Locked On Mariners - Daily Podcast On the Seattle Mariners - The Three-Way That Went Awry

Episode Date: February 10, 2020

D.C. Lundberg and Southern California-based guests Jason Hernandez (from "Locked On Anaheim Ducks") and Taylor Blake Ward (from "Locked On Angels") discuss the very confusing the week the Dodgers, Red Sox, Twins, and Angels had in regards to the on-again-off-again-on-again Mookie Betts trade. At the end of the program, both So-Cal guys discuss two top Mariners prospects who played in Modesto last season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to Locked-on Mariners, part of the Locked-on Podcast Network, your team every day. Here's your host, D.C. Lundberg. Hey, I have an announcer now. How about that? Joey Martin, our new announcer, thank you very much for that wonderful introduction. I am D.C. Lundberg, and this is Locked-on Mariners part of the Locked-on podcast network, or, for short, T-L-O-P-N, or, of course, as I like to say, Tlopin. Remember, you can access this program and all the other words. wonderful shows on the Locked-on network

on Google podcast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher Radio, or any other podcasting app that you can think of. Ask your smart device to play Locked-on Mariner's podcast or Locked-on, Team Name Here podcast, and I think it might do it. You can follow the show on Twitter at L-O-U-U-N-R-R-N-B-R-R-G.

You may follow me on Twitter at D-C-U-U-N-D-B-E-R-G if you are scoring at home. We're going to talk about something that took place last week pretty much over the course of the entire week, and that some news broke about that yesterday, and that is, of course, the Mookie Betts trade, or trades, or whatever's going on. Anyways, the Odyssey began on January 10th, 2020, Year of Our Lord, Betts avoided arbitration with the Red Sox and signed a one-year deal

worth $27 million, which, by the way, is about two-thirds of the entire gross national product of Tuvalu. Five days later on January 15th, the PBA Hall of Fame classic qualifying rounds took place in which bets competed. He finished 48th in a 56-man field and averaged 198.58.58 for the tournament. Anyways, fast forward to February 4th. A trade was announced that would have sent bets to the Dodgers along with David Price, plus $48 million to help pay for Price's salary. That $48 million, by the way, is more than the gross national product of Tuvalu.

The Dodgers also sent starting pitcher Kenta Maeda to the twins for pitching prospect Bruzdarol and immediately flipped Graderol to the Red Sox to complete the trade. But wait, there's more! The Red Sox saw something they didn't like in Graterol's medical records, would not accept him and said no deal, meaning the entire thing had to be reworked. In the end, the Red Sox still sent Mookie Betts and David Price to the Dodgers, and in return they'll get outfielder Alex Verde, Dugo, shortstop prospect Jeter Downs, and catching prospect Connor Wong.

Both teams will split prices remaining $96 million salary over the next three seasons. The Dodgers still shipped Kinta Maeda off to the twins, along with $10 million to cover the incentive clauses in Maeda's contract, along with an unnamed minor leaguer. Heading to LA from the twins are the aforementioned Broussdar Gratterol, minor league outfielder Luke Rayleigh and the 67th pick in the 2020 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft. On top of that, it was also reported

late yesterday afternoon that the trade which would have sent Jock Peterson to the Angels was off as well. The Dodgers would have set the slugging outfielder first baseman to the halos, along with pitcher Ross Stripling and minor league outfielder Andy Payhoss in return getting infielder Luis Renhifo

and a minor leaguer. Confused? Yeah. So, am I. Here to help sort out this mess is Jason Hernandez, the host of Locked on Anaheim Ducks here on the Lockedon podcast network, taking a break from hockey to talk a little baseball. Jason, welcome to Lockdown Mariners. Thank you very much. I'm happy to be here, despite all the drama of the past few days.

And I get that. Speaking of drama, I bet that the LA sports media has been very understanding to the Red Sox about saying no to Graterall, yes? A little understanding, I guess. I'm kidding. thing you have to understand is that LA has seen this before, not in baseball, but they saw this in basketball because a few years ago, there was a trade that did not happen that was vetoed by then NBA commissioner David Stern, where the Los Angeles Lakers could have acquired Chris Paul from the New Orleans, then Hornets. However, that trade was vetoed because of a, I guess,

competitive clause that was, I guess, in the league at that point. Really? Yeah. So that trade was negated, and that arguably sent the Lakers back a few seasons to, I guess, they're now success, although it was in 2020, not in 2014-15, like it could have been. So L.A's used to trades just being botched. Yeah, we get it. It's happened before. And now you see this falling through with Mookie Beetz, and that could have been the perfect trade. And then hearing that fall through, I could see some of my L.A.

going, oh no, not this crap again. I got you. And actually, as you were talking about the failed Chris Paul trade, that reminded me of something that happened before either of us were born in the 1970s where Charlie Finley tried to trade Raleigh Fingers to the Red Sox. Right. And there's pictures of him in a Red Sox uniform, and the commissioner at that time, I believe, vetoed that trade. And he was sent back to Oakland, and that trade was completely negated.

So I guess there is a little precedent. I mean, it's kind of a different situation. This trade wasn't vetoed by the League Powers. the trade had been completed and with a third party involved the twins and the Red Sox said, no, we're not liking this guy. Well, the reason the Red Sox had to, I guess, pull the brakes on this is they didn't like what they saw in, I guess, Gratterol. So apparently Gratrol had had Tommy John surgery in the past.

Correct. So they didn't like that at all. So they said, no, we're going to pull the brakes on this. We're going to keep Mookie Betts for now. Let's rearrange this. Okay, fine. Let's rearrange this. Fortunately, for the Dodgers, this trade.

did work out, although in the original deal, they did not include someone that I liked very much and a very, very good minor leaker in Jeter Downs. And I say to that because I saw Jeter Downs a ton last season here at Rancho Kokomanga, which is the High A team. He was a top prospect in High A for the LA Dodgers, and this was back in the Quakes where he averaged 269, but the dude slug 19 home runs, and they were close. Lutch home runs that he hit too. In fact, a couple of those were so late in the season that it helped the

Renshryoogamong of quakes seal their division title in order to make the playoffs. Of course, once they made the playoffs, he'd been called up to double A, so they didn't have his services at the very end when they could have needed him the most. But that's neither here nor there. That's the nature of minor league baseball. Right. So now with this new trade, you know, the Angels, they pulled out of that deal. So the Dodgers are no, I mean, I don't want to say they're log jammed in outfield, but they kind of are, because now you have Mookie Betts.

You have A.J. Pollock. You have Cody Bellinger. You have your outfield set. And you've got a massive, massive bench. Towards the end of last season, if you recall, Jack Peterson was beginning to platoon a little bit, and he wasn't seen as much time. Correct. So now, as the Dodgers are currently constructed, Jack Peterson would barely see maybe 350 at-bats next season. And he's making too much money to be a fourth outfielder. Right, and he's making too much money to have only 350 to 400 at-bats a season. So the Dodgers need to do something about that. And I have a feeling that the Dodgers are not done yet,

and I do think Jack Peterson will eventually be traded. Although now this begs the question, what can the Dodgers get back for him and what kind of play? would another team be willing to give up? Yeah, that's a good question. I mean, what were the Angels originally going to send the dot? Luis Rehnheifa, who's a very surfaceable infielder. Luis Rehn Gifo is a very good infielder,

and someone that the Angels would be happy to have. Although I think Anaheim would have been even happier with Jock Peterson in that lineup, which is already stacked. I don't want to say super stacked. I mean, they did get Anthony Rendon in the offseason, which is a big deal. They still have Mike Trout. They still have Shohei Otani.

They still have some great talent in that batting lineup. And I know the Angels do still wants to bolster their lineup, so I don't think the Angels are done as well. I don't think the Dodgers are done as well either. I think both teams are still going to have a little bit of wheeling and dealing ahead of everyone reporting, which is less than a week now. Yeah, it's going to be within this week. And not to leave the Twins completely out of this conversation,

but on the Red Sox perspective, they've got a bunch of fans who were upset that they're trading Moogie Betts, and it's not like they don't have the money to keep them. It's to get under the luxury tax is what this is about. Which they've done. The Red Sox are finally under the luxury tax, but at what cost? You know, I hear that Red Sox are liking this to the Babe Ruth type trade of exactly 100 years ago. I mean, I get that. Moogie Betts is that type of once-in-a-generational type talent.

He did win MVP in 2018. The Dodgers are going for it all right now. They know that their window is closing on their consecutive division title run. You know, the Padres are going to be coming up. They've got a lot of talent, a lot of young talent on their team. And it's only a matter of time before the Dodgers run ends. And they just want to go for it all now, as opposed to next year or the year after that. You know, they've got to give up some fan favorites in order to try to win.

Something similar could be said of the twins. I will bring them into this conversation and that they want to win now too, apparently, and they're in a division that is not very good, and they've got a nice rotation piece that can settle into the middle of their rotation now, which maybe can stack up a little bit better in the postseason if they do get there.

I think Minnesota is still going to be the favorite to win their division, which is why I asked the question that I did last week on your mailbag, because Chicago is going to be that team, that could be coming up, but I don't think the pale hosers are there quite yet. Kenta Maeda is going to give them some great pitching depth, and I think it will help the Minnesota Twins ultimately get back into the playoffs and more than likely win their division. All right. Jason, can you hang around for another segment?

I sure can. Good, because we got another guest coming up. Oh, my. Do you know who it is? It's going to be a party, isn't it? We're going to have a party. It's going to be a SoCal party with hosted and Spokane. Oh, it's someone across the street.

for me. It might be. But ladies and gentlemen, before that happens, it's time for today's Mariner's trivia question, and here it be. 20 years ago today, February 10th, 2000 was the day that Ken Griffey Jr. was traded to the Cincinnati Reds.

Name the four players the Mariners got in return. Wow. The answer is coming up on the other side of the break. Yeah, wow, indeed. Do you have a question for me or a comment on the show? Email me at Lockedon Mariners at Gmail.com. Mariner's questions other baseball questions or ridiculous questions that have nothing whatever to do with baseball.

We're not going to have a mailbag this week, probably next week, if I get enough questions. Locked-on Mariners will continue as soon as I figure out another way to mention Mookiee Betts' PBA career on the show. Welcome to the second half of Locked-on Mariners. Here once again is your host, D.C. Lundberg. Yes, indeed. Thank you for sticking around. This is the second half of Locked-on Mariners. The trivia question was 20 years ago today. Ken Griffey Jr. was traded to the Cincinnati Reds.

Name the four players the meriders got in return. Jason, do you know the answer? Not at all. Not at all. Okay. It was center fielder Mike Cameron, pitcher Brett Tomko, minor league infielder Antonio Perez, and minor league pitcher Jake Meyer. Whoa.

Yes. We have another guest joining us here to talk about the Dodgers, twins, Red Sox, Angels, kerfuffle that's been taking place. It is the host of Locked on Angels. right here on the Locked On podcast network. Taylor Blake Ward. Taylor, thanks for joining us.

Kerfuffle is a great word for it. It really is. Well, I can't say cluster, you know what, so kerfuffle works better, I think. Yeah, but I think either term is very appropriate. Yeah. Taylor, as the host of Locked-on Angels, the Angels were going to acquire Jock Peterson

from the Los Angeles Dodgers with Ross Stripling and some other minor league parts and give the Dodgers Luis Renhifo and another minor leaguer in return. The whole thing is a mess. Talk about the Dodgers. Talk about basically whatever you want to, your take on it. It's weird. And as much as value as John Peterson has,

it seemed like the Angels were focused on getting Ross Stripling from this deal. And it seemed like Ross Stripling was kind of highlight when it came to the Angel side of this. The Dodgers, it was Luis Van Heifo. He's a fine baseball player. He's got some years of control. all they can do some things there. This was very unconfirmed,

but it sounded like Taylor Ward was involved in this trade. I had heard that, and then I think a Dodgers blog had also reported that and confirmed, but, you know, obviously there was more to this, because as much value as Lewis for an EFO has and Taylor Ward, you know, may or may not have

some of these prospects, it sounds like, may have been a big piece. And there's a lot of confusion as to why this street did not happen, whether it was the Dodgers who pulled out for whatever reason it was, seeing that they didn't need to do this, which is one report that's out there from ESPN.

There are multiple speculation reports, which I think are very inappropriate that Artie Moreno pulled out of this because he's impatient about things. If that is the case where Artie Moreno pulled the plug on this, absolutely the fan base should be upset. That would be a very upsetting thing where patience is, you know, that would be terrible as a professional in sports,

especially as a professional owner to do that. If it's the Dodgers pulling out because they said that, you know, we don't need to do this. We can find value elsewhere when it comes to trading John Peterson. Then, yeah, you know, Angels fan base is very upset about this. There's no denying that was understandable. But, you know, if that's the case and the Dodgers pulled out that reason, you know, that's just business.

So when this comes to fruition, when we figure out why the straight didn't occur, I think there's going to be some answers left, but right now it's strictly questions over answers, and that's kind of the problem. Yeah, and then any person with a Twitter handle can speculate on anything, so until something official comes out,

it's kind of better to hold off on that kind of speculation, isn't it? It is, and, you know, we do our best to, you know, reach out to executives and things, and, you know, just a few days ago, I was talking to an exec who seemed somewhat excited about this trade going for the Angels. And, you know, he couldn't necessarily confirm it. But at the same time, he was talking about the talent that they were adding, you know, things like this. So it's like, yes, up to about Thursday or Friday, it seemed like the Angels felt they were getting Jack Peters in roster.

We haven't been able to get this confirmed from, you know, the general manager or ownership, whatever it may be. but you know Billy Epler really likes to work in the dark I don't think that they're necessarily done with this winter I think if this was the case and the street work they would be done with this winter but if it doesn't come to fruition you know I think they're going into spring training

still looking to attain an arm and do some things this is a big hit the Angels I think when Jack Peterson and Ross Stripling were coming over I think they felt very comfortable going into the season and now out there is just, once again, it's still question marks.

Yeah, I see. And one thing I want to note before we move on is that Ken Rosenthal was one of the people who reported that Ardi Moreno may have been getting impatient. I don't want to make it sound like it was just somebody on Twitter. That was an official report from Ken Rosenthal, but still better to wait on speculation. I agree. And I want to ask you part about the Red Sox angle. From all angles, this looks like it was a luxury tax move to trade mokey bets. do you think that they are going to be able to compete in the AL East this year, or do you think that trading this guy will really set them back? I think the Red Sox still have talent.

I think they have a good lineup. But you're getting rid of a franchise player. And nothing against the guys that came back from the Dodgers. You know, Jeter Downs, I'm very high. I've seen all these guys, Jeter Downs, very good baseball player. Alex Verdugo, I've never been high on, but at least he's an average, and they'll be player in a sense. Connor Wong, likely a backup in the long run, but still, you know, there's some things there,

some tools and intangibles that may make him a little better. But at the same time, the value, it's mokey bets. It's mokey freaking bets, man. You could argue he's the second best player in baseball, and I don't think you're going to get a lot of arguments on that. Oh, so he's obviously second best of Cody Bellinger, right? That's got to be it, right? carrying on from it, you know, David Price, you know,

that's where the luxury tax kind of comes into play. Are the Red Sox amity competitive? I think it's a wait and see, see if Andrew Bennett-Tendee comes back to the, you know, capabilities he's at. Also, you know, see what the Alex Cora impact is. And I think the world, or I thought the world of Alex Cora, I still think he's going to get a job in time. But, you know, this is going to be interesting to see where the

Sox are, but you're giving up a franchise player, even if he only has one year left on his contract. And you didn't offer him the $400 million extension, which, you know, maybe that's ownership. Maybe it is what it is. You got rid of Dave to Nebraska, which is the same. But, you know, $400 million to look you bet with the price of what players cost right now, absolutely. And I think the Dodgers are going to be willing to pay that. I think there's going to be a lot of teams that are willing to pay that in the winter.

and I think the Red Sox may have messed up here. The Twins, I think I'm a bit, I like Bruzartarol. I do. But Kenta Maeda, that's, I don't know about that one. I'm not sure if that matches value. I think the Dodgers walk away with a freaking steel, man. I really do. The Red Sox, you know, all in all, everybody got what they wanted,

but everyone kind of got something extra, except for the twins, in my opinion. Yeah, and talking about value for value, well, the value for value may not be there. To me, it looked like a move to bolster their rotation for this year and maybe into the postseason. Do you see that the same way, maybe? Oh, absolutely. I mean, you know, covering the angels, you don't see a lot of differences between the twins and the angels, except for the angels playing the West and the twins playing the Central. They need arms.

And Kenta Maeda, you know, is essentially the raw stripling of this deal where, you know, Ross Stripling made the Angels feel comfortable. Kenta Maeda could make the twins feel comfortable, which is fine. I'm not knocking Kenza Maita as a pitcher. He's a fine pitcher. There's nothing wrong with it. But, you know, Graterall, I think Graterall has more value. I think the Dodgers walk away a little bit happier.

But yeah, Ketsamaieta very easily could be starting game two or game three of the ALDS for you. And, you know, pending how the offense performs, he can be starting game two or game three, the ALCS for you. well. One more question before I let you gentlemen go, and this has nothing to do with what we've been talking about today. This has to do with the question. Taylor asked me on last Friday's mailbag about who was the better prospect, Mariners' prospect, between Jared Kalenick and Julio Rodriguez. They both played at Class A Modesto, which is in both of your gentleman's neck of the wood. So I'll throw the question to both of you. Who do you think is a better prospect?

I'll start with Taylor. Okay, so I've been on the Jared Kuletic train since the summer before his draft. Okay. I have always been a huge Jared Kuletic believer. There's always kind of like one standout guy from the draft where I say, you know, if I had a pick inside the top 10, that's the guy I'm taking. Jared Kulenik was always my guy. That said, Julio Rodriguez is a freaking stud, man.

He is awesome. The confidence, the swagger, the skill set, that's trained. that's translating into real baseball skill set because the tools are there, but the skill set, I, you're flipping coins. I mean,

let's see, do I have, I'm going to find a coin here. All right. Whatever, you know, let's see. So heads is Julio,

tails is Kalenic. This is going to be, so Kalenik. I'll go with Kalenik on this one, strictly because I flip tails. That is, hey, that's a perfectly fair answer.

I had trouble answering it on my show last week. It was basically, I think it's basically coin flip also. Yeah, just real quick. I mean, I don't have it in front of you, but didn't MLB pipeline and baseball America both have them, like somewhere between 17 and 22? That's like a five prospect gap or whatever.

That's nothing. Which is basically no difference at all, yeah. No, there's nothing there. So literally you are flipping some form of opinion here. They're within each other. So, yeah, they're pretty cool. I'll switch mine. I like Latin guys more.

So I'm going to go with Rodriguez. strictly because of that. That's the only reason whatsoever. And he is a bit younger, which is why I said that. Jady, what say you? I've got a coin also, and my coin flip said Kalenik as well. So I do like Kalenik's upside quite a bit. I think they both have terrific upside.

I like Jared Kalenik a little bit better because of his speed, because of his arm. when I talk about someone that has some magnificent tools. And I look at that outfield strength. I look at that arm a lot. You know, Kalenik could be a very fine outfielder for the Mariners in years to come. And he's got a good bat, too. I mean, he does get on base pretty well. But I look at the defense.

I look at those intangibles when I want a future player for the Mariners. Because who are the Mariners outfielder as of current in their system? in the system that are up with the Mariners. Who? You have Lewis, you have Hanager, who's going to be out for a while. Jake Fraley and Braden Bishop are the other two prospects that are anywhere near the Major League level.

Yeah. You could play Evan Wright up in, you can't you? Why am I saying right? Evan White is a capable defender. I don't know, but you need a first basement still. Yeah, he's probably going to be the first basement, because I don't know what other first baseman

that the Mariners were threw out there other than Daniel Vogel back, and they want to DH him. Oh, wow. Yeah, no, that makes sense. I mean, that's fine. It makes sense. Yeah. I think just because the speediness and the range,

I would go with Kalenik, but that's just me. Okay. What about Dom Williams? Is he close to the majors there? I don't think he's close to. He was not invited to spring training as Kalenik and Julio Rodriguez were, which tells me he's a little bit further away. Okay, all right.

On that note, gentlemen, I think I'm going to let you go. Thank you for joining me here on the show today on Locked-on Mariners to talk a little Mariners, too, which was kind of unexpected. Gentlemen, where can we find the two of you on the Twitter sphere, beginning with Taylor? I am on Twitter at Taylor Blake Ward. We'll do our fan mailbag tomorrow. Yes, tomorrow, and we'll have some fun with that. And also check us out at Lockdown Angels if you get the chance.

Thanks again for joining us, Taylor, and Jason Hernandez, where might we find you on the Twitter sphere? You may find me on the Twitter sphere at Stimpy J.D. That's Stimpy as in Ren and Stimpy, the famous Nickelodeon cartoon, JD. Or you can find the show at L.O. underscore Ducks and talk about Anaheim Ducks Hockey. And I can't believe they're not tanking anymore. What is going on? They were supposed to be tanking. Hashtag NHL Seattle, baby.

Yes. Coming this year to an arena near... you or something. Anyways, gentlemen, thanks again. I'm going to let you go at this time. Thanks again for joining us. Absolutely. Thanks, D.C. Awesome. Thank you.

You're welcome. And ladies and gentlemen, do check out Taylor Blake Ward on Lockedon Angels and Jason Hernandez on Lockedon Ducks. And if you have checked out those programs and the others here on the Lockdown Network, then I'm sure that you have heard all the great advertisers working with Lockdown to reach sports fans. But you might not know that Lockdown Mariners is a great way for your local business to reach passionate M's fans just like you.

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this likely will be the only episode this week. I will be in Cheney, Washington this week at the National Curling Championships. I got myself a week-long pass last Friday, kind of on a whim, because the tournament's going to be right in my backyard, and who knows when I'm going to have this opportunity again. They began last Saturday evening and run through this Saturday. Today through Thursday, sessions begin at 9 or 10 in the morning, depending on the day, and last until 10 or 11 at night,

so I won't have much opportunity to record. If some major Mariners news breaks, then I will record a short episode with that report, but with pictures and catchers reporting to Peoria on Wednesday, I don't really see that happening. But you never know. Jerry Depoto never ceases to surprise anyone. Speaking of Jerry Depoto, he can download, rate, and subscribe to Lockedon Mariners on Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify, Stitcher Radio, or any other podcasting app that he may care to use.

I know that that plug has nothing to do with Jerry DePotone. but I needed a segue. Anyways, you can also ask your smart device to play Locked-on Mariners podcast or Locked-on-Mor-N-Ton-N-Iriness. Follow this program on Twitter at L.O. underscore Mariners. And follow me on Twitter also at D.C. underscore Lundberg. Also, congratulations to Chris Prather for winning the PBA tournament of champions. And thank you to you for listening to today's program.

Ran a lot longer than I thought it was going to. Join us back here Monday for another edition of Locked-on Mariners. Have a great week. This is Joey Martin speaking for Locked-on Mariners, part of the Locked-on Podcast Network.