On Wednesday, Jerry Dipoto traded slugger Mark Trumbo for the second time. As the GM of the Angels, Dipoto jettisoned Trumbo in December 2013, soon after signing superstar first baseman Albert Pujols. After dealing Trumbo roughly two months after taking over in Seattle, Dipoto wants it known that it’s nothing personal with Trumbo, just business.
“There’s no particular reason for it. When I called him, I actually told him not to take this the wrong way,” Dipoto said when asked by MLBTR on a conference call. “He’s a great guy, he brings a lot of skill to the table and it’s always difficult to trade right-handed power, but there are reasons for everything. The first time that I moved him, we needed pitching and we tapped into two young upside starters (Tyler Skaggs, Hector Santiago) that we needed at the time. I felt good about that trade and I feel good about this one, too. In this case, we’re bringing in a backup left-handed hitting catcher along with payroll and roster flexibility as we move into the hot stove portion of the offseason. I explained all of this to Mark. He’s going to an ideal place to hit but it just wasn’t an ideal fit for us on our side.”
As many outsiders picked up on, Dipoto indicated that Trumbo was moved in large part because of his projected $9.1MM salary for 2016. Unlike the last Trumbo trade, Dipoto isn’t moving Trumbo in order to eliminate redundancy in the lineup, and Dipoto himself isn’t sure how the first base position will be filled. Still, I asked the GM whether he would be more likely to fill that spot via free agency or trade.
“It’s tough to say. There’s still a lot of time between now and Opening Day. We’ve discussed a lot of trade candidates with various teams around the league and we’ve at least surveyed the free agent pool, but have not engaged [any available first basemen] at this point,” Dipoto said.
Of course, this year’s free agent crop includes Chris Davis, the man that Trumbo might wind up replacing in Baltimore. Dipoto’s comment would indicate that the Mariners have not reached out to Davis, though — as MLBTR’s Steve Adams noted this week — he may not be a logical match for Seattle anyway. Dipoto has made it known that he prefers the trade market to free agency and, as he revealed, that has been the only avenue explored thus far for first basemen. Seattle would also have to sacrifice the No. 11 overall pick to sign Davis, a player who could command a six-year, $144MM deal in the estimation of MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes.
Meanwhile, Dipoto seemed genuinely excited about the addition of catcher Steve Clevenger as a complementary piece that can fit in as a catcher, first baseman, or a designated hitter. Dipoto stopped short of guaranteeing anything for the out-of-options player, but it sounds like he has a role in mind for him. Clevenger’s versatility coupled with the signing of catcher Chris Iannetta also gives Seattle options when it comes to Mike Zunino. Seattle can now afford to let Zunino start the year in Triple-A Tacoma, but they could also carry all three players with Clevenger seeing time at first base. Still, Dipoto’s plan and preference is to have Zunino begin the year in Triple-A for additional seasoning.
Could Freddie Freeman be an option?
No
Yeah, you’re probably right. I’d rather they keep Walker anyways. And if they plan to move Cano over to first in a few years, then there’s no point really.
Well there is quite a bit of time between now and when Cano might be moved in a few years, so there is a point. You kind of have to have a first baseman now too.
Maybe they pull off a trade for Hanley Ramirez? Could be sketchy at first. Dang, I don’t even know anymore. Just hope M’s fans don’t have to watch Jesus Montero cover first next season.
So in other words, Dipoto has no idea as to why he traded Trumbo except he just wanted him off the team.
As for the 1st base trade market, I don’t see much out there. He might just very well sign Chris Davis. It would be interesting to match him up with Nelson Cruz again.
What I will am curious about is the next move that the O’s will be making.
PS I was never a fan of Dipoto, I know a lot of O’s types wanted him when MacPhail left the flock after the 2011 season. However, I was always on the opposite side of the spectrum, I never had interest in him. It should be interesting to see how he does for the M’s
There was a reason stated in the article: Payroll. They opened almost $10 million, so Dipoto actually had a reason to trade Mark.
You want him to come out and say “I just don’t think Mark Trumbo is a very good baseball player”? This was typical GM speak, there was certainly a reason to trade him.
That and Dipoto has been targeting high OBP and defensive guys so far this off season, and Trumbo does not fit that into that mold.
I’m assuming you didn’t see this, but when Dipoto was hired by Seattle, he said his stated goal was to make the team more athletic. Trumbo is not very athletic, one of the worst outfielders ever, not much better at first base. It would be one thing if Trumbo could get on base @ a decent clip, but his career OBP is around .300. One dimensional sluggers who can’t get on base are not worth $9 million. As a Seattle fan, I trust Dipoto to spend that $9 million in a much more useful fashion than giving it all to Mark Trumbo.
Adam Lind to Seattle?
M’s fans need to relax and give the guy a chance. He’s been on the job for like a month. He’s a smart cat and not all of his moves will look appealing to the old school eye.
To be honest, trading Trumbo, a decent home run hitter for a utility catcher who was the 3rd string guy seems odd. He dipoto needs a first baseman, with the additions he has made I don’t get why he traded Trumbo, I don’t think 9 mill is to much for a guy who can hit homers above average (as stated before) sure he’s defense is bad in the outfield, just stick him at 1B kind of an oddity
On the surface, it does seem weird. However, Dipoto said he wants a better defense for SafeCo, so Trumbo was pretty much guaranteed to go. There is still a lot of offseason to go, so I’m sure he’s got a lot of ideas to fill the 1B hole.
Not worth $9 million. If you have a smart and creative GM (like Dipoto) you can find a lot better ways to utilize those dollars. Mediocre first baseman with little to no plate discipline and defensive skills. Pass
Clevenger was Baltimore’s 3rd string, but was expected to split time behind dish until Weiters surprised the O’s by accepting the QO. If you were aware of Seattle’s catching situation and how badly all their catchers, both in the Majors and minors, performed last year you’d have a better understanding of the reasons for the trade.
“…piece that can fit in as a catcher, first baseman, or a designated hitter.”
But is being a DH really flexibility though?
Well, for whatever reason, a surprising amount of players just aren’t capable of producing as a designated hitter (even ones who seem like they should be built perfectly for it). So if he can do it competently, then yeah, there’s a certain degree of flexibility there.
Maybe Mike Scioscia can be an option at catcher via trade.. Made myself laugh just now
Sounds like Cano will be rotated over to 1st in the next few years. Why not roll a platoon out there between Montero and Ryan Howard.
Could be had for next to nothing, roll them each out there for the match up that works best. If it doesnt work, you cut your ties. He may strike out too much, but so does Davis. This route your not committed to anything long term and the Phillies might cover his salary for a mid level prospect.