Hot Stove

I'm not sure about Profar's shoulder(s) at this point in time. And while I think Andrus would be perfect for Petco his contract might be the roadblock. I would love to acquire Andrus.

Elvis is still young and capable of gold glove work at short. He might be better off in a clear pitchers park as he would never be tempted to overswing. Occasionally he appears to be trying to show he can develop power and overswing which is not his game. But given the state of contracts in baseball his deal is not bad. Would be surprised to see the Rangers willing to part with him given the cost certainty and performance they can count on. That could change in a couple years when he has fewer years left on the contract depending on how a couple of the younger shortstops in system develop. Of course if Profar can prove he is healthy and Odor shows up in spring training and refuses (by performance) to give up the second base job I could see them giving short to Profar and moving Elvis but they would want premium return.

Would surprise me if they traded Profar. Still a lot of people in organization high on him. And they did trade Kinsler to make room for him. Odor makes him expendable. But I would be surprised if anyone gave the Rangers what they think he is worth until he proves that arm is healthy.

If a team is thinking of looking for middle infield help from the Rangers they might be better off asking for one of the prospects just behind the 3 mentioned. Sardinas I think will be a solid shortstop for someone in the next few years. Not a superstar but solid.

I'm not sure about Profar's shoulder(s) at this point in time. And while I think Andrus would be perfect for Petco his contract might be the roadblock. I would love to acquire Andrus.

Elvis is still young and capable of gold glove work at short. He might be better off in a clear pitchers park as he would never be tempted to overswing. Occasionally he appears to be trying to show he can develop power and overswing which is not his game. But given the state of contracts in baseball his deal is not bad. Would be surprised to see the Rangers willing to part with him given the cost certainty and performance they can count on. That could change in a couple years when he has fewer years left on the contract depending on how a couple of the younger shortstops in system develop. Of course if Profar can prove he is healthy and Odor shows up in spring training and refuses (by performance) to give up the second base job I could see them giving short to Profar and moving Elvis but they would want premium return.

Would surprise me if they traded Profar. Still a lot of people in organization high on him. And they did trade Kinsler to make room for him. Odor makes him expendable. But I would be surprised if anyone gave the Rangers what they think he is worth until he proves that arm is healthy.

If a team is thinking of looking for middle infield help from the Rangers they might be better off asking for one of the prospects just behind the 3 mentioned. Sardinas I think will be a solid shortstop for someone in the next few years. Not a superstar but solid.

I have to admit it does kind of make sense that the Padres deal with the Rangers for at least one of their mid-infield spots. Preller would be very familiar with them obviously. And Texas needs starting pitching. It surprised me quite a bit when the Padres let SS Ryan Jackson go when they added a few DL'ed pitchers back to the forty-man a week ago. Jackson was pretty much the only thing other than Amarista for the Padres at SS (for 2015 purposes). Cabrera is likely done as mentioned earlier. Why would Preller let Jackson go - for a SS starved team - unless he felt confident he was about to land another even better one very soon (Jackson was claimed right away by the Dodgers). At least I hope that's what is happening. I can see the Padres trading for Sardinas. No idea what they would need to give up. Maybe they give Texas Wieland or Erlin. Ha

Sardinas I think will be a solid shortstop for someone in the next few years. Not a superstar but solid.

Sardinas is a sound prospect, but he's essentially Trea Turner with more experience and less of a hit tool. If the Padres are going to commit to spending pitching talent and/or top prospects on a shortstop, they would really need to insist on Andrus or Profar or someone of Marrero's calibre. If they want to go the stopgap route, Didi Gregorius would be cheaper than Sardinas, he would do an ecellent job manning the position defensively until Turner arrives...and Erlin or Wieland would probably suffice.

As to Chicago, I really don't see them trading Russell. He's just that good of a shortstop prospect, he rocked in AA, and should be ready to take over for 15 years next year. Castro's defense actually improved last year, and his hands and footwork (which are improvable) have always been worse than his range. He would amp up the Pads' offense, but I agree they probably wouldn't give up Cashner to get him.

I would love to get Starlin Castro. Damn!

Padres could always slide Castro over to 2B when Turner is ready.

What can the Braves get for two Uptons and a Gattis?

Well, they obviously went in the "What can the Braves get for Heyward?" direction, and I think they got a good get for the soon-to-be-free agent. Shelby Miller had a little bit of a decline last year. However, it was hardly a sophomore slump, and he's still a 24-year old hard (94+) throwing SP who has already proven he can win and succeed at the major league level. Considering Heyward's hit tool never solidified as hoped, getting Miller and the talented hard-throwing prospect Jenkins in return is a nice deal for Atlanta. Yes, Walden will be missed, but the LaStella-for-Vizcaino deal was clearly made in anticipation of his exit.

The big questions now for the Braves are whether Peraza is ready to step in at 2b, and whether B.J. can be anything but a detriment in the lineup.

Wow, lots of fun movement is happening.

1. I think the Jays tremendously overpaid for Russell Martin.

2. Believe it or not I like Stanton's massive deal for the Marlins.

3. I think the Cards absolutely swindled Atlanta in the Heyward-Miller trade.

Yes, the Cards give up 4 years of Shelby Miller, who won 15 gms a year ago, and a solid hard-throwing pitching prospect for 1 year of Heyward (& his average hit tool) and Walden. Thats quite a swindle for the Cards...

Braves still lack a lead off hitter and a CF

they just traded a guy who could do both if need be

I understand they don't want to get handcuffed by any long term contracts at the moment...but I don't think Heyward is going to command the coin Stanton is asking for.

Lets see whats still up Harts sleeve before we close the book on this deal.

I understand they don't want to get handcuffed by any long term contracts at the moment...but I don't think Heyward is going to command the coin Stanton is asking for.

Lets see whats still up Harts sleeve before we close the book on this deal.

Of course Heyward wasn't going to ask what Stanton is asking for. He's not the player Stanton is, and very few players will ask for that much. However, it is likely (if not clear) the Braves were not going to pay what he would likely be asking, in years or in coin. Considering Heyward has only had one great year in 5, few teams are going to be willing to sign a pricey long-term deal with him, unless he strongly shines this year.

Anyway, as I said in my first post, getting 4 years of the talented SP Shelby Miller (and Jenkins) for 1 year of Heyward, and Walden, is still a great deal...regardless of what Hart does next. Considering Atlanta's clear starting pitching needs, I'm surprised you're not happy with it yourself.

P.s. If we had to wait to "close a book on a deal" to esteem its quality, nobody could ever judge a trade at all. We can't "close the book" on the Justin Upton trade either, but it's safe to say the Braves won that one...

I really like what St.Louis did. Holy crap. Not only Heyward but also Walden? The Cards can replace Miller pretty easily but can the Braves replace Heyward? Hell no! And Jenkins is in single A still and not dominating?

Good to be a Cards fan.