Blue Jays right-hander Marco Estrada drew “virtually no interest” in advance of the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, reports FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal. Estrada has been at top form since then, however, making it likely someone will claim the impending free agent on revocable waivers this month, a rival executive told Rosenthal (Twitter link). The Jays placed Estrada on waivers Friday, per Rosenthal, though he adds that they’re not bent on trading the 34-year-old unless a solid offer comes along. Because Toronto still has a shred of playoff hope and is averaging almost 40,000 fans per home game, it’s not ready to wave the white flag.
More from Rosenthal:
- The rebuilding White Sox are still deciding on the futures of first baseman Jose Abreu and outfielder Avisail Garcia, says Rosenthal. As a bat-first type who doesn’t play a premium position and will turn 31 in January, Abreu would be the harder of the two to trade, observes Rosenthal, who also points out that he’s not cheap ($11MM salary in 2017 with two arbitration trips left). With that in mind, the White Sox could end up keeping the veteran around as a lineup anchor and a mentor to their younger players, including fellow Cubans Yoan Moncada and Luis Robert. Garcia, meanwhile, is amid a career year and still fairly young (26), so he could be an extension candidate if the White Sox don’t “trade him at peak value,” suggests Rosenthal. Garcia’s making a reasonable $3MM this season and, like Abreu, has two arb-eligible years remaining.
- Contrary to a report last month, the Brewers’ unwillingness to part with high-end outfield prospect Lewis Brinson did not kill their chances of landing righty Sonny Gray from the Athletics, according to Rosenthal. The A’s would have accepted a package of other prospects from the Brewers’ talented farm system, relays Rosenthal, but the two sides still couldn’t work out a deal leading up to July 31. Oakland ultimately sent Gray to the Yankees for a trio of prospects on deadline day, officially ending any chance of the Brewers acquiring him.
With Estrada a free agent this off season, he could be a risk to claim as despite his stock, the Jays could take a page from the Wilpon playbook and save the salary this year. Would anyone then be surprised if the Jays then followed the Yankees Chapman situation and resign him in the offseason?
Royals? Astros? Yankees? Red Sox’s?
Estrada dominated in his previous two years of post season starts.
Garcia will be an interesting call. Career year or breakout he can sustain?
The Sox really have the benefit for another year to determine that though (because no one is going to give the Sox what they hope to get for a good 3/4 of a season).
How is Garcia’s park adjusted numbers fairing this year? Ball flies at their park once it heats up.
Still pretty strong. A .310/.357/.493 line plays basically anywhere. He still doesn’t walk though, and he’s not an elite power hitter, so he’s reliant on a high batting average to stay afloat offensively
Yanks acquire: Cubs acquire:
K. Schwarber S. Gray
A. Russell. S. Castro
B. Hudson J. Sheffield
T. Clifton
Goes down in the offseason. Outfield of Jay Almora Heyward and Happ and Castro will play some 2B and backup Baez at SS
Perhaps the Cubs and Yankees can just exchange their entire 40 man roster.
So trade for Castro, a guy that was traded away in the first place, addison russell, who along with domestic violence allegations, has a career .240 BA, and then Kyle Schwarber who is a one-tool player, a career .214 hitter? Sure take all me best prospects. #cubsfanboy
I haven’t paid close attention to the White Sox. But, its hard to believe that Avi Garcia has more trade value than Abreu.
I HIGHLY doubt that he does. If he does this again next year, then you could make the argument based on his age/contract. But for now, I’d imagine most teams would look at this year as something out of the ordinary for him and not give up anything premium yet.
Avi Garcia is 5 years younger & more contract friendly. Coming in at 3M this year.
Avi G has only done this for one season. Granted he was injured one year but you have to ask, is this the exception year or does he regress back to bad Avi? With that in mind he would be a perfect sell high candidate but be aware that other GM s are thinking same thing so not sure what you could get for him? Many young OF bats in pipeline so you may not have room for him in a year or 2 unless you keep him around to DH? Would rather have Abreu bat and leadership over AVI & he’s a bargain at 11 million on Sox team
Abreu going anywhere is a bit silly IMO. This is the guy that went out and stumped hard for Robert, and has been helping guys like Moncada get acclimated to the U.S.
He is also a great person to have on your club, both as a player and statesman (such as sending over food from a Cuban restaurant in Chicago to a young Cuban player on the Astros during their games playing the White Sox recently).
The Sox really have high quality people on their club now, and I’m not sure Rick would want to break that up.
Finally, if you look at it from the money standpoint: The Sox can afford to have Abreu on the club as the rest of the club is basically making nothing, and Hahn probably would not get back what he wants for a guy like Abreu.