Carfado: Some Choices that Might Interest Baltimore From MLBTR

[weams]

One major league source believes that the Astros could dangle first baseman Chris Carter as trade bait. The 28-year-old (29 in December) ended up with a .294/.400/.529 batting line over twenty postseason plate appearances, continuing to build off of the .240/.328/.558 batting line and nine home runs that he put up over his final 120 plate appearances. Despite that strong second half, his "unpredictable performance, coupled with high strikeouts" could have the Astros a more reliable alternative, Cafardo writes. MLBTR projects Carter to earn $5.6MM in his second of four trips through arbitration.

Evan Longoria's contract runs another seven years and his production hasn?t been as great as expected, but one AL GM sounds like he'd be pretty high on him still. ?The contract he signed is long but reasonable,? the exec told The Boston Globe scribe. The Rays have repeatedly shot down speculation that they would shop the third baseman, but with the position being in such high demand, Cafardo wonders if they would keep an open mind. The Angels, he says, would be a great fit for the 30-year-old. Longoria's contract with the club runs through 2022, which would be his age-36 season, plus the Rays have a club option on his services for 2023.

Cafardo is hearing -a lot of buzz- that the Nationals could make right-hander Stephen Strasburg available. Recently, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported that the Rangers and Nationals had trade talks involving Strasburg over the winter, though nothing ever came close to getting done. The 27-year-old right-hander's value is down due both to an inconsistent 2015 season and to the fact that he now has only one season left before hitting free agency. Despite all of that, one has to imagine that the Nats would require significant return to part with the former No. 1 overall draft pick.

The Indians, Orioles, Mets, Tigers, and maybe even the Red Sox (thanks in part to the Allard Baird connection) could all be in the mix for Royals outfielder Alex Gordon this season, Cafardo writes. Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com recently wrote that the Astros were a team to keep an eye on with regards to Gordon.

Cardinals outfielder/first baseman Brandon Moss is an interesting and affordable left-handed power option for a few clubs this winter, including the Red Sox, Cafardo writes. Cafardo says the Orioles will be another team "likely" keeping an eye on Moss. Moss earned $6.5MM in 2015 and the MLBTR projection model has him slated to earn $7.9MM in 2016. The incumbent Cardinals would reportedly like to retain Moss, at least in a bench capacity.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/10/17/teams-will-make-power-play-baseball-offseason/X33s3eHxG8wrbk9br3HNUM/story.html?event=event25

[OsEatAlEast]

Would love to get Gordon! I think his skills would play well in AL East ballparks.

Moss on the other hand. We should only go for him if we can get him on the cheap.

[neveradoubt]

Would love to get Gordon! I think his skills would play well in AL East ballparks.

Moss on the other hand. We should only go for him if we can get him on the cheap.

I doubt Moss ends up in the Dumpster

[Enjoy Terror]

I doubt Moss ends up in the Dumpster

The Yankees already have more than a few DH candidates

[25 Nuggets]

How important is it to have power? Eight of the 10 playoff teams were in the top 12 in home runs. The only two off the reservation were the Pirates (23d in homers) and the Cardinals (25th). Both made quick exits and need to address power this offseason.

Of course, followed by...

Chris Davis will likely be the most sought-after first baseman/corner outfielder on the free agent market. Davis has even played third base. As a multiple 40-plus-homer performer, Davis could fit with the Red Sox, Padres, Astros, Yankees, Mets, Cardinals, Angels, Mariners, you name it. The Orioles would love to retain him, and they could if owner Peter Angelos was willing to go where agent Scott Boras wants him to — likely a Prince Fielder/Mark Teixeira type of deal.

Will Davis sign the biggest contract of the off season, including Heyward/Cespedes? The signs say "yes". I don't even think Gordon replaces Davis, though he'd go a long way towards it.

[El Gordo]

Of course, followed by...

Will Davis sign the biggest contract of the off season, including Heyward/Cespedes? The signs say "yes". I don't even think Gordon replaces Davis, though he'd go a long way towards it.

Ranked by fWAR they are:

Cespedes 6.7

Heyward 6

Davis 5.6

Upton 3.6

Gordon 2.8

[weams]

So Davis for certain then. Top hitter money.

[Roll Tide]

Of course, followed by...

Will Davis sign the biggest contract of the off season, including Heyward/Cespedes? The signs say "yes". I don't even think Gordon replaces Davis, though he'd go a long way towards it.

So the Astros are going to dangle Carter and pay 25 million + per for Davis?

I doubt it!

[mdbdotcom]

Chris Carter: I want to believe.

[eddie83]

I don't have much interest in Carter myself. If Davis leaves we shouldn't try to replace his power we need to bring in more OBP types.

[Tryptamine]

So the Astros are going to dangle Carter and pay 25 million + per for Davis?

I doubt it!

The Astros have the best 1B prospect in the minors. AJ Reed is going to be a monster.

[LookitsPuck]

Chris Carter? He with a career 2.1 WAR in 528 games?

No. Just no. He's a hack with the glove. His bat isn't anything special.

Pass.

[mdbdotcom]

I don't have much interest in Carter myself. If Davis leaves we shouldn't try to replace his power we need to bring in more OBP types.

I was thinking more along the lines of X Files creator Chris Carter.

[weams]

Chris Carter? He with a career 2.1 WAR in 528 games?

No. Just no. He's a hack with the glove. His bat isn't anything special.

Pass.

Some say he found his sweet spot.

[Number5]

All he does is catch touchdowns.