Three things for baseball fans to keep an eye out for as the New Year gets rolling…
1. Outside of Miami, which teams could plausibly trade a starter?
Fortunately for teams either unable or unwilling to meet the asking price on a member of the Marlins starting corps, there are other teams out there who could be willing to deal from their available starting options. The Mariners have expressed interest in dealing one of Chris Flexen or Marco Gonzales, either of whom could shore up the back of a contender’s rotation. The Mets, who have expressed a willingness to listen to offers on Carlos Carrasco, could also provide a back-end option to teams looking to add to the rotation. Teams looking for a little more upside could discuss Chris Sale with the Red Sox, though he comes with a hefty salary and a great deal of uncertainty following several injury-marred campaigns.
It’s also worth noting that other clubs with an excess of pitching options could move a starting-caliber player who’s been pushed out of the rotation by offseason additions or recent prospect graduations. For instance, neither Adrian Houser (Brewers) nor Adrian Sampson (Cubs) has a clear rotation spot right now. The Braves have multiple MLB-ready arms vying for one rotation spot (Mike Soroka, Ian Anderson, Bryce Elder). The Guardians were willing to listen on names like Zach Plesac and Aaron Civale prior to the trade deadline. Ultimately, there are options still available for teams looking to add starting pitching, though few (if any) with the combined certainty and upside of, for example, Miami’s Pablo Lopez.
2. What options remain for the White Sox at second base?
The White Sox currently project to run out Leury Garcia and Romy Gonzalez at second base, but neither of those options is particularly inspiring. Garcia posted an OPS of just .500 in 2022, and Gonzalez’s .609 mark is not much better. Free agency offers the potential for a reunion with either Josh Harrison or Elvis Andrus, but little else in the way of certainty, though bounceback candidates like Jonathan Villar do remain available. All told, it seems likely Rick Hahn’s front office will have to explore the trade market to find new talent to bring into the fold.
One team with a plethora of options at second base, as discussed yesterday by MLBTR’s Anthony Franco, is the Blue Jays. Toronto appears poised to mix and match between Whit Merrifield, Cavan Biggio, and Santiago Espinal, with Merrifield likely earning the lion’s share of playing time out the gate. Either Biggio or Espinal would represent an upgrade over in-house options for the White Sox, and both would come with some upside, as they’ve shown flashes of being above-average regulars in the past. The Padres, meanwhile, are reportedly willing to listen to offers on Ha-Seong Kim, but he’s also slated to play a regular role in their infield, so he won’t necessarily be easy to acquire. Miami’s Joey Wendle was pushed out of a starting role by the Marlins’ signing of Jean Segura. There’s been ample speculation about the Yankees moving Gleyber Torres throughout the offseason, and the Rockies at least discussed Brendan Rodgers in talks with the Marlins (albeit with Colorado seeking the type of controllable MLB pitching the White Sox don’t necessarily have to offer).
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One other potential partner for the Sox is the Rays, since they’re always willing to listen. Lowe would represent a significant upgrade over internal options. It’s unfortunate, though, that the Friars are set in their ‘pen because Kim would be a terrific acquisition. Sox don’t have significant depth at any other position, save lesser options at 1B/DH in Burger and Sheets so I don’t see a good match there.
As a Sox fan, Leury Garcia is one of the players I have liked a lot more than most, he had a down year last year, but he is a nice utility player and went for .270/.340 in 2021 – but he can play 2B, SS and 3B, and gets some action in the OF from time to time –
Romy Gonzalez has one of the best arms in baseball, and can hit for a little power, he could be a 20HR kind of player.
Sox also have Jose Rodriguez who had a good season in AA, hit .280 with 40SBs, Sox need some speed in the lineup.
LAD offers Trevor Bauer, $21MM for a middle infielder/mop-up reliever to replace Hanser Alberto.
They would probably deal him for a used jock strap and a broken pitching machine if they could get rid of that contract.
They’re a big market team so they can absorb the losses ok without being rescued.
With only 3 days before LAD has to make a decision regarding Bauer, I’m surprised there hasn’t been more reported on what the FO is likely to do and all the ramifications of each potential decision. I still think the least likely scenario is that they release him and eat the $35M.
Bauer will be released. There is zero chance they could find a team willing to acquire him in a trade even if the Dodgers offered to pay his entire salary.
On the flip side, the Dodgers could surprise everyone and keep Bauer. The starting pitching depth is thinner than its been in a while and counting on Kershaw and May to pitch the whole season is not practical
Bauer is going to be a Red Sox and it will be on the Dodgers dime. Look at how many reclamation projects we already have in our starting rotation. You got 3 injury prone arms on the top end of the rotation. John Henry wouldn’t mind doing a Hosmer like deal with LA. If Bauer wins, most people won’t care about those allegations. Just think Ben Roethlisberger or Kobe Bryant as examples…..Now if the Red Sox and Bauer lose….well Bauer would wish he was still in LA
Just wait it out and pillage the Brewers when they have their trade deadline fire sale. Neither Woodruff nor Burnes will be on Milwaukee’s roster at the end of the year.
Brewers have to be on a list of teams to trade a starter. They can not afford both Burnes and Woodruff. Typical of Brewers to be tight lipped on potential deals. But they can not afford both and add Willie Adames wanting something long term.
Unfortunately they will have to deal with what the Reds did last year with their starters at that point in their career. The curse of a small market team.
What’s killing them is Yelich money. I was hoping a deal of Yelich and Burnes to Dodgers for Bellinger. But Dodgers would have to take all of Yelich money. That would free up money to sign Woodruff. Plus do some other things.
You were never getting Yelich and Burnes for Bellinger even if the Dodgers paid all of Yelich’s salary and then some without throwing in at least a pair of prospects.
This “small market” nonsense is getting ridiculous. The Brewers had higher attendance than both the Phillies and the Rangers, and both spend like drunken sailors on shore leave.
Spotrac has the Brewers projected payroll at $112 million with almost $44 million in actual payroll the Brewers should be signing players, not playing paupers
The only nonsense is the large markets pretending there is no advantage for the few teams that can afford to pay the contracts they themselves drive into the stratosphere.
Meanwhile, everyone else hopes they can get some prospects who come together for that 3-4 year window before their players leave for the big money.
And MLB wonders why the sport is dying in flyover country.
Stearns was a bargain hunter. He was great at assembling a bullpen of cheap castoffs from other teams. As Josh Hader said its nice playing for a team who wants to win a world series. Versus the team I played for that just wanted to get into the playoffs.
Pretty sure the battle at 2B for the CWS is going to be between Gonzalez, Sosa and Rodriguez and CWS are fine with going with the hot hand even if it means shuffling them up and down from AAA. The only other choice is a late spring signing of Andrus or someone and I’m not quite sure the $$ equal that much greater production than what you have in house.
Andrus once said he’d be willing to play 2B.
However, I believe he is still hoping to sign a lucrative SS deal.
Therefore, Sox still waiting on Andrus.
The battle SHOULD include Rodriguez, but for some stupid reason, Leury Garcia is coming back for a 10th effing season. One of the farm graders out there (BA, or Baseball Prospectus) had said that the Weakest position in any farm in all of baseball is 2B for the Chicago White Sox. Mostly due to Rodriguez primarily playing SS, along with Montgomery, who is also a prime candidate to move to 2B.
Next poll on MLBTR? On which team does the released/DFA’d/traded Trevor Bauer land?
Also, as much as NY & Detroit line up as trade partners – NY needs a LF &/or reliever, Detroit needs MIF – I don’t see a trade coming together because of Cashman’s incessant need to win each trade.
interesting thought … what if the marlins come into play for the trade for bauer. At some point the dodgers are going to just assume salary.. Imagine getting a potential ace starter for the price of a reliever (think what the yankees did for chapman arguably top closer).. Probably not going to happen
I don’t think that’s unreasonable though, and it is very interesting to consider. I’d love to see him go to a small market like the Marlins. Someone is going to pick him up (imo) and it is very interesting to consider which team. I believe the Marlins have just as good a shot as any other team, perhaps better because they have more to offer in trade (although it wouldn’t require too much obviously).
It also wouldn’t surprise me to see him return to the Reds since he played there already and they’re familiar with him.
The Marlins can’t risk turning away the fans they have. I’m guessing he ends up in a big market with a lot of other story lines so he can blend in. Seems like a Met or Yankee waiting to happen to me..even though neither needs him right now.
Interesting thought if the Dodgers take on 20 million or so of contract.
The Reds used to shy away from controversial guys but after seeing guys like Puig and Pham brought into town I think that has changed under the current management.
Reds: Yes, I agree. I fully expect them to eat a large portion or teams will simply wait for him to clear the ten days and pick him up on the Dodger’s dime (similar to Hosmer). I don’t think anyone will pay him anywhere near his current rate to acquire him and the Dodgers seem to be willing to eat the money to get rid of him.
The Angels and the Padres are the two teams that are in win now mode, the Padres because of Juan Soto and the Angels because of Ohtani, I could see both teams having interest in putting Bauer in the rotation, but would the Dodgers send Bauer to SD?
Speaking of the Angels, where is Trumbo? Haven’t seen him in the board for a while.
@bwmiller
I can’t see the Dodgers letting him go to SD…or the Giants for that matter. That doesn’t seem to be in their DNA, outside looking in.
It is quite idiotic to just release him, as they can probably trade him and eat some salary to buy prospects. I would really love Bauer, but the team has enough pitching. If he is signing for the league minimum, every front office should be interested. A former Cy Young winner deserves a second chance, and maybe even a third or fourth. Manny Ramirez got a few.
Rangers: Yeah, business-wise I agree, but this is politically motivated and they {appear} to be willing to eat his salary to be rid of the PR nightmare, according to Dodgerblue (social media reporting) & Sports Illustrated. If they do it remains to be seen. But, they only have until the 6th to add him to their 40-man.
I don’t see the big markets taking a flier in him, especially the Yankees, because he’s to politically volatile & very outspoken. Yankees do not like that.
Screw political correctness. How is he outspoken? It’s just the legal troubles, right?
No, I was referring to when he was very outspoken about sticky stuff, MLB, and Cole specifically. He made a lot of public statements that were unpopular. The Yankees do not like guys going off script like that and tend to shy away from players who are like that.
To clarify, my statement wasn’t an admonishment of Bauer or an indictment on his actions (I’m just observing how the Yanks typically interact with players perceived behaviors).
@Clipper- let’s just keep Trevor Bauer as far away from the Yankees as possible. I wouldn’t care if he went to Boston, Toronto, Tampa, or Houston. That guy’s the worst. Buyer Beware.
I don’t think you have to worry, Cap. Although they did take Chapman, the circumstances were far less public, far less shocking to the conscience of many people, less divisive a topic, and NY is in a market with a very volatile fanbase. I don’t even see dummy Cashman making that type of move.
Now, again, I’m refraining from interjecting my personal opinion on Bauer & his actions because my opinion is irrelevant to how the Yanks/Cashman/Hal feel about him. I believe they will stay far away though.
Chapman is one I would want on Texas, given their relief woes. I do believe Chapman’s off field issues were similar, though.
Yeah, although depending on how his recovery goes this offseason you may be better off with Britton, honestly. That’s got nothing to do with the personal issues, but Britton doesn’t have the control issues Chapman does.
@yc tbh i think trevor might have pitched his last pitch in mlb, and i think it has to more with his personality than anything (thou some of his legal issues aren’t helping either), the guy is a head case and a pr nightmare. then again i’ve been wrong before and it only takes one team to pick him up and they will try to spin it somehow that he is a changed man and is working on being a “better person”. here is the million dollar questions after almost 2 years of not throwing a bb (least competitively) is he even worth picking up, will he even be an effective pitcher at this point, and who is going to be the one to bring him in and deal with the blow back not only from those on your roster but the fans as well.
Brodie: First, Merry Christmas & Happy New Year, my friend! Good luck to your Cards this upcoming year!
On Bauer, yes, it also would not surprise me if he’s thrown his last MLB pitch, because intellectually, that makes sense. What business wants to chance it, right? Then I remember, these are just people looking to gain advantage and justify their actions for their own benefit (human nature), and I talk myself back into Bauer being picked up by several teams….
It’ll be interesting for sure, man. Either way, LAD should just rip the bandaid off instead of waiting until the 6th. Curious to see what happens when it all shakes out. One thing is for sure: he’s just about the most divisive individual in MLB.
@yc ty and merry christmas and happy new year to you as well and gl to your yanks this year as well. when it comes to trevor in lad i think the top brass is having a “come to jesus “ moment on what to do, in the end i see him being released due to the other 25 players on the ml roster don’t want him around. one thing is for sure the whole trevor thing is going to be wild, and i have my popcorn and budweiser ready to see how this all plays out.
You think that dry heat and Chapman’s used up arm are a good combination?
The problem is it would be incredibly difficult to sell Bauer to anyone. The 29 other teams didn’t have their heads in the sand during the whole Bauer debacle and 29 other Owners/GM’s no the PR nightmare that acquiring Bauer will bring
A majority of fans don’t know or don’t care. It’s maybe 10-15% tops who do and try to get the others to care, but they rarely succeed. The Yankees didn’t seem to have fans boycotting over Chapman. The angriest and most vocal fans don’t represent a majority of fans.
From the current sociopolitical landscape it feels like the Chapman inciden might as well have been 100 years ago. Bauer was not well liked to start with so i don’t know what the level of interest from other teams will be regardless of the fans
Man, I’ll tell you, both you & Degrom bring up excellent points RSox. It’s exactly why I won’t be surprised either way this thing plays out, honestly.
I could see ALL teams treating Bauer like the plague; or I could see Ranger’s point about teams figuring, “people have short memories, they’ll forget;” or I could see half one way and half the other.
It’s precisely what makes this impending situation so intriguing to me. I could see it playing out any way really, and the only way I’ll be surprised is if he goes to the Yankees or other large market team.
Nonetheless, you both have valid positions, man. I am surprised this isn’t a betting line on Draft Kings though…..
I can practically guarantee you regardless of how this shakes out Bauer will not be a Yankee
i dunno there is an interesting scenario out there … the dodgers have bauer they want to get rid of and kind of an issue at 3b and potentially cf, the yankees have donaldson they are trying to get rid of and potentially hicks with a lot of young infielders coming up. Something out there might work out dollar and prospect wise.
Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer can barely co-exist on the same planet, let alone in the same locker room. As much as i dislike the Yankees that’s a toxic environment waiting to happen and Boone is not the guy to manage it
Is Cole a feminist? Just curious
The Cardinals can use Wendle as their missing Left Handed Hitting depth. Also, the Marlins can use some OF depth and the Cardinals have plenty in the AA and A ball..
@WinCor, looks like the Marlin’s owner is trying to be competitive with 100 +/- mil payroll. Not much wiggle room left there. Is Ng trying to do this via the position player FA market? Looks like it. They got Segura. Lost out on Abreau, Drury and the LA 3rd baseman. Probably lost out on others as well plus in competition with the Mancini’s of the market?
CF is the exception? Reynolds in Pittsburgh for some of their pitching depth? Otherwise leave pitching depth intact as much as possible for this year and future ones.
The Marlins have lots of corner OF depth, they need a CF (like so many others). However, someone like Yepez who can also play 1B might be of interest for the Marlins
I would trade Jonathan India to the White Sox for Oscar Colas.
Doubt the Sox would do that. It’d be trading one hole for another, and they have even fewer in-house options in RF.
I bet u would trade that -0.4 WAR 2B for Colas.
No thanks!!
Colas will be 2023 AL ROY!!
@#1WhiteSoxFan
That’s ok, we will be glad to keep him. Considering India was an actual ROY and hurt most of last year, betting he will have a better career than a prospect who hasn’t proven a thing yet in the majors.
You can have your WAR or any other new fangled stat. I’ll take my eyes and no one has more heart, hustle, and team spirit than India.
I like India, and his WAR from last year is deceptive, but he honestly reminds me of Gordon Beckham in all the wrong ways. Hope I’m wrong, but gutting a team after fast tracking a guy is not a good way to develop them.
As for Colas, I’d see them more willing to party with Cespedes. Yolbert Sanchez could make some sense, he played very well last year but is buried so deep he isn’t likely to get an opportunity.
I wouldn’t. Trade an established major leaguer for a minor leaguer who hasn’t proven a thing in MLB straight up?
No way the cubs deal Sampson. Way too valuable as a swingman. I could see the Brewers trading anybody though depending on how the season starts.
No way you just said ADRIAN SAMPSON is too valuable to trade.
For the small return he will get yes I sid. He has been very good as the sixth starter,spot starter, long reliever type. I think the cubs see him as too valuable to their pitching staff to trade. Maybe I’m wrong.
Can others also ask about the contract statuses of Gurriel and Flexen? They don’t have the service time to become free agents, but some sites besides bref say they should be due to contracts. Quite a few people have been confused by this in prior threads, so if many are curious, maybe one of us will get chosen. I am asking that, but if anyone else is curious and doesn’t have a question already, maybe that might be a good one. I haven’t heard a definitive cutoff for this one. Matt Bush has a few years left despite becoming a free agent before and signing a minor league deal for 1 year.
Flexen signed a contract coming back from Korea that effectively negated his service time requirement to reach FA. BBREF doesn’t factor that in. It was the same thing for Chris Martin for some time as well – it’s just a numerical estimate.
The White Sox are stuck in a limbo of their own creation. They are unwilling to trade from their major league roster and they are lacking in any depth to do so anyway. There is nothing in the minor league cupboard of any interest to anyone to trade. Anything halfway decent already graduated. And lastly, the owner is unwilling to spend to acquire anyone. Their core is talented with a bat, lousy with a glove and headed for a second place finish. This team has frustration written all over it.
Trade what? The “Core” guys they have have either underperformed, have been massively injured or both. No one is taking Moncada, Burger, Grandal, they aren’t giving up Robert, Vaughn or Cease. It’s a bad faith argument that White Sox fans should be smart enough to realize is just bait.
They were also pathetic offensively last year. The team leader in RBI was Vaughn with 76. I don’t want to put all of their woes on Menechino, but he has a trash factory for thr Marlins for 3 straight years too.
As for not having anything anyone wants, they have several project middle to end of rotation starters that are still in need of another year of AAA, Oscar Colas, who last I checked came in as 98th best prospect in the MLB, and Colson Montgomery, who teams have been asking about since last year. By no means do I think they can pry a bona-fide all star at the deadline with what they have, but you can do a hell of a lot better than Lenyn Sosa, Leury Garcia and Romy Gonzalez.
Obviously they hid the correct link for the chat….. or Steve fell asleep perhaps?
Of course I try to delete this when I see how dumb I was to assume ET, not CT, and I can’t edit or delete.
Sooooooooo, yep, uh, how about them Yankees….?
Awkward.
so which 2022 playoff teams have not done enough so far to make the 2023 playoffs?
Merrifield plays 2B and OF with Grifol as WSOX MANAGER having been on the Royals being familiar with him.DO A blockbuster deal with Sox moving Anderson, Giolito,and prospect for Jays Merrifield,Bichette,and Kirk.