The Rays have at least “checked in” with the Tigers regarding outfielder Nicholas Castellanos, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network (via Twitter). That said, there’s no indication that the sides are particularly close to making a deal.
We’ve heard plenty about Tampa Bay’s interest in various pitching targets, but the club is also clearly angling for a new righty bat. The organization was connected yesterday to Hunter Pence, who’d be a cheaper alternative to the younger Castellanos as a DH and part-time corner outfielder.
It’s clear that the Detroit organization is willing to discuss Castellanos in trade talks. The 27-year-old is earning $9.95MM this year before reaching the open market at season’s end. For a rebuilding club, there’s little reason to hold on to such a player unless there’s a strong chance he’d receive and decline a qualifying offer.
Castellanos has turned things on of late and has been about 20% better than the league-average hitter for the past four seasons. His youth is another feather in his cap. On the other hand, Castellanos’s defensive shortcomings are well-documented. While he has improved, metrics still view him as a clear negative and Statcast measures are less-than promising. It’d be a bit surprising to see the Tigers planning to issue a QO, as it’d be tough for Castellanos to say no given his inherent market limitations.
That being said, it could be that other organizations aren’t overly concerned with the fielding questions. Castellanos has reportedly drawn interest from two National League organizations — the Phillies and Cubs — that wouldn’t be able to hide his bat in the DH slot. That creates at least some market competition to help the Tigers pry something of value in return, though the team’s best hope for a significant prospect haul would be for multiple American League clubs to decide that Castellanos is an impact bat worth acquiring as a full-time DH.
The Rays should look at the cost of a Boyd, Castellanos package. would be good to have another lefty arm in the rotation instead of relying on Beeks. would also allow them to have Glasnow come out of the pen if and when he returns this year
Boyd and Castellanos for Brujan and McClanahan? Couple prospects that are 2ish years out. I don’t think the Rays would part with Liberatore, especially for Boyd but they have MIF depth and can probably afford to trade Brujan.
Only of Sanchez is added,no Sanchez no deal.
Brujan and Hernandez would probably get it done for Boyd/Nick or Nick/Greene perhaps…I would be shocked if they EVER got more value than that regardless of who traded for them.
I do believe if that conversation starts, the Tigers first ask is for Sanchez, and rightfully so as you start at the top and work to find common ground. As a counter offer, after the Rays say no (I would assume), would be Brujan and McClanahan as you mentioned, but I would also ask for like a Nate Lowe – which is really what Detroit is hoping to get in a deal, an MLB ready bat, along with a top prospect and another good prospect on the rise. I think its at least a fair starting point for a trade discussion for the Rays to not include Sanchez in any of the talk
Brujan and Lowe would work for me too, but there’s really no need for MLB readiness in the D for a couple of years. Gonna be a loooooong couple of years regardless.
Detroit needs an impact prospect,top 50 like Sanchez to headline.
What we need and what we will get are two different conversations.
That package is too lite for even Boyd.
I agree! Get both because pitching will be good hitting & with the Yankees having a LHP heavy arsenal, Castellanos would help them big time. He’s a career 300 hitter against LHP & 377 this year. This is why the Cubs are looking at Castellanos. TB has better prospects than the Cubs so win/win. TB can beat the Yankees is a series w/ better pitching & a LHP killing bat. Get both, Bear the Yankees!
Dodgers reportedly interested in him, not sure why? LA needs a pen.
Because the cost of acquiring Castellanos is insignificant. You can acquire him much like the RS did w Cashner. Without giving up much of anything but far off lotto tickets or low ceiling closer prospects.
Nope,,
There are at least 6 teams in on Castellanos and more in the shadows:
Phillies, Cubs, Rays, Astros, Indians, Twins etc..
Prices are going up…
Some teams are dropping out as sellers like the Giants who are on a roll and will not be buyers.,
In other breaking news, the Marlins have “checked in” on whether the Angels would accept Martin Prado for Mike Trout even up……
At this point, I’m pretty sure everybody is “checking in” on just about anyone. Nick C. has his minuses; but he has a plus or two (RH power, that the Rays could use). But lots of other teams could use it too. And are likely checking in on him.
I wondering if the Indians would have interest. They could DH Castellanos and platoon Bauers and Luplow.
Ehh. Not a fan of Castellanos and he is a rental. The Tribe is looking for players with more control.
The Rays should go after Charlie Blackmon if indeed he’s available he would be the ideal fit for the Rays.
Now THAT would be interesting……
I disagree. He’s aging and has a big deal. He’s already not CF capable and does a ton of his damage at Coors. I’d stay far away from Chuck.
He handmade 3 allstar games in a row he isn’t trash and is still better than Castellanos. And yea he has a big deal but the Rays aren’t exactly cash strapped plus they may can get the Rockies to eat some for a better prospect haul. And he is far more athletic defensive outfielder than Castellanos.
He does all his damage in coors field and he’s 33 years old w a big deal well into his late 30’s. Most teams try not to give up assets for a deal that is highly likely to go underwater. Trading for deals that could end up like Robbie Cano isn’t something you want to do. Especially when you’re a team like TB who spends 80 mil on payroll in a good year. It’s really a moot point to argue about here because there’s no way TB would deal for Blackmon.
Idk. He’s batting over .300 and would be in the AL East, where stadiums okay well to left handers. Fenway, Baltimore, and Yankee stadium would be good for him
There is no way the Rays would give up properties AND inherit that salary, especially at his current age. Add to that his terrible Away splits and there is no way the rays touch this.
prospects*
Agreed. That’s why this story is about the Rays checking in on Nick, and not about them checking in on Charlie.
I don’t know why any team would touch Charlie on that contract. I can see why the Rockies would want to make a move before the contract appears to be underwater. It strikes me as a deal a team like the Reds might make if anyone would. They get another big name value player with Puig a pending FA. He shouldn’t cost more than a mid level prospect given his contract.
I’d stay far away no matter what.
Blackmon is a National League guy & hits in Coors field. Castellanos is a much better fit & is mashing LHP .377 this year so no, Blackmon not a better fit at all.
I wanna see the Rays go for it. Would like to see them in the playoffs.
Nick C has line-drive power. Almost half his hits go for extra bases. Yeah, he’s a bit of an adventure in the outfield, but he has worked on it and grades out only modestly below average this year. Somebody is going to acquire him for the bat and tolerate the glove.
In any other park, Castellanos would have 5-7 more homers. Half his doubles go out if he played anywhere in Chicago, Baltimore, Tampa, Colorado, San Fran, Milwaukee etc…Comerica is a National Park not a baseball park. It’s ridiculous & stupidly designed. I hate it and I live here!
Tigers fans ought to be careful ragging on the park. You can’t make the argument about how many more bombs Castellanos would have and then ignore how many more bombs Boyd May give up if he pitched in one of those parks. You’re on a slippery slope right there.
He has made 3 allstar games in a row he isn’t trash and is still better than Castellanos. And yea he has a big deal but the Rays aren’t exactly cash strapped plus they may can get the Rockies to eat some for a better prospect haul. And he is far more athletic defensive outfielder than Castellanos.
Is he better? yes. is he more expensive and will he cost more in prospects? also yes.
Blackmon is also six years older than Castellanos. Blackmon is hitting .237 with below-average power away from Coors Field. The evidence suggests Castellanos is the better player.
Well, I’d argue that you can’t take Blackmon’s road numbers as what he’d truly do if he played at a more neutral park either. But, given his contract and age he’d be less appealing of an a acquisition.
No one is arguing that Blackmon isn’t a great player, he’s just not a fit for the Rays.
Muh All-Star gaemz!
I would agree that “Chuck” has little trade- returnable value; Rox will probably have to eat some coin, maybe a lot of coin. OTOH, there are worse OFers than Charley Blackman. The Rays aren’t that far away; incremental increases to the talent level makes them relevant. And they’re losing Garcia at the end of the year.
A move for Chuck might fire up the base, and get more than the 10,000 they had last night for an important game. Those are the kind of moves that help you build the brand. And it ain’t like they don’t have the payroll space or the money.
BVW would’ve given you a job as an assistant in the FO with that POV. Acquiring Blackmon is how you wind up with another Robbie Cano and lot of questions about your qualifications of being a GM.
Boyd is a no go. He needs a longer track record for me to give up top prospects. Greene has been a yo-yo in his career (good/not so good) & Castellanos is a rental but should he their main focus on acquiring.
longer track record before giving up a top prospect? That top prospect with a long track record? lol
Rays could’ve had EE or Carlos Santana in that three way trade they did. But said they were too expensive.
That’s true, the whole speculation was EE being flipped to TB, instead they prefer maintaining an AAAA payroll.
Very curious to see if Tampa Bay would be willing to part with Vidal Brujan, Lucias Fox, and one of Shane Baz or Shane McClanahan to get Castellanos and Greene.
I don’t see I deal for Boyd happening without Jesus Sanchez being the headliner
Is Greene and Castellanos for Brujan and McClanahan doable?
No it isn’t. Mclanahan’s stock is surging at this point. He’s been untouchable in high A. Brujan is a top 100 prospect. Castellanos will not fetch anything in the realm of either one of them. And If you think Shane Greene is good enough to bring back both, you’re mistaken. If that’s the expectation you have for a Castellanos/Greene trade it’s going to be a brutal letdown in a weeks time.
How about if I throw in Jimenez who TB loves,per reports.
That is quite a lowball offer for Greene and Castellanos
that would never see the light of day
Al Avila would never give you those 3 players for a couple of lottery tickets that you are proposing,,,
LOL:!
Any Tigers GM who would make that deal would be quickly unemployed,
If Tampa wants 2 or 3 proven All Star level players from the Tigers, then the Rays will have to put a lot more on the table than that:
Such as SS Wander Franco, such as OF Jesus Sanchez,
such as LHSP Matthew Liberatore….1B Lowe
players of that caliber
OR they won’t be landing those players from the Tigers…
Jimenez was an All Star last year.
Greene was an All Star this year.
Boyd is an All Star level pitcher also.
A Rays minor league 2B with little or no power
is worse than what the Tigers have on their major league team and in their farm system now.
No way he could headline a deal for these players.
I want some of what you are drinking or smoking lol!
McClanahan is a throw in piece to a deal
Not a headliner…
He is one of the few lottery ticket players added at the end of the deal after the major pieces to the deal have been agreed on…
Would Cashman think about getting Blackmon for Yanks postseason run? He would be an upgrade over the aging Gardner.
Too much money, and the Yankees have other issues more pressing. Gardner is aging, but if he goes down, they will use Frazier. And Stanton will be back.
Yankees are not going to the WS and won’t win it if they do not solve their pitching problems.
MLB is not a softball league.
Good pitching beats good hitting.,
Agreed. Especially in the playoffs. Home runs drop dramatically.
I wonder what both Detroit and Boras’ true evaluation of Castellanos really is. This is a defensively limited player without speed who can hit some, but isn’t a real offensive force. 5.7 career BWAR in 3118 PA, last year was “peak” at 2.9WAR. With the right fit, he could help some teams, but he’s not the kind of guy you would hand a serious long-term contract, or trade serious prospect value for.
As a bat first corner outfielder. Just like the other bat first corner players that have been moved this season. He’s a rental. Look at the what the Yanks gave up for EE. That’s all a team is going to give up for Castellanos. Age makes no difference in this equation because he’s a free agent at years end.
Castellanos has improved his defense considerably,
If you watch any baseball,,,even just highlights then you would know that,,
He just started playing OF in the last few years…was an infielder for life.
That sliding catch in OF he made last night in extras he would not have made last year. He has improved but only by eye, not enough on paper with these saber metrics.
Castellanos has improved considerably…
Scouts see it and report it.
That is why the Cubs, Rays, Phillies, Indians and more have “kicked the tires” on him and are taking a closer look.
I continue to fight these defensive metrics as an accurate measure of fielding prowess. The data fluctuates way too often.
Last year, Jacoby Jones led MLB outfielders with +21 DRS. UZR/150 was 14.8
This year, -6 DRS and a UZR/150 of -18.3
There is not a front office or coaching staff in baseball that believes that those numbers reflect anywhere close to Jones’ performance
Spot on. Those metrics are good to see but shouldn’t be the most important stat to look at.
I was wrong on JaCoby Jones.
He is finally starting to hit consistently.
With his Defense, if he continues to hit he could develop into an All Star some year.
Ray’s wont be buyers.. they are out of it.
They will if they can spend $1.98 and add coupons…
Rays GM says otherwise.
With the right deal or deals, Rays could get hot like earlier in the year
and make a run at the Division.
If the trade not to expensive-Great! Castellanos will help the Rays anemic offense.
Nick can play why he hasent been moved to 1b baffles me.. He crushes the ball and should fetch a hinge top 100 prospect.. Green is a calm cool collective arm u could slot him into any team 7th or later he does have starting pitching history as well so u could use him in postseason in alot of different roles…im a tigers fan I’ve seen them put him out there 4 to 5 days in row with no issues that brings value over some late inning guys… Boyd is hinge for me because as you watch him his stuff looks good he gets less than poor run support and backed by shaky defense . he needs to control his offspeed stiff better if he hangs then 86 curve/slider he will continue to give up long balls.. Boyd will bring back a top 50 prospect but I don’t see it being worth it. If I was Rays I’d make a deal for Nick and Boyd … Boyd owns the Yankees and Nick crushes Yankee pitching 2 things the Rays could use but I think u could get a deal done with Sanchez and 4 -7 far off hinge prospects tigers are stacking for future
Tigers asked Casty about moving to first. He said no
Because he is already leaning a new position in RF.
Wnen he signs as a FA, he will be open to moving.
Liberatore, McClanahan, and Josh Lowe (the bad Lowe) for Boyd, Greene, and Castellanos? Who says no first.
Tigers because any package likely won’t be centered on pitching. They want/need young bats. Make that Sanchez, Nate Lowe and McClanahan, that would be something to open conversations with. Gets exactly what the Tigers a looking for; MLB ready bat in Lowe, top position prospect and another solid prospect added in
That could start the conversation and temporarily stop Al Avila from hanging up..
Sanchez, Lowe, Wander Franco, Liberatore
and 2-3 other A ball or Rookie league lottery ticket pieces
might get serious discussions going…
Rays have talked package deal with Tigers for muliple players
some combination of Boyd, Greene, Castellanos etc
(Rays have even brought up Tigers Joe Jimenez set up guy and future closer)…
Rays have the prospects and talent in their farm system to “go large” and make a very big deal with the Tigers if they want to challenge for the Division…
Delete your account.
Delete your account…
Can’t discuss intelligently?!
Castellanos, and Boyd for Sanchez and LIberatore.
Boyd is worth more than that by himself…
Boyd will bring back a package of 4
Add more for Castellanos.
That would be awesome if they were able to get it. I was just putting that out there as a minimum requirement.
Wander Franco, Sanchez, Liberatore + plus
a few other A ball lottery tickets
for Boyd and Castellanos
and Detroit may have serious dicussions about that.
Matthew Boyd mowing down playoffa contender Phillies last night..
mlb.com/gameday/phillies-vs-tigers/2019/07/23/5655…
It’s obvious Detroit fans are not serious (delerious) trade partners with the offers mentioned on this site. Here’s an official offer from the Rays… If you want to talk about Wander Franco in the trade, start with offering us a fully paid new STADIUM down here and we can start talking.