Wandy to the Royals?

by Cwide on Dec 2, 2011 9:31 AM EST

Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that not only are the Astros shopping Wandy Rodriguez, but they've put Brett Myers and Carlos Lee on the trade block, as well.

It's pretty apparent that new owner Jim Crane wants to clean house. Even with teams desperate for starting pitching, the Astros aren't likely to get much prospect help in exchange for Rodriguez (due $36 million over the next three years if his 2014 option is picked up) or Myers (due $21 million through 2013), but they'd be happy just shedding the payroll. With an $18.5 million contract for 2012, Lee won't be dealt unless the 'Stros pick up a significant chunk of his salary.

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What would it take to get Wandy? Second, any interest at all in Brett Myers?

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My take on it from earlier in the season

http://www.royalsreview.com/2011/8/1/2309019/should-the-royals-put-a-waiver-claim-on-wandy-rodriguez

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by Jeff Zimmerman on Dec 2, 2011 9:47 AM EST reply actions

They were asking for a lot initially for Wandy

But new management might be more realistic with less of an attachment to Wandy. I would guess nothing more than a B prospect and a throw in with Houston eating some money. Say Christian Colon and Will Smith with Houston eating some $10 mill of his $36 million contract.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Dec 2, 2011 10:02 AM EST reply actions

I would do that in an instant. Add a legit #2 and not give up much. Seems like his contract through 2013 would be a good window for us too.

by Cwide on Dec 2, 2011 10:38 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

Seems like Wandy could be a good fit.

If we could front -load our payments (i.e. Astros pay nothing in 2012, $5MM in 2013, and $7MM in 2014 if Wandy exercises his option), I’d like it even more.

by Loose Seal on Dec 2, 2011 10:53 AM EST up reply actions

Sickels B or Rany B?

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Dec 2, 2011 11:15 AM EST up reply actions

Christian Colon-level. So B-tier in Royals system.

by kcdc1 on Dec 2, 2011 11:52 AM EST up reply actions

And there's no way I'd give up Colon (who I really don't have a particularly high opinion of) so we could pay Wandy 3/26

(especially since Wandy only exercises that third year player option if he’s hurt or has been performing poorly)

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Dec 2, 2011 11:17 AM EST up reply actions

how much would you be willing to pay for that trade?

i think i’d go somewhere between 18 and 20

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Dec 2, 2011 11:28 AM EST up reply actions

I would

If he pitches well and declines the option, it’s 2/16 (assuming the Astros still pick up $10M). Colon’s upside looks like a utility infielder. Pretty good risk/reward for the Royals with this sort of deal.

by kcdc1 on Dec 2, 2011 11:58 AM EST up reply actions

Tim Smith + Will Smith for Wandy + $25M

Book it. (I might be willing to throw in DJ Jazzy Jeff as well.)

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Dec 2, 2011 10:21 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

I like this too.

Why not a guy like Eibner or Lough and one of those arms? This is a deal I could see DM getting done this week.

I'm waiting for my wave of talent to arrive.

by mitchfreakingmaier! on Dec 2, 2011 11:39 AM EST up reply actions

I think Eibner is more valuable than Lough

Lough seems like a low ceiling fourth outfielder. Eibner has some pop and on-base skills and is solid defensively.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Dec 2, 2011 12:01 PM EST up reply actions

I agree.

I just threw that out there because he’s further away. If they were wanting someone who was a little more useful sooner Lough would be the guy. I feel like he has zero future in the org. I like Eibner because of the power potential, but would give a guy like him up in a heartbeat for a deal like this.

I'm waiting for my wave of talent to arrive.

by mitchfreakingmaier! on Dec 2, 2011 12:31 PM EST up reply actions

DJ Jazzy JeffRESS?

Because I’d actually like to keep Jazzy Jeff around to provide fans with better music than the typical Kauffman Stadium playlist.

by Sweep_the_Leg on Dec 2, 2011 11:57 AM EST up reply actions

Especially once we bring up Will Smith

Chaim Mattis Keller New York City's # 1 Royals fan!

by cmkeller on Dec 2, 2011 2:54 PM EST up reply actions

Can't tell if serious...

I know Wandy isn’t elite or anything, but he has been worth much more than that the past 5 years.

If the Astros really are that desperate to dump payroll we have to jump on it. Essentially giving non-prospects (I don’t like Will Smith) to pay a 2+WAR pitcher less than Chen money.

If this was a joke… disregard.

by Cwide on Dec 2, 2011 11:58 AM EST up reply actions

I'm concerned that Wandy might be declining

Perhaps in the midst of a significant, steep decline. I’d hate to have guaranteed millions tied up in him three years down the road when the Royals will need the money for contract raises, arbitration awards and hopefully FA money to improve a contending team. If I think the Royals just needed one more decent SP to get over the top, then go for it. I don’t think they are there yet.

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Dec 2, 2011 12:17 PM EST up reply actions

Was just reading the comment thread Jeff linked to, and I was surprised how bullish you were on Wandy a couple months ago.

Even if his peformance declines over the next few years to something like 2.5, 2.3, 2.1 WAR, his performance would be worth more than what he will be paid. Not a huge bargain, but a good overall value. This would be a good contract for the Royals to pick up, especially if they can do it without giving up any talent.

Getting Wandy for this contract would be underpaying him. Not by a lot, but by at least a little, that is he deteriorates very quickly, and I don’t see good reason to expect that.

I don’t think you knew at that point that a trade converts the club option to a player option. And you of course have a right to change your mind about how a player is trending. Just thought it was interesting.

by kcdc1 on Dec 2, 2011 12:29 PM EST up reply actions

yeah...i think that option really turned him and others....

i wasnt as pro as scott was then and im not quite as anti as he is now

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Dec 2, 2011 12:30 PM EST up reply actions

Yes, the option flipping to a player option changed it a lot for me. The analysis you quoted was based on me not knowing that is club option flipped to a player option after a trade. Also, the more I’ve read about Wandy (evaluation from analysts whose opinions I respect), the more I’m concerned about his potentially continuing decline.

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Dec 2, 2011 1:15 PM EST up reply actions

Forgive my ignorance...

Do option buyouts go away when they are turned into a player option?

I’m sure you could renegotiate that option before a trade. But ya… that player option at the end would definitely turn this to the negative side unless the astros agreed to pick up more salary if he exercised it.

I still think it’s a worthwhile pursuit as I don’t trust our options as much as I would trust Wandy for at least the next 2 years.

by Cwide on Dec 2, 2011 1:21 PM EST up reply actions

It is my understanding that the club’s buyout can only be exercised if it is a club option. If it becomes a player option, there is no buyout (buyouts don’t go with player options).

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Dec 2, 2011 1:26 PM EST up reply actions

I'd rather be kicking the tires on Gavin Floyd

But now is not the time to overpay in money, years or talent. But if Dayton is going to go for it, other GMs should be licking their chops.

by thelaundry on Dec 2, 2011 3:30 PM EST up reply actions

Other teams are going to offer more

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Dec 2, 2011 12:02 PM EST up reply actions

and accept less money

by Loose Seal on Dec 2, 2011 12:03 PM EST up reply actions

I agree with both you and Retro there

The above offer is approximately my ceiling. I wouldn’t compete with any higher bids.

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Dec 2, 2011 12:18 PM EST up reply actions

JJ Piccollo

Saw on mlbtraderumors they’re interested in him for their GM position.

JJ + a lot of Wandy’s salary. Do it.

by eschneid on Dec 2, 2011 11:26 AM EST reply actions

I would have claimed him off waivers

But now, with adding Sanchez, and re-signing Chen for two years, I really don’t feel like paying $8m per for three years of another 2-3 WAR player.

We should trade for Vance Worley.

by JKWard on Dec 2, 2011 2:29 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Wandy looks to be a 2.5 WAR player and declining

Probably worth the middle of the road prospects, but not worth the money, and even more importantly, NOT WORTH THE ROSTER SPOT.

If the Royals would have taken Chen’s compensation pick, this scenario would make loads of sense. Becoming more competitive into 2013 in beyond means NOT making this move.

In other words, I agree, but you posted before me. So…post buddies? Woo.

by dejezeus on Dec 2, 2011 2:32 PM EST up reply actions

He is probably worth the money, assuming the Astros pick up even a quarter of his contract

But the Royals can’t afford to tie up what would essentially be 15% of their payroll for a guy that looks to be a lateral move at best over what they have on the way

We should trade for Vance Worley.

by JKWard on Dec 2, 2011 2:36 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

If they hadn't re-signed Chen I'd be more keen on a trade

Depending how much the Astros are willing to pick up on his contract.

We should trade for Vance Worley.

by JKWard on Dec 2, 2011 2:33 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

KC has the upper level "major league ready" players as well as depth in low minors

Houston’s system is so awful that they need players who could be plugged into the Astros lineup. I would think Lough, Colon, Y. Navarro, and a ton of the pitchers would be attractive to the Astros. KC would have to eat a ton of salary.

by daveyork on Dec 2, 2011 3:47 PM EST reply actions

We have enough average/mediocre SP options right now

Let’s not add another one to the mix, especially one that costs $8m per.

We have four locks:
Hochevar
Paulino
Chen
Sanchez

We have several candidates for #5:
Crow
Duffy
Montgomery
Mendoza
Mazzaro

I’m in favor of adding a #1 or #2 type, but not a guy like Wandy.

by david.lowe on Dec 3, 2011 12:36 PM EST reply actions

I would take Paulino out of your locks. Maybe even Chen.

But mostly I agree. Not sure that Wandy is going to be any better than any of our “locks.” Why bother this season?

I for one disagree with Melinger that the Royals NEED to get what they can in terms of starting pitching for 2012 because NOW IS THE TIME TO COMPETE!! I mean, I don’t really think it is. There’s a CHANCE we’ll be compete for the division title this year. Pushing it might be pretty reckless in terms of A) crappy free agent market, B) minor league starters that may still need minor league innings, C) seeing if Moose/Hosmer/Cain develop into something that would almost recquire the team to make a big trade prior to the deadline, and many other factors. I just think going all in on someone like Wandy or Jurjens is really jumping the gun and, like I said, wreckless and probably an indicator that you’re an impatient F.O. with a dumb GM.

"You're like that guy who wrote that thing about remembering stuff!!"

- Crow T. Robot

by Crooow on Dec 3, 2011 6:23 PM EST up reply actions

I like the cut of yer jib.

by dejezeus on Dec 4, 2011 4:50 AM EST up reply actions

I would rather the Royals go after Brett Myers...

not that I’m a huge fan of his, either, but he’s younger, cheaper, a shorter commitment, a good innings-eater, and is only one season removed from a 4+WAR performance.

If women only slept with nice guys...guys would only be nice. And they don't. And we're not.

by setupunchtag on Dec 4, 2011 12:04 PM EST reply actions

I'm with you

Myers is a work horse, has a reasonable contract that the Astros would be willing to take part of, and has a nice k/bb ratio. His HR rate has hurt his ERA but I would think that would get better pitching in the K.

by ezstreat on Dec 4, 2011 8:44 PM EST up reply actions