Updating the Hottest Questions of the 2014-2015 MLB Offseason, Week 15
The MLB season is right around the corner.
Most, if not all, of the questions we entered this offseason with have been answered. With James Shields signing with the San Diego Padres, all of the biggest free agents have now signed with new teams. Players have already started reporting to spring training and, with the first games just over two weeks away, most rosters are set.
However, the excitement of the rumor mill is far from over.
Cuban infield prospect Yoan Moncada, who "virtually every team in baseball covets," according to MLB.com's Jim Callis, will sign with a new team by the end of the month, per Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com.
Whether they admit it or not, the Philadelphia Phillies are officially in rebuilding mode. Ace Cole Hamels and closer Jonathan Papelbon are still on the market, but are they going to start the season in Philly?
There's also that Alex Rodriguez fella, who is back dominating the media again with the New York Yankees. What can we expect from him in 2015 and beyond?
I can't wait for the season to begin, but first, there are a few more deals that could change the landscape of the 2015 season.
Who Is Yoan Moncada and Where Will He Sign?
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Moncada may be the most hyped Cuban prospect of our generation.
How Good Is He?
As I alluded to in the opening slide, Callis reports that virtually every team in baseball covets Moncada. Callis compares him to the top prospects all throughout baseball, saying he'd be a "strong contender" to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 draft. In Callis' words:
"His overall 65 grade would place him among the top dozen prospects in baseball right now, and it's arguably a bit conservative, because teams haven't had the chance to evaluate him against much quality competition.
"[...]
Players with Moncada's upside don't come along often, and they're available as free agents even less frequently. That's why he may triple the highest bonus ever paid to an amateur...
Potential Suitors
Sanchez reported Moncada is aiming to sign by the end of the month. He reported a list of teams that were interested or have already held private workouts.
"The Cubs, Dodgers and D-backs are all expected to watch Moncada work out in Florida this week. The Padres conducted a private workout for him on Monday.
"
"[...]
In all, Moncada has worked out privately for the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, Padres, Giants, Rangers, Rays, Tigers and Brewers, according to industry sources.
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Negatives
B/R's Zachary Rymer broke down the pros and cons of signing Moncada, hammering home that it's not all flowers and roses for the team that lands him. There's the immediate financial penalty and also the international budget ramifications, which will severely limit a team's spending for the next two seasons.
Ultimately, the winners and losers of this situation will boil down to the shoulders (albeit HUGE shoulders) of the 19-year-old Moncada. Scouts are saying Moncada could be the next Robinson Cano or Chase Utley, according to Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe. He has all the potential in the world; now it's just a matter of him choosing where he wants to start his MLB career.
Alex Rodriguez and New York Yankees Meet...What's Next?
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Does Joe Girardi look happy to you?
Yeah, me neither. That's the face I give every time someone talks about Rodriguez and the idea of him being even remotely relevant again in 2015.
After pleading his innocence for what seemed like forever, A-Rod apologized to the New York Yankees "for his actions over the past several years." What's even more exciting (sarcasm intended) is that A-Rod spoke with fellow Mr. Awesome, Barry Bonds himself, and told him that he wants to he wants to surpass his home run record. For a 39-year-old a full year removed from playing competitively, I find it hard to believe he has another 100 home runs left in the tank.
Another problem, where will he play?
The Yankees just signed Chase Headley to a four-year, $52 million deal to play third base full-time. Will A-Rod be able to adjust to the DH role? Considering he hit .244 with just seven home runs in 2013, his last season, the odds seem stacked against him.
Everyone has their advice for what Rodriguez should do next, but I'm going to side with Bob Klapisch of NorthJersey.com: Let your bat do the talking for you. Enough press conferences, enough apologies, just come to the ballpark and play.
Will Jonathan Papelbon Get Traded Before Opening Day?
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When his name was swirling around in trade rumors this past summer, Papelbon said it was "mind-boggling" that some of his teammates wanted to stay with the Philadelphia Phillies.
As good as Papelbon's been on the field—29 or more saves in nine straight seasons with a 2.35 ERA over that time span—there are other complications slowing down his trade market. First, he's owed $13 million this season and has a $13 million vesting option for 2016 if he finishes 48 games in 2015.
In addition, Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports Papelbon has some say about where he's dealt:
"Papelbon likely will require the Brewers or any other team on his no-trade list to guarantee his option before approving a trade, sources say. The second year, then, effectively would be part of the deal for those clubs – and not an enticing part, considering that Papelbon is 34.
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This week, Rosenthal followed up on his initial reporting, saying the Phillies would only include money if the Brewers parted with a top prospect:
"The Phillies only were willing to pay a significant part of Papelbon's contract if the Brewers parted with a top prospect, according to major-league sources.
The Brewers, unwilling to make such an exchange, instead proposed sending reliever Jonathan Broxton to the Phillies as a way to balance the finances.
While such a deal likely would have included other pieces, the premise was flawed for both clubs and the talks currently are dormant, sources said.
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Papelbon and the Phillies aren't helped by a strong reliever free-agent market. Francisco Rodriguez and Rafael Soriano are among the former All-Stars (including K-Rod last year) who are still available. They can both be signed for a much lower cost than both Papelbon's contract and what the Phillies are asking for in a trade.
Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. spoke with Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly, saying there was "still a possibility" he could make a deal before camp opens.
Until the likes of Rodriguez and Soriano are off the market, I don't see Papelbon going anywhere, at least not until the Phillies lower their demands.
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Will Cole Hamels Get Traded Before Opening Day?
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Now that Shields has officially signed with the San Diego Padres, if a team wants to make a big addition to their starting rotation, Phillies ace Hamels is the only asset left.
Amaro Jr. recently spoke with Salisbury about the latest offers the team has gotten:
"“Eight teams have kicked the tires,” general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. told CSNPhilly.com on Wednesday.
How many teams have made offers?
“Real offers?” Amaro said.
“Four.”
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Earlier this offseason, Salisbury spoke about what it would cost to land Hamels:
"Industry sources say the Phils are looking for at least three top prospects, two that can play right now and another that isn’t far away. The Cubs and Red Sox are two known suitors and both have the farm systems to get a deal done — if they are willing to meet the Phillies’ rightfully high asking price.
[...]
Hamels has a limited no-trade clause, but that shouldn’t be an impediment to a deal. Though he has said all the right things, Hamels is eager to pitch for a winner again. He is owed $96 million over the next four seasons and he’d be smart to have the Cubs, Red Sox and Dodgers on his no-trade clause.
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Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported the Phillies wanted Boston Red Sox catching prospect Blake Swihart in a deal for Hamels, but Boston refused. According to Rosenthal, the San Diego Padres made an "aggressive" offer for Hamels before signing Shields, but the Phillies apparently weren't pleased. Rosenthal suggests the problem resides in Philadelphia:
"The front office’s stubbornness, though, appears to go even deeper, whether it’s Amaro or (Pat) Gillick who is actually calling the shots. The Phillies refuse to accept that they might not get exactly what they want.
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Classic Amaro. Akin to Papelbon, until he budges on his stance, Hamels will be staying put.
Note: Stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com, MLB.com and FanGraphs, unless otherwise noted/linked.
To talk baseball or follow the latest rumors, check in with me on Twitter: @ZPetersel.
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