Talking Chop

Is it official?

10:58am: The deal is ‘imminent,’ a source tells Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News (Twitter link).

10:44: Catching prospect Jesus Montero and second base prospect David Adams will head to the Mariners, possibly with another prospect, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, who broke the story.

Not official yet, but it sounds pretty damn close.

I am glad the Yanks are getting him instead of the Mets. now the Yanks will trade Vaz, for a C most likely.

Hm

I have mixed feelings about this. I don’t like to see the Yankees loading up. But as you say, at least it’s not the Mets (or someone else we’re competing with for a playoff spot).

With Lee off the market, there really aren’t any impact players available.

But, this means that the Yanks will have to dump another starter. I don’t think anyone would take AJ, so that pretty much leaves Vaz.

But, with the Yanks losing Montero in this deal, and with Posada getting older by the second, they need a C in return.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see Texas make a run for Vaz. Salty to the Yanks along with some other prospects for Vaz…

Is it certain the Phils will deal Werth and if so when?

ATLBRVS_19 - July 9, 2010 reply

It is not.

But they’ll probably consider it if they fall much further out of the race between now and the end of the month.

EricGreggWasPaidOff - July 9, 2010 reply

Droooools...

Can you imagine if the Phillies are 10+ games out of 1st at the trading deadline and offer to trade Werth for a pitching prospect? We keep lamenting over the lack of ideal options among OFs on the trading block, but I have to say – Werth would be close to ideal. I know it’d be a half season rental, and thus, it would be ill advised to give up the farm for him, but if the Phillies are that far out of contention and don’t think they can resign him, they just might give him up cheaply.

they won’t give him up for less than the equivalent of 2 high draft picks

telemakhos - July 9, 2010 reply

But how would you feel if that prospect ended up pitching exceptionally well against us four or seven times a season?

Salty is not the answer at C

or any other position. He’s never showed much of anything.

I don’t think the Yankees necessarily need a C. First off, I don’t think they planned on Montero staying there long-term. And second, they have a couple other decent C prospects, like Austin Romine. Or they could just sign a free agent (Victor Martinez?) or trade for someone. Plenty of other options.

I also think Cervelli is decent enough to hold down the fort for a year or so.

He’s not a Yankee-type hitter, but he’s good enough for a major-league catcher.

4 of the yankees top 10 prospects are catchers and montero is more than questionable behind the dish anyway. I don’t think this really changes their catching situation.

telemakhos - July 9, 2010 reply

Saltalamacchia's value has been regarded lately as "between zero and negative."

From MLB Trade Rumors…

11:20am: The Mariners will obtain Montero and Adams plus another prospect, according Bob Nightengale of USA Today (via Twitter).

ducheneaux13 - July 9, 2010 reply

Update:

It appears that Cliff Lee is now a Ranger according to a team press release. Rangers get Lee, Mark Lowe, and 2.5 million in cash; Mariners get Justin Smoak, Matt Lawson, Josh Lueke, and Blake Beaven.

swainzy - July 9, 2010 reply

"piece of mind to be named later"

Nice. Really emphasizes how the trade was not made for baseball purposes (Church was clearly not a big part of the team’s plans). Instead, it was just a way for management to make the break up with Frenchy a bit easier. Trading him—even for nothing much—was definitely easier on Frenchy (and his fans) than non-tendering him or releasing him.

I always rooted for him, but I am so glad he’s not on our team any more.

This.

Getting Francoeur off the field was certainly a baseball-motivated reason to get a deal done.

McGriff the Crime Dog - July 9, 2010 reply

The feeling of knowing his AB was gonna be an automatic out

is liken to that of McLouth, Nate

ATLBRVS_19 - July 9, 2010 reply

or two

I know ALOT of things have changed since he left, but 94 wins and 67 losses since his departure is pretty telling. As long as he doesn’t knock in the winning run to beat the Braves to the NL East title this year, no harm no foul.

If the Mets don’t land a SP, I wouldn’t worry too much about that.

Completely agree, starting tonight. Of course fate has its way, you know. Ha.

Agree with your Lee sentiment. He was headed somewhere, better off staying in the AL and not having to worry about it.

That is...

until we see him in the WS. ;-)

pancanbra - July 9, 2010 reply

to be fair

Jeff hasn’t been all that bad with the Mets:
in 158 games his slash line is: .285/.324/.450 with an OPS + of 106. Basically the best he’s played since his rookie year, while providing solid D. Certainly a very avg. player, but it could have been worse, based on his previous couple years.

Having said that, he should probably never play vs. righties and hopefully that will be the case when Beltran gets back.

David G - July 9, 2010 reply

He overperformed in the 2nd half last year.

His numbers this year are much more typical (or his full numbers from all 2009). ie, they’re crappy. He’s not an average player, and I doubt that he ever will be for any extended stretch.

You can say that

but it doesn’t change what his numbers have been for the past full year. And he’ll soon have a secondary role where he mainly plays against lefties and he has hit lefties throughout his career.

David G - July 9, 2010 reply

The question then is, how does he handle a secondary role. Once the book was out on him and he started struggling, was no longer BMOC in Atlanta, and was asked to at the very least work on some things (albeit in AA) he soured on the whole organization. Do not underestimate the likelihood of that potentially happening again if he’s asked to be the next Matt Diaz.

Yeah, we'll see

on that. But Pagan has played too well, and is not coming out of the lineup, especially vs. righties. If he doesn’t perform, the Mets can at least let him go at the end of the year with no harm done.

David G - July 9, 2010 reply

Exactly

His inflated self image is the root of most of his problems.

Of course not.

But the fact remains that he’s had one good half-season in the last 3 and a half years. Focusing on just the past calendar year puts too much emphasis on his one hot streak and not enough on his overall level of crappiness. It’s just not accurate, in other words.

fair points

but let’s not forget that his overall level of crapiness has still been superior to anything we have had in our entire outfield since the trade. Our outfield is one of the worst in baseball right now. We have a .688 OPS production level from the total outfield, and that’s with Heyward’s hot streak in May.

Saying Francoeur is not the longterm piece we hoped he would become is one thing; saying we are better off without him in the short term is much more speculative, especially considering the trade proposals floating around.

DCP916 - July 9, 2010 reply

We're absolutely better without him.

Exactly.

Just the incessant headache of dealing with him was wearing us, and the team, down. Addition by subtraction.

EricGreggWasPaidOff - July 9, 2010 reply

I disagree, Matty D was pretty damn hot himself in the 2nd half last year. JHey was better in April & May. So I think we were & are better off w/o him.

FitzFan - July 9, 2010 reply

I know its only one play

but after your comment about defense, I couldn’t resist:

Doghnut - July 9, 2010 reply

If catching the ball is so important

then why don’t they put it on the scoreboard?

PWHjort - July 9, 2010 reply

HA!

nevin - July 9, 2010 reply

Genius!

You get a gold star.

I'd say his fielding has been much closer to mediocre than solid.

He’s certainly nowhere near the player he once was in right field.

Cliff Lee

So what is it about the guy that has him going to his 4th team in two seasons. I can’t remember a perennial CYA or MVP candidate being passed around like this. Just bad contract timing? I don’t really get it.

EricGreggWasPaidOff - July 9, 2010 reply

Well he has been on 2 really bad teams and a new contract came in the middle of those 2 seasons.

telemakhos - July 9, 2010 reply

Next item on list: Trade McLouth for anybody else.

Joseph_C - July 9, 2010 reply

Frenchy?

skymuse - July 9, 2010 reply

I’d do that in a heartbeat if they took Nate’s contract. We just DFA Francine the moment he gets to Atlanta.

Scott Coleman - July 9, 2010 reply

Shouldn't it be "peace of mind"?

I think it was a pun…

You’re right, I’ve changed it. I was writing too fast. Thanks for the edit.

gondeee - July 9, 2010 reply

Iron Maiden fan?

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/07/mets-remain-focused-on-ted-lilly.html

Please Omar.. Do this

If the mets trade for pitching.. Please let be Lilly… The last statement sounds par for the mets.. Guys fastball dropping off from 87 to 86 average.

SidGlaus - July 9, 2010 via mobile reply

The Mets won’t get him – his last name is Lilly.

Nolasco though…he’s more up their alley!

Every day, I go to sleep praying Ruben Amaro will kill his franchise by trading Dominic Brown for a Win Now Player. That would be awesome.

Scott Coleman - July 9, 2010 via mobile reply

Especially if it was to get Lee back.

TradeAndruw - July 9, 2010 reply

No, Lee is awesome.

I do not want them to get him back.

Now, if they traded Domonic Brown for, say… Carlos Zambrano, that’d be pretty hilarious.

By the way who's bringing the cake

For tomorrows 1 year anniversary??? I’ll bring the fireworks!

SidGlaus - July 9, 2010 via mobile reply

I’ll bring the beer…for me.

Scott Coleman - July 9, 2010 via mobile reply

How about we just look forward to a win and extending our division lead?

Tim Goad - July 9, 2010 reply

So you miss Jeffrey and his endless GIDPs?

No

but no need to harp on something as pointless as a 1 year anniversary for someone leaving that obviously few enjoyed watching.

Tim Goad - July 9, 2010 reply

This certainly isn't the only source that took note.

Bowman and DOB both wrote blogs mentioning it.

MichaelProcton - July 10, 2010 reply

Youre point being?

Just because the media focuses on something doesnt mean its relevant.

Tim Goad - July 10, 2010 reply

Very true

Oh except for that time we traded for Melky and you and almost everyone on here immediately only remembered the rookie Jeff Francoeur and the 2nd half ’09 Jeff Francoeur and forgot all the miserable times in between.

ajones2522 - July 9, 2010 reply

I remember seeing this at the time of the trade, but here’s this thread incase you missed it.

Scott Coleman - July 9, 2010 reply

That last one is awesome.

TonyAlmeyda - July 9, 2010 reply

Haha I was quoted in that.

Gage23 - July 11, 2010 reply

I like Jeff. I didn’t like #7.

blwfish - July 9, 2010 reply

I hope this is the last post on Frenchy.

Just sayin’

HEYJUDE - July 9, 2010 reply

CC, Lee, Andy, Hughes, & Burnett

I believe that leaves Javy expendable.

I read above about speculation that TX might inquire about Javy, but I’m fairly sure that he still has a NTC to the W, including the AL West.

I wouldn’t mind shipping KK (who has BP experience), Minor, and a D-level hitting prospect to the Yanks for Javy.

Maybe even try to get them to bite on a deal sending McLouth and Rasmus to the Yanks for Gardner.

Wren_and_Stimpy - July 9, 2010 reply

We don’t need pitching. And you’d trade Minor for 1/2 a year of Javy?

Scott Coleman - July 9, 2010 reply

I went to one of the games in the Mets series shortly after he was traded (the one where they retired Maddux’s number). He still has a lot of fans in Atlanta; he got a lot of cheers.

MBL1 - July 9, 2010 via mobile reply

Well of course he did.

He’s got a great smile and his eyes are dreeeeeeeeeamy!

Plus

He likes that good ol’ patriotic American country music. He’s a swell little fellow.

And he's, totally, like, from right next door to me!