Red Sox Hot Stove Rumors

[mloyko54]

Susan Slusser @susanslusser

I am hearing rumblings that the #Athletics are close to a fairly significant deal that involves Jeff Samardzija.
 
 

Susan Slusser @susanslusser

#Athletics would be getting back several pieces, and they're targeting hitters, an ML source tells me.
 
Let's see if this is where the #RedSox unload some OF depth

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

Susan Slusser @susanslusser

I am hearing rumblings that the #Athletics are close to a fairly significant deal that involves Jeff Samardzija.
 
 
Susan Slusser @susanslusser

#Athletics would be getting back several pieces, and they're targeting hitters, an ML source tells me.
 
Let's see if this is where the #RedSox unload some OF depth

This could be interesting. I'm not a fan of Shark at all though. Then again he would be a solid #2.

 

[MakMan44]

To be clear, nothing linking this to the Red Sox yet. I was a bit confused.

 

[soxhop411]

I'm guessing it's an AL team

Would not shock me if its the Sox as I believe we had interest in him in the past.

 

[Snodgrass'Muff]

I'm guessing it's an AL team

 
Based on what? This post, as it currently stands, provides exactly zero value. Perhaps you can flesh out the thought for us.

 

[bosockboy]

Marrero makes a lot of sense here if we are involved. Assuming Cespedes would head back as well.

 

[E5 Yaz]

Susan Slusser @susanslusser · 14m14 minutes ago


 
No indications from the #Athletics side that Samardjzija is involved in deal but sounds like something is certainly brewing.

 

[cahlton]

Cameron:
 

 
The most obvious fit would be with the Red Sox, who have every good right-handed hitter alive and no pitching to speak of. Yoenis Cespedes would be an interesting piece given that he just went from Oakland to Boston, but I’d imagine the Red Sox would have to sweeten the pot quite a bit to get the A’s to swap those two. And if the acquisitions of Billy Butler and Ike Davis were designed to push Brandon Moss back to the outfield, then Cespedes doesn’t necessarily fit the A’s needs anymore either.
What Oakland really needs is middle infield help. Of teams with depth at 2B/SS, the one most obviously in the market for a short-term rotation upgrade is the Rangers; perhaps the A’s are willing to bet on Jurickson Profar‘s health, or really like Rougned Odor? It would be a pretty daring move to make that large of a trade within the division, but the pieces would seem to line up to some degree, and Billy Beane and Jon Daniels have made a number of trades together over the years.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/instagraphs/as-nearing-samardzija-trade/

 

[Corsi]

Sources: Trade #Athletics are discussing does NOT involve Samardzija.

https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/538514062762848256

https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/538514062762848256

link to tweet

 

[cahlton]

Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal 38s38 seconds ago
Sources: Trade #Athletics are discussing does NOT involve Samardzija.
0 replies 117 retweets 24 favorites

 

[soxhop411]

Sources: Trade #Athletics are discussing does NOT involve Samardzija.


https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/538514062762848256
link to tweet

This offseason is annoying

 

[soxhop411]

So we have a mystery player being traded to mystery team?

 

[Heise3B]

Kazmir?

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

Sonny Grey it is then!!!

I think this could end up being some type of 3 way that Billy Beane is known for.

 

[soxhop411]

“@Ken_Rosenthal: One source says #Athletics working on multiple trades. All teams are for most part, but source says, “This is Billy re-working the club.””

 

[Ed Hillel]

It's JBJ for Sonny Grey. Grey blows his arm out and JBJ hits 30 HR. Typical Oakland deal.

 

[mloyko54]

Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal

One source says #Athletics working on multiple trades. All teams are for most part, but source says, “This is Billy re-working the club.”
 
Just throwing it out there. Sonny Gray is the type of young controllable star SP that you unload a boatload of pieces for. Red Sox have always love him

 

[4-6-3]

Sources: Trade #Athletics are discussing does NOT involve Samardzija.
 
 

https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/538514062762848256
link to tweet
 


Susan Slusser needs another source.  Initially said Shark was involved.

 

[Bigpupp]

If it's Gray then I assume Betts is involved.... Wouldn't be too happy with that one.

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

It's JBJ for Sonny Grey. Grey blows his arm out and JBJ hits 30 HR. Typical Oakland deal.

If that were to ever happen there would still be that one poster who would actually come up with that scenario right off the bat. Oakland doesn't really have much to offer Boston though. I guess you could try to work a 3 way where Boston trades Cespedes, Texas trades Profar or Andrus and Oakland trades Prospects and then fill in the rest from there.

Grey for Betts wouldn't be a bad return at all. Proven young arm. I want to keep Betts but I don't believe anyone should be looking to burn down SOSH if that happens.

 

[mBiferi]

 

 ‏@susanslusser  3m3 minutes ago
I'm told 10 teams have expressed interest in Samardzija; #RedSox and #WhiteSox among them. But he is not in deal as @Ken_Rosenthal says.

 
 
https://twitter.com/susanslusser/status/538516348457222144

 

[mloyko54]

If it was Gray that's the type of deal they'd move Betts for and could justify it. Not sure what else Oakland has that could add 3-4 pieces of offense and could be categorized as "re-working the construction of the team"

 

[foulkehampshire]

Sonny Grey is a stud. Dunno about Mookie as a centerpiece...seems steep considering the volatility of pitchers. Owens and a few other prospects would be more preferable.

 

[Ed Hillel]

I love how we're all assuming this is with the Sox. Sonny for Mookie is an interesting thought exercise for sure, though.

 

[RedOctober3829]

If it's Grey I could see Cespedes, Cecchini, and Johnson.

 

[mloyko54]

I love how we're all assuming this is with the Sox. Sonny for Mookie is an interesting thought exercise for sure, though.

 
Red Sox just have so many pieces that match up well with the A's: Betts, Cecchini, Middlebrooks, JBJ, Craig, Nava, Pitching, etc. 
 
And we all know everytime there is a big trade speculation this offseason Red Sox will be at the center given their load of trade chips. 

 

[Heise3B]

I doubt Billy Beane wants Cespedes back

 

[Hee Sox Choi]

I love how we're all assuming this is with the Sox. Sonny for Mookie is an interesting thought exercise for sure, though.

That's more fun than envisioning an A's-Astros blockbuster.  :\

 

[4-6-3]

I love how we're all assuming this is with the Sox. Sonny for Mookie is an interesting thought exercise for sure, though.

It could be Hart finally trading Upton and or Gattis.

 

[Sox and Rocks]

I doubt Billy Beane wants Cespedes back

Why? Offense went to shit after he left. Throw in a few more pieces and it makes sense

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

It could be Hart finally trading Upton and or Gattis.

That's good news for Boston regardless one less option out there to compete with Cespedes.

 

[BarrettsHiddenBall]

If it's Grey I could see Cespedes, Cecchini, and Johnson.

I don't think that's enough for Sonny Gray, and I don't think the structure works for Oakland. They've got a 3b for at least one more year (gets expensive from 2016) and a bunch of OFers, especially with Moss looking squeezed out from 1b/DH, and they're absolutely desperate for a SS or MI help generally. Maybe they take Cecchini so they can flip Donaldson next year, but I think they'd be primarily looking at Bogaerts or Marrero, or just more pitching.
 
Edit: well, shows what I know about their plans for Donaldson...

 

[EvilEmpire]

It could be Hart finally trading Upton and or Gattis.

Atlanta would be my guess too. I also agree with Heise3B -- I'm not sure Beane wants Cespedes back. Of course even if that is true, the Sox have lots of other pieces to trade beyond Cespedes.

 

[curly2]

If it's Grey I could see Cespedes, Cecchini, and Johnson.

 
Forget about driving them to the airport, tf the Sox made that trade for Gray, I'd pull Cespedes, Cecchini and Johnson to Oakland in a rickshaw.

 

[4-6-3]

 
Forget about driving them to the airport, tf the Sox made that trade for Gray, I'd pull Cespedes, Cecchini and Johnson to Oakland in a rickshaw.

Ok. Now I'm hoping for that Gray trade.

 

[OCD SS]

 
Red Sox just have so many pieces that match up well with the A's: Betts, Cecchini, Middlebrooks, JBJ, Craig, Nava, Pitching, etc. 
 
And we all know everytime there is a big trade speculation this offseason Red Sox will be at the center given their load of trade chips. 

That list doesn't look like it matches up with the A's except for mostly being inexpensive. Donaldson should have their 3B slot locked down for the next few years, likewise Butler at DH. Unless BB is having seller's remorse on Cespedes or thinks JBJ is due for a breakout thats not a group with a huge OF upgrade, and certainly not one that would significantly solve a Sox SP problem.

It's hard to really see how Boston would be involved

 

[LynnRice75]

Jon Heyman         @JonHeymanCBS

the very reliable @susanslusser says the a's are working on something significant, tho. they need SS, 2B, bats
 
Seems like Betts fits the 2B and BAT desire... could be interesting...

 

[Snodgrass'Muff]

If it's Grey I could see Cespedes, Cecchini, and Johnson.

 
 

I don't think that's enough for Sonny Gray, and I don't think the structure works for Oakland. They've got a 3b for at least one more year (gets expensive from 2016) and a bunch of OFers, especially with Moss looking squeezed out from 1b/DH, and they're absolutely desperate for a SS or MI help generally. Maybe they take Cecchini so they can flip Donaldson next year, but I think they'd be primarily looking at Bogaerts or Marrero, or just more pitching.

 
Yeah, I don't see Red's suggested package getting it done. There is no reason to move Sonny Gray for anything less than a Betts or Bogaerts level asset. Maybe something like Swihart, Owens, Margot and a Rijo caliber prospect gets it done instead. Either way, the Red Sox would have to be sending out some serious value to get Gray from Oakland. He has 2 more pre-arb years left and is cost controlled until 2020. He also happens to be a stud.
 
It's an interesting thought experiment, whether you are talking about swapping Betts and lesser prospects or a package of top prospects. This is one of those rare opportunities where I'd probably let go of Betts, but I'd wince while doing it. I'm not seeing anything other than speculation here that Gray is in play, but if he is, I think you have to do it.

 

[PrometheusWakefield]

Not that I would do it, but Bogaerts for Grey seems realistic.

...and less than Boegarts that seems unrealistic.

Are we willing to let Hanley play short?

 

[Dustin the Wind]

If it's Grey I could see Cespedes, Cecchini, and Johnson.

That would be less then we've been hypothetically talking about offering for Jordan Zimmerman.. It would take much more to get the A's ace

 

[mloyko54]

Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal

Sources: Donaldson going to #BlueJays. Lawrie, RHP Kendall Graveman among those going to #Athletics.

 

[burstnbloom]

Wow its Donaldson to Toronto. 
 
Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal  26s27 seconds ago
Sources: Donaldson going to #BlueJays. Lawrie, RHP Kendall Graveman among those going to #Athletics.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Shut it down

@Ken_Rosenthal: Sources: Donaldson going to #BlueJays. Lawrie, RHP Kendall Graveman among those going to #Athletics.

 

[Dustin the Wind]

@Ken_Rosenthal: Sources: Donaldson going to #BlueJays. Lawrie, RHP Kendall Graveman among those going to #Athletics

Edit: beaten

 

[Snodgrass'Muff]

 
Ken Rosenthal @Ken_Rosenthal

Sources: Donaldson going to #BlueJays. Lawrie, RHP Kendall Graveman among those going to #Athletics.

 

 
This probably belongs in the MLB Rumors thread. Also, if that's all it took to get Donaldson, I'm a bit disappointed Ben didn't top it.
 
Edit: As a way to cub the Gray talk, I suppose it fits here as well.

 

[RedOctober3829]

So now does this open up a Cecchini trade to Oakland for Shark?

 

[Tyrone Biggums]

Seems like a mediocre return for Donaldson. Lawrie is always injured.

 

[circus catch]

I think its unlikely the A's ask for Cespedes or deal Gray, or that the Sox deal Betts. Samardzija makes more sense.

 

[PrometheusWakefield]

Goddamn it , it Beane was looking to do something stupid why not trade us Gray for that pack of crap we were just talking about.

 

[mloyko54]

There's going to be plenty more than that going to Oakland