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NL Notes: Cease, Braves, Nationals, Hampson, D’Backs

By Mark Polishuk | December 3, 2023 at 2:42pm CDT

The Braves are known to have trade interest in Dylan Cease, and given the team’s penchant for signing players to long-term extensions, locking up a Georgia native like Cease would seem like a logical next step if a deal can be worked out to obtain the righty from the White Sox.  However, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal points out a possible obstacle — Cease is represented by Scott Boras, who traditionally advises his clients to test free agency rather than sign long-term extensions.

Enough high-profile Boras clients have signed extensions that this isn’t at all a hard-and-fast rule, since as Rosenthal notes, Boras will ultimately operate according to his client’s demands.  But it is perhaps noteworthy for this particular scenario, since Atlanta president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos rarely acquires Boras Corporations clients, even though both Anthopoulos and Boras have denied any lack of communication or lack of connection between the two sides.  Trading for and extending Cease would be a way of putting this narrative to bed, though it remains to be seen if Atlanta will instead opt for another frontline pitcher besides Cease as the Braves continue to look for rotation help.

More from the National League…

  • Not much has changed in the Lerner family’s attempts to sell the Nationals, as the search is now approaching two full years since news first broke of the Lerners’ explorations about a sale.  The Washington Post’s Chelsea Janes provides something of an update on the situation, though Ted Leonsis remains the top suitor but still seems unwilling to meet the Lerners’ desired price of around $2.4 billion.  Leonsis’ last offer topped the $2 billion mark, but the Lerners don’t appear in any hurry to make a sale unless Leonsis or another bidder ups the ante.  The seemingly neverending dispute with the Orioles about MASN broadcasting revenues also still remains a sticking point in any ownership discussions.  In terms of how this translates to the on-field product, Janes notes that the Nationals’ low payroll has more to do with the team’s rebuild strategy than it does a concerted effort to cut costs in advance of a potential sale.
  • The Diamondbacks had some interest in Garrett Hampson before the utilityman signed with the Royals earlier this week, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.  The versatile Hampton would’ve been a backup at several positions off the bench, and in particularly been a right-handed hitting complement to Alek Thomas or Geraldo Perdomo at center field or shortstop, respectively.  Right-handed hitting is a priority for the D’Backs in general, and Piecoro suggests that J.D. Martinez might be a candidate for a return to Arizona, based off GM Mike Hazen’s recent comments about how the Diamondbacks could be open to a DH-centric player who swings from the right side.  Arizona has already landed one notable right-handed bat this offseason in acquiring Eugenio Suarez from the Mariners.
  • Sticking with the National League champs, the Diamondbacks named Shaun Larkin as their new director of player development earlier this week.  Larkin has spent the last three seasons as the Dodgers’ field coordinator as part of an eight-year tenure in L.A., and he previously had a long history as a minor league player, coach, and manager in Cleveland’s farm system.  Larkin’s hiring is the latest move in a D’Backs offseason that has seen quite a bit of turnover in the front office and coaching ranks, though as Hazen told Piecoro, “we 100 percent expected it.  This is what happens when you have a successful season….Bringing some outside perspectives into the organization in terms of what’s going on in scouting and player development around the game, I think is important.”
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Arizona Diamondbacks Atlanta Braves Chicago White Sox Los Angeles Dodgers Notes Washington Nationals Dylan Cease Garrett Hampson Ted Leonsis

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View Comments (73)
Post a Comment

73 Comments

  1. braveshomer

    2 years ago

    We’ve been scammeering for another legit Starter for 3 seasons now….not sure what makes this off season any different that something actually happens. Hope I’m wrong, but all the bullpen additions say other wise

    5
    Reply
    • Blue Baron

      2 years ago

      Scammeering is neither a real word nor a thing.

      9
      Reply
      • Sherm623

        2 years ago

        But it’s an awesome nonword nonthing

        19
        Reply
        • KyleT

          2 years ago

          Im scammeering just thinking about it! Awesome word.

          8
          Reply
      • BlueSkies_LA

        2 years ago

        It’s a neologism, or at least a wannabe neologism.

        1
        Reply
      • LLGiants64

        2 years ago

        It is now….

        3
        Reply
      • VINCENT D

        2 years ago

        Blue Karen, I mean Blue Baron, thanks for the grammar lesson.

        12
        Reply
        • Blue Baron

          2 years ago

          OK, Karen D.

          3
          Reply
      • sufferforsnakes

        2 years ago

        I actually like it, and going forward will be scammeering for ways to use it in my daily conversations.

        1
        Reply
    • braveshomer

      2 years ago

      ‘clamoring’ hahaha..oh well I give up lol

      3
      Reply
      • KyleT

        2 years ago

        I thought it was ‘stammering’. I assumed there were a lot of people in Atlanta, with speech problems, that wanted a legit starter. Now Im not so sure.

        7
        Reply
        • runningwithnailclippers

          2 years ago

          Off subject, but you do realize the Reds were the first “Red Stockings” team (and also the first professional baseball team)? How dare you, you wicked Boston Beans fan! Ha. Just kidding.

          Wish your team the best this year.

          2
          Reply
        • richardc

          2 years ago

          ..Well played sir, well played…

          It’s that southern drawl lol

          Reply
      • myaccount2

        2 years ago

        Honestly, I’m glad you clarified “clamoring” because for about two minutes I was trying to figure out the word it was intended to be haha

        Reply
        • braveshomer

          2 years ago

          lol i would give the ‘auto-correct’ excuse but that’s not even to auto correct too…lol sheesh

          2
          Reply
        • myaccount2

          2 years ago

          @braveshomer- It happens and props to you for owning it and being a good sport! We all make flubs like that at some point in life.

          Reply
    • David Barista

      2 years ago

      So if it’s the player and not Boras that gets extensions done, then the agent’s history with a particular team is irrelevant. Who does Boras historically get monster free agent deals done with? Cease and his stache certainly seems to fit New York Yankees.

      Reply
  2. BrettPhillips for Prezident

    2 years ago

    If mozeliak gets Dylan cease, I will walk all the way to St. Louis to apologize for the verbal abuse on behalf of cardinals nation.

    3
    Reply
    • cah011381

      2 years ago

      I’ll join you!!

      1
      Reply
    • This one belongs to the Reds

      2 years ago

      Other teams will take up the verbal abuse, so don’t you worry!

      3
      Reply
  3. nrd1138

    2 years ago

    Ahhh, know I see why the Sox do not want to hold him, any BorA$$ client is going to be a pain to deal with if you are the White Sox org, but hey let it be another teams issue. That all being said, I just do not see the White Sox getting good talent for him, or they somehow get good prospects, but fail to develop them.

    6
    Reply
  4. BlueSkies_LA

    2 years ago

    When exactly did Boras become a tradition?

    Reply
    • Blue Baron

      2 years ago

      Not a tradition so much as the best agent in the business.

      1
      Reply
      • rondon

        2 years ago

        He’s not infallible. He completely overplayed his hand with Correa last season.

        3
        Reply
        • mlb fan

          2 years ago

          Boras does well for the top 5% of players. The other 95% not so much.

          1
          Reply
        • Blue Baron

          2 years ago

          @rondon: Of course he’s not infallible, but that’s not his job. His job is to advocate for his clients, and he’s the best at it. Hence his popularity and success.

          I don’t understand why any fans blame him for getting more money for players. They might as well just root for the owners.

          Reply
        • Blue Baron

          2 years ago

          @mlb fan: But he does well for 95% or more of his clients. That’s all he’s responsible for.

          1
          Reply
        • bhambrave

          2 years ago

          He’s not responsible for 100% of his clients? If he were my agent and I was in the 5%, I’d be pissed.

          3
          Reply
        • rondon

          2 years ago

          More money does not always equate to “best”. Either does loudest. And owners? They’re as obnoxious as he is.

          1
          Reply
        • Blue Baron

          2 years ago

          @rondon: It does equate to best if it’s what his clients want.

          Reply
        • Blue Baron

          2 years ago

          @bhambrave: Obviously he’s responsible for 100% of his clients. Duh.

          But he’s not responsible for anyone who’s not his client.

          Reply
        • runningwithnailclippers

          2 years ago

          According to his 2022 year of sports contracts, Boras was worth 3.2 billion dollars in salaries he maintains for his contracted players. That was almost 1.4 billion more then second place, Jeff Schwarz of Excel. So, yes, he is the best in what an agent is supposed to do for his clients: make them the most money.

          1
          Reply
        • runningwithnailclippers

          2 years ago

          Hey Baron:
          According to a collection of data based on dollars of contracts (2022), Boras was tops at 3.2 billion in contracts he brokered. That was nearly 1.4 bil. more then Schwarz at Excel in the same year. So yes sir, you are correct, he is the best at doing what his clients want the most: money, baby!

          1
          Reply
        • Blue Baron

          2 years ago

          @running: He is the best, but I don’t understand the animosity of some fans toward him.

          Reply
        • runningwithnailclippers

          2 years ago

          @Baron: I don’t either. If I were in the players’ position, I would want the person who could broker me the best deal. Also, Boras has worked his ass off to be where he is, so he should be seen as someone to envy (or at least understood), not hated.

          1
          Reply
        • stymeedone

          2 years ago

          You root for the TEAM and want the TEAM to do well. No one likes when good players from your favorite team sign with someone else. Its easier to blame the agent, or the owner. No one really cares about either, other than assigning blame. No one roots for the owner or the agent.

          2
          Reply
        • DeepDownSouth

          2 years ago

          Why not root for the owners? Without them you don’t have a team in your city or a team to root for? Why are fans so disrespectful to owners? I think ignorance falls onto the fans at that juncture. I guarantee they didn’t make their millions or billions owning any sport franchise. They made it selling crap to everyone at a high level. We need owners more than we need agents

          Reply
        • DeepDownSouth

          2 years ago

          If you owned a business would you pay your workers until you out of business or make as much $$$$ as you can? I know the honest answer for that but won’t read it here

          Reply
        • DeepDownSouth

          2 years ago

          Wonder how Boras ranks in salary compared to the owners net gain? Anyone care to make n educated guess?

          Reply
        • DeepDownSouth

          2 years ago

          Because he makes or breaks teams. That’s why the the largest % of top teams are stay on too. Chicago White Sox have literally a non-existent fanbase yet the Cubs can pack Wrigley every game with a last place club. Sox need to move from the Southside bc of economics there

          Reply
        • Blue Baron

          2 years ago

          @DeepDownSouth: And without the top 1,250 or so players in the world, the owners wouldn’t have teams or MLB.

          It’s easier to find rich people lining up to buy MLB franchises than to find the players capable of performing at that level.

          Reply
        • Blue Baron

          2 years ago

          @stymeedone: But as an adult, you understand that it’s a business and players earn the right to choose where they play, and that the decision to leave or re-sign is a two-way street involving both player and team.

          Reply
      • BlueSkies_LA

        2 years ago

        Just to be clear, not my choice of words to describe what he does, but the one used in the article.

        3
        Reply
  5. MacGromit

    2 years ago

    So the rub on Cease isn’t just the trade assets to exchange with the White Sox but also the chances of an extension when Boras is driving the negotiations? Yikes. I’d not realized that he was a Boras client. That changes things a but and makes just 1 yr of a more proven Corbin Burnes a but more attractive now.

    4
    Reply
    • AG7

      2 years ago

      Burnes is also a Boras client

      1
      Reply
  6. desertdawg

    2 years ago

    Being a Dbacks fan I would like to see JD Martinez once again in a DBack uniform..

    9
    Reply
    • 84LeFlore

      2 years ago

      Being a Tigers fan, I’d like to see that happen, too. Good guy, good fit for him to go for a WS ring.

      3
      Reply
      • stymeedone

        2 years ago

        I wouldn’t mind seeing him replace Miggy in Detroit.

        1
        Reply
  7. Mercenary.Freddie.Freeman

    2 years ago

    Not sure Cease is the answer he’s lost almost 3 mph of his fastball and the Boras agent thing makes me think AA looks elsewhere. I didn’t realize Bieber lost a few mph of his fastball as well. I would like to see what AJSS can do myself.

    12
    Reply
    • runningwithnailclippers

      2 years ago

      Bieber has lost a lot of velocity and if I were a team, I wouldn’t give much up for him. Cease will demand a good bit more. Would the Braves be willing to shed some prospects? I being a Reds fan, kind of hope the Reds attempt a trade.

      2
      Reply
    • AG7

      2 years ago

      That’s only if you compare his velo from the shortened 2020. He was still hitting 95-97 in Sept. Durability is another huge plus for him.

      1
      Reply
      • DeepDownSouth

        2 years ago

        Not really durability but more a control issue, but we’ve seen of of the 2 of worse control pitchers in history make huge steps in that area as they got older. Nolan Ryan & Big Unit Johnson

        Reply
        • AG7

          2 years ago

          yea the walks are really the only concern I have with Cease, which can be ironed out like you said

          Reply
  8. The Big Yo

    2 years ago

    Dbacks get Cease and one more relatively high profile executor they’ll be the favorites for it all

    2
    Reply
  9. Joel P

    2 years ago

    I like Tyler ONeill as a fit for the Diamondbacks. He has big upside but he’s risky so going to a team with outfield depth like the Diamondbacks have makes sense. Also a righty bat. Could basically replace Gurriel. Possibly ONeill and someone like Palacios for one of the lefty hitting outfielders like Fletcher or Mccarthy.

    1
    Reply
    • Blue Baron

      2 years ago

      @Joel P: That’s not a fit. The Cardinals don’t need to trade for outfielders.

      Reply
      • Joel P

        2 years ago

        ONeill and Carlson are almost certainly going to be traded. Include Palacios and the Cardinals would need another outfielder.

        Reply
    • Joel P

      2 years ago

      Every one of those guys you named is left handed. And both Mccarthy and Fletcher are better used as 4th or 5th outfielders at this point.

      How about Alek for Alek? Manoah for Thomas that could make sense. And then do the ONeill deal I suggested.

      Reply
      • Joel P

        2 years ago

        But the outfield is full of lefties. That’s an issue. And there are a lot of teams that need lefty outfielders especially ones that can play center which most of theirs can.

        Reply
  10. HalosHeavenJJ

    2 years ago

    The Boras clients who sign extensions have generally been with a team since the minors. At least a few years.

    Reply
    • outinleftfield

      2 years ago

      Betts’ agent is Boras.

      Reply
  11. bhambrave

    2 years ago

    Boras doesn’t tell players what to do, but they listen to him and mostly follow his advice. To say that he merely does what the players want is a little simplistic.

    4
    Reply
    • cadagan

      2 years ago

      Players choose Boras as an agent, to negotiate and listen to.
      If it’s all up to the player, why would you hire Boras, and then chose not to listen?
      If Boras is not their thing, they have a choice. There are multitudes of alternate possibilities.

      If someone were to think of Boras as the devil ( I do not),
      But just spitballing here.
      Wouldn’t they kinda know what they’re getting into when you make the deal with him? Know what his tendencies are. I suppose there are exceptions to a player not knowing…

      2
      Reply
      • DeepDownSouth

        2 years ago

        But I’m sure you think of your favorite team owner as a greedy devil, right? I really wonder how many teams have just 1 owner? I’ve never checked. White Sox fans blame Reinsdorf of being cheap, but I believe he’s somewhere between a 15-20 % owner of Sox making him the majority owner. Still has to answer to the others

        Reply
  12. Mikenmn

    2 years ago

    Boras is very good at his job. Occasionally he misjudges his player’s market and messes up, but his “stats” are fairly good, Part of his job is to also talk his player up, to the owners and to the media. Sometimes he says things that make us roll our eyes. But the guy gets results the vast majority of the time.

    1
    Reply
  13. cadagan

    2 years ago

    I also did not check who was the agent.
    I felt like there was a better than 50% chance, if traded, it would be to the Braves because of GM familiarity, recent dialogue, and local connections.
    But yeah, Boras is usually the antithesis of how ATL operates. I was wrong.

    1
    Reply
  14. Chaval0n

    2 years ago

    I See Marcus Stroman Or EROD
    Jorge Soler Or Teoscar Hernandez
    Jordan Hicks Or Liam Hendriks
    Going To Arizona

    1
    Reply
    • DeepDownSouth

      2 years ago

      Hendricks will miss probably miss all of next year where he’ll be what? 38ish when he comes back

      Reply
  15. Asmongold

    2 years ago

    Rosenthal’s examples of ones who signed extensions doesn’t really negate the fact that it is extremely rare for Boras clients to sign long term extensions. And he only cited 3 – Jered Weaver, Elvis Andrus, and Xander Bogaerts. Not exactly yesterdays players.

    Reply
    • AG7

      2 years ago

      Altuve and Strasburg are the only others I know of

      Reply
  16. tmd

    2 years ago

    Apparently, Hampson is so versatile that the s morphed into a t magically in his name. If he can pitch too, then he really IS versatile

    Reply
  17. sufferforsnakes

    2 years ago

    Diamondbacks #1 prospect is a RH bat. Just saying…..

    1
    Reply
  18. User 2952162988

    2 years ago

    Braves depleted farm system would be cleaned out to get Cease. Their #10 prospect Shewmake is now #27 for the SOX, while #7 Cole Phillips now #15 for Seattle, both of which are mid pack farm systems.

    Getz will want a return for Cease that equals or exceeds the returns SOX got for Sale, Eaton, & Quintana. Several teams could beat a hypothetical package from ATL that included each of Grissom, Smith-Sawver, Waldrep & Owen Murphy. My guess is that Cubs or AZ are the teams that could end up meeting that price for Cease.

    Reply

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