Before the Phillies traded Carlos Santana to the Mariners as part of the Jean Segura deal, Rockies GM Jeff Bridich told reporters (including The Athletic’s Nick Groke and Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post) that his team had also been in talks about the veteran first baseman. We heard this morning that Colorado was likely to be an interested party if and when the Mariners explore flipping Santana as part of their ongoing fire sale. In other first base news, Bridich also said the Rockies checked in with the Diamondbacks about Paul Goldschmidt prior to Goldschmidt being dealt to the Cardinals. It seems like it may have been a short conversation, as the D’Backs “made it clear” that Goldschmidt wouldn’t be dealt to the Rockies.
With this reminder that divisional rivalries can still play a big factor in trade talks, let’s take a look at some other deal-making buzz from the Winter Meetings…
- As the Mariners continue their teardown, GM Jerry Dipoto said that he has received a lot of calls about outfielder Mitch Haniger, though the team is much less interested in dealing such a controllable and inexpensive asset. “We just weren’t willing to go there. I tell them if you want to blow me away, give it a shot,” Dipoto told the Seattle Times’ Ryan Divish and other reporters. “We’ve had [a] handful of teams try, but they haven’t quite gotten to where we would even consider it.”
- The Dodgers have interest in Tigers right fielder Nick Castellanos, MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi tweets. Castellanos “is not their highest priority,” however, as L.A. is exploring a wide range of other trade options. MLB.com’s Jason Beck also reported things were quiet on the Castellanos front, suggesting that Detroit could get more interest after some of the free agent hitters start coming off the board. As you might expect for a rebuilding team, the Tigers are open for business on the trade front, with GM Al Avila telling media (including Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press) that no player on the 25-man roster is untouchable.
- Interest is “significant” in Blue Jays right-handers Marcus Stroman and Aaron Sanchez, GM Ross Atkins told Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi and other reporters. Despite the buzz, it would be “very difficult” for the Jays to find a good deal for either pitcher. It was a busy day in general for the Jays, who met with representatives from five different teams and five different agencies while exploring various trade and free agent options.
- Ivan Nova, Francisco Cervelli, and Corey Dickerson have all been mentioned as possible trade candidates for the Pirates, though “it’s going to have to be something that makes sense for us in the big picture to have us entertain” offers, GM Neal Huntington told MLB.com’s Adam Berry and other media. The trio will all be free agents after 2019, so it makes sense that Pittsburgh would explore trades if none seem likely to sign extensions or re-sign after the season. That said, since the Bucs are aiming to compete this year, quality players on short-term commitments aren’t necessarily a major issue, even though payroll concerns are always a factor for the team.
- With so many teams linked to J.T. Realmuto in trade rumors, Fancred Sports’ Jon Heyman lists seven teams as having “the best chance to land Realmuto” at this moment. The list includes the Astros, Braves, Dodgers, Mets, Padres, Phillies, and Yankees, even if some of those clubs have denied interest in the Marlins catcher. New York is one such team that has poured cold water on its involvement in the Realmuto talks, though Heyman wonders if the Yankees could only be part of a Realmuto trade if it was a three-team effort.
I don’t see the Jays moving Sanchez or Stroman while their value is so low. They’ll probably be moved at the deadline if they have bounceback seasons.
If they both bounce back, then they’ll prob be worth building around at that point too
Mitch isn’t going anywhere
Send him to Atlanta and pillage their Top 10.
Riley, Wright, Contreras
Not sure that’s enough.
It’s not enough, but as a Mariner fan I would take that.
Lol you act like their FO would just let that happen. You can’t “pillage” any team.
Lol you act like their FO would just let that happen. You can’t “pillage” any team.
Santana to Tampa. Calling it.
Castellanos actually seems like a decent fit for Tampa. Santana allows them more versatility however as Nick really shouldn’t be anywhere on defense.
Nathaniel Lowe would be a solid return.
I have never understood the desire of teams to not trade within the division. Yes, you don’t want to strengthen a rival with your player, but don’t you want to take their prospects away from them? Goldschmidt could hurt for a year when you are rebuilding, but if you took Jeff Hoffman and Tom Murphy (not saying that would work, just a for instance) and they hurt the Rockies for the next 6 years, wouldn’t that be better for the D-Backs? The alternative is your rival is going to shop elsewhere and possibly get a better deal. Just seems silly to me.
I have thought the same thing. I mean, what if a division rival has better prospects than another team?
Probably would hurt their fanbase cred more than anything.
Agreed that philosophy is so idiotic. Always just take the beat damn offer. Most fans aren’t dumb enough to care if you trade within the division. Especially a rebuilding team like the DBacks should obviously know it’s going to make the Rox worse when they’re actually trying in a couple years. Just idiotic..
Jeez Tigers! Castellanos has way more value to your 19 lineup then the weak prospect yield he’d return. Please don’t tank so hard! My fellow tickets holders and I are already staying home most nights, you don’t have take away the joy of a ball game and force us to stay home every night with our wives, watching Big Bang and Hollywood Extra.
You’re such a virgin, I’ve never seen a woman request to watch Big Bang rather than forcing you to watch Big Brother or the Bachelor with them. It’s all about that reality television.
Try being a Pirate fan.
Here’s the formula.
1. Offer to buy-out arb years in exchange for long-term security at a well below market, but safe rate.
Ex: Marte, Polanco, Tabata, Cutch all took bad deals…Polanco & Tabata backfired by players losing motivation.
2. Trade anyone who doesn’t accept at ALL COSTS before year 4 arb.
Ex: G-Cole traded for nothing yet still having 2 years team control left.
3. Never resign anyone who hits free agency unless it’s a PR move to make up for someone better they lost in previous year.
Ex: Ivan Nova to make up for JA Happ.
Francisco Liriano to make up for Volquez.
AJ Burnett psr deux to make up for not resigning him a year earlier at market value, and when they really needed him.
(Trade for) Archer (and give up wayyy too much), to make up for trading G-Cole (and getting litterally nothing from Houston).
So ya, sorry the tigers are rebuilding… I do pity you for football tho
Being a Tiger season ticket holder would be awful. But I respect your loyalty. Well done.
I’ll bet the comments section can be a real pain in the ass for the good people that work at MLBTR. It’s a shame that I have to sift through a lot of BS to get to relevant and thoughtful commentary in this section. The childish behavior often makes me hesitant to read my baseball news here. As much as I enjoy when there’s productive chatter among fans here, it’s got to the point that the insults and war of words have now driven me and my friends off the commentary section. There’s always some jerk that has to ruin things for people.
warning, troll call! Are you purposely trying to attract trolls? If so, I’ll do you a solid. Your mom sifts through comments! Zing!
Fantastic. She was an amazing woman, so I wouldn’t be surprised if she actually pulled that off from the grave.
I don’t know what is a troll? Go Yankees.
You could always go somewhere without comments. Comments are 50% of the reason I’m here.
I do enjoy the intelligent comments. It’s the sifting through the BS that sucks. It seems the mean spirited people here have grown in proportion recently.
I think Haniger gets traded after Harper signs. Dipoto is smart and doesn’t value players like most. He called elite players on the upswing. I like Haniger but think his value is higher to the Braves, Phillies, even the Cards. He’ll shop the other two or three players they have and move them mostly before really wheeling and dealing on Haniger.
Should be he sees and values players on the upswing, not called.p
Doubt it.
If he does trade Haniger to the Braves and assuming you’re an Atlanta fan, you’ll be crying when the trade is over. Is basically how much Dipoto loves Mitch. My advice is, you don’t want to trade for Haniger unless you’re attaching you’re first born child with prospects!
Stroman to the Angels
That’s a horrible thing to wish on a pitcher. Guaranteed Tommy John if that’s the case.
Heyman, the Yankees are not trading Sanchez. Stop.
They are talking about the Yanks, Mets and Marlins in a 3 team trade with Realmuto going to the Mets. Hopefully the Yanks can get Syndegaard or at least Wheeler and maybe send Gray and maybe Florial to Miami.
lol
Years ago – when Boston’s Peter Gammons was America’s chief baseball writer and rumor monger – every time it was printed or said that a name player might be on the move, Gammons immediately reported that the Red Sox had interest in him.
Now it’s da Yankees that are in on any rumored name player – next to nothing about the Red Sox.
Is that because Mr. Gammons is in semi-retirement and marginalized; or because the Red Sox have won 4 WS’s in 15 years?
Braves- Degrom, Conforto
Marlins- Nimmo, Soroka, Gohara
Mets- Realmuto, Inciarte, Waters, Touki, Allard
LOL
I don’t think the Braves would pay that much for Trout, much less Degrom. And, Markakis on a 2-yr deal would be preferable over Conforto. Just because the Braves have talented prospects doesn’t mean they would over pay to fill their desire (not requirement) for an anchor Starting Pitcher.
its a joke kind of no way three teams in NL east trade
Pittsburgh might consider loving their other outfielders. Maybe Polanco to the Mets.
Loving??? Damn spellcheck… its supposed to be “moving”!
Lol
What on earth could LA want with Nicky C? The man is a defensive nightmare and babip miracle. Can’t we just play Verdugo and hope he can do better than a 320 OBP?
Not really sure why Colorado really wants Santana, I mean sure he’s an upgrade over Desmond but then again so are most high schoolers. Unless Seattle wants to take Desmond for his “versatility” plus a lesser prospect for Santana I don’t see it being worth. Either pucker up and throw Rodgers in the trade for Realmuto or sign Daniel Murphy to play first. Give him a 5 year deal since a gap hitter like him will put up numbers for a bit longer with the larger gaps there.