Offseason Rumors & Transactions Thread

[davell]

I've seen the Nats connected to C's this offseason, they could replace the Dodgers.

[Guest]

Yeah, the Nationals and the Rockies have been rumored to be dissatisfied with their catching situations, although the problem with selling Castillo is that Ramos and Rosario are pretty similar to Castillo in strengths and weaknesses, so they'd have to think the grass is pretty greener on Castillo's side.

 

It's too bad the Tigers have the worst farm system in modern history, because they do match up well as the 3rd team here. Avila is an okay catcher but they've been rumored to not be his biggest fan. He also has concussion issues, hits LH so they could form some type of tandem, his backup(Holaday) is horrible, and their win-now motivations are as great as their farm system is bad. They could also have a use for Wood, since their 4/5 starters are the unproven-over-a-full-season Shane Greene and the not-good-at-all Alfredo Simon, and their rotation has zero depth.

[SouthSideRyan]

They just purposely acquired Alfredo Simon, so I'm guessing they're ok with him.

[davell]

They just purposely acquired Alfredo Simon, so I'm guessing they're ok with him.

 

Yeah, that's unfortunately very true.

[Tryptamine]

I really hope there's truth to that Leonys Martin for Castillo rumor. Throw an extension at the 27 year old Martin and let Alcantara play the utility role he was meant for.

[davell]

If we're after Zobrist, I'd have to think Valbuena would be of some interest to Tampa. Extra year of control and could probably fill in at close to every spot Zobrist can.

[mul21]

I really hope there's truth to that Leonys Martin for Castillo rumor. Throw an extension at the 27 year old Martin and let Alcantara play the utility role he was meant for.

 

I read Castillo as Castro at first and about had a stroke.

[davell]

2/22 with an option(that's not impossible to vest, at 13) for Coco Crisp. Coming off a down year, he's not likely to cost much of a return. But is it worth it to get him and move Alcantara into a utility role?

[Guest]

If Crisp had pretty much zero player cost(or there was a decent amount of cash coming with him), I wouldn't be upset with him being the OF addition. It seems like there almost has to be someone who is a better fit though.

[Guest]

@RobertMurrayDR: James Shields has a 5-year, $110 million offer in hand from an unknown team, according to @ken_Rosenthal.

[DiamondMind]

@RobertMurrayDR: James Shields has a 5-year, $110 million offer in hand from an unknown team, according to @ken_Rosenthal.

 

why do I feel like I wont be surprised that its LAD

[davell]

@RobertMurrayDR: James Shields has a 5-year, $110 million offer in hand from an unknown team, according to @ken_Rosenthal.

 

why do I feel like I wont be surprised that its LAD

 

I seriously doubt it. If its true, my guess is its a non contending team or at least a small market team that's iffy to contend. If he had 110 from a very good team, I bet he'd have taken it already.

[Banedon]

White Sox sign Bonafacio to a 1yr/$4mil deal.

 

EDIT: Club option for 2016

[UK1679666180]

2/22 with an option(that's not impossible to vest, at 13) for Coco Crisp. Coming off a down year, he's not likely to cost much of a return. But is it worth it to get him and move Alcantara into a utility role?

 

It appears Bourn could be had for less, hopefully including Jackson and eating some of that contract.

[Cubswin11]

Bourn hasn't posted an OBP above .316 the last two years and that was with a 7-8% bb rate and a mid .330's BABIP, he's 32-33. Steamer is projecting a .250/.310/.350 line from him roughly, we can probably get that out of Coghlan. No thanks.

[Guest]

Bourn has a .342 BABIP in 4400 career PAs, so a .330s BABIP isn't really out of character. The point remains though, Bourn is probably a standard deviation below Crisp offensively. Crisp has a more extreme platoon split too, so you can probably maximize his production better with Alcantara/Denorfia around from the right side.

[Cubswin11]

Bourn has a .342 BABIP in 4400 career PAs, so a .330s BABIP isn't really out of character. The point remains though, Bourn is probably a standard deviation below Crisp offensively. Crisp has a more extreme platoon split too, so you can probably maximize his production better with Alcantara/Denorfia around from the right side.

I wasn't saying it was out of character, was just noting that despite a 7-8% bb rate and a .330's BABIP he still is only getting on base at a .315ish rate. Basically he shouldn't be the leadoff/OBP guy we are allegedly looking for, because he's just kinda okay at getting on base.

[Guest]

@RobertMurrayDR: James Shields has a 5-year, $110 million offer in hand from an unknown team, according to @ken_Rosenthal.

 

why do I feel like I wont be surprised that its LAD

 

I seriously doubt it. If its true, my guess is its a non contending team or at least a small market team that's iffy to contend. If he had 110 from a very good team, I bet he'd have taken it already.

 

San Francisco or Detroit seem likely to me.

[Post Count Padder]

Phillies sign claymation and mediocre pitcher Aaron Harang, one year and $5 mil.

[toonsterwu]

@RobertMurrayDR: James Shields has a 5-year, $110 million offer in hand from an unknown team, according to @ken_Rosenthal.

 

why do I feel like I wont be surprised that its LAD

 

I seriously doubt it. If its true, my guess is its a non contending team or at least a small market team that's iffy to contend. If he had 110 from a very good team, I bet he'd have taken it already.

 

San Francisco or Detroit seem likely to me.

 

My guess is would be Toronto - he "knows" the division and the Blue Jays see their window as now, and they badly need another arm. That said, San Francisco would be my 2nd guess. I think Detroit goes back to Scherzer before Shields, unless Dombrowski is trying to pre-empt Boras going to Ilitch ... but if it's too convoluted to think about, it seems unlikely.

 

A part of me wonders if there is a darkhorse out there on Shields. 5/110 seems like something a few of those mid-market clubs could probably afford in this day and age.

[toonsterwu]

If we're after Zobrist, I'd have to think Valbuena would be of some interest to Tampa. Extra year of control and could probably fill in at close to every spot Zobrist can.

 

Still think they are more likely to target prospects, unless Valbuena is more of a "throw-in", which isn't likely. The value of Zobrist to them was as a "roving" starter. They have options at several spots where Zobrist would get PT. Nick Franklin should get a long look at 2nd, with Ryan Brett hot on his tail if he struggles. Yunel Escobar and Hak-ju Lee on the other side. Souza and Kiermaier should get looks in the OF, and Mahtook probably deserves a look as well. It's possible they might want an upgrade to Forsythe in the utility role (and I think Valbuena would be an upgrade) but, at a gut guess level, it's hard to see them placing much emphasis on that as anything more than a 3rd piece. Still think they might ask for someone like Gleyber Torres if the Cubs got into deep discussion with them - a fallback option in case Adames doesn't develop into the stud people think he could be. Otherwise, I think they would ask for arms, as their arm depth in the minors has thinned out a bit.

[gscool89]

The Cardinals are exploring a trade for Price or Hamels or signing Scherzer:

http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/st-louis-cardinals-cole-hamels-david-price-max-scherzer-ken-rosenthal-jon-paul-morosi-010715

[Cubswin11]

After the trade for Hayward and Taveras' death what would they even have to make a Hamels trade happen?

[gscool89]

After the trade for Hayward and Taveras' death what would they even have to make a Hamels trade happen?

To secure Hamels, the Cardinals likely would need to part with Martinez or Gonzales as well as an outfielder such as Randal Grichuk or Stephen Piscotty (the Phillies have long coveted Peter Bourjos as well, sources say).

Such a price could be prohibitive.

[Tracer Bullet]

After the trade for Hayward and Taveras' death what would they even have to make a Hamels trade happen?

To secure Hamels, the Cardinals likely would need to part with Martinez or Gonzales as well as an outfielder such as Randal Grichuk or Stephen Piscotty (the Phillies have long coveted Peter Bourjos as well, sources say).

Such a price could be prohibitive.

 

To sleep with scarlett johansson, MR would need to part with his left nut as well as his right arm. Such a price could be prohibitive.