Headlines

  • Kelvin Herrera Announces Retirement
  • Braves Extend Brian Snitker
  • Giants, Scott Kazmir Agree To Minor League Deal
  • Yankees Sign Justin Wilson
  • Braves Sign Jake Lamb
  • Athletics Sign Mitch Moreland
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Indians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • Last 100 Comments
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Latest On Corner Infield Market

By Jeff Todd | December 11, 2017 at 11:02am CDT

There are quite a few moving pieces on the market for corner infielders, so it’s conceivable that things could go in any number of different directions. At this point, it’s not even clear when or where the first dominoes will fall. Here’s the latest:

  • Fresh off of a non-tender by the Braves, first baseman Matt Adams has drawn interest from a few organizations, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Specifically, the Indians, Royals, and Nationals have all reached out to Adams’s representatives. While Cleveland and Kansas City could offer fairly significant roles to the left-handed hitter — who really is best utilized in a platoon capacity — the Nats unsurprisingly would consider him as a frequently used bench piece who might take some of the burden from Ryan Zimmerman. Atlanta was not able to find a taker for Adams before the tender deadline; he had projected to earn $4.6MM via arbitration, so it’d be surprising if he ended up receiving more than that on the open market. For the Indians, it seems, adding a player such as Adams would represent something of a “fallback,” as Crasnick terms it, if the team is unable to strike a new deal with Carlos Santana. MLBTR’s Kyle Downing just analyzed Santana’s free agent case and we have also rounded up the latest market chatter on one of the market’s top bats.
  • Having missed out on Giancarlo Stanton, the Cardinals are now scanning the rest of the market for offensive upgrades. Jon Heyman of Fan Rag looks at the team’s possible options, including free agents Eric Hosmer and J.D. Martinez. He notes that several upper-echelon third basemen might hold appeal on the trade market — which will come as little surprise to those that have followed the Cards’ trade rumblings for the last several months. Of course, it’s still unclear whether the Blue Jays (Josh Donaldson), Rays (Evan Longoria), or Orioles (Manny Machado) will make their stars available.
  • Joel Sherman of the New York Post tackles that subject, discussing the relative likelihood that any of those three will be shopped. And Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times addresses things from the Rays’ perspective, reporting that Longoria has not been given any indication from the organization about their plans. While he says he hopes to remain in Tampa Bay, he also acknowledges he could be “somewhere in limbo.” If a trade comes to pass, says Longoria, “I suppose my family and I will adjust.”
  • The top free agent third baseman, of course, is Mike Moustakas. His market is still taking shape, but the Angels have (as expected) engaged with his camp to some degree, Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register reports (Twitter links). That said, there’s no indication of momentum. From an outside perspective, it also seems less likely that the Halos would line up on Moustakas after landing Shohei Ohtani. Even less likely is Logan Morrison, though Fletcher adds that he’s also still on the radar.
  • Hosmer and Martinez are conceivably also targets for the Red Sox, as are Santana and others. As Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes, the organization has engaged agent Scott Boras on both players; perhaps unsurprisingly, he also suggests that Boras is pitching Boston on signing the pair in a bold move to revamp its lineup. Interestingly, Cafardo also says that Hosmer’s former club, the Royals, once reached an internal assessment that Hosmer could swat forty long balls annually at Fenway. Of course, the notoriously heavy groundball hitter has never launched more than 25 in a given season (that’s a mark he reached in each of the last two campaigns).
Share 0 Retweet 5 Send via email0

Baltimore Orioles Boston Red Sox Carlos Santana Cleveland Indians Eric Hosmer Evan Longoria Giancarlo Stanton J.D. Martinez Josh Donaldson Kansas City Royals Logan Morrison Los Angeles Angels Manny Machado Matt Adams Mike Moustakas St. Louis Cardinals Tampa Bay Rays Toronto Blue Jays Washington Nationals

Minor MLB Transactions: 12/11/17
Main
Astros Considering Pursuit Of Top Starters
71 comments
newest oldest

Comments

  1. baseballpun

    3 years ago

    Cards should trade for Ozuna and spend that Stanton money on Todd Frazier, Juan Nicasio and Addison Reed. Or else trade for Ozuna and Colome/Longoria and sign Nicasio.

    2 Like
    Reply
    • the mick

      3 years ago

      Unfortunately Mozeliak generally avoids free agents and hordes prospects so that dream will die hard.

      Like
      Reply
      • baseballpun

        3 years ago

        I think he’s going to be forced to deal prospects. More likely to sign Frazier than Hosmer or Martinez, and DEFINITELY more likely than ever trading/extending or outright signing Machado.

        1 Like
        Reply
      • MooseMichaels

        3 years ago

        This.

        He knows he should spend. He knows he can spend. But apparently is scared to death of dealing away the next Kershaw (which Reyes is not) or Pujols (which none of those prospects are).

        1 Like
        Reply
        • stl_cards16

          3 years ago

          Did you miss the part that the Cardinals had the best offer for Stanton?

          1 Like
          Reply
        • the mick

          3 years ago

          Ok but it didn’t involve top prospects, no one really knows how much of Stanton’s contract they were willing to ingest, and, Mozeliak pretty much knew going in Stanton didn’t want to play in St. Louis so none of it really matters. He could have offered the team’s top ten prospects and it wouldn’t have made a difference.

          Like
          Reply
        • baseballpun

          3 years ago

          I think they were going to take $250 million, but to your point, he was going to opt out after 3 years even if he did accept the trade.

          Like
          Reply
      • Cardinals17

        3 years ago

        You are so right about Mozeliak…..I don’t know what it is, but over the past few years he hasn’t ever been able to lure top tiered players to the Cardinals. Ability? personality? Current team roster? What is it with him.

        Like
        Reply
    • Wainofan

      3 years ago

      Frazier is not an upgrade

      2 Like
      Reply
      • baseballpun

        3 years ago

        it would suck if Frazier was the only bat they got. But a lineup of

        Carpenter
        Pham
        Ozuna
        Fowler
        DeJong
        Frazier
        Yadi
        Wong
        P

        Gyrko – infield utility
        Jose Martinez – 4th OFer

        I could live with that.

        Like
        Reply
        • Cardinals17

          3 years ago

          How about a deal involving Carpenter and several others for Abreau. Oh…… that’s right!….. Mozeliak can’t reel in a Star player to St. Louis. Why??? And…..If it is him, why have the Cardinal owners stuck with him???

          Like
          Reply
        • hollidayfever

          3 years ago

          Abreu is about a 3 WAR player when factoring in bad defense and baserunning. Carp was a 3 WAR player last year when he had by far his worst offensive season due to a season long shoulder injury and is cost controlled for several years at below market value.

          Like
          Reply
    • hollidayfever

      3 years ago

      They aren’t giving up Perez for one year of Donaldson either.

      Like
      Reply
  2. CWSforlife05

    3 years ago

    Hosmer to the Cardinals makes sense. Doesn’t mind the midwest and would fill a huge need for an impact bat for the Cards. Plus, they wouldn’t need to give up prospects.

    1 Like
    Reply
    • Wainofan

      3 years ago

      Hosmer is not an upgrade

      2 Like
      Reply
      • stl_cards16

        3 years ago

        Thank you. I have no idea why people think Hosmer is some great player. Matt Carpenter has been far better in they careers.

        Hosmer is going to end up signed to a terrible contract. I really hope it’s not in St. Louis.

        5 Like
        Reply
        • Vedder80

          3 years ago

          This.

          Like
          Reply
        • hollidayfever

          3 years ago

          Lol exactly. Hosmer is like a 0 WAR player every other year. It’s honestly an amazing phenomenon, but that means he’s not worth any long term commitment. Abreu isn’t an upgrade over Carp when healthy and is a downgrade defensively. He’s going to cost a crap load in prospects too.

          Like
          Reply
  3. giombrampton78

    3 years ago

    If jays where smart they would move josh Donaldson in a package for Alex Reyes, Harrison Bader and delvin Perez

    1 Like
    Reply
    • baseballpun

      3 years ago

      I don’t think STL would move Reyes for Donaldson.

      2 Like
      Reply
      • Wainofan

        3 years ago

        Not unless they could get a negotiating window with him and he agrees to extension with Cards. Not giving Reyes up for a rental

        Like
        Reply
    • CWSforlife05

      3 years ago

      Cardinals would never do that

      3 Like
      Reply
    • andrewgauldin

      3 years ago

      That’s too much for one year of Donaldson.

      2 Like
      Reply
    • philbosanquet

      3 years ago

      If the Cards were smart, they’d trade Grichuk straight up for Donaldson.

      Like
      Reply
      • Vedder80

        3 years ago

        The Cardinals would be smart to do that. The Blue Jays would be stupid to do it on the other hand.

        3 Like
        Reply
      • iwonderifthisnameworks

        3 years ago

        And if the Blue Jays were dumb, they’d trade Donaldson straight up for Grichuk.

        3 Like
        Reply
      • teddy

        3 years ago

        Any chance you have an inflated view of Grichuk? He your cousin or something?

        2 Like
        Reply
    • Stromalama

      3 years ago

      Not a chance the Cardinals would do that for one year of Donaldson.

      Like
      Reply
  4. CompanyAssassin

    3 years ago

    Its a pretty big stretch to call Longoria a star at this point

    1 Like
    Reply
    • Vedder80

      3 years ago

      He is a star. He just doesn’t produce to the level of most stars in the game anymore. He isn’t really an upgrade for St. Louis and should only be considered if the Rays insist on throwing him in to a larger package for salary relief.

      Like
      Reply
  5. stl_cards16

    3 years ago

    I don’t get the Longoria love. He’s a fine player that is obviously declining. He’s not a big enough upgrade over Gyorko to warrant the cost. If they’re moving major pieces out of the farm, hopefully it’s at least for someone that moves the needle.

    2 Like
    Reply
    • baseballpun

      3 years ago

      He’s a piece, not a game-changer. I like the idea of Gyrko getting near-everyday ABs around the infield.

      Like
      Reply
  6. MooseMichaels

    3 years ago

    What needs to happen is for the Cards to overwhelm either Atlanta for Freeman or Arizona for Goldschmidt. Goldie has a year left plus an option so his value isn’t going to be higher. Atlanta needs all the pitching they can get.

    Like
    Reply
    • Wainofan

      3 years ago

      Yes unload the farm for either. Not at all likely either is available though

      Like
      Reply
      • the mick

        3 years ago

        Why would Arizona trade Goldschmidt? That’s just not realistic

        3 Like
        Reply
        • Wainofan

          3 years ago

          Agreed

          Like
          Reply
    • casualatlfan

      3 years ago

      Trading for Freeman is certainly not going to happen. Plus, Atlanta doesn’t exactly need “all the pitching they can get”, especially because there’s going to be a number of battles for the rotation anyway. Newcomb, Sims, Gohara, and Fried are already going to be battling for some of next year’s spots, Folty and Teheran are essentially guaranteed spots, and soon enough they’ll have Allard, Soroka, and Weigel also pushing for spots.

      1 Like
      Reply
    • mdunkel

      3 years ago

      No way is Az trading Goldie.

      1 Like
      Reply
  7. Wainofan

    3 years ago

    Those would be serious upgrades. Cards have depth with no “holes”. Need a true upgrade not fillers such as hosmer, Frazier, or sone of others. Yelich, ozuna, Donaldson, machado, freeman, Goldie, those types are upgrades.

    Like
    Reply
    • baseballpun

      3 years ago

      Freeman, Machado and Goldie ain’t happening. I doubt Donaldson will either.

      1 Like
      Reply
  8. forwhomjoshbelltolls

    3 years ago

    Heard the Angels might be interested in Josh Harrison, which would make sense since he can play 2B or 3B (or OF, but they seem OK there) and can hit lead off.

    What would they have to offer in trade?

    1 Like
    Reply
    • swanhenge

      3 years ago

      I see the Angels quietly making a push for Kipnis. It wouldn’t take much as his time in CLE has pretty much passed.

      I’d think a low level lottery P would get the discussion going.

      1 Like
      Reply
  9. billneftleberg

    3 years ago

    Cards are going nowhere, Mozeliak is too timid. He’s more of a hoarder than a trader and can’t really go all in

    Like
    Reply
    • mdunkel

      3 years ago

      I agree

      Like
      Reply
    • troll

      3 years ago

      they’ll never get anywhere as long as they think matt carpenter is a star.

      Like
      Reply
      • hollidayfever

        3 years ago

        What an appropriate name, troll. He’s basically averaged 4.7 WAR per season since he became a full time starter, so what the hell do you consider star? Was 6.9 WAR good enough? 3.9? 5.2? He’s gotten older as players do but he was still a very good hitter in an injury plagued year. Keep on spouting meaningless garbage as fact though, by all means.

        Like
        Reply
  10. Zachary Hines

    3 years ago

    If Josh Donaldson is a 1 year rental they could try to get. As long as they don’t give up to much. Martinez/Gryko can play 1st. Ship Carp to an AL team for the best you can get. The put a package together for Colome. And a package for Ozuna.

    Like
    Reply
  11. bjsguess

    3 years ago

    I am really interested why landing a Japanese starting pitcher (and occasional DH) for basically free would impact the team’s interest in signing Moose. Not that the Angels SHOULD go after him, just curious behind the rational as to how this signing changed the dynamic.

    Like
    Reply
    • jgb2412

      3 years ago

      because Pujols playing 1B for 50 games changes things! Now they can play Valbuena or Cron there. Not that I want Moustakas, I prefer Valbuena over there, but with the moves Billy makes I’m gonna be behind him 100%!

      Like
      Reply
      • bjsguess

        3 years ago

        Adding someone like Moose is a major organizational investment. Valbuena will play a utility role in a situation like that. Cron can barely handle 1st base so there is no home for him at 3rd.

        The Angels need another infielder. Whether that is a 2nd or 3rd baseman is debatable. I’m also not sold that the team wants to put all their trust in Valbuena regardless of position. He’s injury prone and coming off a year in which he hit under 200 and was on base in less than 30% of his AB’s. I’d feel better if they brought in a real 2B AND 3B and let Valbuena split time around the infield depending on match ups and splits. He should still get 300-400 AB’s and add critical depth.

        Like
        Reply
        • gonzo67

          3 years ago

          Well put guess … it seems every time he came to bat against us he would light us up .. plus local Orange County boy ..
          Sign em up !

          Like
          Reply
        • gonzo67

          3 years ago

          Don’t know why it posted twice …
          Let’s go halos !

          Like
          Reply
  12. macstruts

    3 years ago

    I sure hope the Angels don’t to give up a draft pick and pay big money for a guy who can’t get on base, can’t play defense and has only had two seasons with a WAR above 2.

    I really hope the Angels are smarter than that.

    1 Like
    Reply
  13. George B.

    3 years ago

    I would pick up Hosmer (1st Choice for 1B).
    If I got Hosmer I would trade Hanley Ramirez or let Hanley go after 2018.
    I would DH Pedroia.
    I would resign Eduardo Nunez and use him at 2B.
    I would pick up Jake McGee. (RP)
    I would pick up Lance Lynn (SP).
    I would keep JBJ. Great CF. Saves you many runs with his fielding and is a reasonably good hitter with potential and you have him at a low cost until 2021.
    .

    Like
    Reply
    • Flapjax55

      3 years ago

      DH Pedrioa? Nunez is a utility FA that is not near the 2B that Pedroia is. This lineup heads help.

      Like
      Reply
  14. Vizquel13

    3 years ago

    If the Angels will take all of Kipnis’s salary I think a deal can easily be reached. Cleveland has too many infielders and not enough outfielders.

    Like
    Reply
  15. mike156

    3 years ago

    If I were Hosmer and Martinez, I might be a little concerned about my agent trying to make a package deal for me. Does he have my best interests in mind?

    Like
    Reply
    • jeralves79

      3 years ago

      Of course he does, it’s his money on the line too. He’s simply saying the Sox should dig deep and get both.

      Like
      Reply
    • Flapjax55

      3 years ago

      As a Sox fan I sadly and regretfully believe they will sign both to big money. They wouldn’t go after Stanton but they will take o two players at a similar cost.what will the back end of the JDM contract look like? Much rather would have had Stanton.

      Like
      Reply
  16. #LCDad

    3 years ago

    Agreed. The Angels have a couple outfield prospects which could peak Cleveland’s interest.

    Like
    Reply
    • LaFlamaBlanca

      3 years ago

      Such as????

      Like
      Reply
  17. GMB 883

    3 years ago

    Considering who the agent is, I wouldn’t worry to much about that. The reference was to the Red Sox who are a wealthy team that can afford both players at market value. Boras doesn’t typically leave $ on the table.

    Like
    Reply
  18. ofanaheim

    3 years ago

    Not sure why it “seems less likely that the Halos would line up on Moustakas after landing Shohei Ohtani.” Moustakas addresses their 3B problem as well as their need for a left handed power bat, and Ohtani didn’t impact their free agent budget at all. I hope they don’t think they’re done….

    Like
    Reply
    • gonzo67

      3 years ago

      Bingo …!

      Like
      Reply
    • GeoKaplan

      3 years ago

      Moustakas
      Is
      Not
      That
      Good

      Like
      Reply
  19. George B.

    3 years ago

    If JD comes to Boston then that frees up JBJ.
    Arizona will need an outfielder if JD goes.
    We need a 1B.
    Paul Goldschmidt is a free agent after 2019.
    It’s a question mark if AZ can afford him.
    AZ’s payroll is 1/2 Boston’s.
    AZ may deal Greinke and Goldschmidt to cut payroll like Jeter did?
    Hazen (the AZ GM) and Lovullo (AZ Manager) are from Boston.
    Why would it be unrealistic to assume AZ may dump big salaries as Jeter did?

    Like
    Reply
  20. jimmertee

    3 years ago

    Jays are going nowhere in 2018. They’ll end up 4 or 5 in the division when it is all over. Trade Donaldson now for the best available. Shapiro needs to stop pandering to the box office. Just delaying the evitable.

    1 Like
    Reply
  21. George B.

    3 years ago

    Joey Votto may be a candidate for a trade to the Red Sox.

    Like
    Reply
  22. gonzo67

    3 years ago

    Ohtani an unreal pickup for sure … halos need another starter to solidify our battery… my two cents .. which ain’t worth much .

    Like
    Reply
  23. rtr5953

    3 years ago

    Longo and Archer to Braves for Kemp plus 3 prospects between 10 and 25 range plus $6 mil

    Like
    Reply
  24. Sandimangina

    3 years ago

    trade for freddy freeman…….please…….

    Like
    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Kelvin Herrera Announces Retirement

    Braves Extend Brian Snitker

    Giants, Scott Kazmir Agree To Minor League Deal

    Yankees Sign Justin Wilson

    Braves Sign Jake Lamb

    Athletics Sign Mitch Moreland

    Yankees Re-Sign Brett Gardner

    Giants To Sign Jake McGee

    Mariners CEO Kevin Mather Resigns

    Athletics Sign Trevor Rosenthal

    Recent

    Health Notes: Yordan, E-Rod, Bailey, Nottingham, Parra

    Giants Claim Jordan Humphreys

    Minor MLB Transactions: 2/26/21

    Braves Outright Phil Pfeifer

    Angels To Sign Jesse Chavez

    Kelvin Herrera Announces Retirement

    Braves Sign Terrance Gore To Minor League Deal

    Diamondbacks Designate Travis Bergen, Keury Mella For Assignment

    Cubs To Re-Sign Ryan Tepera

    Braves Extend Brian Snitker

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Kris Bryant Rumors
    • Jackie Bradley Jr. Rumors
    • Jake Odorizzi Rumors
    • Taijuan Walker Rumors
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • 2020-21 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent Tracker
    • 2020-21 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2021-22 MLB Free Agent List
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2021
    • 2021 MLB Arbitration Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Indians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version