Though Tyler Chatwood is entering his last year under contract, there hasn’t been any sign that the Rockies are considering trading the righty, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post writes as part of a reader mailbag. Chatwood missed all of 2015 recovering from Tommy John surgery and posted solid numbers in his comeback year, managing a 3.87 ERA, 6.66 K/9 and a 57.2% grounder rate over 158 innings. It’s unclear whether the Rockies can extend Chatwood given his issues pitching at Coors Field, and he’d make a very interesting trade chip in this offseason’s thin free agent pitching market. That said, given how Colorado has traditionally struggled to find any viable rotation help, the team might prefer to hang onto Chatwood for as long as possible. Saunders’ entire mailbag piece is well worth a read, as he also addresses such topics as the Rockies’ first base search and new manager Bud Black.
Here’s more from around the NL West…
- The Dodgers are telling teams they are “very open” to re-signing Chase Utley even as L.A. is still exploring other trades for second base help, Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports (Twitter links). At this point, it would seem that Utley could be a backup plan for the Dodgers if they couldn’t land a bigger name like Logan Forsythe, Ian Kinsler or Brian Dozier.
- Speaking of Dozier, Berardino also tweets that there isn’t much cooking between the Dodgers and Twins in trade discussions. “I wouldn’t hold your breath,” one team official tells Berardino about the chances of a deal.
- The Giants haven’t had serious talks with relievers Javier Lopez, Sergio Romo or Santiago Casilla, CSNBayArea.com’s Alex Pavlovic reports. Casilla is the least likely to return, as he and the team ended the season on bad terms. Romo could potentially be an option for San Francisco in January or February if he fails to catch on with another club beforehand.
- As for Lopez, Pavlovic writes that the veteran southpaw is “said to have a very short list of teams that could keep him out of retirement.” Lopez has previously hinted at continuing his career, though it appears it could be only under particular circumstances, such as staying with the Giants. Pavlovic isn’t sure that will happen, as the Giants already have Will Smith, Josh Osich and Steven Okert on hand as left-handed bullpen options.
Dodgers should go for Forsythe out of the four the four Is utley kinsler dozier Forsythe
Why would the Dodgers tell any other team that they open to signing a free agent?
To prove they aren’t desperate for a trade.
I think they need someone a bit better than Utley at this point. Kinsler is ideal in my mind, but I’d hate to see him go from the Tigers.
This. Teams know the Dodgers are looking for 2B/3B help. So when the Dodgers approach teams for a trade, the team is probably asking for the moon. Dodgers reply with a lower offer and the fact that they are open to signing a guy. Its a risk because the team could go elsewhere at that point, but if somebody is desperate to trade one of their guys (or the other offers have been insufficient), they might take a low offer from the Dodgers to get rid of them.
Saying they’ll just go sign someone would be a smart tactic if there was a 2B better than Kinsler/Dozier/Forsythe or whoever is available for trade still on the market.
Very good
Good theories, possibly even true, though I wonder how many GMs buy that kind of trial balloon stuff.
It probably doesn’t work that often, but I’m sure some GMs do it as a posturing move. See if teams (on both sides) will budge on their demands.
A conversation between Al Avila and Andrew Friedman
Andrew: We want Ian Kinsler
Al: Okay, give us Bellinger and Puig
Andrew: Nah, that’s okay, we’ll go sign Utley instead.
Al: Fine, give us Scott Van Slyke and a dozen donuts.
Andrew: (To Himself) Works every time.
I would have held out on the donuts.
The Dodgers are in need but do you want to give up a lot to take on more money?
The Dodgers don’t really care about taking on, or getting rid of payroll.
I am going to disagree with that statement. It’s well known that the Dodgers want to get below the luxury tax threshold. They are paying the max penalty right now, and want the reset.
Something tells me there will be a lot of let down Dodgers fans this offseason. Really hurts to say that. I keep having high hopes for this team and keep saying “next season” but I don’t think they are going to make the moves us Dodgers fans hope they make and know they need to make to get over the hump. I also think we are going to be really let down when they let either Jansen and Turner sign with another team or at least one of them. I just don’t have a good feeling about this offseason. Maybe I just don’t trust Friedman and company.
Don’t think that the Dodgers need to make some huge moves to succeed. Urias is finally here. They still have good depth at pitching overall and De Leon could very well take a leap forward next season. I think they will slide under the radar just as they did this year. My bet is they sign someone like Steve Pearce or Sean Rodriguez who can play almost anywhere and then sign one or two good, but not elite, relievers like Brad Ziegler. Dodgers are actually really sneaky as they’ve gone for solid depth as opposed to going all in on a superstar, and they would be wise to keep it that way.
The problem with that is that urias and Deleon will be on strict innings caps next year, which won’t allow them to pitch deep in a potential post season run
Kwasdog10..I don’t think Urias will be on the pitch count again next year. He was on one last year. You think they will again?
Look for many reasons, one being financial related, they won’t start in the rotation unless there is a major need. Yes Urias is def going to be on an innings limit of up to about 160. I think the large workload relative to what he handled ever makes them start him late just so he can make a playoff run. I don’t think continued interruption mid season is the greatest in terms of development. As far as major moves I agree not many need to be made reup ping what they have and and bringing in a Rodriguez and back an Utley. The only move I can see them making , and kind hope they make, would be a Braun trade. Bouncing Toles to right and roving Thompson around the OF. Yes Braun’s not a RF neither is Ces or Fowler. Dodger stadium is a big park they don’t fit the mold. Not even sure if Toles will. If Toles flops then you hope between the development of Verdugo/Bellinger is there.
Plus DeLeon is a college kid who has thrown heavy innings before they won’t be as strict in regards to him look at him throwing about the same amount ~150-160. Then again dependent on WBC. I don’t know what his status is with Puerto Rico.
I do agree with you as far as pitching depth but I do think they need that shit down closer and they do need JT. He was a big leader in the clubhouse. They also need to get better against hitting lefties and they can fill that need in RF with either trading for Braun or signing Cespedes or even Fowler. But they do need to make those moves. If they can sign JT, a closer and a RF that can hit lefties I think we are good and don’t need to worry about starting pitching like you said.
Those are terrible options in RF. I honestly can understand the LF argument but def not in RF. Dodger stadium, Coors Field, AT
AT
ATT park, PetCo. I cringe at those three attempting to play RF in the NL west. Fowler not so much but his arm is average and plays down in RF. Sends shivers.
Could Yasiel Puig be an answer in right? He is a natural in right and has a huge arm. Plus he is one of the most talented baseball players around.
No I think we’ve seen the extent to how much they believe in him this year which is the short end of a platoon.
Which don’t get me wrong I’d love to have Braun, but I guess it’s depends how much they believe in Toles and Thompson while also how close are Verdugo and Bellinger. Braun is more of a LF. Another factor would have to be Ethier, but I think at this point he might be better suited for an AL team.
There is Zero chance the Dodgers sign Pearce. And no he can’t play everywhere. And Ziegler has not been mentioned in any talk what so ever with the Dodgers. Do you just start to throw random FA players out there and say we are going to sign them?? And once and for all on any thread involving the Dodgers and ANY DEAL. THey are NOT going to TRADE Urias. Not for Sale. Not for anyone!! Know what you’re taking about before you make uneducated comments. Just like everyone wanted to talk about that Seager would need to be in any deal previous to him coming up to the big league club. Urias is untouchable. If anyone watches Dodger games consistently, the FO, former players IE, hershiser, Fernando, everyone! Talks about his stuff plays and is as good as Kershaws. And he’s 19. He will be an Ace #1. Period. He’s not going anywhere.
You know you can be opinionated without being so condescending and douchey, right? Also, looks like you you’re the one who needs to get the facts straight. Pearce played 1st, 2nd, 3rd, LF, and RF just last year. Clearly, he can play almost anywhere. And why would there be “zero” chance of signing Pearce or Ziegler? They are FREE AGENTS, as in free to sign with any team. The big three closers are looking like they’re going somewhere other than to LAD, leaving guys like Ziegler still out there- who was pretty great last year. Just because there hasn’t been chatter about either signings, doesn’t mean it’s not possible; it’s a long off-season. Maybe you didn’t read the part where I said, “my bet”, indicating my own thoughts on the matter.
“The Giants haven’t had serious talks with relievers Javier Lopez, Sergio Romo or Santiago Casilla …”
Nor should they, really. Maybe Sergio if he’s willing to take a whopping pay cut (say, down to 2y/$8M).
Looks like it’s time to move on.They’ll probably sign Melancon and another pretty good reliever.
Agreed. Melancon seems to be the right fit, at least financially. Holland would be an intriguing pickup, but there will be a lot of competition.
As for the other former “Core Four” guys, the Giants are playing it exactly right. Time to move on, but keep an open mind about bringing Romo back at a reasonable price if he doesn’t get any takers sooner than later.
True, but somewhat ironically I think the Red Sox bullpen is in a similar position as in that they want younger relievers- meaning I think they snag Holland and hope for upside (still only 31) and let Ziegler and Euhara walk. In which case, Ziegler would be a good add for the Giants based on his stats over the last few years.
Love Lopez, but probably best to move on. Not sure he can recapture his mojo at age 39.
I have always wondered if he would end up on a 1 year with the nats so that he could retire in his hometown
At what point does a player have zero value whatsoever? A team only has 25 roster spots. I don’t quite understand how Javier Lopez can have any value pitching 26 innings a year. In 63 games. I understand Bochy hyper-manages his bullpen but that usage is absolutely insane to me.
Giants need to move on….. We need fresh arms in the pen
Come on Cardinals!!! You need Dozier. Anybody know what it would take to land Dozier?
Pitching probably something you’re uncomfortable with giving up. Start with Reyes. They’re in need of pitching and a lot of it. I don’t think the Cardinals need Dozier they have a Dozier clone in Gyroko.
I hope they focus on an elite 3rd baseman, and any outfielder they are convinced is better than their AAA options of Williamson, Parker or Slater.. And I hope they are able to grab off Greg Holland, and that they are monitoring closely the conditioning of Okert, Osich and Strickland in this off season.