Red Sox first baseman Hanley Ramirez, Padres right fielder Matt Kemp and Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun have all helped their respective trade values early this season, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. Ramirez is the only one of the three whose offensive production was subpar in April, but Cafardo points to his hustle, enthusiasm and dedication to the team this year as reasons for his improved stock. The 31-year-old Kemp – signed through 2019 at $21.5MM annually – is the most available of the trio, per Cafardo, who adds that he could be a target of the Red Sox if Chris Young doesn’t start playing better. On the notion of acquiring any of them, a National League general manager told Cafardo, “Are they all $20 million-plus players? I’d say not. You’d have to be able to get them for $10 million-$15 million. There are different ways to reach that number through negotiation and the caliber of players you’d have to give up.”
Here’s more from Cafardo:
- Athletics left-hander Rich Hill followed last season’s torrid September with a great April, during which he threw 26 innings of 2.42 ERA ball while striking out 12.81 batters per nine. Assuming he continues to serve as a quality rotation option, the 36-year-old will be a sought-after arm around the trade deadline, Cafardo reports. Hill is scheduled for free agency at year’s end, but the AL West doesn’t look like a division anyone will run away with and the A’s could be inclined to keep him if they remain in the hunt.
- Dr. James Andrews’ Monday examination of Red Sox third baseman Pablo Sandoval’s injured shoulder will be “huge” for both the player and the team, Cafardo writes. He doesn’t rule out a club, perhaps the Padres, having interest in Sandoval if the injury is minor. That certainly seems like a long shot, though, given that Sandoval will collect $75MM through 2020 – including a $5MM buyout – has been worth minus-2.2 fWAR in 129 games dating back to last season, and has a major weight problem.
- Outfielder Grady Sizemore remains a free agent and has not retired, agent Joe Urban told Cafardo. The 33-year-old posted an .800-plus OPS during the second half of 2015, but he has been a minus player according to fWAR in each of the previous two seasons.
Both Hanley and Sandival are dead weight. This is just wishful thinking by Cafardo. Hustle? Enthusiasm? Sub .700 OPS!
If you’re willing to pre-judge Hanley’s 2016 season based on his April numbers, then you must also be willing to judge Hanley’s 2015 season based on his April numbers. Remember? When he hit 10 homers in April last year? Yeah, you must’ve thought he was MVP by the end of the year right?
At this point, there’s nothing else on which to judge his season. The stats are what they say they are, so at this point, what do you expect? No one said that the numbers are destined to stay this way all year, but no one would be surprised if they did after last season and his start to this one.
You could at least take into account his increased hard-contact % or his increased willingness to use all fields rather than rely on pulling the ball. Those would indicate his approach is largely improved upon from last season.
Also by calling Hanley definitively “dead weight”, it’s pretty reasonable to assume that he doesn’t see any impending improvement.
I didn´t like those signings back then, and they have done nothing to change my mind. There´s a reason the guy who signed them no longer has that job. I don´t see any significant improvement that will help them achieve the value their contracts intended. Not to mention, Hanley could also get injured at any moment, if we factor in his injury record.
The examination will be “huge”. pun intended?
i don’t think the red sox can move sandoval that contract might be the worst in baseball if you’re talking production/$.
Hanley has actually played decent so far this season. Not worth the contract he has but he has performed better than expected. Currently hitting .286 with 5 2B’s, 13 RBI and 3 sb’s. He’s also been steady in the field, without committing an error thus far. Yes, he only has 1 hr but that will change. He is basically on pace for 30+ 2b’s, 80+ RBI and 20+ sb’s. If he can keep pace with those #’s and still hit .270+ with 15 hr’s he’ll have upped his stock significantly.
Still difficult to think of any other team that would want Hanley replacing their first baseman. The few that he would improve probably can’t afford him.
YES, more Sandavol to Padre rumors!!! Haha chat guys Steve and Jeff will love this. I could see Braun or Kemp in the NL Or AL East in the coming months.
Matt Kemp to the ROYALS! I want KC to trade for this guy so bad, He would solidify our outfield and make it one of the best in the MLB and when Morales is gone he could take DH duties. Gordan , Cain and Kemp all in one outfield , dear god. Send Brett Eibner , Miguel Almonte, Scott Alexander, Hunter Dozier and Bonifacio to San Diego , It’s time for the Padres to do what the Braves have been doing and cash in on the vets for the future
As a Padres fan I would take that deal with no money changing hands. I really like Kemp and I appreciate what he brings to the team but right now we need some pitching and a real 3B prospect. We are not built to compete and the trade would open up some playing time for Jankowski, Dickerson, or Renfroe who represent more of the future.
As a Brave fan if we can get the Padres to eat bout $15 million I wouldn’t mind taking Kemp but they would have to take Olivera back as well. With the farm system we have I think we can get something done.
If we plan on giving Ruiz a shot at 3rd we are gonna need some pop and LF is the best spot. Austin Riley grows to replace Markakis and Davidson replaces Kemp. We can then move Inciarte to bring back some of the prospects we lose to get Kemp.
Also do we look to sign a Cervelli/Wieters or try to trade for a replacement McCann/Susac/Sanchez. I would like Plawecki but I don’t think the Mets would trade in the division. We def need a catcher of the future. Older guy can hold the spot for Herbert.
LOL nobody is taking olivera. If you want kemp and 15 mill then trade touissant swanson and oliveras contract. Only way ANYONE takes olivera and his entire contract is if you toss in a prime prospect or 2. Hes hasnt demonstrated he’s capable of playing in the MLB and may never really play due to legal troubles now.
no no no no no no NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stop it with the Sandoval to the Padres bs! STOP IT!
If Cafardo says it, it must be true!
Upon examination of his shoulder, Dr. Andrews will announce what everyone already knows. There’s nothing wrong with Pablo, other than he can no longer play. In cooperation with the Boston Red Sox, who pay the bills, however, he will call it “tendonitis”. Pablo will continue enjoying his DL stint.
A Red Sox fan I talked to a while back admitted that trading for Pablo would be a bad idea for the Padres but they’re just hoping Preller is stupid enough to do it anyway.
If he is looking for stupid enough GMs he might try Arizona. They might give up a first round pick or two if you take back another contract. as well
I dont see the need to get rid of Kemp or Shields let these guys be the leaders of a san diego club. The payrolls like at the 100m range since we got rid of expensive bullpen pieces i dont see the need to save more money and get worse at the same time. The window for the sox to trade Panda is over. Id rather give a 3b prospect in the minors a shot. Or wait til Solarte comes back in a month or so
Hanley right now is 1 of 4 AL first basemen without an error, he’s playing average to above average defense, and though the power isn’t there, he’s hitting. I’d rather he have a slow start with 1 HR in April vice 10 last year then only 9 the rest of the season.
The Sox are only .5 GB from Baltimore for the AL East, and they lead the Wild Card through April. May will be a tough month but if they continue through May like they did April the Sox won’t be looking to offload Hanley
Did you really just reference wild card standings in April?
After tonight’s yankee game, the Sox should be 15-10. That 60% winning record equates to 97 wins for the season and a ticket to the playoffs. Not too shabby.
Ramirez’s play around 1st base has been excellent thus far, considering he has never played the position before. His bat will come alive once the weather gets warmer just be patient.
As for Pablo Sandoval, he has to lose 50 lbs. pronto! Perhaps the Red Sox can put him on a special diet and exercise regime until he drops this extra weight. Imagine, trying to play 3rd base with a sack of potatoes tied to your stomach! Of course with Shaw playing as well as he is, who needs another 3rd baseman? Do you think Pablo could learn to play left field at Fenway?
The sox wanted Hanley to stop trying to hit so many home runs. If you look at his swing last year he had a violent leg kick and it wasn’t pretty. They want him to hit more doubles and get on base more and that’s exactly what he’s been doing. You don’t have to hit home runs to score runs in baseball. Red Sox are proving that so far this year.
The Red Sox should have known what they were getting when they signed Sandoval. I mean there is a reason all non-Giants NL West fans didn’t call him “Kung Fu Panda,” we called him “Big Fat Panda.” That nickname is REALLY starting to fit now.
Nick Cafardo is the worst baseball writer in America.
Nah, he does what some others do. He calls the same sources to get comfortable quotes, supports the team line, boosting the players who the team wants to push, and trashing those who have left, or whom the team wants to send a message. His problem is not uncommon. You have a nice job, pays you decently, maybe you lose a little initiative, and you certainly don’t bite the hand that feeds you.
Full credit to both Hanley and Brian Butterfield for making the first base transition surprisingly fluid – a lot of hard work by both men. Kemp in LF for the Sox is intriguing. Sox should free-up Holt to return to his super-utility role.