Here’s the latest from around the NL East…
- “There is no urgency” for the Mets to chase Yoenis Cespedes, a source tells ESPN’s Buster Olney (subscription required) since the team already has some outfield depth on hand and can pursue more on the open market for a lower price than Cespedes will command. That said, the Mets would like to have Cespedes back and they’re willing to wait him out this offseason, perhaps if Cespedes is open to accepting another front-loaded contract with an opt-out clause from the team.
- Despite a slow start and seven weeks on the DL with an inner-ear problem, Stephen Drew still hit an impressive .266/.339/.524 over 165 PA with the Nationals in 2016. Between Drew’s performance and good clubhouse presence, MASNsports.com’s Mark Zuckerman believes there could be mutual interest between Drew and the Nats for a new contract. Drew’s future in D.C. could hinge on how the Nationals plan to use Trea Turner next year, as if Turner is moved to short, Danny Espinosa could be kept over Drew as the backup infielder.
- In response to a reader’s mailbag question, MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki said he wouldn’t be surprised if the Phillies explored trading Vince Velasquez again this winter, given that the club seems “willing to consider anything” in their rebuilding process. Velasquez spent some time on the DL with a right biceps strain but otherwise enjoyed a successful first year in Philadelphia, posting a 4.12 ERA, 10.4 K/9 and 3.38 K/BB rate over 131 innings. The Rangers inquired about Velasquez at the trade deadline but the Phils put a high price tag on the 24-year-old righty. You’d have to expect the Phillies would again require a huge offer to consider moving a young, talented arm.
- The Marlins may have to be creative to address their pitching needs this offseason, and MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro suggests that Miami could be one of many teams looking to develop their own version of a multi-role reliever like Andrew Miller. David Phelps, Justin Nicolino, Jose Urena, Nick Wittgren or Austin Brice are current Marlins who could be adapted into such a role, though Nicolino and Urena may yet catch on as starting pitchers.
If the Marlins are smart, they’ll bring in Donnie’s bullpen coach from LA, former MLB pitcher Chuck Crim, to mentor these young pitchers. He did a great job with this for the Dodgers.
2 years, $25M for Drew, with an opt-out, of course. I can hear the drumbeat now.
Too much
Yup, I was exaggerating a bit, channelling my inner Scott Boras
Frisaro is always wrong can’t listen to him
I don’t see Cespedes resigning with the Mets, he will get a better offer from the Giants or Cards.
I don’t see him getting an offer from STL. Offense wasn’t the issue last year. I more see them looking to acquire an ace pitcher through trade, like Chris Sale.
I think the Nats use Turner as a super utility player next year like Zobrist, Bryant, and Baez. The Nats should sign Desmond and then they would have 2 super utility players.
How was their urgency to help the Dodgers in their financial troubles but none for the Mets? This is embarrassing.
Phillies need Two Young Bats for Vince,One proven Major League Hitter and one really good Prospect. ( But no to Joey Gallo , he Strikeouts way too much )
If you want Vinny, we want Mazara- it’s as simple as that. Vinny showed the potential to be a top flight starter this year. While it seems crazy, Philly has no urgency to trade him unless we’re blown away.
You’re employed by the Philadelphia Phillies organization?
Phils should ask for Hamels back with a ML ready bat and a prospect
You do realize they’re rebuilding, right? Why would Philly do that? That’s… silly to say the least.
“We need an ace. How about we trade our current ace for another ace of the same talent? Oh, and we’ll give them a position player and a top prospect too! That’ll put us in a better position to win next year, right?”
– Things the Texas Rangers’ front office won’t say
LOL
Lol, the Mets just decided to use that reporter to play mind games with Cespedes and his agent. Nobody smart is going to believe they have the depth to recover from his loss.
They need to be real with themselves here. Nobody wants them to give Cespedes a mini A-Rod contract, but anything aside from a 2-3 years extension or a new contract of that sort wont be getting it done.
And when you have their kind of pitching talent at such a bargain, it’s fine to even overpay or add some risky years for a Cespedes.
Agreed. Mets are a different team without YC and the idea that Jay Bruce can replace his power is crazy. Ordinarily he would go to the highest bidder and he still might but he loves NY. Sign YC, trade Granderson and platoon Conforto and Lagares in center.
If you followed his travels from Oakland on, he’s loved every place that had the potential to resign him. The only reason he ended up a Met is the Tiger’s chose Upton over him. I’m sure we would have heard how he “loved” Detroit if they had been turned down by Justin.
Mets let Cespedas go and sign Encarnacion to play first. This resolves outfield logjam. Then trade Duda to fill infield or bullpen need.
For the money that Encarnacion will be getting, why wouldn’t they just resign Cespedes? Letting him go would solve the logjam, but it wouldn’t be leaving much in the name of solid talent.
Duda would get a pretty minimal return
Outfield becomes Conforto in left, Granderson/ Lagares in center and Bruce in right.
Encarnacion’s bat replaces Cespedas and Duda becomes a viable chip after a hopefully decent spring and should bring a decent return of a need in a trade. Keeping Cespedas precludes signing Encarnacion and the lineup is not as strong.
If they can sign Encarnacion and Cespedas and trade Duda and Bruce I can go with that scenario.
Velasquez is a potential #1 with boatloads of organizational control left. You’d have to get back a ton to trade him, and he’s too unproven to give up a ton. I don’t see it happening.
Sign Cespedes
Try to sign Jensen or Chapman.
Mets need to fortify bullpen and keep our power bat (Cespedes)
I look to trade Bruce before Granderson.
Drew is 100 points over his career SLG.