“The Braves’ interest in Mike Moustakas is minimal at best,” ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick writes in a tweet, following up on an earlier report which stated that Atlanta was looking at the Royals third baseman. Moustakas and the Braves have been linked in rumors even dating back to last offseason due to Atlanta’s lack of third base depth, though the team is reportedly satisfied with Johan Camargo at the hot corner. Interestingly, Crasnick notes that the Braves weren’t sure “how Moustakas would adapt to a bench role,” implying that the team would have platooned the duo at third base. Moustakas has long has problems against left-handed pitching, while the switch-hitting Camargo has crushed lefties (1.008 OPS in 156 PA) and struggled against righties (.701 OPS in 382 PA) in his brief Major League career.
Here’s more trade buzz from Crasnick in a pair of longer pieces (link one, link two)…
- The Mariners are one of the teams who have recently called the Marlins about Brad Ziegler. After a tough start to the season that saw him lose his closer’s job, Ziegler has pitched much better over the last two months and has reignited some trade interest. Ziegler is a free agent this winter and is still owed around $3.2MM of his $9MM salary for the 2018 season. Among other Miami relievers mentioned as trade candidates, interest in lefty Adam Conley is “picking up steam” since other southpaws like Brad Hand and Zach Britton are no longer available, according to one source.
- Wilson Ramos could be on the verge of a minor league rehab assignment, as the Rays catcher is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a hamstring strain. There’s still a chance Ramos could be moved before the July 31 trade deadline, if he continues to progress and is on pace for a return early in August.
- “The Orioles are willing to engage” teams in discussions about Kevin Gausman and Jonathan Schoop. We’ve heard both players be mentioned in trade talks, though this is the first confirmation that Baltimore is open to moving either. Schoop has one more year of arbitration eligibility remaining while Gausman has two, so these players have more value to the rebuilding O’s than other recently-moved stars like Manny Machado and Britton. As one scout tells Crasnick, Gausman and Schoop are “the real rebuild pieces.”
- The Rangers have only received “a couple of nibbles” in Shin-Soo Choo, and aren’t generating much more interest in either Cole Hamels or their bullpen trade chips. Part of the issue is that the Rangers’ players aren’t standing out amidst a deep market for relief options, and Hamels’ poor performance over his last five starts has raised concerns among rival evaluators. Some Rangers officials believe Hamels’ struggles may be influenced by stress over the trade rumors.
1 and 2 years of control are not hold pieces for a completely rebuilding club
Dont think that is what was implied by that comment
Not at all. He’s suggesting tht they will bring in the most prospects. Which I’m not sure if I agree with right now. Schoop has been bad this year. But if he continues heating up that may be the case.
I think what he means is that scoop and gausman are the trade chips the Os are going use to rebuild the team.
Yes but jbigz is right to be skeptical of their value. I will be curious to see what each reaps potentially.
At what point does a switch-hitter with such divided splits just give it up and bat from the side of the plate where’s he more successful? Or would his splits be even worse then?
We’ve seen this experiment before, most recently with Pablo Sandoval. Things don’t usually go so well.
I’m trying to think of other examples but none come to mind. I suppose that pretty much answers the question…
Shane Victorino did it too…
Oh, I didn’t know that. When in his career was that? Was it effective?
it was in 2015, his last year. so not much of a sample to draw from. he went back to switch hitting in the next Spring with the Cubs, but obviously didn’t make the club.
I think victorino was because of an injury though
“At what point does a switch-hitter with such divided splits just give it up and bat from the side of the plate where he’s more successful?”
You’re really asking a loaded question. Normally if a player has extreme platoon splits—he gets platooned. The player may not have given up on batting from his weaker side, the team may not tell you that the player is being protected vs. same-handed hurlers and in fact the player may get the occasional PA vs. a same-handed P, but for all practical purposes the player is being platooned.
So what you’re really asking is: at what point does a player and team decide to let a SH with deep platoon splits hit from his strong side vs. same-handed Ps rather than simply benching him vs. same-handed pitching. From memory and consistent with other commenters, it doesn’t happen often nor well. It’s usually a team’s last resort.
I heard Milwaukee was interested but thought the price was too steep.
I can see a team in need of innings look into Hamels. The Rangers relief pitchers are terrible. Outside of Leclerc.
Royals wouldn’t deal Moose to the Braves for two reasons:
1) They wouldn’t get a satisfying return for someone the Braves consider a “bench bat”
2) They wouldn’t trade Moose to a team that considered him a bench bat because that’d be embarrassing for him and the Royals aren’t about to make one of “their own” look like a fool.
Dayton Moore would much rather keep Moose than trade him to a team that doesn’t value him properly.
Probably correct, but Moore has always been a little too loyal to his own players. The Gordon contract was terrible, Salvy’s extension was ridiculous, and he held on to Hosmer, Moose, Cain, etc. for a year too long. Being Mr. Loyal Royal has cost him.
Wait…why is Salvys extension ridiculous?
At the time, they controlled him for basically nothing until 2019. Moore is just too nice, imo. I’m sure he’s a great friend, but too nice as a GM. mlbtraderumors.com/2016/03/royals-salvador-perez-m…
REALLY??
A player would be embarrassed because someone wanted them enough to trade for them but utilized them in a different role because the guy on the newer, better team has produced more? You don’t think that players are professional enough to realize that you don’t always get what you want despite the fact you get paid millions of dollars to do a job for the team paying their salary? Or do you think that their egos are so fragile that sitting on the pine some will scar them for life?
I honestly can think of multiple reasons why KC might not be willing to deal Moustakas to Atlanta, but I highly doubt they don’t want Moustakas to be embarrassed is one of them.
LOL I’ve met David Glass before and while I know he believes in respect for the individual, I’m pretty sure he’d laugh at your theory.
As a Royals fan, Dayton Moore is loyal to a fault, especially to a guy from the ‘15 core. If Moose didn’t want to be platooned (whether it be pride or earning potential) I could see Moore respecting his wish and not sending him to said team.
You might want to go read that again. It’s the Braves that aren’t sure how he would handle a bench role.
Braves are likely worried because Moore told them that Moose might not handle a bench role well.
Braves need to stay far away from Moose. Guy is overweight and sucks. Bad combo
Wow… the Rangers saying that “…Hamels’ struggles may be influenced by stress over the trade rumors” is not necessarily something to say before trying to trade him to, say, a contender where the pressure is going to get ratcheted up…
Was thinking same, not sure a playoff contender wants a guy that struggles when the pressure is on.
you know he won a World Series MVP right? Pretty sure he does fine under pressure.
Was thinking exact same thing
Pfft it didn’t hurt Greinke and he has it worse with his social anxiety disorder.
Good news! i think you have to think of Camargo as a long term option at 3rd now. Also don’t really think Moose is all that great.
Nah, Riley is the long-term option at 3rd. Camargo playing all over the diamond would be boomtacular
I think what he means is that scoop and gausmans are going to be the real trade chips to rebuild the Os
So what teams will get stuck with their rental players?
i remeber how stress got to Hamels before the last time he was dealt… lets se some of that!
Maybe Hamels struggles are influenced by having the worst pitching coach in the league in his ear 24/7.
Angelos still in town? Surprised the Orioles fans haven’t run him off already. Smh
We are waiting patiently for Mother Nature to do her thing. His sons seem to be pretty legit
We had to do the same as Cowboys fans and luckily as Jerry has gotten older and the son more in control there are better moves being made. Not perfect but the son is WAY better than the dad. Hope you get the same in Baltimore.
I love how this writer sees no value in a guy who’s on place for 120 RBI and 40 home runs in a terrible line up and huge ball park.
Royals should be happy to keep him and sign him long term in offseason
No offense, but I wonder how your math can be so far off that you are projecting he finishes with 40 homers and 120 RBIs. I am also wondering if you judge all players by those two stats only or if you actually attempt to look at a more complete picture.
Look, I’m NOT saying that Moustakas is a bad player, but I’m saying that those two stats (which you overstated) are easily the two that paint Moustakas in the most favorable light, but totally ignore his many shortcomings.
For what it is worth mlb.com has the projection that he finishes at 32 homeruns and 96 rbi.
Fine 25 home runs and 90 RBI in a terrible line up and huge ball park
What are his shortcomings?