Let’s take a look in at the latest reporting from Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, who touched upon several notable stories today (all via his Inside Baseball column, except as otherwise noted):
- The Dodgers have had contact with free agent righty Ryan Madson, Heyman says. The veteran, who enjoyed a remarkable turnaround last year, could be one of several options as Los Angeles looks to beef up its pen.
- The Mariners have long said that re-signing Hisashi Iwakuma is a priority, and GM Jerry Dipoto reaffirmed that stance only days ago. Heyman writes that the club is “willing to go to around $24 million or so over two years” for the accomplished veteran. It’s not entirely clear whether there’s any willingness to go beyond that amount, but it seems a bit light for a pitcher of Iwakuma’s ability. (MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes predicts a three-year, $45MM deal for the righty.)
- Pirates first baseman Pedro Alvarez would welcome a trade, writes Heyman. It’s been known for awhile that Alvarez is on the block due to his rising arbitration salary, poor glove and struggles with left-handed pitching. The Pirates almost certainly don’t want to pay Alvarez his projected $8.1MM salary next season and could very well non-tender him next week if they can’t find a taker. Heyman notes that the Orioles make some sense, and I’d add the Athletics as a speculative fit also. He’s probably best off with an AL club where he can DH, but it’s also fun to think of the power numbers Alvarez could log at Coors Field.
- The Cardinals are among the most interested teams in Ben Zobrist and have reached out to his representatives at Octagon, reports Heyman. Zobrist was linked to the Cardinals last week, and Heyman notes that there are as many as 20 teams believed to have interest in the versatile switch-hitter. Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch tweets that the Cardinals are indeed in the mix, but it remains to be seen whether they can sell Zobrist on a super-utility role (an “uber-role,” as Goold terms it). Zobrist’s preference is reportedly to play second base.
- While the Orioles are prioritizing an effort to bring back Chris Davis, the club has legitimate interest in outfielder Alex Gordon. Meanwhile, Heyman says that he’d be surprised if the club pursues Gerardo Parra as a corner outfield option, since “they weren’t all that impressed by him” over the last several months.
- The Royals may be “willing to at least talk” with the reps of backstop Salvador Perez about “reworking” his early-career extension. That contract has become almost comically team-friendly since it was signed — a reflection of both the significant risk taken on by the team at the time and the extent to which Perez has rewarded that trust. It’s not entirely clear what kind of scenario could be pursued, but all indications are that Kansas City would be bargaining from a position of strength.
- There’s at least “a bit” of contact between the Angels and free agent third baseman David Freese, says Heyman. A reunion continues to appear possible, though the club will likely look to see how some other market possibilities play out before committing to the veteran.
With a system that’s bare, and way too many holes to fill the Orioles should just rebuild. Sign Machado to an extension and deal just about everyone else.
Orioles can’t afford to do a full blown rebuild with the Nationals a couple of blocks away.
The Orioles really do have a barren farm system. There are only two ways to stay competitive: spend or rebuild.
Considering they don’t have a ton of cash or prospects, I say rebuild.
Angels- Hwang or Freeze that is the question. Trevor Plouffe Isn’t worth Gott. Angels better sign Kenta maeda.
You are right, Plouffe is worth more than Gott.
I love Gott, but it would take more than that to score Plouffe.
I would not trade Gott for Plouffe, I would try to give the twins Bedrosion or somebody else.
You’ve got to give something to get something. Why would they ever take Bedrosian for Plouffe?
Agreed. Bedrosion is never going to pan out as a big leaguer and is worth nothing
Smith for Plouffe?
So iwakuma is not going to be a mariner next year
I’d sure hate to see him not back in an M’s uniform because they refused to treat him fairly like this. He gave them a discount the 1st time around on the 3y deal when he didn’t have to in order to resign with them. I wouldn’t expect him to do it again if I was Depito.
Iwakuma isn’t worth 3 years and 45 million, especially with his injury issues..
Iwakuma would be perfect for the Pirates, iwakuma throws lots of ground balls just how the Pirates like there pitchers to
The Cardinals will not put the big bucks out the get a Star Player!!! They just want their name in the rumor mill to make it look like they are “Actually Trying”———- to the 3 million ticket holders. Cardinal fans, I’m sorry, expect “low hanging fruit”, as usual, from Moe !!!
And yet they continually have success despite not spending big in free agency, because they only sign guys they think will live up to the contract like Holliday has to this point
The Jhonny Peralta signing proves your point wrong. I don’t expect them to break the bank on a record setting contract, but a Zobrist level player is possible.
Exactly, but the problem with Zobrist is he reportedly wants to play a regular position like second base. So unless the cards plan on trading Kolten Wong they don’t have a regular position for him. I don’t see him in the outfield or 1st so…..
He wont spend big bucks yes, but thats not necessarily a bad thing, especially since theyve won the Central season after season
Yes, they will do great again during the season but not enough for a short playoff series. As a Cardinal fan for my entire life (and I am 50) I can tell you that just making the playoffs or winning the Central isn’t the Cardinals fans expectations. World Series or bust. Need three aces to do that, three dominant relief pitchers, and a big name bat like Chris Davis. Zobrist would be a big help, but Holiday and Gritchuk are injury prone no we cannot expect them to get more than 400 at bats….
As much as I hate to say it Holiday needs to be traded or learn to play 1st. He is a big liability in the outfield and always has been, but with his health and age he is a poor and below average outfielder with declining power. I am sure an A.L. Team would love his bat. Then Mo needs to sign a big bat and one of the Aces on the market all ngs with Zobrist.
Not much to ask for is it? Lol
While Gordon is the type of player the O’s like, I think he’s too expensive. They need to focus their money on pitching and resigning Davis.
“but it’s also fun to think of the power numbers Alvarez could log at Coors Field.”
No it isn’t. We just got rid of another power hitter that can’t play defense in Wilin Rosario. We don’t need another one.
I think its fun.
Eh, Alvarez has more power than Rosario could dream of. Besides, Wilin Rosario would be a perfect platoon partner for Alvarez at first base. Might not be viable with traditional NL roster construction, but it would be a strong platoon offensively.
I don’t see Alvarez in Oakland. Bully butler is the set DH and with the pick up of kowtows they one have a ton of options on the infield with Valenicia, Canha, Semien, Muncy, Lawrie, Lowrie and Ike Davis if he comes back, Baltimore seems more logical if they don’t bring back Davis, other then that I do see Colorado as a possibility but only if they can’t find a more valuable defender at the corner
I doubt it as well, but…
Billy is also on the decline, with a negative WAR while making over 11M next year. If they can find a place to move Butler Pedro MIGHT be an option making about 3 million less with more power.
Billy Butler* pick up of Lowrie* if Baltimore doesn’t Bring back Chris Davis* I love autocorrect…
Alvarez would be an upgrade at third base for the Braves. Braves may be willing to give up Garcia, Ciriaco, or Terdoslavich if Pittsburgh would pay all but $2.0 Million of the Alvarez Salary, but a non tender is probably better for the Pirates.
There’s a reason Alvarez didn’t play any 3b this year. He got the throwing yips. 24 throwing errors in 2014. If the Braves played him at 3b, they DEFINITELY would have to put netting up to protect fans along the first base line.
until last season it was mostly non routine plays where the errors occurred last season anything that wasn’t what one would call normal … it was a crap shoot. completely fell apart last year though.
Never known for his accuracy but his glove is pretty good. with a more agile first basemen he ‘might’ be good enough in a pinch if you are desperate for power hitting.