House That Hank Built
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Atlanta Braves Morning-ish Chop: the developing trade market

By Alan Carpenter

NEW YORK, NY - JULY 03: Marcus Stroman #6 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches in the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on July 3, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 03: Marcus Stroman #6 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches in the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on July 3, 2017 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – JUNE 16: Jose Quintana #62 of the Chicago White Sox delivers a pitch in the first inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on June 16, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – JUNE 16: Jose Quintana #62 of the Chicago White Sox delivers a pitch in the first inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on June 16, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

Who is Really Available?

Higher prices? Why is that?  Because there’s already noises being made (possibly for reasons of negotiation, possibly because it’s true) that some players – pitchers especially – may not come on the market at all this Summer:

More from Tomahawk Take

Gerrit Cole – Pirates GM Neal Huntington is recently quoted saying “We haven’t had a real conversation about Gerrit, and I don’t see us doing so”

  • Justin Verlander – was linked to the Cubs last week, but apparently that’s because they’ve called literally everybody as part of a due diligence operation.  But a writer for the Detroit Free Press calls their interest “more smoke than fire” and a Cubs’ official complained about the money he’s still owed ($28 million per year through 2019, plus a vesting option of $22 million for 2020).
  • Chris Archer, Alex Cobb, et al – nope: the Rays are in the race are aren’t selling until the off-season.
  • Dan Straily?  Like most of the Marlins’ best (cheap) assets, it is being said that he’s not available either.  Is this comment intended to deflect attention from the Commissioner’s office about a possible/pending Miami fire sale?  Perhaps, but it’s still probably a smart move.
  • Michael Fulmer, Daniel Norris, Quintana, Marcus Stroman:  prices are expected to be high, given their years of control… even if all of these actually come onto the market.

    • Jon Heyman is getting an idea of just how high:

    "There are said to be big gaps in Chicago’s talks with both the Astros and Yankees [for Quintana]…Astros top pitching prospect Francis Martes and outfielder Kyle Tucker…[or] in Yankees talks top infield prospect Gleyber Torres or top outfielder prospect Clint Frazier as the headliner in a package of prospects."

    But guess what?  There will be buyers!  The Cubs are also looking for… wait for it… “controllable young arms“.

    Yes, the new paradigm.

    Full Circle

    So why do I think teams will be seriously asking the Atlanta Braves about Julio Teheran?  Price (less than the above!) and years of control for decent performance.  It’s what everybody wants – no quick fixes:  year-to-year sustainable team performance.

    What about R.A. Dickey, Jaime Garcia?  Both are Rentals (though Dickey has an option year, his age relegates him to a secondary or even tertiary option for most).  There may be deals to be had here, but they will likely happen very late in the trading season, and without substantial return.

    Next: May I have the envelope, please?

    But aside from “interest”, why do I think there’s a good chance Teheran will be dealt this Summer?  Two reasons:  excellent numbers away from SunTrust Park, and Coppy may smell an opportunity to finish off the rebuild by undercutting the White Sox and others.  The timing could be right.

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