A year ago today, the Giants renewed reigning Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum's contract for $650K. One year and a second Cy Young later, San Francisco bought out Lincecum's first two years of arbitration eligibility for $23MM. I'm sure they enjoyed paying him just six figures while it lasted.
Let's take a look at what's being written around the baseball blogosphere…
- The Friarhood looks at what some other teams could offer the Padres in exchange for Adrian Gonzalez.
- Crashburn Alley breaks down the possibility of the Phillies trading Ryan Howard so they could re-sign Jayson Werth.
- Meanwhile, TAUNTR thinks it's going to be tough for the Phillies to retain their right fielder.
- Statistician Magician says that letting Derek Jeter walk is an option for the Yankees.
- Mets Paradise takes a look at the Mets' catching situation with Rod Barajas now on board.
- More Hardball constructed a 25-man roster out of players that were signed to minor league contracts this offseason.
- River Ave. Blues wonders what CC Sabathia will do with his opt-out clause following the 2011 season.
- Baseball Bloggers Alliance challenges readers to put together Toronto's 25-man roster.
- The Sports Banter ranks each team's offseason, with two AL East powers leading the way.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here.
Alright, we (the Orioles) will trade: Michael Gyvens, Zach Britton, Kam Mickolio, Felix Pie, and Brady Anderson’s legacy. Jed Hoyer is totally on board. I love the smell of third place at the end of a season.
What an article by Friarhood. He literally just named the teams top prospects of the teams who may have interest.
He also forgot about Brent Morel.
“He also forgot about Brent Morel.”
I didn’t mention Morel because the Padres are loaded at 3B. They have a young Chase Headley in the majors, James Darnell, Logan Forsythe and Edison Rincon in the minors.
This piece was written before the Kouz trade. It outlines the Padres farm depth at third base.
friarhood.com/off-season-blog/60-i-dont-knows-on-t…
That was the point of the article. I wrote it to look at what teams could become interested and the top talent the Padres may have interest in. Should the Padres not be expecting teams top prospects? It wasn’t written to throw out some ridiculous Ike Davis trade proposals. It was written to look at the broad view of the situation.
Yeah and that is why it was pointless, we all know they want top prospects. A team could offer any of them. If it had different proposals of those players, maybe it would be better is what I was getting at. If an Ike Davis trade proposal is ridiculous, then why even include the Mets? If they make a deal it would have to include Ike Davis.
It’s not pointless, it’s obvious. The Mets don’t have a 1B and once they clean their act up will be able to sign a player like AG. To not consider them as part of the process would be ignorant.
“Yeah and that is why it was pointless, we all know they want top prospects.”
Not every fan is as knowledgable as you apparently are. Not every fan knows what teams could be in need of a first baseman now and in the future and not every fan knows the top prospects for every team.
“If an Ike Davis trade proposal is ridiculous, then why even include the Mets?”
Because they don’t have much at 1B. The point was meant for the ridiculous proposals by Mets fans where Davis was the center piece with a bunch of garbage thrown in.
“If they make a deal it would have to include Ike Davis.”
I don’t see why that would be the case. I don’t think the Mets have enough to pull it off either way but, if they were willing to include F-Mart It could be possible. Just not likely.
“Yeah and that is why it was pointless, we all know they want top prospects.”
Not every fan is as knowledgable as you apparently are. Not every fan knows what teams could be in need of a first baseman now and in the future and not every fan knows the top prospects for every team.
“If an Ike Davis trade proposal is ridiculous, then why even include the Mets?”
Because they don’t have much at 1B. The point was meant for the ridiculous proposals by Mets fans where Davis was the center piece with a bunch of garbage thrown in.
“If they make a deal it would have to include Ike Davis.”
I don’t see why that would be the case. I don’t think the Mets have enough to pull it off either way but, if they were willing to include F-Mart It could be possible. Just not likely.
DP
all of Theo Epsteins moves made this offseason smelled of him getting ready to make a much larger move for a super bat. Signing Lackey makes Buchholz available, signing Cameron makes Ellsbury available and the Sox a neck high is prospects. Its a matter of when the Sox trade for Adrain in my eyes, all the signs are there. If Theo did not make his moves based on the future ease on going after him, or Miggy or someone hard hitting, then his offseason moves made no sense this year
Miguel Cabrera was never even made available, it was just a rumor started by Peter Gammons and the rest of the Boston media drooling over thinking they could put any offer on the table and get Cabrera because they’re the Red Sox.
Miguel Cabrera was never even made available, it was just a rumor started by Peter Gammons and the rest of the Boston media drooling over thinking they could put any offer on the table and get Cabrera because they’re the Red Sox.
An Adrian Gonzo trade with the whitesox would likely center around Gordon Beckham… (Dial tone noise) and Kenny Williams is laughing in the background
and some where further in the distance, another GM is laughing because adrian is playing first base for him.
Derek Jeter might be the most overratted player in the history of baseball. Can anyone with a straight face say that he is worth anywhere near 20 mil a yr.
I can. I wish the Red Sox had a “Derek Jeter”
I dont see how you can try to take something away from Derek. In an plagued by substance abuse, he is the last man standing. He is the face of baseball, a good guy, an amazing hitter, the alltime yankee hits leader (considering the men the precede him thats an incredible achivement). $20 million for the face of baseball is UNDER what he should make. If he signed a $20 million per for 4 years, they yankees would make that money back before the contract even expired in merchandising alone. Betting on Jeter is the safest bet in baseball
Yeah, I think the majority of us actually can. From a pure baseball perspective? No. Factoring in the marketing aspect of Jeter and his chasing 3,000 and perhaps even 4,000 hits? Certainly.
didnt mea to like the comment. im a hardcore red sox fan and i will take jeter any day of the week.
You are forgiven, sir. =)
He has a career .309 postseason batting average, with 18 home runs and 50 RBIs. Except for 2008, the Yankees have been to the playoffs every year since Jeter joined the team. He has a Major League Baseball record 153 career postseason hits and also holds records for most postseason singles (111), at-bats (495), runs scored (85), and strikeouts (96).
On top of being the all-time Yankees hit leader, having 3000 hits done in 2 more years, being a 5 time champion, scoring 100+ runs in 12 of his 14 full seasons (The one season he missed significant time in (2003) he only scored 87, and in the off-year he had in 08, he only scored 88), a career average wRC+ of 131, and a 7 year total of 40 WAR (Considering how amazing his 96-01 numbers are, I wouldn’t be surprised if that number nearly doubled if we could get concrete numbers for those seasons).
On top of being a great leader, great clubhouse presence, great at handling the media (which is basically a requirement to be successful in New York, for either team.), you, sir, should quiet down.
I wouldn’t say he’s worth exactly 20 mil at this point, but there’s this other guy on the team that’s basically skewed the market absurdly, so he’ll get that kind of money. But you challenged us to keep a straight face and say anywhere near it. And, sir, with a a face as straight as humanly possible, I will say to you that yes, Derek Jeter is worth money around the 20 mil mark.
You can sit there and say he’s overrated as much as you want. The defense rests its case. His career strikeouts and bad defense are all that you have to say otherwise against him. To be honest, that’s not saying much.
I just tend to agree with what his teammate ARod said about him years ago. If jeter was on any other team, would he be as big a deal. The yankee’s were the yankee’s long before jeter. Is he a great yankee? Yes, but this acting like he’s jesus is ridiculous. The yankee’s owe him nothing. If anything he owe’s them a hometown discount for over inflating his career.
His career has not been over-inflated. I presented you with numerous stats (and there are so many more in his favor) that show otherwise.
And you’d seriously listen to A-Rod’s words? Really? The moron himself? The guy who can’t tell the truth if his career depends on it? The guy who cheated on his wife with a woman about 20 years older than him?
Yeah, A-Rod can go to hell on that one. Jeter would probably be more of a big deal if he were on a team other than the Yankees.
I just tend to agree with what his teammate ARod said about him years ago. If jeter was on any other team, would he be as big a deal. The yankee’s were the yankee’s long before jeter. Is he a great yankee? Yes, but this acting like he’s jesus is ridiculous. The yankee’s owe him nothing. If anything he owe’s them a hometown discount for over inflating his career.
The biggest factor in the AGon trade will be the extension, if his comment yesterday really holds weight. He clearly wants to be paid. Seattle could surprise us with an extension, and while the Friarhood’s great article mentions Washington and Baltimore but I personally think them giving the extension would be an extremely longshot. For Baltimore, I think Padres would want too many of their young core players, and both teams would have to do some juggling to find the cash. The reason I, as a Red Sox fan, think he’s going to Boston is not just because of the prospect package (all of these teams have the players), but because of the money. Boston has it, and is willing to spend it, and AGon wants it. Plus, with the moves for Cameron and Lackey, they have opened up even more possible trading chips with Ellsbury and Buchholz. Personally I would hate to see either of them go, but I can see why they would do that; if the Padres want MLB ready players, those are the guys they can use to make the trade. Plus, if they really think they’ll be ready soon, they’ve got Westmoreland and Kelly coming up to take those guys places.
True. If I’m the Redsox, I’d much rather get rid of Bucholz than Casey Kelly though. Clay seems to be a little inconsistent.
I dont think thats Clays fault, i think thats his small stature (which is improving) and the constant moving around from minors to majors, thus messing up his growth as a player. He will flourish, i just dont think it will be in Boston
I just spoke with Ronnie Belliard, he is willing to give Clay some of his size.
Buchholz was bad for his rookie year. He was awesome last year. That doesn’t make him inconsistent. It just means that he is improving. I would MUCH rather have Buchholz for 5 years, than someone who hasn’t even pitched above A ball for 6 years.
He threw a no-hitter in his rookie year and was often terrible otherwise. last year he went 7-4 with a 4.21 era. I said he “seems a little inconsistent”, not, “He’s totally inconsistent”. But everyone seems to think Casey Kelly is Ace material, I’d be willing to gamble on that. This is why we’re not GMs.
I don’t think “everyone seems to think Casey Kelly is Ace material” is a good reason to keep him over Buchholz. Buchholz, too, was someone that everyone seemed to think was Ace material.
The difference is that he has already shown he can be dominant at the major league level (no-hitter, 111 ERA+ last season) as opposed to someone who hasn’t even thrown 100 innings as a professional yet. It’s not as if Boston only has Buchholz for 2-3 more years. They have him for 5.
They both have huge upside, but one is MUCH closer to realizing it
92 innings pitched, 91 hits surrendered. It doesn’t sound that dominating to me. You think he’s the next Beckett because you’re a Redsox fan, it’s wishful thinking, I understand that. But I just personally don’t think he’s going to be a front of the rotation starter. I didn’t say he’s going to suck, I think he’ll be good. But since people give opinions here… I would keep Kelly.
but 0 hits in 9 innings IS dominant. Which is what I said, he has shown he CAN BE dominant at the major league level. It’s not just the no hitter he threw two years ago either. His GB% Miss Rates among other things are tops among the LEAGUE. He is improving greatly and will be a huge part of this years squad; and IMO that is much more valuable than someone who has thrown 95 innings as a professional
Ok, but if you want to stick to the argument that 0 hits in 9 innings is dominant and that he CAN be dominant… that just validates my inconsistency point. I would never debate that he CAN be dominant, he proved that. But I also wouldn’t put him on the mound in a big game.
Ok, but if you want to stick to the argument that 0 hits in 9 innings is dominant and that he CAN be dominant… that just validates my inconsistency point. I would never debate that he CAN be dominant, he proved that. But I also wouldn’t put him on the mound in a big game.
Ok big deal does 1 game define a players career? Should Johnathan Sanchez go win the Cy Young because he threw a no-hitter? Should Dewayne Wise have won the gold glove because he saved Buehrle’s perfect game? Should Albert Pujols go to the minors because he went 0-4 in 1 game?
I would rather have a consistent pitcher than one who is inconsistent but shows flashes of dominance.
Since when does a persons rookie year define their entire career, though? Roy Halladay was sent to the minors at one point, Grienke was 0 for a season at one point. Buchholz has shown moments where he is brilliant on the mound. The NEVER said he was going to be a dominant Cy Young pitcher. Simply that if I had to choose one, Buchholz for 5 years who has a no-hitter under his belt and a half season of 111 ERA+ or, Kelly for 6 years who has 95 innings of Single A pitching, I would take Buchholz EVERY SINGLE TIME.
Consistency comes with experience, which is something both pitchers need anyways, I would simply take the one that is closer to realizing his potential than the other.
Since when does a persons rookie year define their entire career, though? Roy Halladay was sent to the minors at one point, Grienke was 0 for a season at one point. Buchholz has shown moments where he is brilliant on the mound. The NEVER said he was going to be a dominant Cy Young pitcher. Simply that if I had to choose one, Buchholz for 5 years who has a no-hitter under his belt and a half season of 111 ERA+ or, Kelly for 6 years who has 95 innings of Single A pitching, I would take Buchholz EVERY SINGLE TIME.
Consistency comes with experience, which is something both pitchers need anyways, I would simply take the one that is closer to realizing his potential than the other.
Ok big deal does 1 game define a players career? Should Johnathan Sanchez go win the Cy Young because he threw a no-hitter? Should Dewayne Wise have won the gold glove because he saved Buehrle’s perfect game? Should Albert Pujols go to the minors because he went 0-4 in 1 game?
I would rather have a consistent pitcher than one who is inconsistent but shows flashes of dominance.
but 0 hits in 9 innings IS dominant. Which is what I said, he has shown he CAN BE dominant at the major league level. It’s not just the no hitter he threw two years ago either. His GB% Miss Rates among other things are tops among the LEAGUE. He is improving greatly and will be a huge part of this years squad; and IMO that is much more valuable than someone who has thrown 95 innings as a professional
92 innings pitched, 91 hits surrendered. It doesn’t sound that dominating to me. You think he’s the next Beckett because you’re a Redsox fan, it’s wishful thinking, I understand that. But I just personally don’t think he’s going to be a front of the rotation starter. I didn’t say he’s going to suck, I think he’ll be good. But since people give opinions here… I would keep Kelly.
I don’t think “everyone seems to think Casey Kelly is Ace material” is a good reason to keep him over Buchholz. Buchholz, too, was someone that everyone seemed to think was Ace material.
The difference is that he has already shown he can be dominant at the major league level (no-hitter, 111 ERA+ last season) as opposed to someone who hasn’t even thrown 100 innings as a professional yet. It’s not as if Boston only has Buchholz for 2-3 more years. They have him for 5.
They both have huge upside, but one is MUCH closer to realizing it
He threw a no-hitter in his rookie year and was often terrible otherwise. last year he went 7-4 with a 4.21 era. I said he “seems a little inconsistent”, not, “He’s totally inconsistent”. But everyone seems to think Casey Kelly is Ace material, I’d be willing to gamble on that. This is why we’re not GMs.
Towers wanted major league ready players. People are unsure of what Hoyer wants. I have made this same post before, but Hoyer knows the Sox system as well as Theo. There will be holding back great prospects and fooling Hoyer with other ‘less’ prospects. Be sure that this deal will hinge on Theo giving up one of his true loves, Kelly or Westmoreland. can a Sox fan really see Theo moving one of those 2?
I am really looking forward to months of Sox fans and their projected trades for Gonzo. My favorites are the ones that don’t include Kelly or Westmoreland, but are headlined by Lars Anderson.
lol Boston fans always think they are getting everybody
For a Red Sox fan you sound quite sane and approachable about this topic.
That said, the Padres aren’t going to want Ellsbury and Buckholtz as they already have major league service time accrued and they will start getting expensive fast in arbitration which is exactly why they are thinking of trading Gonzales.
They want players with little to no service time so they can get them at major league minimum’s for as long as possible.
Ellsbury will be making what Gonzales right now very soon. His agent is Boras. They’re going to ask for a big number in arb. The Padres want nothing to do with that, otherwise they are going to turn around and trade him and then this deal makes no sense.
From the Red Sox they are going to want Kelly and Westmoreland and Bard to some extent since Bard only has 1/2 a season of MLB time logged and will be cheap for years to come.
That’s what will get this deal done.
Players already on the major league roster who are close to getting significant arb raises are out. It’s like the Yankees realizing they had to cut bait on Melky this year because he was due to start making 3 million a year. If Melky is worth 3 million a year in arb, Ellsbury will be worth 5 million which is what Gonzales makes right now.
I think the Red Sox will balk at the prospect package cost and then the fact that they are going to have to give the guy 180 million guaranteed deal to keep him. They will essentially be paying twice for him in that scenario.
I think it’s more likely to see the Mariners be willing to pay twice. I also think the O’s have a chance to really change the course of the franchise by giving up some of that awesome young talent and putting a monster in the middle of that lineup in that bandbox of a park.
The Red Sox will have to empty the farm and then the bank for Gonzales and I just don’t think that’s the way Theo does business, especially since he loves his prospects so much and doesn’t want to see another Hanley develop on another club.
Some great points, especially about the package Padres will prefer. I guess the reason I was thinking MLB ready was a factor was mostly for some fan posts I’ve seen here, wishing that San Diego would get some major leaguers instead of just prospects. I was using Ells and Buchholz as examples of how the Red Sox could offer both. But yes, Ellsbury and Buchholz will get pricey soon, and besides the only one I could really handle seeing go to San Diego would be Ellsbury. For what I think the package might need to be to get AGon, I -hope- it won’t be Kelly and Westmoreland (for one thing, you’re right I doubt Epstein could part with both of them), but that’s just wishful thinking on my part. Padres have got to be thinking that’s the starting point for this deal, if it’s going to happen.
However, your point about paying twice was most interesting to me. I’m personally not sure if the M’s would be any more likely to pay twice, but that’s also part of a little wacky theory I have in my head (That Jack Z is never going to push hard for a big bopper like AGon because he figures that’s not even worth considering with his park). Plus, if it looks like they don’t have the cash to extend Lee I’m not sure where they’ll get it for AGon. And PLUS, because of the Lee trade their prospect package may not be QUITE as appealing as other teams (again a guess, I know nothing about their farm system).
The Orioles are very intriguing. If I was an O’s fan I’d be torn over the idea of trading for AGon. As far as I can tell, they’ve already got a pretty strong core over there (Matusz, Weiters, Jones, Reimold, Pie…okay that’s mostly all I know), with more guys still getting experience in AAA. Unless they’ve got some big names in the minors that I don’t know about, you’d think that San Diego will have its eye on Matusz, or Weiters, or one of those guys. While AGon would be great for Baltimore, the price tag of course is high, and it’s not like just bringing him in will bring them a championship. Even with him they need another year or two, especially if they lose other core players in the trade. Of course the moves they made this year don’t really shout out “rebuilding!” so I don’t know what’s up with them.
Preferably, I think Theo and I would agree that nabbing AGon in 2011 would be cheaper. Through free agency, clearly the Red Sox will throw everything they’ve got at AGon until he says yes. Money will be flying off the books by then, and the positional logjam they are currently dealing with will be cleared up (if Youk can still play third). However, with the interest other teams are showing it’s much more likely that he will be traded before then, simply because San Diego can’t possibly let him go for nothing. I suppose they could pick up his option and stretch it out another year, which I’m sure they’ll do now that I think about it (if he stays that long), which is still a good situation for the Sox. However, it looks like he’ll be gone this year, and that fact means Theo has to decide whether to go all-in or to fold.
So, after that long tirade…I personally think the Sox will make an appealing offer to San Diego that both sides can agree on, and will extend AGon before this season is over. Maybe just fanboy optimism, but whatever. Theo has got to realize that if he gives up on Gonzalez this year he might never get another chance to nab him. Obviously there’s the possibility that Adrian just won’t extend with his new team and the Red Sox still get a chance during free agency, but that chance is slim. My bets are on the Sox getting Gonzalez before the trading deadline this year.
Great post. I agree with you for the most part, but still Seattle will agree to pay twice for the player. From all accounts, they had a 6 for 1 deal out for him last season that Towers tried to add another player to that blew the whole thing up.
I also think they have no allusions that they will resign Lee before he hits free agency. Lee, to me, looks like he has Yankees written all over him. I’m not saying that because I want him on the Yankees, but the Yankees will probably be losing Pettitte and Javy Vazquez next off season and money will be free to put Lee in the rotation. I also think the reason why the Yankees used “caution” with spending this season is because the plan has always been to get Lee and Crawford after this season.
I think the Mariners know Lee is essentially a rental at this point that will net them picks.
I think the Mariners are Boston’s biggest competitors for this player.
That said, the best deal for Boston is no deal and Gonzales becomes a free agent in 2 seasons and signs with them. However, there’s no way, I can see, that’s going to happen. He’ll be traded. There’s no way to get around paying twice for Gonzales in talent and money so it’s up to Boston to decide if he’s the franchise player worth double paying for.
I tend to think he is, but I also tend to think that Theo will be cagey with the prospects he’s willing to give up and all it takes is another GM to empty the farm to blow up Boston’s plans.
Ellsbury and Buckholtz are not what the Padres are looking for. Kelly and Westmoreland (together in a package to start) is what the Padres will be looking for.
Boston has to hope the prospects stay healthy and perform well at the level they break camp at. If one of them disappoint and lose buzz like Lars Anderson did, it could blow up their trading plans.
The other team I can see getting downright stupid over Gonzales is the Mets. They don’t have much of a farm, but they have enough pieces to make this deal. I can totally see them blowing out their system for this guy even with Ike Davis showing promise in their system. The Mets need the backpage in NY and they need the fans to be buzzing and positive about the team. They are a definite dark horse since Gonzales has proven he can rake in a pitchers park.
Great post. I agree with you for the most part, but still Seattle will agree to pay twice for the player. From all accounts, they had a 6 for 1 deal out for him last season that Towers tried to add another player to that blew the whole thing up.
I also think they have no allusions that they will resign Lee before he hits free agency. Lee, to me, looks like he has Yankees written all over him. I’m not saying that because I want him on the Yankees, but the Yankees will probably be losing Pettitte and Javy Vazquez next off season and money will be free to put Lee in the rotation. I also think the reason why the Yankees used “caution” with spending this season is because the plan has always been to get Lee and Crawford after this season.
I think the Mariners know Lee is essentially a rental at this point that will net them picks.
I think the Mariners are Boston’s biggest competitors for this player.
That said, the best deal for Boston is no deal and Gonzales becomes a free agent in 2 seasons and signs with them. However, there’s no way, I can see, that’s going to happen. He’ll be traded. There’s no way to get around paying twice for Gonzales in talent and money so it’s up to Boston to decide if he’s the franchise player worth double paying for.
I tend to think he is, but I also tend to think that Theo will be cagey with the prospects he’s willing to give up and all it takes is another GM to empty the farm to blow up Boston’s plans.
Ellsbury and Buckholtz are not what the Padres are looking for. Kelly and Westmoreland (together in a package to start) is what the Padres will be looking for.
Boston has to hope the prospects stay healthy and perform well at the level they break camp at. If one of them disappoint and lose buzz like Lars Anderson did, it could blow up their trading plans.
The other team I can see getting downright stupid over Gonzales is the Mets. They don’t have much of a farm, but they have enough pieces to make this deal. I can totally see them blowing out their system for this guy even with Ike Davis showing promise in their system. The Mets need the backpage in NY and they need the fans to be buzzing and positive about the team. They are a definite dark horse since Gonzales has proven he can rake in a pitchers park.
Some great points, especially about the package Padres will prefer. I guess the reason I was thinking MLB ready was a factor was mostly for some fan posts I’ve seen here, wishing that San Diego would get some major leaguers instead of just prospects. I was using Ells and Buchholz as examples of how the Red Sox could offer both. But yes, Ellsbury and Buchholz will get pricey soon, and besides the only one I could really handle seeing go to San Diego would be Ellsbury. For what I think the package might need to be to get AGon, I -hope- it won’t be Kelly and Westmoreland (for one thing, you’re right I doubt Epstein could part with both of them), but that’s just wishful thinking on my part. Padres have got to be thinking that’s the starting point for this deal, if it’s going to happen.
However, your point about paying twice was most interesting to me. I’m personally not sure if the M’s would be any more likely to pay twice, but that’s also part of a little wacky theory I have in my head (That Jack Z is never going to push hard for a big bopper like AGon because he figures that’s not even worth considering with his park). Plus, if it looks like they don’t have the cash to extend Lee I’m not sure where they’ll get it for AGon. And PLUS, because of the Lee trade their prospect package may not be QUITE as appealing as other teams (again a guess, I know nothing about their farm system).
The Orioles are very intriguing. If I was an O’s fan I’d be torn over the idea of trading for AGon. As far as I can tell, they’ve already got a pretty strong core over there (Matusz, Weiters, Jones, Reimold, Pie…okay that’s mostly all I know), with more guys still getting experience in AAA. Unless they’ve got some big names in the minors that I don’t know about, you’d think that San Diego will have its eye on Matusz, or Weiters, or one of those guys. While AGon would be great for Baltimore, the price tag of course is high, and it’s not like just bringing him in will bring them a championship. Even with him they need another year or two, especially if they lose other core players in the trade. Of course the moves they made this year don’t really shout out “rebuilding!” so I don’t know what’s up with them.
Preferably, I think Theo and I would agree that nabbing AGon in 2011 would be cheaper. Through free agency, clearly the Red Sox will throw everything they’ve got at AGon until he says yes. Money will be flying off the books by then, and the positional logjam they are currently dealing with will be cleared up (if Youk can still play third). However, with the interest other teams are showing it’s much more likely that he will be traded before then, simply because San Diego can’t possibly let him go for nothing. I suppose they could pick up his option and stretch it out another year, which I’m sure they’ll do now that I think about it (if he stays that long), which is still a good situation for the Sox. However, it looks like he’ll be gone this year, and that fact means Theo has to decide whether to go all-in or to fold.
So, after that long tirade…I personally think the Sox will make an appealing offer to San Diego that both sides can agree on, and will extend AGon before this season is over. Maybe just fanboy optimism, but whatever. Theo has got to realize that if he gives up on Gonzalez this year he might never get another chance to nab him. Obviously there’s the possibility that Adrian just won’t extend with his new team and the Red Sox still get a chance during free agency, but that chance is slim. My bets are on the Sox getting Gonzalez before the trading deadline this year.
I dislike Jeter as much as the next non-Yankee fan, but he is worth every penny of 20 million. He is the best situational hitter in the game and his game suits that park to perfection. Don’t overrated leadership skills either. When he says something, people listen because of his incredible track record. Btw, who the hell would replace him?
Not for a second do I think it makes sense for the Phillies to trade Ryan Howard for whatever package they can get in order to retain Jayson Werth. They could easily get two top prospects once Jayson Werth walks. Plus, Domonic Brown will be ready to dominate once Werth leaves.
Derek Jeter is not walking. The only place he will be walking for the next 4 or 5 years is in NY.
Well to be fair he does live in Florida, actually =P. He has like 4 different houses-the apartment he uses during the season in Trump Towers, the house he has in the Davis Islands in Florida, a house in Jersey, and a house in upstate New York I believe it is. I’m not sure where the last two houses exactly are, though.
Random info for ya.
There aren’t many huge stories swirling around right now, hence the trading Ryan Howard and C.C. opting out bullcrap that keeps popping up on this website right now. With that said, Domonic Brown is just going step up and dominate? Nothing is a sure bet. Ask the Cubs about Jerome Walton.
Am i the only person that is completely unphased by CC’s opt-out clause?
Because if he honestly thinks he can get better money elsewhere, or that we’ll pay him more, he’s crazy. I suspect the Yanks will offer him the exact same money he left on the table, maybe with another year added on, and he’ll find absolutely nothing else out there that will even come close to the offer. If he wants to do that song and dance, I so dare him to.
As pointed out to an extent earlier, the Yankees set a precedent with A-Rod. Whether or not Sabathia opts out depends entirely upon how he does these next two seasons and the development of Hughes and Chamberlain. If he gets hurt or starts to decline, he will certainly ignore his opt out. If he maintains his level as a perennial Cy Young candidate, he will most certainly opt out. If Hughes and/or Chamberlain don’t turn out to be ace quality, the Yanks almost certainly won’t want to let Sabathia walk away as they’ve proven they’ll shell out big bucks to re-sign players no one else wants to pay for (Ala A-Rod) and are not hesitant to shell out big bucks when the economy’s in the toilet (Ala Sabathia’s current contract). The Yanks had to outbid the next closest team by about $40MM to land Sabathia, if he thinks he can get an equivelant or better payday, he will most definitely opt out.
I don’t agree, simply because he’s a pitcher, and not a hitter, so it’s an entirely different animal. The only other team that came close to the offer the Yanks made to him was the Angels, and I don’t think they’d be willing to cough up that amount of money when he’s 32.
It’s that whole age factor that will keep other teams from offering significant money. Outside of the Yanks, who need him and have the resources, I cannot think of any team willing to offer him 20 mil per year. Heck, it’s hard to imagine any team offering him 18 million per.
Trading away Ryan Howard would be idiotic. He p[ut up ridiculous numbers in the season and postseason. I do think the Phills will trade J-Roll though
Jeter isn’t going anywhere. Sabathia isn’t gonna opt out. Only an idiot would opt out of the kind of contract he has.
Trade Ryan Howard to resign Werth. That is by far thes tupidest thing I have ever heard.
The only way CC opts out is if he thinks he can get a better contract (more money and years) from the Yankees by doing so, a la Arod.
I don’t think any team is going to offer the years and money he’ll have left on the deal so an opt out is to put the screws to the Yankees which he could choose to do. The one thing about Yankee players is they love the team, but they give it no discounts and use their leverage when they can.
Like Posada getting an extra year on his deal the Yankees didn’t want to give him by publicly having lunch in NYC with Omar and the Mets.
I’d be surprised to see CC opt out, but I wouldn’t be shocked if they felt there was more money on the table than what he’ll be owed at that point.
Beckham is as untouchable to the white sox as strasburg is to the nats. Beckham is supposed to be the derek jeter of that team for the next 10-15 years. He isnt leaving for Adrian.
What about trading Howard for a number 2/3 pitcher like Cain or signing Webb, and moving Werth to 1B (he was a catcher at one time as well) and putting Dom Brown in the OF. I like that idea much much more than moving Utley to 1B. Then, maybe Gose/Gilles will be ready to take over Ibanez’s spot after 2011.
Trading Howard would hurt, but I’m sure a lot of teams (with payroll flexibility) would love to have a guy like that and would give up pitching for it. Maybe you can even get a 3B prospect out of it as well.
What about trading Howard for a number 2/3 pitcher like Cain or signing Webb, and moving Werth to 1B (he was a catcher at one time as well) and putting Dom Brown in the OF. I like that idea much much more than moving Utley to 1B. Then, maybe Gose/Gilles will be ready to take over Ibanez’s spot after 2011.
Trading Howard would hurt, but I’m sure a lot of teams (with payroll flexibility) would love to have a guy like that and would give up pitching for it. Maybe you can even get a 3B prospect out of it as well.
Whoever made that “Friarhood” website should be shot, that is the most god awful website I have seen in a long long time….
Whoever made that “Friarhood” website should be shot, that is the most god awful website I have seen in a long long time….
Come on Ruben don’t be stupid and trade away the face of your franchise. You aren’t gonna be able to re-sign Werth and you’ve got plenty of other playmakers on the team and Domonic Brown should be ready to take Werth’s spot by the trade deadline so at least get some prospects that you desperately need for him. Because if you hold on to him you are still gonna lose him but get nothing but a couple good draft picks. Do the right thing Ruben. Of course i won’t complain if you screw over the entire franchise, I just like seeing executives do the smart thing.
Come on Ruben don’t be stupid and trade away the face of your franchise. You aren’t gonna be able to re-sign Werth and you’ve got plenty of other playmakers on the team and Domonic Brown should be ready to take Werth’s spot by the trade deadline so at least get some prospects that you desperately need for him. Because if you hold on to him you are still gonna lose him but get nothing but a couple good draft picks. Do the right thing Ruben. Of course i won’t complain if you screw over the entire franchise, I just like seeing executives do the smart thing.
Gordon Beckham, a star in the making who posted pretty exceptional stats for a 22 year old and at the end of the season became an average defender at a position he played for a total of 10 games before his call up for a slugger that will command a FA contract around 100 million?
I don’t think so.
Gordon Beckham, a star in the making who posted pretty exceptional stats for a 22 year old and at the end of the season became an average defender at a position he played for a total of 10 games before his call up for a slugger that will command a FA contract around 100 million?
I don’t think so.
The Red Sox have the inside track to AGon, and while it was right for Friarhood to include the Mets I just don’t see it, and for all the wrong reasons (naturally). Met ownership has a sickness, they try to convince themselves (delude themselves?) that certain things are reality when they’re not. They will try to convince themselves that Daniel Murphy or Ike Davis will be the 1B of the future, because either will cost a fraction of what it will take to pay AGon. They will justify and rationalize out the yin-yang, and oh you can bet some anonymous “high ranking Mets official” will leak that AGon is somehow due for a major injury — because that crack Mets medical staff has done some in-house evaluation.
Truth is, AGon is proven (unlike Murphy or Davis), and in a tough ballpark yet. He’s exactly what the Mets need which is why he’ll likely end up in Boston.