Headlines

  • Royals, Hunter Dozier Agree To Four-Year Extension
  • Giants, Scott Kazmir Agree To Minor League Deal
  • Kelvin Herrera Announces Retirement
  • Braves Extend Brian Snitker
  • Yankees Sign Justin Wilson
  • Braves Sign Jake Lamb
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Indians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • Last 100 Comments
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Gammons On Red Sox, Padres, Reds, Zobrist, Hamels, Relievers

By Steve Adams | July 20, 2015 at 1:40pm CDT

In his latest column at GammonsDaily.com, legendary journalist Peter Gammons writes that while we often get caught up in the fascination of which big names will be dealt, the best moves oftentimes look incremental at first glance. The Cubs’ acquisition of Jake Arrieta in 2013’s Scott Feldman trade wasn’t one of the most notable moves that year, but it’s been a coup for Chicago. Likewise, the three-team deal that sent Jose Iglesias to Detroit, Avisail Garcia/Frankie Montas to the White Sox and Jake Peavy to Boston was notable, but the impact of the deal looks far greater now than it did at the time. The Indians’ acquisition of Corey Kluber from the Padres in a three-team deal that sent Jake Westbrook to St. Louis and Ryan Ludwick to San Diego didn’t look particularly exciting, either, and the Giants have had huge success with additions like Javier Lopez and Marco Scutaro. All are good examples to keep in mind when looking at any trade that occurs over the next 11 days.

Some highlights from the rumors and rumblings that Gammons hears as the trade deadline nears…

  • The Red Sox were optimistic coming out of the break, but their offensive woes through two games have the team wondering about selling pieces of value from the big league roster. At the same time, however, the Sox haven’t ruled out Johnny Cueto or Cole Hamels. A Cueto acquisition seems particularly contradictory, given his status as a rental. However, Gammons notes that the Sox have considered the move, thinking that he could help them make a run and that a rental might give them an inside edge on signing him in free agency. Gammons is the second journalist to mention this today, as WEEI.com’s Rob Bradford offered a similar take earlier.
  • The Padres were taking bids on pending free agents during the All-Star break, but they’re wondering if improved pitching can carry them into relevancy late in the year. The Padres had an ERA over 4.00 as a team each month but are sitting at 2.93 through 113 2/3 July innings. It’s a small sample, of course, but the team’s talented rotation has underperformed for much of the year. (A suspect defensive alignment can’t have helped matters, of course.)
  • The Reds are the “primary seller to watch,” says Gammons, and as one GM points out, it’ll be somewhat unfamiliar territory for the club. “It’s not easy for them,” the GM told Gammons. “Walt Jocketty has been so successful over the years, he hasn’t had much experience with the sell mode. [Owner Bob] Castellini has been reluctant to pack it in.”
  • The Red Sox may have at one point discussed Cueto, but Gammons writes that the Astros are presently willing to rent the Cincinnati ace. The Royals could be in that boat as well, he adds.
  • Jeff Samardzija is another big rental name on the market, and while the White Sox are hesitant to sell, they expect him to test free agency and know that the Astros and Blue Jays are willing to rent. Gammons adds that the Blue Jays, in particular, have also expressed interest in both Ian Kennedy of the Padres and Mike Leake of the Reds.
  • The Dodgers make the most sense for Hamels, and while multiple reports have indicated that they won’t part with Corey Seager or Julio Urias, Gammons hears that they may be hesitant to move prospects in their next tier. Los Angeles is reluctant to part with either right-hander Jose De Leon or catcher Austin Barnes, per Gammons. An NL GM called Phillies president-in-waiting Andy MacPhail a “cautious, prudent trader” and noted that unlike Samardzija, Cueto, Leake, Kennedy and Scott Kazmir, Hamels doesn’t have to be traded right now.
  • The Royals, Nationals, Cubs, Mets, Yankees and Pirates are all in the mix for Ben Zobrist at this time.
  • Another GM told Gammons that there are “at least 16 teams” that are pursuing bullpen help. The Braves’ Jim Johnson is drawing quite a bit of interest, with the Blue Jays and Red Sox among the teams to reach out to Atlanta for the purpose of inquiry.
Share 20 Retweet 74 Send via email0

Austin Barnes Ben Zobrist Boston Red Sox Chicago Cubs Chicago White Sox Cincinnati Reds Cole Hamels Houston Astros Ian Kennedy Jeff Samardzija Johnny Cueto Jose De Leon Kansas City Royals Los Angeles Dodgers Mike Leake New York Mets New York Yankees Oakland Athletics Philadelphia Phillies Pittsburgh Pirates San Diego Padres Toronto Blue Jays Washington Nationals

Pitching Notes: Hamels, Cueto, Kazmir, Haren
Main
Red Sox Designate Sandy Leon For Assignment
20 comments
newest oldest

Comments

  1. joey

    6 years ago

    if the Dodgers are gonna go after Hamels, it should be an obvious trade-chip to include Alex Guerrero (along with getting him to waive his clauses so he can be a full time player with the Phillies for 16/17 then hit Free Agency having proven himself a starter). But if he stays in LA, its like keeping Ruth in Boston… this guy homers every 10-12 at bats. LET HIM!

    Like
    Reply
    • Steve Adams

      6 years ago

      Guerrero can become a free agent after the season if he’s traded. I don’t see any reason he’d waive that right to lock himself into $10MM total over the next two seasons. He could sign a one-year deal this winter and probably make something similar while positioning himself to hit free agency a year sooner.

      There’s no real incentive for the Phillies to ask for him in a trade.

      Like
      Reply
      • Matt Gavin

        6 years ago

        He’s already stated he would waive it for a starting role.

        Like
        Reply
        • Steve Adams

          6 years ago

          Guerrero hasn’t stated it, unless I completely missed that, in which case I’m misinformed. There’s been a report citing an anonymous source saying he’d consider it, but Guerrero’s a Scott Boras client as well. I have a difficult time seeing him advertise that he’d waive that right to get at-bats. Maybe it’s the case, but I have a difficult time envisioning Boras sacrificing that kind of leverage.

          Like
          Reply
          • BlueSkyLA

            6 years ago

            Here’s a reason he might: At the moment his market is as a glorified utility player, a role into which he is probably stuck for as long as he’s with the Dodgers. If he believes his value is as a regular, and we can be sure he and his agent do, then he has to get himself a starting assignment somewhere, and prove it. Sometimes you have to give up leverage to get leverage.

            Like
            Reply
  2. redrooster

    6 years ago

    Hamels may not HAVE to be traded right now, but the Phillies would be stupid to not trade him. His value isn’t going to get any higher.

    Like
    Reply
    • seamaholic

      6 years ago

      I don’t think this is accurate. Hamels is pitching poorly at the moment, and if you wait his deal gets more and more attractive. I think you get more frankly if you wait until the off-season.

      Like
      Reply
      • Vandals Took The Handles

        6 years ago

        Based on the money the name free agent pitchers will be getting this off-season, Hamels contract will be extremely reasonable by comparison.

        Like
        Reply
        • thecoffinnail

          6 years ago

          So, you view a 33 year old pitcher with more innings on his arm than Shields had at 33 should make more per season than Shields? Remember that Shields main drawbacks when he was fishing for a contract was that he was older (33) and had too many innings on his arm.. Hamels is a bit under market value this year but will be over market value moving forward when his arm crosses the 2000 inning plateau..

          Like
          Reply
          • redrooster

            6 years ago

            Cole is also WAY BETTER than Shields

            Like
            Reply
          • Hey Its Placido Polanco

            6 years ago

            For the record, 33-year old Cole Hamels will be 31 until December.

            Like
            Reply
      • flyerzfan12

        6 years ago

        As long as Cole is healthy, a few starts isn’t going to change how other teams view him. The longer the Phillies hold on to him, the riskier it gets. The last thing the Phillies need is Cliff Lee 2.0 happening.

        This off-season is probably the worst time to shop him, too many aces are available. If the Phillies fail to trade him before the deadline, then their best move is to wait til next year’s deadline. And in my eyes, holding him for another year is way too risky. If you’re getting no good offers, it’s one thing. But now is the time to move if you get a fair deal.

        And all of that is coming from a Phillies fan.

        Like
        Reply
        • redrooster

          6 years ago

          Yes and at next year’s trade deadline Cole will be one year older with 1 less year on his contract. I can’t see anyone offering more for him then than they would now. And as you mentioned, there’s always the risk that he gets injured between now and then.

          Like
          Reply
      • zxcx

        6 years ago

        When you put it like that, sure, I could see your point. But you’re also leaving out the fact that by waiting until the off season to shop him, you’re dealing with a crowded market of top end starters. On top of that, every bit of waiting means less team control for an acquiring team. If a team isn’t willing to give the haul the team really wants now, why would they feel inclined to do so in a few months? It’s not as if his value has really taken a hit because of a poor few starts.

        Like
        Reply
      • redrooster

        6 years ago

        So what if he’s pitching poorly right now? Everyone goes through rough patches and every team in baseball knows how good he really is. There’s no way they get more for him by waiting until the offseason. The deadline is when teams overpay for that needed piece to aid them in their playoff push and plenty of teams need a frontline starter right now. The demand for Hamels will be nowhere near as high in the offseason.

        Like
        Reply
      • mrkinsm

        6 years ago

        Why would anyone trade good prospects in the offseason when they can just buy a pitcher via FA? Teams always pay more in trades during the season. Not to mention he could blow out his arm next month and then they get nothing.

        Like
        Reply
        • Hey Its Placido Polanco

          6 years ago

          Because (A) he’s cost controlled, which is very important for the mid-market clubs and (B) just because you want to sign an available pitcher doesn’t mean he will sign with you.

          Like
          Reply
          • redrooster

            6 years ago

            You have a point but still, no one is going to offer as much prospect-wise during the offseason as they would at the deadline.

            Like
            Reply
  3. redrooster

    6 years ago

    Red Sox should just trade all their pending free agents and try to outbid everyone for Cueto in the offseason. Trading for him now won’t make him any more likely to sign with him in the offseason. He’s going to take the best offer he gets no matter what.

    Like
    Reply
  4. Lance

    6 years ago

    I doubt Astros fans were dancing in the Astrodome parking lot when Larry Anderson was sent to the Red Sox for Jeff Bagwell, either. :)

    Like
    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Royals, Hunter Dozier Agree To Four-Year Extension

    Giants, Scott Kazmir Agree To Minor League Deal

    Kelvin Herrera Announces Retirement

    Braves Extend Brian Snitker

    Yankees Sign Justin Wilson

    Braves Sign Jake Lamb

    Athletics Sign Mitch Moreland

    Yankees Re-Sign Brett Gardner

    Giants To Sign Jake McGee

    Mariners CEO Kevin Mather Resigns

    Recent

    Phillies Likely Done Spending For Now

    East Notes: Mets, Orioles, Nationals

    Royals, Hunter Dozier Agree To Four-Year Extension

    NL Notes: Willis, Syndergaard, Myers

    NL Central Notes: Contreras, Mikolas, Brewers

    Braves Report Major Revenue Drop, Operating Losses In 2020

    Tigers Sign Drew Hutchison To Minors Deal

    Blue Jays Acquire Travis Bergen From Diamondbacks

    Health Notes: Pham, File, Rodriguez, Reyes

    Minor MLB Transactions: 2/28/21

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Kris Bryant Rumors
    • Jackie Bradley Jr. Rumors
    • Jake Odorizzi Rumors
    • Taijuan Walker Rumors
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Indians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version