Trade Candidates: Outfielders
This year’s outfielders have a lot to live up to on July 31st. It was just a year ago that the Red Sox parted with Manny Ramirez and acquired Jason Bay. This time, Matt Holliday’s the big name, but there are also a few cheap, powerful players out there for teams looking to add an outfielder. Here’s your list of trade candidates, ranked from highest 2009 salary to lowest:
- Matt Holliday – At $13.5MM, Holliday's pricey, but he's a good defender with a history of batting excellence. With just seven extra base hits in the last month, Holliday's no longer perceived as a sure thing.
- Jermaine Dye - He makes $11.5MM this year and there's a mutual option with a $1MM buyout for 2010 on his deal. The White Sox want to win now though, so Dye doesn't appear to be on the block.
- Gary Matthews Jr. – The Angels would presumably pick up salary in any deal involving Matthews, as he makes $10MM this year and $23MM over the course of the next two years.
- Juan Pierre – Another overpaid outfielder in LA, Pierre makes $10MM this year and $18.5MM over the course of the next two. At least he's hitting well, with an OBP approaching .400 and a career-high slugging percentage.
- Alex Rios – He makes $5.9MM this year and has $60MM more coming his way between now and 2014. His teammate, Vernon Wells likely could not be traded.
- David Dejesus – Under contract for $3.6MM this year, he can play all three outfield positions, but his .714 OPS is ordinary.
- Mark Teahen – Makes $3.6MM as well and can play the outfield, though he's been manning third for the Royals. He has a .344 OBP and 27 extra base hits.
- Jeff Francoeur – He's struggled since last year and makes $3.4MM this season, so the suitors are not lining up for Francoeur.
- Josh Willingham – He has 10 homers for a .534 slugging percentage and he'll earn $3MM in 2009. Mike Rizzo says Adam Dunn's staying in Washington.
- Luke Scott - He makes just $2.4MM this year and won't be a free agent until after 2012, so the Orioles have a cheap, powerful asset on their hands. They have three talented outfielders already in Nolan Reimold, Nick Markakis and Adam Jones, so they could conceivably part with Scott.
- Jeremy Hermida – With good patience, some power and a $2.25MM contract, Hermida could appeal to teams in need of a bat.
- Cody Ross – Like Scott, Ross is cheap and powerful. He's slugging .505 and makes just $2.2MM this year. He's scheduled to hit free agency after 2011.
- Scott Hairston – He was just traded, but he plays solid defense and has extra base power, so Hairston, who makes $1.25MM this year, could appeal to other teams.
- Ryan Spilborghs – Apparently the Rockies would prefer to hold onto Spilborghs, who's under team control for three more years and makes just $415k this season.
The Tigers, Braves, Mets, Giants and Reds could all look for outfield bats.
Odds And Ends: Delcarmen, Jays, Perez
Links for Thursday morning…
- Boston native Manny Delcarmen tries not to let rumors about his future distract him, as Steve Buckley of the Boston Herald reports.
- As Newsday's Ken Davidoff notes, J.P. Ricciardi's commitments to A.J. Burnett and B.J. Ryan hurt the Jays more than they helped.
- Rob Neyer of ESPN.com says Oliver Perez's return was "just short of a disaster." The Mets lefty is under contract for two and a half more seasons.
- None of the players on this list are getting traded again, but it's worth checking out Tom Verducci's ten most thrilling players ever.
- If you're wondering what trade chips might interest the Blue Jays, check out the mid-season edition of Baseball America's Top 25 Prospects.
- I'll be talking trade rumors on 830 KLAA in Los Angeles at 6:05 CST. Also, check out my chat on the Mike Heller Show on ESPN 1070 from yesterday afternoon.
- Remember to follow MLBTR on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.
Roy Halladay Rumors: Thursday
All of this morning's Roy Halladay rumors:
- Could the Red Sox make a play for Halladay? Sure, but Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe says "they won't."
- Nick Cafardo of the Globe says the Red Sox hadn't inquired about Halladay as of late yesterday afternoon.
- Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald says the Red Sox would have to be prepared to surrender Clay Buchholz and two other top prospects to acquire Halladay.
- Josh Beckett told Rob Bradford of WEEI.com that he'd like to pitch in the same rotation as Halladay, but thinks the Red Sox have enough talent to win already.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post believes the Jays would need "near-perfect health and near-peak production" to contend next year, so their best chance to obtain more than draft picks for their ace could be right now.
- Halladay's one of the best, but as Joe Berkery reminds us, Doc struggled mightily before finding his place in the majors.
- Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun lists the Angels and Brewers as the leaders to acquire Halladay.
- Andy Martino and Jim Salisbury of the Philadelphia Inquirer report that the Phillies have been in regular contact with the Jays about Halladay and are "serious players."
- They may be the favorites, but Sherman hears that the Cardinals and Rangers have real interest, and the Angels do too.
Maggs In Platoon; 2010 Option May Not Kick In
Magglio Ordonez and Clete Thomas are now platooning in right field, which could prevent Magglio's $18MM option from vesting for next year. Because he played regularly last season, Maggs needs to start 126 games or bat 457 times for his option to kick in. He won't likely start 126 games, since Thomas will get the call against righties, but 457 plate appearances remain within Maggs' grasp.
Olney On Halladay, Bay, Mulder
Any team with serious plans to acquire Roy Halladay cannot approach the Blue Jays with a list of untouchable players, as ESPN.com's Buster Olney points out. Here are the details:
- If the Phillies want Halladay, they'll have to be prepared to discuss players like Michael Taylor, Dominic Brown, Kyle Drabek and Jason Knapp.
- The Nats have a powerful young catcher in SIngle A. Derek Norris has already clubbed 20 homers, one for every year he's been alive.
- If Jason Bay signs a contract extension early, he'll determine how much Matt Holliday receives on the open market after the season. Bay's older than Holliday, but he has 12 more homers and an OPS that's 100 points better than Holliday's, so he figures to sign for more.
- The Mariners could think about extending Jarrod Washburn, Erik Bedard and Russell Branyan after the season if they don't trade them.
- Mark Mulder wants to pitch in the majors soon and he expects to begin auditioning for scouts in the next week or ten days.
Brewers DFA Chris Narveson, Call On Parra
The Brewers designated reliever Chris Narveson for assignment to make room for Manny Parra, according to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Narveson, a 27-year-old lefty, pitched 10.2 innings this year, striking out nine, allowing five walks and fifteen hits for an unsightly ERA of 8.44.
Marlins & Pirates Talking Capps; Aren’t Close
The Marlins, who have signed three relievers this week, are talking with the Pirates about trading for another. Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports that the Marlins have maintained contact with the Pirates about closer Matt Capps, though the two sides are not close to a deal.
Amaro: Phils Have Flexibility To Add An Ace
Everyone else says the Phillies are frontrunners for Roy Halladay, but what about the Phillies themselves? GM Ruben Amaro Jr. told MLB.com's Todd Zolecki that he has "flexibility" to add a stud pitcher. Though Amaro Jr. spoke only in general terms, the conversation was largely about Halladay.
Sherman: Yankees Won’t Trade For Halladay
Yankees officials told Joel Sherman of the New York Post that there's zero chance they trade for Roy Halladay, for the same reasons they didn't deal for Johan Santana. The cost in terms of both salary and prospects is too high.
White Sox Sign Top Pick Jared Mitchell
The White Sox are set to sign top pick Jared Mitchell, according to MLB.com's Scott Merkin. The 20-year-old hasn't officially signed, but he's expected to sign soon and report to Class A tomorrow. The White Sox, who selected Mitchell 23rd overall, haven't disclosed the terms of the bonus they'll award their top pick. Mitchell met the media and Ozzie Guillen at U.S. Cellular Field today.
MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo now says it's a done deal. The bonus is for $1.2MM, according to PGCrossChecker.com.