Here are the latest notes from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports:
- The Rangers and Nationals had trade talks involving Stephen Strasburg over the winter, per Rosenthal. Nothing ever came close to getting done in those “wide-ranging” talks, in which Steven Souza (later dealt to the Rays) and Jurickson Profar (later scratched for the season) also came up. It’s not clear from the report what kind of scenarios were considered. Looking forward, it remains to be seen whether there will be any consideration given this winter to a deal involving the 27-year-old righty. Strasburg’s value is down, due both to an inconsistent 2015 season and to the fact that he now has only one season left before hitting free agency, but it’s still hard to imagine the Nats letting him go unless the return was rather significant.
- The Braves could line up a pursuit of outfielder Yoenis Cespedes in free agency, a source tells Rosenthal. While it’s not hard to see the appeal — he’s a power bat at a position of need, and could line up with the team’s timetable for contention — such a move would still rate as a surprise. Atlanta only just got out from under the ill-fated Melvin Upton contract, which showed the risk of such a free agent signing given the team’s recent payroll restrictions, and Cespedes could well cost twice or more what Upton did ($75MM).
- Early returns on the summer trade hauls of the Phillies and Brewers have been positive. There is some nice buzz around Philadelphia’s system, especially with all the depth its added in recent months and the intriguing players that came over for Cole Hamels and Jake Diekman. Meanwhile, Milwaukee’s return for Carlos Gomez and Mike Fiers has looked rather compelling, with Domingo Santana raking in his early MLB action and the trio of other players finishing strong at Double-A. (Remember: the key player in that deal, Brett Phillips, joined the MLBTR Podcast just after being swapped, as did righty Zach Davies, who is now in the big leagues after being acquired for Gerardo Parra.)
- Mets VP of player development and scouting Paul DePodesta has been plugging away at that post for five years, and the fruits of his labors are now showing at the big league level. Rosenthal reports that the former Dodgers general manager “would consider returning to a GM’s role” with another organization, if the circumstances were right, though many still believe he’ll ultimately take over in New York for Sandy Alderson at some point.
Nationals are due for a radical makeover. The chemistry on that team is abysmal. Wouldn’t rule any moves out.
I agree, Harper is a egoistical young man, him and Paps are carbon copies.
Harper isn’t a bad clubhouse guy. He wasn’t well liked his first couple years because he thought he was entitled to superstar treatment from the beginning. He’s not a problem in the clubhouse now.
Paps was the final poison pill for that locker room, dude is insufferable.
Papelbon was never bad in the club house in Philadelphia. Not sure where that came from. He was praised by his fellow relievers in the pen. His problem was in the media and with the front office.
I was just around literally half of the Nats team out together in St. Louis 2 weeks ago. I think this is nothing more than your typical narrative for under performing teams.
Before the year began I pegged the Braves for landing Cespedes, but after the year he has had I just can’t see it anymore.
Lot of $, but the Braves will have plenty of it after 2016 (Or should) So as long as it doesnt get carried away, I say at least try for it. Olivera, Freeman, and Cespedes would be a good start. I dont see why the Brewers wouldnt trade Lucroy for the right package. That would be a good start to a good lineup. Just need some of these young pitchers to live up to the hype.
Their new stadium and cashflow should be worrisome for others in the NL East (particularly the Mets). I know it is still a year away, but I can see them locking down some talent this year if it fits their plan.
It would also be great to see Cespedes develop into somewhat of a cult-hero in NYM lore (depending on what he does in the playoffs), him restructure his deal so that NYM could possibly re-sign him, then ATL signs him for the Mets to face 20 games a year. Let’s get this rivalry back on. I want Yoenis to name his kid, Citi, after what he does against NYM.
You’re telling me my team’s rotation going into next year could have been Darvish/Hamels/Holland/Strasburg/whoever ??? JD, please make this happen.
The Stras rumor came last offseason, before the Hamels deal. When they realize that Stras was a no-go, they probably went for Hamels.
I think you confused Hamels with Gallardo. Hamels was acquired at the trade deadline. Gallardo was acquired mid-January. The Hamels deal could have happened regardless of which one was acquired.
Strasburg wouldn’t have been worth the price tag to acquire him then and definitely isn’t now.
Depends whether you think you can extend him. Guy struggled because of non-arm related injuries. Will likely rebound pretty well in 2016