Links for Tuesday…
- Orlando Hudson is "making progress on signing with a team," tweets MLB.com's Bill Ladson, however Hudson declined to name the team. In separate tweet, Ladson says a source told him that the Nationals top Hudson's wish list.
- ESPN's Jerry Crasnick tweets that the Diamondbacks and Rockies are pursuing Derrick Turnbow, who could sign soon.
- MLBTR's resident translator Nick Collias passes along this report from Esteban Rivera of the Puerto Rican newspaper Primera Hora, in which Carlos Delgado says that the Mets, Orioles, and Royals "have seen him [play] on the island." Omar Minaya said there is still a mutual interest in bringing Delgado back to New York, tweets ESPN's Jorge Arangure
- The final offer Scott Boras presented the Yankees with for Xavier Nady was worth $5MM, tweets Joel Sherman of The New York Post. He adds that the Yanks would have considered him at the price he signed for today, and that they'll only do a minor league deal for Rocco Baldelli (via Twitter).
- Now that Ben Sheets has signed with the A's, Ken Rosenthal at FoxSports.com tweets that the Mets' next target appears to be John Smoltz. A source tells him they haven't aggressively pursued Jon Garland.
- MLB.com's Brian McTaggart mentions that the Astros and Wandy Rodriguez are set to go an arbitration hearing on February 17th. Wandy filed for $7MM, the team $5MM.
- Meanwhile, Richard Justice of The Houston Chronicle breaks down the Astros' offseason in a video.
- Rick Ankiel said that the Nationals, Marlins, and Yankees were in it until the end, reports Doug Tucker of The Brownsville Herald.
- Cody Ross' arbitration hearing has been scheduled for February 15th, reports MLB.com's Joe Frisaro. Ross is seeking a $4.45MM salary in 2010, but the Marlins are countering with $4.2MM.
- ESPN's Buster Olney wrote about baseball's internal discussions on how to fix the draft, including some notes about what was discussed at the recent general managers meeting (sub. req'd).
- In a mailbag, MLB.com's Kelly Thesier says the Twins payroll appears to be right around $90MM, and they don't seem willing to spend much more than that.
- Meanwhile, Lyle Spencer of MLB.com writes in his mailbag that the Angels "appear to have stretched the salary budget to its limit," so don't expect any more major moves.
- Ken Davidoff of Newsday lists what he thinks are the best run organizations in baseball (sub. req'd). There's 15 of them, however ten are from the AL while just five come from the NL.
- John Fay of The Cincinnati Enquirer looks at the list of remaining free agents, and sees only one fit for the Reds: Orlando Cabrera. He's probably too expensive for them at this point, however.
- MLB.com's Marty Noble says in a mailbag that he doesn't believe the Mets' current roster and the Opening Day roster will be the same, but he's not sure where the club can turn to improve.
Davidoff: “I’d generate no controversy, I think, by contending that the Mets are clearly not one of the best-run teams in Major League Baseball.” Based on the comments I read here, the Mets fan base definitely agrees.
I’ll see your agreement and raise you fifty….as in: fifty disgruntled Mets fans I happen to know personally. >:-((
If thet weren’t in NY the Mets would be bankrupt
I don’t think that certain Mets officials have given 100% when trying to fix their team. A good GM keeps pushing and trying hard to get the player they want when it comes to free agents or extensions. As for Orlando Hudson, I hope he goes to the Nats!! Hec, I just hope he goes to a team!!!! O-Cab would be a GREAT fit on the Reds!
I don’t think that certain Mets officials have given 100% when trying to fix their team. A good GM keeps pushing and trying hard to get the player they want when it comes to free agents or extensions. As for Orlando Hudson, I hope he goes to the Nats!! Hec, I just hope he goes to a team!!!! O-Cab would be a GREAT fit on the Reds!
Notice the Twins payroll is $90 million and not towards the bottom of the league like all of the Yankees and Red Sox fans constantly state.
$90m is also way above their average. Don’t quote me, but I suspect it may be near a franchise-high. Can’t blame the East Coast crowd for maintaining their (outdated) perceptions of the Twins as a middle-to-small-market payroll…
It’s easily their franchise high in terms of payroll. I think $71.5MM was their previous high, entering the 2007 season.
Anyhow, if we can’t spend any more money, then Danny Valencia better show he’s ready for MLB pitching, and fast. And he better be able to field too. Eesh…
I thought they pushed mid-70’s in the mid-2000’s… but I’m just shooting from the hip here, and haven’t done my research…
Nah, Cot’s has their highest at $71.5MM-ish. In fact, since they traded Castillo that year, it probably didn’t even end up at the full $71.5MM mark.
Upon reading Theiser’s article, it actually says they won’t spend more than another $5MM or so… which could easily land a useful infielder to shore up the lineup.
I’d see that as enough to sign Felipe Lopez or possibly both Joe Crede and Jim Thome (which they may prefer right now). Not sure Orlando Hudson’s price tag will drop quite that low, but really, his reputation far exceeds his actual ability at this point.
Not really fair to generalize all Yankee fans into one stereotype.
Tends to happen when the Yanks throw our butts out of the playoffs 3 of the past 4 times.
Anyway – they could easily go 95-100 based off what they saved the past couple years. Adding a Hudson/Lopez would be a nice way to kick off the new era.
Or Red Sox fans, for that matter. For fans of teams that spend $160 mill+ on payroll year in and out, a $90 mill payroll is mid-market. What’s wrong with being perceived as mid market, anyway? I would think a Twins fan would be proud to root for an organization that is consistently competitive with a lower payroll than the east coast teams. Says a whole lot about the Twins, if you ask me.
Is that no world series since 1991 getting to you? Or do you simply feel the need to join the growing list of fan bases that can’t attack other teams pay rolls?
19 years. Hopefully they don’t start demanding that everyone else feel sorry for them and their “curse” in about 70 years like another franchise I know did until they won one, which then of course made it appropriate for them to start insulting other franchise’s histories.
Zing!
The Twins are certainly one team that is benefitting from the revenue sharing. It is too bad that my fathers team, the Pirates, haven’t gotten the memo that they dont have to pocket most of the money
Likewise Jeffrey Loria and his school of Fish…until they got called out by the player’s association.
Can someone put the davidoff article on here? It requires a password.
The Twins would be smart to get rid of Mauer for some young arms. He isn’t worth 20+ million a year for a long term deal. The guy is good, but too much money for 1 catcher who could blow out his knee or shoulder and be on the DL. Catchers are worth like 3 or 4 million a year like Molina.
You have to be kidding. I’m going to assume you’re kidding.
I’m probably one of the only Twins fans who shares this sentiment.
$20+ is a helluva big investment in terms of payroll ratio. And for a guy who’s already missed substantial blocks of time with knee/back injuries. It’s certainly a contract that could destroy the long-term viability of the franchise.
I’ll take two All-Star calibre players over one HOF calibre player any day of the week…
Yes catchers are worth 3-4 million unless, you know, they consistently hit .320, .400+ OBP, very good defense, just started getting a power stroke (I’m still wondering about this one), and are still fairly young. 20 million is a lot of but he deserves more than 3-4 easily.
Crap that was meant for optionn
HA! I was just thinking, “Geez, this guy is harsh. I’m just saying I’m skeptical any one player is worth 30% of your payroll… I’m not saying he’s only worth $3-4m!”
Saying, “catchers are worth like 3 or 4 million a year like Molina,” is the same thing as comparing Aubrey Huff’s production to Albert Pujols. Sure, there are many catchers who are only worth $3-4 million per season, but Mauer is a special player–he is one of the few catchers that is worth $20 million because of his all-around contributions.
It’s one thing to say, “I think we should build our team around a different positional player,” but don’t just claim catchers are just worth a set amount.
New candidate for dumbest post on MLBTR! Any player can blow out a knee or shoulder or back or elbow. If “could blow out his . . . ” was the standard, no baseball player would ever make much more than the minimum. Every guy on this list can name several players with big contracts who “blew out” some part of his body.
Comparing Mauer with Benji Molina is grotesque. They play the same position but that’s where the comparison ends. Catchers who can play the game at the level that Joe Mauer can are easily worth 6-7 times what Molina.
this makes me want to slap john fay, the reds can afford 2-3 million on a one year deal as it will make the team better than Paul “for sure out” janish
If the Reds add Orlando Cabrera I will officially have legit hope this season could be a winning one. 1.Stubbs/Dickerson 2. Cabrera 3. Votto 4. Phillips 5. Rolen 6. Bruce 7. Heisey/Frazier 8. Hernandez …thats not that bad of 1-8. Sign Dye on the cheap to fill LF for a year and I’m thinking we have a shot at the central if we stay healthy
This is the Reds though…we will more than likely go into the season the way we are which I could understand if they told us it was time to get more of our young talent on the field to see if they will cut it in the majors
OCab simply isn’t enough of an impact player to be changing your decision to “winning” and “maybe winning”. His defense has gotten really bad, and his bat seems to decline every year.
As a lifelong Braves fan, a career long John Smoltz fan, and a life long Mets hater, I say please, please, John, for the love of God and all things holy, don’t do that…….don’t go to the one team that all fans of yours absolutely detest
As a Met fan I 2nd your notion. he’s done
But that’s just it: he isn’t a Brave anymore. He’s a free agent for hire – for the right price. Besides, a player buys into the rivalries of the team that’s paying him.
Fans just can’t seem to accept that players aren’t fans…they’re player$.
I wanted Sheet but thought 6-7 million guaranteed plus like 5-6 mill in incentives was much fairer. A’s way overpaid. That being said our Mets have only improved LF and Cleanup spot. We are still weak in the rotation and 2B, not to mention who knows how Beltran will respond. I keep saying I’m tired of the disappointment stove, but like a moth to a flame I came following this painful offseason
“The final offer Scott Boras presented the Yankees with for Xavier Nady was worth $5MM, tweets Joel Sherman of The New York Post. He adds that the Yanks would have considered him at the price he signed for today, and that they’ll only do a minor league deal for Rocco Baldelli (via Twitter).”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Oh would Cashman just sign Reed Johnson and get it over with, so I don’t have to hear about left field any longer. When your biggest issue is a left fielder being added to the roster can we just start the season already. 🙂
I am content with
Jeter – SS – R
N. Johnson – DH – L
Teixeira – 1B – S
Arod – 3B – R
Posada – C – S
Granderson – CF – L
Cano – 2B – L
Gardner – LF – L / Reed Johnson – LF – R
Let Damon and Boras take a flying leap. The Yankees rewarded Johnny Damon @ 13 million dollars a season for the past 4 seasons as he became worse and worse in the field. His max value was in Yankee Stadium, in between Jeter, Tex and Arod, and on a Yankee team that is dominant offensively to tolerate his defense in the field.
Damon’s arm is -4.2 runs below average,
His range is -3.7 runs below average
His errors are -1.3 runs below average
His UZR is -9.2 runs below average
His UZR/150 games is -12.1 runs below average
Combine all that with his arm and that is terrible defense and he is only getting older not younger.
While that’s a great point, adding damon to the team at 5 million, would be the best lineup in the majors. I was about to say and it would be cheap, but everyone knows that’s not true. So i’ll go with, it’s cheaper than last year. Damon would probably hit second, and maybe they’d move Johnson and Swisher down to 8 and 9. Just a thought. You then have 8-4 hitters whose obp are fantastic. Then you put Cano and posada in there somewhere and it’s a possible dynasty waiting to happen.
The dimension that Gardner brings to the Yankees in the #9 hole would be blazing speed that can beat out infield hits, get on base and steal second, moving into scoring position ahead of Jeter and Nick Johnson.
Be a base stealing threat from the #9 hole and distracting pitchers on the bases by having them constantly checking him back with Jeter and Johnson at the plate, guys pitchers would do well to concentrate on because Jeter collects his hits and Johnson only swings at pitches in the strike zone and walks more than he strikes out.
While at the same time Gardner and Granderson will cover terrific ground in Left, Left Center and Center Field.
I expect this coming season to see Gardner utilizing a lot of push bunts, drag bunts, slap hits with the drawn in corners to guard against his speed.
What seems to constantly happen with Gardner is he gets up there, takes a pitch, usually strike 1. Next pitch is breaking ball. Strike 2. He’s 0-2 before he really even tries. I honestly like him more as a pinch runner. When you have guys in your lineup that aren’t blazing quick. Which is most of the yankees roster, and you can just say go in there and steal second, it’s helpful. I like him better that way.
I’m glad you mention that about Gardner because he recently did an interview where he realized just those details you mentioned. He stated he needs to be more aggressive at the plate and on the bases.*Approach at the plate“I just need to be more aggressive and put some balls in play.”“Hitting ninth, the very last thing they’re going to do is walk me,” Gardner said. “So they’re going to throw me a lot of fastballs, which I saw a lot last year… It’s one of those things that I’ve got to get over the hump. I’ve got to get more aggressive. I can’t fall behind.”*Bunting“There are days when I bunt more than 100 balls.”“It’s something I got away from that I shouldn’t have ever gotten away from,” he said. “The idea was, instead of wasting forty or fifty at-bats a year, swing the bat.”This offseason: “I (bunt) every day,” Gardner said. “And obviously as spring training gets closer, I’ll be doing it more and more. And when we get to spring training, I’ll be doing it more and more.”So as you can see he at least recognizes the very subject you mention about being aggressive at the plate and not falling behind consistently.
And when Gardner commits himself to improvement, the results usually bear fruit.
Double-A in 2006: .272/.352/.318
Double-A in 2007: .300/.392/.419
Triple-A in 2007: .260/.343/.331
Triple-A in 2008: .296/.414/.422
New York in 2008: .228/.283/.299
New York in 2009: .270/.345/.379
New York in 2010: — / — / —
I feel he will have a decent season in 2010, playing solid defense, getting on base at a .350 clip, stealing bases and scoring a lot of runs from the 9 hole next season, if he’s given the opportunity.
Glad to see that interview, honestly, i just feel the team is better with Damon than Gardner.
Id Boras got Nady to the Yanks he would be closing the door on one of his own clinets (Damon) probably that is why he never offered that to the Yanks
As a Met fan.. I say we should…..
1) Sign 2b Orlando Hudson even though we have Luis Castillo ( Hudson for 3yr 22mill).
2) Sign 1b/OF Ryan Garko to platoon at 1b with D.Murphy (1yr 3.0 mill).
3) Trade for a Starting Pitcher
– Mets trade OF GMJ & Minor league pitcher to the Reds for A.Harang & cash considerations(Reds will give mets 8 million of 12.5 owed to Harang). Therefore, Mets entitled to pay 4.5 million to Harang in 2010 and either exercise option in 2011(12.5) or buy out contract(2.0 million). Mets will, at least, be entitled to pay Harang 6.5 million.
Lineup(W/O Beltran) / w/Beltran
1) Reyes-SS / Reyes-SS
2) Hudson-2b / Hudson-2b
3) Wright-3b / Beltran-CF
4) Bay- LF / Bay – LF
5) Franceour-RF / Wright-3b
6) D.Murphy- 1b / Franceour-RF
7) Santos-C / Santos- C
8) Pagan-CF / Murphy-1b
Bench: w/o Beltran / w/Beltran
R.Garko(1b/OF)- Plays 1b against LHP.
A.Cora- IF
Blanco-C
Castillo-IF
Pagan-OF
Rotation:
LHP Santana
RHP Harang
RHP Pelfrey
LHP Perez
RHP Maine
Bullpen:
K-Rod(Closer)
thats a lot of time and money for hudson and the harang idea maybe happend with pagan insted of gmj
No way the Reds do that deal. We no longer have to drop payroll so the chance you get Harang+8 mil for trash in return is 0. Teams are going to have to give something legit up to get Harang or Arroyo from the Reds. If it was any other way you would already have one of them. Harang has a clause I believe in his contract that says if he gets traded that club option for 2011 becomes guaranteed which runs 14mil. If that is the case Harang is stayin in Cincy because nobody is going to want to give us anything for that.
LoL…Barretman and his mock lineups are back.
Could the right-handed hitting outfielder the Yanks are looking for be B.J. Upton. The Rays indicated he could be open and he might soon become to expensive for the Rays.
Rays get:
Romine
Melancon
Gardner
Yanks get:
Upton
I don’t think he’s the one. Next, i think the rays would want more than that, this is a guy who hasn’t shown his full potential yet, at least not last year. Finally, i just don’t see that trade happening with the already diminished minor league system. If the yankees are getting someone at this point it’s most likely going to be with money and through free agency.
why they dont get crawford hes more expensive then upton and i prefer justin
Nice joke.
lets go Queen Trash!Lets GO!
Hudson, if you any sense, you would go sign with the Rockies. You may not get as much playing time as with the Nats, but you’d be with the favorites to win the NL West this year instead of the likely 4th place team in the NL East.
Hudson, if you any sense, you would go sign with the Rockies. You may not get as much playing time as with the Nats, but you’d be with the favorites to win the NL West this year instead of the likely 4th place team in the NL East.