TUESDAY: Infante will get $5MM in 2014, $7.5MM in '15, $7.75MM in '16, and $8MM in 2017, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (via Twitter). The $10MM option for 2018 can be bought out for $2MM.
DECEMBER 16th: The Royals have announced the signing, and they'll hold a press conference Tuesday morning. The deal evidently includes a team option for 2018, although the terms aren't yet known.
DECEMBER 13th: The Royals and Omar Infante have agreed to terms on a four-year contract, reports ESPN's Buster Olney (Twitter links). The deal is for $30.25MM and also includes incentives, CBS Sports' Jon Heyman tweets. Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports first reported that the two sides were "very close" to a deal (also on Twitter). Infante is represented by agent Gene Mato. Infante was MLBTR's 18th-ranked free agent heading into the offseason.
Infante, 32 in two weeks, batted .318/.345/.450 with 10 homers and solid second base defense for the Tigers in 2013. The veteran also drew interest from the Yankees and Reds, with the Yankees reportedly offering a three-year deal worth $24MM.
The move marks the next step in the Royals' offseason, a relatively eventful one for a small-market team. In addition to Infante, they've also added Jason Vargas and Norichika Aoki. As with Vargas' contract, Infante's offers the Royals a very reasonable average annual value, although it's a strong possibility that Infante won't be particularly effective at the end of the deal, when he'll be 35. Infante had been rumored to be seeking north of $8MM per year, and he settled for slightly less, though four years is a longer contract than he might have expected. At the beginning of the offseason, MLBTR's Tim Dierkes predicted Infante would win a three-year, $25MM deal.
Before Infante agreed to terms, Emilio Bonifacio and Johnny Giavotella had been the Royals' top options at second base. Infante did not receive a qualifying offer, so the Royals will not have to sacrifice a draft pick to sign him.
Charlie Wilmoth contributed to this post.
As a Yankees fan I’m actually happy the Royals signed Omar Infante.
Yankees took Beltran from them. They deserve this answer at 2B.
Yankees will just have to look elsewhere. Good quality bat added for KC.
Yankees can go after either Blake Beaven & PTBN (C Level prospect) from the Seattle Mariners for Ichiro or Vernon Wells (to come off the bench platooning w/ Logan Morrison) and cash or a mid level pitching prospect.
I would love to take a flyer on Ackley.
The Yankees are not going to get anything worth more than a bag of balls for Ichiro and/or Vernon Wells.
So you think Wells and Ichiro combine for positive trade value?
Not really by also sending a pitching prospect at mid level to the Mariners for either Ichiro or Wells that has more value between the two. Willingham can be as good as Ibanez 2.0 if he can stay healthy to help the Mariners contend for the playoffs as 2014 version of this past season’s Orioles.
That’s what the M’s need, a lousy veteran and a mediocre pitching prospect.
Not really unless Gardner instead of Ichiro/Wells & pitcher Robertson for relief pitching goes to the Mariners for Erasmo Ramirez or Paxton, Tyler Pike, Nick Franklin, Stefan Romero, and a PTBN for a better trade.
No we don’t need a 36yr old outfielder who didn’t want to be here. I would definitely take Robertson but your asking for way way too much. Tyler Pike no way Paxton no way. How about Nick Franklin Erasmo Ramirez & Romero for Gardner and Robertson but gardner would have to sign a 3 year for your deal with the mariners before the deal would be complete
Totally can understand. Which of the two outfielders between Ichiro or Alfonso Soriano can bring a good trade value?
Ichiro/Wells can come off the bench to backup Morrison & Willingham (if the Mariners can acquire him from the Twins w/ Worley) for former Yankees Montero, Justin Smoak (gets traded to the Pirates for Travis Snider or a prospect), Tyler Pike or Anthony Fernandez, John Hicks, and a PTBN.
Yes, because the Twins will trade a starting pitcher they just signed to a long contract. That makes total sense. Hey maybe the Mariners will trade Robinson Cano to the Yankees now that they’ve signed him.
I meant Vance Worley since Nolasco just signed from the Marlins/Dodgers in the mid season trade. Worley can pitch as a third or fourth in the starting rotation as he’s better than Harang.
Ok Worley makes more sense. And Nolasco just signed from the Dodgers, not the Marlins.
Hope Worley is a slight upgrade over Harang and/or Saunders.
i doubt it since he couldn’t crack a rotation of ERAs right around 5.50 last year
Is there a starting or relief pitcher that can be packaged w/ Willingham for those players mention (just Smosk or Montero & another player instead) that the Twins could trade to the Mariners?
its just that smoak annd montero dont make much sense for twins. we have Pinto & Doumit at catcher with Mauer as a third option. Mauer is everyday 1B so no spot for smoak there. Willingham probably splits LF/DH duties with Kubel/Doumit right now so no real spot there, even if we trade Willingham.
Plus Willingham’s value is minimal right now, midseason it may be better as a rental. Plus he seems to like it here and is a good community guy (Twins seem to like that sort of thing). I could see us maybe dealing him for Franklin if the M’s were willing to do that but I doubt they would. I’m also pretty sure we’d deal him for Michael Saunders but again I doubt the M’s would do that.
Hope Worley is a slight upgrade over Harang and/or Saunders.
Trading Worley right now would be the definition of ‘selling low’ in baseball.
Why would they do that when they have 2 or 3 wide-open rotation spots? Despite their recent signings, SP is still their most glaring need.
That’s why I included Tyler Pike that may help the Twins in 2015 if some of the AAA pitchers from last season are ready to jump to the a Twins roster.
the problem is the twins pitching staff from last year was their AAA starters. I guarantee the Twins have zero interest in smoak, montero, and some of the other people you have named. I also doubt we’d trade Willingham before the All-Star break.
No. Not at all. You couldn’t give the Mariners Ichiro & Vernon Wells even if the Yankees paid their full contracts.
The Yankees would be lucky to get a six pack and a lotto ticket for Ichiro/Wells, yet alone Ackley or Franklin.To put it simply, the Yankees don’t have much to trade for either player, and I would say it’s a safe bet one if not both Ackley/Franklin gets moved in a deal for a legitimate hitter.
megamillions is over $550M. I think that you are too convinced that someone would buy that high from the Yankees and their 1/110000000 chance of winning that jackpot.
Ichiro is probably worth Carlos Peguero at this point lol.
And that’s after Peguero’s wife stole thousands of dollars from Felix.
Peguero, Franklin or Ackley, Paxton or Erasmo Ramirez, Tyler Pike, Stefan Romero to replace A-Rod, and a player to be named for Beltran & Robertson or Nova would make more sense.
Ms won’t trade the young Franklin for Wells or Ichiro. Would likely be for Gardner.
Unless it’s a three way deal sending Gardner else to a team that the Mariners are willing to acquire pitching other than Price but of his caliber as a third starting pitcher that may be out there by giving up Franklin, Montero or Smoak, & mid level prospect.
Ty would but the Yankees would have to give their top position prospect plus give the Mariners 72 hours to negotiate a 3-4 year deal with Gardner. No point in trading a young stud for season rental. Gardner would be perfect for Safeco Field. He’d get 40+ stolen bases & 10 triples easily.
Seriously Johnrhee!!!! Do you think the Mariners are that stupid? I wouldn’t give a bag of shit for Ichiro or Vernon Wells even if the Yankees paid there contracts. I would trade Nick Franklin & Blake Beavan for Brett Gardner & your best pitching prospect with a 72 hour window to see if the Mariners could sign Gardner to a 3 or 4 year deal.
Dan, when making your team roster prepare to draw blood. Who lost the 1927 World Series? You know? I sure don’t just like most people. It’s about giving your team the best chance to win the World Series or bust. This is how we do in The Bronx! Omar Infante was offered more money by the Royals because they valued him more than the Yankees did. As a merciless Yankee fan I’m not happy he got away but must admit it’s a healthy sign for baseball’s competitive balance when small market teams outbid the Yankees.
good luck with kelly johnson
Dan Uggla is always available.
2014 reported salaries. KC for Infante $5M. St.L. for Ellis $5.25M+. NY for Roberts and Johnson $5M+.
Well, the Royals have now added two guys in Aoki and Infante that should be solid table setters for guys like Gordon, Butler (if he isn’t traded), Hosmer, and Perez. Though it remains to be seen whether we will see the 2010/13 version or the 2011/2012 of Infante during his contract.
Royals IMO still need another big bat and an arm to deepen the rotation, I like Shields but they need another good arm to stick in the #2 slot and then they’d IMO be alegit contender. I’d love for them to get a cleanup hitter (Cruz maybe to hit between Hosmer and Gordon…that’s a pretty deep/solid lineup. They should get in the running for Samard.
They haven’t proven anything yet, so if you’re skeptical on a legit #2 for that reason, then ok, but Danny Duffy and to a lesser extent, Yordano Ventura, absolutely have #2 upside, and it’s not that far off. More experience for Ventura and Duffy learning he can’t nibble, and you have a strong enough top 3…then add Zimmer by August 1, and they could absolutely be a 750 inning, sub 4.00 ERA rotation
exactly
I see Cruz as a poor fit. While another power bat would be nice, it would need to be a line-drive 60+ DO/HR combo rather than a fly-ball hitter whose HR numbers were inflated playing half his games at Arlington. Butler hit 29 HR in 2012 and other than his propensity for hitting into DPs due to being slow is better suited for The K than Cruz — whose 5.9 WAR over the last three years is lower than Butler’s 7.6. Cruz’ defense has also declined to the point where he is not a suitable OF option, so the Royals wouldn’t even accomplish their objective of having a rotating DH.
Yankees are getting….handed to them this off-season.
I never thought I would say this, but the Royal are contenders.
Seems more like the Yankees have gotten everyone they were realistically targeting at their price.
They were contenders before signing infante.
That division is absolutely winnable. The Tigers are not a lock for the central. I do like the Royals because they have about the same young core with that much more experience. I wouldn’t be shocked to see KC make the playoffs.
nice signing. not an overpay. good one KC
Now Ms trade Franklin for Gardner
M’s fan?
You don’t think 1 year of Gardner is worth 6 years of Franklin?
Its a very fair trade..
Not really. Unless the M’s think they will make the World Series it is lopsided.
Fair trade talent wise. Doesn’t make sense for the Mariners. If I was the Yankees, I’d be jumping for joy and accept that.
Yeah, there’s no way the M’s ship off someone like Franklin for a rental.
I wouldn’t rule it out. They did JUST give 1/6M + incentives to a aging Cory Hart, and 5M to a aging Willie Bloomqest.
Hart was the best right-handed power hitter on the market, and $6MM is practically nothing in baseball terms. And it’s $5MM over 2 years, it’s an overpay, but who cares?
Corey Hart has massive upside for a 1 year/6 mil contract.
No such thing as a bad one year deal.
That Scott Baker deal last offseason really paid off.
Every time I heard Franklin’s name come up, he’s on the DL. Can’t stay healthy. Yanks need an infielder, not another outfielder – good defense or not.
Nick Franklin not Franklin Gutierrez
That’s a massive overpay for the M’s.
No it’s not. Power bats START at 7 figures. The fact they got Hart to agree to incentive-laden deal is great move. You do understand if he makes $13, he will have produced at 2008 numbers, don’t you? Incentives are completely performance based, and their are always, 100% a huge win for the club.
Sorry, start at 8 figures.
Technically, the incentives are appearance based, one just hopes that if he’s healthy then he’s producing like vintage Hart (making the contract a steal), but that is far from a guarantee after an entire year being injured. And if his K numbers rise at all above the 24% he posted in 2012, things could get ugly.
My Yankees are gonna have to find the way to trade for Brandon Phillips now. Very soon before the miss the bus like they just did with infante.
Cough it up…
Been down this road already. Yankees have already said no. Let’s move on.
Waiting for Yankees fans to rationalize and downplay this move, although if they had signed Infante they would talk about his good skills and how much they needed him.
You are correct!!
Every fan base does that.
Phillies fan don’t hype up anyone.
Hernadez signing: Too old, over pay
Nieves: Too old
Byrd: Too old
Papelbon: 60M dollars for a reliever and he has been very good in his first 2 years.
Howard: Was a great signing! 2 years later.. wtf was Amaro thinking??
Rollins: Too much cash.
Ruiz: Too long in years
Yup because Yankee fans are the only ones that do that.
Why does KC always sign the most random marginal players to multi-year deals? Infante, Guthrie, Gil Meche, Vargas, etc. I feel like they’ve gotten lucky that they’ve gotten some production from some of these guys.
Right….because KC was the only team looking to give Infante a multi year deal.
That’s not my point. Although Infante isn’t a miserable buy at 4/$30MM, he simply isn’t that good along with all of the other guys I named. I just don’t see why they wouldn’t use these resources on a little bit of a bigger splash/impact player.
When you have multiple holes to fill….filling them is sometimes more effective than putting all of your resources in one place. I think this was the necessary approach for the Royals.
I can see this point but I’m not necessarily saying put it all in one place.
That $7.5 million for each of the next 4 years could go a long way for that organization, to either put towards an impact player or spending a little more each on multiple players. Vargas + Infante are going to make roughly $15MM, wouldn’t you rather one impact bat at that price rather than those 2 players? Especially when a guy like Vargas is pretty replaceable.
If I’m not mistaken, Vargas/Infante are now the 4th/5th highest paid on the team. Not a good allocation of payroll in my opinion if you look at it that way.
The upside is with Vargas+ Infante. It’s very possible that each has a 2 WAR season which would equal Shin Soo Choo’s 2013. The difference is you will be paying Choo 15 mil when hes not putting that value up. The risk is spread out over multiple players as well.
I don’t discredit WAR, but it’s not the end all be all that people make it out to be for judging contracts.
Sure, 2 of them combined could equal Choo in one stat, but the chance of Infante or Vargas being bad are way higher, and their ceiling isn’t anywhere near Choo’s. The risk isn’t as spread out, but the amount of risk is higher based on the players we’re talking about. You’re also forgetting to add in the value of a cheaper replacement for Vargas, which can be close to or better than him.
Value may be relative to other things too besides whether your WAR = salary. In a business sense, a player like Choo will get some fans in the seats and sell some jerseys. Nobody’s coming to see Infante or Vargas.
Choo is not a superstar with a proven track record for selling tickets or jerseys. He’s a good OBP batter with modest power and declining defensive abilities, which the Royals already have in Butler — who is a star to Royals’ fans with a proven track record for selling BBQ sauce. In the aggregate get as much from the combo of Infante and Aoki for under $10M than they do for Choo at $15M+. If the Royals has a $120M payroll, then the better signing would have been Cano, but a team with an $85M payroll has to spread out its resources.
First of all, you spread the injury risk out between two players. Say Choo tears his ACL in spring training…well there goes all of the spending down the drain. But if that happens to Infante, at least Vargas is still around.
I like the moves the Royals made (and I’m a White Sox fan, one of the few left it seems). When you take less spectacular guys, you need to overpay less for name value. And as was said below, nobody is coming to the ballpark to see Choo.
You can make that injury hypothetical for any player or team in any sport.
I actually agree that Choo isn’t a headliner like that and meant it literally when I said “player like Choo”, but was just continuing to use him as the example for a higher quality player (which I still believe they should have targeted–not just this offseason, but over the past few years).
Speaking of money misallocation by the Royals, don’t forget about the combined $9.6 million going to bullpen arms Davis and Hochevar next year.
I wonder how long it takes before Hochevar is traded? One of the best bullpens, with these two signings, I would think Hochevar is moved.
Because teams win with good/solid players, not a roster of all-stars.
Well… A roster full of all-stars certainly wins games too.
Because teams win with good/solid players, not a roster of all-stars.
Because when your team has a history of losing you have to over pay to convince even marginal players to join the squad. They’ve overpaid in years in most cases because marginal players value security.
Phillips to Yankees for Gardner, just watch.
They already rejected that trade.
If it does happen it won’t be strait up.
George Strait up?
What?
Interesting…KC is the place where the Omar Infantes of the world go to die…he could have gone to Cincy on a shorter deal and boosted his value tremendously…poor agent and poor decision…
If he goes to Cincy, where exactly would he of played? His best bet was either NY teams, then the Mets trade Murphy/he replaces Cano.
The Mets would have been silly to sign him at that price, Murphy had virtually the same WAR at a much lower price. Obviously Infante is a far superior defensive player, but the Mets are better off keeping Murphy if they can’t get anything good for him.
Infante had .6 higher war. Doesn’t seem like much, but it is pretty good. I agree that they shouldn’t trade Murphy unless they get a good return, and/or they are sure they got a better alternative.
I’m skeptical that they’ll really trade him. I don’t see Murphy fetching enough in a trade for it to be worthwhile.
I think they’re done making major moves outside of an Ike Davis trade.
I’m wondering what this does to Murphy’s trade value actually. There is one less option out there for the Yankees now, and Murphy can play 2b or 3b if needed. The Yanks have quite a few prospects that would interest the Mets. It seems to make WAY too much sense.
That’d be an interesting move.
I’m against trading him for Gardner though, that’s not who the Mets need. I’m not as familiar with their farm system, but do they have a good middle infield prospect ?
Gary Sanchez C #27, Mason Williams OF #37, Tyler Austin OF #68, Rafael De Paula RHP #99, and those are just the ones in the top 100. So no, no middle IF’s, but we need OF’s in the worst way, and catching is more valuable than anything else out there. They have the goods to get Murphy, just in prospects.
That’d be an interesting move.
I’m against trading him for Gardner though, that’s not who the Mets need. I’m not as familiar with their farm system, but do they have a good middle infield prospect ?
He’s going to be 32 on opening day, and wanted at least a 3-year deal. He’s not going to get a better contract than this at age 34/35, his value has probably peaked.
2013 results:
Cincinnati 3rd place 7 games back
Kansas City 3rd place 7 games back
Not exactly Globetrotters vs Generals there.
One could also say: The Reds won 90 games and went to the playoffs for the 3rd time in 4 years last year. When is the last time the Royals have been there?
I do think the Royals will be very good next year though…
Raul Ibanez sure died there.. and so did Bruce Chen.
Royals have assembled a nice little team here!
If their rotation continues to improve, they will definitely be in position in September to get to October!
Royals could use another mid-rotation starter, but regardless I really like the way the team is shaping up for 2014 now.
Maybe the Yankees should just sign Brian Roberts to a 1 year deal and call it a day. I have no interest in giving up our sole trade chip for Phillips and also be stuck with him for 4 years/$50M
They can’t sign roberts and call it a day, because he’ll get injured before the day is done.
There’s not much of an option without overpaying in trade pieces for one. It’s best to keep those pieces, sign a one year stopgap and hope for the best.
There isn’t much else to do.
Gary Sanchez for Utley. Before you all start screaming that its a major overpay, the Yanks are desperate for a slugging 2B. Utley provides that.
Except, if they were, they would have matched for Infante. They’re going to ride it out and not overpay. Which is the smart thing to do.
Pass. No team is desperate for a slugging second baseman – that’s a luxury. The yankees need someone who can catch the ball and not embarrass themselves with the stick. Geez is Infante a slugging second baseman?
No he’s not though though he did just have a good offensive season his first in a while.
Actually, Brian Roberts for a one year deal wouldn’t be so bad… just that it should be “Plan C”
A former Brave on the Royals, huh? Wow…
I don’t get your comment. Are you upset that they take braves players or something?
The comment was an attempt at a joke based on how many former Braves players, coaches and front-office personnell eventually end up on the Royals
I doubt they are targeting the Braves. Omar Infante hasn’t played for the Braves in years. Why not say they pick up former Marlins?
calm down it’s just a joke, like looking at how many former yankees were on the m’s last year.
Were there that many former Yankees on the Mariners last year? Ibanez hardly counts seeing as how he’d been a Mariner twice before a Yankee once. The three others (Farquhar, Noesi and Montero) were all trade acquisitions which go both ways. The Mariners have definitely had a thing for former Jack Z draftees though from when he was with Milwaukee.
You should be called King Killjoy.
Right.
Were there that many former Yankees on the Mariners last year? Ibanez hardly counts seeing as how he’d been a Mariner twice before a Yankee once. The three others (Farquhar, Noesi and Montero) were all trade acquisitions which go both ways. The Mariners have definitely had a thing for former Jack Z draftees though from when he was with Milwaukee.
They’ve been at this for quite a while now actually and no, I don’t think they’re targeting Braves it’s just one monster of a coincidence.
Dayton Moore worked with the Braves for a while before he was the Royals GM and seems to have an infatuation for former Atlanta players.
From a 2009 article I pulled some names, I’m sure there’s much more now. Odalis Perez, Jeff Francoeur, Tony Pena, Kyle Davies, Brayan Pena, and Horacio Ramirez are all former Braves turned Royals.
Melky Cabrera, Bruce Chen and Tim Collins as well. Plus some coaches and front office members I believe
If you recall the Braves were built by former ROYALS GM John Scherholtz!!!!!
If you recall the Braves were built by former ROYALS GM John Scherholtz!!!!!
Great move for a team ready to contend like KC. I don’t think they overpaid.
Time for Yankees to focus on Stephen Drew.
He’s a SS and a really good defensive one at that. Are you going to move Jeter to 2nd??
I might be one of the only Yankee fans who wants them to do just that. He is a poor defensive shortstop second base might be a little easier to hide his flaws(poor range and bellow average throwing arm lol).Stephen drew would be a big upgrade.
Yes Drew would be an upgrade but I just don’t see them moving Jeter to 2nd. Someone elsewhere proposed Mark Ellis as an option. Obviously the old jokes would commence but he put up 3 WAR last year and 2.5 the year before. A one year deal may not be a bad idea.
I agree it won’t happen. Ellis is an option, Uribe can play 3rd and second i wouldn’t mind him.
It’s wishful thinking at best. No way Jeter is moving to 2B. No way. You need as much mobility to play 2B than SS. And I don’t think Jeter will want to try it.
Yes!!!
Yankees opening day 2Bman Kelly johnson?
Most likely.
CF – Ellsbury
RF – Beltran
LF – Gardner
1B – Tex
2B – Johnson
SS – Jeter
3B – Ryan/ A-Rod
DH- Soriano
C – McCann
That’s a pathetic infield.
Yeah, I know. 3rd place Yankees, everyone.
Because the infield makes up the whole team. Yes.
Rotation is CC, Kuroda and Nova. 2 teams in your division alone got a better rotation. They have by far the worst Infield. I would rank them with the best outfield, 3rd best bullpen and best bench. Red Sox are so much better and BlueJays/Rays can handle them if the Jays are healthy and Rays continue to do what they do.
Boston had mediocre pitching last season, which even if the yankees don’t make another move can probably be matched. After all both staffs played the same last season.
Their pitching is mediocre, too.
The only team in that division that didn’t have mediocre pitching last was the rays…
Maybe 4th if Toronto can avoid being unclutch and injured. Their offense is much better and their pitching is about the same, though I suspect both teams will look to add.
Maybe 5th if we’re just making things up.
Its actually possible they end up 5th. If Dickey, Burlehe and Morrow return to form, Baustia, Edwin, Reyes and Melky hit like they can, they got a shot, they bullpen is much better. Red Sox are a better team at everything but the outfield. Orioles got an underdog feel that they can still ride, 3 really good infielders, a solid bullpen and outfield. Decent rotation. Rays can beat the Yankees are everything but home run derby.
“If Dickey, Burlehe and Morrow” Buehrle wasn’t pitching to his form last year? He had a 4.10 fip which is basically his career slightly lower than his 4.13 career mark. Honestly he performed better than people though he could’ve in the al east.
Morrow doesn’t have a form to return to since he hasn’t really stayed healthy for an entire yr that often. When he has he is a 3.65 fip type pitcher.
Dickey is the only one that has a form to return to and considering he did most of his work in the NL, we don’t know that exact number either.
No one really knows what what melky hitting like he can means either.
The o’s and jays didn’t just have a bad rotation last yr they had two of the worst staffs in baseball.
Underdog feel must give them 3-5 war right of the bat.
Maybe 1st if they have more wins at the end of the season than the other teams in their division.
That’s literally the worst infield in all of baseball in my opinion.
I’m pretty sure the Astros are worse, and there are probably more teams worse as well. As fun as it is to hate on the Yankees…
I still think the Yankees have questions to address with their rotation, bullpen, and infield. But hey, that outfield is great.
bullpen has questions
maybe they can covert soriano into an infielder and he can play 2B 🙂
Better yet:
RF – Aoki
2B – Infante
1B – Hosmer
DH – Butler
LF – Gordon
C – Perez
3B – Moustakas
CF- Cain
SS – Escobar
I’m not a Royals fan and I think thats an outstanding lineup. Big things are possible in KC in 2014.
I’d switch Hosmer and Gordon. Gordon is a higher OBP type and Hosmer has the type of power than one would want behind Butler for protection. Either way, this could be a very productive line-up.
Is this really your prediction of the lineup? Gardner is not hitting third, they want him second behind Ellsbury. Kelly Johnson, Jeter and Brendan Ryan are most certainly not hitting above Soriano and McCann, either. McCann in the ninth spot? That’s funny.
I think he was saying the defensive lineup, like who’s going to play what postion, but I could be wrong
I would think Gardner is more effective as a #9 hitter in the yanks lineup. He’s not a lead-off hitter. And you want a better bat at #2.
I don’t think Ryan will play third, even with the possibility of no A-Rod. He was signed to play SS. He has no bat to play the corner. Yanks didn’t want to do it, but perhaps give Nunez 3B, but he’ll have to hit in Spring training. I’m not a fan of Nunez either.
Yankees should have went the extra year on Infante. He would have been very good for that infield and his versatility would have been worth the money. They will regret letting Cano go now.
They should have went the extra mile with Cano, like they’ve done for all other franchise players. This is gonna come back and haunt the Yanks just watch!
That would have been the best option but with that water under the briidge and Cano relatively harmless in Seattle, Infante would have helped close the hole left by his departure. They added enough offense in Ellsbury,McCann and Beltran to make up for Cano’s bat, but Infante was the missing ingredient to the epoxy to fill the hole completely.
Anytime you can weaken a division opponent and make your ball club stronger at the same time, I am all for. Welcome to 2nd Base Omar!
I like this signing.
I know the Phillips to Yankees for Gardner trade was rejected, but I wonder if it was rejected because the Yankees thought they could/would get Infante. Wonder if this trade discussion would be revisited now that they lost out in Infante?
Good move for the Royals, but they still need to replace Santana and Chen. Vargas, Guthrie and Davis cannot be 3/5’s of a playoff rotation.
I agree. I think they are 2 pitchers away. Vargas and Guthrie are ok 4/5’s Shields is a 1 so they need 2/3. If only Santana would come back…
Ventura and Duffy = 2 and 3
You can’t trust Danny Duffy to be your number-three starter. He’s occasionally lights out on the mound, but he has a history of injury, he’s never thrown more than 105 innings, and his pitch efficiency is horrific.
If Santana could replicate his 2013 numbers, he’d be good to have. But what in his history suggests that’s likely? If Santana regresses back to his 2012 form, then even a slightly above average season for Vargas would be better.
If Santana could replicate his 2013 numbers, he’d be good to have. But what in his history suggests that’s likely? If Santana regresses back to his 2012 form, then even a slightly above average season for Vargas would be better.
Royals will probably fill out their rotation with Ventura or Zimmer (not at the start of the year, but possibly at some point) or Duffy, they don’t exactly have anymore $$ to spend.
I don’t see them making the playoffs with a rotation like that. Maybe a deal at the deadline will fix that, but their offense isn’t stellar even with Infante. They’re an above .500 team, but the Central will be tough.
I think thats a top 3 offense in MLB.
The 3/5 I assume you’re alluding to is Shields, Vargas and Guthrie (was it just a matter of convenience to leave out the Royals’ No. 1 SP?). Davis may or may not make the rotation; he’ll be in competition with Duffy, Ventura and Hochevar (at least, and maybe Chen, too — there’s a possibility he could re-sign with the Royals) for the final two spots. Ventura is ready now and will likely be a ROY candidate. I’m fine with Duffy to begin the season and see how it goes, but if he doesn’t work out the Royals are developing some depth to give them trading options.
Wow I am surprised the Yankees couldn’t match or better that especially with a clear need at 2nd base. Kelly Johnson just won’t cut it each and everyday as he barely hit .200 against righties for two straight years. He was very solid against lefties though. The yanks should not just overlook this and while they can’t replace cano statistically at that position (I mean who could?) they could manage that spot with 2 players who complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses adequately.
Much different Yankees. Seems the Evil Empire is officially dead, or has been re-located to Los Angeles, California.
wow he cashed in. This past year was a career year for him right?
Yes, though his war in 12 was pretty much the same. Followed his best defensive year with his bets offensive year.
Well, let’s not get carried away…his recent success isn’t isolated….he was good in 08, 09, 10,……he’s just a pretty solid MLB player.
All-star utility player in 2010! Really though I agree he’s a solid 2B.
Very surprised the yankees didn’t push a little harder for Infante,
Ive read that Negotiations with Homer Bailey aren’t going well and the Reds are talking with Arroyo could this mean Homer,Phillips to the Bronx?
No way Suzuki or Wells nets a 2/3 SP. They still aren’t going to Trade Bailey and.Yankees Gardner.
wow what a surprise Dayton Moore signed a former Brave
As much as players move around, it is a 50/50 chance you might end up with a former Brave.
Infante was a brave ex:2009-11
Nice job KC, solid above average player at a decent rate
Angels have a couple second baseman (Green and Kendrick). Could match up on a deal
Hard to believe he’s worth a 4 year deal, but the AAV seems about right, maybe even a little cheap.
It’s matches up with projected value pretty much perfectly according to zips.
IDK. I think Mark Ellis would have been a decent option for far less.
Boycott trades with the Yankees or signing with them! lol.
Now the Royals “Yankeed” the Yanks as Cash referred to Seattle in the Cano deal.
Love it!
Although I’m a Tiger fan, I gotta give it up to KC. They traded a position of strength to get a lead off hitter in Aoki so they could move Alex Gordon down in the lineup where he belongs. Infante isn’t a sexy name but he’s a very solid player. Keep in mind Peralta got 4/52 after he was suspended for PEDs and unlike Peralta, infante isn’t a statue w no range at his position. KC has long has a 2B revolving door and this helps solidify this position for the time being while also moving Bonaficio to a utility type role where I think he would prove ultimately most effective. Although I’m not a huge fan of the Vargas deal I realize even 4th/5th sp innings eaters cost money in the open market. And it addressed a need.
Infante is a good fit for the K. He should hit well there with the big alleys and will be a solid defender. Seems like 4 years is a stretch but he may not drop off all that much and the extra year was needed to beat out the Yankees. I’d be happy if I was a Royals fan.
Overpaid.. he took more money. But it was only 25k more. I would have offered him league minimum. 500k with incentives to get up to 1.5 mil options for a 2nd year.
Good signing by the Royals. He’s a solid, useful player. OK for the Yankees as well, since they need to find opportunities to go cheaper and younger at some positions.
What if Derek Jeter transitioned to Second Base? I think he’d actually do really well at the position and could extend his career a few more years by doing so. Makes sense.
That’s a great idea in theory. Why don’t you be the one who tells Jeter and his (deserved) ego he has to move to 2B lol. Ain’t happening. Although it should.
That would all depend on his ankle first.
Well if you paid more than the Yankees obviously you have made a poor financial decision. In this case Bonifacio was a reasonable option for the Royals at 2B. It will be interesting to compare Emilio with Omar in 2014.
Since 2008 (according to BBRef):
Bonifacio: .263/.322/.341//.663, 79 OPS+ in 2272 PAs, with a 0.9 dWAR
Infante: .296/.332/.413//.745, 100 OPS+ in 2787 PAs, with a 3.8 dWAR
Granted, Infante is older than Bonifacio, but it’s pretty obvious he is a better player in just about every way.
If you go back to 2011, the gap shortens a bit (Bonifacio .688 OPS, 89 OPS+ vs. Infante .732 OPS, 97 OPS+), but Infante is still the superior defender. Also, Bonifacio has only OPSed above .700 once in his entire career. This is a good deal for the Royals, and I don’t think Bonifacio will come close to posting the same numbers as Infante.
If anything, the “poor financial decision” that the Royals have made is deciding to pay Luke Hochevar and Wade Davis around $5MM each.
Even if Hochever and Davis pitch out of the bullpen in 14, $5MM for lights out setup guys is the going rate. Check out what Joe Smith and J.P Howell are getting.
Yankees are bumming. Here again a Brandon Phillips trade makes sense.
He can’t pitch.
Well, good. Now the Yankees can explore a trade for Rickie Weeks! I’d take Ichiro straight up. Put Braun at 1st.
Not a Yankees fan but this is good they didn’t sign infante. Hes average at best at every thing.
Royals fans have been crying for years but failed to understand the depths to which the organization had plummeted before DM took over in 2006. Take a look at the roster then and name one player from there you’d want now. Answer is ZERO. It’s taken a LONG time to build the franchise up, but they’re in a position to make a move and they’re collecting the pieces. Not to mention a majority of their lineup is still young. I like the move and if – for once – they can avoid a lousy April-May, they will be in this thing. I think it was after 15 June or something they had the second-best record in baseball. Everyone is back except Santana…and the weak links replaced. I’m excited.
I have been impressed with Tim’s salary predictions. All the links are great, but the original content on this site has been top notch. Just want to say thanks for all the work you guys put into the site,
By 2018, $10 million a year may seem like a very reasonable price.