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Heyman’s Latest: Nats, Cutch, Marlins, Cole, Cobb

By Jeff Todd | May 18, 2017 at 9:24pm CDT

Jon Heyman of Fan Rag takes a look around the league in his latest notes columns. In addition to providing updates on every National League and American League team, he takes a particularly close look at the Nationals in separate posts. Let’s take a look at some of the items of particular relevance to the transactional landscape:

  • The Nationals are beginning to put in phone calls to rivals as they start the search for a new closer in earnest, Heyman writes. Among the players under consideration by the team, at present, are a variety of names with differing contract situations. David Robertson of the White Sox, Kelvin Herrera of the Royals, and A.J. Ramos of the Marlins all have two years remaining at less-than-bargain rates (the latter two via arbitration). Alex Colome of the Rays and Roberto Osuna of the Blue Jays, meanwhile, bring more years of cheap control — and, in all likelihood, astronomical asking prices. Then there’s old friend Mark Melancon, who is in the first year of the four-year pact he signed with the Giants — who evidently beat the Nats’ offer over the winter. Needless to say, there’s quite a lot that could change that picture over the coming months.
  • Looking back a bit, the Nationals came closer than any other team to landing Andrew McCutchen from the Pirates over the winter, Heyman adds.Per the report, the sides held talks that “revolved around three players, including Lucas Giolito and veteran Gio Gonzalez.” It’s not immediately clear what else might have been involved, and where things went south, but it’s interesting to hear those parameters. The Nats ultimately pivoted to Adam Eaton, of course, but he’s now out for the year. Perhaps it’s conceivable that the team could take another look at McCutchen, though no doubt the teams would need to start discussions anew with Giolito in Chicago, Gonzalez a key member of the Nats staff and McCutchen struggling.
  • The Marlins sale talks had seemingly been building, but Heyman writes that there’s no deal ready to be made at present. For one thing, there are whispers that the purchase price will continue to drop as the organization’s financial health comes under greater scrutiny. For another, there are still questions about where the money will come from on the buyer’s side. “[A]t least the Bush-Jeter group and maybe the Romney-Glavine group, too, [are] still seeking investors,” per Heyman.
  • Two significant recent investments made by the Marlins aren’t delivering value at present. Per Heyman, lefty Wei-Yin Chen is headed for a second opinion with his elbow issue still failing to progress. It seems the team could be bracing for a relatively lengthy absence. And Heyman notes that some in the baseball operations department weren’t thrilled at the idea of extending Martin Prado last year at $40MM over three years. He has been playing well enough, but is back on the DL with a recurring hamstring injury.
  • Pirates righty Gerrit Cole has looked strong in the early going, but Heyman says the team may not be interested in dealing him even if they continue to lag in the standings. “We’re not in any rush,” a club source tells him. “I don’t think we’re there yet.” The 26-year-old owns a 2.84 ERA with 7.9 K/9 and 1.0 BB/9; while the peripherals are largely in line with his 2016 work, the improved results are supported by jumps in swinging-strike rate (9.9%) and average fastball velocity (a career-high 96.1 mph). With two more years of arb eligibility to go, Cole would likely command a big price at the deadline.
  • While the Rays entered play today just one game under .500, that doesn’t mean they aren’t readying for the possibility of selling. Of course, given the team’s pitching depth, it’s imaginable that the team could send out a veteran while still maintaining hopes of cracking the postseason. Per Heyman, Tampa Bay has “already begun calling to get a gauge on the value of Alex Cobb.” Rivals also think the club will be amenable to discussing both Jake Odorizzi and Chris Archer, he adds. Cobb, though, is the most obvious possible trade chip. The 29-year-old was homer-prone in his return from Tommy John surgery last year, but has looked solid through 56 1/3 innings this year — his last before reaching free agency. He carries a 3.67 ERA with 6.1 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9 to go with a 47.5% groundball rate. Cobb still isn’t getting swings and misses like he used to, but his velocity is better than ever and he has tamped down on the long balls thus far.
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Chicago White Sox Kansas City Royals Miami Marlins Pittsburgh Pirates San Francisco Giants Tampa Bay Rays Toronto Blue Jays Washington Nationals A.J. Ramos Alex Cobb Alex Colome Andrew McCutchen Chris Archer David Robertson Gerrit Cole Gio Gonzalez Jake Odorizzi Kelvin Herrera Lucas Giolito Mark Melancon Martin Prado Roberto Osuna Wei-Yin Chen

The Inner Monologue of @DimTillard Random Thoughts Vol. 1
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Tony Watson Hires Scott Boras
View Comments (43)
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43 Comments

  1. ronnsnow

    8 years ago

    McCutchen and Watson for Fedde and Glover

    Reply
    • thekid9

      8 years ago

      Please don’t drink and type

      3
      Reply
    • redsfan48

      8 years ago

      Given what the Yanks got for a half year of Chapman, this offer doesn’t seem overly ridiculous.

      1
      Reply
      • Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA

        8 years ago

        To be fair Watson isn’t Chapman. You’re looking at more of a Melancon type deal for Watson. If Herrera is available he will be outdrawing Watson by a fair share.

        1
        Reply
        • 66TheNumberOfTheBest

          8 years ago

          Don’t need the Chapman deal, I’d trade Watson for another Felipe Rivero 100 times out of 10.

          Reply
        • Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA

          8 years ago

          I think anyone would. It was a very good package and they traded for upside and control. My point being they just aren’t getting a Chapman package, it’ll should be a good package though.

          1
          Reply
        • redsfan48

          8 years ago

          Obviously Watson isn’t Chapman, but the trade suggested here would also include McCutchen. I’d assume Fedde for Watson or McCutchen would probably be fair, and Glover for the other would be fair as well. Though I’m not sure the Nats would want to trade one of their few good relievers to get another reliever.

          Reply
  2. EonADS

    8 years ago

    If Cobb actually regains his splitter depth, he’ll be a great trade chip. Otherwise, he’s just kind of a mediocre one, despite the improved curveball.

    2
    Reply
  3. smrtbusnisman04a

    8 years ago

    I think the Pirates need to trade Cole. It’s obvious that Nutting and Huntington don’t want anything to do with Scott Boras and Cole’s price will only get higher.

    This year, they also have the Yankees and Astros set to be buyers, and both of those teams have tons of talent in their farm systems.

    5
    Reply
    • stratcrowder

      8 years ago

      Great observation!

      Reply
    • billnye12222

      8 years ago

      As a Yankee Fan I’ve always thought highly of Cole, was pretty disappointed after the Yanks drafted him and he went on to College, but I’m not sure If I would want the Yanks to go after him at the deadline- the prospect package would be too much . I know that not every prospect pans out and sometimes you gotta go for it, but being as a Yankee fan we’re not used to having exciting young players- like Judge and such, and the thought of more is enticing. Yanks have been the most fun to watch they’ve been in years.

      But the thought of the Astros getting Cole is pretty scary, especially when we can’t beat them with the rotation they currently have.

      1
      Reply
      • pplama

        8 years ago

        Asking honestly, if the Yanks don’t trade for Cole, Archer or Quintana, how do they fill the 3 Rotation openings they’ll have next year?
        Spending $450mil. ($75mil x 6)years) for Tanaka, Arrieta and Cueto (or Darvish)??

        3
        Reply
        • billysbballz

          8 years ago

          Ottani or Darvish??????

          1-Tanaka
          2-Severino
          3-Montgomery
          4-Adams
          5-Mitchell
          6-Green

          Hope that answers question?

          Reply
        • billysbballz

          8 years ago

          Ohhh I forgot
          Resign Pineda on 3-4 year deal.
          I think we have pitching covered next year.
          Don’t need trade farm for Quintana or Cole.

          Pitchers very volatile as is and trading the farm for a starter and if that starter an it’s a big if but in today’s baseball world it’s common that if the pitcher gets shelved long term you just gutted your entire rebuild for what? A outside chance of beating the Astros or Cleveland?

          Reply
        • pplama

          8 years ago

          If you’re comfortable re-signing Tanaka and Pineda and making a WS push in 2018/2019 with those 7, OK.
          Thanks for the reply.

          Reply
  4. dodgerfan711

    8 years ago

    The Nats already traded a great pitcher for Melancon. Now they wanna trade more assets for him? Could have just signed him for 62 million.

    Reply
  5. jdgoat

    8 years ago

    The only way I’d trade osuna to Washington is if Trea Turners involved and there’s no way Washingtons ever gonna want to do that.

    Reply
    • Priggs89

      8 years ago

      Lol no chance. They wouldn’t even include him for Chris Sale.

      Reply
    • sidewinder11

      8 years ago

      Turner is probably worth more than anyone on the Blue Jays roster outside of Donaldson and maybe Stroman at this point. Thinking you could get him for Osuna straight up is preposterous

      Reply
      • jdgoat

        8 years ago

        Exactly and there is nothing else worth osuna that Washington would be willing to give up which is why I said they’d never do it. There’s no reason for Toronto to trade him there if Washington isn’t going to overpay

        Reply
        • jdgoat

          8 years ago

          Unless they want to give up all of their top prospects I guess which I’ll admit I don’t know to much about

          Reply
        • Priggs89

          8 years ago

          Their top 3 are very good.

          Reply
  6. TJECK109

    8 years ago

    I don’t know why the Nats just don’t turn back to the Pirates and go for Watson. Another FA to be closer.

    Reply
    • dodgerfan711

      8 years ago

      Pirates already won the melancon deal. Dont think they wanna try again with PIT. If theres one thing the pirates know its pitching

      Reply
      • Jeff Todd

        8 years ago

        I think the Nats knew what they were potentially giving up. They unearthed Rivero and pushed him into a prominent role at the MLB level. And they got what they bargained for out of Melancon. I see no reason they wouldn’t deal with the Pirates again.

        2
        Reply
        • dodgerfan711

          8 years ago

          Ya obviously they can meet up for a deal. I am just not a big fan of how the melancon situation unfolded with the nats. I dont see how they can give up more assets for a closer when the free agent maket was stuffed with them in the offseason. They really didnt consider bringing melancon back which contradicted their all in model for 2017. The rumors about them possibility trading back for him is the real puzzler.

          2
          Reply
        • Jeff Todd

          8 years ago

          Not pushing harder for Melancon could’ve been influenced by the desire to go after Jansen, though I’m sure they knew he would lean to LA. But I agree it is a bit strange to give up value and take the rest of the contract (if that’s what it came to) at this point. That said, they now have new info suggesting the in-house options aren’t just uncertain (as they were over the winter), but appear to be wholly insufficient given what the team is hoping to accomplish (making the postseason and finally winning a series — if not The Series).

          2
          Reply
  7. blueblood1217

    8 years ago

    Wouldn’t be surprised to see the Dodgers try and land Cobb. As a Dodger fan, I would like to see this come to fruition

    Reply
  8. 66TheNumberOfTheBest

    8 years ago

    Cutch being bad means the Pirates have to trade Cole. They just won’t get enough back to retool the team properly for Cutch and Watson.

    Cole gets them impact talent.

    The idea that the Pirates should keep Cole because…I’m honestly not sure I understand any argument for keeping him. He’s healthy and he’s under control for 3 playoff runs right now. If either of those things change, the return plummets. Now/soon is the time.

    4
    Reply
  9. outinleftfield

    8 years ago

    Is it just me or does Heyman seem far off base with his articles recently? I can’t seem to find many times he has been correct in the last year or two and it’s almost like teams are using him to spread some misinformation to throw other teams off the trail. Guess its time to lump his rumors in with Bowden and ignore them completely.

    Reply
    • 66TheNumberOfTheBest

      8 years ago

      If you want baseball news, you go Rosenthal and/or Morosi. If you want interesting musings about Arby’s, you go Heyman.

      1
      Reply
  10. slider32

    8 years ago

    Teams like the Rays, A’s, and Padres remind me of the old KC teams who were feeders for the other major league teams. Time to relocate them and get real owners.

    Reply
    • aloliver16

      8 years ago

      At least the A’s and Padres had periods of good attendance figures, the Rays haven’t come close to approaching the 2.5 million of their 1998 inaugural season. The next best mark was 1.874 million in 2009. It’s a huge problem, which has been under reported by the media. Tampa Bay would be the leader for relocation, unless something happens fast.

      Reply
      • Michael Birks

        8 years ago

        My sister purchased World Series tickets in 2008 at the Trop window, the game did not sell out, that’s sad

        1
        Reply
        • Michael Birks

          8 years ago

          She literally walked up bought a ticket and took her seat

          Reply
        • Michael Birks

          8 years ago

          I’ve been to at least 40 games there and the upper deck was never open even once

          Reply
        • mehcky

          8 years ago

          BS… Capacity for Tropicana field in 2008 was 36,.048
          Game 1 – 40,783
          Game 2 -40,843
          They were sold out in less than an hour after tickets going on sale (I know…I tried)

          Aside from 1 playoff game that was a weekday daytime game time announced the day before, The Rays have sold out every post season game.

          Reply
  11. joew

    8 years ago

    Neal isn’t in any hurry to trade Cole because teams are not desperate, the Pirates as bad as they have been are still in striking distance of the division and also gives Cole time to build value. Yeah his value is pretty high but he does have some injury history and only has one full season under his belt. If no one bites or the pirates get on a hot run… then they can move him in the off season or next dead line.

    I really like Cole would like to see him in the black and gold forever.. but after free agency he’s probably heading out west. with a huge paycheck the pirates just won’t pay.

    1
    Reply
    • aff10

      8 years ago

      While the Pirates haven’t dropped out of the standings, it’s tough (for me at least) to see them as a legit contender at this point. Arguably their 3 best position players going into the year (Marte, McCutchen, Kang) gave provided basically nothing, and, other than a slight bounce-back from McCutchen, probably can’t be expected to provide much. The Cubs and Cardinals just seem like better teams at this point, and I think there’s a legit case to be made that the Brewers are decent, albeit a tier below the Cardinals and two tiers below the Cubs. It does seem like now is the time to go get 2 top 50 prospects for Cole, and sell Watson/Freese for whatever they can get

      3
      Reply
      • joew

        8 years ago

        I agree Cutch has to be better, but so does the whole lineup and pitching staff if they want to have a shot

        There are good signs from Cutch, Bell and Jaso the past few days hopefully that trend continues… the real question is the pitching staff beyond Cole.

        I don’t think anyone is going to offer two top 50’s along with an incentive (like a couple fringe prospects or taking bastardo’s salary) unless they’re really desperate. Maybe closer to the break when Cole shows no signs of slowing down and if the pirates are even longer shots to make it.

        Remember this isn’t a rebuild year… bad luck for sure but if Taillon is able to return late this summer (doubtful) and Marte comes back hot… Kingham makes a splash… while getting to 500 with their current crop… they have a legit shot…. yeah the division is a reach.. but wild card.. not so much.

        Yeah i know.. a lot of “IFs” there, but they have the talent to pull it off

        1
        Reply
      • 66TheNumberOfTheBest

        8 years ago

        I trade Cutch and Watson for sure. I would trade Cole unless the offers were bad.

        But, I’d have to be blown away (very unlikely) to trade Freese. They have no one ready to play third, for one. But, mainly, he’s a great leader and a pro’s pro. He’s the type of player you want setting the example for the young guys.

        Reply
        • joew

          8 years ago

          yeah i wouldn’t trade freese unless it was a crazy good deal.. they could put j-hay at third and one of Gift or Adam at second if they had too.. Who knows if or when Kang will be back in the states and eligible to play.

          Reply
  12. ericl

    8 years ago

    The Blue Jays have no reason to trade Osuna & probably wouldn’t even consider trading him unless they were completely blown away by a deal. I don’t think the Nats would put forth that kind of deal

    Reply

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