Giants GM Bobby Evans appeared on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM with Mike Ferrin today and discussed his team’s approach at the trade deadline (audio link via Twitter). The Giants aren’t used to finding themselves as sellers, but they find themselves buried in both the NL West race and in the Wild Card. However, Evans echoed recent comments from president Brian Sabean, suggesting that the team is looking more toward 2018 than at a total rebuild.
“It’s really about the core of guys that we have, that, arguably between Belt, Panik, Crawford, Posey, Bumgarner — they’re in the prime of their careers,” said Evans of the current Giants roster. “This is a time to build with them. They’re not 34 going on 35. They’re 28 to 30. That’s a good range in which we still think there’s a lot that they can offer and help us get back to where we need to be. That said, we’ve got to do more, defensively, in the outfield — more offensively in our lineup. We’ve got to pitch better. … We can’t go with what we have. We’ve got to make changes. This trading period may offer us some opportunities to look toward next year.”
More out of the NL West…
- After seeing trade target Todd Frazier head to the Yankees last night, the Red Sox are now eyeing Giants third baseman Eduardo Nunez, tweets Bob Nightengale of USA Today. That’s not the first time the BoSox have been linked to Nunez, though he’s among the first players to whom they Yankees have been linked following last night’s Frazier swap between Chicago and New York. The versatile Nunez is a free agent at season’s end and is earning a reasonable $4.2MM this year. He’s not a standout defender anywhere on the diamond, but he could hold down the fort at the hot corner for now and then bounce between third, shortstop, second base and perhaps the corner outfield later in the summer if the Sox give Rafael Devers an audition. Nunez is hitting .295/.319/.407 through 289 plate appearances.
- The Mariners have reached out to both the Giants and the Padres about their available starting pitchers, tweets MLB.com’s Jon Morosi. San Diego has three rental options to offer, highlighted by breakout righty Trevor Cahill but also including right-hander Jhoulys Chacin and southpaw Clayton Richard. (Each is signed to a one-year, $1.75MM deal.) The Giants, meanwhile, could conceivably listen on Johnny Cueto (though he’s struggled, has an opt-out clause complicating his trade candidacy, and is on the shelf with blister issues). It’s Jeff Samardzija, however, that has drawn the most headlines on the rumor circuit as of late. Though he’s just halfway through the second season of a five-year, $90MM deal and has an ERA in the upper-4.00s, Samardzija is pacing MLB in K/BB ratio and is among the game’s best in K%-BB%. Of course, it’s uncertain if the Mariners would want any part of that contract, and if the Giants are looking toward 2018, they may hope to have a healthy Samardzija contributing 200+ innings in the middle of their rotation. Speculatively speaking, Matt Moore could also be a reclamation project, though he’s worked to an ERA of 5.81 with reduced velocity and diminished peripherals this year.
- Padres right-hander Jarred Cosart is out for the season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow a couple of days ago, Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports (via Twitter). The 27-year-old former top prospect hasn’t been much of a factor for the Friars in 2017, tossing just 24 innings with a 4.88 ERA. But, with the possibility that multiple starters are moved in the next 12 days, his absence will present the team with fewer options to step into a starting rotation that has several long-term spots up for grabs.
Well hopefully cosarts surgery plays well for him in the future. You see flashes of good or greatness, but nothing has been sustained.
Cahill is a good option. Pitching well this season, and just off a World Series team the year prior
Flashes of greatness? Padres talent level that bad that Cosart seems to flash greatness to the fans
You must not watch him pitch on a consistent bases. The point I made was he would be a good bullpen arm. He is good for an inning or two after that his command is all over the place and get lit up
Padres have options in triple A waiting when Chacin, Richard, and Cahill are traded
Lloyd, Lockett, Kelly, Rodriguez, plus Overton, Lee, Jenkins as well.
Call up Kelly, Lloyd, Lockett and see what you have in them given the fact that Lloyd is 26, Kelly is 24, and Lockett is 23. Gonna need new arms come 2018 anyways so might as well see if you have something in them.
Lee and Jenkins have been miserable in AAA. I don’t see them being in the organization much longer.
I read your comment like “Lee aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnnnndddddddddddddd Jeeeeeeeeeenkins!”
Awesome
The later 3 ain’t that good but they would get first cracks and continue team tank
You just need warm bodies out there honestly. Which Overton Lee and Jenkins provide.
Overton would be a good bullpen arm. He has success just like cosart for an inning or two before he isn’t effective anymore
Look at the bright side: they’ll eat a lot of innings and will also helping the team secure the first pick in next year’s draft..
Richard probably isn’t getting traded. He has gotten lit up the last few games and today he gave up 10 runs in Colorado. Lockett is on the DL still isn’t he? Lee and Jenkins are just bad. Padres are spending some ridiculously small amount next season, so they can afford to sign better starting pitchers than the 4 they signed this year.
Padres needs to make trade(s) to continue their tanking endeavor. The logical destination of Hand would be HOU and I will gladly accept Whitley for Hand. Now that NYY traded for Frazier, BOS is in a desperate position to acquire short-term answer to 3B (and their bullpen); Solarte and Cahill (and Buchter) for Groome seems fair for both ends. Am I asking for much?
Groome has struggle big time out there. But, if he puts it together it will be bright.
I don’t think Boston would want solarte bc devers should be ready by next year. I think Boston would be looking more on the rental side of things
The Red Sox aren’t trading Groome unless it’s a blockbuster probably look to add Nunez or something cheap. Devers is real close wouldn’t be shocked to see him sometime in August.
I don’t think he comes up this year. That can mess with someone’s development. Thrown in the heat of a playoff race.
Bogaerts and Benintendi were both brought up, and were key additions during a pennant race.
I’m almost positive he comes up this year for sure in September but I’m thinking maybe in August.
I’m thinking April
If I were Preller and dealing Hand and/or Solarte (aka the controllables), I wouldn’t settle for anything less than a swap or package headlined by Groome(or Whitley) and/or other high ceiling pros
other high ceiling prospects. If they cannot meet the price Preller demands, he can simply wait. Cahill, on the other hand, needed to be dealt immediately. The ideal situation is that he is in the package with one of the controllables to enhance the return.
I also don’t think Devers will come up anytime this year. If Dombrowski thinks his team has any shot on post season, he needs to act and act now. NYY did BOS real good when they acquired Frazier; noe Dombrowski is in much higher pressure.
Wanna bet? He will be up in September for sure when rosters expand. He takes in AA and doing well in AAA if he continues to hit in July at AAA they will bring him up to the bigs in August especially if the Red Sox haven’t addressed third base. They brought up Xander and Benintendi don’t see why they won’t bring up Devers.
“Raked”
Well, hostility much? He just got brought up to the AAA like, a week ago? Okay, he had a spectacular debut; he still needs time to adjust to the higher level of baseball before he is welcomed to the jungle, that is, the MLB. Contingency plan maybe in effect if BOS fails to add 3B, but Dombrowski loves trading, and he has his toys to give up in his farm system.
Wouldn’t surprise me to see Devers get called up in September. He’s Rule 5 eligible this offseason so his addition to the Sox’s 40-man roster is imminent anyway.
They wanted Frazier didn’t work out no one else is much of an upgrade not worth quality prospects at least. DD doesn’t trade to just trade i look for a small addition and look for Devers to be called up sometime in August that’s what I think and I’m sticking to it.
He actually just had one atrocious start where he came out injured. He’s been very good in most starts since and flashed brilliance in all of them.
Whitley is an untouchable at the moment.
Untouchable until they are dealt. If there is an enticing offer, you will take it. That’s how negotiations work. Moncada was untouchable when BOS paid 31.5M for him; look where he is now.
Yeah but Moncada was dealt for Sale…Padres don’t have anyone the Sox want that has even 50% of Sale’s value so don’t see an “untouchable” prospect being dealt from Sox to Pads.
and the red sox don’t have a Moncada nor the padres would want that at all. He was just pointing out that no one is untouchable in the right circumstance.
Exactly. People throw the term ‘untouchable’ but do not understand that this is a common practice to have the opposing side overshoot the asking price. If the deal is too good not to take it, anybody would take it. Should the opportunities arise, thy shall take advantage of that, plain and simple. “Nowadays, dominant reliever will cost you tons. It has happened numerous times in last couple of years. Look at Chapman trade, Miller trade, etc. Hand may not be in the same league as those names, but he is still worth at least a top 100 prospect of entire baseball. Bottom line for the trade involving Hand is either Groome or Whitley in case he was dealt to BOS or HOU. I would not settle for anything less than those names. If neither of the team is willing to include them in the trade, I will gladly deal with other teams that are willing to meet my asking price.
Who besides the Red Sox is now looking for a 3B? If you don’t be reasonable with the asking price, they will shop elsewhere..
See what tanking has done? Lots of sellers, not many buyers.
You are giving far too much to the Sox for Groome. He is just returning from an injury and struggling in Low A. Even if they got him as the headliner of a 5 for 3 or 6 for 3 trade for Solarte, Cahill and Buchter, he is too far from the majors to help the Padres.
Whitley is the same situation. He is in A+ ball and won’t be able to help the big league team until 2020.
Neither are the solutions the Padres are looking for in trade. Just look at the rumors of who they have asked for in a trade for Hand. Torres. Adames. Their problems are at SS and starting pitching in the majors. They need players who are MLB ready or very close.
Padres are not contending next year, and they may not even be contending the year after that, either. Whitley and Groome may be years away from the show, but it still is logical to trade for high ceiling players who are in the lower tiers of the minors.
Yeah I’m thinking Hand is now going to either Houston, or maybe the Red Sox. The Brewers could also be a possibility. Adding Cahill to the package will also help to bring back a better return.
I think Nunez would be a good fit for Boston especially if they can unload Sandoval during the trade. I know Panda is hoping for a reunion and Boston is regretting that contract. I think a trade with New York would be better though if they can swing Rivera and Reed. The nice Relief pitching and slugging third baseman would be perfect especially to ease in the entry of Devers into the Bigs.
The Red Sox would likely have to send an elite prospect just for anyone to take on that contract. Considering they’d also get value out of Nunez, I’d imagine there’d be a bigger return yet.
No one is taking that Contract. I think the Redsox are on the hook for this albatross
Well Panda was just released. SF can trade Nunez to Boston and then sign panda on Boston’s dime.
There is no way they are going to unload that contract. If the Giants wanted Sandoval they can sign just him after he clears. I don’t see anyone at all claiming that contract of DFA waivers, esp if they can sign him for protested league minimum after he gets released.
Or they can just send him to triple a. I don’t think he has 10 years in the league yet. If he doesn’t he is right on the cusp to have it
Not really because he has more than 5 years of service so essentially he can just refuse any minor league assignment and get paid to walk. The more than 3 year service time players can refuse, but forfeit money. A FA who has earned regular service time and signed a major league contract is essentially guaranteed said contract with the ability to deny assignment.
Ex: Allen Craig didn’t refuse assignment because he would have forfeited his contract.
And as we speak he was just released.
Yup
Crazy that Boston can just eat that contract
They had another guy earlier this year with a large contract that just disappeared for a few years and was released from their farm
I can see it. I was surprised when they signed him, but at some point Sandoval was already a sunken cost.
The last thing the Red Sox need is another no power guy in their lineup.
The idea of obtaining Frazier was to add power to a flaccid low power lineup. Nunez adds nothing to what the Sox already have.
Lol. Power bat?
I can think of one third baseman that cheap and offers that. His avg is horrible and currently in triple a. A contact hitter can help out. Station to station action. You don’t need a homerun hitter to have impact.
Nunez would be an upgrade to what they have now
My friend, Yengervis Solarte is the solution to your problem.
He offers the idea but he is broken
Currently working his way back
Yes sir
He is probably talking about Schimpf. 3 true outcomes player. Home run, walk, or strike out.
In addition to a nearly .300 BA, Nunez has 17 SBs in 21 attempts in 69 games. He also has 19 2Bs. So, of his 88 hits and walks (minus HRs and 3Bs) he gets to 2B 36 times. If you think that isn’t worth much because he has only 4 HRs, I’d say you’re wrong.
He also had 16 HRs last year.
Sandoval was released two days ago.
Na just officially released today.
You’re confusing being DFA’d, which actually happened 5 days ago, and being released, which happened today.
If the Giants can get a warm body, or a cold body for that matter, for Moore, do it. Time to erase all memory of that trade from the books altogether.
And do what next season? Pay $12-18M for a middle-rotation arm? They’ll just take the $9M option.
Pitching in general is getting expensive. Kershaw getting what is it 25-30 million (well deserved), Sczherer, David price etc… not saying your wrong but Moore has been downright ugly. I’ll pay more for a pitcher has a better chance of keeping us in the game.
In a vacuum, I agree with your comments. But the Giants have a Bumgarner extension to consider. Every dollar spent over Moore’s contract cuts into what they can spend for him.
They already have to replace Cueto. Why give up on Moore because of 2/3 of a season when his mechanics are screwed up? Until this season he’s had a career ERA of 3.91, a 4.09 FIP and an ERA+ of 100. And who are you going to replace him with? Arrieta? Chatwood? Darvish? They’ll be expensive. And if you don’t land one of them, and there will be fierce competition, who then? Lackey? Sabathia? Tanaka? I rather have Moore.
Cueto’s opt out has to be destroying his trade value. Not only do you not know whether or not he’s a rental, but if he blew out his arm in August he wouldn’t opt out and then you’d have to eat his deal while he’s hurt.
Really makes no sense to go after him or Samardzija when they’re having down years and have those big contracts. I don’t think they’re pitching any better than Cahill, Chacin, or Richard and they come with way bigger financial commitments.
The trade value is diminished, but “destroyed” is hyperbole. He’s already said he is opting out. But, worrying about him getting hurt, is the same risk any team runs signing any FA pitcher. In fact, the risk is less than signing a very expensive Arrieta to a 5 year deal and have him go down with a bad injury.
The risk is much worse than a FA signing though because the player has the choice of whether to continue on the contract if they perform poorly or get hurt. If you sign a FA and they perform well then you get to keep them. When you sign Arrieta for 5 years, you get him whether he’s good or bad. This is different because you only get Cueto for 5 years if he’s bad or hurt. There is a high degree of risk with little reward.
Even though he’s said he’s opting out, any team willing to trade for him has to be willing to take on the remaining ~100mil on his contract in the event that he doesn’t opt out. Thats a huge salary commitment that not a lot of teams want with his current performance.
What people need to get is that so-called untouchables are exactly a negotiating tactics. That is how they gain leverage against the other. If the offer is what they deem appropriate, trade will happen.
Any chance the Mariners could land Dodger lefthander Hyun-Jin Ryu for outfielder Leonys Martin and pieces?
The Dodgers would shore up their middle-of-the-pack outfield defense by moving Cody Bellinger to first base to replace fast-fading Adrian Gonzalez (who has posted an OPS+ of 71 in limited action this season).
The 30-year-old Ryu, who is expected to be out through July with a bruised foot, remains under contract through the 2018 season at an annual salary of $7 million. Ryu has posted an ERA of 4.21 in 14 appearances, including 13 starts, this year with the Dodgers.
The 29-year-old Martin, who has posted a solid .319/.359/.510/.869 line in 325 plate appearances this year at Tacoma, remains under team control through the 2018 season working off his 2017 arbitration salary of $4.85 million.
The Mariners take on the greater risk because Ryu is guaranteed his 2018 salary of $7 million while the Dodgers could non-tender Martin after this season if Martin does not work out. Martin may have no trade value but Ryu, who has not posted more than 0.2 fWAR in a year since 2014, may have negative trade value.
A valuable, but injured LHP for a DFA’d outfielder? Not a chance.
I’d rather have Martin in AAA than Ryu. I don’t see how he’s much better than what we have already.
How valuable is Hyun-Jin Ryu, who is guaranteed nearly $10 million through 2018 despite never posting more than 0.2 fWAR in a year since 2014?
The Mariners don’t even believe Leonys Martin is worthy of a 40-man roster spot. The Dodgers believe Ryu is. There you go.
Hmm that’s interesting, I diddnt know that the Dodgers and Mariners are run by the same management, because I guess they think the exact same way
If I were any team, I’d be mimicking the Dodgers’ mindset.
Sounds to me like if you are 34 or 35 on the Giants, you should be expecting a change of address soon.
So, Hunter Pence?
Is he that old? Then I would say yes based on Evan’s comments.
Cueto for Viera, and Povse while Mariners take on entire contract. That’s as much as I’d give up as not only is his future production unknown, neither is his contract.
For some reason I have this feeling Seattle is going to get Verlander. They will get him for fairly cheap because of the contract and even though people don’t think so they can spend the money. I think Safeco would help him being a pitchers park.
You know what, I’ve also had that feeling but whenever I bring it up I’m called an idiot. He also has experience in a successful September and October run unlike everyone but Cruz and Cano. And with the contract, we can get him without giving up Lewis, and maybe even O’Neil.
Nunez and Shark for Martes and ….?
It amazes me that you actually type this out