The Braves’ impressive haul for right-hander Shelby Miller is one one of the biggest storylines of the past week, but there are already rumblings about one of the key pieces of the deal; Ender Inciarte has drawn a lot of interest since the trade, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (Twitter link), who adds that the Cubs are one team that has inquired. Rosenthal reports that they haven’t engaged in any type of serious trade discussions, although ESPN’s Jayson Stark tweets that he got the sense that the Braves are at least open to the idea of flipping Inciarte to another team in a further trade. One executive told Stark that as many as 12 teams have inquired on Inciarte, though he does add that rival teams don’t consider a trade to be particularly likely.
Here’s the latest from the NL East…
- The Twins have reached out to the Nationals to inquire on right-hander Drew Storen, reports James Wagner of the Washington Post (Twitter link). There’s nothing on the horizon at this point, however, he adds. Still, Minnesota has been prominently linked to Storen in previous seasons, so it’ll be interesting to see if they take that interest to another level this winter, when Storen is said to be available in trades.
- Sticking with the Nats, Pete Kerzel of MASNsports.com tweets that Washington has talked with the Rockies about outfielder Charlie Blackmon, but the asking price on the 29-year-old center fielder is said to be quite high. Corey Dickerson could be in play, too, Kerzel notes, though he doesn’t specify that the Nationals have spoken to Colorado about him, specifically.
- The Mets still have interest in both Denard Span and Gerardo Parra, reports Newsday’s Marc Carig, and the club hasn’t completely ruled out a multi-year deal for either player if it proves necessary (Twitter link). A multi-year deal would seem to be imperative in talks with either player, as Parra reportedly has three-year offers in hand already, while agent Scott Boras dismissed the notion of a one-year deal for Span yesterday when asked by MLBTR’s Zach Links.
- The Mets have had preliminary talks with right-hander Bartolo Colon’s camp about a reunion, tweets Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. While Colon probably wouldn’t hold down a rotation spot all season in Queens barring an injury to one of the Mets’ excellent young starters, he could be a valuable stopgap early in the year as Zack Wheeler progresses in his Tommy John rehab.
- Braves president John Hart and GM John Coppolella explained the team’s rebuilding process to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman while at the Winter Meetings in Nashville. Coppolella likened the rebuild to constructing a skyscraper, stressing the importance of building from the ground up in an an effort to deliver a sustainable run of success to Braves fans. He added that building a deep core of talent will help to prevent second-half collapses like the Braves have endured in recent seasons. Hart called many of the trades made by Atlanta “painful” but explained that each has been made with the same goal in mind: constructing a perennial World Series contender.
Hart I dare you to to package Inciarte/Teheran and for fun why not add one of our top 10 and see what shakes.
There you are being ridiculous. You are not a layercake. Layer being defined as one who lays and Cake as Ka-Ka being defined as well you know. Oh, but if you layers of kaka, I get it.
Hmm interesting. I said “Hart I dare you to…” So I immediately started out as if I was speaking to John Hart himself.
Second all I said was package Teheran/Inciarte. Where is my proposal? Where did i say the Braves should get X in return? Oh wait… I didn’t did I? Thats right, thats you….
At any rate you’re an idiot but please continue to follow me around this is fun.
I hope Coppy doesn’t do this. I know Coppy wont do this!! Not yet at least. Maybe next year possibly, but not this winter. Atl has a lot of possible trade pieces, but they will be used to bring in the pieces to get the Braves to the playoffs, not used to get the Braves to .500. I think all the big trades for Coppy and Hart are done this winter unless the decide to trade Teheran or Freeman which neither sound likely at this point.
I really would like to see Pittsburgh or Houston come knocking for Freeman and Teheran though. They have lots of prospects I would like to see come back. Or if the Yankees were wiling to part with Aaron Judge in a deal for Teheran. Or maybe Aaron Judge for Aaron Blair and Andrew Thurman? I wold love to see that.
Please keep Inciarte!
Inciarte seems similar to Michael Bourn in his prime. I could only see him being traded for a right handed version of himself. I prefer him straight up over Jorge Soler.
Charlie Blackmon would be a great fit for the Mariners or Cubs. Although the Mariners are looking lefty heavy right now with Cano, Seager, Aoki, Smith, Lind, Leonys Martin(i think hes a lefty dont quote me on that) All being left handed. There might even be more I dont know. So they might want to add a right handed bat. His increase in Stolen bases last year as well is valuable.
Maybe I’m misunderstanding, but if you’re suggesting that Charlie Blackmon would help to balance that lineup, you’re incorrect. He could be a decent pickup for them though to slot at the top of the order
I am not saying I want to trade Inciarte, but I am curious as to what he might bring back in a trade. The Cubs are interested, but him for Soler would not make sense for the Cubs. This would fill their CF hole, but open up a hole in RF. Although this could be filed by signing Heyward.
Is Inciarte good enough to get Baez plus something? I don’t know. I am curious. Most people say Inciarte for Miller was an equal trade (although I disagree.) So what could he bring possibly?
A corner outfielder is far easier to replace than a center fielder.
What do the Nats want that the Twins have?
LOL poor Phillies. They grabbed Ender from AZ in the Rule 5 Draft, then offered him back!