The Mets expect that they’ll receive calls on righty Matt Harvey, but have no intentions of discounting his trade value based on the recent shutdown controversy, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports. Harvey is reportedly displeased with some statements from the front office, per Heyman, though it’s far from clear whether there will be any long-term ramifications from the flare-up.
That’s just one of many interesting notes in a column that is chock full of information. Here are some more notable items:
- Also in the news recently, of course, is outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, who has thrived with the Mets and just tweaked his contract to make a re-signing possible. Heyman says that the movement on that front was generated by Cespedes’s side, with the team readily agreeing to the proposal. Steve Adams and I discussed this on Thursday’s edition of the MLBTR Podcast, generally agreeing that he’s unlikely to return despite that agreement given other needs and the presence of Curtis Granderson, Michael Conforto, Juan Lagares, and Michael Cuddyer. But Heyman hears that New York is “expected to make a serious play” for the soon-to-be free agent. Certainly, that’s an important open market storyline to watch this fall and winter. Despite the presence of several other highly-regarded players on the coming market, Heyman says a deal of $175MM (or even more) for the Cuban star would not be surprising.
- The Red Sox’ GM hiring appears to be wide open, with Heyman writing that Diamondbacks senior VP of baseball operations De Jon Watson presents one possibility from another organization and AGM Mike Hazen could be an internal option. Other names that have come up include the frequently-mentioned Frank Wren and Brewers VP of amateur scouting Ray Montgomery.
- There is a “prevailing belief” that Reds GM Walt Jocketty will keep his position, says Heyman, though manager Bryan Price seems somewhat more likely to lose his job after a rough season. On the other hand, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale did suggest today on Twitter that Jocketty could be shifted into an advisory role, with Cincinnati hiring a new general manager.
- Yankees GM Billy Eppler is seen as the favorite to take the GM position with the Angels, says Heyman. Rangers GM Thad Levine could also get a long look, per the report.
- The Phillies’ GM position just opened, of course, and Heyman says it will be in high demand among young executives — not only because of Philadelphia’s resources, but because the new general manager could be handed fairly broad authority. Possible names have been filtering out since even before Ruben Amaro Jr. was let go, and Heyman lists Angels AGM Matt Klentak, Giants scouting director John Barr, Royals AGM J.J. Piccolo, and the aforementioned Levine as some of the possibilities.
- Fans calling for the Braves to replace manager Fredi Gonzalez may not get their wish, says Heyman. Gonzalez is “said to be in no jeopardy,” per the report.
- The Tigers have a lot of work to do under new GM Al Avila, and Heyman says their “winter wish list” includes an outfielder — possibly Cespedes, though he may be too expensive, along with two starters and several bullpen arms. Detroit expects to plunk down some cash in the offseason, he adds.
- It’s always seemed likely that the Blue Jays would pick up their $12MM option over veteran righty R.A. Dickey, and Heyman says that is highly likely as things stand. Toronto will also at least attempt to retain lefty David Price, who has obviously been outstanding (even by his lofty standards) since being acquired at the deadline.
- The Dodgers will likely extend lefty Brett Anderson a qualifying offer. The 27-year-old has been well worth the $10MM that Los Angeles paid him this year, putting up a 3.36 ERA over 158 innings — his highest tally since his rookie campaign way back in 2009. Given his age and the fact that he has a nice platform to work from, it would seem likely that Anderson will decline a QO (if extended), though he’ll face a crowded market.
- Padres president Mike Dee tells Heyman that the organization is frustrated, but has good relationships in its upper front office and is looking forward rather than looking back at last winter. San Diego will need to make a permanent decision with its field staff, and is said to be undecided on whether to retain interim skipper Pat Murphy.
- Meanwhile, the Padres are assessing “whether to tweak or completely retool” its roster. Interestingly, Melvin Upton has played well enough that he could end up with a regular role as a platoon partner in center alongside Travis Jankowski. San Diego will face a somewhat difficult decision on whether to make starter Ian Kennedy a qualifying offer, but it appears the organization is leaning towards doing so.
I just can’t see any team forfeiting a draft pick for Brett Anderson. He’s thrown a little over 2 full seasons worth of innings the last 6 years
Yeah Brett Anderson should take QO if offered. 60% raise not bad
The Mets gave one up for Cuddyer. After that, I gave up ruling anything out regarding the QO.
True, that was pretty stunning, though keep in mind just the year before that, Drew was not signed til last July after he was offered one, and Nelson Cruz didn’t sign until February and for less money than the QO with Baltimore.
True. This will be year four of the QO. Agents/teams are finally starting to figure out what effect it’ll have on players.
I think he’s probably got a good shot at a 3/45 type deal if he signs early on in the offseason. 4 seems a bit unrealistic given the injury history. Remember, part of what hurt players like Cruz and Santana (the first time around) was their price tags were astronomical until past the point where any team was interested in paying anything close to what they originally wanted.
Yeah, you never know when a person is going to break a finger again. Those things are practically contagious.
At this point, I’m all for any candidate for Red Sox GM who isn’t named Frank Wren. I’d rather have them give the job to Bobby Valentine. He may not even be GM, but he didn’t sign B.J. Upton so that puts him ahead in my book.
The flexibility to offer a QO is just another advantage having a printing press for money int he back office affords the Dodgers. Given his injury history, it’s not likely that a bunch of teams are lining up to give him a multi-year deal anyway, so with the QO tacked on to him, he’s pretty much a lock to come back to the club. And chances are they’ll be in a position to do it again next year too if he has anything resembling a productive 2016.
He’s having too good of a season to decline. If his ERA was closer to his FIP, I’d agree, but he’s had a great year and someone will sign him.
Except no one ever has accepted a qualifying offer. Pretty good chance Anderson wants a multi year deal and there’s a pretty good chance he’ll get one.
Fire Freddie damnit. This is ridiculous. He’s terrible. I understand we want to be bad next year too, but jeez this is torture. Its not like this dude is new, we have been asking to fire him for something like 4 years now. I trust the FO but they are torturing us.
Seriously? The Padres are leaning towards making Kennedy a $16 million pitcher? That is completely and utterly ludicrous. He made far more money this season that he has been worth.His WAR is a 0.5 meaning he has been worth about $3.5 million this season. His ERA is 3.99 and his FIP is a horrendous 4.65. Let him walk. It’s one of the the best and the biggest crop of FA starting pitchers in history this offseason. SOMEONE is available for $16 million per that is better than Kennedy.
There are several other factors. For one, since Preller didn’t just trade Kennedy at the deadline, he really has no choice but to extend him a QO. For two, Kennedy has a sub-3 ERA since June started. For three, there are worse players out there who have received and rejected a QO and a few worse players who are expected to receive and reject one this offseason. For four, the QO may be $16m, but it’s also just a one-year deal. MLB free agents want long-term job security. For five, Kennedy’s agent is Scott Boras. There’s no way he’ll let Kennedy take the QO. For six, only the weak-minded care about FIP.
I hate to be one of those fans, but Harvey, or whoever in his camp is leaking info like he’s ‘displeased with some statements from the front office’, needs to stop talking and just play. I don’t have any issues with his general statements (unlike scores of Mets fans and the entire NY media), but the timing on this isn’t good. The Mets are playing great and the fans and the team are excited about the postseason. Save it for the offseason or do it behind closed doors. The only reason the front office even made the statements that he’s allegedly displeased with is because Boras made it all public in a miscalculated move.
Of course, this story could just be Heyman kicking up dirt of his own volition, though.
Trying to think what Harvey would fetch on the trade block. The typical prospect deal doesn’t help the 2016 Mets, I don’t think one of the few young controllable SS in the league worthy of an ace caliber pitcher gets dealt for Harvey alone.
Moncada would be a great start and Dombrowski has already stated he wants a number one. If the Mets are going in on Céspedes, they should strongly consider moving Harvey to bring in cheap, cost-controlled impact talent.
> Yankees GM Billy Eppler
Well…
It’s ok.