Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Dodgers Might Get Aced Out By...Bucs?

Besides Primanti sandwiches, I didn't think Pittsburgh had much on us in Los Angeles. But according to Yahoo Sports, the Pirates might be quicker to the punch snagging Jon Lester before the trade deadline:

The Pittsburgh Pirates are a fast-emerging dark horse in the Jon Lester sweepstakes, joining the Los Angeles Dodgers in pursuit of the Boston ace as the Red Sox decide whether to trade him before Thursday's deadline, major league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Pittsburgh, two games back of the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central and a half-game behind three teams competing for the two wild-card spots, boasts one of the best farm systems in the game and could use it to fortify its run at a second straight postseason spot. And one name at the center of the talks, according to sources, is switch-hitting prospect Josh Bell.

The Red Sox continue to ask for an exceedingly high return considering Lester will be a free agent this offseason, sources said, targeting multiple high-end prospects in exchange for what amounts to a rental. The price is prohibitive, particularly with other aces, such as Tampa Bay’s David Price and Philadelphia’s Cole Hamels, nominally available, not to mention the strong perception that Boston must deal Lester now because it has no intentions of re-signing him in the offseason.

Bell, 21, is the sort of prospect around whom a deal could be made. He hit .335/.384/.502 at Class-A Bradenton before a recent promotion to Double-A. The Pirates signed him for $5 million after selecting him in the second round of the 2011 draft.

The Dodgers’ potential centerpieces are considered even more higher end: pitcher Julio Urias, outfielder Joc Pederson or shortstop Corey Seager. While the Dodgers are not insistent on adding a pitcher to a rotation that already includes Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Josh Beckett and Dan Haren, the ability to use their vast financial resources and deep farm system to upgrade is indeed alluring, sources said.

Lester was scratched from today's start; according to MLB Trade Rumors, there are four other teams in the hunt.

If the cost of a Lester rental is one of those three prospects (and ESPN.com's Mark Saxon says Pederson is not in the mix), I hope we pass. (For what it's worth, the Phillies are asking for the same three prospects in any negotiations for Cole Hamels. Nervous time!

10 comments:

Dusty Baker said...

I wouldn't consider quicker to the punch. We are in different situations with different economics, different needs, and different farm systems and prospects.

And I'm still sticking with the "Don't trade the prospects" line.

Fred's Brim said...

I am towing that line as well but I waver all the time. It feels like those 3 guys are the only real players we have in our system. But some days I might be OK with losing one of them. Previously "untouchable" players like the Reeds and Lees of the world seem very touchable today, just a year later. Stuff changes so quickly. I just hate the rental aspect of a Lester, unless there is a chance we could sign him after the season

Alex Cora said...

I rally don't want to trade any of those guys. Nor trade Guerrero. We have plainly of bats and have Pavo and hopefully Garcia in the pen for late callus. We are in it to win it with the guys that we have. Lets do it.

Dusty Baker's Toothpick said...

I'm with y'all. This team is good enough to take us to promised land, when all pistons are firing.

If Haren & Beckett continue to stink it up, they outta call up Zach Lee, Reed, or Red. Those guys are more than suitable back end rotation guys.

Hideo Nomo said...

Word from on high is that we ARE NOT trading any of the top 3 guys and are out on Lester, Price, and Hamels. Good. Now give us word you're not trading Kemp.

Fred's Brim said...

"Word from on high"? I assume that means Dusty calling in from the parking lot at a Phish show

Fred's Brim said...

Lackey scares me and I hope we don't go after him. I am surprised at how well he's rebounded - I thought he was toast after he left the Anaheimians - but I can't see how he'd be a better option than Beckett. The "league minumum" team option for 2015 is interesting but I would rather KC benefit from that. Beckett has stunk his last two outings but I am willing to give him a couple more starts to work things out. Hopefully his hip is improving

Steve Sax said...

Good debate today guys. Will have to set up the GT to provoke a similar group discussion...

Dusty Baker said...

A debate we pretty much all agree on.

Great line re Phish, FB!

Dusty Baker's Toothpick said...

GT? Ah shit I forgot there was a game today. With all the Vinny celebrations, Kemp homers, Kenley K's, helmet nachos... I thought that was the championship game last night.