Should The Pads Listen To Offers For Gonzalez?
Adrian Gonzalez is not on the block. The Padres aren't contenders, but they want to keep their All-Star first baseman and they have many reasons to hold onto Gonzalez:
- He's their best hitter, with 24 homers and a massive walk total (67).
- He adds value on defense, according to FanGraphs.
- He's just 27, playing in his prime.
- They only have to pay him $3MM this year, $4.75MM next year and $5.6MM the year after that.
- They let Trevor Hoffman walk and publicly tried to deal Jake Peavy, so their fans need to see the team commit to one of its stars.
But some of those same points would make Gonzalez incredibly appealing to other clubs. Here are some reasons the Padres could consider dealing him:
- Their team isn't about to win now, or in the near future.
- Gonzalez could command a Mark Teixeira-esque haul.
- His slugging percentage is 115 points higher on the road this year.
- He hinted that he'd like to play for a winner.
So what are your thoughts? Should the Padres entertain offers for their best player?
Odds And Ends: Chapman, Werth, Marlins
More links for the morning…
- One GM told Brian Lewis of the New York Post that he expects Cuban lefty Aroldis Chapman to sign for less than the $52MM that Daisuke Matsuzaka received before the 2007 season.
- One executive told Lewis that Chapman will need some minor league seasoning.
- Padres GM Kevin Towers told MLB.com's Corey Brock that the Padres tried to sign Jayson Werth a few years ago. Towers is impressed with the former catcher's athleticism in the outfield.
- Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald hears from Marlins president David Samson that the team isn't discussing long term deals with any of its players. Even with a new ballpark on the way, Samson said the Marlins need to be cautious spenders.
- Be sure to follow MLBTR on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook, where we're asking a question that's on everybody's mind: Where will Roy Halladay end up?
Odds And Ends: Holliday, Yabu, Bay, Latos
Some links to look through on the morning of the Midsummer Classic…
- This week's chat will take place today at 2pm CST.
- MLB.com's Mychael Urban keeps hearing about a possible deal that would send Matt Holliday, Orlando Cabrera and salary relief to the Braves for Yunel Escobar and prospects.
- The Giants released Keiichi Yabu yesterday, according to the Kyodo News. He had been pitching in Triple A.
- Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post says Albert Pujols belongs with the elite players in baseball history.
- John Tomase of the Boston Herald says the Red Sox still aren't talking with Jason Bay about an extension, but there are indications they may revisit his contract before the end of the season.
- It looks like the Padres will promote their top pitching prospect, Mat Latos, according to MLB.com's Corey Brock.
- In the second part of my Q&A with NESN.com, I discuss Pedro Martinez, Clay Buchholz and the Mets.
Odds And Ends: Nats, Bruce, Padres, Halladay
Congrats to All-Star Game starters Roy Halladay and Tim Lincecum. What a matchup. Here are some more links to look through…
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says the Nationals "will remain an embarrassment" unless they give Mike Rizzo and Stan Kasten more power.
- Jay Bruce will miss 6-8 weeks, according to Brian Kollars of the Dayton Daily News, but the young outfielder didn't suffer any ligament or tendon damage in his right wrist.
- One talent evaluator told Tom Krasovic that it will be five years before the Padres are good again, so Krasovic creates a blueprint for the team.
- Some of his suggestions: Make the most of every dollar, go after high upside pitching, find out how much Adrian Gonzalez and Heath Bell would bring in a trade.
- WEEI.com's Alex Speier reports that Roy Halladay does not have a list of teams he would accept trades to. Last week Joe McDonald of the Providence Journal reported that Halladay had such a list, but it is not the case.
PTBNL In Scott Hairston Deal: Sean Gallagher
Sean Gallagher is headed to the Padres as part of the Scott Hairston deal, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Gallagher was the player to be named later, eight days after we learned the Padres acquired pitchers Ryan Webb and Craig Italiano for Hairston.
A year ago, Gallagher was regarded as the centerpiece of the package the Cubs sent to Oakland for Rich Harden. However, Gallagher's stock dropped shortly thereafter when a shoulder injury surfaced. He still has upside.
Odds And Ends: Rolen, Gonzalez, Buchholz
Time for more links as we wrap up the weekend after a rain-shortened Futures Game. Well really a rain-prolonged Futures Game, but here are the links either way…
- As Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com points out, there was a time when GMs made a point of attending All-Star Games. This week, many will spend time with their families and message one another from a distance.
- Blue Jays Assistant GM Alex Anthopoulos says the Jays plan on keeping Scott Rolen around through the end of next season, when his contract's up, according to MLB.com's Brian Eller.
- Yahoo's Tim Brown reports that Adrian Gonzalez will continue to be a Padres fan whether he plays in San Diego or not. Gonzalez seems to have confidence in the team's new CEO, Jeff Moorad.
- Clay Buchholz told WEEI.com's Alex Katz that he'll focus on process, not results when he pitches for the Red Sox in Toronto after the break.
Padres Sign Russ Adams
MLB.com's Corey Brock tweets that the Padres have signed Russ Adams to a minor league deal. The Blue Jays designated the former first round pick for assignment last week. Adams has been assigned to Triple-A Portland.
Odds And Ends: Pujols, Pirates, Marlins
Links for Friday…
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says the Cardinals would lock Albert Pujols up to an extension as soon as possible in a perfect world.
- Bud Selig told Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that Pujols, Derek Jeter and Trevor Hoffman are among baseball's best ambassadors.
- Their interest in Miguel Angel Sano is on hold, but that's not stopping the Pirates from being aggressive in Latin America. Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette passes along descriptions of six Pirates signees.
- Greg Cote of the Miami Herald says the Marlins need to acquire a closer, even if it means giving up Cody Ross, Jeremy Hermida or Dan Uggla.
- MLB.com's Mark Bowman reports that possible trade candidate Javier Vazquez will miss his next start with an abdominal strain.
- Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star Tribune asks his readers whether the Twins should trade for Freddy Sanchez.
- The Indians signed second rounder Jason Kipnis, according to a team press release.
- MLB.com's John Torenli reports that Padres prospect Mat Latos pitched five perfect innings last night.
Odds And Ends: Glaus, Magglio, Halladay
More links for the afternoon… for those on Roy Halladay alert, he pitched well today, though he wasn't exactly lights-out.
- Troy Glaus could begin rehabbing this weekend, according to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
- ESPN.com's Rob Neyer says it will be "exceptionally difficult" for Magglio Ordonez to bat 166 more times if he remains in a platoon. If he bats 165 times or less, his $18MM option for 2010 doesn't vest.
- Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News says there's almost no way the Yankees would agree to take on Vernon Wells' salary in a potential Roy Halladay deal.
- Jay Jaffe of Baseball Prospectus writes on ESPN.com that the Phillies need Halladay now. The Rangers, Brewers, Angels and Cardinals fill out Jaffe's list of teams that need Doc most.
- Diamond Leung reports that the Padres acquired minor league catcher Yamid Haad from the Mariners organization and assigned him to Triple A.
- Lost and found: Bartolo Colon will start tonight for Triple A Charlotte, according to Mark Gonzales.
Padres DFA Walter Silva
According to Corey Brock of MLB.com, the Padres have designated RHP Walter Silva for assignment. Infielder Craig Stansberry has been recalled to replace Silva on the roster.
The Padres had inked the 32-year-old Silva to a minor league deal in February out of the Mexican Winter League. Silva started six games for the Padres and put up an ugly 8.76 ERA and 11/15 K/BB ratio in 24.2 innings. Brock notes the Padres don't have to make up Silva's rotation spot until Saturday, so it's unclear who will replace him for now.