The Cardinals are on the lookout for center field help, and while free agents Dexter Fowler and Ian Desmond could be possibilities, the team could also turn to less obvious solutions, ESPN’s Mark Saxon writes. One of those is Carlos Gomez, who excelled down the stretch with the Rangers, and could be a riskier, but perhaps also more upside-laden, alternative to someone like Fowler. Ender Inciarte, Marcell Ozuna and Jarrod Dyson could also be possibilities via the trade market, Saxon suggests. Here’s more from the National League.
- The Mets have spoken to Jerry Blevins about a return, but the lefty is likely to find a free agent deal beyond the team’s price range, Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News writes. Ackert also feels that catcher Rene Rivera and utilityman Kelly Johnson probably won’t be back with the Mets next season — Rivera’s projected $2.2MM arbitration salary is pricey for a backup catcher, while Johnson is “not a priority,” though New York could see if Johnson is available on a low-cost one-year deal. Ackert also covers other Mets offseason topics as part of the mailbag piece.
- The Diamondbacks have hired former Cardinals international crosschecker Cesar Geronimo Jr. to serve as their new Latin American scouting director, writes Baseball America’s Ben Badler. Geronimo, the son of former Astros, Reds and Royals outfielder Cesar Geronimo, had success with St. Louis after becoming international crosschecker early in 2012, as the Cardinals signed good prospects like Alex Reyes, outfielder Magneuris Sierra, shortstop Edmundo Sosa, and righties Sandy Alcantara and Junior Fernandez. The hire is a significant one for the Diamondbacks’ new front office — beginning July 2, the team figures to be free of international bonus penalties for the first time since their seemingly poor decision to sign Yoan Lopez for $8.26MM in the 2014-15 signing period. Depending on the terms of the next CBA, the Diamondbacks could also have a large pool to work with after winning just 69 games in 2016.
The Cardinals should just sign Carlos Gomez to a 1-3 year deal. Best upside and lowest risk. Top trade candidates would likely cost too much in prospects. The Cardinals farm system isn’t a top 10 so they can’t afford to lose many.
More risk. More possible upside.
Gomez is nuts.
Cardinals haven’t had a nut in quite awhile. If signed, it might be just the spark the birds need.
Don’t know, all i know is Pham can’t be starting in the outfield next year, he hasn’t earned it
People were saying that about Diaz. And if you go back far enough Pujols. Both got their shots bc of injury. Both proved they were ready.
So you’re saying because of the past couple pf successes, that means Pham should get it? Just cuz those guys did it doesn’t mean Pham will. We are talking the present, not the past
*of*
Lmao. Nope I’m saying that you have to give guys a chance before they can succeed. You sound like MM. Maybe you want Moss back.
Still, the expectation for Pham is to be a 4th outfielder, otherwise known as a backup outfielder. That’s what I’m saying. They need to get somebody who is a starting CF
Or a LF, cuz Grichuk in CF isn’t terrible
Yeah I agree. I’m just not sure who that is. I sort of thought Riddick in right but Houston grabbed him quickly. Pollock won’t be near as cheap as most think. Fowler isn’t worth a draft pick, that much money and the four years he wants. Tampa isn’t moving Kiermier (sp). Carlos Gomez would be ok on a pillow contract, but I honestly think he’s close to done. He only resurged bc he played in Arlington.
True. And with Bader coming soon, Mo may need to only get a guy that can hold the position till Bader is ready
Just over 300 AB over 2 years doesn’t really qualify as a quality sample size.
It would help Pham’s case to play more to not land on the DL every 15 AB.
Ok, but still, you need Pham to stay healthy
He can if the loser GM has anything to do with it.
Jesus, why do the Mets continue to be so cheap when they are in win now mode?
It’s almost as if there’s something more important to the Mets ownership than winning…
Because the Wilpons still has to pay $$$ this year to the trustee for their involvement with Bernie Madoff. I have read the report that said the Wilpons has to pay over $70M in payments in two year period of 2016 and 2017.
This is correct. Plus the Mets have a one-year exemption from the profit-sharing system for jersey/apparel sales that other teams have to take part in. They negotiated it last year. You don’t think it’s any coincidence that this exempt year just happens to be the year they signed Tebow, whose jersey sales are through the roof.
Trade for Eaton and Sale. Leave grichuk in CF
Could be a tough trade to make happen without including Reyes but would be worth it. Even if you have to give up Reyes it would probably be worth it. The cardinals have plenty of options for a #5 starter. Sale cmart waino leake wacha or Garcia or even Rosie now not to mention weaver
Beyond Reyes and Bader they don’t have the elite prospects need possibly for even Eaton. There’s no chance such a trade happens for the cards.
No chance is correct
There is talent in Cards farm. Just majority of it is farther away from majors. Silly to sell the future for Sale. id be on board with a pillow contract for Gomez..
Yes a one year pillow. I’d be very hesitant to go multiple years.
It would be impossible to make happen without including Reyes. Even with Reyes, I don’t see any way the Cardinals could get both Sale and Eaton.
eaton is a hitters version of a strikeout artist
How do you expect them to trade for Sale and Eaton? They don’t have the surplus of top prospects like the Red Sox or Dodgers to entice Chicago
No way such a trade is possible without Reyes.
You have to give up a top 5 caliber MLB prospect to get Sale.
Reyes won’t even be the best talent they get offered for Sale.
I’d really like to know what package you think would get sale and eaton that doesn’t include grichuk or reyes.
Jarrod Dyson doesn’t seem like someone they should go after. There’s better options out there. Would anybody like to interpret this as racism?
what…
Thor and cardfan, you missed another thread relating to my post. I’m not an idiot, don’t worry. And the real troll is JAF anyway…
No. I don’t think Dyson is the answer for the Cards personally, and it’s not cuz of his race. I think the Cards need a more impactful player addition
with Jay signing with the Cubs, madden has a glut of outfielders.,, Hey MO! Check to see what it would take to get Jorge Soler!
Why do you have to try and start stuff? Why do people like trolling so much? Jeeez
Seriously Connor. Whatever point you’re trying to make just stop it. It’s not working. This is a light-hearted place to talk about baseball. That post was just plain foolish.
im struggling to understand how Fowler isn’t a better option than Gomez, without him the Cubs lost badly before the all-star break. all of the sudden Gomez is a star again:O what about the shocking 15 months in Houston.
What about the entire time he played in Milwaukee? His track record of being good is longer than his track record of not being good.
viable option, yes sure. more upside than Dexter Fowler, i don’t see how, given their recent form.
The cost (high salary losing a first round pick in a year with a deep first round pool) is just not worth it in my opinion. Get a short term bang for the buck option and look to developing Harrison Bader in 2018
Why is every free agent out of the Mets price zone? They’re a New York team!
Building back from the big hit they took in the Madoff Ponzi scheme?
What would Ender Inciarte cost the Cardinsls
the Snakes would want one high level pitching prospect and an intriguing bat at least.
Inciarte is a Brave
Snakes? Inciarte is with the Braves fellah.
Have you been living on a deserted island for the last year and haven’t heard anything about Dave Stewart’s famous trade? Inciarte played the entire season in Atlanta.
An absolute outrageous price that no one would want to pay. They have no incentive to move him. So you’d have to wow them. Every major CF target the Braves would look to acquire starts with Reyes.
Far to many Cards fans are enchanted with Inciarnte and Simmons.
A trade will not happen for either.
I did see one suggestion for a Leake/Bader/Weaver for Pollack & Grienke trade idea..
I like the Leake for Greinke idea for both sides. I think Bader and Weaver are a lot for the Cards to surrender. But I think Leake and a good young player for Greinke makes sense.
Snakes aremt gonna give away Pollock for nothing.. Id get them willing to dump Grienke for Leake as a salary swap..
That kinda trade isnt done much esp by Cards FO. I wuldnt be upset if thats the path they took though either.. Greinke has a great track record. And terrible contract lol
I don’t see them taking on that money
Makes no sense for Arizona. Pollock could get significantly more by himself IMO. He was a 7+ win player in 2015 and around 4 wins the 2 previous seasons. He’s a great CF when healthy. Any package for him would start with Reyes.
If they were looking at it from a salary dump perspective, I think they could find enough interested teams for Greinke (ala the Dodgers) that they wouldn’t have to diminish Pollock’s value by pairing them. Heck, they could probably even get another decent prospect if they eat enough of his salary.
Given that Pollock was a 0 win player in 2016, Reyes would be a huge overpay. Arizona would be wise to probably let Pollock reestablish his value before trading him.
Braves would ask the world for Inciarte. I don’t think you want him that bad.
Inciarte plays for the Braves
So every half decent player will get QO’d if they know they can get a 3 year deal
Kelly Johnson to the braves. He will subsequently be traded to to the mets in May
Marlins and cardinals are the perfect trade partners in this situation. Send ozuna for wacha and bader and you both come out winning
I’d hate to give up on Wacha, but I have a feeling you’re probably right on. That trade makes a lot of sense for both teams. The Marlins ownership for whatever reason really do not like Ozuna, there have been reports of that for years. And trading Wacha is a John Mozeilak kind of move, the vast majority of players he trades are when he doesn’t see them having a roll on the team going forward.
Better yet.. send wacha and Reyes and a of prospect to Marlins for Stanton and a low minor pitching prospect! Get on it MO!
Unfortunately, I can’t see that the Cardinals have enough major league ready minor leaguers that other major league clubs would consider adding to their own team in return for a star player. Sorry….. I just don’t see it !!! Hope I’m wrong, but…..if they pick up a top star player, it’ll cost a bunch of the current cardinals. Someone like Carpenter, Piscoty, or Carlos Martinez would have to be included, if not 2 of them and minor leaguers.
A star player like Sale, or Trout? No probably not, not without Reyes, but the Cardinals have enough to get a guy like Eaten, Ozuna, or similar promising centerfielder.
Blackmon? Gardner? Ellsbury? Starling? John Jay? Jennings? Pagan? Revere?
Blackmon – too pricey for Cards taste prospects wise
Gardner – this is doable
Ellsbury – LOL. Why would the Cards want him?
Starling – You mean Starling Marte? He’s not going anywhere. Especially to a division rival.
Jon Jay – a possibility, but I think the Cards probably want someone with higher ceiling like Gomez first. Probably a backup option.
Jennings – a failed prospect. If Cards are in bargain shopping mode, then I can see them giving him a spring invite deal.
Pagan – too old. And probably will need a platoon partner.
Revere – Gomez and Jon Jay are more palatable options than him, imo.
Bubba Starling?
Gutierrez?
Lugares?
Cespedes?
Joey Bats?
Starling is an extremely risky prospect, Guti is aging and no longer a great cf plus can’t hit rhp, Lagares can’t hit, would cost prospects, don’t have money for cespedes, Joey bats could be expensive and give them a bad defense
I think Billy Hamilton makes sense for both sides, though I hear the Redlegs aren’t interested in trading him, which I understand. Still it makes sense for the pitching-weak Reds to acquire a Wacha or Weaver for a guy who may never really hit. Reds could flip such a starter later for a huge haul if he succeeds ala Shelby Miller.
Meanwhile, Hamilton easily fills the defensive need in CF for St. Louis, and he adds speed to a slow lineup. If his improvement in OBP is real, he could be a great leadoff guy for years.
The Cards can’t land any of them, except for the ones on the back side of their Careers.
I just love how Carlos Gomez is a “less obvious” solution. After Desmond and Fowler as FA’s, who else is there? In fact, Desmond really only has last year on his resume as an outstanding offensive season. Fowler isn’t outstanding defensively. I really can’t say that either of them is guaranteed to be better than Gomez in ’17. Tyler Holt is someone I would consider to be a “less obvious” option, but Gomez? Really!? He appears rather obvious to me.
Pillar & Ozuna for J. Garcia, Wacha, and someone like Sierra or Fernandez as prospects. Thoughts?
Thoughts? Makes no sense for the Jays. They are in win mode. Unless never mind there’s not really a trade that makes sense to unload either. Unless you’re talking about Reyes, Weaver, Oh, and Rosenthal for Ozuna. The cards and jays just don’t match up.
Toronto has a pretty good starting rotation (Stro, Sanchez, Happ, Estrada, Liriano) weak backend besides Osuna. Toronto would likely be more interested in Piscotty/Grichuk
How on earth is that remotely fair for Toronto
I can’t take the wilpons we came out too the ball park so SPEND
Cards obtain Christian Yelich, a Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, on a very appealing contract for the next five years. Miami gets pitchers Reyes, Weaver and Garcia, filling a currently non-existent rotation.
JD Martinez or Justin Upton for Weaver and so on?
Ninmo for Garcia or Wacha and so on?
Mariners OF for Wacha or Garcia?
Yelich is without a doubt 100% untouchable. More than any other player on the Marlins
now that is an interesting trade that Mo should pursuit… He wont though… no balls!
Cards should trade reyes, bader, garcia, so on for sale. They have good relationship with wsox
Wacha, bader, j.gargia for inciarte. Ender has plus speed and won gold glove. Good hitter at top of order, especially vs rightys, aswell.