The Padres have built up a number of options to use at second base or third base in 2018 and beyond, so much so that they’re receiving calls on infielders Yangervis Solarte, Cory Spangenberg and Carlos Asuaje, reports MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell. “That’s an area where we’ve created some Major League depth,” GM A.J. Preller said. “…It gives us a group of infielders that we’re excited about. And it’s a group that, other teams, they see that depth as well.” Solarte is the most established of the bunch and is cost-controlled through 2020 thanks to last offseason’s contract extension. He’ll earn $4.125MM in 2018 and has a pair of options valued at $5.5MM and $8MM for the following two seasons. Spangenberg is arbitration-eligible through that same period of time, while Asuaje can still be controlled all the way through the 2023 season.
A few more notes on some trade scenarios throughout the league…
- Though many Yankees fans may be hopeful that the team can find a way to shed some of Jacoby Ellsbury’s contract this winter, Ken Davidoff of the New York Post reports that there’s been no traction to this point on a potential deal. In fact, GM Brian Cashman tells Davidoff that he hasn’t so much as even broached the subject of Ellsbury’s no-trade clause with agent Scott Boras. “They have the full no-trade for a reason and I would walk through that process with the highest level of communication and respect because of it,” says Cashman. In addition to that full no-trade provision, Ellsbury is guaranteed more than $65MM over the life of the next three seasons, meaning the Yankees would have to pay down a massive amount of that remaining salary in order to facilitate a deal.
- Jurickson Profar is among the most oft-speculated trade candidates of the winter, but GM Jon Daniels stressed today that the Rangers don’t need to move him to another club this winter (link via MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan). Profar, 25 in February, will be out of minor league options next season and will need to be carried on the 25-man roster to avoid being exposed to waivers. However, Daniels notes that Elvis Andrus has the ability to opt out of his contract following the 2018 season — the same point at which Adrian Beltre’s contract will expire. To be sure, there’d be sense in keeping Profar around in a utility capacity next year while prepping him for a potentially larger role, though there still figures to be interest as teams look to buy low on the former No. 1 overall prospect.
- The Cardinals are looking to trade multiple outfielders given their logjam of upper-level talent, writes Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The Phillies, Orioles and Giants have had interest in some of the Cards’ outfielders in the past, Goold notes, adding that Randal Grichuk is the outfielder that “comes up the most often.” Goold also reports that the Dodgers tried to pry Tommy Pham away from the Cardinals prior to the non-waiver trade deadline but were unsuccessful in doing so. In addition to Grichuk and Pham, the Cards have Stephen Piscotty, Dexter Fowler and Jose Martinez at the big league level. Beyond that, younger options include Harrison Bader, Magneuris Sierra, Randy Arozarena (who Goold profiles at the beginning of his column) and Tyler O’Neill.
any chance Rangers will work him into CF. seems like the best place for him to get significant time.
Gotta work him somewhere. Starting 2018, He can’t stay hidden in the minors.
Now it gets interesting… Trade/Keep/Position Played ?
They aren’t going to bench DeShields to experiment with Profar at a new position
no one expects DeShields to continue to put up mediocre numbers
Hopefully they trade grichuk to someone that can give him regular ABs.
Yeah if only that was his problem
Wow don’t know the Dodgers tried to get Pham, I wonder what that deal would have looked like
Didn’t*
Same. I didnt realize Pham had a 6+ WAR season
Hmm the Cardinals are looking to trade outfielders while looking to trade for an outfielder in Stanton. Interesting
The Cardinals have alot of talented young outfielders. Too many of them are either riding the pine, or stuck in the minors because of the vast amount.
It really isn’t fair to them to not get the playing time they have earned. They won their triple AAA league by 20 plus games. I would rather see them get traded somewhere where they will get the playing time quicker to a team that needs talented young outfielders. They should net a very good return.
I hate to see the Cardinals trade Grichuk. To me, he has more potential up side that any of the other starting outfielders. Grichuk just needs to play and have a good hitting coach teach him to just make contact. Don’t worry about that stupid launch angle. His homers will come naturally if he makes more contact and it cuts down his strikeouts. Duh. Put him back in his comfortable, natural swinging for hits and forget about him only swinging for home runs. Cardinals hitting coach should have go before the rest of him. And I like Mabry. I rather see him as a bench coach and future manager.
I like Grich as well, but it sure seems like he has fallen into the “Adams Trap”. I guess he’s on Matheny’s *hit list……and probably Mo’s too, because they signed Fowler instead of giving Grich more chances. I think he’s as good as gone, regardless of the return. He’ll probably hit 35 dingers for his new team…..Ugh! Maybe it will be The Marlins?…..lol
I am not crazy about the coaching that the Cards had last year. They weren’t either because there’s been a bunch of changes. Let’s hope that Willie and Jose can inject some life into the players, and whatever “new Faces” show up from the moves this winter.
The coaching sure didn’t bother Pham. Maybe it’s the player?
He had some “outside help” from what I understand.
No worries……..I’m looking forward, not back. Hoping for a much better performance in 2018 from everyone that’s still on the roster. (who knows who that will be……seems like most everyone could be available…..)
Grichuk has trouble recognizing pitches
Just so ya know, triple AAA means AAA AAA AAA, which to my knowledge is not a baseball league. But you never know. Maybe AAA AAA AAA does exist.
Well although the Cardinals have plenty of Outfielders lets just say none have the potential to hit 60 HR in a season…but are they talented? you bet….
Geez weren’t you the one who said the cardinals farm was ranked somewhere in the middle lol
Profar and Grichuk each seem like solid targets for SD.
Profar nope
SD would need to shed some OFs of their own if they were to go get Grichuk. They have a logjam of young 4th outfielder/fringe starter types taking up spots on the roster. I don’t think they’re ready to give up on Jankowski and Dickerson yet.
Plus Grichuk seems a little redundant for them when they already have Renfroe striking out at a 30% clip and hitting 25-ish bombs.
The good thing about Grichuk is his defense kind of offsets the defense of Renfroe, I like Dickerson’s bat a lot but not sure he won’t be a -10 DRS/-10 UZR type in the OF.
Not ready to give up on Janko? Lol
Agree on Grichuk, not sure about Profar. Profar put up great BB/K rate in AAA this year but other than that wasn’t very good, Padres already have their SS and 2B of the future in upper minors, while yes it’s very possible one or both bust they will have a long leash to prove themselves especially Tatis. So the question becomes does Profar’s bat profile at 3B if the power doesn’t come?
Profar is an interesting trade candidate and makes for a fascinating case in club service time manipulation.
Profar opened the year with 3 years 124 days of service time. He wasn’t called up, so it would leave him with just under four years of service, meaning the Rangers– or another team –if he’s traded — could control him through 2020.
Had Profar reached four years service time this year,(He didn’t) he would’ve been a free agent after 2019. (But Not for a lack of effort, he really tried to pressure Texas, force their hand)
Now, Texas can’t hide him in the minors, anymore. (He’s Out of minor league options) They have a lot of decisions to make.
Do they trade him? When do they trade him? Where do they play him? What do you get for him?
John Daniels is just posturing to improve the offer. The situation has become toxic and it’s definitely time for both sides to move on..
I’m hoping everyone stonewalls them and they are forced to expose Profar to waivers
They wouldn’t be forced to expose him to waivers. They could keep him on the 25 man roster as a bench bat / utility player.
Fat chance.
Grichuck for profar seems fair and logical.
No it doesn’t the Cardinals have DeJong at short
DeJong can go back to his natural position which is 3rd base
Profar for Swihart is fair. For an established major league starter, I don’t think so. Maybe if they were in the last year before FA. With no options remaining, and being unproven offensively, Profar is looking like a utility player, if that. How much can you get for that? Ask Andrew Romine.
Profar has completely sucked. At least Grichuk hits around .250 with power. You must be a Rangers fan. Profar is way overhyped. If Matheny would actually play Grichuk, he’d probably have a decent year. Let the Rangers keep Profar.
You can keep Grichuk. He’s a waste of time. We have enough hitters who strikeout every other at-bat.
Please don’t. That in no way improves the team
Yeah, um, that’s pretty much what the article above says. Nice recap.
Not really. Article never mentioned Profar attempt(s) to get called up ( that MLB.com article suggests no friction)
Article also never mentioned, how close he was to accruing service. (by not getting called up 2017, he’d finish with just less than 4 years)
That could be more concise, and succinct (I’m Sorry) but it had more substance, than you think.
Think before you speak (or if u feel need to call me out)
I can’t imagine the Os being interested in Grichuk unless the Cards are giving him away. The outfield was very slow last year so if they were going to take a further hit on obp it would be for Billy Hamilton whom they could get for cheaper and he would add much needed speed to both offense and defense. He also could play center allowing Jones to move to corner until Cedric Mullins is ready to take over. If the obp is more of an issue then the slow outfield play, I can see them targeting JD Martinez with Austin Hayes as the fourth outfielder and defensive replacement. They would then look to move Trumbo for nothing but salary relief allowing JD to spend more time at DH and more playing time for Hayes. The Os are looking for a trade partner for Zach Britton which would free up 12 million more giving them approx 60 million to spend in free agency, just enough for Martinez (25m), Cobb (13m), Chatwood (7m), Cashner (9m), and McGee (6m).
grichuk isn’t slow
But your reading comprehension is
And so are your manners
The O’s won’t pony up $200M for Martinez.
I have him at 150 and they just gave Chris Davis 161 so it’s a false narrative the Os won’t pay big money. The Orioles had a top payroll in late 90’s and they have been competitive financially last five years.
But why would they give out another huge contract to another defensively limited power hitter?
Haven’t they been hindered enough by Trumb
Trumbo and Davis?
Baltimore needs pitching before another overated home run hitting defensive liability !
Rav. Ummm. 1) Grichuk isn’t slow 2) has played plenty of CF 3) O’s ball park is same size as some HS girls sball fields 4) he is cheaper than Hamilton ( 2.8 mil arb expected vs 5 mil ). If he can hit 20-25 in STL he’ll hit 30+ easily with 450 AB in Baltimore. FYI
Never said a word about his speed or ability to play cf. He might hit 25 homeruns but with an obp south of 3 the team needs 50 steals more than 25 homeruns
Interesting Ravv. Not going to argue, but Hamilton has an OBP under .300 as well in 3 out of last 4 yrs…. Last I checked, they don’t give you a run for stealing 2nd. They do if you touch home.
I may be wrong, but I think the point is that if your team overall has a low OBP, then having fast players who can go from 1st to 3rd, or even 1st to home, gets the most value out of the times when they do get on base. Easier to score when “scoring position” is any base.
You can’t steal 1st base !
The Cards do have a lot of young talent, might be time to flip that for a bat and bullpen help. Maybe even send some to the Jays for Josh Donaldson….. Fingers crossed.
donaldson is a one year rental
For the love of god just trade Profar already so we can see if this is a change of scenery or a bust situation.
Never that simple is it?
Worst contract the Yankees have on the books next year is no doubt Ellsbury. Nobody wants that contract
Yea, only way they’re gonna be able to get rid of him is if they trade him for another bad contract.
The Cards gave Fowler full no trade rights for the next 4 years.
They did. But he’s a bit of a spoiled brat, I think. If they make him play LF (where he should be with Pham in CF), and bat him down in the lineup (maybe 6th)……He’d probably waive his NTC to accommodate a trade to another team. Fowler has a decent bat, but his defense as a CF leaves a lot to be desired.
Agreed…Fowler is not a cf and it would only benefit him to move to a corner spot. I admit he can hit but with all the talent the cardinals have coming up i wouldn’t mind unloading that contract.
Let’s not forget that Fowler battled injuries this past season. Next year I guarantee that you won’t be saying what you just said
I said he could hit…but i don’t care about injuries…the cardinals clearly have a better CF than Fowler and he needs to move to a corner spot…if he doesn’t want to be a team player then i wouldn’t mind unloading a contract that will definitely be bad in the later years…like i said i like fowler and i think he can be a big part of the line up but if he can be moved for a bigger bat…stanton,yelich…then trade him if he accepts
I agree ^^^……..except Yelich isn’t a Big Bat.
Ozuna is………..
Yelich is a gifted player, but Power isn’t his gift. The Marlins are trying to push him in that direction, but it’s actually hurting “who he is”. Yelich can hit .320, walk plenty, and steal 25-30 bags if he’d stop swinging for the fence.
I agree with that kbarr….I just read in the post dispatch that Mo went and talked with Fowler in Vegas and asked if he would move to a corner spot…Fowler was up for it, so that is good news….it also said that Mo told Carpenter that he has no position next year and he would be used as an everyday utility guy….sounds interesting….either they expect Martinez to be at first or may be in play for a big bat at first
I think they want Voit to try
to start at 1st base .
The yanks have to pay at least $40 MM of that contract. And at this rate they might as well just do it. It’ll be addition by subtraction. They’re better off with Frazier in the outfield mix
Listen to Cashman they’re never gonna do that,it’s not that simple.
If they’re going to move anyone OF, it’s Gardner. A great player and a team leader, but an expiring contract coming off a solid year. I agree that Frazier needs reps and Gardner is the most logical option…
Gardner isn’t going anywhere…
While I think that Ellsbury can be a serviceable OF for another year, if at any point between now and the end of his contract the Yankees feel that he can’t cut it anymore I expect the Yankees would release him. Yes, it’s a ton of money, but they have Frazier, McKinney, and Cave that are all capable of holding down an MLB roster spot as a 4th outfielder.
Keeping those three in AAA could hinder their development, so if Ellsbury stinks up the joint it might be best for the organization to trade him (if Ellsbury waives his NTC) and pay most of his contract or just release him. The money is already spent so they need to do what is best for the future of the ball club.
Everyone is moveable.
Agreed, Frazier is not as good defensively as either Gardner or Ellsbury. Frazier could use another season in AAA or at least until the deadline. Cashman would love to move him, but maybe he’s throwing this out to Ellsbury, if he wants to start he will have to waive his no trade to be moved, otherwise he is the 4th outfielder. This team is almost set going into the winter, if they get Ohtani they will be set,, any other moves will be to dump salary, and get younger.
Rangers aren’t giving Profar away and won’t be forced to waive him. He’ll keep a roster spot and probably replace Odor if he doesn’t improve his hitting this season or Elvis if he opts out.
I’m sure Profar will be really happy being a bench player.
Ellsbury can still be a useful player. Not anywhere near worth his contract, but useful, so long as he can accept a 300-400 PA role. I wouldn’t just give him away.
That’s not the point. They’re paying him $21 million and he’s playing like a 4th outfielder.
Could be worse, you could have Heyward…
At least Heyward is delivering with his glove. Ellsburry rated around below average in CF this year.
I always thought the cardinals should trade for profar…move Dejong to third… but that is the least of their worries
I can’t imagine a scenario where the Cardinals trade Pham. He’s very low cost and coming off a terrific offensive season. Any team would want him.
I still think Spangenberg makes more sense for the Angels than Hernandez. I would rather have Hernandez, but it will take more to get him.
Any reason for the preference of Spangenberg over Solarte?
As a Pads fan I’m fine with them moving either to clear up the impending logjam, I just feel like Solarte is a more likely trade candidate because of his team friendly contract and since he’s more of a known commodity.
The D-backs could use a ready CF prospect to replace 2019 free-agent to be Pollock. They could also arguably be better served with Greinke off the books. Could this be a “Your chocolate fell into my peanut-butter” match with the Cards? Maybe Greinke + cash for Sierra?
Pass…
Before you pass……..ask “how much money” is coming with him.
Greinke has 4/144 left on his contract (and has a modified No-Trade Clause). He’s pretty solid, and could benefit from leaving one of the most “hitter-friendly parks in MLB”.
If the Cards gave up Sierra and Fernandez to sweeten the pot…..and got the D-Backs to pitch in $40 Mil……4/104 might not be too bad for him. I think he’s better than Arrieta.
Greinke’s owed $3MM each year as part of his signing bonus and $12.5MM for the 4 years following his contract expiration in deferred money. That’s $62MM in total. If the D-backs were willing to eat that, I’m sure the Cardinals would consider $21MM/yr for Greinke a bargain. The D-backs could use legitimate prospects and the $21MM/year would give them some financial breathing room to pay arb raises and free-agents.
As a young baseball fan I had a slight bro-mance on Texas Ranger Ruben Sierra. Mostly because he had a magnificent swing, hit homeruns and I thought “How wonderful must it be to meet a woman and introduce yourself as “Ruben…….Ruben Sierra (rolling the r’s magnificently). The name Magneuris Sierra rekindles the bro-mance and advances it to perhaps an unhealthy level. After all, he’s a punch and judy hitter with limited offensive skills. He might have a cool name…..but he’s no Ruben………..Ruben See-airrrr-ahhhhhh.
I’d like to see the White Sox get Piscotty at a reduced rate. I think this guy is a bounceback candidate, but rebuild…..meh….that won’t happen
The Ellsbury deal is the worst deal the Yanks have ever made. It isn’t that they signed a very good, or great player, and they got hurt or tanked. Ellsbury was an average player, who put up one very good season, and never warranted a contract of those proportions. Boras pulled a fast one on the Yanks, who are saddled with an aging, injury prone, 4th outfielder in decline. What team is willing to pick up even half that salary for one good month a season is beyond me.
It would probably have to be some sort of bad contract swap. I could see the Cubs wanting Ellsbury as their 4th OF. Epstein is familiar with him, maybe they could find a way to pawn Heyward off to the Yankees…
Ellsbury + Betances
for
Heyward + Schwarber…?
Ellsbury put up 14.8 rWAR the three years before signing. By the $8m/WAR thing people always reference he was worth $40m per year. They signed him for like $22m per year, though for seven years.
He has produced 9.7 rWAR since signing, almost $20m per year. You would like that to be higher since he will likely decline further as he gets older, but he has been fine so far.
If the Phillies trade Herrera or another OF for a pitcher…and Wong gets included in a possible Stanton trade…then I could see a Caesar Hernandez for Grichuk scenario. Grichuk would kill it at Citizens Bank Park and Hernandez is a very good leadoff hitter and above average fielder…the only reason he’s available is because he’s blocking the Kingery kid at 2nd.