Willis Rumours Hot Again (Die Hard Baseball)

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb...t=.jsp&c_id=mlb

QUOTE

Hot Stove Report: Talking 'bout Willis
Familiar Dontrelle-to-Mets talk begins anew
By Tom Singer / MLB.com

The Mets are again eyeing Marlins ace Dontrelle Willis to bolster a shaky rotation. (Lynne Sladky/AP)
MLB Headlines

Approaching last July's non-waiver trading deadline with a gaping NL East lead and an aching starting rotation, the New York Mets enthusiastically inquired into the availability of Dontrelle Willis.
At that time, general manager Omar Minaya was turned off by what the Marlins sought in return for the mercurial left-hander. Now that another trading season is upon us, there is speculation that the D-Train-to-7-Train talks may be warming up again.

Why? What have the Mets learned since July 31?

a. That they still have the same needs. Then, Pedro Martinez was hobbled with hip and calf woes. Now, Pedro is recovering from rotator cuff surgery.

b. That they have other high-profile chase options, such as free agent Barry Zito or Daisuke Matsuzaka, whose rights-winning club will be identified next Tuesday.

c. That Willis, at 24 four years and 613 innings younger than Zito, may be worth another pursuit.

d. Most significantly, that some of the names raised 3 1/2 months ago by Florida may not be so untouchable after all. Like Lastings Milledge, who had a checkered big-league baptismal, or right-hander Brian Bannister, who had such a severe strain to his right hamstring that he didn't pitch after April.

That the Mets need starting pitching to feel comfortable about defending their division title is obvious. Getting it out of Florida will not be easy. The Marlins hold all the cards in this deal, since Willis is still two-plus years removed from free agency.

The selection is considerably better at another spot where the Mets need help, second base. The latest to draw their interest is Adam Kennedy, who has long known that he would not be receiving an offer from the Angels.

Kennedy, who does not turn 31 for a couple of months, actually is one of the youngest position players on the free agent market.

Elsewhere among the Hot Stove embers ...

Phillies: They've been very upright about their interest in free agent outfielder Alfonso Soriano -- and are being equally frank about something they'd consider a deal-breaker. And money has nothing to do with that. Rather, it would be the Soriano camp's request for no-trade contract language. On whether such a clause is a potential roadblock, GM Pat Gillick said, "It is for me."

Red Sox: The club has declined Keith Foulke's option, and GM Theo Epstein is already prioritizing the acquisition of a new closer (Jonathan Papelbon, if recovered from the weak shoulder that shut him down in September, is targeted for the rotation). But Foulke may not be Boston history; he has till Friday to accept his own player option at $3.75 million -- half of the salary rejected by the club.

Blue Jays: The Jays are assumed willing to trade Vernon Wells, under contract only through the 2007 season, if they are unable to sign the center fielder to an extension over the winter. But those assumptions could be wrong. GM J.P. Ricciardi has been going out of his way to cite how well the A's made out under similar circumstances by holding onto imminent free agents such as Jason Giambi and Miguel Tejada.

Rockies: GM Dan O'Dowd reports that talks "are progressing" to re-sign infielder Kaz Matsui, who reinvented himself following 2 1/2 miserable years in New York to bat .345 in 32 games with the Rockies.

Orioles: Looks like you can cross a No. 2 starter off the Birds' potential to-do list. Kris Benson, who would be within his rights to demand a trade since the Mets dealt him to Baltimore with a multiyear contract, apparently is leaning toward staying put. At least, so indicates agent Gregg Clifton, while noting that the right-hander has been wrestling with the decision.

Astros: Perhaps thinking that a homecoming is what his beat-up psyche needs, the Astros have expressed interest in right-hander Kip Wells, a Houston native. Wells, who will turn 30 during the season's first month, won two games during a troublesome 2006 season split between the Pirates and Rangers. He missed the first half following surgery for a blood clot under his right clavicle, then sat out the last six weeks with a left-foot sprain.

Brewers: Tony Graffanino, who stepped up as Milwaukee's primary second baseman after Rickie Weeks' season-ending wrist surgery in early August, can't have his job back. But the Brewers would love to have him back as "an everyday player without an everyday position," to paraphrase GM Doug Melvin. The club may wait for Graffanino's move before turning to another free agent infielder it would like to keep, Jeff Cirillo.

I swear to god, if we lose Vernon for absolutely nothing, the entire country will be calling for Ricciardi's head.

Watch him get traded for like some no name prospect, that no one ever heard of, lol.

Well, you guys would want pitching in return, and other than say Erving Santana and Carlos Zambrano, I don't see a whole lot of options out there. Unless you want Brad Penny, Tom Glavine types back. Bonderman would be interesting though.

Bonderman and a couple of top pitching prospects would fly with me.

QUOTE (Rockshu @ Nov 8 2006, 10:45 PM)

Bonderman and a couple of top pitching prospects would fly with me.

Bonderman AND a COUPLE?

I doubt they go for that. Well first of all Bonderman won't be available because he is gone in the Sheff deal, :D

But really, I think a Bonderman, Ledezma, and a middle tier prospect would be what they offer. Or Bonderman and Ganderson for Wells type of deal.

what would the Mets offer for Willis?

QUOTE (win2day @ Nov 8 2006, 11:49 PM)

Bonderman AND a COUPLE?

I doubt they go for that. Well first of all Bonderman won't be available because he is gone in the Sheff deal, :D

But really, I think a Bonderman, Ledezma, and a middle tier prospect would be what they offer. Or Bonderman and Ganderson for Wells type of deal.

Bonderman is a #3 starter... Wells is an all star... huge difference. Top prospects would have to be involved. Now, what I WOULD go for would be Bonderman, Maroth, and a middle spec for Wells.

QUOTE (MrYankee @ Nov 8 2006, 11:51 PM)

what would the Mets offer for Willis?

I'm guessing a package that included Lastings Milledge, since he can play CF.

QUOTE (Rockshu @ Nov 8 2006, 09:52 PM)

QUOTE (win2day @ Nov 8 2006, 11:49 PM)

Bonderman AND a COUPLE?

I doubt they go for that. Well first of all Bonderman won't be available because he is gone in the Sheff deal, :D

But really, I think a Bonderman, Ledezma, and a middle tier prospect would be what they offer. Or Bonderman and Ganderson for Wells type of deal.

Bonderman is a #3 starter... Wells is an all star... huge difference. Top prospects would have to be involved. Now, what I WOULD go for would be Bonderman, Maroth, and a middle spec for Wells.

Bonderman still hasn't peaked yet. He's still a potential TOR. He's only what, 23?

QUOTE (Crushed Optimism @ Nov 8 2006, 11:53 PM)

QUOTE (Rockshu @ Nov 8 2006, 09:52 PM)

QUOTE (win2day @ Nov 8 2006, 11:49 PM)

Bonderman AND a COUPLE?

I doubt they go for that. Well first of all Bonderman won't be available because he is gone in the Sheff deal, :D

But really, I think a Bonderman, Ledezma, and a middle tier prospect would be what they offer. Or Bonderman and Ganderson for Wells type of deal.

Bonderman is a #3 starter... Wells is an all star... huge difference. Top prospects would have to be involved. Now, what I WOULD go for would be Bonderman, Maroth, and a middle spec for Wells.

Bonderman still hasn't peaked yet. He's still a potential TOR. He's only what, 23?

Wells is only 27 and he's an all star on offense and a gold glover on defense. He can also steal 30 bases if given the chance. Players like that aren't common.

QUOTE (Rockshu @ Nov 8 2006, 10:52 PM)

QUOTE (win2day @ Nov 8 2006, 11:49 PM)

Bonderman AND a COUPLE?

I doubt they go for that. Well first of all Bonderman won't be available because he is gone in the Sheff deal, :D

But really, I think a Bonderman, Ledezma, and a middle tier prospect would be what they offer. Or Bonderman and Ganderson for Wells type of deal.

Bonderman is a #3 starter... Wells is an all star... huge difference. Top prospects would have to be involved. Now, what I WOULD go for would be Bonderman, Maroth, and a middle spec for Wells.

I don't think they'll do that by taking 2 starters of their team.

Humberto Sanchez is their best pitching prospect, and they have Andrew Miller, and Tata behind him. Cameron Maybin is their best hitting prospect, and I believe their best prospect overall too.

So lets see how we can disect this one.

Bonderman and Tata for Wells.

Maraoth, and Sanchez for Wells.

Maybin (CF), and Tata for Wells.

I don't see them trading more than that, when they pretty much have a viable option in CF in Granderson.

QUOTE (Crushed Optimism @ Nov 8 2006, 10:53 PM)

QUOTE (Rockshu @ Nov 8 2006, 09:52 PM)

QUOTE (win2day @ Nov 8 2006, 11:49 PM)

Bonderman AND a COUPLE?

I doubt they go for that. Well first of all Bonderman won't be available because he is gone in the Sheff deal, :D

But really, I think a Bonderman, Ledezma, and a middle tier prospect would be what they offer. Or Bonderman and Ganderson for Wells type of deal.

Bonderman is a #3 starter... Wells is an all star... huge difference. Top prospects would have to be involved. Now, what I WOULD go for would be Bonderman, Maroth, and a middle spec for Wells.

Bonderman still hasn't peaked yet. He's still a potential TOR. He's only what, 23?

Yeah, he's the same age as Veerlander, or maybe just turned 24 right now.

14-8 with a 4.08 ERA in a pitcher's park like Comerica is nothing to write home about. If they want an All Star like Wells, it's going to have to be for a hell of a lot more than Bonderman, ESPECIALLY if it's rumoured (not sure if it's true or not) that Sheff could get Bonderman straight up.

QUOTE

Blue Jays: The Jays are assumed willing to trade Vernon Wells, under contract only through the 2007 season, if they are unable to sign the center fielder to an extension over the winter. But those assumptions could be wrong. GM J.P. Ricciardi has been going out of his way to cite how well the A's made out under similar circumstances by holding onto imminent free agents such as Jason Giambi and Miguel Tejada.

Vernon for Willis? Definetly.

QUOTE (jaysdude09 @ Nov 9 2006, 12:09 AM)

QUOTE

Blue Jays: The Jays are assumed willing to trade Vernon Wells, under contract only through the 2007 season, if they are unable to sign the center fielder to an extension over the winter. But those assumptions could be wrong. GM J.P. Ricciardi has been going out of his way to cite how well the A's made out under similar circumstances by holding onto imminent free agents such as Jason Giambi and Miguel Tejada.

Vernon for Willis? Definetly.

Dude, Willis is over-rated. And that's not even mentioned in there!

QUOTE (Rockshu @ Nov 8 2006, 09:52 PM)

QUOTE (win2day @ Nov 8 2006, 11:49 PM)

Bonderman AND a COUPLE?

I doubt they go for that. Well first of all Bonderman won't be available because he is gone in the Sheff deal, :D

But really, I think a Bonderman, Ledezma, and a middle tier prospect would be what they offer. Or Bonderman and Ganderson for Wells type of deal.

Bonderman is a #3 starter... Wells is an all star... huge difference. Top prospects would have to be involved. Now, what I WOULD go for would be Bonderman, Maroth, and a middle spec for Wells.

whoa whoa whoa...

Bonderman as a #3 STARTER?!?!?!

Bonderman's have been improving every year and this guy is only gonna get better. He's like 23 and if we got him JP would be the best GM in the world. Okay...maybe to Billy Beane but you know what I'm try to say.

If we got Bonderman+Ledezma...that would be sick!!!!!

QUOTE (Rockshu @ Nov 8 2006, 09:10 PM)

QUOTE (jaysdude09 @ Nov 9 2006, 12:09 AM)

QUOTE

Blue Jays: The Jays are assumed willing to trade Vernon Wells, under contract only through the 2007 season, if they are unable to sign the center fielder to an extension over the winter. But those assumptions could be wrong. GM J.P. Ricciardi has been going out of his way to cite how well the A's made out under similar circumstances by holding onto imminent free agents such as Jason Giambi and Miguel Tejada.

Vernon for Willis? Definetly.

Dude, Willis is over-rated. And that's not even mentioned in there!

im not sure about over rated im just not sure about the kind of transition he would be able to make to the AL

QUOTE (Rockshu @ Nov 8 2006, 10:05 PM)

14-8 with a 4.08 ERA in a pitcher's park like Comerica is nothing to write home about. If they want an All Star like Wells, it's going to have to be for a hell of a lot more than Bonderman, ESPECIALLY if it's rumoured (not sure if it's true or not) that Sheff could get Bonderman straight up.

I've watched every start of Jeremy Bonderman's since I had him in my Fantasy League. This guy was so consistent from May-August. He had 2 REALLY bad starts that killed his ERA. He's a 200K pitcher at age 23...and will only improve...

Well I knew the Willis rumors were coming. <_<

QUOTE (Marlinschamps03 @ Nov 9 2006, 07:38 AM)

Well I knew the Willis rumors were coming. <_<

I ws hoping for them

Bonderman might be a #3 starter right now, but he hasn't come close to his potential. I've followed Bonderman's career since he broke into the big leagues at 19. He has progressively gotten better every year since his rookie year. He definately has #1 or #2 potential.

Also, how many times does Dave Dombrowski have to insist that Cameron Maybin is untouchable, before people stop linking him to trade rumors? Did I miss one of his comments that even showed the slightest inclination that he changed his mind?

what Marlins is looking for is a cheap superprospect who'd get bloomed very soon. The reason why they're trying to get rid of Willis is that they need to reduce their salaries, they don't care about winning.

So, I'd say no Bonderman and no Wells

QUOTE (DrunkenTiger @ Nov 9 2006, 06:29 PM)

what Marlins is looking for is a cheap superprospect who'd get bloomed very soon. The reason why they're trying to get rid of Willis is that they need to reduce their salaries, they don't care about winning.

So, I'd say no Bonderman and no Wells

Dude... we're talking about Bonderman FOR Wells, not either of them for Willis...

QUOTE (DrunkenTiger @ Nov 9 2006, 03:29 PM)

what Marlins is looking for is a cheap superprospect who'd get bloomed very soon. The reason why they're trying to get rid of Willis is that they need to reduce their salaries, they don't care about winning.

So, I'd say no Bonderman and no Wells

If we can get a CF, RP/C prospects out of it then we might. We have a big surplus of pitching in the minors so we can replace the D-Train if we do trade him.

Rockshu go to the Angels Forum and check out thing about Zito.

QUOTE (jaysdude09 @ Nov 9 2006, 07:12 AM)

I ws hoping for them

and why's that? :huh:

Willis Is not overrated he's the real deal.

QUOTE (bigd @ Nov 9 2006, 06:09 PM)

Willis Is not overrated he's the real deal.

yea , I agree with you, he just went through a rough patch this past year. Just wait until next year, he's gonna do great.

QUOTE (nath87 @ Nov 9 2006, 04:12 PM)

yea , I agree with you, he just went through a rough patch this past year. Just wait until next year, he's gonna do great.

He seems to go year by year. One great year, one not so great, then another great one, etc. So expect a Cy Young type season again this year I guess.

QUOTE (bigd @ Nov 9 2006, 05:09 PM)

Willis Is not overrated he's the real deal.

and probably a future hall of famer

QUOTE (Jeter2 @ Nov 9 2006, 04:21 PM)

and probably a future hall of famer

I hope so.

QUOTE (Jeter2 @ Nov 9 2006, 07:21 PM)

and probably a future hall of famer

Yeah... no....

QUOTE (Marlinschamps03 @ Nov 9 2006, 05:04 PM)

and why's that? :huh:

so the Jays have a chance to land him :P

Dontrelle has been rumored to the Cardinals a few times, but for to much talent...

QUOTE (cardsfan308 @ Nov 9 2006, 06:47 PM)

Dontrelle has been rumored to the Cardinals a few times, but for to much talent...

did they ask for Wainright and Duncan or something?

QUOTE (jaysdude09 @ Nov 9 2006, 05:45 PM)

so the Jays have a chance to land him :P

Not with your Minor league. :P

QUOTE (cardsfan308 @ Nov 9 2006, 05:47 PM)

Dontrelle has been rumored to the Cardinals a few times, but for to much talent...

Rasmus and Wainright and maybe we'll take it. ;)

QUOTE (Marlinschamps03 @ Nov 9 2006, 06:53 PM)

Not with your Minor league. :P

we'll give you Vernon *eyebrowraise*

and u guys can trade em to the Angels and get whatever shit you want *beer*

QUOTE (Rockshu @ Nov 9 2006, 04:41 PM)

QUOTE (DrunkenTiger @ Nov 9 2006, 06:29 PM)

what Marlins is looking for is a cheap superprospect who'd get bloomed very soon. The reason why they're trying to get rid of Willis is that they need to reduce their salaries, they don't care about winning.

So, I'd say no Bonderman and no Wells

Dude... we're talking about Bonderman FOR Wells, not either of them for Willis...

I was basing that on the thread title if u don't mind

View Full Version: Willis Rumours Hot Again