via ESPN Insider http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/6786172/most-likely-nl-prospects-traded also pitt
I wonder if Pitt would be interested in Lee if the Astros ate some of that contract? He's hitting well over the last couple of months and has played a marginally decent 1B.
Somebody has to available. Jurrjens Hanson Beachy Teheran Minor Delgado Vizcaino There are only 5 spots in a rotation even if Hudson and Lowe are eventually gone.
Limited. He has a list of 12 teams that he would have to agree to. The other 17 he has no control over.
What's funny, is TCB said he would have been smart to pick teams most likely to be willing to take him if he didn't want to get traded. If he did that, the Pirates probably wouldn't be on his list. I haven't seen any reports on who might be on that list.
Yeah, you can't sell "potential" to a 6-year old; they don't care about prospects and the minor leagues and three years from now. I think too many of us - because we're dedicated, big-time baseball fans - struggle to look at this from the general population's perspective. Pence has value beyond his performance.
Actually, his 12 teams are most likely good/high-dollar teams - Yankees, Red Sox, Angels, Mets, etc. The idea is he doesn't want to be traded so he picks the 12 teams most likely to be able to afford/want him. So, yeah, the Pirates are probably his worst-case scenario - an out-of-nowhere good team not among his 12 that is heck-fire and gone from his ranch here in Texas.
At least one person thinks Pence will be moved. I dont think so but...guess we'll see. Craig Calcaterra of NBC Sports/HardBall Talk: We've heard rumors of Pence. Having career year. What is the interest in Pence? Assuming there is some real asking price, there is a lot of interest in him. You got all kinds of teams looking for OF help. Pence would be great addition. He will cost a lot though. Doesnt what you just said put the Astros in great position for leverage? It would for leverage but there is a much different world among teams as far as appreciating prospects. Wade/next GM has to make sure they're getting great return for Pence. Looking at some other guys on the team, Lee can produce. Any interest in him? Heard zero about Lee. Teams turned off by Lee & his age and performance last couple years. Havent heard anything about him. Money owed to him would be hard to move him. This afternoon, Myers went 7 innings. He is getting better but not quite last year. How much interest in him? Increasing interest in next few days. You think someone will start looking at him. Not a lot of SPs available right now. When people look at realistic candidates, Myers comes up. Hes experienced and pitched well in the past. Why is Wandy someone the Astros not willing to make available? You said they're not really dangling him. They should be. Wandy, you better get a lot in return. Hard to get teams to give up the return you want. Pirates, obviously not in this position often. Will they be aggressive? I think so. Not anything crazy but I think they could make a move. Rumored to be looking at Willingham in multi-player deal. I think they're looking for O. They didnt expect to be contending. Do you give up too much now? I think so. They should make a bold move. NL Central has teams beating up on each other where you dont know what will happen. Go for broke in my opinion. Rays not in horrible shape. Thoughts there? More likely to see them sell than buy. They're a smart crew. Shields a guy pitching well and value wont be higher. Rumors about Reds interested in him. Rays might bow out of AL race if they get good offer for him. Sure that cant go over well in Tampa. Yeah but what are they gonna do? If you had to say gut feeling, which Astros wont be Astros in 2 weeks? I think Pence will be gone. Way less optimistic about Wandy. 2nd guy [that I could see being moved], I would say Myers. Destination for Pence? Loser of Beltran sweepstakes. Possibly San Fran or Atlanta. Sosa and Stoffel, expect anything from them? Nothing significant. Arms for the system.
It's probably Ryan Ludwick or Josh Willingham going to the Braves. If Pence is moved, it won't be till after Beltran is moved I would think.
Pence being in the game doesn't leave me with a feeling that he is on the move right now. Of course that only means a deal hasn't been completed.
Hold on, going to be a bumpy ride... “@Buster_ESPN: Sources: HOU shows willingness to trade Pence; rival executives expect he will move. Braves have prospects to make deal happen; we'll see.”
Doubtful, Braves are going to win the wild card, they don't need Pence that much but do have the prospects to satisfy the Stros and upgrade for the playoffs. Dream trade yet realistic enough to happen... Pence for Minor, Delgado and Simmons
Initially, I was against moving Pence, but it seems his stock has just skyrocketed in the past few weeks. Barring an Ed Wade special (HUGE possibility), it seems that there is a great chance we could get a small fortune for him. Even better, it seems that the teams most interested in Pence (Braves, Pirates) have loaded farm systems. If Wade knows what is good for him, he'll hold out for a few more days because I could easily see a bidding war start up. Or we'll just get a couple more relievers.
Great move by Astros if they trade Pence. Sell high. Weak class of hitters on the market this year and all the teams will be vying for Pence. He is starting to get expensive and I don't think he is a franchise type player. If you had your choice, who would you want as the centerpiece of any trade. Jameson Taillon, Arodys Vizcaino, Julio Teheran, or Jarred Cosart? The Pirates, Phillies, and Braves are probably the three most outfield needy teams. Cosart and Taillon are Houston kids and the front of the rotation type prospects Astros don't have.
Not that its up to me or anything, Im open to moving Pence but I dont know if I trust Wade. One thing to trade your Jeff Keppinger's, another thing to trade your Roy Oswalt's and Hunter Pence's. Wouldnt shock me(or really anyone) if Philly ends up with Pence, ha.
