Free agent first baseman/outfielder Mark Trumbo’s market may have taken a notable hit Saturday when the Orioles, with whom he spent last season, rescinded their offer to the slugger after negotiations stalled. Baltimore’s proposal was reportedly worth in the neighborhood of $52MM over four years and didn’t include a no-trade clause. The soon-to-be 31-year-old Trumbo is seeking upward of $70MM and full no-trade rights after launching a major league-leading 47 home runs in 2016. While no team has been willing to approach Trumbo’s demands – not to the media’s knowledge, anyway – there hasn’t been a shortage of clubs that have shown interest in him this offseason.
Wherever Trumbo plays next season, it seems unlikely he’ll spend most of his time in the outfield again. Trumbo served as primarily a right fielder last season, but the results were uninspiring (minus-9 Defensive Runs Saved, minus-5.9 Ultimate Zone Rating) and subtracted value from the .256/.316/.533 batting line he put together in 667 plate appearances. For his part, Trumbo realizes he’s better suited as a first baseman, where the former Angel, Diamondback and Mariner has played the plurality of his career. The Orioles already have an entrenched solution at first in Chris Davis and, if they are able to work out a deal with Trumbo, would want him back as mainly a designated hitter, according to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com.
If Trumbo does add the Orioles to his list of ex-employers, it seems the Rockies could end up as his next team. As they’re currently built, the Rockies don’t have room for a first baseman. Nevertheless, they’re still in on Trumbo even after signing Ian Desmond to a five-year, $70MM contract, per Kubatko. Inking Trumbo would enable the Rockies to send Desmond to the outfield, where he played in Texas last season and where he’d be more valuable, and perhaps pave the way for the team to trade an excess outfielder (Charlie Blackmon or Carlos Gonzalez) for a starting pitcher. Having already given up their first-round pick in 2017 to sign Desmond, the Rockies would only have to surrender a second-rounder to bring the powerful Trumbo – who rejected the Orioles’ qualifying offer – to the hitters’ paradise known as Coors Field.
Aside from the Orioles and Rockies, the Cardinals, Indians, Rangers and Mariners have all been connected to Trumbo in recent weeks. As is the case with the Rockies, the Cardinals wouldn’t have the option of deploying Trumbo at DH because they’re in the National League. They also wouldn’t lose a first-rounder to sign Trumbo, having already parted with their top selection in 2017 to pick up center fielder Dexter Fowler in free agency. The Cards aren’t exactly hard up for infielders, though, which is one reason they’re planning to shift Matt Carpenter to first on a full-time basis. If Trumbo enters the fray, Carpenter would presumably head back to the hot corner. That would turn $10MM third baseman Jhonny Peralta into either an expensive reserve or a trade chip and make first baseman Matt Adams all the more superfluous.
The Indians and Rangers each have obvious needs at first base/DH, though Texas is an unlikely landing spot if you’re to believe president and general manager Jon Daniels that he’d rather find a solution from within than splurge on a free agent. On the other hand, the AL champion Indians are fresh off a deep playoff run – one that proved highly beneficial to their financial situation – and could perhaps turn to Trumbo as a replacement for free agent Mike Napoli and a presumably less expensive (and less effective) alternative to Edwin Encarnacion.
Like Cleveland and Texas, Seattle would have to sacrifice a first-rounder to sign Trumbo. GM Jerry Dipoto suggested last month that he was content with his club’s cast of position players, but he quickly reversed course by entering talks with Trumbo’s camp and placing outfielder Seth Smith on the block. Aside from Nelson Cruz, who’s clearly more cut out to DH, Smith is the Mariners’ most established corner outfield bat. Dealing him would leave the M’s with only unproven options in Mitch Haniger, Ben Gamel and Guillermo Heredia. Trumbo could factor in as both a corner outfielder (again, not ideal) or a first basemen, then, as the Mariners are set to rely on a tandem of Dan Vogelbach and Danny Valencia at the latter spot. Of course, not only would signing with the Mariners bring about Trumbo’s second stint in Seattle, but it would reunite him with Dipoto. Notably, Dipoto traded Trumbo away when he was the Angels’ GM in 2013.
While reports suggest Trumbo will join one of the aforementioned clubs sometime in the coming months, there’s also the possibility of a mystery team swooping in and landing him. Is there an unknown suitor out there that you think is going to sign Trumbo, or will one of the franchises listed above ultimately add him to its lineup?
(Poll link for Trade Rumors App users)
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
The Rockies are going to be this year’s Diamondbacks
If they sign trumbo I think they will be a little bit better than a 69 win team…
Their uniforms aren’t nearly gross enough
The Diamondbacks traded a 4WAR OF, the #1 pick of the draaft and a future #3 starter for a #3 starter, and they gave 34m a year to a 31 year old pitcher
The Rockies gave a 14m AAV to a guy who can play 7 positions and would have been their third best hitter against LHP last year. Also they gave an average middle reliever average middle reliever money.
couldn’t guy who plays 7 positions and been third best hitter vs lefties apply to Sean Rodriguez as well? you know, guy who signed for 60 mil less, shorter commitment and wouldn’t have cost them the 11th pick in the draft. ian desmond at 5/70 to play anywhere but 1st is fine, signing him at that number, losing the pick and slot money that comes with it to have him play 1st is dumb.
You’re on crack, go away
you must have been on the debate team in high school.
I’d love to have added Sean Rodriguez, not sure I want him playing 50 games at SS but he is talented. That said Desmond takes at bats away from Adames and Parra especially against LHP. Lets let him be their primary 1B before we say for sure that he is that.
huh? why is anyone other than story playing 50 games at ss? it’s more like 15-20. and those guys lose at bats to anyone they would have signed. if they signed brandon moss to play 1st parra would still be the 4tg outfielder. even with desm9nd he is the 4th of. desmond was a bad signing because they aren’t ready to truly compete this year, and he doesn’t have the bat to profile at first on top of losing the pick and over 2 mil in slot money. they should have signed a stopgap in moss, and Rodriguez as a utility guy/ moss platoon mate.
You’re hung up on the 70m number. It’s over 5 years, and back-loaded. That average, $14m, is only about a 1.5 win equivalent, which is very achievable. It’s a completely normal contract for a guy of his level.
actually I’m not, I said the contract is fine, however the draft pick and slot money they gave up is worth an additional ~20 mil. now on top of that they are burning up the best years of the contract before rodgers and all their starters are fully developed. will he be worth 5/70? sure, but all the factors put the true value of the contract much higher.
On the other hand they are still in the market for Trumbo/EE which if they bring them on they likely have traded Cargo or Blackmon. Desmond hits LHP well, the rockies have Cargo/Blackmon/Parra/Dahl/Patterson/Tapia for 4OF spots all are LHB. This gives you a
C Murphy
1B Trumbo/EE
2B DJ
3B Arenado
SS Story
LF Desmond
CF Dahl
RF Cargo
UT Adames
OF Parra
OF Patterson
C Wolters
It’s also just stupid because they are wasting him at 1b. They could have signed someone else to play 1b who likely has a better bat.
I guess we can wait to see if he is actually a 1b, but going by what the team says (that he’ll be their 1b) it’s dumb. I wont even touch the ‘not ready to compete part” because I think they could at least be a surprise kinda chance at that, that’s not my issue with it at all, it’s signing a guy like desmond and sticking him at a position that is just wasting his defensive talent.
I think they are signing Desmond with the intention of buying into the versatility revolution in baseball. He can play 1b because 1b can hide poor defenders or he can play SS if story comes back to earth like he should. Plus his output will go up overall because 81 games in Denver every year. Great investment by the Rockies.
I don’t know but I bet it’s gonna be a baseball one.
Mariners
No way!
Does anyone think the Orioles were the mystery team that made an offer for Andrew McCutchen?
I’m betting that the Orioles eventually resign Trumbo.
If the rumors are true on their asking price, BAL couldn’t come anywhere close for an aging, but affordable star in the OF, coming off a bad season. Hopefully they’re smarter than that.
They don’t have the pieces Pittsburgh will want
the O’s would of had to trade Gausman or Bundy plus a prospect or 2 for Cutch.
Exactly and they aren’t doing that
Orioles have no farm. Not a possibility.
Probably not going to happen, but my votes for CLE more because I want to see them replace Napoli’s inconsistent bat with Trumbo.
If you take a close look at their careers, and factor out health and ballpark considerations, there’s no question Mike Napoli is the better offensive player. How anyone would even consider paying Trumbo what he’s asking after one fine season in that Camden Yards bandbox is beyond me. I’m not in favor of resigning Napoli at all, but he’s a far better risk than depending on Trumbo to hit like Napoli did in Cleveland (a tough park for power hitting right handed hitters).
Baltimore is the only team that should be considering any kind of significant offer for Trumbo, but even they’re not dumb enough to approach his demands.
Careers, yes. But Napoli has several more years on Trumbo and much more wear and tear. At this moment, Trumbo is an upgrade from Napoli at first. With that being said, I would hate to see Cleveland give him anything larger than a two year deal.
Giving up a draft pick for two years of Trumbo at a presumably inflated contract rate… mistake imo
Napoli — all intangibles aside — was not very good last year, and hasn’t been for several years. Trumbo’s WAY more valuable (and that’s not saying much, to be honest). No one will even give Napoli a second year this off-season!
Unfortunately you really can’t factor out health.
Rockies sign him, shift Desmond to outfield, and trade cargo to the red sox built around a package sending buchholz and mid tier prospects in return
Why would Colorado trade Cargo for bucholz and “mid tier prospects”.
My only answer:
$$$
Because it would benefit both teams.. cargo would slot into DH for the sox. Buchholz, while inconsistent, is a solid pitcher who needs a change of scenery is better than the guys currently slotted into COL rotation. Add in guys such as Brian Johnson/trey ball and a positional player such as Michael Chavis and it would be a go… IMO
There is zero chance the Rockies would be interested in that.
Buchholtz wouldn’t make the Rockies rotation, unless there are injuries. They’re interested in relievers or prospects, not back of rotation starters.
You mean the Red Sox unless the Rockies pay all of Cargo’s salary and that will also not happen,
I don’t think k a pitcher who needs a change of scenery would like that scenery to be Coors field
The Red Sox have a DH. With the signing of Moreland, Hanley slots into the DH spot because he literally can’t play anywhere else on the field but 1B at this point.
This too. Not only would the Rockies not want Buchholtz, but the Red Sox have no need for Cargo. It’s a perfectly bad trade proposal! (Congrats!)
haha, well put braves 2015
The number of clubs that would consider buchholz for a rotation spot can be counted on one hand and at least one of those fingers is the marlins and probably at least one of the remaining fingers are severed off.
That does not make any sense
Where would CarGo play in Boston? They have a very crowded outfield.
I just don’t see Trumbo as a Cardinal; he’s essentially a duplicate of Mark Reynolds, but more expensive
Except that Reynolds hit 33 less HRs, so yeah, not really the same at all
Except that trumbo had only one good season
Carlsoce I’m referring to the type of player he is; lots of power, strikes out a ton. He doesn’t fit the mold the Cards are trying to create
I’d prefer EE if the Cards are going to make a move. I agree with you, don’t think Trumbo would be the best fit either. Cards do need “that guy” and they haven’t had one since Pujols
Same here. EE makes much more sense to me
Except he wants a 4 year deal and can’t play the field that much hasn’t played 90 games in the field since 2010. You want to make a 34 year old play 130-140 games for 4 years when he hasn’t played the field that much?
No. I said Id like him as an addition, but Ive said before only at the right price. I don’t see him signing with the Cardinals unless he accepts a 1-2 year deal
Even then I’d think he’d return to Toronto before that better ballparks
And the Cards wouldn’t do that with the QO. I’m not sure EE will get signed at this point, unless he somehow ends up with the Rangers/Indians (Jays will resign Bautista).
Somebody in The al will take him he’s to good just not going to get that kinda $ that he turned down.
The Cards lost their first round draft pick by signing Fowler, so i doubt that would really factor into the decision; Id be surprised if they cared a lot about the 2nd round draft pick
“Fewer” home runs.
I can’t see the logic of Trumbo’s no-trade demand, It seems to fundamentally misunderstand the nature of his potential market. His limitations in the field are just going to grow worse, which means that his new team is effectively locking in salary and position for the next four years–ensuring inflexibility on the roster. He’s not and never had been a high OBA guy, so, as his power declines through the back of the deal, you end up with someone who starts to resemble Ryan Howard. He’s the type of player you need to be able to move, if necessary, mid-season to a team who has an emergent need.
this is a very intelligent statement.
if you’re not a guy who is going to be a long term, corner stone type for a franchise, why wouldn’t you want to be traded to a team in the hunt come July? nobody is building a team around a one trick pony in Trumbo. his market is finicky and limited. if foregoing a NTC means longer term guaranteed cash, do it to better your chances at a ring.
Some guys just don’t like uprooting their families on a moment’s notice. It’s not always all about money.
Ever heard of “negotiation”?
Good grief, boys.
Oh yeah he loves the new school that his kids don’t attend yet, that must be why he doesn’t move. Oh yeah after 10 years of professional baseball he finally has the chance to cash-in big time…but suddenly his wife is tired of the possibility of unpacking boxes again?
Completely understand your point–but if Trumbo wants both premium money and the full no=trade, he might have more difficulty getting a team to sign him.
Trumbo will be an Oriole in 2017. There’s just no real market for him.
Doubt it. O’s will pick up an outfielder long before they re-sign Trumbo, I’m guessing. Bet they trade some minor prospect for Jay Bruce, or a more valuable asset for Cargo. They’re actually a really bad fit for Trumbo.
I’m guessing Trumbo will be a Baltimore Oriole
At this point the cardinals seem like the most logical landing spot after Baltimore pulled their offer. Colorado seems unlikely to trade an outfielder, as they would want an Adam Eaton-like haul for Blackmon and CarGo is making 20M this season.
No way Trumbo will get signed by the Cards
I hope the O’s don’t resign him. They can put that money towards resigning Manny and I really just want to see how Mancini will do. In his short time in the Majors last year, he proved he will be able to compete. There are much better ways to spend that money.
Machado is gonna be looking for Stanton money at the minimum, can the O’s afford that?
I’m sure they can and that might be why they are hesitant in giving a lot of money to a free agent. Also, knowing they will only get a pick at the end of the third round with the QO makes resigning him a must.
I think they should be able to if they are smart over the next few years. I agree with dwilson10, they should use Mancini at DH.
I will be 0% surprised if it is the O’s and they regret it as soon as next season.
mariners 1 yr
mariners 1 yr.
mariners 1 yr
Could the blue jays make a certain degree of sense? Wat least if his market comes down a bit? If things don’t work out with EE he could split 1B/DH duties.
He’s kind of the same player as Morales, is he not?
Don’t be so certain. Re-signing Trumbo could actually enable the O’s to pick up a much cheaper, defense-first OF. For the combined cost of a Trumbo and Bourn they could be far better off compared to last season with the improved D..
Go to Colorado, tamper with the humidor, and hit 115 HR
Dirty little secret about Coors Field? It’s not that HR friendly for right-handers. Pretty average actually. Lefties are another story.
Can’t see the Mariner’s sighing him after trading him for nothing to save salary. Just doesn’t sound at all right.
Just sign Chris Carter for like a dollar instead.
Agreed. Carter will get what, 2 years $15 mill?
Baltimore should walk away from his delusional demands.
I would love for the cardinals to sign him for 5 years. Giving him and Fowler ridiculous money would certainly help drive the cards right down the drain.
rockies. going for bats
If you mean Joey Bats, I agree. He could do very well signing a short-term contract in Colorado to play first.
Jut imagine if the kakabrainiacs from the Angels front office would have retain Napoli and Trumbo them develop them … no need to have signed Pujols and Hamilton … and we have had plenty of $ left to sign Tier One pitching … oh well …
They did acquire Skaggs and Hector Santiago for trumbo id call that a win for a guy who only had one good hr year in a hitters ballpark. The Napoli trade you’re right on the $ but a few teams have up on him and you could’ve had him for cheap last year.
Skaggs will be an “iffy” this season… let’s hope he can come back successful from TJ… Santiago was an OK pickup, we should have kept him … he was the only decent arm we had last season…
I see trumbo as a Yankee I can flat out smash the ball anyways I think the money for this guy is cheap.
trumbo can flat out mash the ball in any ball park I think the money is fair he is a very good 1st baseman.I see him as a yankee!
The Yankees keep saying they want to get under the luxury tax plus that draft pick attachment is kinda big to a young team like the Yankees.
Agreed angelfan should’ve kept Santiago and this trade looks that much better whatever Skaggs gives you is a plus for that trade.
The difference between Santiago and Nolasco is the former strikes out more batters, but also walks way more batters. Nolasco’s K/BB ratio is twice Santiago’s because he walks fewer batters.
What Nolasco does do is pitch to contact, and the additions of Espinosa and Maybin may turn some of that contact to outs, compared to last year. Fact remains a team can defend against a ball in play, but can’t defend against a walk. Those walks (and many deep counts) would ratchet up Hector’s pitch count towards 100 by the 5th inning.
Finally, Nolasco pitches much deeper into the game than did Santiago. Nolasco had 11 starts with the Angels, and in only 1 did he fail to hand the ball over by the 7th inning. Furthermore, he pitched to the 8th in two games, to the 9th in one game, and threw a complete game.
The value this has in not abusing the bullpen can’t be overstated. In contrast, in Santiago’s 22 starts with the Angels before the trade, he averaged 5 1/3 IP per start; in one game he failed to make it out of the 2nd and in two games failed to make it out of the 3rd.
Nolasco in many ways represents an upgrade over Santiago. If Meyer is able to contribute, either as a starter or from the pen, the trade will be a huge win for Eppler.
If I am not mistaken… Nolasco is prong to the long ball and that’s something that a team cannot defend … To me … that trade was a deadwood plus a salary dump for the Twins and we go the short end of the stick… I still think that we could have done much better at the end of the trade deadline last season…
I’m going to say that the deal has yet to be determined then reading more about Nolasco I just knew what he was in Minnesota which was terrible. If he goes back to that 2.5 year stretch obviously he’s not worth it if he continues that last 11 game stretch it’s worth it and as you eluded to Meyer is the wild card.
Meyer was the wild card but he is not any better than the two arms the angels gave up to get Espinoza, who to me is another Dan Uggla with a bit better D….