The 2013 MLB Random Thoughts Thread

[PTBG]

The Tigers and Rangers have discussed the possibility of a deal that would send Joe Nathan to Detroit, Jon Morosi of FOX Sports tweets. Right now, though, the Rangers are asking a lot, and Morosi says there is "no momentum toward a deal." As MLBTR's Aaron Steen noted yesterday, Joakim Soria could close for the Rangers if Nathan were to depart. The Rangers could target the Tigers' current setup man, Drew Smyly, if they were to deal Nathan, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

The Tigers are not trying to trade for Papelbon, Morosi tweets, but Luke Gregerson of the Padres is a possibility (Twitter links).

The Padres and Brewers are the top sellers for bullpen arms, CBSSports.com's Danny Knobler reports. The Padres can offer Gregerson and Joe Thatcher, while the Brewers have John Axford and Mike Gonzalez. The Astros, meanwhile, could deal Jose Veras or Wesley Wright, while the Angels could move Scott Downs.

 

[PTBG]

russ: Angels already throwing in the white flag for the season.

Currently sitting thirteen games back of the AL West-leading Athletics, the Los Angeles Angels are ready to put this season behind them and swap veteran assets for pieces that can help them in the future. According to Yahoo! Sports' Jeff Passan, the Angels are "open for business" and will listen to offers for veterans like Howie Kendrick, Erick Aybar and other players.

Angels are now 13 games back and open for business. Sources say they're willing to listen on Erick Aybar, Howie Kendrick and plenty more.

The Angels are looking for controllable starting pitchers in trade talks, according to FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal.

For Kendrick or Aybar, #Angels would seek a starter under multi-year control. Some teams want major leaguers for such pitchers, source says.

Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com notes that left-hander Scott Downs is being discussed in trade talks, and suggests that starter Jason Vargas is another name to watch. Peter Bourjos and Mark Trumbo would be attractive to many teams on the trade market, but Heyman says that are likely to stay with the Angels past Wednesday's trade deadline. Other players who may become available include Alberto Callaspo, Tommy Hanson and Ryan Madson.

The Royals are actively looking for a second baseman, and are likely to pursue Kendrick in trade talks. The Dodgers and Blue Jays also have help at second base, and the previous lack of available talent means that the Angels could obtain a valuable return if they decide to move Kendrick. The Cardinals are pursuing White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez, but could look at Aybar as a backup plan.

Downs has reportedly drawn interest from many teams including the Braves, who have been searching everywhere for left-handed relievers. Vargas is currently on the disabled list, but is expected to return soon to finish out his contract year.

 

[PTBG]

The Oakland Athletics are leading the sweepstakes for White Sox starting pitcher Jake Peavy, reports Dan Hayes of CSNChicago.com.

For his part, Peavy appears to be prepared for a trade. The White Sox are on the road in Cleveland through the trade deadline, and Peavy has brought three packed suitcases with him in preparation for moving to a new city.

The Athletics would love to strengthen the back of their rotation as Dan Straily has had some struggles as the fifth starter. Acquiring Peavy would give the Athletics a formidable staff going into the postseason, and his veteran experience would help ease the pressure on a relatively young staff.

Oakland isn't the only team looking at Peavy. The Cardinals are also hoping to acquire a starting pitcher, and are hoping to acquire Peavy and SS Alexei Ramirez from the White Sox, reports ESPN's Jim Bowden. They have thrown out top prospects like Kolton Wang and Carlos Martinez as potential trade pieces along with current reliever Joe Kelly.

Other teams rumored to have interest in Peavy are the Red Sox, the Orioles, and the Braves.

Peavy has been seen as a desirable trade acquisition due to the extra year of team control in his contract. That would allow an acquiring team to make a qualifying offer to the pitcher when he becomes a free agent following the 2014 season. Peavy has a 4.28 ERA over 13 starts this year.

If this happens, this would put us over the top, just maybe one more hitter than its a wrap for the competition.

 

[PTBG]

Baltimore is one of the most active teams in trade talks for Phillies' third baseman Michael Young, according to Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com, who notes that Young would make most sense for the O's at designated hitter. Young has drawn significant interest from teams like the Red Sox, Yankees and Reds throughout July, but Philadelphia may still be reluctant to move him due to their refusal to sell key assets at the deadline.

According to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com, a reunion with the Rangers is not in the cards for Young as previously speculated. The Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo notes that the Red Sox are expected to put together the best package in talks for Young, but that does not necessarily mean that Boston is the favorite to land him. The 36-year old has a full no-trade clause in his contract, but would likely be willing to accept a deal to a contender.

The Orioles have also had "preliminary talks" with the Twins about Justin Morneau, according to a report from Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun. Baltimore sent a top scout to Seattle this week to watch the 32-year old, who is a free agent after the season. While Morneau may stay with the Twins at the deadline due to a relatively slow market for him, the Pirates, Yankees, Twins and Rays have all been linked to interest in the former MVP.

Mariners' outfielder Mike Morse, who is currently working his way back from injury, has drawn interest from the Orioles for years, according to Connolly. Seattle has not declared that they are selling veteran assets like Morse at the deadline, but Baltimore would likely inquire if he is made available. ESPN's Buster Olney reports that the Orioles have also had internal discussions about Padres' outfielder Carlos Quentin, but his high price tag and San Diego's reluctance to trade him makes a deal unlikely.

 

[SHAQAVELLI]

If this happens, this would put us over the top, just maybe one more hitter than its a wrap for the competition.

Yeah, I saw that earlier. From what I've been reading, it looks like the A's are leading the Peavy race by far right now.

As a Sox fan, it kinda sucks

But this team needs to be broken up, Kenny said it at the beginning of the year that we were about to start rebuilding.

You want Alexei, Dunn, Rios, De Aza and everybody except for Sale, Phegley and Addison Reed?

 

[PTBG]

Yeah, I saw that earlier. From what I've been reading, it looks like the A's are leading the Peavy race by far right now.

As a Sox fan, it kinda sucks

But this team needs to be broken up, Kenny said it at the beginning of the year that we were about to start rebuilding.

You want Alexei, Dunn, Rios, De Aza and everybody except for Sale, Phegley and Addison Reed?

Yea A's are winning the race for Peavy. Only problem I do have with trading for Peavy is that we will probably have to give up one of our young pitchers like A.J. Griffin, Tommy Milone, or Dan Straily though. A's, how they are constructed is that we don't have that "superstar" player, but team has a bunch of good-really good players without any black holes. Its like we can get better, but not that much better though. And if we get Rios, we would have to give up David Murphy or Nate McClouth, who are practically similiar type of player value wise imo. Part of me would prefer the A's to stay pat at the trade deadline, but getting someone like Utley as a rental is tempting as hell though. And I believe the Rangers are looking to get both Dunn & Rios, they got scouts scouting both players. Also, you include Quintana too. What happened to the your squad? Last season your squad were really competitive and were still in the playoff hunt last season.

 

[mozichrome]

yall agree with the espn writer talking about Active Players that should be in Hall of Fame'

Robinson Cano: He has done a lot of things MVP voters like -- hit for average, drive in runs, win a World Series -- and done it with exceptional durability. He's already at 42.4 WAR and needs three to four more peak seasons to ensure lock status, but he's just 30 and still at the top of his game. Considering his durability and age, 3,000 hits isn't out of the question either.

 

[SHAQAVELLI]

Yea A's are winning the race for Peavy. Only problem I do have with trading for Peavy is that we will probably have to give up one of our young pitchers like A.J. Griffin, Tommy Milone, or Dan Straily though. A's, how they are constructed is that we don't have that "superstar" player, but team has a bunch of good-really good players without any black holes. Its like we can get better, but not that much better though. And if we get Rios, we would have to give up David Murphy or Nate McClouth, who are practically similiar type of player value wise imo. Part of me would prefer the A's to stay pat at the trade deadline, but getting someone like Utley as a rental is tempting as hell though. And I believe the Rangers are looking to get both Dunn & Rios, they got scouts scouting both players. Also, you include Quintana too. What happened to the your squad? Last season your squad were really competitive and were still in the playoff hunt last season.

“It is the start of a rebuilding," Sox general manager Ken Williams told reporters in a hotel suite. "And you guys know I have not used that word in 12 years. But it is the start of a rebuilding. Now, is it the start of falling-domino rebuilding? No. Absolutely not"

(circa December 2011)

After we fell short of the playoffs last year by falling apart in the last two weeks ( Tigers), I kinda knew this quote would come true.

A few weeks ago, Rosenthal wrote a column about us trading Sale and I was like ... I have no doubt that they will ABSOLUTELY NOT trade him or God help my fandom.

I think a lot of this year had to do with Danks. It's hard to put all the blame on a guy who only plays every five days, but the Sox gave him that huge deal and he's what, 2-8 with a 5.00 ERA with injury problems?

The lineup hasn't helped, but I have no problem breaking this team up. It just doesn't work, but I love Ventura, he could pull it together over the next 2-3 years.

 

[PTBG]

yall agree with the espn writer talking about Active Players that should be in Hall of Fame'

Right now, no, but if he keeps up this type of production without a big fall off for the next 4-5 years and not getting caught up in any PED type scandal he probably will. Also, he is a Yankee too, so that's gonna play a part. But, imo he has never been a dominate player though, and has not been "the guy" on the Yanks for most of his career. But, it has shown that players entering there 30's once Free Agency strikes, its led to a big dip in production. He is probably going to get a deal by the Yanks or even the Dodgers worth for 10 years probably. He is still a great player, but not sure about him once he is 30+, but he has other tools besides hitting that he can rely on barring injury to still be an elite player.

 

[mozichrome]

http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/38570/active-players-who-will-be-hall-of-famers

rest of article if people wanted to read

its a heck of a lot of what ifs tho

 

[PTBG]

http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/38570/active-players-who-will-be-hall-of-famers

rest of article if people wanted to read

its a heck of a lot of what ifs tho

7. Clayton Kershaw: Obviously, he could get hurt, and a lot of pitchers who were dominant through age 25 couldn't carry that success into their 30s. But Kershaw has been handled carefully, is on his way to a third straight ERA title and second Cy Young Award. He's the Koufax of this decade … minus the World Series heroics. But maybe he'll get that shot this year.

Kershaw already a top 7 candidate and he is only 25?

16. Evan Longoria" Beloved in sabermetric circles, he could use that one monster MVP season to create more of a Hall of Fame aura around him.

He has only been to 3 All Star games, not sure if he can get an MVP season, but if he can get the Rays a WS, he should. He is only 27? I thought he was older than that for some reason.

22. David Price: Pitchers become Hall of Famers in their 30s, not their 20s, but Price is already 66-36 with a Cy Young award.

D-Price has been killing it.

26. Andrew McCutchen: How about an MVP Award for 2013?

He should go in the HOF ASAP if he gets the Pirates into the playoffs this year.

25. Todd Helton: We can just about close the book on him. The .318/.417/.541 career line is impressive, although voters will have to adjust for Coors Field. The 361 home runs and 1,378 RBIs are short of Hall of Fame standards for recent first base inductees. Considering Larry Walker's poor support so far, Helton will probably have to get in through the back door.

I don't think he has a strong chance, but he is really underrated though as a hitter. Too bad he will be remembered for being apart the biggest mismatch in WS history probably when the Red Sox bodied the Rockies.

31. Madison Bumgarner: He turns 24 on Aug. 1 and already has 46 career wins, two World Series rings and is in the midst of his best season. Check back in 10 years.

at Bumgarner & HOF being mentioned in the same sentence.

40. Alex Rodriguez: He hasn't actually suited up in the majors yet this season, but let's assume he does to be eligible for this list. I also assume, at some point in the future -- 20 years? 25 years? 75 years? -- the moral outrage against the steroids users eventually subsides. Maybe, like Deacon White, A-Rod makes it some 130 years after he plays his final game.

I was really a big fan of dude, but all the fukkery with the PED scandal and all his stupid shyt he has done has been But in my eyes, he along with Bonds are HOF easily imo. But, he won't get in though.

 

[TheGreatShowtime]

 

[Tom Shady]

 

[SmoothOperator88]

Who are they?

 

[SoulController]

why would Texas trade Nathan?

Papelbon had a bad week about a month ago, outside of that hes been solid. not sure why the market for him isnt bigger theres only one year left on his deal. ESPN is reporting that Lee talks are in full force but they want a ton