There’s plenty of interest in the Marlins outfield even now that it no longer features Giancarlo Stanton. We have heard lots of chatter surrounding Marcell Ozuna already, and there’s yet more intriguing news now emerging on him and teammate Christian Yelich.
The Cardinals are emerging as the favorites from a six to eight team field to land Ozuna, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today (Twitter link). Word emerged earlier today that the Cards have interest in sending multiple, controllable outfielders in order to acquire one premium asset, though it’s not yet clear that’s what’s under contemplation. The teams are surely already quite familiar with one another’s feelings on prospects after negotiating over Stanton. And Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, who has long noted the Cards’ interest in Ozuna and Yelich, reported earlier today that the sides might also line up on reliever Brad Ziegler.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals are also among ten or so teams that have inquired on Yelich, per MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro (via Twitter), reflecting longstanding interest that has been covered in recent weeks. The Braves and Diamondbacks are also in that grouping, he notes. Both of those teams make for interesting potential trade partners; in both cases, the interest is likely driven more by their views on Yelich than need, per se.
Clearly, there’s an interesting interplay here between the markets of these two productive teammates. As Joel Sherman of the New York Post notes on Twitter, Yelich is considered the more desirable asset given his lengthy, team-friendly contract. His report suggests the Fish would prefer to make a deal for Ozuna first, as the organization has given indications it would like to try to find a way to retain Yelich. It’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out given the multi-faceted considerations at play.
While he only has two years of control remaining and will play at a projected $10.9MM in 2018, Ozuna is fresh off of a monster 2017 season in which he blasted 37 home runs and slashed .312/.376/.548 over 679 plate appearances. That handily outpaced Yelich, whose own .282/.369/.439 batting line represented a step back from an outstanding 2016 season. Still, many around the game are enamored of Yelich’s bat as well as his overall game, so he’s plainly the more valuable trade piece in light of the fact that he can be controlled through 2022. (His contract promises just $44.5MM, including a buyout on a $15MM club option for that ’22 campaign.)
Yes!
If we get Harrison Bader plus Tyler O’Neil or Jose Martinez in addition to an Alcantara or Flarethy, I’ll be happy. Might as well trade yelich too as long as we get back 3 elite prospects.
Won’t be that much. That’s what they’d give for Stanton but not Ozuna. You’re looking at maybe Piscotty and Grichuk.
Ozuna will cost more than Stanton. I think it will end up being ozuna and Ziegler plus 4 mil cash for Bader, Martinez and Alcantara
Ozuna should cost more since the price the yankees paid to get stanton was a joke
Stanton cost the Yankees 10 year/$265 Million along with Starlin Castro and a top 10 prospect.
Were you expecting them to pay that And give up 3-4 top prospects??
You can call it a joke, but it really wasn’t. Teams do not give up multiple top prospects to take on a large contract of what a player would get if he was a free agent, which obviously would be all money and zero prospects
I’m guessing that the Yankees are hoping that he brings them a title or two then opts out of that humongous contract so they won’t be burdened paying a injury prone 38 yr old DH 30 mil plus.
Yes that is what I would be expecting and yes the cost was a joke. I believe if Stanton was on the open market he gets more than what is left on his contract, maybe not as many years. Castro is a nice player but not great. Plus prospects are always a roll of the dice. Stanton is the MVP in his prime and should have returned at least 2 top 10 prospects plus castro. The money to the Yankees is nothing.
Jeter messed up when he said Stanton is gone. He could have kept his mouth shut and traded him in July or even next summer. Cashman made a brilliant move!
Yes, what the Marlins received was a complete joke. Not even close to enough for a 28 yr old NL MVP.
his agent already said he will not opt out in 2020… he is a Yankee for life now.
No he won’t! He’s only got 2 years of control left.
What his agent said means nothing.
I agree with mike156.
And that still lives scenarios where, if Stanton is both really good and healthy for the next 3 years, he leverages the opt-out to get an extension guaranteeing more years and/or money.
If he declines over the next 3 years, or is hurt quite a bit, the Yankees should want him to opt out rather than paying him the last 7 years / roughly $210 million on his contract.
mjmorales, the Marlins received Castro, 2 prospects , and $265 Million off the hook. $265 Million matches only Two other contracts in MLB history (A-Rod and Miggy)
I’m sorry, but he wasn’t a cost controlled player making league minimum. Teams do not get top prospects in addition to having the other team pay off most of the salary. That’s not how it works.
Cost is going to be way more for Ozuna prospect wise given his contract. Piscotty and Grichuk do not get it done. Marlins looking for elite prospects here.
The kid had a good year but is that because of hitting in front or behind Stanton? remember all the hitters that had breakout yrs when Albert was there. I see Sierra, Flaughtry, Piscotty, an A level pitcher
If he can be somewhere between his 2016 self and 2017 self, I’d be happy.
Then the cardinals don’t get him..
No one trades ozuna for pisciotty and grichuk…yuk
The Cardinals will not trade Bader. He is almost certainly off limits.
Not true.. if alcantra and his ceiling are touchable then bader of the 4th maybe 5th of is certainly not untouchable
Ozuna and Yelich, I would trade all of the above plus Pham and Kelly!!!!
Bader is not off limits. No prospects are off limits. They are only prospects.
you wish.
You’re not getting 3 elite prospects for him.
You’re getting one elite prospect, and two major league ready players in that sort of a deal, or one elite prospect, 2-3 decent ones and a major league ready player. At best.
I’d expect it to be one of the top pitchers, one of the fringe pitchers and Grichuk or Piscotty and/or maybe Jose Martinez.
It’s definitely not 3 elite prospects. If by “elite” you’re talking names like Reyes or Weaver from the Cardinals, I think either of one of them alone is an overpay for Ozuna.
Yelich could get a package headlined by one of them, but Ozuna has only two years of control at arb salaries and wasn’t close to as good as 2017 in the two prior years.
My guess would be Grichuk and Sierra with prospects, maybe Bader instead of Sierra if the prospects aren’t Flaherty, ect.
this isn’t for huge salary dump Stanton. Ozuna will cost more in prospects. Not Arb players and mid tier prospect
But Ozuna has only two years of control and is a Boras client which means he tests the free agent market. The Cardinals would be crazy to give up a lot for him.
Matlins have no use for Grichuk.
Bader, Hudson, Kelly, and Jones get an ozuna deal done with a reliever going back to the cardinals
No one has a use for Grichuk.
They are going to lose 2 of their starting OF’s, if not more. So yeah they do have a need for him
1. bader replaces stanton
2. they can sign cheap stop gaps or pick up replacements in trades for ozuna and yelich
they dont need grichuk for 3 years when their rebuild will take that long.
‘Member when grichuk got drafted right before Trout? Lol
You do know it was the Angels that drafted Grichuk?
I’m so confused. Both Trout and Grichuk were drafted by the Angels back-to-back picks.
Yes they were both compensation picks
I also ‘member when several players that never made the majors were drafted before both Grichuk and Trout. Grichuk made the big leagues, get off his back.
That’s a whole heck of a lot. I know it’s not going to be a salary dump like Stanton. I assume Alcantara since he was rumored in Stanton. I’ve thought all along Grichuk, Piscotty, and one of Martinez, Bader, or Sierra would all be gone this off season.
Carson Kelly won’t be involved
Kelly would be traded and others for Abreu. Sox were eyeing him last year.
abreu doesn’t have that much trade value too expensive
Only name I’d hold back out of that is Hudson. But that’s a package I could live with.
Not a chance the Cardinals do that.
The Cards are not trading Kelly!
Id be happy to see Ozuna in a Cards uniform. Hopefully last year wasn’t a fluke.
Exactly. Hoping. Why not go get a sure thing?
There are no sure things.
Who is a sure thing in baseball? Sure things aren’t cheap either.
I know. They need to spend Big to get a big bat. Stanton was a “sure thing”. Abreu even more so. Ozuna? Not so much and definitely not worth the cost that’s being babied about here.
Id rather have Abreu, than Ozuna.
Justin Bour was as good or better than Abreu last season
Yeah no.. I’ll take abreu..
big difference is abreu as a bad defensive first baseman and ozuna is a good defensive corner outfielder if their offense if output is even close as soon as better and he will also be much cheaper so he has much more value than abreu
jeter sends money and ozuna to the yankees for two single A prospects
Marlins vs Tigers… who will be the worst team in 2017…?… GO
Depends on how the rest of the offseason shakes out.
Right now, the Marlins will be worse. The Tigers still have Cabrera, Fulmer, Kinsler. Now, if the Tigers trade Fulmer and Kinsler…..well, then it’s anyone’s game.
I thought Fulmer had surgery?
he won’t miss any 2018 time
At this point…why? If you can get Machado, he will probably be worth more over one year than Ozuna at two. 2017 was an outlier so he feels kinda like a lottery ticket. You hope he can keep it up. The Cardinals would be better suited to chase Abreu or Machado. This isn’t a move that smells like a winner.
So in your opinion there’s 2 moves the Cards could make that you would approve of? How extremely short-sited of you.
There’s more than two but Yelich isn’t the bat they need. Ozuna doesn’t have the track record. Donaldson, Machado, Abreu etc. are all players that fit the bill.
but there’s a big difference in defensive position between those players
They aren’t going to get Machado for more than a year. It’s a waste of prospects.
The only way they get Machado is if an extension can be negotiated.
That could happen but he is a Boras guy so….
So is Strasburg, and he signed an extension. It’s possible.
Because every prospect is guaranteed to be a Major Leaguer?
grichuck, bader, and hudson
As Yogi Berra would say about the Ozuna/ Cardinal deal……. Here we go, Day-Sha-View all over again!!! Another Second place.
Ozuna can’t block this one.
please don’t give up the cargo ships for one cruiser. I do like Ozuna over the albatross named Yankton .. or was it Stanton. For many reasons.
Could Carson Kelly be included in an Ozuna deal.
why? they have realmuto
I’d be surprised if Realmuto lasts through the rebuild. He has three years of control left at arb salaries and should be a good trade chip for prospects. I think that either the Nationals or the Astros could be logical trade partners interested in him.
Extremely doubtful that Kelly will be shipped anywhere
No.
Yes, please give me Christian Yelich. Since the first day I saw him play I have wanted him in a Braves uniform. A starting OF of Yelich, Inciarte and Acuna on opening day would be an amazing turn around defensively. The Braves would go from the absolute worst defensive OF in baseball to quite arguably the best defensive OF in baseball.
Arguably? Who’s going to argue that. Three CFs all with plus arms, plus speed, plus defense…
Because some folks can be extremely delusional.
But who going to Miami?? Soroka, Wentz and Petersen/Riley?
Yeah. I would hate to have to be the one to pick which of the Braves elite MiLB arms to deal. Picking the wrong ones would be disaster.
I think a trade for Yelich would be the right move for Atl at this point. Granted Markakis will have to be traded. But it would lock up the outfield for the next 4 seasons (if Acuna is what he looks to be) with the core we have, that would be a good start!
I saw on here where someone mentioned Prado. I can understand that. Taking on Prado’s bad contract might lessen the price of Yelich a tiny bit. I’m still wondering which arm we’d have to center a deal around. I see Allard and Soroka is completely untouchable. But I think the others might be tradeable.
Prado is coming off a bad injury plagued year, but he had a good year in 2016. We haven’t had a decent player at 3B since Chipper retired.
Taking on Prado’s contract to lessen Yelich’s price would actually be beneficial in 2 ways.. he could play 3rd with Camargo then used as the utility guy. He would also replace Markakis (if he is traded) as a leader in the club house.
More than that almost certainly. Yelich has more value than Acuna does, so I think that’s the level of value you would have to part with for Yelich. Now, given where the Braves sit, I don’t think they will (or should) trade Acuna, but everyone else in the system would need be on the table
I think Allard and another top 10 pitching prospect would have to go in order to get Yelich.. it would be very similar to the Adam Eaton deal.. Acuna how ever would (I believe) def. be a deal breaker. It would work against Atl trying to build a stronger defensive team..
but I said I doubt you would like I want you to have to give up it would likely start without bees along with someone like Allard and the Marlins pick of the braves lower leval arms remember what adam eaton went for and yelish is better with the same control
Just because the Nationals grossly overpaid for Adam Eaton doesn’t mean the Marlins will get an overpay for Yelich.
Taking Prado’s contract could get a palatable deal for both sides done.
First of all, War Eagle!
Second of all, the Red Sox may beg to differ (Benintendi, Bradley, Jr, Betts).
Yelich is the one who will cost more. Giants will be forced to try and buy a player since they dont have good prospects to give up for Ozuna
I think Yelich will bring back the a good set of SP prospects that the Marlins are looking for. If they could get Flaherty and Alacantra plus another lower end guy or two I think it would be a good deal. I think Ozuna won’t bring in as much, could see him going somewhere like the Rockies. Rockies have a few good OF’s with years of control. Maybe Dahl and another top OF prospect or McMahon
it would take a heck of a lot more than that to get yelish. it would probably take Weaver and flattery to start then go from thier
I personally would not give up kelly unless for yelich
Personally if I were the Cards, Yelich makes more sense… but still would be a huge upgrade.
Costs more too
Agreed. He should bring back at least what the White Sox got for Eaton.
at least
Do the Marlins lose 105 games this year if Ozuna and Yelich get dealt?
Nah they go 162-0
Why would Jeter stop there? The Marlins catcher is coveted by many teams and someone surely wants Justin Bour. The Marlins had a capable lineup that only needed Darvish and Arrieta added to go after the N.L. Least title.
Third ownership like this in Miami. That’s not a coincidence, it’s a MLB plan to loot Miami.
Previous ownership giving Stanton that contract and MLB awarding the franchise to someone who couldn’t afford it is what is causing this.
Stanton I can see. But I feel the need to trade Ozuna and Yelich is not there. Why gut the whole team?
Yes. There was a local Cuban billionaire who had the money and MLB would not sell him the team because he would signed Arrieta and Darvish and tried to win the division.
MLB wants the Marlins to be a AAAA farm team for mostly American League contenders. That’s what they have been for their entire existence. The Marlins have a state-of-the-art ballpark with a retractable roof and a new TV deal on the way and they are the 16th largest media market.
that would be great except that Cuban billionaire doesn’t exist
Where was that money coming from to sign them ?
“The Marlins had a capable lineup that only needed Darvish and Arrieta added to go after the N.L. Least title”
You’re deluded about both Miami’s payroll vs. revenue situation and how far away they are from the Nationals. That’s adding something like $45 to $55 million of annual payroll, on 4-6 year contracts, to a team whose revenue wouldn’t support its $130+ million 2018 Opening Day payroll commitments (before it started cutting). It would still have left the Marlins projecting something like 5-8 games worse than the Nationals, needing quite a bit to break right them (or wrong for the Nats). Even those two would still have left them looking more like 2018 Wild Card contenders in the mix along with teams like the Diamondbacks, Cardinals, Rockies, Mets, and (maybe, if they add this off-season) Giants.
Bader + Sierra + low level Arm for Ozuna
Flaherty + Perez for Abreu.
Boom, World Series
How about the cardinals offer Bader, Piscotty, Martinez, Alacantta, Flaherty for yelich and Ozuna. Probably need a couple other prospects too.
Then trade grichuck and Kelly for colome.
I don’t hate it
Gomber or Helsley would need to be added and another lower level prospect.
Maybe the cardinals absorb Prado as part of the deal.
any trade for yelish would have to start with Reyes or Weaver if you’re getting both yelish and Ozuna it’s going to cost a ton
Dodgers *crickets*
You folks are vastly under-rating the return for Ozuna. Lots of teams are in the mix. I see Reyes (coming off TJS) plus two MiL of
some people are overvaluing him as well.
I don’t know give up on rest is upside plus I bet Miami wants guys with six years of control and then they can stash in the minors for a while as well
Lol, i think marlins did stanton trade with the mindset that they would be getting 5/6 elite prospects for yellich and ozuna. Then flip castro the mets for some mid low level prospects. Hopefully this team can get back on track.
Yelling is the one stl needs..whichever prospects are left should be sent to rays for archer
they don’t have the farm system to get both of those guys they’re both very expensive
These cardinal fans on here are something else. Some of you need to wake up and see Jose Martinez and Harrison Bader arent worth much of anything except as throw ins. I’m not big on Alcantara either but at least he does actually have good trade value
RE: Harrison Bader
So a guy who is still only 23 years old, has played just 32 MLB games, was a 3rd round pick, and got a career MiLB line of .282/.346/.473 (.819) is just a throw in?
Eric Longenhagen recently projected Bader as a potential 4th outfielder. BA’s Kyle Glazer was a bit more optimistic, saying that his ceiling was essentially the current version of Grichuk, so an average to slightly below regular. He’s not a throw-in per se, but he’s far from being an immensely valuable trade piece
I agree re: Martinez. Bader is a decent prospect though.
Nah. I think you get Bader or a pitcher, not both.
I could be wrong, but he’s at least gotta be considered an elite prospect. Martinez I agree is a throw in, but not Bader.
I mean I’d be willing to bet STL would rather dump Grichuk or Piscotty before they ship off Bader but that’s not how you land good deals.
I’d rather give bader. Piscotty has shown upside but just had a bad sophmore year and his contract is really not onerous. Also wanna try and keep Martinez around if possible. He might be lightning in a bottle.
Wish the M’s had traded for Yelich or Ozuna instead of a dude who doesn’t even play OF! What a joke organization…
The Mariners dont really have the prospect capital to get a guy like Osuna or Yelich. I kind of like the fact Dipoto went outside the box and got a salary dump deal done to try and solve their outfield. I think Gordon will be fine in center and adds a baserunning element to the lineup the Ma’s haven’t had much of for awhile.
Jarrod dyson?
I am not expecting the Braves to do much AA is gonna use the year to see exactly what he has to work with. His focus is gonna be on clearing Kemp & or Markakis to clear some money.
Don’t ruin the dream man!! Braves fans just want something positive to talk about! Lol.. (I am one of them!)
believe me selling the farm for a major Leaguer before you are ready to compete is not something positive
I don’t think the Braves are that far off. Adding Yelich (if we are not including anyone off the MLB roster) for 2 top pitching prospects and 1/2 mid level guys would greatly improve the team. Looking at their $$ commitments and the possibility of the payroll going to $130mil would give them them the ability to add a top rotation piece and someone to man 3B. While still having a quality farm. Restrictions over the next few international periods will hurt but if AA Drafts well it wouldn’t be a terrible idea to make a deal! Also the price could drop if Prado’s contract is taken as well, though not sure how much Miami is willing to make that kind of trade.
I can see a Yelich/Prado – Markakis + Mid/top pitching prospect. framework between the Braves and Marlins. Marlins dump a little more salary longer term and still get a good player for next year. Other prospects would need to be involved obviously.. .
if by other prospects you mean Albies and Allard then that might work. yelish would cost a ton think about the Adam Eaton trade
Acuńa, Inciarte, Yelich would look mighty nice in the OF.
except that they still wouldn’t be a playoff team this year and they would have a depleted Farm braves should wait a couple years
Yes, because that trade would cost them ALL of their prospects, and there is no way they contend in the life of Yelich’s contract? (Which runs thru 2022)
Okay….
They’re not that far away from contention for a WC spot.
It wouldn’t cost them all of thier prospects but it would be a good amout and they are still a few yaers away from serious contention. also they are not close to a wild card spot The rockies, D-Backs, brewers and cards are all in better position and other teams like Mets and Giants are trying to contend as well. 2019 at the earlist but thier window is more 2020 and on. they have a chance at a dynesty dont throw it away for the present. they can always get a player next winter.
Yelich is controllable through 2022 at an affordable price. He’s also only 26 years old, so I think he’d be a good piece for the future, not just the present. He gives a reliable bat, speed, and great defense which would be huge for a very young rotation.
Yeah sure. I’ll believe it when I see it.
The Cardinals under Bill DeWitt are tire kicking bullshtters. They get players like Jake Westbrook and Brandon Moss. That’s why Stanton said, “HeII no” to coming here. The team is owned by Henry Potter.