Trade deadline news and views
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Monday's trade buzz
Jayson Stark's take: With Aroldis Chapman off the market, Davis succeeds him as the best closer available. So several of the teams that pursued Chapman (Nationals, Giants, Rangers, etc.) would figure to be just as interested in Davis. But the Royals' steep asking price reflects the fact that, unlike Chapman, Davis is under control next year, too, with a $10 million club option (or $2.5 million buyout). So it's likely the Royals would ask a team like Washington, for instance, to build a package around Trea Turner and/or Lucas Giolito, two high-ceiling young players who have already reached the big leagues. If that's the type of package being asked, it would seem doubtful they'll find any team that would pay it, unless it's part of a larger deal.
Jayson Stark's take: We like to pigeonhole teams as "buyers" or "sellers" this time of year. But the Royals seem to defy those labels. If they move Wade Davis, Edinson Volquez, Kendrys Morales or anyone else, it will be for players they can plug into their roster immediately -- or no later than next season -- and can control for several years. Other clubs say they seem to be wary of making a trade that would be construed by fans or their players as giving up. But with Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, Lorenzo Cain, Davis and Danny Duffy all eligible for free agency after next season, the Royals are targeting players who could allow them to make a run next season. And they're looking for young players who could extend their window to win. So they appear to have backed off in their interest in a rental bat like Josh Reddick, for instance, but have asked about young outfielders on several teams. They'll be a fascinating team to watch over the next week.
Mark Saxon's take: Indications were that the Cardinals did not get seriously involved, if at all, in trying to acquire Chapman. While they are seeking relief help before the deadline, they have indicated they aren't necessarily looking for closer-level pitchers. Seung Hwan Oh has been fine, and the team still thinks Trevor Rosenthal could iron out his command issues and become the team's closer again. Look for the Cardinals to acquire a second-tier arm as they did last season with Steve Cishek and Jonathan Broxton.
Jerry Crasnick's take: The Angels, who are 43-55 and 13½ games out of first place in the American League West, are so short on starting pitching that they keep giving Tim Lincecum opportunities. But sources said they've engaged in discussions with several teams on Santiago, who is 8-4 with a 4.32 ERA and is making an affordable $5 million this season with two years to go until free agency. Santiago could have some appeal to teams such as the Marlins, Orioles or Pirates that are looking for depth or an upgrade in a thin market for starting pitching. The Mets are focused primarily on a reliever. But if they decide to dabble in the starting market, they could also enter the fray.
Andrew Marchand's take: The Yankees have loved Michael Pineda's and Nathan Eovaldi's talent, but with free agency approaching for both of them after next year, it could be time to cut bait. The Yankees won't give either away, as they think both could be good starters. They are currently higher on Eovaldi. The problem in dealing either is their stock is low. Of course, if their stock were high, the Yankees wouldn't think about dealing them at all. Acquiring teams have to decide whether, to use a phrase from Eovaldi's home state of Texas, they are big hat, no cattle.
Andrew Marchand's take: Ivan Nova will be a free agent at the end of the season, and the Yankees are unlikely to re-sign him. He has been inconsistent, but he has pitched in high-pressure games. A move to the National League could allow him to consistently work through six innings, which would be a valuable commodity for a contender. The Yankees could add a minor leaguer or two in a deal, adding to their organizational depth. This all makes sense to me.
Stark's take: Red Sox president Dave Dombrowski has always been aggressive this time of year when he thinks his team has a chance to win. But he's shopping for a commodity that's virtually not for sale.
Speaking of which, the Red Sox are one of the clubs that have asked about White Sox ace Chris Sale but have balked at the mammoth price tag. One source says Dombrowski has always coveted Oakland's Sonny Gray and would still have interest. But you can forget the ace behind door No. 3, because Tampa Bay is highly unlikely to send Chris Archer to Boston.
Teams that have talked with the Red Sox say Dombrowski is also prepared to wait for a few days in case a team or two falls out of the race and decides to sell. Seattle, Kansas City and Detroit could all fit that profile, though it's far from certain any of those teams would look to move a top-of-the-rotation starter.
Weekend trade buzz
Katie Strang's take: In other words, the two scenarios are not mutually exclusive. In fact, if the White Sox are engaged in discussions and are even entertaining the possibility of trading their ace, it makes the most sense to still err on the side of caution. And for anyone that thinks this "incident" could dissuade any potential suitors, think again. Without Sale, it's a relatively thin starting pitching market. Players like that don't come around often, especially a pitcher at his age, with his talent, not to mention such a team-favorable contract.
David Schoenfield's take: No surprise the Rangers are seeking pitching -- they're actually starting Kyle Lohse these days. They're 4-15 in their past 19 games with just three quality starts in that span. Would Jurickson Profar and Joey Gallo be enough to get Chris Sale (who, by the way, has a 4.87 ERA in his past 10 starts)? Seems like a good challenge trade for both clubs. Gallo still has Chris Davis-like upside, but he could also be more Mark Reynolds than future All-Star. The White Sox are mired in mediocrity. They're not winning with Sale; maybe it's time to retool and get more depth.
Katie Strang's take: Want a number of reasons that the Tigers standing pat makes the most sense? According to GM Al Avila, first, the club will be getting a pair of pitchers back from the disabled list soon in Jordan Zimmermann and Daniel Norris, as well as outfielder J.D. Martinez. Second, the starting pitching market is either thin or prohibitive; think Chris Sale and the king's ransom required to get him. And third, the Tigers don't want to part with talented young pitchers like Norris and Michael Fulmer, a pair of players who are often the starting point for most trade discussions with rival executives. But beyond those factors, the club's expensive payroll makes it unlikely they will add salary as the August 1 trade deadline approaches.
Eddie Matz's take: On the one hand, this deal wouldn't address the Orioles' most glaringly obviously gaping-hole-of-a-void need (starting pitching). On the other hand, with reliever Darren O'Day almost ready to return from a prolonged hammy hiatus, the O's will need to 86 somebody from the roster. Given the abysmal season that Jimenez has had, it wouldn't be a shock at this point to see the Birds just cut him. So why not try to find a taker who's willing to pay his salary? But the Padres aren't stupid. They wouldn't just do Jimenez for Upton straight up. They'll need a prospect. Question is, is it worth for Baltimore to give one up in return for outfield help. Given recent injuries to Hyun Soo Kim and Joey Rickard, the answer may be yes -- depending on who the prospect is.
Friday's trade buzz
Jerry Crasnick's take: While Chris Archer and the Tampa Bay starters are attracting the bulk of the attention, Pearce is an intriguing under-the-radar name at the deadline. He has a .322/.393/.522 slash line and has less than $2 million still owed to him this year before he'll become a free agent in November. He's capable of playing first, second, third and the outfield, and he's relatively affordable. He could be a nice fit for a contending team that doesn't want to take the plunge on a big-name bat.
Katie Strang's take: On Thursday, White Sox general manager Rick Hahn admitted trading an ace like Chris Sale "may be extreme" even if the team opts to rebuild, but he didn't completely shut the door on the possibility, either, telling reporters the team will be "open-minded" to everything but short-term rentals. Manager Robin Ventura indicated he doesn't think Sale will be fazed by the trade speculation. "I think Chris is probably used to it by now. His name gets mentioned every trade deadline and offseason," Ventura said prior to Thursday's 2-1 loss to the Tigers. "That's part of being good. If your name is being mentioned, you're probably a pretty good player and people want ya. It doesn't ever shock me when his name comes up because I think any team in either league would want him."
Katie Strang's take: Tigers manager Brad Ausmus already made it clear he doesn't think the Tigers will be sellers at the trade deadline. However, the idea of the team standing pat seems to be a much more realistic option. When asked about the topic before Friday's game, Ausmus did admit that it can sometimes serve as a vote of confidence in a club, showing faith in how the roster is currently comprised. Considering the Tigers have played middle-of-the-pack baseball and already carry a hefty payroll, this may be the preferred course of action at the beginning of next month.
Thursday's trade buzz
Jayson Stark's take: Most clubs that have asked about Archer have come away with the impression Tampa Bay is highly unlikely to move him. So why would the Dodgers be a different case? This executive's take? Because Dodgers president Andrew Friedman and Rays president Matt Silverman are so close. Because the Dodgers have an extreme need for an impact starter they could control beyond this year. And because the Dodgers "have prospects that fit" what the Rays would need to get back in order to move their ace.
Nevertheless, the Rays have been telling teams the Dodgers don't have any advantage over anyone else, despite the history and friendship of Friedman and Silverman. So if the Dodgers were able to pull this off, it would take a massive package, one that separates them from teams like Texas, another club with an excellent farm system that hasn't been able to match up with the Rays on Archer.
Katie Strang's take: Though the Tigers are in a similar spot with respect to the wild-card standings as they were last season, this year's team feels different to manager Brad Ausmus -- one that has more potential and upside if they can remain healthy. Ausmus admitted he didn't like the decision to sell last year -- he told then-general manager Dave Dombrowski: "I think it's a mistake " when Dombrowski informed him they were going to unload pieces -- but doesn't envision a similar scenario this time around.
Katie Strang's take: Chicago White Sox GM Rick Hahn told reporters Thursday that the team hasn't ruled out the idea of a rebuild -- though he admitted idea of dealing someone like Chris Sale may be "extreme" -- and that the organization has the long-term plan in mind. What does that mean for the short term? Manager Robin Ventura noted that his club has shown resilience through stretches already this season and that they will need to do so again if they have any chance to remain in the hunt.
Jerry Crasnick's take: Lind, 33, won't generate a ton of interest with his .230/.265/.455 slash line against right-handed pitching. But he does have 14 homers in 222 at-bats against righties, so he might have some appeal to a contending team looking for a lefty corner bat with quick-strike capability. He's a free agent at the end of this season, so Dipoto would probably be happy to move him for a second-tier prospect.
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