In his latest Boston Globe column, Nick Cafardo lists 15 big-earning players who could be potential trade candidates this winter “with a little creativity” from their teams and any interested trade partners. Cafardo also has some hot stove buzz…
- One general manager says that Jose Quintana’s name didn’t come up in talks with the White Sox, leading the GM “to believe they’d like to hold on to him. [Chris] Sale was mentioned, [Carlos] Rodon was mentioned and all the others, but not Quintana.” Reports have the White Sox ready to listen on any player who isn’t under long-term control, though Quintana technically doesn’t fit this description. He is under contract through 2019 with a club option for 2020, and given how Quintana has pitched during his career, that early-career extension has become a bargain for the Sox. Rodon’s inclusion is interesting, as the highly-touted lefty can’t hit free agency until after the 2021 season, though just because Rodon’s name may have been mentioned in discussions obviously isn’t any sign that Chicago is exploring trades.
- A team’s senior advisor chimed in on Greg Holland’s recent showcase for scouts, saying that while Holland’s velocity was down, it was “good enough where you could see that if he rehabs properly he’ll get there. There was nothing there to excite you but nothing there to discourage you either.” Despite this rather unexciting review, Holland drew plenty of interest, as 18 teams reportedly sent personnel to watch Holland throw after missing all of 2016 rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. The senior advisor isn’t sure Holland will be able to find a two-year/$20-22MM offer that has been “floated” in connection with him. MLBTR predicted slightly less (two years, $18MM) for the reliever, though as evidenced by the Brett Cecil signing earlier today, there could be some surprising numbers on the relief market this offseason.
- Mike Napoli has been getting some interest from National League teams as a full-time first baseman. This is a obviously a good sign for Napoli’s market, as it shows that NL teams aren’t necessarily scared away by his age (35) or increased DH usage last season in Cleveland. Napoli’s defensive metrics at first were below average in 2016, after years of delivering very solid glovework throughout his career.
- Bronson Arroyo is three or four weeks away from knowing if a stem-cell procedure from Dr. James Andrews has properly healed his elbow. If the veteran righty is finally healthy, Arroyo is eager to continue his career. “I definitely want to keep going. Baseball is in my DNA,” Arroyo said. “I think when you’re in my position, you have to give it every chance, seeking everything medically available to see if you can keep doing it. The stem-cell injection was the last hope. If it doesn’t work, I know I’ve given it every chance.” Arroyo, who turns 40 in February, was a model of durability throughout his long career but he hasn’t pitched in the bigs since June 2014 due to both Tommy John surgery and then shoulder problems.
Only two teams come to mind for napoli in the national league, Cardinals and Pirates, If you want to add the phillies for a bargin deal
I think the Cardinals are a great fit for Napoli. I think the Phillies and Pirates might shy away due to their young guys at first, Tommy Joseph and Josh Bell
Cardinals already said that Carpenter will be the 1B next season.
I would like to see the angels bring him back but that is never gonna happen
Napoli goes back to CLE. If they gave him a QO he would have jumped at it. As it stands I think he gets 2 years 10-12M AAV.
I honestly doubt Cleveland even really wants Napoli back. HRs aside, he didnt hit that well and takes a ton of the flexibility of the club away
I expect them to be a sleeper team in on Plouffe and using the remaining money on an OF upgrade instead
Plouffe would be able to provide protection in case Ramirez regresses (Ramirez would become the utility infielder in that case), and otherwise split his time at 1B/DH(/backup 3B.) Would give the Indians flexibility everywhere if Plouffe is interested in going to Cle
I honestly question whether Cleveland will pay the price to keep Napoli. Since the fans barely supported their 1st place team, payroll is still limited.
Rox need a righty 1B
Colorado is the obvious place, and they’ve liked him before.
Rockies need a right-handed hitter and a first baseman; Napoli might hit 35 homers playing in Coors.
I can see the Yankees making a play since it will not cost them a pick. He could DH, some 1B, and be the emergency catcher.
they have greg bryd and tyler austin
He cant catch anymore and we dont need to get older
Probably goes to Colorado.
Gotta think a package of Almora, Soler, and Candalario could get it done for Rodon. It puts Cubs in a spot where they’d need to keep Fowler, but their rotation is bare bones after this upcoming season. It might not be a terrible idea to get a head start on that this year …
The Sox aren’t trading Carlos Rodon.
That isn’t getting anywhere near Carlos Rodon. Almora’s a younger Peter Bourjos. Soler’s a bust (with maybe a glimmer of ceiling). Candelaria’s a minor prospect. You don’t even start a conversation about one of the best young SP’s in baseball with that package.
Soles is not a bust. He’s a good young player. He hasn’t been able to show all the things he can do yet because of the Cubs loaded outfield.
He’s been a slightly above average offensive player in his 207 games played. He has a 106 wRC . And he’s a disaster in the OF. He has some nice pop and a very good arm but it takes him 8 seconds to get to the ball beciase his routes are so bad.
Declaring Soler a bust at this point is incredibly naive. He hit the cover off the ball prior to getting hurt. Although his recover has been slow, Soler has enormous power potential. He can be a 30 HR, 90 RBI per year corner outfielder if he plays regularly. The problem here is the Cubs can’t give him 600 at-bats with so many good outfielders on the roster.
Well the problem with Soler is he gets hurt, just as it appears he is starting to hit. Also, if he is so good then what was he hitting in the playoffs? He is likely a DHG at best (because I doubt his fielding will get better over time). In any case, the reason why the Sox think they can get rid of Sale and Quintana is likely due to their hopes of Rodon being the guy, so I doubt he is going anywhere.
And no this wouldn’t get Carlos Rodon. While I like Almora, I don’t think he’s a starting CF on a World Series team unless they have one of the best offenses in baseball. He’s a good CF with a slightly below average bat. Look below for my thoughts on Soler and Candelario is an alright piece. But this trio doesn’t get you a 23 year old lefty starter who put up a 2.7 fWAR last year in just his second season in the majors.
I think he makes a jump and goes over 4 this season.
Jesus Arroyo give it up. You’re 40. There’s more to life besides baseball and you’ve made plenty of money. Move on
Man you’re uptight. Let the man do what he desires you piece of shi
With regards to Arroyo; I can understand why players hang on. I mean, being retired at 40 – what are you going to do for the rest of your life?
Jim Bouton said it best at the end of Ball Four – Bouton, of course, was trying to hang onto his career by learning the knuckleball after his elbow broke. The final quote in the book sums it up, I think:
“You spend your whole life gripping a baseball, and in the end it turns out it was the other way around all along.”
@ottomatic I don’t know any player named “Jesus Arroyo”, only Bronson Arroyo. Furthermore, if he wants to keep playing and he can still pitch at MLB level why shouldn’t he be able to? What has his age got to do with anything? Nothing at all.
I think the Sox keep Rodon and Quintana for that matter. Quintana moves into the #1 spot in the rotation. Rodon into the #2 spot, Gonzalez#3, Fulmer#4, and Shields#5. I really have little faith in Fulmer though and Burdi and Hansen could be up by the AS break for the Sox. You trade Sale sure, but I would not give up Quintana as well, not until you see how the team appears by the AS break.
If the Sox trade Sale, it means they started a rebuild. If they commit to a proper rebuild, they’ll be a sub .500 teams for atleast 3 years. Keeping Quintana, Frazier, and other veterans defies logic, as it would slow the rebuild process.
I don’t necessarily think keeping quintana is a bad move. The key to the deal is how many MLB ready pieces they get back. If they snag an Urias/giolito type of starter, they could try to keep the rotation intact and look to acquire hitters in trades for Abreu and Robertson. With Collins on the horizon as a mid season call-up
The Sox don’t need MLB ready “pieces.” They need elite prospects they can develop into MLB players within 3 years. The key to rebuilding is tanking for top 3 backs in consecutive seasons on top of lucrative trades. They should aspire to leverage their veteran assets to create one of the top farm systems in baseball. Forget about contending for at least 3 years, and let your fans know you’re committed to a complete rebuild.
Excuse me, I meant “tanking for top 3 draft picks in consecutive seasons…”