Although the Diamondbacks traded first baseman Paul Goldschmidt last week, his departure isn’t necessarily a sign that a full-scale teardown is coming, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic hears. While Piecoro doesn’t rule out other deals involving notable D-backs veterans (e.g., Zack Greinke and Robbie Ray), he writes that they “seem comfortable standing pat” and addressing holes on their roster. If Arizona does part with Ray, it would take a lot to acquire him, as a source tells Piecoro the team has set a “really high bar” on a return for the left-handed strikeout artist. Ray, 27, is controllable for the next two seasons, including for a projected $6.1MM in 2019.
- The Rockies “figure to be in the mix” if the Mariners trade first baseman Carlos Santana, Thomas Harding of MLB.com writes. Santana just joined the Mariners this month in a blockbuster trade with the Philllies, but the rebuilding, payroll-cutting M’s may flip the 32-year-old in the coming weeks. While Santana wasn’t great in 2018, he brings a solid track record to the table and would likely serve as a first base upgrade in Colorado, which received National League-worst production at the position last season. Of course, Santana’s contract could hinder a trade to the Rox, as he’s due a guaranteed $35MM over the next couple years (including a $500K buyout in 2021).
- It doesn’t seem the rebuilding Rangers have any untouchables on their roster, TR Sullivan of MLB.com relays, as president Jon Daniels indicated Sunday that the team’s main goal is to improve its long-term outlook. The Rangers are “not looking to move these guys, but we are open on a lot of things,” Daniels said of their top players. Dominant reliever Jose Leclerc, who’s controllable through 2022, clearly stands out as one of Texas’ most valuable trade chips. Many teams have inquired about Leclerc, 24, but the Rangers have discussed extending him in a deal that would buy out free-agent years, Jeff Wilson of the Star-Telegram reports. Like Leclerc, infielder Jurickson Profar ranks as one of the Rangers’ most appealing players, though he only has another two years of control left. If the Rangers market Profar, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News observes that he could be of particular interest to teams that lose out on the Manny Machado derby in free agency.
- More on the Rangers, who are trying to entice free agents with their forthcoming new ballpark, Daniels revealed (via Wilson). Regarding Globe Life Field, which will open in 2020, Daniels said: “It’s part of the story. We’ve talked more about the amenities we’re going to have. It’s going to be a place that players are going to want to play.” Daniels conceded, however, that there are other factors which outweigh the quality of a team’s ballpark – including finances, the happiness of the player’s family and whether the team chasing him is in position to win.
If Carlos Santana is traded to the Rockies, he’ll become my Top choice for first base on my Fantasy Baseball team.
I have to chuckle that his BA sux but given his offensive output and money he earned…he has yet to see an all-star nob.
Rockies can take him bit they have a case for buying low
In the real world, I think it makes zero sense for the Rockies to trade for this guy, especially with Nolan Arenado’s impending free agency following the 2019 season. But like I said, in the world of fantasy baseball, I’m rooting for this to happen.
It makes a lot of sense as long as Ian Desmond is part of the return.
And that would make zero sense for the Mariners. The point of flipping Santana’s salary would be to get out from under as much as possible, not take on more unless you’re willing to add Brendan Rogers. And since that won’t happen, they’re stuck with Desmond.
I was really rooting for Desmond in Colorado but it was such a bad signing at the time from the Rockies standpoint and the amount of OFers they had. Really liked him as a Ranger the year we had him and he seemed like a genuinely good guy.
It makes a ton of sense if they are targeting a skill set. As a Dodger fan hell I’d much rather see them go with Bour, Thames, or the field of turn and burn platoon like 1Bs. He sort of fits into that lineup really well. He doesn’t strike out much, gets on base, and has pop. Mix in the fact he plays decent defense, and you can keep him in the lineup consistently with no glaring splits. Some other examples you can’t and defensively, yeah about that, especially when half you games are at Coors. The Rockies need to be realistic. They are in win now mode and there is no shred of evidence to believe Nolan is staying. If they have an opportunity to keep him next year, then you worry about that next year. But the simple fact is they’ve made some bad signings this would at least make sense especially if they can free themselves of a reliever that’s a change of scenery type. They can still find McMahon a ton of ABs. I get the pause with wanting to keep Arenado, but what it comes down to is trying to win this year with Arenado. They’ve made some very questionable signings that might prohibit such in Desmond, Dunn, Shaw, etc..
You really think Brendan Rodgers is worth the difference from Desmond to Santana? I’d think a couple prospect’s outside Colorado’s top 15 is sufficient. Mariners would have to eat salary to get someone to take Santana off their hands. Desmond is only owed an extra 3M but has an extra year. If I was Dipoto, I’d want Bryan Shaw and Jake McGee instead of Desmond though–if either bounces back, they could be trade for even more prospects. Chad Bettis could be added in place of a prospect as well.
Desmond is a good guy and has good skills including speed, good pop in his bat and versatility. These skills would be used better in the outfield. Santana’s power bat at 1B would be a big asset next year at Coors Field. The Rockies have to decide where to spend the big bucks. All I know for sure is that their bullpen spending has been a disaster so far. Maybe they could trade some guys from that group.
No one wants to see the all star nob. Santana swings from both sides, so maybe he wants to see the nob but I wouldn’t bet on it.
Why? All he does is stand at the plate and take walks. Especially with runners on.
From Machado to….Profar? That’s a giant drop off.
Well sure it is. But it’s also a lot less money – which means they can spend in other areas. He was a 3 win player in his first full season – so he has the chance to be quite solid. As an Angels fan, love to see the Rangers rebuilding. And keep the shift, because the only way Joey “Dave Kingman” Gallo can beat it is to hit in the low .200’s and go over it.
As a Rangers fan, love to see the Angels not rebuilding and still not winning.
Is it really though? It took the Rangers a decade to recover from the ARod contract. Do we really want a head case like Machado demanding to play out of position at SS and then killing the team spirit by taking plays off? Profar happily plays where he can get reps and hustles. Give me a league average baller any day over a premadonna team spirit killer.
The machado market is not booming like Boras wants it to. My bet is he signs a short high amount contract. Harper will get want he wants but Machado bad attitude makes him a big gamble for whatever team he signs with. Rangers would be fools to take that big of a gamble on a bad attitude player.
The article made no mention of the Rangers going after Machado. They said that Profar would be a good piece for a team that MISSES OUT on Machado. Sheesh..learn to read.
Santana to the Rockies Makes Zero Sense. Too much money on the books for them
Why would they do that when they have McMahon.
Why would they do that when they could acquire Eric Thames for next to nothing, and he’s owed WAY less money? ($6 Mil in ’19, Team option at $7.5 Mil in ’20)
Or they could simply sign Justin Bour for “Pennies-on-the-Dollar” (no prospect cost and probably less money than Thames).
They need to at least TRY to stay in a position to extend Arenado……which is going to take a TON of cash.
How does Profar only have 2 years of control left?
He got hurt in spring training in 2014 so it kept his clock going even though he was on the DL. He then couldn’t get healthy for 2 year and didn’t play at all in 2014 or 2015. those two years though counted toward his service time since he was on the MLB DL.
Ahh, that makes sense. He was hurt so often I just assumed he wasn’t on the major league DL.
What’s it gonna take from the Pirates to get Rob Ray and Ahmed in a package deal? Assume they would want a young shortstop in return, plus a couple decent pitching prospects?
Amazing how 1 year can change so much. A year ago, so many people were throwing around Swihart for Profar trade ideas as a change of scenery candidate.
The Rockies have a handful of mid-level prospects that would suit Seattle.
Ryan Vilade – SS; Tyler Nevin – 1b/3b; Grant Lavigne – 1b; Josh Fuentes – 1b/3b.
Fuentes has done all that he can in AAA and is blocked by Arenado, Story, Rodgers, McMahon and Hampson. He is most likely the easiest to get of those 4.
Santana is guaranteed $42.16 million including the prorated portions of his $10 million
signing bonus and $500K buyout. Not $35 million.