The market for Hamilton is getting clearer. Photo: AP
Market For Hamilton Becoming Clearer
We learned yesterday that the Red Sox, Brewers, and Phillies are all on the sidelines, biding their time for Josh Hamilton while the Mariners have met with Hamilton the most recent. Jayson Stark Tweeted that the Phillies interest in Hamilton is “wary“. Jim Bowden of ESPN doesn’t think the Yankees should be counted out while Ken Rosenthal has heard that the Rangers have been the most aggressive suitor for Hamilton.
Pagan Gone
The Giants and center fielder Angel Pagan came to a four-year, $40 million contract agreement yesterday. We talked a bit about that here. Later in the day, Jim Salisbury of CSN reported that the Phillies don’t believe Michael Bourn‘s profile as a player is the best fit, that Cody Ross could be a good corner fit, and that they are “lukewarm” on a Shane Victorino reunion. We learned yesterday that Victorino has multiple three-year contract offers and at least one four-year offer on the table. Salisbury also reported that Ruben Amaro thinks the preferred method of acquiring a center fielder is via free agency rather than engaging in a trade.
Third Base
Yesterday afternoon, the Phillies were linked to Michael Young. Young is due $16 million for 2013 and was statistically the least valuable first baseman in baseball last year. This is not good news.
Granderson Now Available Via Trade
Buster Olney Tweeted yesterday that Curtis Granderson is available via trade. Granderson had a sharp increase in power but a sharp decrease in plate discipline (Ks up, BBs down) in 2012. The 31-year old center fielder is in the final year of his deal and is due approximately $15 million in 2013. Keep your eye on this one as a match for the Phillies.
The Mariners are Ready to… Do Something
One of the emerging stories of this offseason is the Mariners’ penchant to do something, or anything really. Yesterday alone, they were linked to signing Hamilton, trading for Justin Upton, and trading for Billy Butler. I think the Mariners could reasonable trade for just about any player they want; their warchest includes top prospects catcher Mike Zunino, pitchers Taijuan Walker, Danny Hultzen, and James Paxton, and infielder Nick Franklin. The Mariners also talked extension with Felix Hernandez, who has two years left on his deal, have been linked to trading for Brennan Boesch, trading for Mike Morse, and have been linked to signing Jason Bay.
NL East Divisional Moves/Rumors
The Nats engaged the Rays in talks about James Shields. Danny Espinosa and Mike Morse are two names according to Jon Heyman that may head to Tampa in a potential deal.
The Mets met with eight different teams on Monday to discuss trading R.A. Dickey with the asking price supposedly out-of-this world. The Mets reportedly asked the Red Sox for top prospects Xander Bogaerts and Jackie Bradley Jr. Yikes.
Yunel Escobar and Ricky Nolasco could be the next Fish headed out of Miami. The Rays, A’s, Cubs, and Yankees reportedly are interested in Escobar while Nolasco has simply voiced his displeasure at this point.
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