Friday, January 11, 2019

Hot Stove Update: Dodgers Trade for Russell Martin

A day after officially losing Yasmani Grandal to free agency, the Dodgers made a trade for Russell Martin, who was their catcher a long, long time ago.  Martin is now 36 yo and slashed .194/338/.325, 10 HR, 352 PA.  If Martin is the Dodgers replacement for Grandal, that's a big drop-off, but they could still be in the hunt for JT Realmuto.  BJ's are paying all but $3.1 M of Martin's $20 M salary.  Dodger sent to prospects to the BJ's I have never heard of.

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The Yankees signed 2B DJ LeMahieu for 2 yrs/$24 M.  LeMahieu has put up strong offensive numbers in Coors Field but has rather extreme home/road splits.  Yankee Stadium might be the only other crib in MLB where he can come close to his Coors Field numbers.

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The Mets struck again, signing 2B Jed Lowrie for 2 yrs/$20 M.  It appears Lowrie will play a Utility role with the Mets unless someone who is currently on the roster is traded as they already have Robinson Cano at 2B, Ahmed Rosario at SS and Todd Frazier at 3B.  

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2B Brian Dozier signed a 1 yr/$9 M contract with the Nationals.  Dozier was one of the very best players in all of baseball as a perennial 30/20 threat, but his numbers collapsed last season both with the Twins and Dodgers.  His poor performance last season could have been related to a bone bruise to his knee(ouch!), so this seems like a nice upside play for the Nationals and an opportunity for Dozier to rebuild some of his value.

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If Farhan Zaidi is wanting to do the full Dumpster Dive, he might want to consider claiming an old Giant off waivers.  Andrew Susac was waived by the Orioles, yes the Orioles, today to make roster room for IF Hanser Alberto.  I've had my eye on Susac this offseason as a potential deep sleeper/upside play.  He's had injury problems and hit just .115 in 26 PA for the Orioles last season but take a look at his AAA line:  .256/.405/.456, 7 2B, 6 HR, 19.6 BB%, 26.6 K%, 158 PA.  That is a line I think Zaidi may find worth taking a second look at.

8 comments:

  1. I wonder what the affect of the lack of moves Farhan has made is having on the players and coaching staff. Is it discouraging that they aren’t getting any reinforcements to bail them out? Could it actually be motivating and a vote of confidence on Farhan’s part showing that he beleives in the talent that is here?

    I think this season has the potential to go one way or the other. The talent and coaching is there to win at Oracle Park. Farhan hasn’t traded anyone yet. They could get a really nice player or two through trades or a late FA signing. The list of Giants impact players over the last 10 years hasnt exactly been all that impressive but they won 3 WS’s.

    Maybe just maybe the next Huff, Ross, Scutaro, Vogelsong, or Ishikawa is already on this roster. It will all depend on how they start. If they start hot they have a chance but if they start cold it will be a long and forgettable season.

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  2. Zaidi said on KNBR today that the Giants want to be competitive in 2019 and Madbum is the central cog. Thats encouraging! I was surprised that the Giants lost out on LeMahieu to the Yankees. He's going to be a $12 mil a year utility player for them while he likely could have been the starting 2nd baseman for the Giants, which also means Yanks are out on Machado?

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    1. I was just reading through some of Zaidi's quotes reported by NBC Sports Bay Area. Regarding Jon Morosi's reporting on discussions of a Bumgarner trade to the Brewers: " I can tell you who I haven't talked to, and that's Jon Morosi. I don't know where he's getting this stuff, but it's not from me." Notice that there is no denial of trade talks in that statement, just that the rumors did not come from Zaidi himself.

      Here's another: "I have been able to communicate with him(Bumgarner), both directly and through his representation. I know how badly he wants to be here. And again, we have a goal of being competitive in 2019. He's a huge part of that." Again, notice the lack of a direct denial that Bum could be traded.

      "We spent this offseason having to be realistic with where we are and being willing to listen on anything. But it doesn't change the fact that Madison Bumgarner is a very central cog to this team." "Nobody is making any outgoing calls on Madison Bumgarner. If a team calls about any of our players, we're in a position where we have to listen." Again, no denial of the possibility of trading Bum.

      Brian Sabean was well known for being able to talk a lot and not really say anything, but after reading these statements by Zaidi, I have to say he has Sabes beat by a mile when is comes to obfuscating speech.

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  3. Also, per NBCBA: "I would expect in the next three or four days here, we're getting close on some things, so we're hopeful to have an announcement on a signing or trade here in the next couple of days," Zaidi said Friday morning on KNBR.
    Haha, no promises...

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    1. I think a small market team like the Brewers would be hesitant to trade 2 or 3 of their top prospects now for 1 year of Madbum. The Giants shouldn't give him away either. But the risk of not trading him now is what if his stuff continues to decline or he gets an arm injury. I'm guessing Madbum will have a great 2019 season and get traded at the trade deadline, when the Giants can get better offers.
      Yup, I think some fans might be expecting a trade or signing in the next 3 days hearing what Zaidi said, but I read it also that he didn't promise anything, lol.. That was a confusing statement.. We'll see what happens. I do hope to see some bigger moves in the coming days maybe involving their surplus relievers.

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    2. Yeah, I've read the Angels are one team that seems the most interested in Will Smith. Unfortunately, when I look through the Angels' roster and top 30 prospects, I am having a hard time finding a trade fit.

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  4. "Susac used to be a good prospect, but he'll be 29 in March, has had trouble staying healthy and hasn't developed with the bat as hoped." (RotoWorld)
    Would be a good signing, but Zaidi has no connection (does he?), so might not be on his radar. Wouldn't hurt to bring him to camp. Defense is not bad but he would need to hit better than he has (and stay healthy) to be Posey's b/u.
    zIf the "old guard" were still in charge, he'd more likely get a look.

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    1. I think I called a potential Susac signing a "dumpster dive." I think his AAA numbers would interest Zaidi more than any prior connection to the Giants.

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