; maybe get a rivalry going with Seattle. And the A’s are prime candidates to relocate so you wouldn’t have to realign the divisions.
Not that I care if Vancouver or anyone else gets a baseball team. I just don’t think Montreal deserves another chance. Maybe start them off with a minor league team and see if they draw.
So apparently the Cubs asked for a PACKAGE that centered on either Jason Heyward or Justin Upton in exchange for Samardzija. Can’t blame them for aiming high, but I would have loved to see/hear how that offer went down.