Possible Trade Deadline Deals

[Bronx Yankees]

I have seen a few recent Rotoworld blurbs that amused me in that teams are bailing on big acquisitions very quickly. Today's news is that the Royals are trying to unload Ian Kennedy in any Wade Davis deal with the Dodgers. Apparently four months of Ian Kennedy was enough to change the Royals' minds after giving him 5 years and $70 million this off-season. I also saw - think it was yesterday - that the White Sox were trying to unload James Shields. Wait. Didn't they just trade for him two months ago? I understand that these are baseball and financial decisions, and that circumstances change. Still, in what line of work can you go into your boss and say that the $70 million acquisition you just made was a mistake after four months and it needs to be unloaded? I think the gap between the best and worst GMs is far wider than the gap between the best and worst managers.

Just my two cents on a slow day.

Mike

[DOUGHBOYS]

Good thread and thoughts, Mike.
I have a little bit of a beef with Mike Rizzo, the GM for the Nats.
He was floored at what the Cubs gave up for Aroldis Chapman.
On one hand, it was a great haul for the Yankees. The Cubs gave up a lot, no doubt.
On the other hand, Rizzo acts as though the window of opportunity to win a World Series will always be there.
In 2012, he halted Steven Strasburg from pitching too many innings and not using him when the Nats needed him most.
That year, the Nats had more Wins than any team in baseball and looked to be World Series ready.
Rizzo was not.
Now, he is incredulous at what it took to get the best reliever in baseball, while his own bullpen crumbles.
The Nats are going to go as far as Strasburg and Scherzer takes them this year.
It's up to Rizzo to bridge the other innings.
If I were a Nats fan, I would not feel confident that he is the man for that job.
It'll be interesting to see what transpires.

[Deadheadz]

the White Sox were trying to unload James Shields. Wait. Didn't they just trade for him two months ago?

Shields has 6 straight QS including 3 W and no more than 2 ER in the 3 L.
They're telling teams he's fixed now and worth a lot more than they gave up for him.

Sounds a lot like guys who buy a car or house as a fixer-upper and then flip em for quick profit.

.

[Bronx Yankees]

Good thread and thoughts, Mike.
I have a little bit of a beef with Mike Rizzo, the GM for the Nats.
He was floored at what the Cubs gave up for Aroldis Chapman.
On one hand, it was a great haul for the Yankees. The Cubs gave up a lot, no doubt.
On the other hand, Rizzo acts as though the window of opportunity to win a World Series will always be there.
In 2012, he halted Steven Strasburg from pitching too many innings and not using him when the Nats needed him most.
That year, the Nats had more Wins than any team in baseball and looked to be World Series ready.
Rizzo was not.
Now, he is incredulous at what it took to get the best reliever in baseball, while his own bullpen crumbles.
The Nats are going to go as far as Strasburg and Scherzer takes them this year.
It's up to Rizzo to bridge the other innings.
If I were a Nats fan, I would not feel confident that he is the man for that job.
It'll be interesting to see what transpires.

Dan: Completely agree. If nothing else, this week should have convinced the Nats that they need help at the back end of their bullpen. If they do not want to pay up for Miller or Davis, there are other relievers available at a lower price that still would be an upgrade from Papelbon. In contrast to the Nats, I love what the Cubs are doing. If my team has World Series level talent, I want an ownership/management that goes for it. Who knows what the Nats will look like next year or the year after. They are one Strasburg back injury away from having only a good and not great rotation. Is Murphy going to hit like this again? Is Werth and/or Rendon going to stay mostly healthy like this again? Folks say they understand the Cubs going for it because they haven't won a World Series in a gazillion years. Yeah, well, when was the Nats' last World Series victory? Seems like they should go for it as well.

Mike

[Bronx Yankees]

the White Sox were trying to unload James Shields. Wait. Didn't they just trade for him two months ago?

Shields has 6 straight QS including 3 W and no more than 2 ER in the 3 L.
They're telling teams he's fixed now and worth a lot more than they gave up for him.

Sounds a lot like guys who buy a car or house as a fixer-upper and then flip em for quick profit.

.

Shields has definitely picked up his game lately (although he was so bad at the beginning of his White Sox tenure that he truly had nowhere to go but up). Here's the thing I do not understand. If Shields is worth so much more now than when the Sox acquired him, why are they so anxious to get rid of him? If they don't have faith in his future performance, why should any other team? I'm guessing that there are not many - if any - teams that are going to be jumping on James Shields. Look, if the White Sox can unload him for more than they gave up for him, they should go for it because aren't doing anything this year. Still, I find it amusing that they are looking to unload him so soon after acquiring him and I don't see any big profit to be had.

(In contrast, kudos to the Yankees on the Chapman deal. You certainly can question whether you want your team to acquire a player accused of abusing a woman. I totally get that. But, from a pure baseball standpoint, the Yankees gave up extremely little to grab an elite closer when his value was at its lowest and then they sold him when his value was much, much higher. I just don't see Shields being a comparable buy/sell candidate.)

Mike

[Deadheadz]

Mike

I agree with most of what you're saying about Shields.
He'll likely stay with the Sox and hopefully his ego isn't bruised by all the rumors of trade possibilities.

It's the time of year when contenders are looking to beef up their rotation and (so far) no big SP names have changed teams. If the asking price for guys like Sale, Archer, Hill etc is too high Chicago may figure Shields could be Plan B for one of those contenders.

.

[Bronx Yankees]

Mike
It's the time of year when contenders are looking to beef up their rotation and (so far) no big SP names have changed teams. If the asking price for guys like Sale, Archer, Hill etc is too high Chicago may figure Shields could be Plan B for one of those contenders.

.

Good point. It seems like there is a dearth of high quality starting pitching available and, perhaps, if the prices for the top options are too high, some contender might be willing to roll the dice with Shields. Still, I find it hard to believe that the White Sox are going to profit much by the buy-and-sell, but I guess we'll find out. I've certainly been wrong before.

Mike

[Edwards Kings]

Two thoughts:

1) The Nats need David Robertson.
2) The Braves method of flipping is the best...give a marginal prospect a few starts, he has a good month, and flip him for a low-minors power prospect....nice.....

[DOUGHBOYS]

Two thoughts:

1) The Nats need David Robertson.
2) The Braves method of flipping is the best...give a marginal prospect a few starts, he has a good month, and flip him for a low-minors power prospect....nice.....

Isn't David Robertson.... Jonathon Papelbon?
I believe there is a Nate Jones bias at work here!

Just how long do the Braves continue flipping?
There comes a time when they will actually have to compete.
The talk was that it would be in time for the new Stadium.
It's doubtful that the Braves magically compete in that timeframe.
When, Wayne?

[Edwards Kings]

Two thoughts:

1) The Nats need David Robertson.
2) The Braves method of flipping is the best...give a marginal prospect a few starts, he has a good month, and flip him for a low-minors power prospect....nice.....

Isn't David Robertson.... Jonathon Papelbon?
I believe there is a Nate Jones bias at work here!

Just how long do the Braves continue flipping?
There comes a time when they will actually have to compete.
The talk was that it would be in time for the new Stadium.
It's doubtful that the Braves magically compete in that timeframe.
When, Wayne?

Yes...yes I heart Nate Jones!!!!

If they trade certain guys (Freeman, Inciarte, Teheran, Vizcaino, Mallex, Swanson, or Albies to name a few), I will be pissed. Trading Lucas Harrell for a second baseman who hit .272/.352/.583 with 25 homers and 59 RBI over 331 at-bats (even in High A), yeah, I am ok with the whole sell-them-while-they-are-hot.

And no, will not win next year. Next year will be when the players congeal (hmmmm....Jello!). OF two-thirds set with Inciarte and Smith (I think Markakis will be dealt). Albies and Swanson in the middle. Freddie at first. Catcher, third and last OF TBD (lots of money available to get those in the FA market or via trades with a deep system to aid in the effort). Rotation far from set after Teheran, but I expect a lot of young guns will be tried (Wisler and Foltynewicz in the mix, but Blair maybe, walkman Newcomb, Fried, etc.). So not 2017, but they should be funner to watch. Winning the Division in 2018, perennial WS champions beginning in 2019.

Push that back a year if we have to wait for the million or so excellent low minors pitchers to catch up.

[Edwards Kings]

Clem McCarthy of Pathe News's RKO reports Gordon Beckham is drawing no trade interest whatsoever.

Several unusual circumstances here. One Clem McCarthy and his gravelly voice and dramatic "whiskey tenor" style is probably best know for calling horse races and two has been dead for fifty-four years. Third, and most dramatic, is that Beckham may be the only player on the 25 man roster of any major league baseball team that does NOT have a trade rumor swirling around him.

[Edwards Kings]

Braves acquired OF Matt Kemp and cash considerations from the Padres in exchange for OF/3B Hector Olivera.
It's essentially a straight salary dump as the Padres have already designated Olivera for assignment. The Padres have gutted their major league roster by trading away James Shields, Fernando Rodney, Drew Pomeranz, Melvin Upton, Andrew Cashner, Colin Rea and now Kemp. The 31-year-old has had a productive year so far, hitting .262 with 23 HR and 69 RBI. He's been especially hot since the All-Star break, batting .315 in the second half with seven round-trippers in only 54 at-bats. He won't have a great lineup around him in Atlanta but fantasy owners shouldn't be concerned.

See...the Braves want to win.,,,got a 31 year old outfielder with two arthritic hips...and it only cost them $8.5m a year (netting the Padre money and Olivera money against the $21.5m Kemp is due annually)!

[Bronx Yankees]

Apparently (allegedly) Yankees were not interested in a Miller for Giolito trade and preferred two of the Indians' top prospects. If Giolito turns out to be a stud, this may be a dark day in Yankees history. (I'm not as familiar with the prospects the Yankees did land - just trying to read up on them today.). For fantasy purposes, two more bullpens being shaken up.

Mike

[Bronx Yankees]

Most seem to think the Yankees got a sizeable haul for Miller. So tough to judge when trading a known elite player for a bunch of prospects, none of whom seem to fall in the "can't miss" category. Still, getting four back, at least three of which seem compelling, does help with the odds. Probably won't know how good or bad this trade is for two years.

Mike

[DOUGHBOYS]

Cody Allen follows Jonathon Papelbon and Hector Rondon to Closer irrelevance.

I don't think it is a dark day, Mike.
It is only speculation that the Yankees turned down Giolito.
Even if true, so many young Starters fail at the Big level that I believe Theo has the right potion.
Build a young offense and buy proven Starters.
It looks like the Yankees may be following the same formula.

[DOUGHBOYS]

As for the Braves.

?

They have money to burn, so that's what they're doing?

Markakis and Kemp are headscratchers.

[Bronx Yankees]

Cody Allen follows Jonathon Papelbon and Hector Rondon to Closer irrelevance.

I don't think it is a dark day, Mike.
It is only speculation that the Yankees turned down Giolito.
Even if true, so many young Starters fail at the Big level that I believe Theo has the right potion.
Build a young offense and buy proven Starters.
It looks like the Yankees may be following the same formula.

Good points, Dan. Hadn't really thought about it before, but, yeah, I guess that's the way the Cubs built their team, for the most part. Everyone says the NFL is a copycat league, but I think we may be seeing it in baseball now. Clubs also copying the Royals' approach that if you can't build a dominant rotation (or even if you can), try to build a dominant bullpen and shorten the game. Still, knowing how much it costs to buy an ace, and how few are available in free agency, I would've preferred a real potential ace (quality) over several very good prospects (quantity). Seem to be multiple reports that the Yankees indicated that Giolito would not be enough to get Miller, whether the deal was formally offered or not. On the other hand, it easily could be the case that the first guy got it wrong and the rest are just blindly repeating that story.

Mike

[DOUGHBOYS]

Holy Cow.
I am losing more and more respect for Lucroy.
He's been whining about getting out of Milwaukee and playing for a winner.
Now he vetoes the trade to Cleveland?
Wow.

[Bronx Yankees]

Holy Cow.
I am losing more and more respect for Lucroy.
He's been whining about getting out of Milwaukee and playing for a winner.
Now he vetoes the trade to Cleveland?
Wow.

Agreed. He probably thinks he can force a trade to a more desirable contender. If it wasn't shooting themselves in the foot, the Brewers should keep him now out of spite.

Wonder if Brandon Phillips is regretting not playing for the Nats this year?

For some guys, it's really not all about winning, I guess.

Mike

[DOUGHBOYS]

Holy Cow.
I am losing more and more respect for Lucroy.
He's been whining about getting out of Milwaukee and playing for a winner.
Now he vetoes the trade to Cleveland?
Wow.

Agreed. He probably thinks he can force a trade to a more desirable contender. If it wasn't shooting themselves in the foot, the Brewers should keep him now out of spite.

Wonder if Brandon Phillips is regretting not playing for the Nats this year?

For some guys, it's really not all about winning, I guess.

Mike

You're right, Mike.
'Playing for a contender' is just a guise in wanting more money.
He wants his option for next year removed.
Ugh.
It seems it is never really about playing for a winner.
Just money.

[KJ Duke]

Braves acquired OF Matt Kemp and cash considerations from the Padres in exchange for OF/3B Hector Olivera.
It's essentially a straight salary dump as the Padres have already designated Olivera for assignment. The Padres have gutted their major league roster by trading away James Shields, Fernando Rodney, Drew Pomeranz, Melvin Upton, Andrew Cashner, Colin Rea and now Kemp. The 31-year-old has had a productive year so far, hitting .262 with 23 HR and 69 RBI. He's been especially hot since the All-Star break, batting .315 in the second half with seven round-trippers in only 54 at-bats. He won't have a great lineup around him in Atlanta but fantasy owners shouldn't be concerned.

See...the Braves want to win.,,,got a 31 year old outfielder with two arthritic hips...and it only cost them $8.5m a year (netting the Padre money and Olivera money against the $21.5m Kemp is due annually)!

So the Braves are pulling an AJ Preller (2015 version) ... while the Padres are pulling a Braves early-cycle rebuild.

Are both of these clubs just going to get on 3-year purge/spend failure cycle?

[Yah Mule]

I think the trade makes sense for Atlanta. Kemp has been in steady decline, but he's still got a marketable name and Braves ownership doesn't want to open that controversial new stadium with the kind of uninspiring lineup they had this year. Olivera is 31, injury prone, he hasn't hit in the majors and he has a domestic violence charge hanging over his head. They've been trying to deal him since news of that broke, so I would imagine they're thrilled.

[Yah Mule]

The Indians not only offered him nothing, they told Lucroy that Yan Gomes would be their catcher next season and he could expect to be a backup catcher/first baseman/DH going into his walk year. Cleveland was also on his no-trade list from the start, so Milwaukee obviously can't be surprised that this deal got shot down.

[DOUGHBOYS]

I think the trade makes sense for Atlanta. Kemp has been in steady decline, but he's still got a marketable name and Braves ownership doesn't want to open that controversial new stadium with the kind of uninspiring lineup they had this year. Olivera is 31, injury prone, he hasn't hit in the majors and he has a domestic violence charge hanging over his head. They've been trying to deal him since news of that broke, so I would imagine they're thrilled.

They could have cut him, just like San Diego did.
They essentially bought Kemp's contract minus a little that SD threw in.
It seems the Braves have been given divine response in all deals.
If they trade for prospects, it can be reasoned they are building for the future.
If they trade for a large contract, it can be reasoned they have to have names for their new park.
They can do little wrong as far as reasoning goes. At the same time, they have to build a team.
The way they are doing it does not meet with divine response.

[DOUGHBOYS]

The Indians not only offered him nothing, they told Lucroy that Yan Gomes would be their catcher next season and he could expect to be a backup catcher/first baseman/DH going into his walk year. Cleveland was also on his no-trade list from the start, so Milwaukee obviously can't be surprised that this deal got shot down.

I'm surprised.
I believed Lucroy when saying he wanted to go to a contender.
Not a chance to use going to a contender as leverage.