NFT: MLB Trade Deadline Thread - Wednesday

for Lester. I don't see it happening though. If LA gets him that is a sic 1-4 rotation: Kershaw, Grenke, Lester, Ryu.

CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reports that the Dodgers and Cardinals "appear to be the teams most aggressively competing" for Jon Lester and David Price.
Lester is virtually certain to get moved after being scratched from Wednesday's scheduled start, while Price's status is more up the air with the Rays back in the playoff hunt. Heyman writes that the Pirates "are still involved to some degree on the Lester front, but they are reluctant to surrender top prospects for a rental, seeming to place them third in the derby at the moment." The A's have also been mentioned as a potential suitor for Lester, but it appears that they may have fallen back from the pack, as well. It could be an interesting battle between the Dodgers and Cardinals for Lester and perhaps Price, as they both have the prospects to deal and the room to add payroll.
Jul 30 - 8:58 AM

in the lineup today for the Phillies.

I think it's likely. Pulling him from his start is more of a "just in case" courtesy that would give him an extra start for a team that acquires him but it's still *if* one acquires him. I hope, and am pretty sure, that Cherington has a price in mind and if it's not met he'll be just as happy to move onto other Sox players and other deals.

The White Sox are looking at the affiliates of the Yankees, Blue Jays, and Red Sox as they consider offers for John Danks. And the Red Sox have scouted the Triple-A affiliate of the Braves, who are said to be very interested in lefty Andrew Miller.

says there is nothing in the Atlanta minors that Boston really wants. Actually, I think it really said that the SOx want a power-hitting corner OF and Atlanta doesn't have one that the Sox would want. Atlanta has a pretty poor farm system overall, I guess.

is the headline prospect Boston wants to pry from any deal with the Dodgers...he's ready to be called-up like yesterday and absolutely mashes.

do not have a power hitting CO prospect. Their system isn't great but they do have some intriguing names. I doubt they would give up Peraza for a rental so they don't have a headliner type.

says it's dodgers or pirates and most feel it's not if, but when Lester is dealt, no dodgers named specifically, but pirates was Josh Bell

they're often wrong (98.5 ESPN Radio), but sometimes pretty close to what actually happens.

Buster Olney �@Buster_ESPN � 2m
The Yankees are picking through the second tier of starting pitchers and one guy they've discussed is Brett Anderson.

.

Some speculation the Cardinals are "more open" to listening on Taveras than before... "for the right guy", that guy apparently would be a Tulo/Price and not Lester.

keep that in mind.

If he pitches well for them and they want him back, they'll be able to afford him.

Not sure what I'd give up for him though.

Brett Anderson is going to be one of the more intriguing FA options available. Career 3.57 FIP, 27 in Feb.

That is why the cards are willing to listen to offers. His trade value has to be no where near it was then let's say early June.

has 92 total ab's, Cardinals are far too smart to sour on a player with such a ridiculously small SS.

apparently has a team option which explains the Yankee interest/increases his price.

Mike Trout (who actually struggled in his first taste of big league action) is the exception. Most good players struggle in their first taste of big-league ball. Some players take years to hit their stride, and Taveras is just 22. He may fizzle, but his performance in his first couple months as a major leaguer is certainly not arguing one way or another.

Shoot, if first impressions were the end of the story Jesus Montero would already have a reservation in Cooperstown.

and there is only a small likelihood that he won't end up being a true stud.

has looked better than his numbers (IMO) if that makes sense. He'll be a star, just not at SS, which would have made him special.

If he stays there it will be out of necessity, not out of fit IMO.

In comment 11786590 Bill L said:

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and there is only a small likelihood that he won't end up being a true stud.

They could go into next season with Bogaerts, JBJ and Betts penciled in as starters, which is brave. All three deserve a chance and one or two of them could become studs, maybe all three, but they're going to rely a lot on kids.

In comment 11786598 Dunedin81 said:

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In comment 11786590 Bill L said: Quote: and there is only a small likelihood that he won't end up being a true stud. They could go into next season with Bogaerts, JBJ and Betts penciled in as starters, which is brave. All three deserve a chance and one or two of them could become studs, maybe all three, but they're going to rely a lot on kids.

Not sure that's even a maybe, it's almost likely, and of the three, JBJ looks like the most likely to not be good, I think he's a 4th OFer right now. Great defensive player with a great arm, but his bat is weak right now and he's getting up there in years. 25 at the start of next season, so it's not like he's a wet behind the ears kid.

the catcher could be a rookie too. If not Swihart than the kid up now (Vaszquez)

Bogaerts almost definitely starts, either at SS or 3B. Betts probably does too. If anything JBJ is the possible odd man out. Cecchini has struggled this year really for the first time in his pro career so I don't know if you can count on him as a factor for next year (not to say he won't improve, just that he seems to need time). Swihart is probably more 2016 or 2017 than next year.

but if you were the Mets, what would you offer for Tavares? We could sure use a young OF with major upside and STL needs pitching. I'm assuming they'd do it for DeGrom or Wheeler.

maybe. DeGrom, no. DeGrom has pitched very well but he's 26 and you need to have a much larger sample size. Hitters are much safer bets than pitchers.

Baseball Report �@NickHamelinMLB � 3m
According to @JonHeymanCBS, the #Cardinals and #Dodgers are the two teams aggressively pursuing Jon Lester the most.

that would make for quite a tandem. Vasquez likely will never be a great hitter but he is going to be a premier defensive catcher. Swihart simply rocks. I'll disagree on JBJ. I think his defense and OBP will keep him as a solid starter for a long while. I'm really high on all three players. Several years down the road, keep your eye on Rafael Devers too.

Yanks is up and coming too though, two likely Top 50 guys at the end of the season in Severino and Judge, a few more breakout performances and then that IFA binge too.

LOVE this Devers kid bat. Not just those who suck off the Red Sox.

In comment 11786625 Bill L said:

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that would make for quite a tandem. Vasquez likely will never be a great hitter but he is going to be a premier defensive catcher. Swihart simply rocks. I'll disagree on JBJ. I think his defense and OBP will keep him as a solid starter for a long while. I'm really high on all three players. Several years down the road, keep your eye on Rafael Devers too.

We'll see about JBJ this is really his first full season. I think he strikes out way too much, but no denying his defense.

did you see him throw the ball from home plate over the center field wall at Fenway? Maybe it's not that impressive, but I've just never seen anyone do it

is a very good defensive player but I don't see the potential with his bat. He's not 20 years old either, he's 24. Not old but also not insanely young either.

Now Bogaerts I'd be surprised if he didn't turn out to be a stud down the road.

He just isn't, and it's not that small a sample size anymore.

here are my comments:

Quote:

.... JBJ looks like the most likely to not be good, I think he's a 4th OFer right now. Great defensive player with a great arm, but his bat is weak right now and he's getting up there in years. 25 at the start of next season, so it's not like he's a wet behind the ears kid....

google the throw from home plate though, not sure why I find it so impressive. He basically threw a ball further than he can hit it. LOL

But IMO you don't need much from a CF. I think Jacoby is an exception.

on that. You better have big power hitters in the corners if you're going to get zero power and shitty average from your center fielder, especially in fenway

Nava is about as good as he's going to get and that's not good enough. I don't know how I feel about Victorino going forward. Hence, the interest in Bell or Pederson in return for Lester.

get Lester.

That means Cardinals may force to turn to Hamels and overpay. Taveras, Miller, and Gonzalez please!

In comment 11786625 Bill L said:

Quote:

that would make for quite a tandem. Vasquez likely will never be a great hitter but he is going to be a premier defensive catcher. Swihart simply rocks. I'll disagree on JBJ. I think his defense and OBP will keep him as a solid starter for a long while. I'm really high on all three players. Several years down the road, keep your eye on Rafael Devers too.

Hope you aare right Bill about JBJ. I was starting to sour on him. Hate to see Lester go. There is definately an inevitable changing of the guard with the Sox. I don't like it. Its gonna take some time for these new guys to grow on me.

I think there's a lot of potential with some of the position players but even more so with some of the pitchers. But you're right about it taking time. Likely one more year after this before they can think about playoffs.

as a hitter but as a 4th OF'er I can live with him.

Very sad to see Lester go. Hoping he can bring a nice return and then return himself in the offseason.

I doubt the Rockies will move him...

"The 26-year-old has been injury plagued over the last several seasons and has totaled just 33 1/3 frames this year, though the results have been favorable: a 3.24 ERA with a ground-ball percentage just north of 60 percent. Anderson�s 18-to-13 K/BB ratio in that same time isn�t as encouraging, of course.

Acquired from the A�s in an offseason deal that sent fellow hurlers Drew Pomeranz and Chris Jensen to the Rockies, Anderson is earning $8MM in 2014, $2MM of which is being paid by the A�s. His contract also contains a $12MM club option ($1.5MM buyout) for the 2015 season.

Anderson was once looked at as one of the game�s most promising young pitchers, but injuries have derailed some of that shine. He still sports a career ERA of 3.77 (with identical FIP and xFIP marks of 3.57) to go along with 7.0 K/9, 2.5 BB/9 and a 55.3 percent ground-ball rate, but he�s totaled just 196 1/3 innings since Opening Day of 2011.

It remains to be seen, however, if the Rockies will be willing to move Anderson at all. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported this morning (Twitter link) that the Rockies don�t consider Anderson a trade candidate. The team is planning to pick up his $12MM option or sign him to a longer-term deal. It would seem that Anderson�s ground-ball arsenal is appealing to the Rockies, who play in the hitter-friendly Coors Field. Colorado has shown an unwillingness to move any of its starting pitchers, as reports have indicated that they�re unlikely to move Jorge De La Rosa as well, despite his status as an impending free agent."

showing interest in Bartolo Colon.

In comment 11786772 Rory said:

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showing interest in Bartolo Colon.

Dumping a contract on the Royals? Ladies and gentlemen, your 2014 New York Mets!

I think of it more as signing a veteran who plays very well and then gets flipped for more usable parts. But I'm one of those rare Met fans who thinks its not uncommon or stupid to do what the Mets are trying to do with Colon.

In comment 11786784 Deej said:

Quote:

In comment 11786772 Rory said: Quote: showing interest in Bartolo Colon. Dumping a contract on the Royals? Ladies and gentlemen, your 2014 New York Mets!

Do it Sandy, take some OFers from the Royals.

take Tim Collins for Colon. 5'7 makes him cooler.

Bill Shaikin �@BillShaikin � 34m
Carl Crawford on trade rumors: "You never know. I thought I was stuck in Boston for seven years."

Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal 1m
Source: �Very good chance� that #RedSox trade Lackey along with Lester.

realized his tweet was confusing... he meant both traded not together.

thought they were stuck with Carl Crawford for seven years. Crawford stunk with the Red Sox, when he wasn't injured.

In comment 11786821 Dunedin81 said:

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Bill Shaikin �@BillShaikin � 34m Carl Crawford on trade rumors: "You never know. I thought I was stuck in Boston for seven years."

Ouch

In comment 11786869 Buck Dharma said:

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thought they were stuck with Carl Crawford for seven years. Crawford stunk with the Red Sox, when he wasn't injured.

He was so good in Tampa.

whatever that means

between well done and rare. Kinda pink in the middle.

Jon Heyman �@JonHeymanCBS � 1m
yankees, dodgers eying joaquin benoit. @Ken_Rosenthal 1st mentioned LA.

In comment 11786896 Jints in Carolina said:

Quote:

In comment 11786869 Buck Dharma said: Quote: thought they were stuck with Carl Crawford for seven years. Crawford stunk with the Red Sox, when he wasn't injured. He was so good in Tampa.

If your point is that it was a stupid signing and contract when the Sox took him, then...spot on.

In comment 11786904 Dunedin81 said:

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whatever that means

Didn't San Diego just put him on the DL?

I swear to god, I will break things if they trade for Kennedy.

No interest in Ian Kennedy ever returning to the Yankees.

can't imagine Benoit being "cheap". Very good reliever, very fair contract, SD just got a nice return for Street, gotta believe similar return to SD for Benoit.

FIP since 2010-

2.43
2.96
4.26
2.87
2.65

1 year 8 million with a 2nd year team option (2016)

Really, really underrated. Padres are likely going to make it "hurt" for someone.

a good chunk of money for Lee. Look for him to move after august 1st.

David Cameron �@DCameronFG � 2m
A very STL kind of move. RT @pgammo: The Indians are trading Justin Masterson to the Cardinals

In comment 11786829 Jints in Carolina said:

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Ken Rosenthal �@Ken_Rosenthal 1m Source: �Very good chance� that #RedSox trade Lackey along with Lester.

Good God. They're going to get rid of ALL their veteran starters? Isn't it beneficial to have at least one on the roster for the younger pitchers to learn from? That would leave them with Bucholtz as the veterant. Ughhh...

for a guy coming off of an elbow injury.

$25M next year and a club option for 2016

how much money do you think they'd eat??

He would meltdown and pee in his pants pitching in NY and the AL East.

In comment 11787053 Stan from LA said:

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He would meltdown and pee in his pants pitching in NY and the AL East.

Now I'm warming to IPK back in pinstripes.

In comment 11787045 feelflows said:

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for a guy coming off of an elbow injury. $25M next year and a club option for 2016 how much money do you think they'd eat??

Depnds on the prospect coming back. The better the prospect, the more money they should eat. But there is also rumors Lee could leave in a straight salary dump for a non prospect.

One thing is for sure. Amaro will fuck it up.

Beisbol's Org �@BeisbolsOrg � 58s
James Ramsay is the return for the Indians. Absolute steal for the Cardinals.

In comment 11787062 dep026 said:

Quote:

In comment 11787045 feelflows said: Quote: for a guy coming off of an elbow injury. $25M next year and a club option for 2016 how much money do you think they'd eat?? Depnds on the prospect coming back. The better the prospect, the more money they should eat. But there is also rumors Lee could leave in a straight salary dump for a non prospect. One thing is for sure. Amaro will fuck it up.

I'll take Lee if he leaves his wife in Philly.

is having a nice year but he's viewed as a 4th OF type. Really nice gamble

is Burnett to the Pirates will pick up after August 1st too.

could be a nice addition to any team in a race.

The Phillies don't need a salary dump, they need to refill their system. Lee and Byrd are the best chance for that.

In comment 11787077 feelflows said:

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could be a nice addition to any team in a race. The Phillies don't need a salary dump, they need to refill their system. Lee and Byrd are the best chance for that.

Hamels is their best chance, but Amaro is asking for the moon plus a few planets. Which is fine by me, because Hamels has been one of the best 5 pitchers in baseball in the last 5 years, and has been absolutely insane this year.

You wont get anything for Lee. He is pretty much washed up, IMO. Utley would garner a nice return, but he wont waive his 10/5 clause.

In comment 11787069 Dunedin81 said:

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Beisbol's Org �@BeisbolsOrg � 58s James Ramsay is the return for the Indians. Absolute steal for the Cardinals.

Unfortunately, the 3 MPH on his fastball were traded somewhere else.

I'm sure if they eat some of that they can get some B pieces. Not a top prospect, but at least fill up the system a little more.

Amaro had the worst deadline last year, he can't afford to do that again.

In comment 11787091 feelflows said:

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I'm sure if they eat some of that they can get some B pieces. Not a top prospect, but at least fill up the system a little more. Amaro had the worst deadline last year, he can't afford to do that again.

Rollins is another 10-5 player. Wont waive it either.

Jon Morosi ‏
Sources: Marlins and Red Sox are discussing a possible John Lackey trade.

I thought now that he "broke records" he would be willing to be traded.

pitchers around, but I don't see how any deal for Masterson could be called "an absolute steal". The guy has been incredibly bad this year and his fastball has significantly slowed, from 93-94 last season to 90-91 this year.

getting very close.

a cub for a PTNL

that would be huge for the Os

@Joelsherman1: I am told #Orioles do not have deal for Lester or anything close. Still working mainly on small things

says not close

Jen Royle ‏@Jen_Royle 14s

Source: Orioles don't have enough to give Red Sox. Sox wanted high end prospects they aren't willing to part with.Third team is involved

trading Lester to a division rival with the capability to re-sign him (Baltimore will shell out the dollars if they feel they are close)

Eric Chavez retires.

In comment 11787196 dpinzow said:

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trading Lester to a division rival with the capability to re-sign him (Baltimore will shell out the dollars if they feel they are close)

I doubt Peter Angelos would shell out 100+ million dollar contract for Lester.

forgot to add that.

i am sure the red sox would be all over that.

Harvey done with the year with an arm issue. Orioles are pretty cursed.

Bonifacio is rumored to be bringing back a "big" price, Cubs rule

Theo is amazing (stating obvious) if he gets a major return for Bonifacio. Unreal.

In comment 11787305 sinctybldh said:

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i am sure the red sox would be all over that.

Bundy has been terrible coming back from TJS

Sort of quoting a source with the Sox saying Lackey has requested to be traded. Maybe all the noise got to him or maybe he sees a better way to ensure he gets extended.

Another posts says they heard lackey to Miami close to done. No idea of the return.

aren't after Colon. He's not making that much. And not only is he pitching great this season. But had 30 starts and 2.65 ERA last season for Oakland. If I was St Louis, I would have traded for him over Masterson. Same with the Giants. Colon over Peavy

He struggled down the stretch last year and has been either lights out or pathetic this year and his ERA has not been great considering he is in the NL and playing home games at CitiField. I also think Masterson is a FA after this year so if he struggles it is easy to cut ties with him. While Colon's salary for next year is not out of line for an innings eater and the control is still there, not sure teams are willing to risk that he does not just tank next year

Splits on Bartolo are interesting on him:

vs. NL: 3.14 ERA
vs. AL: 6.27 ERA
Home: 2.62 ERA
Road: 4.95 ERA

Velocity is down too, but just a touch. But then you get to his FIP of 3.41. Also dont underrate the fact that he is fat as a house, old as sin, and a "name" -- so if they trade doesnt workout, he's a very visible sign of failure. Add in the fact that you probably want him just to take some back of the order starts, not to start in the playoffs, and that he only has 6 career relief appearances. You start to understand why GMs arent lining up to sign him. I've said it on several threads -- I think his trade value comes in the offseason, when someone is looking for 185 regular season innings of competent, short term commitment pitching.

Will not trade their top 3 prospects ( Seager, Joc, Urias) so out of the running for any of those starting pitchers being shopped.

Expect to pick up leases SP and bullpen guy.

In comment 11787406 Mike in NY said:

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He struggled down the stretch last year and has been either lights out or pathetic this year and his ERA has not been great considering he is in the NL and playing home games at CitiField. I also think Masterson is a FA after this year so if he struggles it is easy to cut ties with him. While Colon's salary for next year is not out of line for an innings eater and the control is still there, not sure teams are willing to risk that he does not just tank next year

Grossly exaggerated. Colon had Cy Young votes last year in the American League. Colon certainly had a few blowups this year which inflated his ERA a little(3.88?) FIP 3.41?? but he's been good in 80% of starts and seems to be even better as the weather has heated up.

has been basically the same pitcher he was the last 2 seasons in Oakland. He's fat (and I'm sure that scares teams in regard to 2015 more than a fitness buff) and yeah, maybe he's had more "really bad" starts this year than past years (not stating that as fact, too lazy to compare) but this idea he was amazing last year and crappy this year is silly.

I think the issue is that he almost certainly doesn't get 11 million next year on the open market at 42, it's just above what teams normally gamble on guys like this so it's likely a matter of the Mets saying "no way he's X good" and teams saying "we think he's worth 6 million next year, you guys pay the rest".

Nick Cafardo �@nickcafardo 3m

While AL East rivals the Blue Jays and Orioles engaged Boston in trade talks on Lester, the Yankees did not call the Red Sox

is a dog?....Nah. No sense whatsoever

Sandy has said he's willing to chip in a couple million if it means getting a decent prospect back. I think that's well worth it. Personally I don't see the benefit in trading him right now. He'll almost certainly pass through waivers so why not trade him at the end of August? Teams will have even MORE of a need if they feel they are in it, and the mets play a shitload of division games in August. Maybe they climb over .500 and need him? Might be unlikely but its just better to keep him right now IMO.

The longer we keep him the more value he'll have to another team as his contract lowers.

In comment 11787614 ZGiants98 said:

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Sandy has said he's willing to chip in a couple million if it means getting a decent prospect back. I think that's well worth it. Personally I don't see the benefit in trading him right now. He'll almost certainly pass through waivers so why not trade him at the end of August? Teams will have even MORE of a need if they feel they are in it, and the mets play a shitload of division games in August. Maybe they climb over .500 and need him? Might be unlikely but its just better to keep him right now IMO. The longer we keep him the more value he'll have to another team as his contract lowers.

True, some contending teams will lose players due to injuries and get desperate for an inning eater like Mega-Colon.

I think this is real.

Quote:

Catherine Varitek ‏@CatherinVaritek 5m Here's the deal.. This is my twitter handle NOT my husbands... therefor MY opinion is If they don't keep Lester, they seriously screw up 😬✌️

nothing imminent. They're said not to like paying for his next year.
Link - ( New Window )

Ken Rosenthal �@Ken_Rosenthal 4m

#Astros� Keuchel could be interesting name tomorrow. No pennant-race experience, but 2.97 ERA in AL and pitched CG against #Athletics today.

essentially gave Marlon a 3 year deal.