A busy day of pitching transactions included Tanner Roark being traded from the Nationals to the Reds, and free agent Lance Lynn nearing an apparent agreement with the Rangers. Those moves take two potential Giants targets off the board, as Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reported that San Francisco had interest in its own Roark deal, while The Athletic’s Andrew Baggarly noted that the Giants had interest in Lynn before his reported price tag (three years and $30MM from Texas) rose too high for their liking. The Giants are known to be exploring reinforcements for a rotation that has still has Madison Bumgarner as the ace, but a lot of inexperience and question marks in the rest of the starting five.
Some more from around the NL West…
- The Dodgers have been in touch with the Pirates about catcher Francisco Cervelli, MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick reports. Coming off a solid 2018 season, Cervelli has received trade interest from several teams. The 32-year-old is only under contract through 2019 (at $11.5MM in salary), so that type of short-term fit could appeal to a Dodgers team that has top catching prospects Keibert Ruiz and Will D. Smith getting closer to cracking the MLB roster. In addition to starters like Cervelli, Gurnick notes that L.A. is also looking at “fallback options” like veteran catcher Nick Hundley.
- The Dodgers have been heavily linked to the Reds in trade talks, and while Yasiel Puig has prominently featured in these rumors, the New York Post’s Joel Sherman (Twitter links) hears that Puig hasn’t been involved in one of the latest proposals. This version of a deal would see Matt Kemp and Alex Wood go to Cincinnati in exchange for Homer Bailey, which would shave roughly $13MM off of the Dodgers’ luxury tax payroll calculations since Kemp’s contract has a higher average annual value than Bailey’s deal. Given Bailey’s struggles and injury problems over the last few seasons, one would imagine L.A. might pursue something more substantial back (i.e. a prospect or two) rather than pure salary relief, though it’s worth noting that the Dodgers acquired Kemp last offseason in a deal that certainly appeared at the time to be simply a bad contract swap. Clearing some luxury tax room would likely also allow the Dodgers to make another big-ticket addition.
- Zack Greinke might not be dealt until the trade deadline, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale tweets, as the Diamondbacks feel they could get more for the ace right-hander in July than they could now, with so many other starters available on the market. Those other pitchers also don’t come with Greinke’s hefty $95.5MM contract attached, making it difficult for the D’Backs to find a trade partner at the moment.
- With the Padres hunting for a utility infielder, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal (Twitter link) suggests a few options with ties to the organization. The Rangers’ Jurickson Profar or the Diamondbacks’ Nick Ahmed would make sense as trade targets, as GM A.J. Preller is very familiar with Profar from their time together with the Rangers, and Ahmed was a “favorite” of manager Andy Green when Green was on Arizona’s coaching staff. Veteran free agent Daniel Descalso could also be a fit.
Lol so now that Galvis is gone the Profar-to-Padres rumors have to come back…
Was hoping that we were done with this.
2014 redux.
Familia signed with his old team, the Mets. According to some, that never happens
You said that it never happens. What changed?
YOU are the one who claimed – many times – that it never happens. Not the first time you’ve been caught lying, because you’re too immature to admit you made a mistake.
Go stalk someone else.
What? When have I EVER said that it never happens? I have consistently argued the exact opposite. You can find SEVERAL comments from me saying that this team or that team should trade their franchise player who is closing in on free agency then bring him back when he is a free agent. Clearly it can and does happen.
Again, drop a link or gtfo.
You had this exact same argument with PadsFans. You’re a proven and demonstrated liar and a persistent stalker when you get called out, whether it’s here, MLB.com, or Reddit. Right, WCR?
You need to gtfo until you grow up.
I already proved that I’m not him. You were asked to provide a link to where I allegedly “admitted to it” on 3 different occasions and each time you just crawled back into your little hole. If you had an actual argument you wouldn’t have to do that. Honestly wouldn’t surprise me if you and Pads Fans were the same person considering you always cite him, he is known for using multiple accounts and citing himself while using them and also has a tendency to crawl back into his little hole when he is proven wrong.
Again, you can find MULTIPLE comments from me saying team x should trade player y then re-sign him in a year. You will not find one comment from me saying that it never happens.
You proved nothing. You even admitted it on MLB.com! And you know you can’t link there, so you’re using that to cover up. Pathetic.
I’m sure plenty of people saw the thread. But that’s for you to live with.
I proved everything you weird little underage troll! You made the claim, the burden of proof is on you. Again, if you had any actual case you would have dropped a link the first time it was requested. Your failure to do so means it’s all a bunch of hogwash just like everything else you say.
I don’t even have an account on MLB.com and if I did I would never admit to something that isn’t even true like that.
Still waiting in earnest for you to drop a link to where I supposedly said that players signing with a team that traded them never happens.
The problem with lying is: One lie begets another. You’re pathological.
Now, quit stalking me. I’ve seen you start things with people on other sites, to the point of getting your account suspended.
BTW, shouldn’t you be in school?
You would know a thing or two about lying.
You are the one who started this by parroting Pads Fans’ weird little username conspiracy theory and then refusing to back up your asinine claims.
Actually, no.
To paraphrase a moron I know: WestCoastRyan says hi. So does RyanIsBetter.
You’re pathological. Stick to your nonsensical baseball predictions and crysta ball analyses.
What are you talking about now? Did you just admit to being those people?
LOL! You did!
You’re entertaining. In a morbidly pathetic way. Just keep dancing and projecting, twerp.
You can stop anytime. I’m sure people are more interested in the Padres lack of activity tha in your psychological issues.
Again. Where? Drop a link or gtfo.
Watching you comment is like watching a trainwreck in slow motion.
It’s game over when the other player bows out, ya schmuck.
What’s going on with the Reds? Boy oh boy, out of nowhere making moves and looking to join the party.
Good for them and their fans.
I guess with what the Braves and Phillies did last year they figure why not us too.
Just hope it doesn’t turn into the Padres from a couple of years ago.
Good luck Cincy, let’s go Mets
The Reds don’t have fans. They have a loose collection of people that like to brag about what local high school they went to, and how many consecutive opening days they’ve been to. Also about WS victories a decade before they were born, and how Pete Rose should be in the HOF.
They are making moves just to make them, and save some face. They are no where near competing, and won’t be as long as Votto’s contract is there. Anybody who trades for Homer Bailey and expects him to contribute is delusional.
Except they do have fans. Loyal ones. I know one.
I’ve lived in Cincy for 20 years as an outside observer. Their “loyal” fans wouldn’t pass casual fan status of most major market teams. There are also far fewer to be had.
Please share more of your boundless wisdom.
Typical Pittsburg or Cleveland fan. I also know a lifelong Reds and Bengals fan. It good to know there’s at least two around.
Cleveland?
Nope, neither. Everyone outside Cincy thinks this, most just aren’t as mean as Pittsburgh and Cleveland.
I happen to know another…wow…3!!
This has to be one of the most ignorant, and frankly rude comments I have read on MLBTR. You are off base Iceman.
No, I’m not. Ask anyone who isn’t from Cincinnati and lives there.
Sure doesn’t sound like 5he Reds fans I met in Goodyear.
@iceman who hurt you?
No kidding, lol. Guy sounds like he has a real burr up his a**, doesn’t he?
Reds fan since Larkin. Played SS because of him. Live in PA. Father was a Pirates fan. There may not be that many of us but there are some.
I grew up a reds/Bengals fan..both sides of my family are all lifelong fans..always have been, and always will be..you come off like an idiot..lemme guess..steelers fan?
Nope. Just not from Cincy, which, I know,, basically means I’m from another country to the natives.
What high school you go to? Still think Pete should be in the hall? Did you vote for building Paul Brown?
If the hall of Fame is about records then the player with more hits than anyone should be there. Rose bet on baseball while a manager, there are far worse things done by players that are in the HOF.
Not when you’re talking about his betting affecting the game, and possibly the careers of people.
HOF also says you can’t be banned from baseball. Perhaps Pete would t be if he wasn’t still gambling, not a convicted felon, and didn’t LIE to the Commissioner DURING his last reinstatement meeting with him.
Baseball and the Hall of Fame acknowledges the accomplishment and his stats are still valid. They just don’t want the player representing them any longer. OJ Simpson’s stats are still all over USC, but that doesn’t mean they want him coming to campus any time soon.
Let’s face it – the dude totally bet on baseball games when he was a manager of the team. I think that is about the worse thing you can do. In every single solitary clubhouse in MLB is a huge sign that says, “Any player, umpire, or club official or employee, who shall bet any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has no duty to perform shall be declared ineligible for one year. Any player, umpire, or club or league official or employee, who shall bet any sum whatsoever upon any baseball game in connection with which the bettor has a duty to perform shall be declared permanently ineligible.”
I read this comment in Thom Brenneman’s voice after seeing ‘boy oh boy’..
In a previous article I had suggested a Rangers and Padres swap. Main reason was because of what the article stated, AJ Preller knowing Profar in his time with the Rangers and the international scouting department.
Profar could hold down 3B until Potts is ready in 2 years.
If the Padres wanted to get bold they could also ask that Leclerc is attached as well. A 23 year old cost controlled- lights out closer for a team looking to come out of their rebuild, sure.
SP Cal Quantrill, C Austin Allen and CF Michael Gettys back to Texas.
Padres should then sign Tulowitzki to bridge the gap to Tatis Jr. – one year prove it deal for Tulo, Padres can afford to not rush Tatis Incase he struggles out of the gate at AAA. Either way it would be a good problem to have. Greg Garcia backs up 3B Profar, SS Tulowitzki and 2B Urias and the opening day roster as the UTL guy.
Leclerc adds a dominant arm to what is already a filthy San Diego bullpen. He slots in with Yates and Stammen and Castillo in the back end of the bullpen.
Tulo has guaranteed money for the next two years. He will not be signing a one year prove it deal as any agreement he signs will be for the minimum, with his the rest of his money coming from Toronto. He will sign wherever he sees the best fit, whether that be for playing time, location, chance to win or whatever other situation he sees as a fit.
Not true. With the guaranteed $ coming from Jays, I bet he does sign for minimum, (or close to) 1 year deal. ( prove like bleacher said). No risk really.
Why would the Padres trade prospects for a guy who can be a free agent in two years? There are 3B stopgaps that can be had without giving up prospects.
And on Leclerc, overpaying for established relievers isn’t the Padres’ game. It’s buying low on struggling ones and turning their careers around thanks to playing in a pitcher’s park and having one of the best pitching coaches in the game.
Spot on Rooster!
Truth
No one remembers, or cares, what you posted about a previous article. So stop the self-referential bit.
I think it’s going to take a lot more than a CF that can’t hit, a C that can’t catch, and a SP that has regressed over the last two years to pry Profar away from the Rangers. Adding Leclerc to that package is delusional.
Then the Padres will simply wait two years and sign him away from the Rangers.
Haha always wanting to simply wait and sign when they’re a free agent reply. You do realize that when you wait, they get older right? Why trade for any players when you can just wait and sign them later…logic man. The point is to get them now while they’re producing at a high level.
You used the word “logic” in a discussion about Padres moves? If there was any logic, Galvis would have been extended or resigned, Myers wouldn’t be seriouly considered a third base option, Villanueva wouldn’t have been sent packing after his rookie year, Clayton Richard wouldn’t be in the rotation, Garrett Richard wouldn’t have been signed to spend at least one of two years rehabbing, the Hosmer and Myers contracts, trading a two- time all-star closer and young reliever for a prospect we didn’t need … and on and on.
In the two weeks leading up to the Winter Meetings, even some of the hosts on MLB Network Radio have said the Padres are just “going in circles” with the implcation that Preller doesn’t seem to have an actual plan going into 2019.
Why would they want to get him now when he’s just going to leave in 2 years and they’ll be right back in the exact same position as before only without whoever they gave up to get him? (and don’t say “they can extend him” because 1. There are no guarantees that he’ll agree to that and 2. you just said that after 2020 he’ll be too old for the Padres. Extending him vs. signing him in FA won’t change that)
If there were any logic Galvis wouldn’t have been traded for unless it was a sign-and-trade
Profar would get hurt on the plane ride to SD anyways. Would rather have Franco from the Phillies.
Profar is past his injuries. He was healthy all last season. U need to come forth into the present.
Padres fans keep bringing up Potts, but I think it will be Owen Miller who will be taking 3rd in the near future. He is listed as a SS, but has been playing 3rd in A ball, and has been shooting up the system, as he keeps hitting at all levels. He finished in AA in is first season.
Unless youre getting profar cheap rather keep the prospects instead.
Hes got 2 years of control injury prone history. Id rather call the phillies up about franco whod be cheaper or the mariners about kyle seager.
With Francisco Cervelli entering the final year of his contract, being 32 y/o and having a hefty AAV for a catcher. I’m wondering if the Mets could get him for a middling prospect like Gavin Cecchini??? If possible, that would be another way for Brodie Van Wagenen to make the Mets competitive in 2019 while also maintaining financial flexibility for the 2020 season when Nolan Arenado hits the free agent market.
Only if Nutting starts cutting payroll out of pure spite.
The Cervelli-Diaz tandem is maybe the best in the league. And Cervelli’s value to the pitchers is huge.
Short of an overpay from a team that misses out on Realmuto, there is no reason for the Pirates to trade Cervelli.
The Pirates will not be competitive in 2019. Might as well save some money & get something for Cervelli now before they lose him for nothing at the end of 2019.
Thanks for that Dan. Why don’t you talk to Van Wagenen yourself and throw it out there. I’m sure you two are very close.
Pretty sure the Pirates won more games than the Mets last year and have more young players with upside as opposed to finger crossing on Cano and Cespedes, but…OK.
But, also, Cervelli’s injury history means he’d be cheap enough for even the Pirates to resign if he makes it through next year in one piece.
I think there’s no chance they resign him after the season, because of the injuries. He’s a concussion or 2 from being a permanent 1B (who can’t hit quite enough for the position). I think they’d be wise to trade him now, particularly to the Dodgers for one of their many pitchers. I would even consider adding prospects like Newman to try and get Taylor.
It feels like Gavin Cecchini has been a prospect since the late 90s. How old is that guy??
I think the angels should suck it up and trade for greinke, they need an ace in the rotation.
I know this is all hindsight but lately I’ve started to think that instead of signing Pujols, the Angels should have used that money to overpay Greinke to stay in Anaheim, overbidding the Dodgers by as much as necessary to get him to take a contract with no opt-out.
They traded for him at the 2012 deadline, signed pujols the last day of the winter meetings I believe when they were in Anaheim. They should of signed him over hamilton is what they should of done.
I disagree entirely about Greinke being more valuable at the trade deadline. I’m actually surprised such an established writer would even suggest that. You don’t take on a 35/36 year old pitcher who is owed nearly $100M mid season. Most teams payrolls have been set, some players are released, I can’t ever remember a team adding $40M 0r $50M annually in July. If the D-Backs were to pay down the contract, it’s already changes the whole rational of making a trade since you could trade him in the offseason without having to send money.
Greinke is the type of pitcher that you acquire in the offseason since you have to carefully build your entire roster around that type of contract.
I think the D-Back baseball people have a bad read on the Greinke situation.
Also, you’re taking the risk of him either being injured, or losing some of his stuff because of his age.
“Also, you’re taking the risk of him either being injured, or losing some of his stuff because of his age.”
That’s a bigger risk for someone that acquires him in the off-season than it is if they wait until the deadline.
In 2012, the Dodgers traded midseason for Shane Victorino, Carl Crawford, Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, Joe Blanton, and more. That’s one example I can think of
Fair point, but that was about as unique a situation as you’ll ever find. Wouldn’t call it the precedent for a high value mid season acquisition. Point stands, marketing Greinke now is a stronger play for the D-Backs.
Hey, there were people saying a year ago that the Padres would be able to flip Eric Hosmer at the 2018 trade deadline.
So if even if Greinke is having a great year, you think he’s worth less at the trade deadline? The Diamondbacks will have already eaten $23M off his total contract obligations so there’s a lot less risk to the acquiring team. Less time, less salary, more good track record. I expect Greinke WILL be more moveable at the deadline IF he’s having a really good year.
Of course, if Greinke tanks, he’ll be worth even less. Likely not movable even with significant salary concessions by AZ.
its clear the cardinals are about making the dewitts as much money as possible while staying competitive enough to keep high revenue. they wont go for harper, even though they “tried” to take on stantons big deal which they knew hed use his no trade but could show fans hey we tried! getting goldy for 1 year and adding a couple relievers will be enough for them to say they did something so dont rage on us like last year. next year they will be in a worse spot with guys leaving, and will do the short term fix to make money now. rinse and repeat. open your wallet my goodness. they bought this team for 180 mill, its worth over a billion now, theyve already made their money back by far, and rake in hundreds of millions in revenue every year. gettint sick of their cheapness even if they are the 7th highest payroll.
apologies for posting on wrong article.
Value of something does not equate to revenue. If my income is 100 Million I cannot spend anything over that without borrowing. .
35 million per season for 3 more seasons at 35yo with a diminishing fastball barely reaching 90mph sounds like Arizona misplayed the market. Happ just got 17mill a year, so who wants to pay a 35yo crafty pitcher who can no longer depend on his stuff to fool hitters 35mill a year? Either Arizona is going to have to eat half that contract or take on a bad contract like an Elsbury (47 mill).
I was gunning for the Yanks to acquire Greinke part of a larger swap with Ellsbury. It made sense in every facet for both teams. Seems like a missed opportunity for the D-Backs. I totally could have seen a swap of Ellsbury and Chance Adams for Greinke. That’s his market. The D-Backs would have gotten a 4th OF (possibly a full-time player) and an MLB ready young pitcher who would faired well out there I feel. And saved $52M.
I really have to say again, the D-Backs have a bad read on this and while I don’t know anything going on behind closed doors (and I’m certainly not a GM – I do feel I have the deal making intelligence) they’re not making good strategic moves at the moment. This isn’t about regret, etc. It’s about just making good baseball moves for the organization.
Theyve been making bad moves for years.They gave him all the xtra money to keep him from staying in L.A. and now the Goldy move..he should have retired a Snake
You nailed it. Losing a franchise icon is indeed one of the prices paid for giving Greinke that deal. And where is Dave Stewart now?
I think the Bronx is one of the last places Greinke would waive his partial NTC for.
Ellsbury and Gray to Reds for Gennett.
Sure…except the Crankees want the moon for Gray…
And nobody and nobody and nobody wants Ellsbury.
The big difference between Greinke and Ellsbury is that Greinke has been very effective, while Ellsbury has been useless. Over the last 2 seasons Greinke has averaged 205 IPs with a 141 ERA+. Why would AZ trade that type of production for a sunk cost contract like Ellsbury’s?
AZ wants to move Greinke because they know they aren’t going to contend. They have a choice of moving Greinke and most of his contract for virtually nothing in return, or including more money to get some sort of interesting (non-MLB-ready) prospect. They don’t need to, nor should they, take Ellsbury to get a trade done.
It looks like the Dbacks are going to roll with Greinke. Article today highlights Hazen’s belief that the path to contention doesn’t have to include a teardown. Hazen sees the Dbacks taking the Brewers/Rays path (snicker). Greinke’s limited no trade, crazy $$ and the Dbacks desire for picking up limited/no $$ while receiving a useful return makes the task of trading him now a fool’s errand. With the Dback’s demands, they are stuck with him until his k is palatable and/or a team is desperate enough to take on that sort of risk. If the Dbacks are 20 games out at the deadline, maybe they shift their stance about eating the money and move him. Otherwise, same time, same bat channel next offseason.
Is that Aaron Rogers in catchers photo?:)
the padres, another joke off season
The Padres and the Angels… every off-seaosn I scratch my head wondering what they are doing. Do they have a direction?