Prior to this morning’s agreement with the Twins, slugger Nelson Cruz received “competitive” offers from both the Rays and Astros, according to Juan Toribio of The Athletic (Twitter link) and Fancred’s Jon Heyman (Twitter link). Specifics aren’t known, but it seems likely that the Twins would’ve had to outbid either by a fairly notable margin, given that the Rays won 90 games last season while the Astros won the 2017 World Series and appeared in a second consecutive American League Championship Series this past season. Minnesota ultimately secured Cruz with a $14.3MM bid that includes a $14MM salary for the 2019 season and a $12MM club option ($300K buyout) for the 2020 campaign. If Houston or Tampa Bay is still keen on adding a notable right-handed bat, there should be numerous options in play. The rebuilding Tigers, for instance, would likely be willing to move Nicholas Castellanos as he enters his final season of club control. The Cardinals, meanwhile, could move Jose Martinez to an American League club that’d be better suited to mask his defensive shortcomings at the DH spot.
Some more notes on the both the trade and free-agent markets…
- The Cardinals have been an oft-speculated landing spot for Bryce Harper but have not been rumored to have any meaningful interest in the market’s top free agent. Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch explored the situation in his latest Q&A with readers, explaining the numerous reasons that the Cardinals feel a pursuit of Harper would differ from their prior pursuits of huge contracts for David Price, Jason Heyward and Giancarlo Stanton. Above all else, it seems that the sizable discrepancy between Harper’s asking price and even those other substantial contracts is a roadblock for the St. Louis front office. The Cards also don’t have the personal connection with Harper that they had after a year of having Heyward in the clubhouse, and they’re generally averse to the leverage that opt-out clauses provide players on lengthy free-agent deals.
- In an appearance on MLB Network’s Hot Stove this morning, Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com downplayed the possibility of the Indians trading a top starter (video link). “I don’t think it’s particularly likely they move either Corey Kluber or Trevor Bauer at this moment,” said Castrovince, citing sources with the Indians. While he cautioned that things can change with a single call or text, the roughly $21MM saved in trades of Yan Gomes, Edwin Encarnacion and Yonder Alonso has alleviated pressure to pare back payroll from its record levels in a 2018 season that saw the total attendance decline. That, of course, doesn’t mean rumors or conversations surrounding Kluber will cease — they assuredly will not — but it’s worth keeping in mind when parsing the inevitable continuation of Kluber rumblings. More than 18,000 readers voted in last night’s MLBTR poll asking whether Cleveland would actually trade Kluber, and the response was a near-even split (52-48 in favor of Kluber being moved).
- The White Sox, Red Sox and Rockies are all maintaining some level of interest in free-agent reliever Adam Ottavino, tweets Jon Morosi of MLB.com. As one of the top relievers on the market, the 33-year-old Ottavino should have no shortage of clubs inquiring about his services, though the asking price on top-end bullpen arms could prove prohibitive for some clubs. To this point, Jeurys Familia (three years, $30MM), Joe Kelly (three years, $25MM) and Andrew Miller (two years, $25MM) are among the relievers MLBTR ranked in Ottavino’s tier of free agency to have cashed in quite nicely. Given his 2.43 ERA, 2.74 FIP, 2.82 SIERA and 13.0 K/9 mark, Ottavino figures to have a fairly high ask, as well. The interest from each of the three teams listed by Morosi has been previously reported, and there are some issues with some of the fits. Adding Ottavino, for instance, could push the Red Sox back into the top tier of the luxury tax bracket. And the Rockies spent more than $100MM on their ’pen last winter, which could make them reluctant to add a fourth reliever on the type of multi-year contract Ottavino should ultimately command.
- Heyman tweets that infielder/outfielder Josh Harrison has current interest from the Nationals, Reds, Rangers, Giants and Brewers, and he could ultimately generate interest from teams like the Yankees, Phillies and Dodgers — depending on how their pursuits of the market’s top free agents pans out. (Presumably, the Phillies or Yankees would have interest in the event that either failed to land Manny Machado.) Harrison would give the Nats a potential regular option at second base, while the Rangers are in need of a third baseman following the trade of Jurickson Profar. Joe Panik’s stock is down in San Francisco, and the Brewers, too, are in need of an everyday option at either second or third (depending on where they play Travis Shaw in 2019). The fit for the Reds is a bit more muddied, as Harrison would appear to be more of a bench option there, though it’s worth noting that he is a Cincinnati native.
Ottavino can potentially be one of the worst signings this off season
You and I seem to be in the minority.
Sorry, NotaGM, I know you’re a big fan of Ottavino and like you a lot, but for the most volatile position in all of sports, I like RP signed to big bucks to show consistency
Ottavino had an ERA over 5 in 2017 and,
entering his age-33 season.
Yet everyone seems to be in love with him? DRob or Britton over him all day, everyday and twice on Sunday.
Add me to the minority. I hope the Yanks stay far away from Ottavino, he’s going to get lit up next year. He’s going to be another Farnsworth-esque pitcher. Was hoping for Miller and Robertson signing. Now I’m rooting for Britton and Robertson. Doubt they get either. Cashman seems to be low balling everyone this offseason
Having your only really good year at 33 is a warning sign for a reliever considering most are up and down. Robertson is proven in pressurized environments and is a farm product of ours. I would take him over otavino I’m a heartbeat
I don’t know if you’re giving him enough credit. He had a dominant 2013, 2016, and now 2018. And every other year outside of those was good as well outside of 2017. And keep in mind, he’s proven to be a back of the bullpen arm in the worst pitching environment in the league.
In 2013 he allowed 106 base runners in 78 innings and he didn’t even pitch 30 innings in 2016. Imo that’s not dominant
This is Anthony Swarzak 2.0. Going to get 8+ million AAV and will be a bust.
He’s doing something pretty good if he can have a career 3.36 ERA in Coors field. I know he’s getting up there in age, but still.
“Ours”?
Yes he was a Yankee farm product and I am a Yankee fan. You know what I ment lol
Otto is a solid pitcher that why Colorado signed him to an extension a couple years ago.
Britton? Walks are way up, Ks are way down, he’s been hurt, and gave up too many homers.
Sounds like the opposite of consistant to me. Maybe it was the injury. Did his velocity come back after his DL stint?
His velocity looked good when he was traded. His command however was inconsistent. He had me frustrated at times lol
Thanks, I’m sure Yankee Stadium had a little to do with the extra homers too. I know I hated watching him come in to close the last few years, he K’d everyone or broke their bat.
Ottavino has great deception and nasty stuff but what makes him or Robertson a risk is their Contracts,if the Contract is longer than 2Years then your asking for trouble with the Miles on those guys
Agreed that Ottavino’s risk is downplayed and I would rather have DRob. For those (like the Yankees) that could use a lefty, I can understand the argument for Britton, but he’s not nearly the pitcher he once was.
Sign me up for team minority. I agree he has bust written all over him
lol… Otta . provacative articl.. he is clearly a relatively average reliever .. nothing special there. . and seemingly inconsistent from year to year..
bad deal for long term = retirement player..
best is short term incentive contract.. high risk of a panda/rameriz type player …
The only reason Ottavino had a decent season is because he was working out with Big Time Timmy Jims. They should both sign with Seattle since they work out and live in the dub-state.
Coming from a Phillies prospective Josh Harrison is a complete downgrade from either Hernandez and Kingery (who IMO be a great all around player giving the full time ability to man the position. I wouldn’t go as far as calling Harrison a bum, but he’s boarderline. DJ Lemaheiu would be a better option if they were to look into the FA department
Agreed
Unless they drastically change…….
Hernandez will bounce around as a utility guy for 3-4 years, while Kingery will be out of MLB within 3 years.
There are always some good young players coming up that can do what they do – and often better then they do – for a fraction of their salaries.
Hernandez made $5.1m in 2018 and will get a raise the next 2 years in arbitration…….unless the Phillies let him go……
Neil Walker got $5m from the Yankees to come off the bench in 2018, and is going to have to take less money if someone will take him on. Adeiny Hechavarria hits about the same as Hernandez, and is a far superior defender at a more difficult position – SS. He made $5.9m last year. Now he’s having trouble finding a team to play for.
I understand Phillie fans – like all fans – overvaluing their players. But most of the Phillies players are out of whack. Odúbel Herrera is due $23m the next 3 years. He’s a salary dump candidate.
Hechavarria is a career .635 OPS. Hernandez .731. How is that hitting the same?
Astros go cheap again! Just like on Morton and who knows who else. As I said before they will tell the fans “They were in on these players but could not justify the Money”. They are either going to be out on SP or will have to over pay now that all the other teams know they are struggling. Will win the division but can’t stack up anymore.
I agree 100%. They should have signed Cruz then worry about the rotation later. Unless Kluber is coming to Houston, I would say losing what they did, it will be a disappointing offseason. Boston and New York seem to be better.
The Astros have so much young talent waiting for a shot, Cruz and Morton are unnecessary.
If they are unnecessary then why did they make them any offer at all?
Due diligence.
There is absolutely no way Cleveland is dealing Kluber to Houston, a team they need to get through.
If he is traded, it will most likely be to the NL. Definitely not to the Yankees, Red Sox, Astros, or anyone in the AL Central.
Tampa got an amazing deal for Morton. If he’s hurt he gets paid peanuts and if hes healthy he will help them unless his performance declines
Better than Happ’s 165 IP or 27 starts in 2020, $17M 2021 vesting option.
I add caveat if they win next 2 yrs or he performs, “who cares?” But Morton was under-valued IMO
2017 ALCS G-7 curveballs still give me nightmares.
I have no problem with happs deal honestly. He has a better track record than Morton too. Morton has much better stuff of course. And yea that game 7 sucked 🙁
His family home is across the bridge in Bradenton. He said that’s what really mattered, and that’s why he took less to pitch in Tampa.
Not to mention he has a World Series ring already. I can see where he is coming from
@ Yankeepatriot;
Again with the “honestly”
So unless noted, you’re shining us on?
Honestly you sound bothered
lol
Makes more sense to seek out the next Charlie Morton (I.e aging, but low veteran) and Cruz is a DH only players. Something Hinch has publicly said he prefers not to have on the roster… after winning the WS and “overpaying” for Ryan Presley, amongst other extremely savvy moves from Lunhow and Co., I think they deserve the benefit of the doubt.
Considering they have six key players that need to be resigned in the next two to three years I wouldn’t be complaining right now.
Also Morton wanted to be closer to home, the only difference between the two offers was the Rays guaranteed the second year. It had nothing to do with being cheap.
Also it’s worth noting that outside of Texas Cruz has never been a playoff player. Perhaps he isn’t keen on being part of a contender.
Cardinals are a well ran organization. No way they pay 300MM plus for the most overrated player in recent memory. 1 super star level season out of 7 does not equal the largest contract in history. The media has been hyping Harper since he was 16, and he has been massively disappointing compared to the level of hype he has received.
he finished his age 25 season. already has a MVP. a career ops of .900 and he hasn’t even hit his prime. whether the hype matches the production you think he should have is beyond the point. he’s a LH power hitting OBP machine that would fit nicely in RF for however long it takes. He fill so many needs it’s not even funny. They offered a ton for Heyward. we’re so well ran that we’ve got over 30 mil tied up in Fowler, Cecil, Gregerson, and Leake this year. wasted money for players who could easily be replaced by lg min minor lg players. This team is not well ran. they screw up managing the 40 man roster every season. Take off the blinders
Cardinals is definitely one of the best run teams in mlb. Look at the success they have had since 2000. No one mentions the good signings/trades they have had.
Are*
He had three seasons of sub-2 WAR and only one of those appeared to be primarily due to injuries.
The Cards offered Heyward about $10M a year less, and two fewer years, than it seems Bor-åss is trying to get for Harper.
Also, throwing out both Harper’s best and worst years, he has averaged less than 3.5 WAR a year. That’s half a WAR below Stanton and 1..7 WAR less than Heyward was at through the end of his year in St. Louis.
Keep drinking the Bryce Kool-Aid, though.
I completely agree. He’s such an overrated player. Not to mention he’s a clubhouse cancer. The Nats will be better without him. There will be the fans who cite some of his metrics, but you cannot cite a metric for his antics. Though I do feel like he’d fit in well in Philly. It’s a hitter’s park and the fans are trash. Harper is trash and he can hit. Perfect combination.
Kaylee ….. I just agree
He is 15th in the league since appearing in the Majors in fWAR, between Freeman and Betts.
And he just turned 26
If he’s over-rated, then so is Freddie Freeman, who has taken an additional 1000 PA to get the same fWAR
What are you talking about? It’s not even the same conversation! No one is signing Freddie Freeman to a record contract, not now and prob not ever. Freeman wasn’t hyped the same way as an amateur. Seriously, who is over hyping Freddie Freeman. You are always a bufoon
If the argument is that Harper doesn’t produce, while still producing the same as Freeman, it’s a pretty silly argument.
If the argument is that he was hyped as a teenager, then what does that matter?
And Freeman didn’t have this production completed through his age 25 season. Freeman is 3 years older, in the middle of his prime, and took an early extension (and is a 1B). All are reasons why Harper is so special. He is just now entering his prime, has produced as an elite talent, and is available for the top dollar on the open market.
Harper’s WAR the last five seasons: 1.1/10.0/1.5/4.7/1.3.
Show me another player, any age, that’s had a WAR below 2 in the three of the last five, yet thinks he deserves to be the highest paid player in the game.
Between age 20-30, Arod had an avg WAR of almost 8, and not a single season below 4.5.
Between ages 21-31, Pujols averaged about 8.0 and never had a single season below 5.3!!
Harper isn’t worth the money he and Boras are tossing around. Period.
I’m a Nats fan BTW. I’ve watched him his whole career.
I would love to see him sign with the Phils and just destroy the team. Cancer.
Can you name the other guys that have ever been as good as Harper before they turned 26? There are only 9. Hall of Famers.
https://www.baseball-reference.com/play-index/season_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=1&as=result_batter&offset=0&type=b&min_year_season=1871&max_year_season=2018&min_season=1&max_season=-1&min_age=0&max_age=25&lg_ID=lgAny&lgAL_team=tmAny&lgNL_team=tmAny&lgFL_team=tmAny&lgAA_team=tmAny&lgPL_team=tmAny&lgUA_team=tmAny&lgNA_team=tmAny&isActive=either&isHOF=either&isAllstar=either&bats=any&throws=any&exactness=anypos&pos_1=1&pos_2=1&pos_3=1&pos_4=1&pos_5=1&pos_6=1&pos_7=1&pos_8=1&pos_9=1&pos_10=1&pos_11=1&games_min_max=min&qualifiersSeason=nomin&minpasValS=502&mingamesValS=100&qualifiersCareer=nomin&minpasValC=3000&mingamesValC=1000&c1criteria=WAR_bat&c1gtlt=gt&c1val=27&c2criteria=HR&c2gtlt=gt&c2val=180&c3criteria=onbase_plus_slugging&c3gtlt=gt&c3val=.900&c4criteria=onbase_plus_slugging_plus&c4gtlt=gt&c4val=139&c5gtlt=gt&c5val=1.0&location=pob&locationMatch=is&orderby=HR&number_matched=1
How many other players have done this over the past 4 seasons?
https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/harpebr03.shtml#2015-2018-sum:batting_standard
Freddie Freeman is in no context overrated as an MLB player. Just because him and Harper fall 14th and 15th in fWAR and some people feel that Harper is over hyped does not mean this logic automatically applies to Freeman.
Or Betts for that matter… I’m curious does this make Betts overrated or under hyped? This is a dumb argument you are making.
I mentioned the hype around Harper as an amateur b/c that is how things become overrated. He has always received excessive publicity. So much so that one might think he is the best player in baseball … he is not.
I get it. He is a great ball player, young and a FA at 26. Any team that signs him should feel confident that they will at least receive a reasonable return on their investment because of his age and skill level.
He’s way overrated. Throw out both his best and worst years, and hie still has 2 years of sub-2 WAR and averages less than 3.5 WAR a year.
I completely agree snotrocket. I’ve passed him over in many fantasy and Strat-o-Matic drafts. If he were an excellent defender, I could see a 6 year contract with near 30m AAV. If it were my money, I’d only go 6 for 150. Sick of the hype, sick of the process. I’m praying the Yankees never ever get this guy.
Buzz…wrong..in maybe 2 to 3 years, his contract might look like a bargain…numbers keep rising…if an owner gives him $390m or more, then, he is worth it…who are we to say differently
Smarter than you.
My take? A serious offer but one that calls Bor-åss bluff, too..
Five years, with an opt-out after two. Base pay at below $25M/year but with huge incentives that put him over $35M/yr if he hits them all. Make at least some of the incentives analytics-based.
Except incentives can’t be stat-based. They can be based on awards/honors and playing time, but not performance in statistical categories.
I forgot about that. I knew it, but I forgot about that. Well, ASG, ASG starter, Fielding Bible, playoff rounds MVP, regular season MVP, Silver Slugger. One could find plenty of awards and honors on which to base it. Bor-åss would still say no, of course.
Can you name the other 9 players that have had over 180 HR, a .900 OPS, 139 OPS+, and 27.4 WAR before their 26th birthday?
https://www.baseball-reference.com/play-index/season_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=1&as=result_batter&offset=0&type=b&min_year_season=1871&max_year_season=2018&min_season=1&max_season=-1&min_age=0&max_age=25&lg_ID=lgAny&lgAL_team=tmAny&lgNL_team=tmAny&lgFL_team=tmAny&lgAA_team=tmAny&lgPL_team=tmAny&lgUA_team=tmAny&lgNA_team=tmAny&isActive=either&isHOF=either&isAllstar=either&bats=any&throws=any&exactness=anypos&pos_1=1&pos_2=1&pos_3=1&pos_4=1&pos_5=1&pos_6=1&pos_7=1&pos_8=1&pos_9=1&pos_10=1&pos_11=1&games_min_max=min&qualifiersSeason=nomin&minpasValS=502&mingamesValS=100&qualifiersCareer=nomin&minpasValC=3000&mingamesValC=1000&c1criteria=WAR_bat&c1gtlt=gt&c1val=27&c2criteria=HR&c2gtlt=gt&c2val=180&c3criteria=onbase_plus_slugging&c3gtlt=gt&c3val=.900&c4criteria=onbase_plus_slugging_plus&c4gtlt=gt&c4val=139&c5gtlt=gt&c5val=1.0&location=pob&locationMatch=is&orderby=HR&number_matched=1
Yankees have no room for him, but that does not lower his value.
St.Louis “where PR is the only game in town”. Give me a break. They don’t like opt outs but hand out NTC’s to trash like fowler and every other FA they sign like it’s candy. To get fans off of Harper they rolled out a fowler PR campaign which has largely backfired. the only thing that matters in st.louis these days is the turnstile algorithm. do the min to look like you tried or are trying to ensure fans come thru the gate at 3 mil per year. forget trying to actually be the best in the division. shoot for 90 wins is the mantra and hope thats good enough to play in oct. it’s a joke.
All that aside, is 76 the year you enlisted or birth date?
not my enlistment year that’s for sure
My enlistment year was ’77
1992
Not to sound corny, but thank you for your service
Hurlburt Field
RAF Fairford
Years there?
Years served?
Hurbys peapatch ’78-’80..lived off base also.
Fairford ’81-’82 but lived off base all 18 months…. Meysey Hampton, then Lechlade.
Favorite pubs? The Crown & the Swan.
My ex wife is from Peterborough.
Really mine too
Isn’t everyone’s
I’m the reason they’re all exes. 😉
@cereal
Guessing Wittering but never heard of the place. Just found it on map. Esp seeing I was a 603 driver. I took small detours on trips to Mildyhole, Bentwaters & other bases to sightsee on the uncle’s dime. :0) But what a great place back then. I was mutually adopted by a British family. New Zealand lamb w/ mint sauce Yorkshire pudding, the works.
Great times at the pubs & darts and of course those birds!
And they are great at hacking
Cardinal fans always talking about how they are the best ran team and have the best fans. Clapping for everyone doesn’t make you a great fan
they are the worst trolls!
Except true cardinal fans don’t think or say either of those things. It’s just the trolls who read a local StL Post Dispatch article from a few years ago about the “cardinal way” in spring training (bringing in former players as special instructors or to work with specific players) and took that to mean we think we’re the best. It’s no different than all the cub/yankee/Boston trolls around here that assume they can get whichever FA they want or trade their garbage for the hottest guy on the trade rumor circuit. The cardinals are a well ran organization that has increased the attendance, built a new stadium, developed a large area of the city around the stadium, and have consistently produced home grown talent through the farm system.
@ Yankeepatriot;
You didn’t write “honestly” in that post?
Are you trolling Cardinal fans here?
Honestly no
Well then……
Why didn’t you write “honestly” in that post like you do others?
I’m off my game bro
You mean giving Willie Jay and Brooks Descalso standing ovations when they return to Busch doesn’t make them the best fans? They are no doubt the BFIB. Biggest Freaking Idiots in Baseball.
Wouldn’t there be two “I”s then?
All true. As long as the sheeple keep grazing at 7th & Clark, the end goal is complete. 3M plus sheeple, sell merchandise and beer, and complete BallPark Village so DeWitt gets his money and more muggings can be made in record numbers. About 5th in line of importance is the baseball team.
I understand that you’re a cheap troll, but the St. Louis Cardinals have been one of the choice destinations of players for 6 decades that I’ve seen. One major reason is that the fanbase is continuously one of the most enthusiastic and baseball knowledgeable of all MLB cities. Reading your posts, it is clear that you and they are certainly on different levels.
Yes, the FO tried to sign Puhols….but then pinched pennies and put them in the owners pocket. They sure messed that one up, no? Then they went out and won a WS. You’re right – what a bunch of buffoons!
STL is a choice destination for every mid tier FA that’s available.
When exactly did they win a WS AFTER Pujols left? Who is the buffoon?
OMG!
They only made it to the WS in 2013.
You’re right, the FO sucks!
They could have won that WS – maybe – and been hemorrhaging money ever since……..fielding an AAAA team……with only 3 more years to go on that contract.
And look how those cheap dummies let Heyward go…..no other team in MLB has any bad contracts.
Kid – get a life. And I apologize to you that the adult world isn’t perfect and devoted to spending their lives catering themselves to your every desire. Somewhere theres a safe space with stuffed animals for you.
Get off your elitist train, Samuel, and stop calling me, “kid.” 1) I’m not your kid. 2) I’m not a child. So when you make an inaccurate statement and get called on it, own it. Don’t come back and make the lame comment you made.
Aside from Samuel being wrong about the Cards winning it all in 2013, most the inaccurate comments in this subthread are yours, Dave. Kid. Brooks Descalso. Whatevah.
Harper doesn’t have the courage to take a below market value contract and come to the A’s.
Would anybody? It’s the A’s with a disgusting stadium, cheap front office, and no fans at their games.
There’s Justin Turner Overdrive.
Well, he wasn’t going to just go away.
Why should he settle for less ???? More like the A’s don’t have the guts to spend real money
Doesn’t have the courage to not maximize his earning potential. I know whatever he will make is more than any of us will see in our lifetimes but why does anyone expect a human to take less money than what is available is beyond me. There’s a dissonance between us wanting players to be all about winning and championships and the reality that this is their job and they have pride and a responsibility to the MLBPA to not short themselves.
Joe, exactly..
huh?
Why don’t you get Mark Davis to figure out a way to co-pay Bryce?
Weren’t the Twins also a playoff team in 2017? And the Rays were bad in 2017? Kind of makes that whole point obsolete.
Weird they didn’t mention Edwin Encarnacion as a fit for Tampa. If they’re looking for power, they’ll get more from him (healthy) than they would from Castellanos or Martinez.
Seattle has a glaring need for infield prospects near-ready and Tampa has an abundance of them, so it’s easy to see yet another deal happening between the two clubs if Seattle’s willing to eat considerable salary, which I’m sure they would.
Considering the amount of cash they need to eat and the fact that Martinez and Castellanos were both better hitters I think they would be their first two targets.
Harrison was below average at 3rd a few years ago filling in for Kang, can’t see him seeing much time there. He is a good 2B and only passable everywhere else but the versatility is helpful. Too bad he has regressed so far as a hitter.
.293 OBP when you hit 8 home runs and stand 5 foot 8 inches is not a recipe for a big contract…
Nothing against Ottavino but he is 33 and Kimbrel is 30 so why pay Ottavino $12M+ per year, at his age, when you could pay Kimbrel $17M per year at age 30?
Kimbrel is a proven winner!
Does Robertson, although a great reliever, make more sense than Kimbrel at 34 years of age?
The Red Sox have a team that can repeat.
But not likely without a proven closer.
Kimbrel has a very respectible 90% save % success rate.
Kimbrel will sign with Boston for 4/$68M with a 5th year option bringing the total deal to $85M.
It’s puzzling to me why the Red Sox, who seem to be concerned with age, would even consider a pitcher older than Kimbrel?
Or if money was the issue why didn’t they just pick up Soria at 2/$15M?
It’s the way DD goes after FAs and tries to get a better price. He did the same with JD last year. Maybe someone else will grab Kimbrel but I’d bet on the price coming down in a couple of months and maybe a more favorable length of contract and he’ll be back with the Red Sox.
Nobody thought much of the Red Sox bullpen all year. As a fan, it was a nightmare to watch Kelly and others but in the end the inconsistent guys found the right time to be consistent. It’s part of the magic of a winning year. You can’t expect it to happen next year but guys with bad years bounce back and for Kimbrel last year was bad but better than most other relievers. Boston needs to figure out if they believe he is due for a true bounce back or another drop off. I wouldn’t be in a rush to sign him. There are too many options to make an early move. If they can find a deal that brings them an excellent right-handed starter, they can move Eovaldi to closer. Too many options to rush the decision and pay top dollar
The “Luxury Tax” issue for the Red Sox is a low priority because this team can easily make the “Luxury Tax” money back if they make the playoffs and especially if they repeat as WS Champs.
Also their payroll becomes much more manageable after 2019.
But aren’t there new penalties tied to the draft and international signing pools?
If they spend over 246M, yes.
Yep, and last year, they were $239M. https://legacy.baseballprospectus.com/compensation/cots/al-east/boston-red-sox/
Predicted over $240M for 2019 w/out a Kimbrel in the contract field.
Oh, and Bogaerts and Bradley both in last arbitration years in 2019. And, guess who is the agent for both?
Without Kimbrel, it’s possible the Sawks go over $246M in 2019, and very possible they do that in 2020.
Bogarts is a FA in 2020. They will issue a QO and let him go.
Bradley is a FA in 2021. He may resign with Boston but gets no QO.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mVYyinHlYUI0gE98AgFFb5tDFIoEatCfqEo2xDfv1NI/pubhtml
Projected 2019 -2023 payrolls are listed above.
Boston does not come anywhere near $246 after 2019.
You just hold on to that hope.
It’s not hope it’s fact.
Where are your facts to show otherwise?
And let’s get real.
The Red Sox have got the bucks.
If they want to blow through $246M they will.
What is the paranoia about $246M?
The Luxury Tax and the draft and international signing pool?
For just 1 year?
Big deal!
They have the team right now that most dream of.
Why would’t they keep it together?
Giants obsession with old outfielders is disgusting. They need to stop it. I thought Zaidi was going to change that.
I wonder if homeless people ever get together to play stickball? If they don’t, they should.
And you can play with them, too – part-time.
love it…
What would the Astros give for Castellanos?
Two pennies and a paper clip.
Good Lord. If Harper signs with the Cardinals, Theo Epstein should get fired.
Why ?
Is this trade proposal crazy?
Could the Cards and Angels pull this off and be favorable to both?
Tyler O’neal/ Jose Martinez/ Alex Reyes/ and a few A ball prospects for Trout. Comments please… If I am crazy just lol me please
Angels would need a young bonafide #1 starter plus prospects.
Reyes is a bonafide #1 the problem is if he can stay healthy. ONeal is controllable for several years and is MLB ready Martinez will fill in perfectly for OF DH and 1B. I think it makes perfect since. Of course the other replies indicate that in fact I am crazy.
LOL
lol
I don’t think the Angels will ever trade him. Who wants to be the guy that traded the best player ever? But, probably what you offered, but Bader instead of ONeal. Another SP, probably CMart, plus have the Cards take on the rest of Pujols’ contract. The Cards would have to sign or trade for another SP, but that trade probably improves both teams.
Well the Crds did it when they let Pujols walk in FA. Not quite the same but he wanted to stay here. They can’t build a team with their financial constraints and he won’t be resigned by them because of his age. They should trade him now and get the rebuild going.
Realistically, if you want to acquire Trout, I feel like it’s gonna take 4 top 100 prospects, 2 of which are in the top 15
Something most teams can’t even offer, including the Cards (which I’m a Cards fan)
Because we can’t give them that, we’d have to give them Hudson, Reyes, O’Neill, Gorman to make the thing get going. And I just don’t think that does it. Plus, with Trout’s salary, we’d want them to take some bad money back, which they wouldn’t do.
The Braves I think, are the only organization that could realistically make a trade work right now and it make sense for both teams. And I’m only referring to this off-season.
They can take on the money, they can shed the talent, and they have the roster need, and are in the right spot on the win-now curve.
I’d think
Trout for Sorkoa, Wright, Pache, and Anderson is a good prime package. Maybe a few smaller pieces going each way to level it a little (like Angels shedding some win now players and payroll, and the Braves tossing some lotto picks)
Either way, Angels aren’t trading Trout this off-season, if they ever trade him. It’ll be at the deadline because they are the worst team in baseball, or next off-season.
But I imagine they want to extend him regardless of how their team is doing.
12/$500M gets it done for LA
It’s not up to the Angels though it is up to Trout. If they throw him an offer he still has to accept it. I also don’t think it will vost all of what you are saying. I appreciate your view but to me it is not accurate. Tyler O’neal, Jose Martinez, Alex Reyes, and maybe add John Gant along with some hi A prospects to me would be more than adequate. It fills the Angels with MLB ready OF with control for several years, J Mart fills the 1B and Of, DH roll, and two quality MLB ready Starting pitchers. Angels would be better off with this deal for the term and the near future. Trout wants to win and play in Oct/Nov and the Cards are there plenty with a proven track record. Only the Yankees have a better one.
Ottavino should ask for Soria money and should get it.
Per projections:
21. Adam Ottavino – Yankees. Three years, $30MM
So Soria money 2/$15 would be a slap in the face for Ottavino.
https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/11/mlb-free-agent-predictions-2019.html
Unless the Reds are trading away some of their current players, I can’t see a spot for Harrison. We currently have 4 outfielders, and the infield has no holes in it. So Senzel should figure to be the super utility in 19 for 550k instead of 10 + M for Harrison.
HARPER IS NOT GOING TO SIGN WITH ST. LOUIS. PERIOD.
I can tell by the all caps, that you’re serious about Harper not going to STL.
Sometimes you have to scream to penetrate the wool in the sheeple ears.
if they offered him the most money he would,,, but they won’t ,,, so I guess you are right
Cleveland is looking like it will be a shell of it’s old glory day stuff in 2019.
That’s what shedding payroll will do to a club. They probably look at the AL central as weak enough to get away with it and add pieces at the deadline for a playoff push.
Shedding payroll momentarily, but once Bauer and Linder get their arbitration awards it will shoot up.
I’m not sure how the White Sox can justify adding an expensive high leverage relief pitcher to a team that is still squarely in a rebuild. I mean the kids can play but that starting staff is still a ways away from serious playoff contention.
let’s review
1. Cash has spent 34 mil on a #7 SP in CC, a #4-5 OF in Gardy, and a #4-5 SP in 36 year old Happ. As a result the Yanks are short funds to bring in top talent like manny and/or harper
2. he has wrecked the farm system short of the guys who have been called up thus reducing trade capital.
3. According to pinstripe alley the Yankees are now spending less of a % of overall revenue on payroll than anyone else. Even if they got to league avg (on the %) they’d only have 270 mil payroll. That is how much money and power we have.
so its kinda pathetic and inexcusable that we still don’t have a lockdown #1 starter and we are now looking at the harrisons of the world as the fallback option to replace didi.
The money the Yankees have spent this year in no way hinders them from signing Machado or Harper if they want them. Bash them all you want, but find me a team whose 4 and 5 starters had better seasons in 2018 than Happ and CC. Gardner’s defense, baserunning, and veteran leadership alone justify him being the 4th outfielder, and if he ends up getting any kind of regular playing time due to injuries he is still capable of getting hot with the bat. Severino will only be 25 this season and will be the ace of this staff, while my money is on Paxton having a comparable year to Corbin for almost 1/3 of the price. But keep complaining that they haven’t acquired the ace that isn’t available with 2 months left in the offseason.
This has got to be sarcasm, I’m assuming, otherwise it sounds like something the biggest moron on the internet would say.
Who’s “we” btw?
Yanks gonna get both Machado AND Harper…..put it in the bank!
seems like every thread comes down to the spankees getting everything they want lol
next thing you know they are going to want DS and my parking lots for a west coast venue
Yankees have always had the finances to buy anyone. From 1919 to 1962 they owned baseball. Never been a more lopsided table in any sport, even the Russian in Olympic Hockey didn’t have the tables in their favor as much. Since then, however, with the same enormous advantage, the Yankee front office has failed to produce. 7 championships in 55 years with an unlimited payroll.
Now, in 2019, they still have more resources than any other team and in some cases probably more than entire divisions yet their front office continues to choose big names not big winners. You would think that having the great fortune of finding a diamond in the rough like Judge it would be easy for the Yankees to surround him with the talent needed to win the World Series considering their deep, deep pockets. Girardi lost his job over a lack of success but I don’t believe he gathered the “talent” he simply tried to make the best of what was given him. I will always admire him for taking bad teams and getting them to the playoffs.
Someone needs to figure out that Cashman is clueless. Nobody in the history of baseball has had as much money available to him and squandered his opportunities to win the World Series like he has. I get that everyone loves and respects this guy but it’s not because of his performance, that has been sub-par for many years now. He picked Stanton over JD Martinez. How is that working out? He may go out and get one of the most disruptive players in baseball so he can boast about all the big names he’s giving Boone but do big names win World Series? Not so far!!
Now the Yankees have Boone instead of Girardi. Girardi made average teams look great and after one year, Boone has made a top 3 team look bad. If the Yankees want to return to dominance with all their money, they need to find someone who knows value. A player isn’t just his numbers during his last season. Stanton benefited from a NY GM needing a big name and a former star player willing to discount the player. Usually getting a sweet deal like Stanton’s would help you win but when you consider chemistry, his ability to play through slumps with fans booing him and other intangibles maybe all Cashman got was a big name. Adding talent and stepping backwards like they did, the Yankee owners need to reconsider their GM and their manager. The GM has a long history of not winning whereas the Manager deserves a longer evaluation period and folks should realize that he is filling some huge shoes.
I’ll be curious to see who gets Girardi next and if he can make the magic happen like he did in NY. I think folks under appreciate just how much Girardi meant to the Yankee rebuilding transformation during the post Jeter years. He made very average teams competitive within the division.
Ottovino was unhittable first half last year, 2nd half okay. I would be very reluctant to put a lot of money into him. When he is on ,he is great, I just don’t see him being on much in the future.
Harrison is from North west Indiana I heard not cinch but he would be a good super sub for the Reds
Not Cincy
He was born in Cincy, graduated from a Cincinnati high school and went to UC. How much more do you want for him to be from Cincy?
Did