Trade Candidates Who Are Currently Playing Well
By Ben Nicholson-Smith [July 11 at 7:20pm CST]
Players who have performed well this month are more likely to intrigue buyers for at least two reasons. First of all, strong performance is an indication of health. Secondly, MLB teams have diverted some scouting efforts from amateurs to the pros since this year’s draft concluded about a month ago.
As a result, it’s fair to say that players who have been performing well this past month are more likely to draw interest at the trade deadline than players with similar overall numbers who had hot starts then cooled off later in the season. Here’s a look at some players who have been performing particularly well over the course of the past 30 days:
By Ben Nicholson-Smith [July 11 at 7:20pm CST]
Players who have performed well this month are more likely to intrigue buyers for at least two reasons. First of all, strong performance is an indication of health. Secondly, MLB teams have diverted some scouting efforts from amateurs to the pros since this year’s draft concluded about a month ago.
As a result, it’s fair to say that players who have been performing well this past month are more likely to draw interest at the trade deadline than players with similar overall numbers who had hot starts then cooled off later in the season. Here’s a look at some players who have been performing particularly well over the course of the past 30 days:
- Michael Cuddyer - The Twins aren’t prepared to sell yet, but Cuddyer would be a candidate to go if they do decide 2011 isn’t their year. He has a .378/.458/.633 line this month.
- Melky Cabrera - Cabrera is under team control through 2012 as an arbitration eligible player, so Kansas City’s front office may decide to keep him around for another year. His .342/.374/.470 line this month would appeal to contenders, though.
- Mark Reynolds - The slugger has ten homers in the past 30 days after starting the season slowly. He earns $7.5MM in 2012 and has an $11MM option for 2013 ($500K buyout).
- J.J. Hardy - Like Reynolds, Hardy had a power surge this month. He hit seven homers and added a .269/.306/.600 line. The Orioles are negotiating an extension with the shortstop, so there’s a good chance he stays in Baltimore.
- Coco Crisp - Crisp has a respectable .298/.364/.426 line this month.
- Carlos Pena - Like Reynolds, Pena strikes out a ton and has a low batting average. But his hot streaks can carry teams and he hit ten homers with a .240/.306/.600 line this month. Tim Dierkes examined Pena as a trade candidate earlier today.
- Livan Hernandez - GM Mike Rizzo says the Nationals will be buyers and sellers this month. Presumably some rival clubs are hoping the dependable Hernandez is available this summer, since he has a 3.62 ERA with 7.2 K/9 and 1.4 BB/9 this month.
- Edwin Jackson - It’s not surprising that clubs are inquiring on Jackson given that he has posted a 4.05 ERA with 9.1 K/9 and 1.4 BB/9 this month. And his 2.52 xFIP suggests he has pitched better than his ERA indicates.
- Ryan Dempster - Across town, Dempster could draw interest as well. The right-hander has a 2.59 ERA with 7.8 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 this month.
- Carlos Villanueva - Though he may not be a trade candidate in the traditional sense, Villanueva’s success in the rotation has presumably drawn the attention of front offices around baseball. He has a 2.84 ERA with 5.4 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9 this month.
- Hiroki Kuroda - Kuroda will require compensation to waive his no-trade clause, but he is already drawing interest. The right-hander has a 2.30 ERA with 5.7 K/9 and 1.4 BB/9 this month.
- Aramis Ramirez, Jose Reyes and Hunter Pence have been playing well, but it seems unlikely that they'll be dealt this month. I’m ignoring relievers, since many relievers have worked ten innings or less this month and that’s a minute sample size.
throw in rasmus & that could be a July blockbuster deal.......
The Cardinals might consider trading Colby Rasmus
Craig Calcaterra
Jul 12, 2011, 10:00 AM EDT
40 Comments
For the past couple of years we’ve heard of Colby Rasmus‘ trade demands and various bits of discontent. In response, the Cardinals and their partisans have — wisely — noted how silly it would be for the Cards to consider trading a young, cheap, talented and potentially elite centerfielder like Rasmus.
Is that sentiment starting to change? Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch thinks it’s a possibility:
Mozeliak turned down inquiries on Rasmus late last season and during the winter when teams seized upon reports of the player’s repeated trade requests and his differences with La Russa. Now, with Rasmus on the cusp of arbitration and showing only halting development, the organization might reconsider its stance.
There's been talk in Philly about Ryan Ludwick or Hunter Pence coming here... I'll take either one of them however Ludwick strikes out way too much. It's hard for me to believe Ed Wade would hand us another early Christmas gift and ship Hunter Pence here so i seriously doubt that's gonna happen. If Pence does come to Philly I'll be playing the Phils heavy to win the national league.
I'm hoping the Giants pick-up catcher Ivan Rodriquez. Not sure what they would have to give up to get him. His experience in the post season and his leadership behind the plate would really help. Eli Whiteside and Chris Stewart just aren't going to cut it in the post season.
YANKEES:
Ubaldo Jimenez could be targeted for a trade by Brian Cashman. If you were in his shoes, who would you offer for the inconsistent but occasionally dominant righty (sounds like A.J.)?
Ubaldo Jimenez could be targeted for a trade by Brian Cashman. If you were in his shoes, who would you offer for the inconsistent but occasionally dominant righty (sounds like A.J.)?
The Royals are looking for "near ready" starting pitching for Jeff Francoeur and Melky Cabrera, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick (on Twitter). Francoeur realizes the Royals may trade him, but he told Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star that he would prefer to stay in Kansas City long-term. The outfielder has had casual conversations with GM Dayton Moore to express his desire to stay, but the sides haven't discussed their $4MM mutual option for 2012 so far.
Scuttlebutt on Atlanta Braves gossip sites have dropped the names of Kuddyer and Pence. A utility player is needed in the mix to try and keep pace with the dominant Phillies. Speed on the bases is a secondary issue the Braves need to remedy. The info on the gossip sites is what it is for now - Scuttlebutt.
James Shields may be available:
This is a question that a bunch of people are probably trying to figure out right now. According to John Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus, the Tampa Bay Rays have "quietly let it be known that right-hander Shields is available for the right price."
Buster Olney has already reported the Reds' apparent interest in Shields, which bodes with previous reports that the Reds were interested in the market's other ace, Ubaldo Jimenez. If the Rays are truly taking calls on the 29-year-old Shields, then we're really looking at a drastically different pitching market than the one that most people were predicting months ago.
This is a question that a bunch of people are probably trying to figure out right now. According to John Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus, the Tampa Bay Rays have "quietly let it be known that right-hander Shields is available for the right price."
Buster Olney has already reported the Reds' apparent interest in Shields, which bodes with previous reports that the Reds were interested in the market's other ace, Ubaldo Jimenez. If the Rays are truly taking calls on the 29-year-old Shields, then we're really looking at a drastically different pitching market than the one that most people were predicting months ago.
http://calltothepen.com/2011/07/25/kyle-farnsworth-is-available/
Farnsworth available:
Kyle Farnsworth is Available
AUTHOR: Blaine Blontz | IN: Baseball | COMMENTS: None Yet |
While the Rays have told teams that pitcher James Shields is off limits this July, the club hasn’t put the same restrictions on their current closer Kyle Farnsworth.* Buster Olney is reporting that Tampa Bay is willing to move Farnsworth this summer.
Farnsworth has pitched extremely well in his first year with the Rays.* The 35 year old has completed 19 of his 23 save opportunities while posting an excellent ERA (1.99) and WHIP (0.98).
Much of the big righty’s success has to do with his career low mark of 1.77 BB/9.* Farnsworth has continued to limit his hits surrendered, and though his strike out numbers are down, he’s shown much better control so far this season.
Tampa Bay signed Farnsworth to a 1 year $2.7 million deal this offseason which includes a $3.3 million team option for 2012.* He pitched for the Royals and Braves in 2010, finishing with a combined FIP of 3.06.
Before last season, Farnsworth went through a rough 4 year stretch, posting an ERA of 4.54 while a member of the Yankees, Tigers and Royals.
While it’s hard to argue with Farnsworth’s production this season, teams may not value him as highly as Tampa if they don’t think he can sustain his current walk rate.* Contenders will also see that Farnsworth’s BABIP of .254 shows that the reliever may be getting a bit lucky.
Though Farnsworth has closed games this season, he’s only totaled 46 saves over his 13 year career and nearly half of those have come in 2011.* Trade partners may be viewing him more as a late inning reliever and not a bonafide closer.
Still, there are tons of contenders looking to add bullpen arms and it certainly won’t hurt the Rays to listen on Farnsworth while he’s in the midst of a career year.
For more on the Rays, be sure to check out Rays Colored Glasses.
...
Farnsworth available:
Kyle Farnsworth is Available
AUTHOR: Blaine Blontz | IN: Baseball | COMMENTS: None Yet |
While the Rays have told teams that pitcher James Shields is off limits this July, the club hasn’t put the same restrictions on their current closer Kyle Farnsworth.* Buster Olney is reporting that Tampa Bay is willing to move Farnsworth this summer.
Farnsworth has pitched extremely well in his first year with the Rays.* The 35 year old has completed 19 of his 23 save opportunities while posting an excellent ERA (1.99) and WHIP (0.98).
Much of the big righty’s success has to do with his career low mark of 1.77 BB/9.* Farnsworth has continued to limit his hits surrendered, and though his strike out numbers are down, he’s shown much better control so far this season.
Tampa Bay signed Farnsworth to a 1 year $2.7 million deal this offseason which includes a $3.3 million team option for 2012.* He pitched for the Royals and Braves in 2010, finishing with a combined FIP of 3.06.
Before last season, Farnsworth went through a rough 4 year stretch, posting an ERA of 4.54 while a member of the Yankees, Tigers and Royals.
While it’s hard to argue with Farnsworth’s production this season, teams may not value him as highly as Tampa if they don’t think he can sustain his current walk rate.* Contenders will also see that Farnsworth’s BABIP of .254 shows that the reliever may be getting a bit lucky.
Though Farnsworth has closed games this season, he’s only totaled 46 saves over his 13 year career and nearly half of those have come in 2011.* Trade partners may be viewing him more as a late inning reliever and not a bonafide closer.
Still, there are tons of contenders looking to add bullpen arms and it certainly won’t hurt the Rays to listen on Farnsworth while he’s in the midst of a career year.
For more on the Rays, be sure to check out Rays Colored Glasses.
...
