If the Twins are able to work out a contract with Korean first baseman Byung-ho Park, the Angels are expected to pursue a trade of third baseman Trevor Plouffe, assuming their third base vacancy hasn’t already been filled by that time, tweets Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register. The Twins are intrigued by some of the Angels’ power bullpen arms, including Cam Bedrosian, Fletcher further reports. As he notes, the Twins wouldn’t part with Plouffe solely for Bedrosian, though the Angels certainly have other pieces that could entice Minnesota.
A few more notes pertaining to the trade market as executives discuss swaps at the 2015 GM Meetings…
- Nationals GM Mike Rizzo says that he’s yet to receive any inquiries on right-hander Stephen Strasburg but has received calls on both Drew Storen and Jonathan Papelbon (via Jon Morosi of FOX Sports (Twitter link). James Wagner of the Washington Post, however, adds (via Twitter) that Rizzo says he won’t move either reliever unless he receives a “real baseball offer.” Many have speculated that the Nats will sell low on Papelbon following his altercation with Bryce Harper and will be forced to do the same with Storen after the Papelbon acquisition strained his relationship with the team. Rizzo’s comments, on the surface, suggest that that’s not the case, though he clearly wouldn’t come right out and say he was looking to move either right-hander.
- The Rangers are receiving interest in both center fielder Leonys Martin and oft-injured shortstop prospect Jurickson Profar, GM Jon Daniels told reporters, including Stefan Stevenson of the Fort Worth Star Telegram and Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News (links to Twitter). Daniels notes that teams are looking to buy low on both players, though, which isn’t an ideal time to deal a formerly valuable asset. Grant notes that Profar, in particular, is still viewed highly by the organization.
- The Rays are receiving considerable trade interest in both Brad Boxberger and Jake McGee, tweets Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, but the general sense is that they’d need to be offered “a LOT” for the Rays to deal either reliever. Boxberger is not yet arbitration eligible, so it makes sense that Tampa Bay would value him very highly. However, with McGee slated to earn $4.7MM in arbitration this year (via MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz), one can imagine the cost-conscious Rays being reasonably open to offers on McGee.
Have the GM meeting begun? I am confused.
Yes, it’s Monday through Thursday this week.
Yeah, this is sort of like the preliminary meetings, where the GMs lay the groundwork for the trades that will mostly take place during the “real” winter meetings in December.
I just love Plouffe so bring him to San Diego Preller if you guys are planning to keep Gyorko at SS and move Solarte to 2b, or just bring him in to take over 1b, or just bring him in and figure it out as you go.
Plouffe is garbage. Should just put a minor league player at 3rd to save the prospect for someone better.
3.9 WAR in 2014 and 2.5 WAR in 2015 isn’t “garbage.” PLouffe is a solid player.
Ya he’s MLB worthy
Definitely not garbage
Plouffe would be a nice upgrade for the angels at third instead of re-signing freese. Or they sign Uribe for cheap.
Take bedrosian pleaseee!!
Angels don’t want to part with Bedrosian? He is one of the worse pitchers we have.. Shades of Justin Speier
Get LeMahieu from the Rockies. Left handed bat. Has played 3rd base. Good bunter and would be cheaper.
LaMahieu bats right handed and bunting is for utility players. But aside from those things LaMahieu is a great player
The market seems pretty thin on available 3B. I’d prefer the Twins to not trade Plouffe, but if they can capitalize on the thin market and get a haul that would be nice.
The last two years Plouffe has been hanging around that top 10, top 15 area as far as 3B. That could definitely bring back something nice…or it should at least.
2014 was stronger than 2015, but still he’s a 3B with mid-grade power and average or better defense. He takes a lot of crap around here but I’ve never quite figured out why. Considering how much praise Eduardo Escobar gets, it’s kind of weird Plouffe doesn’t get recognition for holding down 3B which has been a revolving door since Koskie left.
Santiago Bedrosian for Plouffe could work
Throw in Suzuki then at least the Angels can get a good player out of it
Bedrosian for a bag of peanuts
Does anyone think it’s possible that the Mets could pull off Kevin Plawecki for Jake McGee? Fits needs for both teams and the Rays just got a left hander (Furbish) in the M’s deal.
I still think Pagan for Papelbon is a good trade for both ends.