Mets GM Sandy Alderson indicated today that the trade landscape for bats is starting to take shape, as Mike Puma of the New York Post reports on Twitter. “The target market is just beginning to reveal itself,” said Alderson. New York’s most obvious needs seem to be on the left side of the infield, where the shortstop position continues to be a source of consternation and third bagger David Wright remains an uncertainty.
Here’s more from the NL East:
- Other teams believed the Phillies were nearing a deal involving closer Jonathan Papelbon at some point in June before putting talks on hold, Jayson Stark of ESPN.com reports (links to Twitter). Per Stark, there is a sense that the decision to pull back came from above GM Ruben Amaro Jr., with Philadelphia choosing to hold off when the Andy MacPhail hiring neared completion. Clubs that were in the conversation included the Blue Jays, Cubs, Rangers, and one of the Los Angeles franchises, according to the report. MLBTR recently posed the question on Instagram whether Papelbon or Francisco Rodriguez is the better closer target. Check it out to join the discussion.
- Phillies righty Jonathan Pettibone is set for another shoulder surgery, the club announced. The 24-year-old once seemed primed to function as a quality rotation piece, but has not pitched competitively since early last season.
- The Nationals are waiting to decide on a DL stint for center fielder Denard Span until he sees a back specialist tomorrow, Dan Kolko of MASNsports.com tweets. Span has been excellent when healthy, but continues to deal with a series of nagging injuries. The progress of this particular malady could play a significant role not only in his future free agent case, but also Washington’s motivation to land a player like Ben Zobrist to provide the team with options down the stretch. While Michael Taylor and Matt den Dekker are capable of playing center, the club is also dealing with the absence of Jayson Werth and several other injury and performance issues that could make an addition desirable.
You figure the Dodgers have Ethier, Pederson, Crawford, Van Slyke, Guerrero, Hernandez, Chris Heisey and Scott Schebler.
They could match up with the Mets in some capacity, especially with Bolsinger and Brandon Beachy seemingly in the rotation at the current moment.
Papelbon, Hamels and Harang all have to be traded by July 31st or it should be considered a failed trade deadline. Harang for sure, regardless of health should be traded for something. His health should dictate what he brings back. Papelbon basically has said he wants to leave to any good team that will take him. And Hamels is whats truly holding the rebuild up. The Phillies have 6 good prospects in Franco, Nola, Crawford, Eflin, Quinn and Randolph with guys like Luis Encarnicon, Tom Windle and Jesse Biddle in the “B” tier. Hamels should bring a top guy and 1 B level guy back, along with some MLB talent.
I wouldn’t mind something like Grant Holmes, Scott Schebler, Julian Leon and another decent piece for Hamels.
I can assure you the phillies have turned down way better packages than that for hamels.
Well from what we’ve heard, Joc Pederson, Urias, Seager, Betts, Swihart, Bogaerts, Owens, Schwarber, Russell, Severino, Judge, Marco Gonzalez and Joey Gallo are all off-limits, so… Im not sure they rejected a better package.
The only package we know for sure that was offered was Austin Hedges and Hunter Renfroe, and I wouldn’t call that a whole ton better.
By the way.. Grant Holmes was a top 100 prospect prior to the season, and Julian Leon is currently the 20th best prospect in baseball according to BA.
Thats jose de leon! A pitcher… not a catcher struggling in a ball like you said lol
Nobody trades for an injured player. Until he has 2-3 quality injury free starts Aaron Harang isn’t of interest to any team.
Forget Hamels . Go hard and give up Pederaon and Seager and the kid lefty for Harvey and Flores
Phils farm is getting better
2 prospects in the top 12 according to BA, plus Eflin, Quinn and Lively having good seasons and Randolph off to a good start in the GCL.
They set the bar pretty low.
Link is to the wrong Michael Taylor.
Love to hear the words of Sandy Alderson; Mets can put together a trade for a bat, perhaps taking a Wheeler, although injured, and using him in a deal for an outfield bat. Niese and Montero (not sure when he is expected to return, or maybe Mejia and Herrara to Cubs for Castro or Baez.
Castro has a negative WAR and is due a ton of money through 2019. Even if he had some positive value, there’s no way the Mets would take on his salary.
Agree, but the Mets need a shortstop or a second baseman. Castro can move to 2nd base, or you get Baez for Niese and Herrera.
Mejia and herrara doesnt even get baez…
The proposed deal was Neise and Herrera. Again Baez struggled, hence the reason he is back in minors.
Its a half season. Rizzo struggled, trout struggled, a rod struggled. Its 21 y.o kids. Doesnt mean anything. And look at o.p’s proposal.
There’s a difference between “struggled” and “struck out at a legendarily horrible rate”. Baez did the latter, and thus doesn’t deserve the hype he once had.
Joc pederson and kris bryant are striking out at 30% rates. When you hit the ball hard when you make contact you can make it work. He refined his approach this year before he got hurt.
Mejia being unable to pitch in the post season drastically reduces his market. Could be a nice piece for a rebuilding club, but only if they are 1-2 years out. His arb years will get expensive as he tallies up saves
I honestly think the jays won’t make the playoffs even if they trade off their future. They should look at a actually selling. Buehrle, Dickey,Estrada,Reyes, Colabello, Bautista, Navarro, Cecil and Encarnacion could net us some great prospects or young mlb ready talent. Keep Donaldson and Martin on the club to be leaders. Plus Martin can help mold our young pitchers into confident mlb ready pitchers. The jays have more tradable assets than any other team. We wouldn’t make the playoffs for a few more years but the games would be likely more exciting watching theses kid give it all they have vs a short stop that doesn’t dive or a firstbaseman that doesn’t run down the base line etc.
The fan base would go crazy if that happened. They are built to win now, not in the future. Toronto would not have traded for Donaldson if they wanted to win in 3-4 years. He would be nearing free agency then, and the Jays might not have a chance like they do now.