No-trade protection (whether in the form of contract clauses or 10-and-5 rights) have long been a factor in deal-making. MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince chronicles some famous instances throughout baseball history of players blocking trades, and some current players mentioned on the rumor mill whose ability to be moved is complicated by their own full or partial no-trade clauses. Here’s more from around baseball…
- Mets center fielder Juan Lagares suffered an injury while making a diving catch for his Dominican winter league team, ESPN’s Adam Rubin reports. X-rays were negative, though Lagares will return to New York to be examined by team doctors. Lagares has himself received some trade attention this offseason but New York wants to keep the slick-fielding but light-hitting outfielder in a backup role.
- It doesn’t look like the Giants will be re-signing free agents Gregor Blanco, Santiago Casilla, Javier Lopez, Angel Pagan, Jake Peavy or Sergio Romo, CSNBayArea.com’s Alex Pavlovic writes. Romo has received “at least a couple of offers” from other clubs, according to Giants sources. Lopez is likely to retire unless he gets “a great offer” from an East Coast team so he can stay close to his home in Georgia.
- GM David Stearns declined to say whether or not the Brewers were one of the teams Greg Holland personally met with at the Winter Meetings, MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy reports. The Brewers did scout Holland’s showcase last month, however, so the Crew can be added to the long list of teams that have some degree of interest in Holland after his return from Tommy John surgery. The Cubs, Dodgers, Yankees, Giants, Red Sox, Indians, Rays, Mariners, Nationals, Padres, Twins, Mets, Phillies, Tigers, Blue Jays and Royals are all known to have sent scouts to the showcase or have other been linked to Holland this winter.
- Gerrit Cole tells MLB.com’s Adam Berry that he has yet to talk to the Pirates about his 2017 contract. MLB Trade Rumors projects Cole to earn $4.2MM in his first time through the arbitration process following a season that saw him post a 3.88 ERA, 2.72 K/BB rate and 7.6 K/9 over 116 innings. While the numbers are solid, they were also Cole’s worst in his four big league seasons, as he suffered through an injury-plagued year. This performance dip and rather checkered health history could be reasons why the Pirates aren’t planning to discuss an extension with Cole and agent Scott Boras over the winter, though Cole said he is healthy and will begin his offseason throwing program on Monday.
My prediction…the A’s give Gregor
Blanco 10 million a season to play really bad.
More like Blanco and Pagan go to Japan and finish out their careers.
A couple years to late for Blanco.
Lopez to braves
While I’ll admit that the Braves currently don’t have but one lefty reliever likely to make the opening day roster (Krol) because of how full the bullpen (and the option and rule 5 situations) I don’t see the Braves making “a great offer” like Lopez supposedly asked for. Lopez’s production hasn’t really been great of late, and I’d see the Braves much more likely to offer a minor league contract with a non roster invite to spring training if they offer Lopez anything.
Gerrit Cole isn’t going to garner much. He caught herpes during a Mexico trip this off season.
Are you serious?
Yeah it’s a gulf coast gaming fish, found primarily off the coast of Haiti. You usually catch them when fishing for tuna. You’re supposed to throw them back . If not cared for and cleaned properly it can cause blisters and burning sensations.
LOL
Trade protection was a major factor in this July. Lucroy blocked his trade to Indians to go to Rangers. Could have made a difference in World Series.
Probably the difference! I wonder what he thinks about it now??
He was asked about it on MLB network and downplayed it. The Rangers were the safer bet to do something in the playoffs (at least they had more recent history).
He wanted to be closer to home, since he’s from Louisiana
No, he wanted to catch in 2017 and the Indians would not commit to him being the full-time catcher.
Ya, maybe the Cubs would’ve won sooner then. Lucroy was awful defensively in the ALDS. What Perez provided for Cleveland would’ve been hard for Lucroy to achieve
Cole is a Boras guy. The Pirates are not going to be able to afford to extend him.
He will be traded a year from now.
The Pirates would then be putting out a position player group including Marte, Polanco, Meadows, Bell (or Will Craig) and Kevin Newman and have Taillon and possibly/hopefully Glasnow at the top of the rotation.
If they can get the right pieces back for Cutch and Cole and then keep those pieces long term when their next local TV deal starts after 2019, they can actually finally legitimately compete.
Cole and Cutch should be traded this trade deadline, assuming both stay healthy and have good seasons Cole could bring back 3-4 solid prospects and Cutch a couple top 100 prospects
Yes, trade both at deadline unless they are in contention, in which case trade next winter.
Out of all the off contract Giants players I thought Romo would have the best chance and returning. I’m kinda worried that if Span goes down we don’t really have anyone to cover in CF now with Blanco gone too….
I could see them bringing in a Ben Revere, I know they have a very lefty heavy lineup but Revere had a bad year wouldn’t cost a whole lot and at minimum would be the fourth outfielder, maybe he outshines the platoon in left and gets the job. Low risk high upside player. Again I’d love Jay Bruce but the lineup has too many lefty bats, Bruce always hits extremely well in SF and would be very cheap to get
Gorkys Hernandez is a better fit for 4th OF than Blanco, so I doubt the White Shark will be back. I think only Lopez and Romo have any chance at coming back but will cost more than the Giants want to spend. They would have to not have other offers which is unlikely especially for Romo.
You figured out Gorkys is better after 54 AB’s, opposed to Blanco’s track record?? Not even close as to who is the better player.
maybe blanco will come back but he has been in a downward trend
It’s time to give the younger guys an opportunity. While blanco has a track record Gorkys small taste is worth looking at. Besides the money is right.
Call me crazy, but I would love to see the Giants trade Span and a reliever like Kontos to the Mets for Bruce. It would involve roughly the same amount of money and the Giants and Mets both get guys that fit what they need. The Giants also have young guys like Crick or Chase Johnson who could be included. We get the corner outfielder, they get the CF and relief help. I don’t feel the Giants lose much in CF on offense or defense if they play Gorky there and bring back Blanco or sign a guy like Revere late in the offseason,..and they get that bat in left that could be a difference maker for a team trying to win.
As a Giants fan I am pulling hard for gorkys. Love him as a 4th/ 5th outfielder
I am not too worried about CF, gorkys and parker have it covered, andthere are guys beating the door in the minors right now. I am more worried that there needs to be a little something more leading to melancon – I think putting one more guy in the pen with some reliability with melancon and smith I would feel a lot more comfortable.
That would be nice, but it’s time for the younger guys to step up. There are times when you have to lean on those you drafted and developed. They have the ability, they need the opportunity to play. I believe we will have a great pen this year.
Parker and Williamson are corner outfielders. Wouldn’t want to see either one in CF. Gorkys is the backup.
Austin Slater has played quite a bit of CF in the minors, not sure if he projects to be more of a corner OF or even a 2B.
Parker was a late inning CF replacement more than a few times in the last 2 years.
I don’t think you’re giving guys like Hunter Strickland and Derrek Law enough credit. With the closer role defined, you get to tell your bullpen hey Hunter you got righties the 8th, Derrek, you got the em in the 7th. Smith you got lefties in the 8th. Ocish, you got em in the 7th. Don’t forget about Okert, Kontos, Reynolds, Morris, and CainThe arms are there, they just need definition on their roles. The bullpen will be a strength in 2017. Calling it now.
You may be better off leaving the position vacant on the field of Span gets hurt rather than putting Blanco in his spot
Juan,, how can you do this to us? This guarantees we’ll see the likes of John Mayberry Jr or Julio Franco again.
I think the Phillies should sign Pagan or Romo
I got a trade idea.
Rosario
Conforto
Drnaud
Bruce
For
Trout.
Throw in Gary Gentry and it sounds like a done deal.
lol…the entire Mets’ fanbase WISHES that would work.
More like- Rosario, Skapucki, Harvey, Conforto.
Wonder what Romo is looking for money wise. Would love to see Tampa take a crack at signing him.
First thing I thought of was Tony Romo…I was like…huh? I’d *love* to see him go to the Browns because….comedy of errors sure to ensue.
I think someone takes a flyer on the other Romo.