The latest installment of Jon Heyman’s weekly Inside Baseball column is up over at CBS Sports, and Heyman begins by addressing the Troy Tulowitzki trade talk that has once again surfaced. Heyman, like many others, feels the time has arrived for the marriage between Tulo and the Rockies to come to an end, but neither Tulowitzki or owner Dick Monfort wants to appear to be the “bad guy” in the situation. Heyman hears that Tulowitzki would prefer to play for the Yankees, Giants, Dodgers or Angels if he is traded, though one person who knows the shortstop well told Heyman that he may ok with the Mets, Cardinals and Red Sox as well. Tulowitzki’s preferred destination is largely a moot point though, as his contract doesn’t have a no-trade clause. Heyman notes that in a year’s time, Tulowitzki will receive 10-and-5 rights, allowing him to veto any deal. That reality only furthers Colorado’s need to move Tulowitzki, Heyman opines. Heyman also lists 11 clubs that he could see making some degree of sense for the face of the Rockies’ franchise.
Some more highlights from a lengthy but always-informative column…
- The Cubs “may consider” Rafael Soriano at some point as a means of lengthening their bullpen, according to Heyman. I’d note that while the team has looked a bit thin beyond Hector Rondon and Pedro Strop, the Cubs just got Justin Grimm back from the disabled list and likely won’t be without Neil Ramirez for too much longer.
- Astros top prospect — and arguably the top prospect in all of MLB — Carlos Correa could be up to the Majors within three weeks, one Houston source estimated to Heyman. Also of note on the Astros front, he writes that a pursuit of Cole Hamels would appear to be a long shot, but Scott Kazmir (Houston native) and Clay Buchholz are names to keep an eye on for Houston, should either become available.
- Kyle Lohse seems like a natural candidate to be traded this offseason, but the Brewers are particularly interested in shedding Matt Garza’s contract. The right-hander is guaranteed $12.5MM in 2015 and will earn the same rate in each of the following two seasons. Neither pitcher, however, has been particularly impressive for Milwaukee.
- Jean Segura is one of the players that the Brewers have the least interest in trading, but Heyman hears that the Padres would be interested, should Brewers GM Doug Melvin entertain offers. San Diego likes Alexi Amarista but prefers to use him in a utility role rather than as a starter.
- Rival teams seriously doubt that the Mets would ever consider parting ways with Noah Syndergaard, but there’s “a little hope” that the team could be persuaded to part with highly touted left-hander Steven Matz in a trade. Heyman adds that the Mets are going to remain patient with Wilmer Flores as their shortstop for the time being.
- It’s been reported that Yunel Escobar wanted no part of playing with Oakland, and Heyman hears that the reasoning was as simple as the fact that Escobar is very particular when it comes to geographical preferences and wanted to remain on the East coast. A trade to the Nationals accomplished that goal.
- The clause in Alex Guerrero’s contract that allows him to opt out of his deal and elect free agency at season’s end, if he is traded, hinders his trade value. That shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, but given the presence of Guerrero and the versatile Justin Turner, Juan Uribe could end up as a summer trade candidate for the Dodgers.
- In some agency news, Heyman reports that Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius will now be represented by Casey Close of Excel Sports Management — the agent for Gregorius’ predecessor, Derek Jeter. Gregorius had previously been repped by the Wasserman Media Group.
Imagine Tulo on the Dodgers. Dear god. I know we don’t need him at all, but I mean we’re the Dodgers.
Rather keep Seager. Tulo is proven, but man, not sure how high this payroll can go.
Beer is already $15 at Dodger stadium, getting Tulo would mean a $12 Dodger dog haha
That contract is such a boat anchor, and not so much the cost (which the Dodgers could afford) but the fact that it extends through his age 35 season.
It’s well below market value. The opposite of a boat anchor. A buoy, perhaps. Or a life preserver, if thrown to the currently free-falling Mets.
5 years/ 98 million, maybe slightly below market in LA, NY, or Bos.
That’s not how “market” value works, friend. In order to be worth that, he’d have to put up basically two seasons’ worth of his current performance level to date. So three free seasons, basically.
That isn’t how baseball works. In order to be worth whatever he is paid, he has to be more productive than the alternatives. The issue in particular is the probability of him being productive in the out years of his contract, which I would say is the last two (ages 34 and 35).
Whether it’s above or below market value doesn’t interest me and I doubt it would concern the Dodgers much one way or another. The problem is the number of years, particularly for a player who has bounced on and off the DL quite a bit.
$20mil a year well into his 30s for a guy who has only 3 healthy years in his career.
Yup can’t see how this could horribly wrong.
Gee, Garza not doing all to well. Never mind he’s rattled off 4 straight quality starts. Amazing how quickly a starter with his history would just be deemed not worth much because of first 3 starts in a season
For some reason Mr. Adams has been down on Garza all year. Red Sox would love to have a starter on a streak of 4 quality starts. Garza’s the same guy he’s always been and that’s a middle of the rotation starter. In this day and age, those guys are worth $12.5 million per season.
Unless youre porcello haha
sadly … i think tulo will end up a yankee
I doubt it. I doubt Cashman wants to part with the prospects necessary to get it done especially given Tulo’s lengthy injury history.
I disagree, the yankees have shown a willingness that they will do what it takes to field the best roster. Also, maybe the asking price comes down if the Yankees will take on his entire contract.
With the luxury tax it could cost the Yankees over $30M a year for him.
Love Tulowitzki, but don’t think so.
I dont think money is the issue , I honestly dont. Especially with some big contracts coming off the books shortly.
You look at the recent trades the Yankees have made, they haven’t acquired any brand name players or cost them high end prospects:
Brandon McCarthy was having a horrible year with the Diamondbacks and cost them only Vidal Nuno, who was regarded as a back-end rotation guy.
Martin Prado cost them Peter O’Brien, a minor league with one major league tool (power) who seemed highly unlikely to stick at catcher (in fact, the D’Backs are moving him to the outfield) and was behind Gary Sanchez, John Ryan Murphy and Austin Romine on the Yankees’ minor league depth chart at catcher.
Stephen Drew was swapped for Kelly Johnson, who was equally under-performing.
Chasen Shreve and David Carpenter were acquired for Manny Banuelos, a former top prospect but whose development had been delayed by TJS.
Didi Gregorius was acquired at the cost of Shane Greene, who also was not considered to be a top prospect, more of a rotation filler type.
Nathan Eovaldi, Garret Jones and power arm prospect Domingo German cost them David Phelps and Martin Prado.
All these deals have one thing in common: in no case did the Yankees give up a top prospect.
Nowhere did they acquire someone of tulowitzkis caliber though.
Because they didn’t want to part with their top prospects. Clearly, they went bargain shopping. If they had wanted to bring in a name, they probably could have offered Aaron Judge, Luis Severino and Gary Sanchez and that probably (with some minor pieces) would have landed Cole Hamels from the Phillies.
That wouldnt get hamels, san diego offered a package of hedges and renfroe and amaro said no. If that was said no to, the phils wouldnt want a few decent prospects. They want elite ones.
I don’t think Kazmir is a good fit in H town.
why?
because he’s lifetime 4+ era, only pitched 200 innings once, his post season numbers are horrible, .. oh- he costs $13 MILLION!
Totally agree. Buchholz though is worth the risk.
Health hasn’t been much of an issue with him since rejoining the league back in 2013, and Kazmir has evolved much more as a pitcher since he last pitched in the playoffs (2009.) So who knows how he pitches in the postseason if he gets that chance again.
Buchholz costs $12 million this year. Kazmir has a 3.66 ERA since the start of the 2013 season. Since the start of the 2014 season he has a 3.16 ERA. Buchholz has a 4.08 ERA since the start of the 2013 season. Since the start of the 2014 season he has a 5.25 ERA. You say he only has one 200 IP season, true however Clay has ZERO. Clay is more injury prone than Kazmir is, especially in the past few years. Not to mention Kazmir has a 186 and 190 IP season as well while Clay only has a 189 and some 170’s. I would take Kazmir all day if given the choice. Or your team could cough up some prospects and get Hamels, who is better than both of them probably combined.
Steve, what did you hear about Neil Ramirez’s injury? I remember the Cubs being concerned that it was a serious injury when it happened, but I never heard an update on a diagnosis.
Mr. Adams’ statement was pure speculation. Ramirez just completed another bullpen session in extended spring training but no time table has even been given for when he could pitch in a game down in Az let alone when he’ll be ready to return to the show.
‘Kyle Lohse seems like a natural candidate to be traded this *season,’
He a naturally finished ,Velocity down , Pitches up! = ERA above Seven Plus .
I mean, he hasn’t looked all that good, but his HR rate is off the charts and you’d have to expect that to regress to career norms. Not to mention the 8 inning, 2-hit shutout he just spun tonight, which brought his ERA down more than a full point from that 7+ you mentioned to 5.85, showing just how small a sample size 8 starts is and how silly it is to judge him based on them. Also, what’s this nonsense about his velocity being down? His average fastball velocity, since 2010: 89.6, 88.9, 89.6, 89.8, 89.5, 89.6 (this year).
Velocity down? He was hitting 92 last night. Speaking of last night you might want to check his line: 8 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 8 K, 1 BB. Lohse, like Garza is basically the same guy he’s been in recent years and that’s a solid starter. He’s been burned by the long ball, and truth be known a couple balls the Mets hit to straightaway CF would have been HR in Miller Park, but his WHIP is a more than ok, 1.20. A team with a spacious park like the Dodgers or the Cardinals could certainly use a savvy vet like Lohse or Garza.
Velocity is the same and all his peripherals are the same or better than normal. All except his HR/9 rate. So once he gets out of his slump and locates the ball he will be back to normal. Last night looked like the typical Lohse.
The reason I say ‘this season’ is because he will be a FA at seasons end. So I have no idea how the Brewers will trade him in the offseason unless they resign him.
would be cool to see what tulo could do with the angels. They could use that bat for sure, but they already have an everyday shortstop. adding that kind of power would help that lineup bigtime, however you have to imagine that artie’s fingers are a bit burned right now…
Giants have dodger money
They also likely don’t want Tulo, just like the Dodgers.
The mets do not need to trade matz for tolu. They are building something nice their with the staff they have. Tulo contract is crazy for a guy who does not play a full season , let it ride out with Wilmer and see how that plays out. When you can have a pitching staff of HARVEY degrom wheeler Noah and matz, omg that will be crazy. They can use montero, fulmer and what ever else to use as trade bait for a bat. Don’t mess this core uo for years to come, please don’t.