The Guardians are among the teams in discussions with the A’s about Sean Murphy, reports Jon Morosi of MLB.com (on Twitter). The backstop is one of the more frequent trade targets of the offseason, and Morosi suggests Oakland could complete a deal by the end of the Winter Meetings next week.
Murphy is of interest to virtually every team seeking catching help. He has been a quality hitter throughout his three-plus seasons in the big leagues, showing solid power and plate discipline with roughly average bat-to-ball skills. Murphy tallied a career-high 612 plate appearances this past season, hitting .250/.332/.426 with 18 home runs and a personal-low 20.3% strikeout rate.
While that may not be an eye-popping slash line at first glance, it marked well above-average production once one accounts for the depressed offensive environment around the game and Oakland’s pitcher-friendly home ballpark. By measure of wRC+, Murphy was 22 percentage points better than the average batter. Those numbers look even better when comparing Murphy to his peers behind the plate. Catchers overall mustered a putrid .228/.295/.368 line in 2022. Murphy ranked seventh at the position (among those with 300+ plate appearances) in on-base percentage and finished tenth in slugging.
In addition to that quality performance at the dish, the Wright State product is regarded as an excellent defensive backstop. Statcast consistently pegs him as an above-average pitch framer. The possibility for an electronic strike zone in 2024 or beyond could take pitch framing out of the sport, but Murphy also possesses an elite arm. He cut down 31.1% of attempted basestealers, well above the 25% league mark. Statcast credited him with a 1.89 second pop time (average time to throw to second base), the fourth-best mark among 72 catchers with 10+ throws. He was only charged with two passed balls despite playing more than 1000 innings behind the dish, a workload that trailed only that of J.T. Realmuto.
Murphy’s well-rounded game makes him one of the sport’s better catchers, and his trade appeal is only enhanced by his affordability. He’s eligible for arbitration for three more seasons, and MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projects him for a $3.5MM salary in 2023. The 28-year-old will earn successive boosts over the next couple years, but his arbitration salaries will remain well below his open market value if he continues to perform at his recent level.
That window of affordable control means the A’s aren’t under urgent contractual or financial pressure to move him. However, Oakland also looks at least a year away from being able to contend for a Wild Card spot. The A’s tore down their roster over the 2021-22 offseason to cut costs, and they finished 2022 with an AL-worst 60-102 record. Murphy’s trade value will only dwindle alongside his remaining window of club control, and the A’s could seize the opportunity to move him for a massive return in the coming weeks or months.
Doing so would allow the A’s to give a full season of catching reps to top prospect Shea Langeliers. Acquired from the Braves in the Matt Olson trade last spring, Langeliers hit .283/.366/.510 through 92 games with Triple-A Las Vegas. He showed some power but also concerning strikeout and walk numbers in his first big league look late in the season. The former top ten draftee is regarded as a possible plus defender in his own right, and while the A’s could theoretically have Murphy and Lanegliers split catching and designated hitter duties, doing so would negate the defensive value of one of those players each game.
Cleveland places a premium on catcher defense, having turned primarily to Austin Hedges over the past few seasons. Hedges rivals Murphy defensively but offers virtually nothing with the bat. He’s coming off a .163/.241/.248 line and hit free agency at the end of the season. Cleveland could certainly look to bring him back, but acquiring Murphy would keep the club’s excellent defense intact while adding a possible middle-of-the-order bat. Murphy has even platoon numbers over the course of his career, but his right-handed bat would be an ancillary bonus for a Cleveland lineup that skews left-handed. The Guardians had a .646 OPS against southpaws this past season, a mark that topped only those of the Marlins and A’s.
As things currently stand, the only catchers on Cleveland’s 40-man roster are Bo Naylor and Bryan Lavastida. Each player made his MLB debut in 2022 and they have a combined 11 games of big league experience. Lavastida had a rough offensive showing in the upper minors and could fit better as a depth option.
Naylor, who turns 23 in February, is a more highly-regarded prospect who’s coming off a .257/.366/.514 line in 66 games at Triple-A Columbus. He could be a regular, but prospect evaluators have raised some concerns about his defense. At the very least, adding a veteran complement to that duo will be on the to-do list for president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti and his staff. The Guardians could look to experiment with Naylor at other positions if they pull off a Murphy trade, and there’s also the possibility Cleveland includes him as part of the package they’re dangling to the A’s.
Kirk is better.
What’s your offer?
Yeah, no he’s not.
Yes he is. Kirk had a higher WAR this year in his first full season in baseball. Kirk is four years younger and a better player.
It’s a tough call. Not trying to bodyshame, but if that is how Kirk looks now at his young age then….
Personally, I’m all about defense at catcher. Even if his bat slumps like many catchers do, at least I know he’s great defensively. Murphy I mean.
There’s also something to be said for who the two of them have batting around them also.
Baseball prospectus has Kirk as the third best catcher including framing, defense and pitch calling. Murphy is 14th.
But I’m looking long term, not just for this year.
Pitch framing is very dependent on the pitchers. Pitch calling is dependent on scouting and coaching. War is dependent on defensive metrics that experts can’t agree on, and I can only imagine that is harder to discern at C than at other positions. Murphy caught 118 games. Kirk caught 78.
I don’t know what the answer is, but these rankings that sites post don’t tell the whole story.
I wouldn’t trade the farm for either of them. If the guardians want defense then they should call the Mets and get Niddo or get them to pay most of Mccans contract. They wouldn’t have to give up any elite prospects and get a really good defensive catcher and the Mets need to get rid of one of them for Alvarez to play.
People can’t change their body type? Yadier Molina is a great example of a catcher slimming down. Matt Adams, Vlad Guerrero Jr. Many have come up one size and were able to slim down. Maybe not to zero body fat, but enough to shed the body shape concerns.
McAnn isn’t exactly a defensive wiz out there. Not sure he’s even average. Add in his lack of hitting and injury history the past couple of years and I’d say he’s $9.5M overpaid. Per year.
Kirk scored on other planets. Winner.
It’s fair to mention that Kirk only caught 78 games last season. As of now he doesn’t have a history of catching a lot of innings.
He also has a lower percentage for throwing runners out. Which will become more important going forward with the new rule and base changes.
Just like framing won’t mean anything when the robo umps hit town.
Lol, WAR. Most of the best teams place a premium on catcher defense and anybody with eyes can see how much better Murphy is defensively. Jays also have an unproven prospect and injury prone backup for Kirk, moving him this early doesn’t make much sense unless they believe his value has peaked.
How many A’s and Blue Jays games did you watch last year? Please tell me how much eye test you did comparing them. In reality you just see Kirk being heavy and assume he’s a bad catcher.
Shorter people put on weight more easily than taller ones. Unless Kirk has a sudden growth spurt, he’ll just have to settle for being one of the Cs in bb.
Wow, that’s quite a leap. You don’t have to watch Murphy for 162 games to see that he’s an elite defensive catcher.
No he’s not, yes he is. No he’s not, yes he is. Let Him Go! Bismillah. We will not let you go.
Around 30 blue jays games and about 20 A’s games, as they are my two favorite teams. Murphy was clearly better at throwing runners out and his pitch framing is more subtle. I don’t really remember how well Kirk blocked potential wild pitches but since Murphy won the gold glove, probably also better at that.
Murphy has the 2nd most fWAR by a catcher since Opening Day 2020. Only JT and Adley clear him, sit down.
But…Kirk only had a combined 214 plate appearances in 2020-2021. Murphy had 588.
Which is why you never argue that the rookie is anything.
Exceptions: Kris Bryant/Adley Rutschman-level prospects. Kirk is not on that level.
^^ this is the guy that is so quick to be offended…. Yet acts like a tough guy when someone simply has a different opinion. Amazing self-awareness lol
Kirk is underrated defensively, but Murphy is elite defensively and hits for more power. I think Murphy wins out but it’s close.
Yeah, it’s real close actually. I didn’t realize Kirk was so young.
Kirk is a DH, not a catcher. Murphy is a great catcher.
Doesn’t the MLB logo look exactly like Sean Murphy. Stance, grip, nose?!!!
Kirk is a great catcher. Played the position my whole life and can tell you if he wasn’t 5 foot nothing and 250 pounds then people wouldn’t be so negative towards his evaluations. Also Kirk was DH for lots of games with the Jays because they have the best backup catcher in the game, not because they were concerned about his defense. Jansen deserved playing time also. Obviously Murphy is better defensively but not by as much as casual viewers would think. Kirk’s hitting is on a totally different level than Murphy’s. Kirk is a perennial.290/.370/.450/.800 type of hitter. Please someone list for me another catcher in that category? The one knock on Kirk is his base running, there’s no denying that.
Like I said, I think it’s a good comparison. But Kirk isn’t on a total different level offensively than Murphy.
That’s a little extreme,
Murphy is an average hitter relative to all other positions in the league. Kirk is an elite hitter no matter what position we’re talking about. That’s a big difference in my opinion. I watched every game Kirk has ever played in the bigs. He is easily the most all around hitter the Jays have. Definitely the guy I always hoped would come up with 2 outs in the ninth and down a run. He rarely strikes out and has consistent elite at-bats. He’s totally a freak of nature when it comes to bat to ball skills. If the Jays get rid of this guy it better be for a major package. Murphy deserves a lot also but he just had his best year offensively he’s ever had and it’s average relative to other positions. Kirk just dominated in his first full season, was an allstar and silver slugger. He’s much younger and has the potential to get even better. I encourage everyone who’s a baseball fan to try and watch this guy hit. He’s on a whole other level compared to 90% of the league. Doesn’t matter how much velo the pitcher has or how nasty his junk is, he’s going to make good contact and never looked over matched.
Not saying you’re wrong about Kirk but think you’re just underrating Murphy as a hitter.
Murphy has improved too
He has nobody around him in the lineup
Hits in pitcher park/ not hitter friendly
Also, I’m pretty sure Murphy would be a better hitter too if he only caught half the games.
Two good players though.
Kirk – 470 AB’s – 58 SO / 63 Walks
Murphy – 537 AB’s – 124 SO / 56 Walks
Which ballpark you play in doesn’t affect how pitchers are able to put you away. Those splits are crazy elite for Kirk. Also not only is he constantly putting the ball in play, he is also consistently hitting line drive lasers. If we were to put other players in the game from any position with splits similar to his we would be talking about the absolute superstar players. I’d actually really like to see a list of players with 500ab’s who struck out less than 60 times. I bet the list is fewer than 10. Not trying to beat a dead horse here and I know you’re an educated baseball fan, I’m just so tired of Jays fans calling for Kirk to be the catcher who should be traded when he has the potential to be one of the best offensive catchers in the history of the game. He’s that good.
It’s a fair point but being a better contact hitter doesn’t necessarily make Kirk a better hitter.
Don’t dare disagree with A’sFan, he’ll block you lol
My man spittin facts lol
That’s probably a good thing.
A’sFan blocks people? Just wondering so I can beat them to it for once. I block anyone who blocks me. Not sure why people like Samuel even bother with the site. Everyone I know irl has been blocked by him and blocked him back. He is only relevant to so few people don’t see the point.
Lol I literally said same thing before when he said he blocked DOZENS of people. At that rate, maybe it’s him and not allllll these people he’s blocking for having differing opinions.
Samuel is just a troll nothing more. I wouldn’t take anything he says seriously
I don’t see anything Samuel says so no worries. He isn’t a troll though. A troll wants to be seen so they wouldn’t block anyone. He is just really that clueless about baseball.
acell10;
LOL
Been here for over 5 years. Been watching MLB for well over 50. Played the game. Know its history (still learning). Respect the game. Forgot more about baseball then you’ll ever know.
I mute posters that call me names and attack me personally rather than discuss baseball. It’s because kids like you aren’t capable of doing that.
You’ve muted people for far less than that. Cmon.
TheDogDays;
No.
And why does it concern you?
Sorry that it’s a free country (so far) and MLBTR designed their chatroom in a way you don’t approve of.
You have anything to say about baseball?
Yes, I continuously chat about baseball— I love the game.
I just have a thing for pointing out untruths.
@dogdays
I will support your case. I am blocked by Samuel and I have never called anyone something other than their listed name. I have disagreed with him, and questioned his opinion (what most would call a discussion.) That seemed to be enough. I don’t mute him though, because now I can comment on him and get the last word, foe all others to see!
@stymeedone That’s a good idea. I am going to unblock him myself. I seen him block dozens of people. All they did was prove him wrong.
looks like he muted me as well just now. if you have to cite how long you’ve been a fan or commenting on a site you’ve already lost the argument. and yes Samuel is a troll.
I didn’t mean that he was doing a good job of being a troll. Just that if someone is constantly wrong and argumentative as much as he is there is a good chance he’s trying to troll. Their success is another story.
Also I do find it incredibly childish for people to mute someone just because they disagree with them.
Wow. With his trolling, insecurities and high opinion of himself despite being proven wrong so many times I always thought he was a teenager. “Forgot more about baseball then you’ll ever know.” Is definitely something a dumb old man would say.
It’s fun to leave communication open. This way, you can take pot shots at them and they don’t even know it lol.
Whether Kirk is better, that’s up to one’s own analysis
We also have to take into account he’s more than a couple years younger along with more control. I’d argue he’d cost a limb more in a trade than Murphy would. No reason to trade that much for Kirk when Murphy is a good starter as well
Kirk has significantly fewer games caught, less track record of success, and is weaker defensively… really doubt he’d go for more than Murphy.
Guardians will finish as runners up for Murphy…. and that is by design as they have their eyes on other catchers….Cal Raleigh and Winker
Wow, that’s really losing out.
I doubt the Ms would give up on Raleigh. Good catchers who can hit are getting harder to find.
I’ll take Murphy over Raleigh anyday.
A lot of people will just look at Kirk’s appearance and assume he’s a terrible defender. They’d be wrong. His ratings defensively were actually really good last year. He can also hit.
But…I’d still rather have Murphy. Murphy has a longer track record of good defense (Kirk had a great 2022 but his metrics beforehand were mediocre at best), and he’s a pretty good hitter himself. I’d also be more willing to bet on Murphy maintaining his defense than Kirk, and the Guardians REALLY value defense behind the plate so if they have any ounce of skepticism that Kirk can’t stick behind the plate, they wouldn’t be interested.
They’re honestly not super far apart, but to me Murphy is the better player. I’d be interested to compare the potential return for each of them though.
Jesus, look what I started just trying to be funny
Although Kirk is still better
I’d like to know the hypothetical return
In the end, I think Kirk (or Moreno) would be traded along with other players for a big name. I think if they trade one of their catchers for prospects, it’ll be Jansen. But yeah, if Kirk fetched a few prospects I’d be interested to see how he’s valued.
there is about a dozen teams that want Murphy so the cost will be high. I just don’t see a fit between A’s and Guardians since they don’t have that one stand out prospect the A’s need.
Agreed, although the A’s have been made the fool in the Blue Jays trade for that thinking.
Valera and Espino are 55 grade prospects, unless they want to include both in like a 4-5 player package, hard pass.
LOL You’re not getting Valera OR Espino let alone both for Murphy. No chance.
Guardians are not getting Murphy if some low level guys are on the plate.
Then he stays in Oakland. Idk what to tell ya bud.
Gavin Williams and Chase DeLauter are the players I would ask for.
And Cleveland has already said no to including Gavin Williams.
Am I reading this correctly? You, not only think Espino AND Velara wouldn’t be enough? Bro, you wouldn’t get just one of them for Murphy, let alone both. Yikes.
Imagine acting like 55 grade prospects are future hall of famers. Gross. No one agrees with you, especially front office people.
How old are you? You have the verbiage of a pubescent little child. Imagine thinking Murphy commands top tier prospects. Is this whole baseball thing new to you? Your casual is showing.
Honestly, Espino and Velara will probably not be included in a potential Murphy trade. If this trade happens, I would see Murphy for Gavin Williams, Brayan Rocchio, Logan Allen, and Jake Fox.
ARC 2;
They have quite a few “stand out prospects” of which the A’s asked for 3…..and Cleveland have no reason to give up one them.
The Guardians put themselves in this position – again – by going wild with LH batting prospects. Bo Naylor is yet another LH batter. They could easily trade Rosario this off-season for some players, but they need his RH bat. They’re going to have to package a few prospects up this offseason and get at least one strong RH bat.
They are going to trade for Walker and Kelly. Rocchio, Valera and Pilkington head back.
That is intriguing but Plesac would make more sense than Pilkington
I think Espino is a standout prospect that would catch anybody’s eye.
But the As generally do not like to put all their prospect eggs in one basket, preferring a large package to one super prospect. They like to spread the risk over multiple prospects.
The Guardians have as much upper level prospect capital as anybody, and more than most. Cleveland also has its prospect capital spread over just about every position, excepting first base. But the two highlights of the Guardians system are starting pitching and shortstop.
CATS44;
Cleveland is no more trading Espino than they are Emmanuel Clase. (The A’s already asked for Espino.)
He may be the best pitching prospect in MiLB, and they’ve invested quite a bit of time and money in him. If Bieber leaves in FA in 2 years Espino will take over as their ace.
Samuel:
Because of the ridiculous over valuing of prospects, Espino is probably valued as highly in trade as Murphy.
Which is why, while Oakland may have mentioned his name in initial trade talks, he isnt what they really want, because it is not Oaklands SOP. The As prefer multiple prospects as opposed to one high end one.
As for Espinos replacing Bieber as the ace of the staff in two years…he threw a grand total of 18 IP in 2022, and hasnt pitched since April, due to knee and shoulder problems.
There’s a lot of talk that Oakland holds all the cards in trade talks, because they have a lot of suitors and they don’t have to trade him, because he has three years of control left.
The first is true, but the second is false. Oakland has to trade Murphy now, because he can never help the A’s win as a player, but he can as a trade chip. Oakland isn’t going to win in 2023 or 2024, with or without Murphy…and they won’t be able to pay him in 2025, his last year of arby.
Depending upon which service you count on, the Guardians have eight top 100 prospects…behind a team that just won 92 games. With one exception, they don’t have a position player with less than three years of control left. With one exception, they don’t have a pitcher with less than three years of control left.
They could trade away all eight of those top 100 prospects, and basically field a 90+ win team for the next three years. Imagine what those eight prospects could bring in return. (Thats not how it works, but thats the situation in Cleveland.) And in three years the Guardians could have another batch of top end prospects.
The Yankees may float in cash, but the Guardians float in prospective talent. (So do the Rays.)
In the world of free agency, if the Yankees or Dodgers really want a player, they get him more often than not. In the world of prospects for MLB production trades, the Guardians are in much the same boat. If they truly want Murphy, they are more likely than not to get him.
But if the Cardinals put Gorman and Jordan Walker or Masyn Winn on the table, its a wrap.
Not sure why you are acting like the Guardians have a long history of developing or acquiring prospects, like the Rays do. I think most front offices would trust a Rays package over a Guardians one right now. A’s also have plenty of prospects everywhere, they are in the market for high end pieces like Nolan Gorman, who would instantly replace Murphy’s offense in the lineup for a long time.
Jordan and winn are not going anywhere. Gorman Libby Hudson and one 100 prospect.
Are you nuts? the Guardians have a long history of developing and acquiring prospects. Their current best pitcher for one, not to mention their closer, Clevenager was a guy they picked up in a trade too same thing with Kluber when he won two cy young awards. hell they even traded for Carlos Santa back in the day. You really keep exposing the fact that you don’t know what you’re talking about
What are you talking about? The Guardians have one of the best farm systems in the league, and its depth is what stands out but there’s plenty of high end talent that could be the centerpiece of a deal.
Daniel Espino is a borderline top 10 prospect in the game, so that alone is your standout prospect. Don’t want him? No problem — they can offer George Valera, Gavin Williams, Brayan Rocchio, Naylor, or a variety of other guys.
I dunno, given the Guardians continued (and sometimes surprising) success dominating their division, their dedication to defensive catchers, and their general pattern of budget cutting it seems like this might be one case where they would be willing to part with some significant prospects for 3 years of a cheap gold glove catcher with above average offensive production.
They don’t have one standout prospect? One of deepest farms in baseball? Ok. Next
Seems like a great opportunity for the A’s to pick up some middle infielders out of the Guardians’ farm depth.
Would love to get someone better than Ernie Clement, for sure.
A’s need to trade with a weaker team to have better odds of getting a impact player.
Would you care to explain what you mean by “a weaker team to have better odds of getting a impact player”?
Teams that have surplus prospects and are looking to compete should be the teams willing to give up prospects for veteran players…
How often does Cleveland trade a prospect that ends up being something special or even decent? I don’t see them knowingly trading one. Rather trade with a team that is weaker at player evaluation and more willing to part with elite talent.
Clint Frazier
Okay, that makes a lot more sense. I see your point.
Yandy Diaz to the Rays. I’m still annoyed by it. He didn’t hit a homer with us but had such a high hard hit % that it was only a matter of time.
That’s one that got away. Probably only reason they parted with him was his hr power. But he hits and walks.
Its going to come down to Cleveland and Tampa. I think Cleveland offers a package built around Gavin Williams, Bibee, and Brennan but Tampa could probably beat that offer. Going to be interesting to watch.
Cleveland is not going to trade both Williams and Bibee in any deal. They said no at the deadline to a package lead by Williams.
Murphy will not be a guardians. They will acquire someone entirely off the media radar like Jacob stallings who they can acquire from depth. Stallings and cooper are their speed. Only cost a handful of class a guys. Maybe a 15 to 30 prospective or two. Look at a match made in Miami.
In nurse follars;
Great post!
People who don’t really follow this team don’t appreciate the creative genius of this front office.
In nurse follars;
What they do well – that most writers and fans don’t get – is understand that all 26 people on the roster have to perform. It’s up to the FO to get people that can be used in certain situations and for the coaches to prepare them to do that…then expand their skills. It’s up for the manger to put them in positions to be successful.
You can tell from most posts here that there’s a rotisserie league mentality that says you build a team around a handful of stars, some decent players, and sort of fill in the rest (that aren’t worth acknowledging because they don’t know them anyway).
As I keep writing – a starting pitcher only pitches once every 5 games, a reliver pitches 60-75 innings a year, a hitter bats once every 9 guys, a defender may or may not be involved in plays each game. As writer Mark Polishuk phrased it a few weeks ago in a chat – it’s better to have a lower ceiling and a higher floor (we’ve seen from the Angels and others that top-heavy teams don’t win…their GM is fixing that). The trick for a FO is using their payroll budget intelligently to have a balanced 26 man ML roster.
Yawn, who’s NOT showing interest in Murphy?
The A’s
Touche
The Jay’s
I love these stupid reports. Someone reports that it’s suggested that it could happen. Journalism at its finest.
how else can ‘the People’ do their thinking?
You mean they report a rumor? Like the name of the site?
bigjon…
clearly you’re at the wrong site.
“Oakland also looks at least a year away from being able to contend for a Wild Card spot.”
This is the kindest assessment of the A’s position I e seen.
I wouldn’t discount it, but it would take a LOT for that to happen. Something like Gunnar Hoglund, Ryan Cusick and JT Ginn waking up and instantly being elite and healthy and hitting MLB by late 2023. That is feasible, but its a longshot.
1 year is the absolute minimum and that would take a lot of luck. Soderstrom, Gelof, Waldichuk, Díaz, HogHarris, Miller and Criswell would all have to have strong debuts next year along with bounce back years from KSmith and Pache plus AMart and Sears would need to secure the back of the rotation. Bullpen is already solid and Blackburn, Irvin, and Kap as your front 3 is good but not great.
There’s a path for them to be competitive in a year such that I would not be shocked if they’re fighting for a wild card next year but the probabilities are so very low of it happening.
Murphy was catching for the visiting team several years ago at a San Antonio Missions game. The Missions walked it off in the bottom of the 9th. Last play ended with a throw to the plate. Unprompted, he offered my son the game ball. We asked him to sign it and he did. Good guy.
I love stories like that. I had a similar incident when I was a kid and I never forgot it.
Who do the cards have that the As ❤️ ukd be interested in . Not Jordon not going to happen just saying
Gorman, Liberator and Burleson gets it done imo. Probably an arm goes back with Murph in that deal.
I think you’re right. This gets it done for the cardinals. If that’s on the table, cards get him easily. A somewhat attention seeking tweeter posted that an offer by the cards has been made. Respecyfully, the tweeter does not have real sources. But there’s something to it. It felt realistic. Burleson, Yepez, and Graceffo.
Pujols said Yepez is going to break all his records. He won’t, but that’s pretty high praise. Burleson should be a top 100 prospect. Graceffo is and would be a centerpiece that would carry more weight than Gorman. That deal also gets it done.
I’m going to say that the Guardians prospects could get it done as well, but they would have to give up much more because their ceilings seem to be lower than Cardinal and Rays prospects.
As a Cards fan, I’m still a fan of individual players on other teams. Objectively, Gorman would be a massive overpay. Not everyone in baseball needs or wants Murphy. Every team in baseball would love to have even one of the Cards top ten.
Analytically, if we’re doing a comparative analysis of probable trades… Burleson is kind of a perfect fit for the A’s. He’s the kind of sneaky underrated producer BB goes after.
Following the Cards, for all non Cards followers, the Cards front office telegraphs how they value their players accidentally or intentionally. Not sure, but the unspoken intentions of their front office accidentally or intentionally telegraphs how they see their players, and that is the only thing they really tip their hand about.
Mo likes Noot too much. He’s confirmed Noot, O’Neil, Carlson are the starting outfield next year with Walker as the wild card. He’s also sincerely committed to Edman at SS. Walker isn’t going anywhere. Mo has also implied Tink Hence and Graceffo are borderline untouchable.
He seems to be willing to offer McGreevy, underrated 1st rounder who will be a 3 or 4. He seems willing to trade O’Neil, mlb proven but with injuries. He seems willing to trade Yepez. He seems willing to trade Burleson, based on him not mentioning him as part of their outfield depth.
Total speculation, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see Burleson, McGreevy, Yepez, Conner Thomas, Iohan P., and Joshua Baez who is highly coveted I assure you. That’s a big overpay and yet doesn’t touch their top prospects. Walker, Winn, Hence, Graceffo, Herrera seem untouchable based on Mo’s actions and comments. Liberatore might be available, but I’d like to keep him.
The point being, when a rival executive anonymously said last year that there isn’t anyone the Cardinals can’t get in a trade based on other team’s evaluations of their prospects, that tells us more than sports pundits and our opinions as fans about their value inside and outside the organization.
That means it’s the first time in a long time that Mo’s “faberge eggs” have much higher value to Rival team executives than to Cards fans. Cards fans loved Arozarena. But we didn’t have a clue about Alcantara, Gallen, Adolis.
We underpaid for stars the past few years. We also overpaid for stars that were busts. It’s a gamble no matter what.
Either way, I’m going to be annoying now and make a wishful thinking prediction.
Cards trade Burleson, Graceffo, Yepez, plus two more for Murphy. That’s a contending team in Oaklnad with that trade. 100% they’d have a shot at the wild card if they make that trade, residual if they add McGreevy and Donovan to the mix.
Cards sign Taylor Rogers is something I’d like to see. If you Guardians fans grab a good deal for Murphy, congrats!
#firefisher
I want Chase DeLauter back from the Guardians
As long as John Fisher is the owner, expect crappy trades. Why own a team if you don’t care about winning? He is pathetic
I think they get walker and Kelly from the diamondbacks for Valera, rocchio and Pilkington.
Cleveland is not going to trade both Valera and Rocchio in any trade for short term assets.
As a guards fan, I wanted Murphy awhile back but the value is not there for him right now. A’s fan can try to make him out to be Johnny Bench but he is not. Here is a very good catcher but not an elite talent. You don’t trade 2 high end prospects for a guy like Murphy, no offense to him; he be a major upgrade. You can get more for the same package if you going trade him. He is overvalued because he plays catcher; let’s not forget that. They made the playoffs with Hedges and Maile- enough said. They don’t have to add him Also, to the dude who said guards don’t have prospects to get him, read up son. You obvious know nothing about the Cleveland system.
Agreed. But the Guards would have to add more quantity. BB prefers quantity. And Cleveland has a really good farm.
I don’t think I agree. If you have the chance to trade Valera and Rocchio, plus, for Murhpy you do it because the alternative is Valera and one of Espino, Williams or Bibee. In fact, I would do Valera, Rocchio, Allen and a low level player or two if the A’s added Puk.
No, Murphy is not Johnny Bench, but he is the best (arguments over Kirk aside) catcher available and this is the price. Would you rather have Mike Zunino?
Murphy might be the primary target but Cleveland and Toronto match-up better for a trade, in my opinion. The Blue Jays need pitching and the Guardians have some to spare.. Plus, Amed Rosario could be of interest as a stopgap solution at SS.
I don’t think the Guardians are going to trade Rosario this winter. My guess is they would rather sign him to a two or three year deal and trade the young infielders. Also, I don’t know if the Blue Jays will be interested in the Guardian’s pitching because I don’t think we will trade Williams or Espino. Plesac and/or Civale, yes, but they won’t get us Kirk or Jansen. I also am not sure the Blue Jays and Guardians will want to deal with one another because they each don’t want to help a team they could face in the playoffs.
The Guards likely won’t give up too much for Murphy or they will pass and let him go elsewhere. The ball is in Oaklands court and although he’s elite defensively his offense isn’t enough to bevy a ransom of top prospects. The Guards would be smart to save that kind of capitol for a controllable power hitting first basemen. They can roll out Naylor and sign a Sandy Leon to back him up. It would be no worse than it has been with only upside it may be better. The Guards don’t have to do anything and won’t be badgered into giving up too much even though he’d be a big help. I don’t see them trading for Kirk either. The As will be forced to accept a deal or keep him and watch his value of controllable years plummet. The cardinals would only deal for him if they view him as an extension candidate and franchise piece.
To a large extent, I agree with you. Doesn’t make sense to invest too much in a starting catcher if you plan to have Naylor occupy that position by the end of the year. We probably can find a decent catcher/rental at the trade deadline for the playoffs.
My guess is we will see another year of Hedges or some similar guy.