The Brewers, searching for starters, relievers and a second baseman, spoke with the Royals about their available players at the Winter Meetings, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported earlier this week (on Twitter). It’s unclear whether those discussions actually led anywhere, however. Speculatively, considering the Brewers’ needs, talks could have involved anyone from a group consisting of Royals starters Danny Duffy and Jason Hammel, relievers Kelvin Herrera, Joakim Soria and Scott Alexander, and second baseman Whit Merrifield. All six of those players have been part of the rumor mill this month.
- The Cardinals typically prefer to acquire controllable players, notes Derrick Goold of the St. Louis-Post Dispatch, though “it remains possible” the win-now club will swing a deal for one year of Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson or the Orioles’ Manny Machado. The Redbirds and Blue Jays continue to discuss Donaldson, according to Goold, but he’s the latest to point out that the Jays don’t seem motivated to move him.
- While the Cubs “are kicking the tires of every free-agent starter” as they look for a top-of-the-rotation arm, they’re unwilling to meet any of their asking prices as of now, Bob Nightengale of USA Today relays (Twitter link). Of the best starters available – Yu Darvish, Jake Arrieta, Alex Cobb and Lance Lynn – the latter is the only one who hasn’t drawn reported interest from the Cubs this offseason. Although, one could infer from Nightengale’s tweet that the Cubs have at least given the longtime Cardinal some consideration.
- Speaking of the Cubs’ pitching search, they were in the thick of the Shohei Ohtani derby earlier this month before he signed with the Angels. Cubs right-hander Kyle Hendricks told Bruce Levine of CBS Chicago that he was involved in the team’s recruiting pitch to Ohtani. The Cubs had Hendricks join them in their Los Angeles meeting with Ohtani because his low-key demeanor is similar to the Japanese superstar’s, per Levine. “It was very humbling and pretty cool to be invited,” Hendricks said. “It was great to be in the room and see the process. He is such a great talent, and it was enjoyable to see what type of guy he is — very down to earth and a humble guy. Even with the language barrier, Theo let me know what his personality was like. He was all baseball all of the time. We have some similarities, so it was fun to go there and talk baseball with him.”
Blue Jays, move Donaldson. You’re dumb not to.
I don’t blame them for at least trying to complete. They should be able to get similar value out of him if/when they fall out of the race near the deadline.
Get similar value when the acquiring team only gets two months of him as opposed to a full season and won’t have the right to QO him? I think not.
Look back at how much a David Price rental would cost for only 2 months. I think you get more by waiting. When teams are more confident they are making the playoff the spend big trying to push over the top especially a team that can’t afford a full season salary.
Lol. No team can’t afford a full season salary of a player still in his arb years for one year. Such stupid logic.
I know what a rental of Price got and the Tigers would have gotten more if they had traded him before the season started cuz the acquiring team would have gotten a full year of him and the right to QO him. And it’s the same way with Donaldson.
You make it sound like the jays gave up a lot to get price. What they gave up was practically nothing. teams would rather have him for a year and be able to QO, rather than only have 2-3 months.
Shapiro and Atkins are ruining the team. they like to blame AA but at least he pushed to compete. These guys have subtracted but blow smoke that they can compete. the jays will be set back 3-4 years because of this regime.
20 million isn’t that insignificant. I will go out on a lim and say the Marlins can’t afford him. If by some miracle they are looking at a playoff spot come September I am sure they will be selling what’s left of their farm for a chance at the WS. It would only cost them 3 or 4 million that’s if the Jays didn’t eat the salary to get back better prospects from a desperate team.
You don’t think it would be smart to put fans in the seats building up a nice little nest egg in preparation for what promises to be the best free agent class in a long time if not ever? There is a big difference in cash flow from drawing 3.8 million fans vs 2 million. It would practically pay for JD’s next contract.
They gave up more than what Detroit had to give up to get him in give first place. Norris was the Jays #1 prospect at the time. Boyd was something like 6 or 7. Did anybody regret it, absolutely not, almost made it to the WS for the first time in over 20 years.
What in the past 2 weeks has lead you to believe Jeter would take on a contract of any sort for nothing but bigger salary dump?
Nd you make it sound like the jays are poor. Rogers has money regardless how many fans come. so you keep JD and are competitive and at the deadline are in a WC spot, what happens? you stay the same and not get anything for your pending FA? you trade prospects to get an improvement? both scenarios work out badly. When the front office comes out and says they would have blown it up if not for the fans, it’s literally telling you we aren’t good enough. It’s duty than is to get better now or for the future yet these guys are doing neither
If they thought they had a chance and that Donaldson would help that chance they absolutely would trade for him now. $20m is nothing considering the production they would theoretically get out of it and that it’s only 1 year.
I agree that this team has gone way backward since Shapiro and Atkins took over. They say they are rebuilding the farm system. I guess we’ll know in another five years, lol. In the meantime, no Blue Jays MLB level championship calibre quality baseball in October in 2017 and 2018 and, and, and…..
And Detroit gave up some of their best prospects to get him. Donaldson’s value will only go down from here. No serious contender values $13.3m more than a draft pick and four months of Donaldson.
Boyd was not a top 10 in the org let alone 6 or 7.
The Jays aren’t as rich as you think. The Jays are just another business that Rogers owns. Doesn’t mean that all Rogers business have the money of the parent Rogers company. What’s worse is Rogers owns Sportsnet as well so I don’t think the Jays see all of that TV contract. Rogers will do what they can to be competitive with the much bigger Bell telecommunications company. They won’t just throw money at the franchise so they can win. It’s just business to them.
Doesn’t matter how rich they are or aren’t. Four months of Donaldson and that draft pick are easily worth more than $13.3m
Donaldson hasn’t made that little since 2015. He made 17M last year and projects to be over 20M in his final year. If you don’t think that is significant for a small market team I point you at the Liriano trade from the Pirates where they traded two decent prospects just to get out of the remainder of a 12M contract. Not all teams are a Redsox, Yankees and Dodgers that can absorb 20M. Sometimes all they can deal in is prospects.
If by similar return you mean half then yes.
The Jays aren’t trying to compete or they would have a totally revamped roster for 2018. They are trying to put bodies in the seats. Shapiro admitted such. The motivation is more for money than it is to win.
Donaldson needs to be traded now. Let the rebuild begin.
I agree with matthew_lepp. The cards could give them pieces to help them now and later. There are too many Jays fans on here who are all doom. Donaldson is one player on a team. He doesn’t put the Jays in the playoffs, but getting 2-4 pieces for him could allow them to compete this year by filling other holes. If not they can move those pieces for more talent. No need for a rebuild
The problem with a Shatkins rebuild is that it will be perpetual and the Jays will lose a generation of fans. Welcome back to the 20 years of mediocrity and no one wanting to play north of the border. If this were the Yankees or Red Sox I would agree blow it up. Attendance dips and Rogers stops putting money in and around we go into a cycle of finishing 3rd and 4th in the east for another 2 decades. We need to try to rebuild on the fly but Shatkins combo is not capable. They curse AA for his moves but he made the team relevant again.
The team Shapiro left in Cleveland doesn’t seem too mediocre…
True enough and Shapiro in Cleveland never had to worry about a fan backlash.
bluejaysfan you’re naive if you think this team can compete. What pieces do you see stl trading that would help Toronto this year compete without JD? the rebuild is necessary. happ, Estrada, donaldson, pillar all should be moved. this team has even admitted it with their talk and the fact so many contracts are up this year. start the rebuild 6 months early and prep for 2020 and beyond
ThePriceWasRight, thank you, thank you, thank you. I have been saying this since the fall of 2016!. Time to rebuild now.
I see that also…Donaldson and machado might just be deadline deals…teams aren’t desperate enough yet but if they smell the playoffs mid season they might give up more
With the Yankees and Boston as good as they are, one will win the division the othe gets one wild card, meaning the jays need to hope For the 2nd wild card and play a much better yankee or Boston team, isn’t it better to start the rebuild now and by the time they become good it will be time for the other two turn to blow it up
Look at what the Tigers got for Martinez at the deadline last year. Barely anything. Plus, the Yankees and Red Sox are head and shoulders above everyone in that division. At best Toronto is fighting for the final wild card spot along with Seattle, Minnesota, LA, and probably a surprise team. Holding on to Donaldson makes no sense at all.
Agreed, I think the Cardinals could give them a package that can help them win now and in the future
So roll over and play dead because the Yankees improved? If you’re trading Donaldson then why stop there? Back up the truck.
Yeah, move the Stro show and max out for the future
Roll over and play dead because the Jays are about as good as last year. They will not compete with The Yankees and Red Sox. The offence is below average as is the pitching. Blow it up and start over.
ellisburks, you are preaching to the converted. Now if Shapiro and Atkins would listen……
If healthy, the pitching is one of the best in the league. Even with injuries, Burocki and Pannone will be huge upgrades over what they had last year. The offense also depends on health, although it definitely doesn’t have the upside the pitching does, not even close
You still don’t beat the Yankees, Boston, LAA…all those teams are getting better while Toronto does nothing. They’re relying on aging veterans to be who they once were.
if healthy the pitching is a top 8 rotation. But unfortunately we live in the real world where health is unpredictable and this team doesn’t have the offense or depth to sustain multiple injuries and survive.
The jays could deal donaldson and stroman and Estrada and happ and easily pick up 5 pieces that could help in the next 3 to 4 years when bichette and vlad are ready
What!?!?!? As I said last year, the starting pitching will not hold up and by the all-star break this team will be heading severely south in the standings,. Happ will regress more, Estrada’s back is putty and will eventually give [says someone in the room], Sanchez finger issues are NOT resolved and he will likely end up in the Pen. That leaves one starter , a #2 in Stroman. A couple of rookies may contribute a win or five but nothing for this team to be championship calibre.
I beleive that the relief squad will be very good, but not making up for the poor starting pitching. Where are the 90+ wins going to come from? #scouteyes
Well said
preach
If it were me, Id trade Donaldson, because I like younger players and christian yellich type contracts…but ya know they can build a core. They have Stroman… They have stroman lol so id build it up. Trade Donaldson for prospects but also trade for guys like yellich or archer..Cesar Hernandez… Those good inexpenaive players who you could see winning multiple titles together. Those kinds. Donaldson is a winning player…..but not in toronto with a year left on his contract.
I can see Atlanta going after Donaldson next offseason and moving Riley to the OF
It might happen but that’s the opposite of what I think I read AA saying (that defense is important).
Could anyone see a Lewis Brinson for Duffy deal?
Unless there is more included on the KC side they will not get a top 15 prospect for just Duffy
Stearns probably wouldn’t do that but Ortiz and Harrison for Duffy could make sense.
I was going to say Duffy/Whit for Brinson and someone other smaller prospects. KC would get a top prospect to build around and the brewers get a 2B/SP they really need
That’s a bigger return than Brinson alone.
Nobody lets pitching go without getting pitching back in return, much less top of the rotation, left handed, controllable for years pitching.
Apparently “other prospects” I said couldn’t be pitching.
Duffy isn’t a TOR pitcher. He’s never logged over 180 innings pitched. Also he’s being paid quite high for a 3.73 career ERA pitcher who doesn’t last full seasons. At this point Duffy is a salary dump by the Royals. 1 top 10 prospect from a team’s system and another within the top 20…of course depends on that team’s system.
Well, the controllable pieces will cost just as much if not more. Then again, I thought the Marlins would get a lot more in the Ozuna trade, who knows what will happen
You can see that teams would rather trade for players than sign high priced free agents. The Cubs are not different than any other team. They realize that free agents arre not worth top dollar. The price is coming down on the top 10 free agents.
Then why haven’t they made more trades than signings?
If cards are smart they don’t trade for Machado, they trade for Donaldson.. Machado will never resign there, where as Donaldson could resign.. but Donaldson may only have a couple more good years left. And with the cubs probably being favorites to land harper, the cards will need a a big bat. Best off not trading prospects for 1 year of a guy that will leave.
Donaldson has made it known that he wants to stay with the Blue Jays long term.
Its all about the money and term on both sides. Shaprio hasn’t allowed anyone to sign for more than 3 years since he has taken over. I doubt Toronto Blue Jay fans will be seeing Donaldson in a Jays uniform next year.
Sorry today Dodgers have to be hands down fave to sign Harper.. Loaded team good farm system.. Massive amount of money off payroll after 18.
Wrong. Loaded farm system has nothing to do with anything because he’s a free agent, not being traded for. And he’s already expressed his own desire to play alongside his bestie Bryant on the Cubs.
Wrong. If I am a free agent about to sign a 10 year contract I want to know what sort of players I am going to be playing beside for the next 10 years. I am not disputing your Cubs claim but the farm system does play a part in the decision.
Not when the big league team you are signing is set at every position or the next ten years…
There’s zero teams in baseball that are set at every position for the next ten years….
Actually, some players have recently shown that they are paying attention to more than just dollars when signing. Things like a club’s ability to win now and into the future of the deal (farm system) may play a factor. Every free agent is different.
Exactly ! There are A LOT of different factors besides money when it comes to signing. Each player is different
No they aren’t, they don’t have anywhere to put him. Also, everyone knows the Phillies are the favorites.
I don’t know where you heard that the Cubs are favorites. All I’ve heard is the opposite. They have a full outfield and no money. The Phillies are far and away the favorites to get him.
Yeah the Cubs have no money…I don’t know where you heard that
there is no chance they sign Harper. if they would then you can say bye to half of the young core they have. Bryant will get a humongous contract eventually which cubs couldn’t afford if Harper is getting $30-40 million/year on top of the hefty arbitration raises that Contreras, Baez and Russel will get.
Any offer for Hammel that includes a carbon-based lifeform is a good one and Dayton should take it.
Cubs got Addison Russell for him lol
Him and shark*
Ya not Billy Beane’s most shining moment.
And trading Cespedes in the middle of a playoff race
Cards made the move to get Azuna, Cubs will respond!
Looks like not only have the cubs not jumped at top 3 pitching free agents but nobody else has either. I prefer Cobb, Wade Davis and go for Harper next year then all in on darvish
Hopefully the Royals make some trades that will actually help them. I do hope they keep Merrifield though
For anyone to say that the jays should move Donaldson is HIGH! Unless your getting a #3-type starter and a Bryce Harper type hitter in return, you just can’t! He can hit, he can run and he’s one of if not the most prolific 3B defensively in the game today! An argument can be made the same for Machado…but he’s not an MVP!
funny how the word capitalized in your post is HIGH as that is what I thought when reading this.
A Bryce Harper player in retune plus others? Lol. You are stoned! LMAO at you
Jays need to pursue Cobb and Cain and hopefully land one.
Bounce back candidates like Tillman and CarGo would be nice too but have obvious flaws.
Bring back Brett Anderson and see if that nice stretch to end the season has something to it.
Let Teoscar Hernandez run with an OF spot until he loses it.
Hope for progress from any of Tulo, Travis or Sanchez on the injury front.
It’s not perfect but there are ways the Jays could be contenders for a wild card this season and if you can get in then anything is possible.
I like some of your ideas. Bringing back Andersen on a small deal, letting Hernanandez run with the OF spot, and Cain scouts very well.
As far as Tillman or Cobb, they do not scout well, I would be against them. Cargo has perhaps one or two more years in the tank, but that’s it.
But these moves are not enough, they need right-handed power hitter, a #1 starter, a catcher and a solid lefty reliever. This team is far away from a championship calibre club without filling these needs too.
You mean a player signed an extension with a team he liked playing for
WoW! Will wonders never cease! Good luck Upton