Here’s the latest news on some notable outfielders…
- The Indians asked the Diamondbacks for A.J. Pollock in exchange for Danny Salazar, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports. Pollock has been an in-demand piece from several rival teams as the D’Backs have looked for high-end young pitchers like Salazar or Shelby Miller, to name two. Arizona GM Dave Stewart says he’s willing to listen to offers, “but with the understanding that we’re not entering any room with the intention to trade A.J. Pollock.” D’Backs CEO Derrick Hall described Pollock as “nearly untouchable” earlier this week, so it remains unlikely that the Snakes would actually move the star center fielder.
- By signing John Lackey rather than a higher-priced ace, the Cubs will use some of those savings to pursue Jason Heyward, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times writes. If Heyward can’t be signed, the Cubs’ backup options would be to sign Alex Gordon or try to acquire Carlos Gomez from the Astros.
- Speaking of teams with Plan-B outfield ideas, the Royals are interested in Gerardo Parra if they can’t bring Gordon back, FOX Sports’ Jon Paul Morosi tweets. Parra is hopeful of landing a four-year contract, according to SB Nation’s Chris Cotillo (Twitter link), since he’s getting attention from multiple teams. The Giants, Mariners, Mets and (to a limited extent) Orioles have also been linked to Parra at various points this winter.
- If Jeff Francoeur doesn’t re-sign with the Phillies, ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick sees the Brewers, Pirates and Rangers as possible fits to add the veteran outfielder as a bench bat.
I really hope the pirates arent interested in Franceur
Great to see a report that the Cubs are pursuing Heyward. I thought he would be the best use of their money from the start.
Really wish AZ would realize that they aren’t going to be getting a young stud cost-controlled SP unless they give up whatever young stud cost-controlled guys they have.
A.J. Pollock had the 10th highest fWAR in baseball.
AJ Pollock was a top 10 finisher in fWAR and rWAR last year.
Salazar is not going to get it done.
Peralta, Inciarte, tomas, Lamb, Drury are all MLB guys controlled through 2021 +. Not to mention 3 top 100 pitching prospects. Teams calling on Pollock or Goldy will get voicemail.
Swanson is also cost controlled and if he’s not in the deal then Braves should focus on deals with other teams instead.
Salazar is probably a bit better than Miller, but still nowhere near good enough for Pollock. The Indians probably do have enough for Pollock though, they’re just shopping the wrong pitcher. Carrasco + one or two prospects would probably be enough, if anything was.
Parra on a 4 year deal, Pads need a left handed corner OF bat – but thought he was more a 2 or 3 year guy
Why would the Brewers who already have Khris Davis, Ryan Braun and Domingo Santana on their roster as RH hitting OF have any interest in Franceour as a bench bat? They need LH bats.
Let’s see if Davis is still on the roster by Spring Training. He’s really more of an AL/DH kind of player.
If AZ doesn’t want to give up Pollock how about Tomas for Anderson, CLE throws in a good prospect or two if necessary? Or Tomas + a good prospect for Salazar?
Tomas isn’t gonna get you Nick Hagadone, and Cleveland just outrighted him.
Kinda weird how quiet the market has been for Upton. Haven’t heard a peep on him in a while.
For all fans who don’t think Shelby miller not worth top prospect or great young play have something for you
25 year old year
Play. W—-L—Era—-G—Ings—-so—-whip
A. 6. 17. 3.02. 33. 205.1. 171. 1.247
B. 10. 8. 5.05. 22. 118.1. 93. 1.458
C. 14. 12. 3.70. 32. 202. 136. 1. 396
D. 8. 11. 3.18. 26. 161. 134. 1.147
E. 12. 13. 3.48. 34. 224.1. 218. 1.137
F. 12. 11. 3.22. 28. 192.2. 172. 1.173
G. 11 17. 4.84. 33. 201.1. 163. 1.403
H. 14. 14. 3.47. 33. 233. 222. 1.220
I. 11. 10. 4.33. 30. 176. 152. 1.285
J. 14. 5. 5.43. 33. 179. 161. 1.503
K. 10. 11. 4.32. 32. 193. 168. 1.268
L. 12. 8. 3.85. 31. 215. 184. 1.107
M. 15. 8. 3.41. 32. 203 225. 1.230
So for you all who think Shelby or Julio Tehran who is year younger and stat similar those same plays at 24 so tell me that Braves shouldn’t get top young players . Bye the way I think it funny that all you “fans of other team ” who are in to the number hadn’t looked that the number and me a old school guy did .
N. Scott Diamond, age 25 season
12-9, 3.54 ERA, 27 GS, 173 IP, 1.243 WHIP
Bye way here are the names of the 25 year old plays
A. Shelby miller
B. Jake Arrieta
C. Adam wainwright
D. Jordan Zimmerman
E. David price
F. CC Sabathia
G. Justin verlander
H. Felix Hernandez
I. Jared Weaver
J. Cliff lee
K. Cole hamels
L. James shields
M. Jon Lester
Bye the way once again Shelby miller is under team control contract for 3 more years and Julia Tehran is under contract for 4ore years that pays him around 12.5 million and with all these other great pitcher making way above that you can see why they are worth great prospects ,And just so you know 7 of top 12 salaries in mlb are pitchers
Why would the Cubs A) Think Gomez would be available or B) He’d be easier to acquire than Heyward or Gordon?
They have way to much hubris for their track record as a franchise. That was one of the dumbest blurbs I’ve read here in awhile
Could go after Harper or Trout. Or both
That seemed to come out of nowhere to me as well… Maybe they meant to say Jake Marisnick and not Gomez?
Every available player seems to either fit the Cubs or Red Sox…. If you believe the comments section of MLBTR anyway.
I don’t see why the Cubs would try to give anything for Carlos Gomez.. He is a good CF, but he would be a serious downgrade offensively. Even all of the Cubs bench players are better offensively. One of the worst OBP. I have seen in the league that continues to get playing time, under .320 for his career. That is not someone you want in your lineup.
I agree the Cubs have no need in Carlos Gomez… many other options out there….play your bench players!!!
What in the world does the Cubs have that the Astros might want for Carlos Gomez? He is a great centerfielder that we will get a comp pick on or retain for another year next year? My ears are open to what might be an option the Cubs would be willing to give? He is part of the offense and defense of houston going post season.