February 10, 2015

Rumor Roundup

Mysterious Blob Will Attempt To Eat Yoan Moncada Next

by Daniel Rathman

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Padres expect to bid “aggressively” for Yoan Moncada
No team has had a splashier offseason than the Padres, under the command of first-year general manager A.J. Preller, who added James Shields to his rotation late Sunday night. Now that the 2015 roster is close to set, Preller—previously the director of international and professional scouting for the Rangers—has his sights set on a piece for the not-too-distant future.

According to Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan, the Padres intend to make a legitimate run at signing Cuban phenom Yoan Moncada, who was declared a free agent last week. Passan noted that San Diego yesterday joined a long list of clubs that have held workouts for the 19-year-old infielder. The Dodgers and Yankees are considered the favorites to land Moncada, because of their spending power and the 100 percent tax that his future employer will have to pay on the signing bonus he receives.

But that doesn't seem likely to deter the Padres, whose payroll has grown steadily in recent years. San Diego spent less than $46 million on its roster as recently as 2011, but has since watched its expenditures shoot up to $56 million in 2012, $68 million in 2013, $91 million in 2014, and—with Shields entering the fold—a tick over $100 million for 2015.

Nor is Preller concerned about having his spending in the next two international signing periods capped by the penalty for shooting past his limit now:

Recently told that Padres might not be be scared off by the idea of having a $300k limit/int'l prospect for the next two signing periods.

— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) February 9, 2015

Given the state of the Padres’ infield, the sincerity of their interest in Moncada should not be doubted. Moving leftward around the horn, manager Bud Black will roll with Yonder Alonso, Jedd Gyorko, Alexi Amarista, and Will Middlebrooks, a group that lacks the flair of the retooled outfield. Inserting Moncada at the keystone or hot corner by the end of the 2016 campaign could change that in a big way.

Tigers have had internal talks about Dioner Navarro
With Victor Martinez shelved by a torn medial meniscus in his left knee, Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski might be looking for a bat to reinforce his lineup. Blue Jays catcher Dioner Navarro, who became the subject of trade rumors as soon as Toronto inked Russell Martin, appears to be one of Dombrowski’s potential targets.

That news comes from Jeff Blair of Sportsnet, who cited major-league sources as saying that the Tigers have kicked around the idea of calling the Jays. However, Jays radio play-by-play man Mike Wilner cautioned that the clubs have not spoken to each other yet.

Navarro is owed $5 million in the second season of a two-year, $8 million contract, and is a solid—albeit expensive—backup catcher for Toronto, which could save a sizable chunk of change by going with Josh Thole as its no. 2 backstop.

A 1.4-1.6-win performer in each of the past two seasons (2013 as a backup), Navarro clubbed 22 doubles and 12 homers in 520 plate appearances as the Jays’ primary catcher in 2014. His slugging numbers would likely take a hit were he to move from the hitter-friendly Rogers Centre to Comerica Park.

Blair’s sources indicated that the Jays would only move Navarro—who celebrated his 31st birthday on Monday—if it nets them a pitcher, and it’s unclear if the Tigers have one to give. Detroit’s rotation features Justin Verlander, David Price, Anibal Sanchez, Shane Greene, and Alfredo Simon, with little in the way of upside behind them. Manager Brad Ausmus’ bullpen, a perennial question mark, probably can’t spare a late-inning arm.

Hence, if Dombrowski and Alex Anthopoulos are to find a match, the Jays would probably have to like one of the upper-minors pitchers who dot the Tigers’ unimpressive top 10 list. Buck Farmer and Kyle Lobstein—as well as Factors on the Farm Drew VerHagen, Angel Nesbitt, and Kyle Ryan—might be names to bear in mind if the sides talk in the coming days.

Daniel Rathman is an author of Baseball Prospectus. Follow @danielrathman
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