Winter Meetings/Rumor Thread

[Mighty Joe Young]

Rumour has it George Springer might be available

http://blog.chron.com/ultimateastros/2015/12/09/astros-carlos-gomez-george-springer-drawing-interest-at-winter-meetings/

Not exactly sure what the Astros might be looking for ..one assumes a MLB ready OF at the very least..

Castillo + Devers/Owens?

 

[JBJ_HOF]

Castillo + Devers/Owens?

Back here in reality they say, "Devers is a nice second piece to Rodriguez for Springer."

 

[Mighty Joe Young]

Back here in reality they say, "Devers is a nice second piece to Rodriguez for Springer."

Well .. if Springer was this uber prospect destined for greatness why would Houston want to trade him? He has warts - he has health issues - he strikes out a ton.

Don't get me wrong , he is a good player - who projects to get better. But he's never going to be a superstar with a .230 BA.

And I think we undervalue Rusney.

 

[foulkehampshire]

Well .. if Springer was this uber prospect destined for greatness why would Houston want to trade him? He has warts - he has health issues - he strikes out a ton.

Don't get me wrong , he is a good player - who projects to get better. But he's never going to be a superstar with a .230 BA.

And I think we undervalue Rusney.

Springer had a sneaky good sophomore season.

It seems like he made some strides cutting down on his swing and becoming less of a boom/bust hitter. He traded fly-balls for line-drives and reduced on his strikeout% to 24%. If that trend continues he's more of a .260+ hitter, which combined with his power and good walk rates makes him a useful piece.

 

[MakMan44]

Well .. if Springer was this uber prospect destined for greatness why would Houston want to trade him? He has warts - he has health issues - he strikes out a ton.

Don't get me wrong , he is a good player - who projects to get better. But he's never going to be a superstar with a .230 BA.

And I think we undervalue Rusney.

Why is Jose Fernandez being shopped? There's a right price for every single player in baseball, and putting out feelers can never hurt. Doesn't mean the Astro's are going to trade him for Castillo plus.

EDIT: I mean, it's literally in the article you posted: "The Astros are also getting inquiries on their outfielders, baseball sources said, and are said to be open to moving George Springer — if the haul is big enough."

 

[terrisus]

And I think we undervalue Rusney.

It's probably a discussion for another thread, but I'm rather confused why everyone is so down on Rusney.

 

[InsideTheParker]

It's probably a discussion for another thread, but I'm rather confused why everyone is so down on Rusney.

He strikes me as a very very bad base-runner, causing lots of unnecessary outs. Also, he is impatient at the plate and strikes out a lot.

 

[DJnVa]

Well .. if Springer was this uber prospect destined for greatness why would Houston want to trade him? He has warts - he has health issues - he strikes out a ton.

Don't get me wrong , he is a good player - who projects to get better. But he's never going to be a superstar with a .230 BA. .

Why is his 2014 BA more relevant to your analysis than his 2015 BA?

He hit .276 last year, with an OBP near .380.

 

[DJnVa]

It's probably a discussion for another thread, but I'm rather confused why everyone is so down on Rusney.

He had an OPS+ of 73 last season in nearly 300 ABs in the majors and slugged less than .400 in AAA. In Sep/Oct his slash line was .194/.236/.252. He also had more CS than SB and seemed to run into outs on the bases.

It'd be more enlightening if you could explain why we should be high on him.

 

[mt8thsw9th]

That, and he wasn't terribly good in Cuba. His projections aren't particularly rosy, either.

 

[glennhoffmania]

The Orioles made a seven-year offer to Chris Davis that would eclipse his previous contract significantly in order to keep him in Baltimore, sources say.

A report from Rock Kubatko of MASN Sports suggests that the offer is for $150 million.

The Orioles met with Larry Reynolds, Justin Upton's agent here at the Winter Meetings to line up possible alternatives for Davis in case he turns down the offer.

Outside possibilities for Davis may include the Blue Jays, Red Sox and Cardinals.

Link

I'd like to know how the Sox are even an outside possibility.

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

Link

I'd like to know how the Sox are even an outside possibility.

They have money and some mediots don't buy the Hanley is our first baseman proclamations. There doesn't even have to be smoke for some media people to think the Red Sox might possibly maybe be remotely interested.

 

[rembrat]

That's a lot of money for Chris Davis. I look at him like another Mike Napoli. Great bat but I just don't see him still being remotely close to that level over the next 7 years.

 

[soxhop411]

Jack McNeil ‏@JackMcNeil44 5h5 hours ago
Dave Stewart: "When you look at Shelby Miller, you're looking at a guy who was traded for Jason Heyward, who is worth $200 million"

 

[Kramerica Industries]

Jack McNeil ‏@JackMcNeil44 5h5 hours ago
Dave Stewart: "When you look at Shelby Miller, you're looking at a guy who was traded for Jason Heyward, who is worth $200 million"

Is he worth that for one season?

 

[MikeM]

Link

I'd like to know how the Sox are even an outside possibility.

That is just Heyman doing his boy Boras a solid.

No doubt Davis is getting paid, but he seemed to be going a little overboard on MLB channel yesterday trying to hype up the possibility that we see countless teams lining up to do it.

 

[Y Kant Jody Reed]

Cleveland beat guy says that before the Miller trade the D-Backs asked the pitching-rich, outfielder-poor Indians about Danny Salazar, but cooled off when the Indians asked for AJ Pollock:

http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/index.ssf/2015/12/cleveland_indians_talked_to_ar.html

 

[Scoops Bolling]

Lots of reports that Ken Giles may be traded to the Astros. Sherman, Rosenthal, and others have all said talks are ongoing.

 

[Montana Fan]

That, and he wasn't terribly good in Cuba. His projections aren't particularly rosy, either.

Well then, how about Rusney and Barnes/Workman for Springer?

 

[DJnVa]

Lots of reports that Ken Giles may be traded to the Astros. Sherman, Rosenthal, and others have all said talks are ongoing.

MLB.com saying it's done.

 

[Hendu for Kutch]

Looks like Giles for Vince Velasquez, Bret Oberholtzer, and Derek Fisher.


Makes you really appreciate getting Carson Smith without having to unload any real prospects.

Also, reports that Lawrie to the White Sox "sounds done".

 

[Hee Sox Choi]

Phillies are getting 4 players.

More Boras lolz:
Chris Davis Reportedly Seeking Eight Years, $200MM

 

[Greg29fan]

Chicago White SoxVerified account ‏@whitesox 16m16 minutes ago
BREAKING: White Sox have acquired Brett Lawrie from the A's in exchange for LHP Zachary Erwin & RHP J.B. Wendelken.

 

[PC Drunken Friar]

A's trade Brett Lawrie to White Sox for pitchers Zachary Erwin and J.B. Wendelken.

That Donaldson for Lawrie trade may be one of the worst in the past 15-20 years, right?

 

[DanoooME]

That's just crazy for Davis. I can't believe anyone would pay him the $150M the Orioles allegedly offered him, let alone $200M. I mean, Pedro Alvarez is 80% of the player Davis is (maybe more) and he'll probably only cost something like 1 year, $6M on a prove it deal.

 

[grimshaw]

Ever since Pierzynski left the White Sox, they have lacked a true douche in the clubhouse, so that definitely filled that gaping hole.

 

[jon abbey]

A's trade Brett Lawrie to White Sox for pitchers Zachary Erwin and J.B. Wendelken.

That Donaldson for Lawrie trade may be one of the worst in the past 15-20 years, right?

And arguably not even the worst one Beane made that year, giving away Addison Russell for 2 SPs who were gone a few months later.

 

[Scoops Bolling]

A's trade Brett Lawrie to White Sox for pitchers Zachary Erwin and J.B. Wendelken.

That Donaldson for Lawrie trade may be one of the worst in the past 15-20 years, right?

It was bad, but Franklin Barreto is the real deal. The A's didn't get enough, but Barreto will help soothe those wounds in a couple years.

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

Mets to sign Asdrubal Cabrera, 2 yrs, $18.5M total. Looks like he'll play short, so Flores and Tejada are out of starting jobs.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/mets-sign-asdrubal-cabrera.html

 

[E5 Yaz]

This one's interesting

The New York Mets have acquired second baseman Neil Walker from the Pittsburgh Pirates for left-hander Jonathon Niese.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/14330283/new-york-mets-trade-lhp-jonathon-niese-pittsburgh-pirates-2b-neil-walker

 

[rembrat]

A whole new look up the middle for the Mets though I'm not sure how people can still call Asdrubal a shortstop. Walker seems like a nice addition.

 

[jon abbey]

Flores and Tejada are both recovering from broken bones, Tejada from the Utley play in the NLDS and Flores fractured his ankle recently in winter ball.

So this protects the Mets as those two try to come back, Wright also is of course a big ongoing question mark with his back issues.

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

That's just crazy for Davis. I can't believe anyone would pay him the $150M the Orioles allegedly offered him, let alone $200M. I mean, Pedro Alvarez is 80% of the player Davis is (maybe more) and he'll probably only cost something like 1 year, $6M on a prove it deal.

Are the Orioles bidding against themselves? Rosenthal reporting this morning that they've upped their offer to 7/168. Who is the mystery team here?

Ken Rosenthal@Ken_Rosenthal
Sources:#Orioles have increased offer to Davis, possibly as high as 7/168. Team hopeful, even somewhat optimistic, that it can strike deal.

 

[glennhoffmania]

That is just Heyman doing his boy Boras a solid.

No doubt Davis is getting paid, but he seemed to be going a little overboard on MLB channel yesterday trying to hype up the possibility that we see countless teams lining up to do it.

I didn't realize that he was a Boras client. That makes perfect sense now.

 

[Wingack]

Are they bidding against themselves?

 

[Snoop Soxy Dogg]

Olney says there's no increased offer from the O's (sorry, can't link from work). Offer may even be off the table. Have the feeling it's Boras feeding stuff to Rosenthal.

 

[nvalvo]

It is hard to see who else would be interested.

In the AL East, I have only Baltimore. Incumbents in NY, BOS, TOR, and $ in TB.
In the AL Central, KC, DET, CHI, MIN should be set, and he's too expensive for CLE.
In the AL West, LAAA are a possibility if they want to upgrade on Cron. But the HOU, TEX, and SEA should be set, and he's too expensive for OAK.

In the NL East, NYM could arguably have a need, but I can't see them spending like that. Not PHI and ATL (success cycle), and WAS has an incumbent. Conceivably MIA?
In the NL Central, he's too expensive for MIL and PIT, while STL, CIN and CHI are set. (edit: Wingack has heard STL might be interested in lieu of Heyward.)
In the NL West, ARI, LAD, and SFG are set. SDG has more pressing needs, but COL could be a conceivable option.

Having done this exercise, I now want to see him go to Colorado and set a new single season home run record.

 

[AlNipper49]

Are the Orioles bidding against themselves? Rosenthal reporting this morning that they've upped their offer to 7/168. Who is the mystery team here?

Ken Rosenthal@Ken_Rosenthal
Sources:#Orioles have increased offer to Davis, possibly as high as 7/168. Team hopeful, even somewhat optimistic, that it can strike deal.

I do not like to add onto the noise in these threads, but I do have one question.

Is that in American Dollars?

 

[DJnVa]

I mean, Pedro Alvarez is 80% of the player Davis is (maybe more) and he'll probably only cost something like 1 year, $6M on a prove it deal.

In the last 5 years Alvarez hasn't had an OBP over .318, Davis is nearly .350 over the last 3 seasons and that includes whatever happened to him in 2014. In 2013 and 2015 he was over .360. The O's know him well enough to possibly know EXACTLY what 2014 was and likely thinks that 2013 and 2015 are more in line with what they can expect. If they are comfortable with that, he's a guy they expect an OPS+ of around 150, while Alvarez sits in the 110-115 range.

EDIT: To be clear, I'm not advocating that he deserves $170 million.

 

[jon abbey]

Also, Davis is a much better defender at 1B, plus he can play the OF. Alvarez ideally is a DH, which is why PIT didn't tender him.

 

[Wingack]

It is hard to see who else would be interested.

In the AL East, I have only Baltimore. Incumbents in NY, BOS, TOR, and $ in TB.
In the AL Central, KC, DET, CHI, MIN should be set, and he's too expensive for CLE.
In the AL West, LAAA are a possibility if they want to upgrade on Cron. But the HOU, TEX, and SEA should be set, and he's too expensive for OAK.

In the NL East, NYM could arguably have a need, but I can't see them spending like that. Not PHI and ATL (success cycle), and WAS has an incumbent. Conceivably MIA?
In the NL Central, he's too expensive for MIL and PIT, while STL, CIN and CHI are set.
In the NL West, ARI, LAD, and SFG are set. SDG has more pressing needs, but COL could be a conceivable option.

Having done this exercise, I now want to see him go to Colorado and set a new single season home run record.

I believe STL has expressed an interest in him if they lose Heyward.

 

[Bowlerman9]

The Padres ended up with 4 guys in the Rule 5 draft. Two they picked, one they acquired from Oakland, one they acquired from Colorado.

 

[E5 Yaz]

Tony Sipp returning to Astros

 

[Detts]

The Padres ended up with 4 guys in the Rule 5 draft. Two they picked, one they acquired from Oakland, one they acquired from Colorado.

I am guessing that Preller doesn't know that you have to return a Rule 5 draft pick back to their original team if they do not make the opening day roster.

 

[Bowlerman9]

I am guessing that Preller doesn't know that you have to return a Rule 5 draft pick back to their original team if they do not make the opening day roster.

Probably the same way Billy Eppler wasn't aware he could have had Deolis Guerra for free last week and kept him in the minors and instead spent $50,000 to have to keep him in the majors for the full season.

 

[Crazy Puppy]

Probably the same way Billy Eppler wasn't aware he could have had Deolis Guerra for free last week and kept him in the minors and instead spent $50,000 to have to keep him in the majors for the full season.

Looks like the Angels did the same thing with their second pick in the Rule 5 draft -- Ji-Man Choi was a minor league free agent a few weeks ago too.

 

[Joshv02]

The Padres are spending about $100,000 to get four guys free tryouts (its 50k per player, but you get 25k back if the original teams takes them back), or about 1 month of ML salary for a pre-arb player. Its not a real expense. Burning the hypothetical 25 man spot isn't a big deal in December. The more concerning issue is that they don't have enough guys to build out a full 40 man roster without adding this many guys.

 

[E5 Yaz]

The Padres are spending about $100,000 to get four guys free tryouts (its 50k per player, but you get 25k back if the original teams takes them back), or about 1 month of ML salary for a pre-arb player. Its not a real expense. Burning the hypothetical 25 man spot isn't a big deal in December. The more concerning issue is that they don't have enough guys to build out a full 40 man roster without adding this many guys.

You leave your logic out of this ... people are trying to call MLB executives stupidheads

 

[DJnVa]

Orioles have apparently pulled the offer to Davis.

 

[NickEsasky]

Nice to see someone finally call BS on Boras' "mystery team"