The Braves lost their rights to 12 international prospects earlier this week as part of Major League Baseball’s punishment of the organization for signing violations, creating an unexpected influx of talent into the 2017-18 international signing market. Baseball America’s J.J. Cooper ranks the top eight prospects of that group, with Kevin Maitan still leading the way, even if his star has somewhat dimmed after a lackluster first season in the minors.
Some items from around the two East divisions…
- Jake Odorizzi and Alex Colome “have been popular in early [trade] conversations,” Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times writes. The two pitchers are perhaps the most likely members of the Rays’ 12-player arbitration class who will be dealt in order to cut costs, as MLBTR projects that dozen players to earn $40.4MM in 2018. Topkin figures that the Rays will be in heavy trade talks this week in order to move some of these names before Friday’s non-tender deadline. There’s also the specter of a total rebuild, which would come if Tampa decided to move a franchise cornerstone (i.e. Chris Archer, Evan Longoria, Kevin Kiermaier) this offseason. While the Rays will clearly shop the arbitration-eligible players first, Topkin wonders if the club would pounce if they got a great offer for one of Archer and company before any of the arb class had been moved. Previous reports have cited the Twins’ interest in both Odorizzi and Colome, while the Cardinals have been linked to Colome in their search for bullpen help.
- A case could be made that the Nationals should pursue a top-tier starting pitcher rather than just rotation depth this winter, though as the Washington Post’s Chelsea Janes outlines, the team could be gearing up for a bigger pitching addition next winter. The Nats will have over $50MM in salary coming off the books after the 2018 season, which could allow the club to sign or trade for a notable arm.
- Nine-year big league veteran Dave Bush has been working as a Red Sox pitching development analyst for the last year, as the Boston Herald’s Jason Mastrodonato details in this look at Bush’s duties within the organization. Bush sees his role as helping bridge the gap between the analytics department and young pitchers who may be being exposed to such information for the first time. “Baseball is not known for accepting change in a hasty manner. But I also think there’s also a benefit for someone like me, who has been a player,” Bush said. “I’m comfortable having that conversation. And it’s my responsibility to present information to them because I think it’s going to make them better.” Bush’s duties are part of president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski’s plan to overhaul how the Sox select and develop young pitchers, as the club has been notably short on homegrown arms over the last decade.
The Rays are most intriguing in regards to their current roster and the Cardinals needs both offense & pitching!
And quite frankly vice versa…
am I crazy in thinking the rays should try to contend… they were middle of the pack last year and have a top 8 farm system with close to the majors talent ready to contribute. With a few minor signings and a good year for some of thier talented pitchers could they break away from the pack?
If it’s and buts were candy and nuts we would all have a merry Christmas.
I think odorizzi would be a really nice addition to any team trying to contend. I don’t know where Tampa’s defense ranks outside of maybe Kiermaier but that whip is pretty impressive for me as well as his BB/9. You can count on him to make 30 or just under 30 starts a year. I wonder what he can fetch in return. If he wasn’t a free agent in 2020 that would help.
You aren’t crazy, you’re thinking straight. That’s pretty much the truth. The teams window arguably starts the minute Adams, Honeywell, and Bauers take the field together. The notion that they should clean house is a manufactured story by a bored beat writer and a national writer that thinks that the north east are the only ones that deserve nice things.
Agree that there is no reason to rebuild, it’s baseball and the Rays have a lot of good players and a good farm.
Also, the article author is wrong that trading one of Archer, Longoria, or Kiermaier would signify a full rebuild. They could simply trade one of them and continue as they are now. If they can move Longoria, whose salary is starting to get pretty high, for anything decent I think they would as he gets ten and five rights like one day into the season. But trading him wouldn’t really effect them, they could still contend.
I wish people would also stop equating a trade of Longo (something that should happen for the Rays to remain competitive) and Archer (something that could happen because of the Rays pitching depth (but only for a ridiculous trade package)) with KK (who ain’t gonna be traded).
I agree that best talent is almost ready for primetime
I hypothesized last off season that Tampa should have went into a full rebuild because I didn’t think that they would likely get into the playoffs. It isn’t that they don’t have several talented players and prospects, but that the Rays aren’t likely better than their competition in the AL East.
Yes, it is possible that IF a lot of things go great that they could catch magic in a bottle. However it is much more likely that once again they come close, but fail. Because of their budget restraints and the talent on their competition, it just seems it would be better to acquire more young high end talent with an eye towards a few more years down the road.
Why? Based on your above reasoning, what is going to change? The teams with deeper pocket will still have deeper pockets, and Tampa Bay looks unlikely to be moved out of the East. If they tear down, there are trade rumors. If they continue the current build, it will be with small, boring moves, and from within. Guess that’s not entertaining enough.
Agreed. Let’s also not forget that the Rays will probably have completely retooled their rotation by the end of 2018 and will have several highly ranked position prospects graduating over the next few years (beginning with Bauers and Adames this year). The Rays should stay the course. I just hope they don’t sacrifice the future for the past by retaining Longo.
Chris Archer is the type of guy I would think the Dodgers would consider trading Verdugo and Alvarez along with 2 other non Buehler guys
Do the Rays have any relievers with a good K/9 and low BB/9 to trade?
I’m a dodgers fan and even I know that Archer’s contract is so team friendly that starting with Verdugo and Alvarez means the Rays don’t even pick up the phone. That’s not a very good start of the package especially with all the major skepticism and performance of Alvarez. He’s looking more and more like a bp guy. There is a lot of shine off his prospect star. Verdugo well there are still some major questions surrounding him. He’s destined to be a corner OF guy, with clean RF tools, but does his swing ever allow him to fit the power profile. The Dodgers elite impact prospects have graduated and without Buehler well the packages that could be offered are less appealing.
Glad to read this comment. Seems like every team’s fans want to shed their disappointing 2017 prospects for Archer, like the Rays don’t know which prospects are dimming and which are just beginning to shine bright. Plus, I suspect an existing a young MLB talent will be required for Archer too.
Problem is no one can trade for Archer given what the market has been set at. The only way an archer deal goes down is if a team subtracts MLB talent
Dave Bush’s job sounds interesting. I remember when the Astros starting doing infield shifts and some pitchers complained. It makes sense to have an experienced vet who can explain analytics in an effective way.
The Cardinals actually need Archer, Colome and could also use Longoria. In this Stanton chase, president of baseball operations Mozeliak, will never be able to reel him in to St. Louis. Mozeliak has a record of BIG talk, NO do in St. Louis when it comes to acquiring top tiered All Star is caliber players.
What in the world would be required to land Archer, Colome and Longo? My god! Talk about a blockbuster trade package. How about you settle for Odorizzi, Colome and Longo for Carson Kelly, Jack Flaherty, and 2-3 prospects of varying skills who are at least 2 years from needing to be added to the 40 man? I think the Rays are likely to move Odorizzi, Colome and Longo this off-season anyway, and while Archer might be moved too, the package I just laid out for Odorizzi/Colome/Longo probably wouldn’t be enough for the Rays to move Archer alone (although it would certainly be worth talking over).
First of all, you have no clue if the cardinals will land Stanton or not.. And second, yeah dang, Mo missed out on signing price, heyward, and pujols for 200 million a piece to become albatrosses. How about when Mo traded for and signed Matt Holliday (4 time all star and 5 time top 25 MVP vote getter), Lance Berkman (2011 all star and 7th in MVP), Carlos Beltran (2012 and 2013 all star), and John Lackey (9th in Cy Young 2015)? Do none of them count as top tiered and all star caliber?
Mozeliak puts a winning team on the field every year and keeps a well stocked farm system. He has a strong chance of making some big moves this year that he probably couldn’t have made had he spent big on stupid contracts or made every trade the fans thought he should. I would love for them to get Stanton, Archer, and Colome just like you. However, we need to be realistic here. And also, the Mo bashing needs to stop from Cards fans. It’s pretty ridiculous when you look at his track record.
Apparently the Braves lost 12 prospect for violating international signings rules. Thanks for the 12th update on that Trade Rumors, the other 11 didn’t stick…and yes we’re salty about it
lol pasific ocean over hear
Archer and Longo to the Braves would ignite some excitement for the fan base in Braves Country. The cost may hurt a bit, but it puts a better product on the field and rear ends in the seats. Longo has five years left on his contract, so he plays out two or two and a half with Braves and then flipped to an AL team as DH. Archer also has a few years left which would get through a semi-competitive 2018 (possible wildcard) and be around for a couple years of true contention. Based on Archers performance, extend him…
Longo won’t cost a ton, but if you want Archer, the package will have to include Acuna and possibly Allard as the headliners. Despite the media headlines that the Rays could opt for a rebuild, most knowledgeable Rays fans see the team staying the course and trading players whose cost/output don’t fit the Rays budget. That strategy might result in Longo being traded this offseason, but it’s very doubtful Archer is traded. Unless, of course, a team blows the Rays away with a Sale like offer.
I’m not sold on Rays rebuilding either, but if AA offers Folty in a package (not Ronald Acura) that Rays bite, although depends on contents of package…
I’d part with Folty and Swanson, which allows us to move Johan Camargo to SS.
Why would the Rays want Folty? He’d be our 6th starter at best (ie: he wouldn’t be part of the Rays rotation).
I’m sure the Rays would be happy to add Swanson, but he’s not the trade chip he was last year. Plus, the Rays have Adames coming up this year at SS, so there’s little need at that position (and Swanson’s bat may not play at 2B).
There is no way Folty is anything more than the 3rd piece in a package for Archer. We have a pretty good idea of the market price to trade for a pitcher of Archer’s quality and team friendly contract. In the past year, the White Sox received back a 65 FV 2B/3B and 55/60 FV SP as the headliners for Sale and a 60 FV OF and 55 FV SP as the headliners for Quintana. The Braves, or any other team, will have to offer the same kind of headliners to even get the Rays to the table in a potential Archer trade. That means Acuna, a 60/65 FV OF, and one of Allard/Wright/Soroka/Anderson/Gohara, all 55 FV SP, as headliners. They will most likely still have to add a quality 3rd piece and interesting 4th prospect if they are trading all prospects. As for Swanson, he doesn’t have nearly the same value he did a year ago and isn’t enough to be the top player in an Archer trade. I could possibly see him as the 2nd piece, but a Folty/Swanson package only works if Acuna or Albies is also included.
doubt they get Acuña bit I agree it would be a high cost
The Rays don’t fit into any conventional baseball equation. They just find a way to compete every year despite their awful stadium and poor man’s payroll.
Odorizzi is a St. Louis-area native, and I would have no problem with a homecoming. That said, Mo will probably wind up with a 4-5th starter/cast-off and tell the BFIB how they “got the guy they wanted”.
Odorizzi is a 4th/5th starter on a contending team. The more I think about it, an odorizzi/longoria/colome package makes a lot of sense and still means you can upgrade another roster spot in the outfield.
As a Rays fan, that certainly works for me. You cool with Carson Kelly, Jack Flaherty, and 2-3 prospects of varying skills who are at least 2 years from needing to be added to the 40 man as the trade package?
I think the Rays are always in the middle of a rebuild !