Diamondbacks executives Tony La Russa and Dave Stewart tell Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that their winter wasn’t just about near-term contention. The club has also picked up some younger assets since the front office turned over, and was careful to protect its most prized younger assets — Jake Lamb, Brandon Drury, Archie Bradley — who La Russa deemed “too dear” to be dealt. That being said, there’s no question that the haul given up for Shelby Miller — along with other decisions to give up controllable talent to free up money and add other pieces — was about maximizing the club’s chances now, with several key players in their primes and Zack Greinke joining the fold. As Stewart puts it, “you trade the unknown for the known.”
- Interestingly, Stewart added that the Padres had “big interest” in center fielder Ender Inciarte before he was shipped to Atlanta in the Miller deal. But San Diego wasn’t willing to deal away Tyson Ross or Andrew Cashner to get him, according to the D-Backs GM. That’s certainly a bit surprising to hear in regard to Cashner, who — despite his established ceiling — is coming off of an uninspiring 2015 season and is destined for free agency after the season.
- The Padres have been “very active” in pursuing free agent righty Tim Lincecum, agent Rick Thurman said in an appearance on The Mighty 1090 (via Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune). Teams are waiting for the former Cy Young winner to put on a showcase, which Thurman now says will take place within the next two weeks. He explains that Lincecum preferred to work his way back to form on his own before signing, with the plan being to “build[] up his arm strength so that when he actually goes and does a showcase he’s going to be game-ready.”
- Meanwhile, Lin has an interesting piece on Padres hopeful Jabari Blash, who says he’s come a long way since he was a laid back teenager in his native U.S. Virgin Islands. The towering 26-year-old is still raw, of course, which is why he was available in the Rule 5 draft. San Diego will give him every opportunity to make good on his talent and earn a spot this spring, writes Lin.
- Commissioner Rob Manfred says that he’ll be prepared to move quickly on disciplining Rockies shortstop Jose Reyes once his legal proceedings are completed, Nick Groke of the Denver Post reports. Manfred explained that he doesn’t rush a decision, only to learn something new thereafter. “My expectation is, once that process plays out, we’ll be in position to act quickly,” he said. “We’ll have access to all the facts.”
I can’t see a scenario where Padres wouldn’t deal Cashner for Inciarte.. odds are it’d be Cashner + more for him and not just 1 for 1 swap.
At this point, I don’t think Braves would take that deal. Cashner is 29 and the Braves are loaded with pitching prospects and thin on outfielders. Inciarte is only 25-years-old and seems to be a piece for the future for Atlanta.
He was referring to the Padres trying to get Inciarte from the DBacks before they dealt him to Atlanta.
Agreed. Unless the “throw ins” were of a quality near to Inciarte, the basis of that deal should have been a no-brainer for San Diego. A pitcher you can control for one more season before he leaves for an up-and-coming outfielder with five years of control remaining should happen in an instant if you’re the Padres. Why am I not really surprised that San Diego changes who’s calling the shots and they still can’t get things right?
Maybe Preller is hoping that Cashner bounces back this year so he can get more value for him at the trade deadline?
“Careful to protect its most prized younger assets”
You mean like number one overall pick Dansby Swanson? lol the Diamondbacks organization is a joke
“Manfred explained that he doesn’t rush a decision, only to learn something new thereafter. “My expectation is, once that process plays out, we’ll be in position to act quickly,” he said. “We’ll have access to all the facts.””
Translation: Reyes will be suspended for all of 2016.
dstuart, I was thinking the EXACT same thing as you when I read that line…that deal still blows my mind. Tony La Russa must be absolutely in love with Shelby Miller from his old Cardinal days, because from my perspective, that was an enormous haul that Atlanta yielded for him. Although I do think that the Dbags, I mean D back will be much more competitive this year, I think the deal for Miller will turn out to be a fairly sizable loss I’m the end. Not to the extent where Shelby is a busy for them, I actually think he will be quite good, I just think that Ender and Dansby will have a much greater value when all is said and done.