DeRosa Trade: Phillies Confirm Deal
Posted by Tim Malcolm, Wed, December 10, 2008 02:15 AM | Comments: 151
Posts
UPDATE (1:35 a.m.): I apologize for the delay in updates. Here’s the latest:
The Phillies have confirmed a deal is in place between them, the Cubs and Padres, and will be executed if Chicago and San Diego agree.
Names coming through: JA Happ, Kyle Kendrick, Jason Jaramillo. I can see one of the pitchers going with Jaramillo over to San Diego.
Jayson Stark doesn’t feel a deal will occur during the Winter Meetings.
***
UPDATE (2:31 p.m.): Tom Krasovic says Chris Coste wouldn’t be part of the deal, and another source said JA Happ wasn’t, either. However:
They are seeking young pitching from the Phillies as part of the many scenarios involving three or four teams in a trade that would place Jake Peavy with the Cubs.
What else is there? Carlos Carrasco? No thank you.
At this point, the longer we wait, the more likely this isn’t happening.
***
UPDATE (1:39 p.m.): Ken Rosenthal now reports that the Cubs say they’re not close to a deal for Jake Peavy:
The Cubs maintain that they are “not even close” to a trade for Padres right-hander Jake Peavy and continue to mull a run at free-agent lefty Randy Johnson if the price for Peavy proves too steep.
The Cubs still want to wait until the secure new ownership to make a deal, so that may be part of this explanation. We can’t call off anything, but of course, we can’t say anything official either.
***
UPDATE (12:41 p.m.): MASN reports that the Orioles have not been in talks with the Cubs and Padres concerning the Peavy trade.
According to Roch Kubatko, “a team official said if the Padres announce a trade early tomorrow, the Orioles aren’t involved in it.”
That means Paul Hagen’s confirmation from a team official that a four-team deal was almost out of the question is correct. A three-team deal concerning the Phillies seems very likely.
***
UPDATE (11:50 a.m.): MLB.com is now reporting the DeRosa talk, meaning this thing is probably more certain than ever. Writer Marty Noble, however, says this:
DeRosa, the one-time quarterback for Penn, would move from the Cubs to the Phillies, who would send pitcher J.A. Happ to the Cubs, possibly with another prospect. The Cubs would then move Happ, the second prospect and more to the Padres in a package for pitcher Peavy, the 2007 National League Cy Young Award winner.
That’s the first we’ve heard of “another prospect.” Seeing as the Padres need a backup catcher, Jason Jaramillo comes to mind. Definitely not Lou Marson or Travis D’Arnaud.
***
The Cubs are very close to acquiring Jake Peavy from the Padres. The caveat: The Phillies or Orioles need to take Jason Marquis.
From the Chicago Tribune’s Phil Rogers:
[Padres GM Kevin] Towers told reporters on Monday that the Cubs were the only team he is continuing to talk to about Peavy and that making a Peavy trade was his full focus at the winter meetings. He then went out and proved it by working to facilitate a potentially four-team trade that would send Mark DeRosa to Philadelphia and Felix Pie to Baltimore and bring back pitchers Garrett Olson, J.A. Happ (the Northwestern product) and Sean Marshall for the Padres.
The key for that deal to work is for the Phillies or Orioles to take Jason Marquis, with the Cubs agreeing to eat some of his salary.
So it’s possible the Phillies would send JA Happ and possibly Chris Coste to San Diego, with a return of Mark DeRosa and Jason Marquis.
Allow me to say it out loud: Get it done.
More updates to come.
Posts: 0 Johnson
i love getting derosa…but marquis…ehh. depends on how much salary the cubs are willing to eat…i would much rather the orioles take him and let the phils dump what they would have to pay jmarq into lowe or moyer…like derosa alot though for coste and happ
Posted: 12:06 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Georgie
Yikes, Tim, I can’t keep up! Going back to your first post to catch up on today’s news. And no more caffeine for you today!
Posted: 12:07 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 NJ
Marquis… Would rather slot Eaton back into the rotation.
Posted: 12:10 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
Shoot. To me, Happ and Marquis are about even. Both will be good for the back end. So the real deal comes with DeRosa vs. Coste. Everyday player vs. backup catcher? Come on.
Posted: 12:13 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Manny
1. I rather have Happ than Marquis
2. If we get Marquis, forget about getting both Moyer and Lowe.
If it happens, we BETTER go after Lowe if we want a net upgrade in our pitching staff.
So I’d prefer Baltimore to get Marquis and a chunk of his salary so that we can continue to go aggressively after Lowe and Moyer.
Posted: 12:13 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
eh…im not really excited about marquis..are you counting him as a replacement for moyer or lowe? i assume you still sign lowe and marquis is yoru 5th man, moving on from moyer, but…moyers better than that guy anyway…not really into that idea…maybe you can take him and flip him…plus, im NOT touching that guys 10mm salary, the cubs are going to have to eat most of that….
Posted: 12:13 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Griffin
I like Derosa, but I’m not that high on Marquis. But, if the Cubs eat some of his contract, then it’s a good deal.
Posted: 12:14 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
tim…i assume youre going to make the cubs eat that fat salary of his…i mean, if you want someone at the 5th spot whos going to bottom out in july just in time to bring up carlos carrsasco, then this is your man…
Posted: 12:15 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
That’s part of the caveat, Jeff: The Cubs would have to eat much of Marquis’ salary.
I like Happ as much as the next guy, but I’m weary about his future.
Posted: 12:17 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 1650 Tim Malcolm
Also, just to back my thought process here:
You want depth at starting pitcher. Obviously it’s a lateral move taking away Happ and adding Marquis, but by getting DeRosa via trade, you eliminate the need for a left fielder and free up all the FA money to add at least Lowe, maybe both Lowe and Moyer.
Is Hamels/Lowe/Myers/Blanton/Moyer/Marquis too much? No. You can never have too much pitching. Add in Carrasco and Kendrick, BTW.
But the key is DeRosa. He patches left field without spending a dime.
Posted: 12:20 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 TheDipsy
Marquis totally blows. Don’t want him!
Posted: 12:21 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Robbi P
Regardless of what the Phillies get this trade will be huge in our gauging of Amaro. Many people will get their impression due to this deal.
I like Happ and think he has upside which is something that can’t be said about Marquis. I think the interesting part is the departure of Coste, meaning that the organization wants Marson and Ruiz in there.
I don’t mind Derosa and his 20(yes 20, one was foul, I was there haha) homerun’s which is an upgrade over Bruntlett as a utility player.
Finally, I’m still hoping the Phillies pull a fast one and trade away Happ, Donald and maybe one other for Peavy. Its a pipe dream but this is winter meetings!
Posted: 12:22 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Geoff
well i just think they mishandled happ and now hes lost in the mix…whereas if he was handled right hed be a 3/4 now in his development, but hes a 5 now. so its good to trade him…ok, if you can get the cuts to beat a lot of that salary, ill go for it..
Posted: 12:25 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Griffin
ESPN is reporting the Dodgers have signed Mark Loretta to a one-year, 1.4 million dollar deal.
Derosa can play 2B until Utley comes back and then become part of the LF platoon.
It all depends how much of Marquis’s contract they are willing to eat. He has one year left at $9.875 million. So, he’s a free agent after ’09.
Posted: 12:28 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Chuck P
Not thrilled about Marquis… I think he’s a better 5th starter right now than Happ (Happ has more potential) but how much is he going to cost? DeRosa is a nice pickup (certainly better than Coste) but is he our answer in LF? He is a great player… a four tooler and one of the true MVP’s of that Cubs team… but he lacks power. I don’t know… I still think that we need a RH power hitter to protect Howard.
Posted: 12:28 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Ed
Maybe it is just me but I really do not see how this trade benefits the Phillies? I like DeRosa, always have, but what is he to the Phillies? A super utility guy who can play every position but pitcher and catcher. Ok thats great, but don’t we already have a guy who can do that in Bruntlett? Do we need two? Honestly, if you are going to go out and get DeRosa then Bruntlett has no place on this team. What then do you do with him? Trade him for next to nothing? Who wants a guy with little pop, hits about 220 and has a decent glove? The Tigers maybe but they just signed Everett. I agree that if you look at it as a Coste for DeRosa swap then it makes sense, especially if Marson is your guy waiting in the wings but I would honestly rather Marson be a start in the minors than a spell guy with Ruiz in the majors.
So now it comes down to Marquis vs Happ, I’d take Happ for two reasons, he is about 7 years younger and a lefty. What is Marquis honestly? A 10 win guy with about a 4.50 ERA. Happ can do that, for less money, even if the Cubs do eat most of Marquis’s salary.
I personally think we should not even be involved in this trade with the Padres and Cubs, we are not getting enough out of it. The Cubs get Peavy, the Padres get three good young pitchers and the Phillies get a super utility guy and a backend starter…doesn’t seem fair to me.
I say we just stick with the idea of resigning Moyer and trying to sign Lowe.
Posted: 12:29 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Johnson
if marquis is my 5th starter at around 3mill and derosa my LF at 5mill i like it. leaves plenty of dough for lowe or moyer…doubt they do both if they take marquis on…coste as much as i respect him is not on this team next year so involving him in a trade is wise
Posted: 12:30 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Manny
I agree with your thought process, Tim. The only thing is that I think that Happ for Marquis is not purely a lateral move, as I think Happ is still young and can be really good as a SP.
Posted: 12:30 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Johnson
ed and chuck…derosa hit 20hrs last year…dont think power is an issue combined with a .285 average
Posted: 12:32 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 MA Phanatic
NJ, please don’t even say you want Adam Eaton back in our rotation. Ever. Under any circumstances. Ever. Cannot stress that enough.
I agree with Tim in that you cannot have too much pitching, but I think this deal has to depend on how much we pay Marquis.
Posted: 12:32 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Ed
Johnson, you are right DeRosa hit 21 last year, but before that he never hit more than 13. Now granted I am sure in Philly he could hit between 15-20 without an issue but I prefer to look at history rather than just his most previous year. But if you, and by you I mean, all of us, are thinking DeRosa is your replacement to Burrell than I guess I can accept that. He has less power than the Bat but hits for a higher average, is a better fielder and can be moved to play other positions if the Phils decide that maybe they want to give Feliz off, put DeRosa at third and can then put Jenkins in LF, Victorino in CF and Werth in RF. Anyone know how much longer DeRosa is under contract? Do we really want to revisit this next year with trying to find another left fielder?
Again, my hang up is Happ vs Marquis.
Posted: 12:38 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Manny
I reallyyyyy hope they just send Marquis to a fourth-team (Baltimore). That way we will be almost forced to get both Lowe AND Moyer.
Posted: 12:40 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Griffin
Bruntlett is arbitration eligible which means he’s up for a raise. If you acquire Derosa, you can just DFA Bruntlett and not have to pay him.
Posted: 12:40 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Griffin
Derosa is owed $5.5 million in 2009 and is a free agent after the season.
Posted: 12:42 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Matt Kwasiborski
I would love for DeRosa to come here. He had a career year last year with the Cubbies and his stats should equate in CBP. Plus, he is a super utility guy who is way more valuable than Bruntlett. DeRosa has more pop in his bat. And who says we have to get rid of Bruntlett? I think DeRosa winds up our everyday LF if this is all we get position wise. I think you have Donald in for Utley, Bruntlett as your utility and DeRosa as the new LF.
Here is the thinking about Marquis. He is more valuable than Eaton first of all. And the Phils are in a position where they are accepted proven major league talent over older prospects or marginal prospects. I think Happ has plenty of potential however he is still unproven. Marquis, while not a sure-fire out machine has had some success in the majors. The Phils are going for it next summer again because they know our core players are in their prime and will start declining soon. I have no problem adding yet another proven arm to the roster sacrificing a mid level and older prospect.
Posted: 12:43 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Andrew
If Marquis means we lose a chance at Lowe, I say we stay away from this deal.
Posted: 12:43 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Johnson
ed i also have a hangup with happ v. marquis…i would rather jmarq go to another team since it would increase the chances of phils landing lowe AND moyer. with marquis that would not happen. but if you must take marquis to get derosa than i am onboard as long as we are spending 3mill or less….thoughts?
Posted: 12:44 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Griffin
I agree Andrew, if Marquis prevents us from getting Lowe, then I don’t do this. But if the Phillies are just pretending with Lowe, then maybe this is one of the few ways we can make the team better.
Posted: 12:44 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 MP
I don’t like DeRosa or Marquis. I think we’d fare better with agressively pursuing Lowe and Moyer, signing at least one of them. Happ I think can be developed into a better pitcher.
Posted: 12:48 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Fran
I’m not sure about this one. Happ and Marquis are the same but Happ is much younger. DeRosa is better than Coste but DeRosa is already 33. I kinda hope they dont pull the trigger on this.
Posted: 12:57 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 metsblow4show
I’m hoping Marquis is headed to Baltimore. I’m not a Marquis fan and if we do get him you can forget about Amaro pursuing both Lowe AND Moyer. He will plug Marquis in as the 5ht starter and go after one or the other, not both.
Hey Ed, how can you possibly compare Mark DeRosa to Eric Bruntlett? Eric Bruntlett sucks ! He can’t hit, he is an average defensive player at best and his baserunning blows. I don’t know how many times he pich ran for Burrell and after a single to right he was standing on second because he didn’t read the ball off of the bat. He was even picked off twice. DeRosa can play the infield and outfield, will hit .290 and can hit you 20 homers. I wouldn’t even offer Bruntlett arbitration, I’d let him walk and sign the switch-hitting Nick Punto to replace him. With DeRosa and Punto you have a far more versatile bench and give Uncle Charlie more options.
Posted: 12:57 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Grrrumpy Miner
K-Rod close to becomming a Met…..3 Yrs/12.5 mil per courtesy of ESPN.On the surface it wouldn’t be a bad deal for both sides.We are in the middle of a recession and it may not be the 5 Yr/15 Mil he wanted,but its a compromise.Minaya is being very crafty about this because not many “Big Market” teams need a closer and is not going to outbid himself.With this out of the way,I’d LOVE to see the Mets also go after Kerry Wood,as well as bringing back Isringhausen….now THAT’D be a Great 7-8-9 punch for the Amazins.Build that bullpen up Omar and DESTROY that poison pen we had for the last few years.
Posted: 12:59 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Mark
I like the idea of getting Derosa for Happ but, I’m not too sure about Marquis. Derosa in left would be perfect, plus don’t forget that we have Jenkins, too.
Derosa for Happ seems like it’d be more beneficial for us now but, better for the Cubs’ future.
If this deal does go down, and it seems as if it will, I hope the Phillies really pursue Lowe and solidify our starting rotation.
This deal could show that we are not just a “one and done” for the next 28 years.
Posted: 01:00 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 NJ
DeRosa would be a great move but Marquis is on the same trash heap we have Eaton on, he’s making a shade under $10m this year with an attitude problem and a buyer beware sign on his back. He’s a borderline C level guy and to facilitate a Peavey to the Cubs deal we should be getting a better peice of the pie.
Posted: 01:01 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Grrrumpy Miner
I was just thinking something…..I have an honest fair trade for Mets/Phils….With Chase out for at least the 1st half and your need for a 2nd baseman and we can use a salvagable starter….Its a stretch, but here goes…..Luis Castillo for Adam Eaton…..Garbage for Garbage.
Posted: 01:02 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Matt S
I hate marquis…the dude is the slowest on the mound, Steve trachsel style, i just cant handle that on the phillies, at least moyer does with in reason and for the right reasons…marquis just blows…we have the bargining chip here, the cubs desperately want peavy, so make them make some moves outta desperation…
Posted: 01:02 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
Happ is probably better right now that Jason Maquis.. and since he’s only 26 years old, and he’s a lefty… he’s got way more upside.
DeRosa is a nice player, but hell be 34 to start the season, and he’s played the equivalent of 5.5 seasons
so his averages are .274 avg, 13 HRs, and 64 RBIs.. You want to trade a 26 year old Lefty Starter for that??
Posted: 01:03 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Mike B.
Amen Ed. Especially if we can’t sign Moyer. It’d be nice to have another lefty on the cheap like we’d have with Happ. And DeRosa…his numbers are good. And his OBP keeps improving every year. But…wow I don’t know. If we have to take Marquis…oh Jesus are we really gonna trade for DeRosa and a guy who has almost as many walks (70) as he does strikeouts (91)? Um, that’s actually a 1.3 to 1 K/BB ratio…which is actually equal to Adam Eaton’s K/BB ratio (57/44). I don’t want another Adam Eaton. No way in hell. And we probably give up a shot at Lowe since I’ve a feeling that Ruben wants to sign another lefty, be it Moyer or Wolf. I think we need a guy like DeRosa, but NOT at the cost of signing another Adam Eaton. Let’s hold off on this trade for awhile and see where we stand with other free agent pitchers unless it needs doing now because of some unnamed competition.
Posted: 01:04 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Grrrumpy Miner
Question….with DeRosa going to Philly….Does that mean Pat the Bat is available?
Posted: 01:04 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Griffin
Eaton is owed $9 million this year
Luis Castillo is offered $18 million over the next 3 years. I’d stick with Eaton’s contract and use the extra $9million somewhere else.
Posted: 01:06 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Eb
If we take Derosa, I am immeadeately announcing to the league that Donald is available and see what type of deal you can make
Posted: 01:07 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 mike mike
Cubs starters, Peavy, Zambrano, Harden, Lilly, Marshall. our starters Hamels, myers, blanton, marquis, cheap option, how do we match up now let the real experts tell me last year we did it, well this is a new year and unless there is a miracle this team can’t compete with the cubs and if the braves get burnett we can’t match up with there starters, and with all the bullpen guys on the market, the braves will be way better. Thank you cheap bas### owners.
Posted: 01:09 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Griffin
Every team’s fans overrate their own prospects. J.A. Happ is a nice little pitcher, but he never was a top prospect and doesn’t project to be anything more than a 4th/5th starter.
Would anyone have traded Kyle Kendrick before last season? Now you can’t get a bucket of balls for him.
Posted: 01:09 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Grrrumpy Miner
Griff…..you mean to tell me you’d be content with a $9 million dollar pitcher in the Minors than an experienced 2nd baseman who can help your team? It is a bad contract for a bad contract,plus a change can do players a bit of good.However,a healthy Castillo who shows up at Spring Training can help us,but the question is….how big of a risk is it going to be not signing Orlando Hudson and keeping him?
Posted: 01:14 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Mike B.
I’d be more willing to give up Happ if Jason Marquis weren’t involved. If his name weren’t in the deal, I’d feel better knowing we could go after both Lowe and Moyer. Hell, even if we missed out on both, I’d be okay with Randy Wolf and Braden Looper (basically as 4 and 5 starters your job is not to suck, which I’m pretty sure both can do). But Marquis? Oh damn. You know they’ll also go the Moyer route when they get Marquis, and while I like Jamie, we’d all rather have Lowe. Why do I feel like I’m watching Ed Wade trying to make a trade when I see this news?
Posted: 01:14 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Brian
This is a great deal for the Phils especially if the Cubs are eating salary. It needs to get done now!
Posted: 01:15 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Grrrumpy Miner
Griff….you can call them cheap bas#### owners….but remember,these are the same bas#### owners who brought you guys the World FVCKING Championship.Don’t forget that and I know you wont….Oh and BTW,Good to see Jimmy Rollins is spending time in Philly this winter,He was on Monday Night Raw last night.HEY I need something to watch with baseball outta here for the next 2 months.
Posted: 01:17 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
The more I read about it, the less this makes sense for the Phillies… the Cubs would have 6 pitchers if they get Peavy.. the reason they want to get rid of Marquis is because he is due to make $9.875 M next season… if the whole reason to move him is to get rid of that salary, then they aren’t going to eat most of the salary in his trade.. they would just keep him instead, or someone else would have to pay probably half, which still is overpaying for Marquis.
If the Padres get our players in return.. and we’re shopping for pitchers too, why don’t we just trade Happ, Coste, and Donald to the Padres for Peavy straight up..
I know he has a no-trade clause and said he would go to the Cubs, but did he ever say he wouldn’t come here?
Posted: 01:22 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Matt
I would pay someone NOT to take Marquis. So we’re going to have Eaton AND Marquis clogging up our 40 man roster? No thanks.
Haap for Derosa is okay at best, but I’d stand pat, sign Punto and bring up Donald.
Posted: 01:25 PM on December 9, 2008
Posts: 0 Don M
Griffin, I agree 100% that everyteam overrates their own prospects, and that Happ doesn’t project to be a top of the rotation starter or anything.. but those #4 and #5 pitchers help just as much for winning games throughout the season.. and you’d have a LHP in Happ that would be under your control and paid cheaply over the next few season, while your other upcoming prospects are guys that could play the corner outfield spots in a few years
I’d rather have Adam Eaton in LF this year to keep Happ and then have other options next year or the year after.. then trade Happ for DeRosa .. and then you need to get a pitcher to replace Happ too instead of just replacing a corner outfielder… you’d solve your LF problem this season, by creating a lack of pitching for this season, and years to come..
Posted: 01:26 PM on December 9, 2008