So there are some out there (whether you choose to agree with them or not) who feel that the move to make this winter is to deal Nick to get out from under the money for his last two years. Ender won't match his "pop" in RF, but would represent an upgrade in every other area IMO. FWIW, shifting him over and playing Mallex in CF should help cover a little more (in theory, anyway) for Kemp since you could conceivably shade Mallex towards LF in most instances.
With so little going on, guess this is just as good a time as any to look for realistic landing places (and potential returns) for Markakis. So...
OUTS
1.) KC - Since DMGM's going to have to cut payroll, it probably doesn't matter what we'd accept in return.
2.) BAL - Outside of Sisco, what would we be willing to move him for from them? Plus, they're likely to offer a QO to Trumbo (and that likely gets him back), and they've even mentioned possibly bringing Bourn back.
3.) ANA - Probably wouldn't be a bad addition for them actually, would Taylor Ward be enough - and would they move him? If you go much deeper, they probably don't even have anyone who would make our Top 50.
INTERESTING POTENTIAL FITS
1.) SEA - They sure could use a bat like his in their OF - adding him would allow them to make Cruz a full-time DH, and with Lind's contract expiring they could play Vogelbach at 1B. Andrew Moore or Braden Bishop would interest me as potential additional system depth.
2.) TOR - They're bound to lose one of Joey Bats or Encarnacion this winter. Markakis could replace Bautista in RF, and they could DH whichever of those guys they keep. Reese McGuire is the guy they got from the Pirates that I think would be great for us - a left-handed C that's exceptional defensively (and ready - meaning we wouldn't need to trade for Mac or spend on Castro).
3.) SF - Both Pagan and Blanco become free-agents this winter, so he'd seem to be a pretty good fit there. Steven Okert is a bit of an under-the-radar guy who I think would be a great addition to our pen. Hard throwing, controllable lefty who's ready just in case Paco doesn't bounce back like we hope.
Others are obvious "outs" as well as "maybes".
With so little going on, guess this is just as good a time as any to look for realistic landing places (and potential returns) for Markakis. So...
OUTS
1.) KC - Since DMGM's going to have to cut payroll, it probably doesn't matter what we'd accept in return.
2.) BAL - Outside of Sisco, what would we be willing to move him for from them? Plus, they're likely to offer a QO to Trumbo (and that likely gets him back), and they've even mentioned possibly bringing Bourn back.
3.) ANA - Probably wouldn't be a bad addition for them actually, would Taylor Ward be enough - and would they move him? If you go much deeper, they probably don't even have anyone who would make our Top 50.
INTERESTING POTENTIAL FITS
1.) SEA - They sure could use a bat like his in their OF - adding him would allow them to make Cruz a full-time DH, and with Lind's contract expiring they could play Vogelbach at 1B. Andrew Moore or Braden Bishop would interest me as potential additional system depth.
2.) TOR - They're bound to lose one of Joey Bats or Encarnacion this winter. Markakis could replace Bautista in RF, and they could DH whichever of those guys they keep. Reese McGuire is the guy they got from the Pirates that I think would be great for us - a left-handed C that's exceptional defensively (and ready - meaning we wouldn't need to trade for Mac or spend on Castro).
3.) SF - Both Pagan and Blanco become free-agents this winter, so he'd seem to be a pretty good fit there. Steven Okert is a bit of an under-the-radar guy who I think would be a great addition to our pen. Hard throwing, controllable lefty who's ready just in case Paco doesn't bounce back like we hope.
Others are obvious "outs" as well as "maybes".
