That sounds like an awful lot for Boston to give up for one year of Chapman. Even if you value him at the level of a #2 starter, say, I'd feel like that's an overpay.

I don't think you'd be moving Simmons' salary just to fill in with a free agent. He's an appealing asset because he was extended early on and is therefore cheaper than if he had to be signed off the open market. My expectation would be that the club would simply be racking up more assets and opening more future payroll with the same timeline in mind. Would have to be a really strong belief in the org that Albies will be a legitimate regular at the position.

I don't know, but I found it interesting that he kept mentioning how much activity there was. He has always been fairly up front with the press, but still, there's usually an ulterior motive to public comments. I wasn't sure exactly how to interpret it, but there seemed to be an element of "hey fellow execs, now is the time to talk with us if you want our young players."

I'm not sure if an overpay is strictly necessary. They might see value in a lateral move, of sorts, if it gave them more control or filled another need. Betances is obviously good enough to be the "closer," and maybe they have their eye on some cheaper arms via trade/FA.

That being said, yeah, it does seem like the idea might be to make him available just in case something too good to pass up comes along.

I can see some merit to the idea, sure. He might be more valuable to a team that would want to use him in CF more. The Nationals, Mariners, & Cubs are a few possibilities off the top of my head.

Maybe guys like Tanner Roark and Kyle Hendricks could make sense? I don't know, this is all off the cuff.

Ken, every time you use that phrase I hang on every word you say thereafter.

Don't see Dipoto giving up Walker for that package, esp. after the way he pursued young arms with the Halos. Adding salary, getting a guy who has only been a swingman thus far (albeit a good one) and who only has three years of control left.

Alvarez and Melancon seem pretty likely candidates to me. Walker and the catchers perhaps less likely due to organizational need. I don't see the club just rushing out to get rid of guys so they can spend more on replacements in FA.

It's possible, sure. Many thought that was happening last year. The club would look a lot better if they had some of those young starters back, though Heaney did return Gordon.

All a matter of whether they can add enough pitching to the rotation and stay healthy -- they didn't have full seasons from Stanton, Jose Fernandez, Yelich last year. That hurts a lot.

Already predicted 10/200. Sticking with that. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/10/free-agent...

Absolutely smart to see what the market will give for him, esp. with only Desmond looking like a regular on the FA market and teams wary of him after a down year. If they believe in Albies, it makes a ton of sense to consider a deal.

That being said, they'd certainly need multiple legit young pieces returning. I'm not talking solid prospects, I'm talking elite prospects and/or controllable big leaguers. They haven't shown a ton of concern re what positions they are filling, since they are willing to trade anyone, so I think it would be more a matter of value than fit.

Well, any time you consider this kind of question, you need to ask what would motivate the other team to act. CIN is willing to talk, but would need a big haul for him since he's affordable, controllable, and popular. I'm not sure that any of the Sox' prospects is a big enough headliner.

I'm guessing the first name out of Walt Jocketty's mouth would be Carlos Rodon.

It is, but 1) he's a super-premium player, best in league at his position; 2) he's shown he can go multiple innings when necessary (if I remember correctly); 3) added value to a team that is confident it can contend. Even if you fade and need to sell at the deadline, you figure you can get near the same value back out of him.

Wide demand = leverage to Cincinnati. He's a unique asset.

....

....

[trying to replicate the stunned silence I experienced when my eyes landed on this suggestion]

Without thinking deeply about it, this sounds like a fairly intriguing idea to consider.

Because he's not cheap, struggled badly down the stretch, and had a long period where he was pretty bad. Not a terribly valuable piece right now, esp. with several mid-level FA options out there.

Seemed like a reasonable idea. But I found it interesting that Derrick Goold -- one of the very best beat reporters out there -- same something to the effect that he feels the team can do better.

I'm a little down on Melancon's value, because he's going to cost about $10MM, he isn't controllable beyond the year, and he had a pronounced velo drop last year. Tyler Clippard brought back a useful but not cheap veteran last year. That's more along the lines of how I'd value MM, though I guess it's possible to imagine PIT extracting quite a bit more value if they can get multiple teams lined up to trade for a "proven closer."

I thought I left existential philosophy back in college, but it always seems to find me when I least expect it.

I could see the Lerners biting on this ... if the Yanks threw in the rights to Yankee Stadium as a sweetener.

Sorry, no way the Nationals put Harper into any kind of volume deal, let alone one that dumps Ellsbury onto the team. After last year, he's back alongside Trout as the game's two most valuable trade chips.

He already rebuffed them once, though that was an attempt at a Jon Singleton deal. He's got way more leverage now, though the injury thing might reduce it somewhat. Not sure the time is right, but I'm sure Luhnow would be interested if he thought he could get something done at a good value.

I'm still picking the Mets. I don't LOVE the match, but I think he'd be a nice addition at a fairly reasonable cost. A lot of Mets fans like the idea of Wilmer/Tejada there -- how about that for a turnaround in opinion -- but for me I'd rather have Flores in the 2nd base mix (and available as needed at 3B) with Tejada as the utility guy.

Can still see White Sox, Padres as well. No perfect fits, but I like NYM best.

Rocking chair? No indication as yet that he's looking to return. (I have no idea, and am just kidding. He'd be a really fun guy to dream on if he tries to come back. Amazing pitcher.)

Maybe, but they also won the world series of trading everyone imaginable last year. Personally, I love the wide open era we are in now. It creates so many creative options. Not to say that constant roster turnover is best, of course, but it's fun.

Oh, please ask this question again on Tuesday. MLBTR's Steve Adams is a Minnesota guy with a soft spot in his heart for Hicks. Yesterday was hard on the poor guy.

If you're reading, Steve, I'm here for you buddy.

Worst part is my middle name is also a first name.

I am so close to finishing the Nats offseason outlook. Going to be so interesting to see what happens there. I love the idea of Rizzo getting to figure out things creatively, though I wonder how involved ownership will be.

Best guess: something out of nowhere happens.

They can trade other players, but yeah, I'd say Reyes is going to be pretty much untouchable (from the perspective of other teams) while this works itself out. Now, we don't know the facts, and we don't know how things will proceed. But right now, as we speak, I don't see how a team could acquire him.

Of course, worth noting that Colorado could save $ if he's suspended. I hate to look at the issue from a pure baseball perspective, b/c it's about much more, but fact of it is the team would stand to avoid paying him for whatever portion of the season he's out.

Braves

Looks like they have STL for opening day. Cards will probably throw a righty. So ... whatever left-handed hitter they acquire to replace Alvarez is my guess.

For me, it'd be Heyward. Can play center and hits left handed. But I am still not sold on them pursuing either.

Sure. Think of it this way: if he were a free agent he'd get a major league deal, I think. Dude still has big power from the left side. AL teams with open DH platoon type situations would have interest.

So what if they add a guy like that? You put him at the back of the rotation and/or in a swingman role, have him on hand if younger arms falter, etc. Has some upside.

Doesn't stop you from doing more in the rotation. (That's not to say I love the idea, just pointing out the possible thought process.)

Cubs. That's too much for a reliever, even a good/controllable one, in my view.

He's going to cost a mint to extend. I know he's somewhat older, and there are three years of control, but his earning power is high (via arb) and he has been amazing, obviously. Don't see this as a case where they can get a big discount.

That trade, though ... looking good for TOR.

Not seeing that at all. Mostly just answering this to note that the Marlins seem to LOVE Gordon. Don't see him moving.

Yeah, he does.

I mean, yeah, probably.

He's a guy who will be hurt by it, possible pretty badly. But in his case, the 2B market is so weak that I think he'll still do okay. Especially if there are teams with interest in Murphy as a 3B and Zobrist as more of a utility guy than a pure 2B.

Him, plus a platoon mate, sure.

Not sure how to figure that out, but there are a ton of questions -- way more than the last couple I've done. You asked this 28 minutes ago. Dang, I need to catch up.

Too high a price, I think.

Cliff Lee's porch.

NL ... cant help it, love pitchers hitting

Nothing but hate for the Angels, it's true. I feel freed having finally admitted that.

Honestly, it's just that there are a zillion questions and we've already talked a lot abou tthem needing a 3B and a lefthanded hitting corner outfielder.

Idea of them having interest in Simmons is interesting, though!

No idea, but I'm not in love with the fit at all.

Traded. Still has some value. But I probably wouldn't be that interested in acquiring him, personally.

Then again, it turns out I do not have control of the baseball operations of a team.

Sorry man.

Under. Way under.