All-Stars Jonathan Lucroy, Carlos Gonzalez and Jay Bruce spent their All-Star media day answering awkward questions about trade rumors, ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick writes. “Trade rumors?” said Lucroy to a reporter. “You’re the seventh person to ask me about that. But that’s OK. We’ll go over it again.” Bruce, meanwhile, was practical about the prospect of heading elsewhere. “It behooves [the Reds] to take a look into every situation where they can possibly improve the franchise,” he said. “I’m 29 and all of a sudden I’m not so young anymore. Every player that plays wants a chance to win a World Series, and I think the Reds are a couple of years away from being in that picture again.” Here’s more from the National League.
- Pirates Comp Round A pick Nick Lodolo looks likeliest to be the highest unsigned pick in this year’s draft, MLB.com’s Jim Callis tweets. Lodolo, a lanky high school lefty from California, has a commitment to TCU. Via MLB.com’s draft signing and bonus tracker, three picks above Lodolo remain unsigned — seventh overall pick Braxton Garrett (Marlins), 12th overall pick Jason Groome (Red Sox) and No. 31 pick Anthony Kay (Mets).
- Part of Nationals All-Star Wilson Ramos’ breakout this year might be due to the LASIK surgery he had last offseason, but Ramos also cites his offseason training, writes Mark Zuckerman of MASN. Significantly, Ramos was able to train in the US with his family last winter. The Nationals front office helped Ramos acquire visas for several members of his family, and Ramos was able to spend the offseason free from worry about himself or his family being in the midst of the instability of his native Venezuela (where Ramos himself was kidnapped several years ago). “The other offseasons, as soon as the season would finish, I would go back to Venezuela, try to spend time with my family. And the resources down there are obviously not the same as we have here,” says Ramos. “[H]aving them here, I’m able to do both, work and focus on my job at hand as well as enjoy time with my family, which has made a big difference. I just feel more relaxed and more comfortable having them around.”
I’m really surprised MIA has not signed Braxton Garrett from Florence, AL. He was one of the highest-rated high school arms and they’ve been connected to him for awhile, yet he’s still unsigned. He’s committed to Vanderbilt, so he should be a hard sign and could be a future #1 pick once Vandy’s put a little spice on him.
I feel for players that are the subject of potential trade rumors. It must be exasperating to deal with reporters who really don’t care about the player or what they are experiencing and really are only concerned with having their name under the next big headline. Honestly, I love it when a player or manager goes off on a reporter for asking stupid and repetitive questions.. And have you ever heard a player announce before anyone else in the room knows, “Yeah, just found out I’ve been traded……..next question.”
Pay me millions of dollars per year and I’ll be happy to entertain those questions
Enjoy the questions now Lucroy cuz after you’re traded you will be overlooked…
– Lucroy to the Mets for Reynolds and Nimmo,
– Bruce to the Blue Jays for prospects that make sense
– Cargo to the Indians
I can def see Cargo with the Indians. Shoot man, can you imagine if Brantley comes back 100 percent along with Cargo in the outfield? That would be sick. Although don’t they both play left? I think both of them are above average left fielders though right? I have to admit, I am a little behind the curve when it comes to defensive metrics.
Not even remotely close to enough for Lucroy. No more shortstops are needed in the Brewer system. Doubt the Mets are a fit anymore with their pitching woes.
Nimmo is an OK piece, but the Brewers have no need for Reynolds, they have enough 45-50 rated middle infielders in their system. They want pitching and most likely way more than 2 mid prospects.
Terrible trade for the Brewers. They would never do that. They need pitching and the Mets have blown out most of their young pitching depth.
I really think the Braves should go after Ramos in the off season. Only to a certain extent though. He is young enough at 28 and is at a point where he is still trying to prove himself (which he is doing a very good job at). If he gets too expensive the Braves should balk. You don’t want another BJ Upton case where he has one of the best years of his career the year before eligibility, gets paid, and gets complacent. I am not saying Ramos would, but I wouldn’t bet the majority of my spending salary on a possibility of quick regression either. After Upton and Uggla,, I am paranoid. Freaking Uggla
I agree man, have said the same. Offer Ramos a 3/33, if not enough though, move on.
I stand corrected! There are other teams in baseball and players not named Teheran, Moncada, Benintendi, and Swihart!
Priceless! Great post, chound!!
Ramos and Wieters both pull more than that. Ramos probably lookin at a 5 year deal. Don’t see him leaving Washington though.
Think the Braves go hard for local boy Wieters. Would prefer Castro to split time with Flowers. Somebody on another post mentioned McGuire and that would have me intrigued.
who will end up getting bruce and who will the reds get in return