Here’s the latest from around the NL East…
- If the Marlins make a “big splash free agent push,” MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro believes it could be for a top closer like Aroldis Chapman or Kenley Jansen rather than a starting pitcher. While the Fish are in major need of rotation help, the lack of appealing free agent starters this year could lead the team to spend what dollars they may have on a reliable stopper. Miami could sign a free agent starter at the right price, and Frisaro believes the club could both make a signing as well as acquire another arm by trading a position player.
- Trades also could be necessary for the Marlins due to payroll concerns, Frisaro writes elsewhere in his mailbag piece. He thinks Miami’s payroll will rise to around the $90MM range next year, though the Marlins already have roughly $76.3MM earmarked for just 12 players due to salary commitments and arbitration projections.
- Dexter Fowler could be a fit for the Mets if Yoenis Cespedes leaves in free agency, Joel Sherman of the New York Post writes. The Mets could add Fowler and re-sign Neil Walker for the money it would take to land Cespedes, and having those two switch-hitters would give the Mets greater depth and versatility. Fowler also brings defensive value as a center fielder, which would help New York since neither Curtis Granderson or Michael Conforto are good fits for the position. Signing Fowler would be an alternative to the Mets’ plan to wait out the Cespedes market, which Sherman believes is risky since the team could be left wanting for a big bat if other free sluggers have signed elsewhere once Cespedes makes his decision.
- In another MLB.com mailbag piece, Todd Zolecki “wouldn’t be surprised” if the Phillies part ways with Darin Ruf. Tommy Joseph has supplanted Ruf on the first base depth chart, and Zolecki writes that the Phils now see Ruf as “anything more than insurance” for Joseph or in left field. Ruf spent much of 2016 posting big numbers in Triple-A but hit just .205/.236/.337 in 89 PA for Philadelphia. Ruf’s next opportunity might not come in the big leagues, as Zolecki reports that Ruf has received interest from Japanese teams.
“Ruf’s next opportunity might not come in the big leagues, as Zolecki reports that Ruf has received interest from Japanese teams.”
The Hanshin Tigers are one of the few teams interest in Darin Ruf. It looks like former Dodgers IF/OF Alex Guerrero is in their list of candidates too. (Source: link to sanspo.com)
Where do people think Cespedes is going to end up??
San Francisco -Yankees or Mets
Toronto
Baltimore, they made a push for him last year.
Angels
Lol
Not sure he’s wise to opt out….nobody was willing to match the Mets 3/$75 last year, and he had a lesser year in 2016…is he worth more than the 2/$47.5 he’s giving up?
Yeah heal get more years around the same annual salary. 5 at 125 wouldn’t surprise me.
The O’s offered him 4/90 last year but he didn’t accept it cause they were unwilling to give him an opt out like the Mets did.
Toronto
I always thought Ruf would be a fit in Anahiem. Lefty bat that can play LF and should be cheap.
wait. he’s a righty. I may be confusing him for someone else.
Ruf can play the outfield, he would be a buy low option, I have always liked his power
Weaver, Garcia, prospect from cards for yelich?
No chance I believe Rosenthal would have to be in a trade with the Marlins something like
Rosenthal, Wacha/Weaver , Bader and prospects. Miami would have to be blown away with a deal to Deal Yelich
Is Reyes the prospect?
Helicopters is really good.
I mean Yelich is really good-I don’t know how autocorrect interprets Yelich as Helicopters.
The Phillies need Offense – period.
LF and RF are wide open.
I think they go after C. Gomez on a 1 year deal.
Then they can go after Cespedes or Desmond/Reddick.
Coghlan would be a nice 4th OF.
Re-sign AJ Ellis.
Sign Utilty player Valbuena as lefty 1B/3B
Re-Sign Blanco or sign Descalso or A. Ramirez.
They need a closer and a few RPs as well.
I’d like to see them go after Greg Holland as closer, and any 2 or 3 of these relievers:
T. Wood / Storen / Blevins / Logan / Salas / Torres / Benoit / Uehara / Tollenson
They can trade for a starter like Buchholz or Garcia.
The big questions is how the kids progress. (Altherr, Quinn, Crawford, Williams, Alfaro, Knapp) and Pitchers (Thompson, Eflin, Morgan, Nola, Lively, Pivetta) to decide what we’ll need to succeed in the coming years.
They can also be used as trade bait (not Alfaro)
I agree, the Phillies have some pieces in place, they have money to spend but must spend it wisely. Pitching and the corner outfield position need to be upgraded. I thinks Cespedes and Riddick would be a good start. After that I would concentrate on pitching either through trade or free agency. Phillies might want to check in on Gardner with the Yanks, he might come cheaper than other options. and is a short term.
Well said
This couldn’t be any more spot on. Nailed it
Mets would be better off not signing Cespedes, and take the 60 million coming off the books and get some solid position players. I would also trade Lugo and Gesselman for some younger position players.
No they wouldn’t. The Mets are designed to win now and to do that they need to resign Yo. Period.