The Phillies are interested in Craig Kimbrel, Ryan Tepera, and Andrew Chafin of the Cubs, per Jon Heyman of MLB Network (via Twitter). Phillies’ scouts are present at Wrigley Field today. While it may seem counterintuitive, having so many potential trade targets on one team can muddy the trade waters, so we’ll see if the Phillies and Cubs can narrow their focus to get a deal done here in the coming week. Elsewhere…
- The Mets and Marcus Stroman have not had any discussions about a possible contract extension, per Mike Ruiz of Newsday. Stroman has played a massive role in the Mets’ ascent to the top of the NL East this season, tossing 111 1/3 innings with a 2.59 ERA/3.50 FIP. He has ranked among the top-30 starters in the game by fWAR, innings pitched, ERA, FIP, groundball rate, and walk rate. He’s heading towards free agency without a qualifying offer attached entering his age-31 season.
- Before the Rays pulled the trigger on the deal for Nelson Cruz, the Padres made a significant push to acquire the slugger, per The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. Cruz has a history of taking grounders at first and second base, and though it’s certainly hard to imagine a successful plan to convert the 41-year-old DH into an infielder, the Padres were willing to give it a shot in order to have his bat on the bench. What’s more, they weren’t the only National League team in pursuit, per Rosenthal.
The Phillies are interested in Craig Kimbrel, Ryan Tepera, and Andrew Chafin
Why pay top dollar for this silliness?
When you can have the Dark Knight for a mere bag of shells?
Even if those were cracked eggshells with yolk residue left on them, it would still be an overpay for Harvey.
There’s a reason he’s worth a bag of shells
Extend Stroman. Sign or replace Conforto and Thor. Sign Bryant and a few needed peripheral pieces for next year. Prepare for a 350 million dollar payroll and a decent team.
For a 350 million dollar payroll I would certainly hope for more than just a “decent” team.
That’s my point, McGinty
Stroman has to actually “agree” to any extension
Your point “being”?
That you need to stop saying “just extend” this guy or that guy.
One problem. The Phillies have nothing in the minors any team wants.
Trader Dave, clearly growing tired of handing his beer off to skeptical fans: “Hold my beer.”
They can offer salary relief in the case of Kimbrel which might be more than enough for the Cubs
Kimberly is pitching far too well to be traded for salary relief.
Maybe last year but not this year.
Not getting Kimbel for nothing. Plus Phillies have to compete with other teams after him as well
Lol.
The Cubs aren’t looking for salary relief for the top available closer in MLB who is locked in for another year. Have a MiLB top 20 prospect or keep walking.
Could the Mets trade for kimbrel to keep him away from the Phillies ?
What would you be willing to give up?
You betterput be Abel in the deal,just to starting! If not,the Cubs better look eksewhere! Phillies aren’t loaded with “top notch” minor league talent. We know what it cost to get the likes of Chapman,and Wade Davis! Come playoff time,pitching IS CRUCIAL. Especially the bullpen,you better pony up for the best in the business. Locked for another year at a SOLID price!
I hope they would Diaz does not look good I think he is going to blow a lot of games for the Mets
But I mean who would they give up to get Kimbrel? I wouldn’t discard Diaz but I’d definitely take him out of the late inning role.
Ask the Padres how well that worked out when they acquired a near useless Randy Myers from the Blue Jays in ’98 just to keep the Braves from getting him. C— blocking almost always backfires
Padres made the WS regardless and they only gave up a guy who never made the majors. Not sure it’s such a tragedy. Also Kimbrel is having a great season and Myers was washed up. Not exactly the same thing
Padres didn’t give up anything for Myers. It was a straight up waiver claim. They take him and what’s left of his contract. Kimbrel would actually cost the Mets legitimate prospects.
I believe the Mets would be after Holland and Merrifield before Kimbrel and Bryant.
That does sound like a better idea to me
I wish the Padres got Nelson Cruz. I would’ve loved to see him play second
Glad you saw that too. Thought that was a typo.
Well it is a TC Zencka article, so there are almost absolutely typos in there somewhere…
That part of the story was a headscratcher. I could see them pushing Hosmer into the role of bench bat and late-inning defensive replacement, but Croneworth needs to play.
Because every team needs a 41 year old Infielder thats never played the Infield before…
Would love to see Kimbrel in Tampa with the rest of “The Stable”.
Cruz at 2B and Tatis at SS.. imagine those defensive bloopers
*plays circus music*
Nelson Cruz playing second base. Now THAT is something I would pay good money to see.
“Cruz has a history of taking grounders at second”
Yeah that’s called batting practice…
Once stroman gets a new contract he’ll pull lame again.
I don’t think it’s “counterintuitive” to think Phillie scouts are looking at 3 different players. Especially these days, GMs have special assistants for everything, from analytics to athletic-supporter size. Don’t believe any of that nonsense about “I’m too busy with the draft to talk about trades”; that’s just nonsense. If you can’t multi-task, go sell shoes.
And this ain’t exactly DD’s first rodeo. I’m sure he can handle the input.
… still not interested in Stroman.
I’m sure he will be hurt by your comment after he gets 150 mil this offseason
Hopefully the Phillies aren’t burned by what they need to dish out for Chafin. He likely will have a rash of injuries.
I get it.
To me, it’s guys like Stroman, the Mets need more of. Guys that pitch to contact, gets ground balls, and is reliable. I’d totally be okay with parting ways with Thor and resigning Stroman to an extension.
The only issues to me are, they probably can’t and arguable shouldn’t hang onto to Conforto for the 150-200 he’ll probably get on the FA market.
That would have to matter. Corner OF’s shouldn’t be too hard to fill. Signing a true CF and sliding Nimmo over and signing pitching and defense would be my priority.
But Stroman has been super and deserves a good contract extension.
Conforto will not get $150 million.
I think Conforto may have played himself into a lighter, prove it deal after missing time with injury and underwhelming at the plate. Boras can demand the moon, but he has looked awful in 2021. If Michael was playing like he has in prior years, the team’s record would be closer to LAD.
I would definitely say he shouldn’t, but I’d bet money he’ll get at least $150. I know it sounds ludicrous, but just hit me back when I’m wrong.
Listen your probably right..maybe the giants somebody will pay him and regret it i just don’t want the mets to do it.
Me either. I think Sandy gambled and lost on Wheeler, but to sign a big extension to a corner outfielder to a big extension. Crazy to me.
Now, we just need Lindor to be the best SS in baseball though I didn’t like that extension.
I’m afraid he’s gonna be a Carl Crawford slap hitter in 5 years playing 2b or 3B. Hope not, but I can’t see this ending well.
He’s showed the Mets they don’t need him Dom and Nimmo with McNeil in RF. Give Stroman Confortos payday
We are all jumping to conclusions on who the Mets should sign and who they shouldn’t sign. I see the NL getting the DH next year. That will give the Mets a better idea on who to sign.
I mean wasn’t that what the post was about? The Mets haven’t discussed an extension with Stroman?
So, yeah, I’m providing my opinion about that subject…
JD at DH and sign Bryant this winter
Stroman’s one of the best FA SP coming up this offseason. Unless he is a clubhouse problem they should be all over locking him up with a kind extension.
If hes one if the best, then its a massively bulimic thin crop of pitchers out there
Conforto should have been DfA by now or sent to the minors he is not consistent by any means no way he gets anything close to 150.sorry Scott…so many choices to replace him resign stroman and see what thor brings to the table. Let’s see what happens by the deadline and go forward from there. The Phillies and braves are going no where build up pitching add a free agent or two but conforto no way
Saying Conforto should be DFAd is ridiculous. He’d be picked up in 2 seconds by a team laughing their arse off at the Mets. He’s been off this year but still nowhere near a DFA candidate. But he’s been great prior to this year. I really wonder if you watch this sport at all when you make an absurd comment like that.
I have been watching the mets since the 80s was at the world series when Buckner botched the ball have you watched him since he came up? You think he is worth 150 to 200 million he is the most inconsistent player they have. You must be a nationals fan with a response like that
I don’t think I’d pay 150 million for him, no. But you suggested DFAing him. That’s absurdly hyperbolic. If you were exaggerating to make a point, fine. But it didn’t come off that way. Conforto is a very good player having a bad season and, yes, he’s been maddeningly inconsistent throughout his career. But to say he deserves to be released is ridiculous.
@bigphil. Do you actually watch Mets games? Conforto has been playing gold glove caliber defense and lashing line drives at people for 10 days. He’s just now finding his hitting timing and seeing the ball better.
To me he’s well worth a 3 or 4 year deal which gives him another new contract in 2026. Unfortunately, I think some team offers him 6+ years which takes him off the Mets roster. Holland/Merrifield covers that loss now and next year.
Yes I watch every mets game I agree his defense has been good lately but he is batting 202 with 193 Ab. And in a big spot when we need a hit he chokes.who would you rather have conforto or soto in a big spot. Conforto or Alonso i say the most the mets should do is offer a one Year put up or shut up deal anything else is an overpay
The Phillies could add all three and it wouldn’t get them to the playoffs.
They might just as well blow it all up. It’s never happening with this group.
I agree I heard last night watching the mlb extra innings broadcast one of the Phillies broadcasters say they might trade wheeler..lol
You better put Abel in the deal,just to start! If not,the Cubs better look elsewhere! Phillies aren’t loaded with “top notch” minor league talent. We know what it cost to get the likes of Chapman,and Wade Davis! Come playoff time,pitching IS CRUCIAL. Especially the bullpen,you better pony up for the best in the business. Locked for another year at a SOLID price!