A right-handed hitter who might be worth the farm?
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A right-handed hitter who might be worth the farm?
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
In an earlier post, we concluded that Hunter Pence is not a "high on base percentage guy" or a "power hitter."
But here's a guy who could fit into both categories. . .
White Sox right fielder Carlos Quentin has not seen his name pop up in the trade deadline rumor mill very often. That's probably because the White Sox are just 3.5 games out of first place and figure to be a strong contender for the American League Central crown.
But the tireless Ken Rosenthal has a new blog post up that suggests the White Sox could be looking to trim payroll over the next five days. And guess who he mentions as a possible trade target?
That's right. Carlos Quentin.
The Phillies were briefly linked to Quentin by a national report during the winter meetings, although nothing ever came of it. We would find out later that the Phillies had bigger fish to sign.
Quentin at the time was something of a question mark. In fact, he still is.
He has suffered from a variety of injuries, and he is not regarded as a strong defensive player. The 131 games he appeared in last season were a career high.
But the man can hit baseballs hard. And he can do it from the right side of the plate.
Quentin is hitting .268 with a .360 on base percentage and .525 slugging percentage this season. He already has 20 home runs in 339 at-bats, to go with 27 doubles, 62 RBI and 42 runs scored. He has played right field regularly for the White Sox, serving as designated hitter in just 11 games. Critical to his success this season has been his ability to hit left-handed pitching. In 2009 and 2010, Quentin hit .213 and .211 against lefties, with a total of 11 home runs in 203 at-bats. This year, though, he is hitting .278/.392/.544 with six home runs in 79 at-bats against lefties.
It's hard to imagine the White Sox trading Quentin, particularly since they have a moveable pitcher in Edwin Jackson who makes $3 million more than Quentin's $5.05 million salary.
But Kenny Williams isn't the most predictable general manager in the world. Maybe he is hearing the type of haul the Astros are hoping to get from Pence. And maybe he is floating a trial balloon on the chance that one of the several teams looking for a right-handed bat will give him an offer he can't refuse.
You have to think that convincing the White Sox to give up Quentin would require a package starting with Domonic Brown. But Quentin is a bona fide middle of the order hitter. And his current salary is manageable. And he does not become a free agent until after next season.
With Paul Konerko in the twilight of his career and the designated hitter as an option, the White Sox could be intrigued by a player like Jonathan Singleton. And every team would be interesting in the type of pitching prospects the Phillies have at Clearwater.
Would Quentin be worth a package of Brown, Singleton and Cosart? Especially considering his defensive limitations, injury history, and reverse righty/lefty splits? Would such a deal be enough for the White Sox, who would probably like to shed their payroll without shedding their chances at contending this season? Would a right-handed power bat like John Mayberry who can contribute in a reserve role this season sweeten the deal at all? Would the Phillies be able to engage the Cardinals in a three-way deal in which Colby Rasmus eventually lands with the White Sox?
Lots of questions. Few answers. Hey, it's the trade deadline. But it's out there.
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KEMP!— DONDEN31- Is getting rid of possible future starters going to bring you a significant upgrade over Brown/Mayberry? Better be significant or "stand pat".— Metzies
- Worley has to stay. He's got his place solidified down the stretch and into next season. Agree with everyone on here, the asking price is too much. Singleton and a single A pitcher not named Cosart. That's it. See what that brings, and if it's not enough, don't make the trade.— beegal99
- Would Quentin be worth a package of Brown, Singleton and Cosart?
No.
— mikemaddog - I think Vance Worley is the Phillies best trade chip, he increased his value again tonight...while I would love to keep Worley, I see the Phillies need to use him in a trade for Beltran...Phillies have to keep Beltran out of the Braves and Giants roster...Beltran is not just a plus for the Phillies, he is a big minus for the Braves and Giants...and yet another plus, Worley pitching FOR the Mets against the Braves down the stretch— danielboyer
- The ONLY WAY Ruben should EVER consider trading D Brown is for Matt Kemp.— MOJR
- Soory Murph, but you reached with this one. That is not a deal I make, I doubt Ruben is that desparate for it either......maybe just another red herring floated to throw off the Braves or Giants, Murph????— Mark1npt
- Murph, are you serious??? 3 top prospects for Carlos Quentin?? Did you lose a bet and were forced to propose this trade by Matt Gelb?? Wow. You wouldn't do that for pence, who's actually a good player, but you would for Quentin because he's hitting a lusty .275 against lefties? One word. WOW. Sober up Dave.— Sewellmatt
- All I am doing is laying out possible scenarios. Like I wrote, I do not think Quentin will be dealt, because it would seem to require the type of package that no team will part with. If the White Sox are willing to trade Quentin for a package of Singleton and lesser prospects, it would seem to be a no-brainer. But the White Sox are likely floating his name out there just to see if somebody might bite on a blockbuster package. I've said repeatedly I think the best course of action is going to be to focus on lesser-tier bats like Willingham or Ludwick or maybe even a complimentary piece like Reed Johnson or a reliever. Those are the kind of guys who aren't going to require parting with significant prospects. And I wouldn't trade Brown for Pence OR Quentin. Again, just throwing out the type of package it would probably take for such a deal to get done.— David_Murphy
- How does Carlos Quentin improve the Phils over John Mayberry Jr? He doesn't. If given the chance to play as often as Quentin, Mayberry would probably have better offensive numbers. What's more, Mayberry is an outstanding defensive player which Quentin is not. If Quentin does not improve the Phils over Mayberry, he surely won't improve the Phils more than Hunter Pence, which would cost the Phils the same as Pence, and he surely wouldn't improve the Phils more than Michael Bourn or Melky Cabrera, both of whom would cost the Phils considerably less. You can add Quentin to the same list as Beltran, Upton, Willingham, Wigginton, Francoeur, Diaz, Ludwick, etc., and then you can promptly dispose of the list because it won't do the Phils any good. If Murphy wants to stir up some debate, dialogue or controversy, he should try the Phils reacquiring Jason Werth and $60 million from the Nationals for prospects. That, at least, would make more sense than some of the names that have appeared on this website.— onthebucks
- So all it takes is giving Mayberry more ABs and he'll produce like Quentin? You're comparing a career minor leaguer to a player who had 36 HRs and 100 RBIs a couple years ago. Not saying I would trade Brown for Quentin but your argument doesn't hold water. — samtheman
- Mayberry has never had the opportunity to show what he is capable of doing in the major leagues if given the number of at bats in a season Carlos Quentin had in 2008 when he had 100 RBIs. By the way, Quentin has had nowhere near that number of RBIs since. My arguments that Mayberry would be a much better hitter if made an everyday player and that Quentin at his best would not be worth Brown, Singleton and Cosart in a trade hold a lot more water than your objection.
- Hey Murph.....I've been stating Carlos Quinten for two weeks...and now YOU come up with this? Geesh. And no...the Phillies won't give up Brown/Singleton/Cossart for Carlos Quinten. But Brown and Kendrick? Maybe. I've stating that Carlo Quinten will be a Phillie by Sunday, but Nooooooooo.... RAJ has been throwing out the Beltran/Pense stuff to soften the turf on demands for Quinten.— drhoffman
- That's a package for an injury-prone player with limited defensive abilities? Umm... I'll pass. So would Ruben, I think. The White Sox have an emerging need at 1B as Konerko ages. Singleton is the carrot to dangle here, not D. Brown...— Doctor D
- Would anyone do Brown, Singleton, Cosart for Pence and Bell?
No way MLB ever approves a deal that sends Kemp out of LA.— JoeinSouthPhilly
