In today’s press conference to introduce Raul Ibanez, Angels GM Jerry Dipoto declined to comment on whether he’s in on Masahiro Tanaka, tweets Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register. “It’s not fair to the player or the organization to openly discuss free agents,” said Dipoto (link). Despite that, Fletcher thinks it’s still safe to assume they’re interested in the Japanese hurler. More out of the AL West..
- Brian McTaggart of MLB.com looked at the Astros’ top storylines from 2013, including owner Jim Crane expanding the payroll and the appointment of Ryan Reid as president of business operations.
- Ibanez told reporters, including Fletcher (Twitter link) that he wouldn’t still be playing if he didn’t think he could do it at a high level. The 41-year-old inked a one-year deal worth a guaranteed $2.75MM that can go as high as $5MM with incentives.
- Ibanez also talks about why he hits well at the Angels’ home park, tweets Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times. The slugger said the background allows him to see ball well, he benefits from the park’s wide open gaps, and he says the ball moves well through the infield. His value is also helped by the fact that he won’t have to play the outfield in Anaheim.
Tanaka to Seattle you heard it here first.
I’ve actually heard that in a lot of places already.
Except for everyone we heard it from before you.
No we haven’t. A lot of ppl have been saying that.
Still have not heard it, probably never will.
That would be Reid Ryan, Nolan’s son, not the pitcher from the Pirates that was linked to.
It is “still safe to assume” the whole MLB is “interested in” Tanaka. The Angels would love to have him but at 100 Million+ I think they are better of signing Garza for less money.
I would rule out the Marlins, Mets and A’s. That might be it. Realistically, I’m thinking 15 or so teams put a bid in and six or so have a realistic shot of landing him.
I could realistically see him going to: LAD, NYY, HOU, LAA, CHC, MIA, ARZ, MIN or SEA.
Starting to think the same. Does anyone else feel like Garza’s price goes up once Tanaka signs somewhere? Would be wise for a team to try and scoop him up now if they don’t feel like they really have a shot at Tanaka.
Depends on his agent, even though his agent is not Scott Boras, it would be common sense to wait after this Tanaka debacle because with all these teams wanting a pitcher, only one is going land Tanaka. After him is only three big names: Santana, Jimenez, and Garza with alot of teams with that need
Agree 100%.
Tanaka is really intriguing but at 6 or more years at $20M AAV that’s pretty steep. If you could get Garza on a 4/$60 type deal that might be the safer bet.
It’s killing me how people are just throwing around $20M AAV like it’s nothing. That should buy you a stud starting pitcher. Not a guy without a MLB track record. Dave Cameron has a great post about this over on Fangraphs.
I think the Yanks will get Tanaka somehow and the Ms will get Nelson Cruz because their offense outside of Cano and Hart is still lacking. Im glad for Ibanez even though Im not an Angels fan, and wish him well. He was a great Yankee who hit some game saving bail out HRs in the post season. Im surprised the Yanks didnt want him back…
Reid Ryan maybe?
Nah, I like Ryan Reid’s stats better.
Why does every player that says they would retire if they didn’t think they could still play at a high level seem to be on the Angels?
Looking at you Pujols.
Pujols should totally retire, his last full year (2012) was terrible .285/.343/.516 30 HR 105 RBI’s. For anyone that’s not named Pujols/Cabrera/Trout that’s an amazing year.
50 doubles as well. Highest total since 2004. 80 extra base hits total, tied with Cabrera. Wonder how many of those doubles would’ve landed in the seats at Busch. You could argue the pitchers environment at the Big A changed Pujols’ game to a being a doubles hitter.
His last year healthy he hit 285 with 30 homers and 100 rbis. How is he washed up???
I didn’t say he was washed up. I just said that the only players that need to convince the fans and media that they are still healthy enough to play happen to be on the Angels.
They aren’t convincing anything. The media asks them a question and they answer. They aren’t going out their way to make it be known
Dude, he basically stated the reason why every baseball player still plays baseball. It’s one of those “duh” moments.
That was kind of the point I was trying to make. Why waste all this time talking about being able to still play and saying a bunch of “duh” comments, just go play.
That’s a good point. He should just ignore the person asking the question, or just put the press in their place for asking such obvious questions… Right? Who likes them anyway?
Did you even read the article?
So Ibanez wouldn’t be playing if he didn’t think he could perform at a high level. Basically speaking for every professional athlete who is still playing at any age. But I trust Ibanez at 41 more than a lot of younger players out there who I have no idea what I’m getting from.
Although every team could fit in Tanaka, I think the deal he’s about to get will be way over the top for an unproven pitcher in the states. Stay away Jerry.
Yeah they should sign more proven guys like Joe Blanton.
2 years of Blanton will cost significantly less than the posting fee for Tanaka.
And while I’m not happy about Blanton, his signing has a minimal impact on the club. You swing and miss on Tanaka and it’s a tough pill to swallow.
If only his signing had minimal impact on game outcomes.
The guy was worth -0.4 WAR in the worst year of his career by far. His xFIP was under 4.00. The guy didn’t pitch well but he was clobbered by an absurdly high (for him) HR rate. Steamer has him at 1.4 WAR in 2014 while Oliver has him right under 1. In other words, if he pitches to the projections (and they are very modest) the guy is worth what the Angels paid for him – or maybe even a little more.