The Tigers have canvassed the trade market for late-inning relievers, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets, checking in on closers including Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller. But the team is “not comfortable with [the] asking prices” it’s been quoted, says Rosenthal. Of course, Detroit has also been tied to several of the best-available free agent relievers. If a swap isn’t in the offing, presumably the club will look to the open market to build out its pen.
Here are some more trade market notes:
- There was some buzz yesterday surrounding the possibility of the Marlins dangling stud righty Jose Fernandez in trades after Craig Mish of Sirius XM tweeted that there is a “growing sentiment” inside and outside the organization that a deal could occur this winter. That’s hardly an indication that a deal is likely, but it wouldn’t be surprising for the Fish at least to listen. The Scott Boras client has three years of control remaining and doesn’t seem likely to sign an extension. While he’ll be rather affordable — MLBTR projects only a $2MM arbitration salary because of his limited innings last year — he’d also be a hotly-pursued trade piece that could potentially bring back a huge return of more controllable talent at or near the big league level.
- Marlins sources downplayed the likelihood of a Fernandez deal to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. And club president David Samson told Jackson: “Some players are more likely to be traded than others. Jose fits in the latter category. He is a Marlin for at least the next three years and hopefully longer and we look forward to the start of the 2016 season.” As MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro notes on Twitter, it is also worth bearing in mind that the club is in the middle of important TV rights fees negotiations. Dealing away one of the club’s two major stars wouldn’t figure to aid the club’s leverage in those talks.
- The Athletics have fielded “significant trade interest” in righty Jesse Chavez, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports on Twitter. Oakland could consider dealing the 32-year-old swingman now that free agent lefty Rich Hill has signed, Passan adds. MLBTR projects Chavez to earn $4.7MM in his final trip through arbitration.
- After extending Brandon Crawford yesterday, there’s still some uncertainty surrounding the Giants’ other key, 4+ service-time infielder by that first name. First baseman Brandon Belt could also be an extension candidated, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports (Twitter links), although he adds that the sides may not have progressed very far yet in talks. But there’s still also a possibility that Belt will be traded, per Schulman. While other teams may be somewhat hesitant since Belt ended the year with concussion issues, there are no reasons at present to believe that he’ll be limited going forward. And his consistent production would undoubtedly draw plenty of interest.
What about the rumor of Carrasco for Gardner??
Why would the Indians do that?
Hadn’t seen, looking into it. But from what I can tell:
1) Morosi never mentioned Carrasco, just said there was some talk involving Gardner and Indians starters;
2) Gardner makes sense for CLE, but there’s no plausible scenario (IMO) where he goes 1:1 for one of those arms. There’d have to be other major elements of any trade of that kind — namely, cash and talent going to CLE. I don’t think Gardner would be the key piece coming back. Which is to say, it doesn’t strike me as a very well developed trade concept (as reported, anyway).
I think Bauer for Gardner makes more sense, Carrasco would net Gardner plus 2-3 of the Yankees top prospects, which the Yankees have repeatedly said they are not interested in moving.
Yes, that makes more sense to me — would fit the mold of the Prado-for-Eovaldi trade. I still think NYY would have to put something else in and pay down the contract a bit, though.
You see this is what I meant earlier
Fernandez link is incorrect.
It’s been fixed.
Jose Fernandez is a beast. Came back so quick from TommyJohn and undefeated at home….With Mattingly just getting there, Dee Gordon coming off so many awards, the possibility of Stanton healthy all year – can’t see them losing/trading solid major leaguers
Jose Fernandez is more than likely going to have limited innings and the rest of their rotation and bullpen are weak minus Henderson Alvarez
Baur is a good rookie1b for the Fish and Kodax last year first round pick both for Freeman would make Marlins instant favorite behind always the top dog Nationals hehe
Wonder what the reported cost of either of them were for Detroit. Also curious as to the cost of Giles or Melancon would be.
I figure Detroit is going to have to trade to fill some holes figuring they need 2 SP, 2 Relief pitchers, and a LF.
Assuming GM Avila was be honest about having $40-45 MM to spend. Something will have to come from the trade market
Giles cost is probably equal to or even more than Kimbrel considering he costs no money. Melancon is a FA after the year and is a lesser talent to Chapman, so slightly less than Chapman. Probably one top 150 prospect for Melancon, one top 50-75ish guy for Chapman.
And there’s the other issue. Tigers farm is pretty barren. Unless the tigers are willing to part with Fulmer for a rental(doubtful). The other team would be looking at the likes of Dixon Machado(SS), Boyd(mid to back rotation), Moya(lottery ticket outfielder).
Definitely not enough for Giles.
It’s not really that barren, it’s just their best talent (or the majority of it) is a few years away
Personally, I don’t think you can use Kimbrel as a comp for Giles. I don’t think the Red Sox would’ve necessarily given that package for him. Good and cheap as he is, they gave a premium return for a super-premium player. At the same time, my guess is the Phillies would’ve been all over that group of players if offered for Giles.
Otherwise, though, I do think you are probably in the right range for the rentals. Not sure I’d want to pay those prices, esp for Melancon (at his cost), but there is demand.
Considering what a risk Hill is, I don’t think the A’s will be moving Chavez – they have constantly moved him back and forth between the rotation and bullpen since he’s been on the team. Right now I’d say he’s in the bullpen and if Hill goes back to being the same guy he was pre-2015 Chavez is the perfect guy to slide back into the rotation.
On the other hand, Chavez is the type of guy who could get Beane the type of prospects he’s seeking out right now, he’s got decent value as a mid-rotation/innings eater or solid swingman bullpen guy. A team might fall in love with his peripherals and how he threw 7 games of 7+ innings and only gave up 3 runs once in those 7 and the rest were 0-2 runs. He’s great on his day, not great when he’s not on. He’s a tough guy to predict but ultimately a guy a team would like to have.
Brandon Belt for Mark Melancon
One year of a closer for 2 years of an everyday 1B? Pitt would have to add pieces to make that work.
Josh Bell will more than likely be up later this year also. So adding a lasting 1B would almost be useless, Pirates need a 1 year addition to go along with Morse.
that has nothing to do with what he said. he said the pirates would have to add more to that trade. and a fairly significant piece at that, a tailon or a kingham+.
Kingham is recovering from TJ surgery, and Taillon is coming back from multiple injuries, so I doubt either of them would be moved. Pirates do have a good amount of outfield prospects with no clear future in Pittsburgh. Perhaps adding on Willy Garcia or Harold Ramirez could get the deal done?
Trading Belt would be dumb unless Posey is going to play 1B everyday, which they have said over and over isn’t happening any time soon. Not like they have much depth at 1B when they had Frandsen and Arias getting reps there last season.
The recently-signed Kyle Blanks can play some 1B, as long as he can a) stay healthy, and b) hit. Two big if’s, I’m aware.
Yeah, but I have about as much confidence in him as I did in Frandsen and Arias. If his signing turns out to be anything other than depth I will be very disappointed.
Belt + Posey is a significantly better duo than Posey + Susac/Sanchez/Trevor Brown. Significantly.
Trading Brandon Belt would be absolutely silly unless they get a front of the rotation, controllable arm back.
Exactly, but I don’t think they would get that type of return.
Could be way off base, in which case Fernández would pick me off, but did anyone else notice him being pudgier after his return from TJ? I’m wondering if weight will be an issue for him going forward. The Miggy of pitching! Too many 5-hr energy’s?
I was thinking the same thing when looking through photos for this post! Same holds true for Harvey, at least visually. In all likelihood, they are just entering their mid-20s and dealing with the same changes as the rest of us. Maybe it seemed sudden b/c they were out of a uniform for so long?
I’m not a Marlins fan, but I would not trade Fernandez until he’s 2 maximum or at least 1 year away from free agency. He’s just so rediculously good that they could still get a ludicrous return even with 1 year left. If he’s traded now or next year, you’re looking at 2 elite young players, similar the Miguel Cabrera trade (even though the 2 prospects didn’t pan out)
Just image if that rangers trade for Jose Fernandez
Just imagine the endless job possibilities if you stopped using crack-cocaine.
As much as I’d like to see the Tigers trade for a closer (McGee), I just don’t see them having the depth to do it. I don’t see the Tigers having the depth to trade for any major piece. Free Agency is probably where 90% of their moves will take place. I like O’Day, but can’t see him closing and too expensive for a team without a closer. I’d be satisfied with Soria or Madsen. I think they need to consider a reclaimation project for depth, like Bobby Parnell, but that’s not their style. I can see them waiting for the non-tenders, though. Steve Cichek was someone that they considered in the past. As for OF, the only way it makes sense for the Tigers to be looking for a RH hitter, as Avila said, is if they are only looking to replace Raja, a platoon partner for Collins in LF who may be able to spell Gose in CF. That could be a piece they could trade for.
The only way they could make a significant trade, as I see it, would be to move Iglesias. Machado is the only player that even theoretically could step in to replace someone.
Yeah I agree. The Tigers need to acquire a closer through free agency. They need to get two arms though. It’ll be interesting to see what they do. I would prefer to get 2 setup man level players (Soria and o’day for example), but if that’s too costly, I’d be okay with signing someone with a reliever with decent upside (hunter)
I think they need a more full time piece for LF. Preferably someone with a decent obp to hit near the top of the order. I don’t see a platoon guy filling that role well.
I’m hoping the bulk of their $40-45MM goes to a decent mid to top of the rotation starter and LF. Then sign a decent reliever(Bastardo, Kelley, ect) and swing a trade for a second reliever.
If there’s any cash left over, they could look to add a cheaper pitcher to compete with Boyd, Ryan, Lobstein, ect for the 5th spot in the rotation
I could see JD or kinsler (much less likely) being traded as well. If JD was traded, you’d have to sign someone like upton to recoup some of the production lost by trading JD. You could put machado at second to fill in for kinsler, but I don’t think they trade him cause gold glove 2nd basemen who bat .300 don’t come around too often, but if they can get a good return, I’d definitely consider it.
The filter’s eating up my comment, but I could also see JD or kinsler being traded for the right return (young controllable starter). You’d have to sign upton/free agent to replace JD. Dixon could play 2nd to fill in for kinsler
Fernandez and Mike Dunn to the Astros?
Baez, vogelbach, mckinny, and cj Edwards for Fernandez?
I think Miami would need at least one blue chipper. Baez is too risky to be a centerpiece. Someone like Urias/Giolito/Turner
gleyber torres
The center piece is not Beaz it would be CJ Edwards for Fernadez plus the Cubs throw in Vogelbalm who is a better hitter than Baur who was in are system and you can have Miggy as a starting catcher we pay 1/2 his salary for one year. : now that trade helps both clubs to be winners/ Fernadez a minor league pitcher for Montereo ,Beaz, C J Edwards and Vogelbalm wow that’s a great trade for both clubs
I don’t think that’s nearly enough. They’d want players of higher quality, not quantity. That said, the group above is good, but I they’d want 2 top 25 prospects in baseball, and then other players like McKinney or Edwards in as well. So it’d probably be something like Torres, soler, Edwards, and contreras- and they may get better packages somewhere else/may not even do that
nah now ur going overboard as soler is more than a “top 25 prospect” already proven to be an above average ml hitter with years of control. i could see a soler, baez, edwards, mckinney package though. remember this is 3 years of control of fernandez not 5 or 6. that package allows the marlins to trade ozuna and have mckinney to use as a chip for another pitcher. baez plugs in at third and they have a young if. just need a catcher and like i said ozuna and mckinney can either get them an ml pitcher or a ton of prospects.
I’m not sure that I am going overboard. There is usually a premium to be paid for elite players. Just like the kimbrel trade, you’ll have to overpay to get top players at a position. We can agree to disagree though.
Julio Urias, Jharel Cotton, and Scott Van Slyke for Jose Fernandez
I think they’d ask for urias and seager as the starting point. That’s the type of talent they were asking for when they traded Miguel Cabrera
big difference between the best hitter in baseball and very good starter still less than a year and a half removed from t.j. he has 289 career innings.
I guess it depends on how you value him… I value him as a top 4 pitcher in the game with arguably the best stuff in the game who’s only going to get better as he gets older.
Joey Gallo ,chi chi Gonzales,jurickson profar and Mitch Moreland for Jose Fernandez
Joey gallo chi chi Gonzales jurickson profar and Mitch Moreland for Jose Fernandez
Swithart,Bradley,Owens,Chavis,Shaw for Fernandez and ozuna.Then the sox sign Zimmerman for 6-110,trade ozuna,Johnson,Miley to Cleveland for carasco.Sign upton 5-105,Last deal jelly,ball for McGee =championship!
Wade Miley for Carlos Carrasco?…no sir, that’s a clown proposal bro.
Why wasn’t this linked to the Giants?
Fernandez probably gets a greater return at the deadline or after the 2016 season. Half a season removed from TJ isn’t long enough for a pitcher of his caliber to reclaim all his trade value.
How about JBJ, Owens, marrero, kelly, Travis, Escobar and Pablo for Fernandez and Ramos