Centerfield Trade Options (Red Sox - JBJ, Pillar)

[Eye Black]

So I want Gamel to get a shot in CF, but figured I would take a look at reasonable CF options (players that will be free agents following the season). The Red Sox jump out as having two potential trade candidates that can cover CF and are free agents after 2020:

 

Jackie Bradley, Jr.

 

Kevin Pillar

 

JBJ hits from the left side, while Pillar is a righty batter. Both have had good starts to 2020 even though it has obviously only been 30 ABs. I don’t think the Red Sox would consider either of them untouchable, and if they continue on the trajectory of their 3-7 start they may be looking to unload them before the Aug. 31 trade deadline.

 

Thoughts on either of them being a cheap trade candidate to temporarily help replace Cain?

[brewcrewdue80]

Kevin Pillar stat-wise appears a worse version of Gamel.

 

JBJ appears a good target, but he's repped by Boras, and that tells me a QO certainty. That or the trade offer is better than a QO compensation. So nix that idea.

[Eye Black]

Based on the Red Sox current financial commitments, I think it’s unlikely they will offer a Jackie Bradley, Jr. a potential $19+ million qualifying offer. If they do I would be sort of shocked if he turned it down since early prognostications are that the market will be very slow this off-season.

 

Here is an MLB Trade Rumors look at likely qualifying offer candidates following the season. They said it was possible, but highly unlikely JBJ would receive a qualifying offer.

[mlloyd10]

Jackie Bradley Jr is just a guy - nothing special

[HiAndTight]

Jackie Bradley Jr is just a guy - nothing special

 

 

Not special, but a nice LH'ed option in CF.

 

I guess it'd depend on what you'd have to give up, but I'd gladly take him for cheap.

[MrTPlush]

Originally I thought rental players might be more likely to be traded in this years climate, but I’m not sure how many teams are going to be willing to give up assets for a rental when the season could very well implode at any given second. Rental players may be deemed nearly worthless on the trade market for that reason.

 

Probably just salary dumps for trade value. Which given this years financials isn’t something a team would totally ignore.

[AKCheesehead]

That is what I'm thinking too, Plush. I figure any team who thinks they're out of it would have motivation to salary-dump their upcoming free agents just to help them lose less money this year.

[Eye Black]

The Red Sox have already deemed themselves sellers...

 

Red Sox trade rumors: Boston has been engaged in talks with other clubs, considers no one ‘untouchable’ ahead of Aug. 31 deadline

 

In addition to the previously mentioned CFs, Mitch Moreland will be a seemingly popular trade target.

[nate82]

I wonder if the Brewers could get Benintendi cheaply. Yes he sucked last year and is sucking this year but he is still only 25 and 2-years ago he was really good.

 

He is also on the IL with a rib injury.

[Eye Black]

Watching Kevin Pillar hit a home run tonight reminded me to check his season stats...

 

Through 18 games (70 plate appearances) he’s at:

 

[pre]AVG OBP SLG wOBA wRC+

.318 .357 .515 .371 133[/pre]

 

Note: Tonight’s game is still on going so he’ll get another at bat.

[Warning Track Power]

I wonder if the Brewers could get Benintendi cheaply. Yes he sucked last year and is sucking this year but he is still only 25 and 2-years ago he was really good.

 

He is also on the IL with a rib injury.

I would love this. He always has reminded me of Yelich of the Marlins. I have no expectation of him becoming Yelich of the Brewers, but think he could be a very good fit in Milwaukee without the spotlight of the Boston media.

[wntrtxn21]

I wonder if the Brewers could get Benintendi cheaply. Yes he sucked last year and is sucking this year but he is still only 25 and 2-years ago he was really good.

 

He is also on the IL with a rib injury.

I would love this. He always has reminded me of Yelich of the Marlins. I have no expectation of him becoming Yelich of the Brewers, but think he could be a very good fit in Milwaukee without the spotlight of the Boston media.

 

I think Benintendi is performing pretty close to Yelich, this year. Yelich: .189/.318 - 27 Ks in 88 PAs.

Benintendi: .103/.314 - 17Ks n 52 ABs. I can't imagine why Council would want another whiff king who can't get on base in the outfield. Gamel has been filling that bill for a while now.

[JohnBriggs12]

Speaking of Yelich type players, what would it take to get Mike Yastrzemski from the Giants? Late bloomer, controllable. He's not going to come cheap but where are the Giants going with him?

[rickh150]

Is Plush available.... how cool would it be to see 2011 Morgan again? Well, someone like him...a top of the order guy that can play CF ok.

[CheeseheadInQC]

Given how light it sounds like the market is for rentals, I wonder how far off a Pillar for Supak and maybe a PTBNL flyer like Cipion would be.

[Ron Robinsons Beard]

Given how light it sounds like the market is for rentals, I wonder how far off a Pillar for Supak and maybe a PTBNL flyer like Cipion would be.

 

I think that's an overpay. Supak isn't a future ace, but he's a just-turned-24-year-old who profiles as a #3-4 starter, and is likely nearly major league ready. Pillar is the type of guy a team can typically grab for a couple of lottery ticket types.

[CheeseheadInQC]

Given how light it sounds like the market is for rentals, I wonder how far off a Pillar for Supak and maybe a PTBNL flyer like Cipion would be.

 

I think that's an overpay. Supak isn't a future ace, but he's a just-turned-24-year-old who profiles as a #3-4 starter, and is likely nearly major league ready. Pillar is the type of guy a team can typically grab for a couple of lottery ticket types.

 

Normally I'd agree with you, but I think only having the one option left depresses Supak's value a bit and the Brewers' might see an advantage in protecting one of the Rule 5 eligible guys (Brown, Bickford, File, Bettinger, etc.) with a full complement of options instead.