2019 Trade Deadline / Free Agency Rumors

[Baltimore Orioles (Vince)]

7/15/2019

SHAKE UP IN TAMPA BAY LOOMING?


Rich Hill answers trade rumor questions 7/15/2019

              As the trade deadline rapidly approaches, one divisional leading team is seeking to shake up their roster before the deadline passes. Sources close to the Tampa Bay Rays front office have said their front office brass has been “aggressively pursuing trade offers for another starting pitcher and left fielder”. Among those rumored to be in trade conversations are Randal Grichuk, Rich Hill and Phil Marin. With the Rays at 95-63-10 and atop the AL East, a major shakeup for a winning team is unexpected. Sources close to the situation said the Rays front office brass want to “solidify” their starting lineup and are comfortable moving a few pieces to fill out their batting order and pitching rotation. Turtle Ball Times reached out to the Rays’ GM and assistant GM but both declined to comment at this time. During a press conference this week, Rich Hill was asked to address the trade rumors as the August 7th deadline approaches. “Every year rumors start going and you just have to focus on the game ahead and what I need to do to prepare for my next start” Hill explained. At 39 years old and on the IL for an extended period this season, Hill may be on the move for the right price. Hill could provide another team with quality innings pitched even if he is at an advanced age and has struggled with injuries. Hill is currently on his second IL stint which could make trade negotiations difficult for the Rays. As for Randal Grichuk, the OF deflected questions regarding rumors at a recent post-game press conference. Grichuk has hit 16 home runs and 41 RBIs this season and is on pace to pass his stats in those categories last season. Grichuk’s departure from the Rays would be intriguing since the OF has had a solid season thus far. On the financial side, both players are locked up for a relatively affordable price the next year and would not enter free agency until 2021 (Grichuk 2 years/$7, Hill 2 years/$6). Will opposing GMs be intrigued to add a savvy vet like Hill who could have one more run left in him? Are the Rays looking towards 2020 by shedding a few contracts here or there while continuing to win this year? Stay in touch with this story as it continues to develop.

[Baltimore Orioles (Vince)]

7/15/2019

HOUSTON WE HAVE A..."SOFT REBUILD"?


Houston front office brass field questions from reporters on 7/12/2019

                The assistant general manager of the Houston Astros called in recently to speak with Turtle Ball Times columnists about speculation that Houston was entering full rebuild territory. “Let me be absolutely crystal clear about this, the Houston Astros are not rebuilding. We like to think we are in a soft re-tooling phase where we can shed salaries, build our farm system and look towards this year’s free agency class while continuing to compete this year.” the assistant GM opined. When asked to explain what a “soft re-tool” entailed, the assistant GM explained that the Astros are “confident” with the roster they currently have but are “very interested” in the free agency coming up this year as well as adding quality young players to their farm system. The assistant GM also indicated there were several players the Astros were interested in for the Rule V draft and could be swayed to give up a player with a one year deal for a pick in the Rule V draft. Although the assistant GM for Houston declined to verify trading block rumors, among those rumored to be on the trading block for the Astros include Jake Arrieta, Michael Pineda, Jon Lester, Mychal Givens, Andrew Cashner and Cedric Mullins. Now, you may ask what is the validity of this claim of a “soft re-tool” or is this simply Houston blowing smoke to foster potential trade partners. Regardless of what Houston is truly planning, Houston did send (SP) Julio Teheran and (UT) Kyle Schwarber whose contracts combine for $16 million to the Padres for (2B) Dee Gordon and (1B) Joc Pederson whose contracts combine for $15 million. The move makes Houston’s roster better but does not save them a ton of cap space. At 71-80-17, it would appear Houston has one foot in the door to salvage their 2019 campaign by making moves to make their roster more balanced while also having one foot out the door towards 2020 free agency and perhaps this year’s Rule V draft. One question remains, will the “soft re-tool” work or will it cause Houston to stay stuck in an average state for seasons to come? Teams around the Turtle Ball league will be watching Houston’s moves closely to see if a “soft re-tool” approach to management works or backfires. We will be following this story closely and provide updates as they develop.

[Baltimore Orioles (Vince)]

7/15/2019

COLORADO WILLING TO SELL THE FARM AND BROSSEAU?


Michael Brosseau blasts his fourth home-run in early July

                While there are several veteran batters and pitchers on the market as the August 7th trade deadline approaches, rookie prospects are also up for sale as building blocks for the future. One of those rookies to keep an eye out for who may be on the move is Colorado’s Michael Brosseau. At the end of June, Brosseau hit the ground running after being called up and has not looked back since. Brosseau has been mashing the ball on both sides of the plate while showing promise in the field as well. With 42 at bats under his belt, Brosseau has launched four home runs, ten RBIs and has a batting average of 357. With such promising numbers out of the gate, the question on a lot of TB Times readers is why would Colorado seek to move such a promising bat before the deadline. In a rare public comment, Colorado’s GM addressed the media during the All-Star break and made his position on Brosseau known. “We are in the business of winning and making trades or seeking potential trade partners is a part of this business.” Colorado’s GM explained. When asked about Brosseau, Colorado’s GM stated “Mike is a great young kid with a lot of potential. We would love to keep him and guys like him who are that young. However, I do not consider any player untouchable if the right deal which puts us in a better position to win this season or seasons beyond.” Rumors from sources not verified by Colorado’s front office state that veteran players Eric Lauer and Chad Pinder are on the trading block as well at this time. On its face, it would appear that Colorado is seeking a trade partner to land a big name star before the deadline or in the upcoming offseason. Whether or not Colorado is concerned with depleting their farm system by chasing after a veteran star is unapparent at this time. What is clear is that Colorado will be among the most aggressive teams before the August 7th deadline because they feel they have the pieces in their farm system and low priced veterans to swing a deal to set their organization up for success the rest of this season and beyond.

[Baltimore Orioles (Vince)]

7/17/2019

SOURCE: YANKEES IN "FULL PANIC MODE"


Aaron Judge strikes out 7/16 as the Yankees struggle against the Rays

               If you listen closely, you can hear alarm bells beginning to go off in the Bronx. The New York Yankees are reportedly in "full panic mode". Sources close to the New York Yankees’ front office have stated New York is “in full panic mode” with their first match-up out of the All-Star break is off to a rough finish. At 72-77-14, the Bronx Bombers could bomb down in the standings if their projected 3-9-3 loss to the Rays holds through the rest of this week. TB Times reporters spoke to sources in close contact with the Yankees front office regularly. Sources have indicated the Yankees GM exploded during a team only meeting on 7/16. The Yankees GM is reportedly “furious” about the team’s lack of success recently and that “major changes need to happen to wake our team up before it’s too late”. Questions remain as to whether the Yankees are abandoning the 2019 campaign or are they re-tooling to give their team a final chance to win this year down the stretch. If you think these rumors are just only trade deadline fodder, the Yankees were in a major trade this morning sending away several players to the Padres. The Yankees sent Mitch White (SP), Marco Gonzales (SP) and Bobby Dalbec (3B) to the Padres for Howie Kendrick (UT) and German Marquez (SP). The Padres (92-63-13) are 11.5 games back in the crowded NL West and could have their sights set on maintaining cap flexibility for FA 2019 if their team does not claim a wildcard slot for the playoffs. New York’s move with San Diego indicates New York’s front office wants to bring their pitching staff some assistance and try to turn their season around. Could other teams potentially reach out to New York to capitalize on the Yanks' trade deadline dash to turn their season around? TB Times columnists have reached out to members of New York's front office but have not received any comment on the situation. There are several questions swirling around this potentially explosive situation building in the Bronx at this time. Will New York’s deadline panic affect team chemistry? How will this recent move help New York’s chances of making a second half run? Will New York make a rash decision by shaking up their roster only to decrease their team's future success? We will continue to follow the hysteria in New York as more details become available.

[Baltimore Orioles (Vince)]

7/21/2019

STUBBORN IN SEATTLE


Seattle Mariners (70-88-10) have struggled to find answers this season

                Is it officially time to call the Seattle Mariners (70-88-10) what they truly are? Sources around the league have chimed in on the frustrated Seattle Mariners but all have agreed on one term to define Seattle; "a rebuilding team that should sell at the deadline before it's too late". One anonymous GM from around the Turtle Ball league agreed with that sentiment. "Look, if I were the GM or worked in that front office I would seriously consider selling before the deadline comes and goes and then you haven't got a plan for the rest of this year or this year's upcoming free agency class". On paper, the Seattle Mariners have the talent to win but thus far through sixteen weeks that success has not materialized. Gleyber Torres, Corey Seager Logan Forsythe and Nick Senzel comprise a talented batting core but they have received no help from the "others" in the lineup. Domingo German and Jeff Samardzija have led the way for the Mariners' pitching staff but injuries and lack of consistent innings from their other healthy pitchers have stymied their ability to win in pitching categories week in and week out. Seattle has not made many transactions as the deadline approaches which leads one to wonder whether they are content with where they are at or is there a major deal in the works that has been kept under wraps for the time being. The Times reached out to Seattle's GM for comment on the state of the team and the GM gave a brief response to our questions. "The Seattle Mariners want to build a winning culture and we are open to making moves if those moves help us build a winning future we know our team is capable of." Will Seattle actually make major roster changes or are the GM's remarks simply to keep the ship afloat and his players content? Seattle's GM's remarks are directly contradictory to rumors around the league that the Mariners will hold firm at the deadline. There are plenty of players both hitters and pitchers on Seattle's roster that will draw interest before the August 7th deadline. Will Seattle answer the call and make a deal or will Seattle remain steadfast in their plan on building a winning culture based on moves that help them the most? Only time will tell what is in store for the Mariners. The TB Times will be following this story closely as the deadline approaches. 

[Baltimore Orioles (Vince)]

7/22/2019

MARQUEZ TO THE METS "ALL BUT CERTAIN"


Is the heavy hitter from the Bronx headed to Queens?

            Newly minted top seed in the National League, the New York Mets, are prepared to make a major splash 16 days away from the trade deadline. German Marquez to the New York Mets is "all but certain" sources around the league tell the Times. Sources close to the situation also say that Marquez and his 133 strikeouts and 4.99 ERA could be headed from the Bronx to Queens as soon as "today or tomorrow". The news adds to a triumphant few weeks for the New York Mets who sit atop the National League at 114-53-13 and who are coming off of a decisive post All-Star break win. The Mets are seeking to stay atop the National League by supplementing their pitching rotation which suffered a few injuries over the past couple weeks. Marquez would provide added depth to the Mets' rotation which has lost Brandon Woodruff to an oblique injury. With Marquez's contract standing at $8 per year, Marquez is a relatively inexpensive add as the Mets have several players would could match the southpaw's contract value. Stephen Piscotty, who has been traded twice this season, has floated around as a potential suitor to swap with the Yankees who would receive a solid young outfielder in exchange for their newly acquired pitcher. It would not be surprising to see prospects accompany a player like Piscotty across town to the Bronx should the Marquez deal occur. Marquez was recently traded from the Padres late last week and may be packing his bags once again. However, Marquez will only have to hop on the subway across town to go to work in Flushing, Queens instead of 164th Street in the Bronx. Moreover, the Times reported a few days ago that the Yankees were in "full panic mode" during their match-up last week with the Tampa Bay Rays which resulted in a devastating 1-11 loss. If this move comes to fruition it could signify that the Yankees are in full selloff mode and the New York Mets are in full win-now mode. If there are other teams interested in acquiring Marquez, they must move quickly based on reporting that indicates Marquez's move to the Mets is only a matter of time from becoming a reality. The Times will continue to bring up to the minute updates on this potentially forthcoming blockbuster move. 

---

FOLLOW UP (7/24): League sources have told the Times that the deal in place between the New York Mets and the New York Yankees for star pitcher German Marquez fell through at the midnight hour over "a substantial impasse" of adding a certain player from the Mets side of the ledger. The Times has reached out to the Mets front office for comment but refused to elaborate on which player was coveted by the Yankees which ultimately led to the deal to tank. It appeared to every source the Times reached out to that this deal was all but imminent. However, this is the nature of the trade deadline where rumors may seem very credible but in the end it comes down to front offices negotiating with each other which can be a very fragile process. 

[Baltimore Orioles (Vince)]

ONE HUNDRED LOSS CLUBS MULL FUTURE AS TRADE DEADLINE APPROACHES



Will any of these five clubs with over 100 losses make a move before the August 7th deadline?

Overview: 2019 has been a down year for the Rockies, Red Sox, Angels, Brewers and Nationals. Whether their disappointing year has been by design or by sheer poor performance, these teams will not be seen in the 2019 postseason. With each team at or near the century mark when it comes to categorical losses, fans and team owners alike around the Turtle Ball league are intrigued as to what these beleaguered teams will do at the August 7th trade deadline. The Times reached out to the front offices of each team and analyzed each team's roster to determine what moves may be made before the deadline and which players may a part of potential deadline deals. 


Colorado Rockies: At 63-105-12, the Colorado Rockies have failed to muster much success this season. However, after speaking with sources in Colorado's front office, that would appear to be, or at least is alleged to be, completely by design. The Times spoke with Colorado's front office who stated this season was about "building for next year and the future". The source close with Colorado's GM also stated that by "having the deepest farm system in the league allows the team to take a look at the talent that might become available over the summer while having quite a few of the prospects should be making their debut next season." With 32 prospects of solid talent depth and nearly $110 million in cap space for 2020, the Colorado Rockies may hold firm at the deadline based on their circumstances. Outside of Ben Zobrist, the Rockies have one of the youngest teams in the league as most of their players' professional careers began between 2016 and 2019. The Times earlier reported that Chad Pinder or Eric Lauer could be available for the right price and that price seems to be young players with cheap contracts and prospects expected to arrive in the next few years. Do the Rockies have a plan to package their stocked farm system up for a star player? For any rebuilding team or a team seeking to enrich their own farm system, it may be worth a shot to inquire with Colorado about the amass of potential they have at nearly every position in their farm system.


Red Sox: Kluber, Syndergaard, Sale, Reddick, Abreu, Longoria, Kimbrel being on the same team may signal an immediate winner for most front offices. However, the Red Sox in 2019 currently standing at 55-115-10 have not done much winning at all this year and have trended downward all year long. Injuries have played a major role in Boston's subpar season despite having a plethora of talent across the board in their batting order and pitching rotation. The Times reached out to sources close to Boston's front office and they made clear they are focused on using their large amount of cap space next year to retool. Additionally, Boston is not interested in moving any of their star pitchers (Kluber, Sale or Syndergaard) unless an offer "wows" them into doing so. For a team that has several talented players and over $62 million in cap space this off-season, it is not surprising to see Boston stay put as the deadline approaches and set their sights on the 2019 off-season. As for potential moves, teams looking to pry one of the Red Sox's star players away from their roster could isolate the team's need at second base. With Dustin Pedroia's pending retirement and Eduardo Nunez's mediocre play this year, an offer including some sort of depth at second base could entice the Red Sox to make a move. Moreover, sources have stated that Boston's "best prospects are mainly pitchers" so providing Boston with young batters who are in the league or currently a prospect could sway Boston into a potential deal for one of their stars. Notwithstanding a change of heart, it appears Boston's eyes are firmly set on 2020 by retooling their team via free agency.


Los Angeles Angels: For a team that has been in flux all of 2019, a record of 62-99-19 is a modest achievement. However, the constant state of flux on the roster has caught up with Los Angeles and has put them in the club of teams with over 100 categorical losses. Sources in contact with Los Angeles' front office had this to say about the Angels as they approach the trade deadline. The Angels will "continue their rebuild and they will look to continue selling as the deadline approaches." Additionally, sources state the Angels are high on their prospect depth at outfield and pitching so "with good outfield and pitching depth available, they are looking to acquire prospects or draft picks to help fuel their future success." Most importantly, one source indicated that "no player is unavailable" on the Angels roster before the August 7th deadline. Even with the second largest farm system and over $55 million expected in cap space for free agency, the tone out of Los Angeles' front office seems prime for deals to be done. Should team be interested in acquiring players from the Angels, buying teams could gain valuable depth for the late season push by offering the Angels assistance when it comes to building their bullpen. With only two relievers in their farm system and only a few on their main roster, Los Angeles needs help in relief pitching to strengthen their ability to win for both holds, saves and strike-outs. Additionally, Luis Severino continues to recover from a year on the shelf and buying teams around the league could snatch him for cheap since every player according to league sources on the Angels is available. Out of all the teams outlined here, the Times expects the Angels to be the most aggressive in making moves to strengthen their position for next year and beyond. 


Milwaukee Brewers: Being one of the most injured teams in the league, the Brewers never even got a chance to truly make a run in 2019. A batting order led by Mookie Betts and a pitching rotation led by Carlos Corrasco never hit the ground running and failed to gain any sort of momentum to turn out a respectful 2019 campaign. Looking ahead to the future, the front office for the Brewers has made it very clear that they are looking to strip down their team and retool during free agency for the 2020 season. In addition, Milwaukee's front office made it known that they will be actively shopping Michael Brantley and Nathan Eovaldi for prospects and future draft picks "up until 11:59 on August 7th". The Brewers could be the team in this group to make the biggest deal because of the major holes in both hitting and pitching. With a farm system of only 24 prospects, buying teams could persuade the Brewers to let go of a player like Brantley or Eovaldi to bolster their farm system. Specifically, the Brewers will need more than top starting pitcher prospect AJ Puk to cure what has ailed them in the 2019 season when it comes to their starting rotation which ranks among the league's worst. 


Washington Nationals: With only 43 categorical wins to their name and a vapid record of 43-127-10, the Washington Nationals would like to put 2019 behind them as soon as possible. Washington's front office has not been shy headed towards the deadline and has been the most active team headed towards the August 7th trade deadline. In a word, the Washington Nationals are looking to sell off what's left of their team and build from the ground up entirely. For contending teams that are looking to buy and supplement their own chances of winning this season, the Washington Nationals fire-sale still has some value left. The Nationals could provide a contender with depth should injury strike their own roster. Players like Blake Swihart or Taijuan Walker could be available for the right price of prospects or picks. The Nationals have stated they are still seeking to strip down their roster but with nearly 40 prospects in their farm system and a whopping $120 million in cap space for 2020, the Washington Nationals may stay put unless they receive a big time offer. However, the Nationals front office did tell the Times that before the deadline they would like to acquire one star ace-type starting pitcher to build their rotation around. Could a contending team provide such a player while at the same time enriching their own farm system and clearing up cap space? 

[Baltimore Orioles (Vince)]

[Baltimore Orioles (Vince)]