2011 Trade Deadline Thread

[Dojji]

If the Mets come hat in hand and offer something like Beltran for Che-Hsuan Lin, a B-/C+ prospect with big league utility but not a blue chip, I take it and play Beltran in left field. If Crawford complains he can hit better next year.

[jacksonianmarch]

It's July 26th. There are 5 more days until the deadline. The Mets have shown a willingness to eat the money. Someone will overpay.

[jacksonianmarch]

Also, the question is what the Mets are considering as "top prospects." They arent gonna get a top 50 guy, that's just dumb

[SoxSport]

^ This is right on the money.

 

The problem is so much of the sports media is located in the NYC area. Yahoo, CBS sports, ESPN, etc. Plus it's the biggest TV market. So the Yankees get on TV more than any other team. Even on MLB.com. And their players get a lot more visibility--including minor leaguers, who are overrated in the media.

 

This kid Montero was being hyped as the next great catcher and trading chip. But why haven't the Yankees brought him up? Teams are not convinced. Salty has moved miles ahead of him in a few months.

[a700hitter]

The problem is so much of the sports media is located in the NYC area. Yahoo, CBS sports, ESPN, etc. Plus it's the biggest TV market. So the Yankees get on TV more than any other team. Even on MLB.com. And their players get a lot more visibility--including minor leaguers, who are overrated in the media.

 

This kid Montero was being hyped as the next great catcher and trading chip. But why haven't the Yankees brought him up? Teams are not convinced. Salty has moved miles ahead of him in a few months.

The media campaign to build up these guys starts right in their front office.

[jacksonianmarch]

The problem is so much of the sports media is located in the NYC area. Yahoo, CBS sports, ESPN, etc. Plus it's the biggest TV market. So the Yankees get on TV more than any other team. Even on MLB.com. And their players get a lot more visibility--including minor leaguers, who are overrated in the media.

 

This kid Montero was being hyped as the next great catcher and trading chip. But why haven't the Yankees brought him up? Teams are not convinced. Salty has moved miles ahead of him in a few months.

 

Why havent the Yanks brought him up? Because Martin has been gold defensively and we dont exactly have a dynamite staff. If we dont upgrade our rotation, then keeping a good catcher around is much more important. Also, because the kid is 21 yrs old. He's very young and is more of an offense first player. I am sure that without Posada, we'd have the kid up already, but Girardi's loyalty to Posada has left the kid without a big league role that is sustainable. Nobody wants to burn the kid's first season as a backup without a secondary role he could slot into. Without Posada, he breaks camp in the bigs next yr as Martin's backup and majority DH. The kid has now tools and can hit. He's just a bit immature (suspended 3 times for nonchalant behaviour) and he's raw defensively.

[Dojji]

I just think it's funny that we're doing this again.

 

Pedroia and Cano. Jeter and Garciaparra. Gardner and Ellsbury, Hughes and Lester. Chamberlain and Buchholz. And now Lavarnway and Montero.

[jacksonianmarch]

I have a sneaking suspicion it will be Lavarnway vs Romine as I do believe Montero is gonna get dealt

[Rdsxmbnt]

I have a sneaking suspicion it will be Lavarnway vs Romine as I do believe Montero is gonna get dealt

 

Romine hasn't ever posted a .800 OPS at any level ever, Lavarnway has consistently been above an .870 OPS at every level since his first full season. I'll give the defense, but until Romine posts a decent OPS I'm not convinced he's anymore than an average hitter

[jacksonianmarch]

Romine hasn't ever posted a .800 OPS at any level ever' date=' Lavarnway has consistently been above an .870 OPS at [i']every[/i] level since his first full season. I'll give the defense, but until Romine posts a decent OPS I'm not convinced he's anymore than an average hitter

 

Romine will never hit like Lavarnway, but the defense will be hard to overlook

[AtWork]

Beltran says he never blocked a deal to the Guardians, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post (on Twitter). He says the Mets haven't come to him with possible deals.

The Guardians offered to pick up all of Beltran's remaining contract and give the Mets a good player in return according to MLB.com's Peter Gammons, but Cleveland was not a fit for the Scott Boras client. Heyman reports (on Twitter) that the deal was never presented to Beltran, so the Mets must know the which teams he'll accept a trade to.

 

9:51pm: Manager Tony La Russa told KSDK TV-5 in St. Louis that Rasmus "doesn't listen" to Cardinals coaches, as Austin Laymance and Matthew Leach explain at MLB.com. "That's why he gets in these funks, in my opinion," La Russa said.

 

1:41pm: Cardinals GM John Mozeliak told Jim Bowden of MLB Network Radio today that nothing has changed since he told Bowden at the All-Star game that he was not shopping Rasmus (Twitter link).

 

12:04pm: An AL official told Joel Sherman of the New York Post that the Cardinals "are definitely shopping" center fielder Colby Rasmus, despite public denials. The official says the Cards "are asking for a ton." Danny Knobler of CBS Sports agrees, tweeting that the Cards are shopping Rasmus widely. Knobler notes that the Nationals had a scout in St. Louis last night.

 

The Yankees and Red Sox called the Rockies about Jimenez today, according to MLB.com’s Thomas Harding. Talks with the Reds appear to be further along, though the Rockies appear to be asking for Travis Wood, Bailey and either Chapman or Mesoraco. The Rockies won’t lower their asking price, Harding reports. The Reds haven't said no yet, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post (on Twitter). Until they do, there's a slim chance a deal will occur.

[AtWork]

We should send Miller down to try him out as a reliever. No on will claim him.

 

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Left-hander Andrew Miller's minor league deal with the Red Sox, which would pay the pitcher $1.3 million if he is in the majors, includes a team option for 2011. Notably, according to a source familiar with the deal, that option vests if Miller is assigned to another team, a clause that is meant to help ensure that the left-hander remains with the Sox if he is added to the major league roster and then needs to be sent back down to the minors, thus exposing him to waivers. A team could not claim Miller off of waivers unless it was willing to also become responsible for his salary in 2012.

[Spitball]

Romine will never hit like Lavarnway' date=' but the defense will be hard to overlook[/quote']

 

I was in Portland, Maine, last May, and went to a Sea Dog versus Trenton Thunder game. Romine single handedly lost the game with his defense. He is a tall awkward guy with poor coordination. With the go ahead runner on third, the Thunder relief pitcher was throwing hard sliders breaking outside to the right handed batter. Romine kept back-handing the deliveries. He never shifted his body to meet the ball, and finally one in the dirt skipped past him to the backstop. The winning run scored for the Dogs. Five year olds could see it coming.

 

Was he lazy or poorly trained? Either way, he did not impress anyone at Hadlock Field that night. Later that night, at our hotel bar (the round one near the Maine Mall), I ran into Tommy Phelps, the Trenton pitching coach. He was very friendly but refused to discuss Romine's defense with me.

[example1]

Sox kicking the tires on Ubaldo? Not sure what to think about that.

Watching clips I see him hitting 96, 97 late in games, though they say his velocity is down this year.

 

He seems potentially inconsistent but one of the better natural arms in the league. I just don't see him as being one of the elite pitchers in the game. He has the arm but he doesn't have anywhere near the poise and command that the elite pitchers have. Of course, that can be developed and at 27 he should have plenty of time left.

 

The Sox will need another starter in 2012 and beyond. It is unlikely that there are many better available. I don't think Jimenez would definitely put them over the top this year (they are already good enough to win the WS this season, IMO) but he could be a good investment longterm.

 

In my heart of hearts I still want them to overpay for Felix Hernandez. I doubt Seattle is shopping him, but he would put them into the drivers seat for the next 5 years and might be worth almost any price. I imagine Theo would still happily put the "any 6 of these 12 prospects" offer on the table.

[Dojji]

What about trying to sound the Jays out on Marc Cantspellit? (this guy) Pretty good LOOGY type with solid command who's really good against LHH. They're desperate for some quality help in middle infield, it might be a good place to deposit Jed Lowrie where he can finally play second base like he really should have all along.

 

If you get He Who Shall Not Be Spelled, and maybe add John McDonald to that to help us out at short defensively, that wouldn't be a terrible deal.

[Palodios]

The more I think about it, the more I want Jimeniz. A rotation of Lester, Beckett, Buchholz, Jimeniz, Lackey through 2013 would be pretty fearsome. With a full rotation of quality guys, they could afford to trade away Ranaudo/Dubront/Weiland.

 

Odds are, that kind of talent won't be available in the offseason.

[Dojji]

So let me get this straight. You want a pitcher who's made his bread and butter in the NL West, is going to build his value off one big year he isn't repeating and has practically no experience against the American League East??

 

If you don't mind rksiing the NL West for pitchers, go after Kuroda. At least he's pitching to type this year.

[iortiz]

Jimenez, Kuroda, Garza or whoever decent; but bring him right away; our bottom QS pitching is shameful.

[msubulldogs21]

The more I think about it, the more I want Jimeniz. A rotation of Lester, Beckett, Buchholz, Jimeniz, Lackey through 2013 would be pretty fearsome. With a full rotation of quality guys, they could afford to trade away Ranaudo/Dubront/Weiland.

 

Odds are, that kind of talent won't be available in the offseason.

 

No thanks on Ubaldo. With him having a nice contract for Colorado for several years, it makes me wonder why they're even shopping him to begin with. I think that's a legitimate question. Also, unless it's a Cliff Lee type an NL pitcher coming over to the AL (especially the AL East) terrifies me. The haul Colorado is wanting for Ubaldo would totally not be worth it from our perspective, and we just traded away several of our top prospects for Gonzalez within the last year. Obviously that's the type of deal when I feel giving away top prospects is clearly worth it, but this one I don't think so. Why pillage the farm system now?

[iortiz]

No thanks on Ubaldo. With him having a nice contract for Colorado for several years' date=' it makes me wonder why they're even shopping him to begin with. I think that's a legitimate question. Also, unless it's a Cliff Lee type an NL pitcher coming over to the AL (especially the AL East) terrifies me. The haul Colorado is wanting for Ubaldo would totally not be worth it from our perspective, and we just traded away several of our top prospects for Gonzalez within the last year. Obviously that's the type of deal when I feel giving away top prospects is clearly worth it, but this one I don't think so. Why pillage the farm system now?[/quote']

 

What do u suggest then... I mean, we can't do just nothing, the house is burning in that room. Jimenez, Kuroda, Garza, etc gonna cost a lot of money and prospects, ALWAYS.

 

I would like the King Felix but I think that SEA never give up him away; besides, I'm not sure that we have the enough/quality prospects to set a Felix-Pack.

[redsoxbeatz]

Let's just get some SP. SOMEONE! -- Theo will make some educated move happen, he must. Or did he not see Miller play tonight?

[msubulldogs21]

What do u suggest then... I mean, we can't do just nothing, the house is burning in that room. Jimenez, Kuroda, Garza, etc gonna cost a lot of money and prospects, ALWAYS.

 

I would like the King Felix but I think that SEA never give up him away; besides, I'm not sure that we have the enough/quality prospects to set a Felix-Pack.

 

I suggest possibly some minor tinkering but nothing major. That's what I think will ultimately happen anyway. As currently constructed we have the second best record in MLB, and we'll be getting Buchholz back within the next month. Once we get to the playoffs in the ALDS we'd only have to throw three starters anyway, and I'd take my chances any day with Beckett/Lester/Buchholz. If we get to the ALCS that could be a bit of a problem finding a #4 starter, but cross that bridge when (if) we get there.

 

As for Felix, I would absolutely go after him if Seattle was interested but I don't think they have any intentions of trading him even though things are extremely bleak there right now.

[iortiz]

I suggest possibly some minor tinkering but nothing major. That's what I think will ultimately happen anyway. As currently constructed we have the second best record in MLB, and we'll be getting Buchholz back within the next month. Once we get to the playoffs in the ALDS we'd only have to throw three starters anyway, and I'd take my chances any day with Beckett/Lester/Buchholz. If we get to the ALCS that could be a bit of a problem finding a #4 starter, but cross that bridge when (if) we get there.

 

As for Felix, I would absolutely go after him if Seattle was interested but I don't think they have any intentions of trading him even though things are extremely bleak there right now.

 

Sooner or later and better sooner we need to get a 4th/5th decent spot. So... What is available or tradable these days? Nobody really knows, but Theo should be looking for some long shot since this is urgent to fill in the short/mid/long term.

 

I don't know what you all think about this but I'm not that confident about Buch's healthy; I mean, even pitching at some point, I would be concerned about the quality of those pitches since the pain will remain there (according to the Docs) and will affect his delivery although he doesn't tell, you bet; that's why this issue has to be considerate before the T-DL, and mostly since we are a serious contender for the WS this year.

[Palodios]

No thanks on Ubaldo. With him having a nice contract for Colorado for several years' date=' it makes me wonder why they're even shopping him to begin with. I think that's a legitimate question. Also, unless it's a Cliff Lee type an NL pitcher coming over to the AL (especially the AL East) terrifies me. The haul Colorado is wanting for Ubaldo would totally not be worth it from our perspective, and we just traded away several of our top prospects for Gonzalez within the last year. Obviously that's the type of deal when I feel giving away top prospects is clearly worth it, but this one I don't think so. Why pillage the farm system now?[/quote']

 

I had the same reaction early on. But I just don't see any other pitcher of similar caliber turning up on the market any time soon, and the more I witness the Miller/Weiland/Wakefield era, the more appealing UJ is.

[SoxFanForsyth]

The reason Ubaldo is so intriguing is because we need another SP now and for the future. Have you seen the FA class for this coming offseason? The SP market is headlined by CJ Wilson. Seriously. CJ Wilson. And Chris Carpenter. That's about it. I see both of them re-signing with the Rangers and Cardinals anyway. Either way, they're not that good.

 

Look, clearly the Miller/Weiland/Wakefield combo hasn't worked. They've combined for a 5.55 ERA this season (as a starter). And that's trending upward. In Wakefield's last 5 starts, he's got a 7.06 ERA. Andrew Miller has a 7.64 ERA vs AL teams. Weiland could have some promise, but we've already optioned him. So who is our 5th starter. I know you don't need an ace for your 5 man, but right now we've got a 4 man posting a 6.28 ERA, and two 5 men posting a 7.06 and a 7.68 ERA over their past few starts.

 

Is Jimenez perfect? No, of course not. Would he cost a lot? Sure. But who is going to be the Sox 5th man this season, next season? We have no pitchers in the farm that are MLB ready.

[a700hitter]

Ubaldo scares me too, but doesn't Coors Field negatively effect a pitcher's breaking stuff. Coming to the Sox might result in a resurgence for him.

[SoxFanForsyth]

Ubaldo scares me too' date=' but doesn't Coors Field negatively effect a pitcher's breaking stuff. Coming to the Sox might result in a resurgence for him.[/quote']

 

Great point. Just to back that up, I looked up his splits this year.

 

Home games: 61.2 IP, 7.4 K/9, 5.55 ERA

Away games: 60.1 IP, 9.7 K/9, 2.83 ERA

 

Very very interesting.

[Will617]

Ubaldo's xFIP has been very similar every season, it's just his ERA that's shifted a lot.

Career xFIP away: 3.65

Careef xFIP home: 3.95

Career ERA away: 3.58

Career ERA home: 3.67

 

Pitchers also perform better at home parks than away parks, when you adjust for the park factors. Ubaldo isn't going to get traded to the Red Sox, though. They don't have the pieces or the will to trade for him.

[a700hitter]

Ubaldo's xFIP has been very similar every season, it's just his ERA that's shifted a lot.

Career xFIP away: 3.65

Careef xFIP home: 3.95

Career ERA away: 3.58

Career ERA home: 3.67

 

Pitchers also perform better at home parks than away parks, when you adjust for the park factors. Ubaldo isn't going to get traded to the Red Sox, though. They don't have the pieces or the will to trade for him.

The Sox have the pieces. The question is whether they want to part with them.

[Dojji]

And they don't, and I have a hard time blaming them.

 

See if you can score Erik Bedard cheaply. He's not the sexy trade target, but it's only 2 months, you can probably keep him healthy for 2 months if you're willing to skip a start or two. Failing that, move up to Kuroda. But stay away from multiyear commitments to young pitchers because that sort of crap is going to cost you.