With plenty of apparent interest, veteran righty Tyson Ross is “taking a methodical approach” to deciding upon his next organization, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports in his latest notes column. Among the elements under consideration are the rehap options and “contractual structures” being proposed. Last we heard, the Rangers and Cubs were pursuing Ross most aggressively, with the Nationals also showing interest. All three clubs, it seems, are also lining up other possibilities in the event that they miss on the talented 29-year-old, who is attempting to work back from thoracic outlet surgery. Chicago, in particular, could turn its attention back to southpaw Travis Wood, notes Rosenthal, who says the team still likes the lefty.
- Meanwhile, per Rosenthal, the Orioles remain interested in Michael Bourn despite adding another left-handed-hitting outfielder in Seth Smith. Baltimore wants to boost the glovework in its outfield mix, he says, and evidently remains favorably disposed toward the veteran after his late-season run with the club in 2016. It’s not immediately clear how things would look if Bourn joins Smith and Hyun Soo Kim as southpaw-swinging options, though presumably either of the existing players could also mix in at DH, while Bourn could also spell Adam Jones in center.
- Though the Braves have added three veteran pieces to their rotation this winter, MLB.com’s Mark Bowman suggests that the club will continue to pursue a controllable, top-flight hurler. He cites Jose Quintana of the White Sox and Chris Archer of the Rays as the likeliest targets; indeed, Atlanta has long been connected to both, among plenty of other organizations. It would surely represent something of a surprise at this point were the Braves to make a major strike for a starter, but the organization has proved willing and able in the past to pull off significant deals at any stage of the year.
- The Mets continue to face a seeming dilemma with outfielder Jay Bruce, who hasn’t generated much demand on the trade market with a variety of power-hitting free agents still available on the open market. Joel Sherman of the New York Post takes a look at the situation, arguing that the club simply needs to make the best deal it can — even if it means eating salary. New York could explore ways to add a reliever in a Bruce swap, he notes, but shouldn’t allow his $13MM salary to get in the way of bolstering the pen.
alexgordonbeckham
Anyone else think it is too soon to offer what it would take to receive either Quintana or Archer?
Travis’ Wood
Now is a great time to trade for Archer considering he’s coming off his worst full season. If he goes back to his normal self in 2017 his price is just gonna rise.
alexgordonbeckham
That doesn’t mean the Rays will sell him at a reduced price. Signed cheap for 5 more years. They can afford to wait for him to bounce back.
Priggs89
They aren’t going to sell him low after a down year. If someone offers full value, they might pull the trigger. But they won’t be giving any discounts.
RunDMC
Actually, it’s not a good time considering TB is not going to sell low on him with his controllable years, but what if he doesn’t turn it back around after you give up a haul for him?
Sure, he’s had a good enough track record in a tough division to look the part, but what if 2016 wasn’t a fluke?
Ungerdog
look at his ’16 second half vs first half…
krillin
Don’t get me wrong, I would love for the Braves to land Quintana or Archer, but my money would be on them not landing a pitcher of that caliber this year
RunDMC
You’re right, if only to allow some of their low-level studs with high-ceilings mature more, letting their stock presumably rise. IF you wait it out, you see a little bit more of Archer/Quintana, while also letting other teams (and you) get to see more from your prospects that can equate to a better package of quality as opposed to quantity.
If they traded right now, there’d be more quantity than quality will Albies coming off an injury and others still at low levels.
kerplunk905
I know Swanson isn’t going anywhere but what are thoughts on ATL offering Albies as the headliner of a package for either Qunitana or Archer?
hyraxwithaflamethrower
Dubious. White Sox are set at 2B with Moncada and at SS with Tim Anderson, so trading for Albies would mean one of them would have to move. It’s an option, but Sox have lots of glaring holes that still haven’t been addressed. I think Braves would move Albies, but I think the WS would rather have a good outfielder or 1B of the future, since I suspect they’ll try to move Abreu this offseason or at the deadline.
As for the Rays, Albies would be a good headliner for Archer after this past season, but I’m thinking they’ll hold on to him and hope for a bounceback to put him closer to Chris Sale value.
kerplunk905
Red Sox were planning on moving Moncada to 3rd, he has had time their already. Don’t get me wrong I would love to pry Meadows from Pirates for Q, but if not possible having Moncada, Albies, Anderson at 2nd 3rd and SS is pretty good.
hyraxwithaflamethrower
Moving Moncada to 3B would be a decent option. I don’t know, though; I just feel like Meadows is going to be better than Albies and the WS have a dire need for OF. Also, Pittsburgh has Josh Bell, who could be the WS 1B of the future.
kerplunk905
I’ve had some online discussions with Pirates fans who are dead set on never moving Meadows or Bell. While I understand the desire to prefer to keep Meadows, I think that he is who the Sox want and I would prefer him to Albies as well.
a1544
Prospects aren’t automatic. Take as many elite ones as you can
hyraxwithaflamethrower
They aren’t, but the WS have so many holes at OF, 3B (after Frazier leaves), 1B (after they trade Abreu), and DH that it doesn’t make sense to risk a logjam when you can address a definite hole.
Priggs89
It does make sense if that log jam is with middle infielders that can hit. Those guys are fully capable of making quick transitions to other positions if their bats play.
Tim Anderson could make the jump to CF (solving one of the outfield issues). Coming up, scouts thought (and still think) that’d be his best position in the majors. Yoan could easily make the transition from 2nd to 3rd, and his bat would still be a big time plus. Albies has the defensive ability to play pretty much anywhere from what I’ve read. That being said, I don’t think his bat (the reason I’m not very interested) will play everywhere, so if you could keep him at short or 2nd, you’d probably be better off. He has some wheels on him too, so I’m assuming he has the speed to cover CF as well if you need him to.
hyraxwithaflamethrower
If the Sox were that interested in Anderson in the OF, you’d think they’d have given him a tryout last year, when he could have replaced Coats and given Saladino more playing time. I hear what you’re saying and I know Moncada has time at 3B; I’m just saying I don’t want the WS to stockpile middle infielders who may not transition to other positions smoothly when there already are players in those positions available. All that said, I’m not particularly interested in Albies. If the Braves were willing to part with Swanson (unlikely), that’d be much more appealing, but I’d prefer the WS to deal with Pittsburgh or Houston.
Priggs89
1) I didn’t say the Sox were that interested in Anderson in the OF. I said that scouts thought that’d be his best position. Obviously the White Sox would rather keep him at SS as it’s the most premium position in the field, and they currently don’t have anyone else to take over that roll. If they found an elite SS prospect, then they’d have a reason to try Anderson in the OF. Saladino is not that guy. That’d just be a waste of time.
2) Like I said, if the bat plays, grab them and figure it out later, just like the Cubs did with Russell, Baez, and Torres. I agree that I wouldn’t stockpile middle infielders if they aren’t good hitters. That’s why I’m not particularly high on Albies or Mateo. But if they have the bat (Moncada/Rodgers/Torres), middle infield is absolutely the place you should be overloading.
3) Like I said a few posts down, I agree with you 100% on Pit/Hou over ATL.
antonio bananas
neither are free agents/vets. the ratio of mlb ready top prospects who fail isnt as much different from top FA as youd think. thing is, when a FA fails (Greinke, Heyward, Howard, Sandoval), you lost 20+M/year for 3-7 years
davidcoonce74
Hayward and greinke are one season into their contracts. Maybe a bit premature to call them failures.
lesterdnightfly
Mr. Bananas:
I’d say that the jury is still out on three of the four you cited: Greinke, Heyward, and Sandoval.
One subpar season (Greinke, Heyward) does not make the whole deal bad. Panda has had two bad seasons, but has the potential to rebound.
Still way too early to call them failures.
braves2
No, Heyward was a failure before the contract and now he is a millionaire failure
lesterdnightfly
Braves 2105:
Sour grapes from Georgia. Muscadines or Scuppernongs?
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
Not necessarily there’s been some question as to whether Anderson is better suited for the OF. Simply put its easier to collect up the mid guys with athleticism and transition them from there. You’re not so much focused or should be on current position more so whether or not they can hit. Beyond that if the white Soxs can continue to collect especially positional guys in Q and Abreu, draft well and have prospects hit they could be the envy of many teams. Now the question is whether the braves are willing to give up Albines.
rocky2395
I don’t see the braves trading for Q. The white sox want top of the line position players and I don’t see the braves getting rid of dansby and the other SS/2B won’t be enough since their next top hitting prospect is 16 and won’t be ready for another 3 to 4 years.
Also if they do throw in dansby the white Sox will begin to have a crowded infield with Anderson moncada dansby and the Ozie kid. Would rather the sox trade with the astros and get OF’ers
kerplunk905
While I would love for the Sox to add a lot more positional depth, Albies + Newcomb (plus a decent positional prospect or 2) should be good. Thats better than what Houston can offer (unless Bregman is moved which won’t likely happen).
vtadave
Newcomb’s value has taken a big hit the last year or so. Houston could start an offer with Reed and Martes, which are two pretty significant pieces despite Reed’s poor MLB showing last year.
southi
You have to remember that almost every prospect list you are looking at now was done mid season last year and don’t include the second half performances. While it is true that Newcomb took a hit last season, his performances late in the year showed tons of promise. From July 18th on (not including the playoffs in which he pitched excellent) Newcomb pitched 51 2/3 innings, allowed 32 hits, 13 earned runs, (2.26 ERA), walked 21 and struck out 60. Most talent evaluators realize that if he has indeed turned a corner Newcomb can still have a high potential ceiling.
Personally I don’t want the Braves to deal for Quintana if it includes either Swanson OR Albies. I think that Albies will eventually be the better player between the two. I think that most fans don’t realize that besides the power tool (which he actually had a much better ISO than many would have expected given the low tool rating he has there) his tools all rate at least as high, or higher than Moncada.
Of course the future of any prospect is never certain.
Priggs89
Well Baseball America just updated their team top 10’s, and Newcomb was listed as the Braves #8 prospect behind pitchers like Allard, Soroka, and Anderson. I doubt everyone else will have Newcomb shooting up their boards…
chesteraarthur
he’s a brave so he’s a future ace. Ignore all the times he’s bad and only focus on the good.
Jon429
That’s funny, I’ve heard that all Braves prospect pitchers are #5 starters at best. Ignore all the good and just focus on the bad.
mcdusty31
Yeah I would have to say that Bregman would’ve only been in play for Chris Sale
Priggs89
Strongly disagree. I’d MUCH rather have Martes/Tucker+ or one of Glasnow/Meadows/Bell+ than Albies/Newcomb+.
Heck, throw in Rodgers+ from Colorado as well.
cwsOverhaul
Co-sign on Colorado being a mystery team with Rodgers as the headliner to put pressure on Pirates. Have bad visions of Glasnow being a Samardzjia type tease that looks the part but isn’t. Would rather let him stay with Bucs and ask for Keller/Bell/Newman. Houston just not comfortable w/Tucker as the only and best position player of interest they could send back.
Priggs89
Way too early to be worrying about position. Take the best talent available and go from there.
bosox90
I’m wondering if the best way to approach signing Tyson Ross is the way the Rays approached signing Wilson Ramos. If you’re paying him on a one year deal ($5-7m?), you’re hoping he can come back without set back after missing a month or two, and then that he can shake off the rust and be effective, and get through the season to help your team in the stretch run/playoffs. Then he becomes a free agent.
I would argue the better deal would be to sign him for two years at a lower AAV. Sure, you run the risk of him never coming back to form and having him stuck on the books through 2018, but I think the cost of that risk is worth the reward. I’d say there’s a good chance he’s going to be brought along very slowly this year, and may not reach his full post-surgery potential until 2018. Why sign him for his comeback season if you aren’t going to reap the benefits of a (relative) full-strength season (given he comes back from injury okay, big if).
Maybe I’m way off here…. eager for feedback on this.
vtadave
It’s a good point to be sure. I think a lot of times in these situations, you’ll see a second year team option at a higher amount. Something like this for Ross: One-year $9 million with a 2018 team option for $12 million.
bosox90
Yeah I think that would be a contract where all sides would win. That allows the team to not rush him along since they may have him for two years, and also gives Ross the chance to earn $21 mil over what will basically amount to 1.5 seasons if he pitches well.
chesteraarthur
I think that makes more sense for the team, but I get the impression from these stories that that is not what ross is looking for. He seems to want a 1 year deal with about 10 mil guarantee and no strings attached.
davidcoonce74
I think Ross is cooked. The history of pitchers coming back from TOS isn’t good, he was a huge injury risk before the surgery, and guys with his control issues don’t age well. Just too many pitches on that arm.
hyraxwithaflamethrower
You’re right from the team’s perspective, but from Ross’s perspective, I think he’s betting on himself to come back so he can get something in the $16M+ range. If he can be as effective as he was before surgery, he could get well more than even that, so I guess it depends on how well he likes his own chances.
bosox90
Yeah I see what you are saying, but I think this way Ross kind of hedges his bet. He gets more guaranteed money (at a lower AAV) so if things go wrong, he at least gets that. Also, it’d only be two years, so if he did come back effective and showed that over the course of 1.5 seasons, he would be in line for a very nice pay day at age 32 heading into the 2019 season.
chesteraarthur
Until he breaks again. This dude has all kinds of injury issues. I may be off here, but it seems like he’s trying to get his 10ish mil guarantee and use this as a platform year to set himself up for a decent length contract. From the way these reports sound, it doesn’t seem like he is looking to sign the 1 + option then hit the market.
bosox90
Well if you were him, wouldn’t you hedge your bet by taking $16m over two years instead? If he breaks again and proves to be the next Shaun Marcum/Noah Lowry, then wouldn’t he be happy knowing he guaranteed himself $16m? If he doesn’t break, and pitches well for a year and a half, he walks into free agency as a 32 year old for the 2019 season, definitely able to get a 3-4 year deal with big time money.
bosox90
Again, it’s exactly what Tampa did with Wilson Ramos. If he comes back fine from injury, they have a relatively great value at a premium position. It’s a reward worth the risk for the team, and an insurance plan for the player to get some guaranteed longer term $$ in case things don’t necessarily pan out as far as recovery goes. Of course they are different players with different injuries, but the approach would be the same.
brood550
For the Braves to get Archer or Quintana they will need to include Albies or Swanson. The Braves don’t have much MLB ready talent to make this trade if Albies and Swanson are not included. The only other way to get this trade done without those two is a 4 or 5 for one. I don’t think the Braves really want to skim off that much talent from their farm system. The Braves could push to take on the remaining amount on Sheilds’ contract to aid a trade but with two years left @ $11 million/year(SD is picking up $10million/year and the buyout for 2019) and Chicago rebuilding and having a low team salary as it doesn’t seem to be a very strong offer. The Rays don’t appear to have any bloated salaries that a team could utilize in a trade.
Grebek7
Hahn will gladly throw in a Brett Lawrie & Shields too if we can get Swanson. Never understood that Shields acquisition, would have gotten just as much out of Latos for much less 3 MIL. Reinsdorf entirely too loyal to Kenny & Robin. Should have traded Q, Melky, Robertson, Lawrie, Avisail & Eaton to replenish farm. Get ChiSox a real coach & possibly field a better team than last year in 2017 while building up the farm.
frankthetank1985
Did the Mets over pay for Bruce or is it more that he is part of a flossed market at the time,limiting his value tremendously? I’m not talking about if he sucks or not or if the Mets were dumb adding him in a panic move or not. Just asking if what the Mets gave up for him was to much or if it was legit at the time and now bad luck/timing is keeping him from being traded for similar value.
frankthetank1985
Flooded not flossed.
lesterdnightfly
They may have thought they gave fair value at the time, but Bruce tanked in NY except for the last week of the season. Now they are stuck with an overcrowded, overpaid, LH-heavy OF of questionable defense, with no real CF.
And Bruce’s trade value has tanked as well. Partly from the market but mostly from his age and production level. No GM would offer more than a B-level prospect, an AAAA guy, or a TJ/TOS rehab pitcher for him — unless the Mets eat some salary and some crow.
Sandy painted himself into a corner with this deal and the roster it helped create.
pjmcnu
Ross may want to consider that, with the Nats, he can avoid having to pitch in the PCL while still facing AAA competition during his rehab.
Priggs89
Why? His stats in AAA while rehabbing will have a minuscule effect on his value at best…
PiratesFan1981
Hey White Sox fans,
This part in the off-season, any deal with Pittsburgh is dead in the water. Obviously WS and Pirates can not come to terms and value of the draft. I am content with not making a trade with White Sox for Q. As a fan, I think it would be a step further backwards.
I don’t see the Pirates moving Meadows since he is going to replace McCutchen in the near future. If the Pirates extend Mercers contract, I see a possible Newman being a piece in the trade of Q. As a Pirate fan, Bell would be the center piece of the trade with a small sample size MLB experience. He is controlled for several years before they have to trade him or re sign him. Before that happens, WS may finally have a winning team. Probably first time since Frank Thomas played, but it is a stepping stone.
Keller can be a piece as well. He is still at lower level of the Pirates system. I can be be alright with a trade that includes him. But I seriously think Keller stays. I rather send catcher Diaz to WS. Diaz, Bell, and Newman (if Mercer is extended) could lock down a Trade. WS are not going to see another Sale trade. That trade was a overpayment and a sign of desperation. Hook, line, and sinker as we refer to as a sucker taking the bait…..
canyon2129
I believe it always was, and remains, Meadows. The White Sox know the price. Whenever Meadows is offered, that is when the deal will be struck. If Meadows is not offered, Q stays. Could be today, could be deadline. That is the firm price, take it or leave it. Quite straight forward, really. Pittsburgh will make the deal, or they won’t.