Attention on the first base market could now shift to James Loney after the Mariners took a pair of options off the board in Logan Morrison and Corey Hart. Yesterday, we heard that the Pirates were checking back in on him, while the Brewers were hesitant to meet his three-year asking price. Here's the latest:
- The Brewers have "sincere interest" in Loney but don't expect to get anything done before leaving the Winter Meetings, according to McCalvy (on Twitter).
Earlier Reports
- The Pirates and Brewers are still in on Loney, tweets Buster Olney of ESPN.com, with the Rays also remaining in the discussion.
- Indeed, after watching Hart leave for Seattle, the Brewers have turned their attention to Loney, reports Bob Nightengale of USA Today (via Twitter). The club is probably only interested if the deal stays under three years, tweets Adam McCalvy of MLB.com.
- If Milwaukee instead shifts its attention at the trade market, writes Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (via Twitter), options include Ike Davis, Mitch Moreland, and Justin Smoak. Haudricourt wonders (via Twitter) if the thin market could lead to an increased willingness to pay Loney.
- Evan Drellich of the Houston Chronicle tweeted earlier today that while the Astros prefer a stopgap, they haven't ruled out Loney.
crossing my fingers for the Pirates, but i don’t think they want to pay the money he wants
Nor should the Pirates pay Loney the $$ he wants…be a good grab for the Buccos but not if it isn’t a good deal like the one made with Charlie Morton resigning today.
I really hope the Brewers sign him. It would be great. Especially if it can be a 2 year deal.
Mariners should sign Loney for the heck of it.
Yeah, what team doesn’t need 5 first basemen.
or 7 outfielders ….(Arizona)
Come on!!! I’ll prefer Ike Davis over James loney!
Ike has more power potential than Loney and a better glove!
Davis also have 3 years of control so why not take a risk?
Davis would probably cost the brewers Tyler thornberg, pirates Jose Bell, or rays Tim Beckham
Davis has upside, but he also had major downside. Loney’s downside risk is minimal. No way the Brewers give up Thornburg who’s in line for a rotation spot and controllable for quite a long time to come.
The Brewers aren’t giving up Thornburg for a 1 year wonder. He is too risky.
Loney’s glove is better and doesn’t hit under .200 or strikeout 200 times
Loney’s glove is better and doesn’t hit under .200 or strikeout 200 times.
Um, if Davis is so great, why don’t the Mets ‘take a risk’ and just keep him?
Better glove? I’m not sure about that one. 3 years of control? Isn’t Loney looking for a 3 year deal? Tim Beckham? You can have him, I’ll drive him to the airport and carry his luggage on his way out of Tampa. Well, Durham, since he’s never really been to Tampa.
Take it from someone who had to sit through Chris Carter for a year. It’s not worth it if they can’t hit over .250.
If they can’t hit for a decent average it might as well be Matt Stairs. I would rather Take James Loney
I’m assuming Adam Lind is still in play too.
A third year for the durable Loney shouldn’t be a deal breaker for the Brewers if the money is reasonable. He’s not the boom/bust type and likely could be moved at some point if and when the Brewers develop a home grown option.
Wouldn’t be surprised if one of these 4 teams called the Red Sox and asked about Carp or Nava. They all probably want inexpensive options and they both make league minimum.
Astros are fools not to make Loney a priority. He is 3 things for them if he signs. A stop gap at 1B, an insurance policy for singleton, and the teams DH should singleton succeed. Because quite frankly Bret Wallace and Chris Carter rotating at first and DH for another year is an unbearable thought especially with a guy like Loney who does everything Carter and Wallace can’t do
Loney is the wrong way for the Brewers to go.
It would be interesting to see the Brewers get Moreland in a deal that would send Yovani Gallardo to the Rangers.
ike for hellickson and tim beckham