The Royals are holding out hope that they’ll be able to re-sign first baseman Eric Hosmer and third baseman Mike Moustakas, but they’ve “all but given up” on bringing back center fielder Lorenzo Cain, Jon Heyman of FanRag reports. Hosmer and Moustakas figure to collect two of the largest contracts of the offseason, which could pose a problem for small-market Kansas City, but owner David Glass believes the Royals would stay competitive by re-upping the homegrown duo and doesn’t want to “disappoint” the team’s fan base by letting either go, Heyman relays. Before Hosmer, Moustakas and Cain officially hit the market, each will have to reject $17.4MM qualifying offers from the Royals by Nov. 16. Unsurprisingly, that will happen, according to Heyman.
Here’s the latest from the National League Central:
- With their control over outfielder Andrew McCutchen and right-hander Gerrit Cole dwindling, the Pirates would be wise to listen to offseason proposals for both players, Buster Olney of ESPN opines. McCutchen, who will make $14.5MM in the final year of his contract in 2018, will “almost certainly” be in another uniform in 2019, writes Olney. Cole, meanwhile, is controllable via arbitration through ’19, and Olney argues that now may be the time to move the Scott Boras client because the Pirates probably won’t be able to extend him. Elsewhere on the Bucs’ roster, Olney points to righty Ivan Nova and lights-out closer Felipe Rivero as speculative trade pieces. Nova’s unspectacular, but he’d garner interest as a capable innings eater who’s due an affordable $9.1MM-plus per annum through next year. Rivero is only entering the first of four arb-eligible years and would likely warrant a massive return for a reliever, leading Olney to conclude that the Pirates should consider dealing him.
- The Cardinals are interested in upgrading the left side of their infield, perhaps by way of a Josh Donaldson acquisition and/or the addition of a defensively gifted shortstop, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch suggests. This isn’t the first time the Cardinals have been connected to Donaldson, but the Blue Jays are unlikely to trade the soon-to-be 32-year-old in advance of 2018, his final season of team control. The 2015 AL MVP is projected to rake in a $20.7MM arbitration award this offseason.
- Second baseman Neil Walker is currently a free agent, so the Brewers will have to decide whether to pursue him (or another outsider) or simply stay in-house at the position, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel observes. The Brewers have experienced second base possibilities on hand in Jonathan Villar, Eric Sogard and Hernan Perez, but there may not be an ideal starter in the group. While general manager David Stearns seems to believe the Walker-less Brewers are in good shape at the keystone, he’s keeping his options open. “I do think we have pieces to handle it internally,” Stearns said. “I would be happy coming back with our same position player group, if that’s the way this offseason plays out. At the same time, we’re looking to get better.”
So when Ohtani goes to the Cubs, will he be wearing #11? That’s the real question this off season.
If you’re getting excited about Ohtani, please see every Japanese pitcher that has “transitioned” to MLB, with the exception of Yu Darvish
Kenta Maeda?
Hideo Nomo? Masahiro Tanaka? Hisashi Iwakuma?
Tanaka just dominated in the playoffs and has had a few bad months in the majors.
Hiroki Kuroda was solid even in his late 30s
Koji Uehara was dominant in the bullpen
Takashi Saito started MLB at age 36 and held a 2.00 ERA for 4 years.
You must be trolling or ignorant
you are a fool
He’ll be on a league-minimum deal, wherever he ends up. He should outperform that.
The pitchers have mostly been pretty good, actually, although most have been much older when they got to the US and have therefore had somewhat short careers. The biggest bust was probably Irabu, and that was a long time ago and he had serious off-field issues.
There is no selling point at all for Ohtani to go to the Cubs. As a cub fan I surely hope he doesn’t come here. I would rather see Lynn or Cobb or both and someone like Lorenzo Cain
why would you not want Otani
Because we don’t know if his talent will transition to the majors. And he will be a sideshow. Can Themed be banned please? He doesn’t contribute anything of relevance.
so that means you shouldn’t gamble a very minimal financial commitment to a potential superstar because he might not work out?
Still have to give 20 million dollars correct? Also where does he play on the field unless he is just a pitcher. Then I’m ok with it. It’s irrelevant anyway he’s going to the Yankees
so the Cubs, who’ve paid hundreds of millions of the last handful of years to meh player, should be scared of a 23 yr old superstar bcuz 20M?
The $20 million to the Fighters isn’t against the salary cap.
Against the cap, he would be a league minimum wage pickup.
Effectively, you’re objecting to drafting a 17 year-old Dominican because he might not be an MLB star. Or something.
The Cubs have 1 ace in the hole that other teams might not have. Or want to guarantee.
I doubt it works for signing him, but it likely won’t.
There IS NO SALARY CAP.
Not sure if you’re talking about the luxury tax threshold.
No I mean they can use that 20 million dollars on someone else. I’m pretty damn confident they won’t get him. I’m not sold on him. If they do than let’s hope he is awesome but he wouldn’t be my first choice
Obviously, its not your money. Who cares what it counts against. It will still be $20MM. You could possibly get a (extra) year of Tanaka for that, with less risk
It’s insanely obvious he’s referring to the luxury tax.
Tanaka isn’t a FA
Who cares what it counts against? The Cubs do. In fact, every team pushing against the luxury tax cares about it – even the Yankees.
There’s no magical selling point for any team. No one really knows what this guy is looking for when it comes to signing with a new team. Some think it won’t be about money, me included, since hes sacrificing around $150 million in guarantees to come over now. So if not money, most default to a chance to win. And if that’s the case, then the Cubs appeal is as great as any team in baseball. They’re a team that’s gone to three straight NLCS’s and is still incredibly young. So why not he Cubs?
The cubs run is over. Move on
Hahaha…sure, Chubby
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Just from someone who prefers long term stability, I would very much like to move DeJong to 3rd and acquire a SS than give up assets for a year of a player that’s probably in the beginnings of the inevitable slide.
I’m not naive to the point of calling JD a bad player for that he’s quite good! That said, I would prefer he apply his trade somewhere other than the Lou…
Agreed. What do all you Cardinals fans think about STL signing Cozart and moving DeJong to 3B?
I don’t think Cozart is that much better offensively over a Gyorko or Diaz though, maybe defensively but I only see the Cardinals signing him if the move Diaz, Gyorko or both
Because you win with defense
and pitching.
And offense
Pitching, yes.
Defense is a distant third behind it and hitting.
There were teams like the Royals
and Giants who won with timely hitting , but the pitching and defense was what got them there. Ask the GM’s
There has been a saying in baseball for over 100 years, “You can shake a tree and gloves will fall out.”
Obviously you want to be good at all 3 but defense has been and remains behind pitching and hitting.
The cardinals have said they would like to get a gifted defensive SS. So you move Dejong to 3rd, what the hell do you do with Gyrko? Move him to second? Then what do you do with Wong?
You use Gyrko as a super utility player….
You know, what he was acquired for!
Trade Wong for Dee Gordon. With Gordon leading off, you have a better leadoff hitter with a possibility of him stealing 40 bases.
I’d prefer targeting Simmonds and with Anaheim starting to spend money like a drunken sailor on leave, they might listen if the package of prospects are to their liking…
I saw a report that Minn might be interested in Grichuk and with Nick Gordon on the rise in their system, maybe Jorge Polanco could be had but AS should be the top target…
With the clock ticking on Trout’s time in Anaheim, they won’t be looking for prospects.. Their time is now.
Thanks, all. I appreciate getting STL fans’ perspective.
Exactly what I was about to type when I saw your post . It’s a possibility .
Iglesias as a cheap option for the Cards?
He’s not really a good offensive player but he has great glovework
Why would the Reds deal a cheap pitching option?
Jose Iglesias not The Reds Iglesias.
Who woulda thought that Heyman’s report that KC is going to bid high on Hosmer and Moustakis but not Cain and that there’s tons of outside interest too would sound exactly like what Scott Boras (who reps Hosmer and Moose) would want out there. Just uncanny how that works.
Heyman is a tard
Cole to the Braves but probably not cause of the Boras element
Cutch? No. Unlikely anyone would offer more than the 1st round pick they can get by qualifying him and he might well sign a qualifier. No way to know how his year will go and what the (diminishing) market for bats will be.
Cole? PLEASE. Get as much for him as you can. But, they will keep him, I think.
Nova? It’s possible that someone will make a decent offer given how shallow the free agent pitching market is this year, but short of that, no need.
Rivero? If it changes the franchise, maybe, but otherwise ride it out and enjoy having one of the best at his position.
Why would they trade any of them? There’s no better option to sign to play CF, and Meadows won’t be ready until next year. Nova is cheap is needed in the rotation, Cole is controllable and if he pitches well the Pirates are most likely in contention. With Marte and Kang in the lineup this is still a 90 win team. Buster is an idiot and should stop writing these ludicrous articles.
If Andrew Friedman calls you and says he wants Rivero, what are you going to want from the Dodgers?
Austin Barnes, Walker Buehler, and one of either Yusniel Diaz or Starling Heredia plus a lottery ticket. Or Verdugo, Urias, one of either Yadier Alvarez or Mitchell White and Galvin Lux would be two packages I’d consider if I were Neal Huntington.
I don’t think Huntington could realistically expect that package for Cole, never mind Rivero.
Rivero is a more appealing asset than Cole right now. Rivero has four years of control to Cole’s two and Rivero is arguably one of the 3 best left handed relievers in all of baseball whereas Cole is probably the 25-30th best right handed starter. Ultimately those packages are essentially my way of saying Rivero really isn’t available. I understand why national writers see that Rivero could be traded considering the return of talent would be greater than dealing literally anyone else on the roster, but nobody in Pittsburgh is devoting any time or attention to the notion that Rivero could be moved.
However, could you imagine four years of a Rivero-Jansen lefty, righty combo in the back of the bullpen. If there’s a team that should go after Rivero, LA would be very high on that list.
I absolutely take a good offer for Cole this offseason because he is not going to be around long-term in Pittsburgh one way or another. I’m not sure the Bucs are going to get as much as they might want for Cutch, so he probably stays, which isn’t a bad thing. I don’t see the need to trade either Nova or Rivero unless someone wants to overpay for either; in Rivero’s case, the return would have to be enormous.
Spot on for all 4 players. Still would be surprised if any are traded.
blue jays should trade donaldson for weaver and grichuk, then sign Moustakas to play 3b.
A moose playing in Canada makes too much sense.
I wouldn’t mind that as a Cards fan but for the Jays I think it would be to little, especially since they still want to contend.
For only 1 year of Donaldson?
Not Weaver! Especially if your only getting 1 year of Donaldson.
There is no way the Jays are trading Donaldson at least until the trade deadline. Unfortunately the Jays brass thinks they can contend. They cannot, [they only have one healthy verygood to elite starting pitcher].
So don’t get your hopes up for a Donaldson trade…..
Hoping Neil Walker signs with the Rangers so I can see an article entitled “Walker, Texas Ranger.”
Not even Chuck Norris can defeat this comment… wait, of course he can, he’s Chuck Norris.
If the Cardinals can’t get Donaldson, I️ wonder if they would try to pry Machado away from Baltimore. The deal would probably have to be headlined by either Reyes, Weaver, or Flaherty. Maybe Reyes, Grichuk or Piscotty, Sandy Alcantara, and another lower level prospect
why when they can just sign him next off-season
Way too much for him for just one year!
you sure value weaver way too much.
royals need to rebuild. hos and/or moose dont make them a contender.
Rosenthal , Dejong and Gyorko for Tulo and Donaldson, I believe that is what you are alluding to Connor Byrne with the “defensively gifted shortstop,” I may be wrong. It would allow Shatkins to shed some salary and start fresh. and give the Cards an “upgrade on the left side of their infield” I would tie Tulo in with Donaldson but expect less back in return for Donaldson obviously.
Rosenthal…… Trevor Rosenthal…. As in a player that’s now a free agent?
No one is taking on Tulo’s contract for any package. Forget it, it is not going to happen. Sorry.
Maybe Weaver instead of Rosenthal. ;-) Did not know he was released.
Wouldn’t mind the Braves taking Tulo on to play 3rd til Riley is ready we got the money but doubt they would do it. Maybe the Jays taking Kemp to offset some of the salary
Kemp’s so bad in the outfield that the Blue Jays would probably rather just keep Tulo
He don’t gotta play the field he can dh
Toronto has a full-time DH. Kemp doesn’t hit enough to be a full-time DH anyway.
Question to Royals fans—does the team really expect to bid on both Hosmer and Moose beyond a courtesy interest? Looks like a lot of money to spend to keep both and Heyman, when it comes to Boras clients. always has a tendency to make them the center of attention. MLBTR predict Hosmer but not Moose.. What do you all think?
Can’t see Donaldson commanding an unbelievable return–at least as big as fans would anticipate. It always seems (even I fall victim to this) that we overvalue the rentals. Certainly if the Redbirds need a defensively gifted SS, someone like Jose Iglesias would be an intriguing target.
Maybe The Yankees put together a package for Cole is they don’t get Otani
Really, the entire idea of the Pirates actually contending more than once or twice every decade should be something only children hold onto. Call it major market vs small market or call it a tightwad ownership team led by Nutting, but the idea here is to build *towards* being a contender for a couple years, actually contend for a wild card once or twice, then look to save on salaries.
Way too much unless he agrees to an extension. Fat chance of that.
Why is a team that has aspirations of contending in the AL east going to trade their stud third baseman who is MVP caliber? The Jays locked up Estrada for a division run next year, but now they’ll trade Donaldson? No way that happens.
The Jays don’t have a prayer of competing in 2018 with their current starting pitching staff Estrada included with his wonky back. That is why you trade Donaldson, they don’t have a shot so trade and build for next year.
Ortiz is almost right calling for 2 major additions. I think we need 3 or 4 to be competitive. 2 might get us into the post if that’s the sole objective of our FO. and I think that’s all they are willing to pay for.
We need;
At least 1 thumper like JD, Bruce or Ozuna. Stanton would be an even bigger risk than the fragile Fowler.
At least 1 strong addition to our BP to be a closer to replace Rosie. 2 to replace Rosie and Nicasio if we lose him too.
One good starter to replace Lynn – 2 to replace him and Waino who is clearly fading and has been for 2 years.
Another pitching option might be to embrace the concept of a bigger, stronger BP and cut back the rotation to 4 and plan for 4-5 decent innings from them. That idea could solve our pitching shortage with 1 fewer addition. Its been talked up by many smart folks inside MLB.
It’s probably wishful thinking to believe our FO will shell out enough to make the team a real competitor when we are already selling out 75 home games a year ..even while missing the post the past 2 years and being quickly dispatched in the post in 2015.
So, the reality is we’ll spend the minimum to get back into the post. Probably a thumper like Donaldson and a reliever like Nicasio. The reality is Cards fans are filling the seats 75 games a season playing sloppy non competitive ball.
I’m going to say the most reasonable thing.
Trade them all, I care less and less every year.
I honestly don’t care what they get for them either. After all, all of mlb sickeningly undervalues the whole team. Basically they will get pennies on the dollar for each of them, the scout squad and GM will make the prospects sound like the next coming of some baseball gods. The owners will cry no one comes to the games.
Let’s put it this way …………… they can lose with them or without them. Overall the pirates are a constant joke and until they stop half hearting and commit to one game plan they will continue to bottom feed.
Build and commit to a team by going all in.
Or sell all and try again in five years. Maybe three if you stop caring about the super 2’s.