My problem with the four outfielders situation: None of them are able to play CF. Kemp with his ankle is sure to move to a corner sooner rather than later. Ethier filled in well but is still a corner guy. Carl hasn't played CF his entire career. Puig would kill himself. So... Joc? I'm seeing a problem here.
Absolutely this, unless we have a spectacular deal for Ethier (doubtful). I am not a fan at all of trading Kemper, he is too good when he is right.
easy to see, imo. plus the Mariners have made it known that they will not give up Taijuan Walker and the 6 years of control they have over him ( or Paxton for that matter) for Price when pitching isn't their problem. that makes sense. there won't be a better deal than Ethier ( or Kemp if they get lucky) for Franklin (and one of their farm arms if Kemp is their target), but that's a potential deal that'd likely come later. Dodgers don't have to move quickly on their outfielders and Seattle is obviously gonna see if they can land Choo and another outfield bat. Seattle's gonna be thirsty for Kemp even if they don't think he can be the old Kemp...Kemp being right-handed is half the battle for them. they need righty bats in a major way. i could see both Kemp and Ethier getting dealt this offseason. Ethier possibly to Detroit. Joc being " the future " in CF...holding up a Price trade? i think not. so long as Choo is out there, anything is possible. Boras would be smart to wait it out with Choo. if the Dodgers eventually let Kemp go to Seattle for say Franklin and Paxton, sell Ethier off, and use Pederson in a Price deal...Dodgers WILL need a CF and Choo would be at the top of their list ( also everyone's favorite SS has been playing CF in winter ball...Mr. Dee Gordon...and he hit very well over there).
Pretty much this. Would have to be blown away or get at least a significant piece or two to move Kemp/Ethier if a decent trade for Crawford can be worked out.
Choo is a terrible center fielder, no thanks... as a matter of fact, he is pretty bad in the field period. Over the last 2 years his UZR has him at over -32 runs against in the OF. By comparison, Ethier is -3 and Kemp's is -25, but his numbers are skewed from leg injuries and diminished playing time. I don't know if you have had a chance to watch Choo in the OF, but it is a real adventure and unlike Puig he does not have the arm and legs to make up for it. Choo and Puig side by side in the OF would end up with someone dead, likely Choo. The CF market is shitty to say the least over the next two years and the Dodgers lack of a CF is likely the cause of them wanting to hold on to Pederson. Well that and people are starting to think the kid could be something special. Also, Crawford has made it clear that he would not be ok with a move to CF. He has said that he struggles with reads and does not feel comfortable with a position he has not played somewhat regularly since 2004.
Phillies Willing To Discuss Hamels, Lee In Trades By Steve Adams [December 10 at 8:18am CST] 8:18am: Jon Heyman of CBS Sports also hears that both Philadelphia aces are in play, but the Phillies won't eat any of the remaining money on either contract (Twitter link). 8:13am: The Phillies have indicated to other teams that they're willing to discuss Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee in trades, according to ESPN's Buster Olney (on Twitter). General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. is apparently being quite open-minded at this year's Winter Meetings, as he's also said to be "actively shopping" Domonic Brown on the heels of Brown's 2013 breakout. Given the number of teams looking to acquire established pitchers, adding Hamels and/or Lee to a market that already includes David Price and Jeff Samardzija would give interested teams more options to choose from. Hamels will be 30 at the end of this month and is guaranteed $112.5MM through the 2018 season ($22.5MM annually) with a $24MM vesting option for 2019. Though he started the season slowly, the left-hander posted a very Hamels-like 2.73 ERA from June 1 through season's end, finishing with a 3.60 ERA, 8.3 K/9 and 2.0 BB/9. Lee, 35, will earn $25MM in each of the next two seasons and has a $27.5MM vesting option for the 2016 campaign. He pitched to a 2.87 ERA with 9.0 K/9 and 1.3 BB/9 in 222 2/3 innings, giving him a league-leading 6.94 K/BB ratio. __
... One GM theorized to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter links) that the Dodgers are in a favorable position to land Rays ace David Price. He believes that the Mariners won't give up Taijuan Walker and the D'Backs will say no to including Archie Bradley in a deal. L.A. can't offer a prospect as good as those two, but they can offer some combination of Corey Seager, Joc Pederson, and pitching. Based on yesterday's comments, Rangers GM Jon Daniels doesn't sound as though he's going to make a big play for Price. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/12/al-east-notes-rays-price-orioles-red-sox.html
fwiw... - jim bowden was just on espn, and he said kemp was still in a boot and not likely to be ready by opening day... - buster olney said our front office views joc pederson as our future cf and was pretty much untouchable
Ken Gurnick @kengurnick 2m Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels available; the Dodgers should be involved. They put in a claim for Lee in 2012 and tried to trade for him in 2011. Retweeted by Dodgers Nation 7:22 AM - 10 Dec 13 · Details
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal 2m Sources: #Marlins interested in Uribe for 3B. Addition of Uribe along with Furcal would give team different vibe, inject positive energy. 7:44 AM - 10 Dec 13 from Bay Lake, FL · Details
Bill Shaikin @BillShaikin 1h #Dodgers wanted Cliff Lee in '11, could be better fit than David Price (fewer prospects, take $). Lee's deal has 2 yrs + opt at $62.5m. 6:21 AM - 10 Dec 13 · Details
I look forward to when they announce that the Phillies are not listening to anything less than 3 top flight prospects in return for Cliff Lee and all of his contract.
I really hope that the Diamondbacks pay through the nose for Trumbo. Dude is completely overrated and reminds me of Mark Reynolds.
