In his latest notes column, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports looks at the developing market for Cuban star Yulieski Gurriel. Discussing his team’s reported interest, Giants GM Bobby Evans tells Rosenthal that he is primarily looking to “be as thorough as we can when it comes to international talent,” not angling to replace a starter in the infield. In Rosenthal’s opinion, Gurriel fits best with the Mets, who could use him at third this year and then utilize him there or at second in the seasons beyond, depending upon how things shake out. Needless to say, Gurriel figures to be a fascinating player to watch over the coming weeks.
Here are some more highlights from the post:
- The Dodgers have engaged the Rays in talks regarding righty Erasmo Ramirez, according to Rosenthal. Though he’s working out of the pen for Tampa Bay, the Dodgers would intend to utilize Ramirez in the rotation — at least initially. He has spent most of his career as a starter, and presumably would offer the club a swingman/long-relief option down the line. With several youthful and recently-injured starters in the picture in L.A., it’s not hard to see the match.
- Diamondbacks GM Dave Stewart says that the organization is getting trade interest in both Brad Ziegler and Daniel Hudson, with some teams even asking about landing both arms. However, Arizona is not yet ready to concede the 2016 campaign, particularly after improved play of late. Stewart also suggested again that the club would rather extend both of the late-inning righties, each of whom is a pending free agent, rather than shipping them out.
- Despite their position-player gaps — most of which are being filled with surprising aplomb by unheralded players — the Royals’ biggest need is starting pitching, Rosenthal argues. GM Dayton Moore says that the club is “not overly concerned” about third base or right field, which are currently manned by Cheslor Cuthbert and Paulo Orlando. “If we had to make a decision today, we’d probably go with what we’ve got,” he said. But the architect of the reigning World Series champs also noted that the starting pitching market isn’t showing the same kind of top-quality veterans that it did last year, making it a “challenge” to find a real upgrade for the staff.
- Speaking of that thin market, Rosenthal says that teams are not unaware of the fact that Kyle Lohse can still opt out of his his deal with the Rangers after recently being bypassed for a promotion. Though the veteran owns only a 5.23 ERA in 51 2/3 Triple-A innings on the year, he is sitting at a typical 6.1 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 and obviously comes with a lengthy track record of quality major league pitching. (Note: it’s unclear precisely what opt-out situation Lohse has; the deal included a June 1 date that has obviously already passed, but may allow him to force the Rangers’ hand if another team offers a big league opportunity.)
- Rosenthal says that the Nationals have previously discussed center fielder Michael Taylor in trade talks and suggests they could do so again this summer in search of a top relief arm. Taylor would certainly make for an interesting piece to dangle: he still possesses tantalizing tools despite his difficulties in harnessing the strike zone and only just turned 25.
Rays might be able to get a nice return for Ramirez, he really is a decent starter in this league and I doubt Silverman will just let him go that easy.
I thought Seattle gave up on him too early, glad he had found some success hopefully he can get a good long term contract.
Cain injury hurts Royals (oh that was bad). But if Moore makes a move, it should be for starting pitching. The AAA guys are still doing the job, and Eibner deserves a chance. in the to fill in for Cain (Dyson moves to CF). Of course, Roys do not have much to trade, unless someone needs a 3B. We suddenly have a couple of guys that have blossomed on our third-baseman tree.
I wonder after the Olivera debacle if the Braves will make a run at Gurriel. We need a 3B. And the picking in FA are slim. I don’t know how sold the FO is on Ruiz. I was thinking a trade for Plouffe wouldn’t cost much and he won’t be around long to block Ruiz.
Headley, cash, and A mid range prospect to Braves for Teheran because honestly he’s only a mid rotation arm in the AL East!
I know brave fans want the world and so desperately want to move him but buyer be ware. I hope Sox give up a ton for him but most of us know he’s not worth it.
Detroit wouldn’t give you Mike Pelfrey for that offer.
We’ll give you Ian Krol and throw in Jim Johnson for free! 😀
Funny thing is people keep saying Braves fans are desperately wanting to get rid of Teheran. There is no reason to trade him unless someone comes in and overwhelms them. Even if he is a #3 his contract value and age are what makes him intriguing.
Lmao and that package is garbage and wouldn’t have gotten you Norris, let alone Teheran
Man you just out here tryin to get us Brave fans riled up today. There is no way in the world you believe what you just said. You must be tryin to get Chris to throw out all them stats again. Stop the nonsense and please Brave Nation don’t fall into this fool’s shenanigans. Chris relax we don’t need any 12 team 47 player bonus slot trades tonight. We need a break. Hopefully Julio ain’t going nowhere.
And by the way if you are a Yankee fan and you lookin to get Julio kick the conversation off with Sanchez & Judge. Otherwise troll them Cub fans on Miller/Chapman.
Sorry, but Teheran is at best a #3 in the AL East. A 90.8 mph fastball would be sent into the upperdeck numerous times. I am not saying he is a bad pitcher just not a #1. The Yankees sure could use a young, affordable, durable #3 though. I like the Sanchez part of your trade but not Judge. Although I do think Judge is overrated a bit I still think Sanchez and Judge would be an overpay (but not by much). Something like Sanchez (top 1-2 C prospect in the game) Refsnyder (even though he is very valuable to the team right now) and a high upside arm with an injury history like Clarkin should be enough. Clarkin will become a low #2 solid #3 ( a #1 is a distinct possibility too) himself if he can ever stay healthy. If the Braves want a little more someone like Lindgren could be added. The Yankees could also keep Refsnyder and Lindgren by picking up the remainder of Markakis (sp?) contract if the Braves prefer to go that way. Teheran may not be the pitcher Braves fans swear he is but he is still a quality pitcher with no durability issues. That is very valuable, just not Moncada and Benintendi valuable. I could see Sanchez and Judge being the trade that brings him to New York though. That is about the closest trade suggestion that I have seen from a Braves fan. Most seem to think all GM’s have rocks in their heads like Dave Stewart and will give up a Miller type deal for him. A 3 team trade would also not surprise me. Something like Sanchez and Chapman (plus lotto tickets) for Teheran and then the Braves flip Chapman to the Cubs or Rangers. Unlike most, something tells me Cashman is going to hold onto Chapman and try to sell Miller. He will get twice the return for Miller as he would for Chapman. If he only makes Miller available the Cubs/Nats/Rangers bidding war could ensue. If he makes Chapman available, as well, that makes 3 dominant lefty relief pitchers (Chapman, Miller, Doolittle) available for 3 teams. A bidding war is unlikely to happen in that scenario. Just my two cents and I am probably wrong, as usual.
Lol mid rotation arm. He would be the Yanks number 2 til Tanaka’s elbow pops.
Sorry but Pineda is a superior pitcher to Teheran. If he ever gets a change of scenery he will become dominant. Some guys just can’t handle NY and he seems to be one of them. Eovaldi needs to be traded to Pittsburgh. He has amazing stuff (97 mph average FB 2nd in the majors to Synderrgard sp?) but he too can’t seem to be able to handle NY. Imho he would become a younger version of A J Burnett if he moved to Pittsburgh or St Louis. Teheran doesn’t have the stuff those two possess. Again I am not knocking him. I just don’t believe he is as good as Atlanta fans swear he is. In all fairness I have only watched him pitch 2 games though. One being an impressive performance against the Mets a couple of weeks ago. So, I could be way off.
Pineda already got a change of scenery and he’s become more erratic and unreliable. He might have better pure stuff than Teheran, but Teheran is by far the superior big league pitcher.
Pineda stinks. Million dollar arm, ten cent head.
Not all Braves fans want to move him. A lot of us would like to hold on to him. We understand the lack of pitching currently available on the trade market, and would certainly agree with a trade for an overwhelming prospect haul. If your team does not feel it is worth it then you should probably hope your team passes. If no makes an overwhelming offer we just keep him.
Man, I thought Red Sox fans were biased but the guy that wants to trade Headley for Teherean….LOL!
typical Yankee entitlement