In today’s column, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe wonders if the Red Sox will succumb to fan pressure and re-sign Jon Lester. Lester turned down a four-year, $70MM offer from the Red Sox in spring training and other clubs will almost certainly offer six- or seven-year deals if he reaches the open market. Boston, of course, doesn’t want to go that far. “If that’s your philosophy you can’t make exceptions or it will be viewed as a joke,” said one American League general manager. “If you vary from it, that sends a weak message to the baseball community, agents etc., when it comes with dealing with other players. I think the players themselves need to know where you stand as an organization, and if you keep deviating that sends the wrong message.” Here’s more from today’s column..
- The Mariners don’t mind dealing for Rays ace David Price without an agreement in place for a long-term deal, but that’s not the case for everyone. The Cardinals are interested in Price but would want a financial commitment, a major league source tells Cafardo. Cafardo cautions not to rule out the Giants, who also have had interest in Ben Zobrist.
- The Phillies have been discouraged by what they’re hearing from other teams on Cole Hamels. The Phillies consider him their biggest trade chip, but will hold on to him if they don’t get what they consider a fair deal. The Red Sox sent their top pitching scout to watch the hurler before the break and the Phillies have scouted Boston’s major and minor league teams all season. One major league source said if the Phillies get a taker on the full contract and they get three top prospects, he’s gone, and Hamels, according to another major league source, wouldn’t mind.
- Joaquin Benoit is one of the most sought after relievers on the market but a Padres official tells Cafardo that they won’t just give him away.
- Chad Qualls has resurrected his career with the Astros and teams are calling on him, according to a major league source. Houston left-hander Tony Sipp has also drawn interest.
- A.J. Pierzynski, who cleared waivers Friday, has told agent Steve Hilliard that he would like to continue playing.
The full contract AND three top prospects? Does Amaro think every GM is Kevin Towers, lets get serious here.
Hamels is a bonafide ace and a great postseason pitcher and is also relatively young. Hes worth his contract, and is an absolute difference maker. The price might be a little too steep, but if the phillies are trading him they need at least 2 top prospects
He is also in his 30’s which is where many pitchers really start to slow down. He is also owed more than $100MM, difference maker, but more than Scherzer or Lester?
All three are around the same age, the difference is Hamels has his contract already while the other two will sign theirs this off season. Lester and Scherzer are most likely getting deals that to longer than Hamels and are about the same amount money wise.
In that case, Hamels would be the safer bet. As I also think he’s the better, more consistent out of the three anyway
Exactly. This off-season you have Scherzer, Lester, Shields. People are going to throw more guaranteed money at them than Cole Hamels is getting and there’s no guarantee they sign with you. You trade for a player under contract for four year and that’s a ‘guarantee’ you have their services without participating in a bidding war.
Scherzer already turned down 6/148. Lester is going to take at least 5 if not 6 years(and that’s if he doesn’t return to the Red Sox), and Shields is 2 years older than Hamels and finally hitting FA with a chance for his last big pay day. Even if he signs for $20m a year you’re going to have to come with 4/80 or 5/100 to a pitcher 2 years older than Hamels.
I think Hamels is the best bet there. Lefties have a way of being effective longer and Hamels has never been a guy throwing in the mid 90s relying on heat.
Hamels has trended upward in his last two seasons. His average fastball velocity is up this year, he’s added a cutter and has been able to lean on his secondary stuff other than the change-up. Just last night he threw 6 innings of one-hit, 7 K ball throwing a grand total of 5 change-ups, his bread and butter pitch.
I really don’t think any decline is imminent. And it’d be shocking if the bottom feel out before his contract is up in four years.
He’s 30, this is like the 4th time in this thread said “he’s in his 30s”, you’re being more than a little intellectually dishonest when you say that. It’s very reasonable to assume Hamels can complete the rest of his contracts (4 more years) at the same high level.
Because pitchers in their 30’s are much more likely to suddenly decline or get injured. This same exact thing happened when Verlander hit 30, he pitched in about 20 fewer innings, and his era went up by almost a run.
Addison Russell is in his 20s, when players are typically in their prime but yet, still not in the big leagues. Bust.
I’m sorry, but that is just a useless argument. Are there even ANY mlb players born in 1994 yet?
Paying Lester sends no message other than that the team values it’s homegrown star.
Agree. I don’t understand Cafardo’s logic. As usual.
@RevMurph: Do you want Lester to get a big contract for 6+ years?
He’s gonna get a $144m contract on the open market. BoSox will need to match that to keep him. I project:
$132M 6yr with a Team Option for a 7th year with a $4-5M buyout
I could see Seattle landing him if he hits the open market.
No doubt Cash will go after him hard. And with Ellsbury on board he could make a pitch to him, no pun intended
No, but we don’t have a ton of options. I’d rather have Hamels, but I don’t want to see Lester in a Yankees uniform.
Who wants to see anybody in a Yankee uniform lol
The problem with Lester is, he’s not an ace.
Lester is better than a typical Ace in the playoffs.
The word Ace is largely subjective. He was the number one starter on a World Series winning team. What more does he have to do?
The word Ace is largely subjective. He was the number one starter on a World Series winning team. What more does he have to do?
His stats show that he is worthy of getting paid.
Maybe a Rays-Mariners deal is getting close?
Would love to see it happen. Mariners fans deserve a playoff run. Happy to see Lloyd McClendon doing well.
cant see the Rays just wanting Walker now. His stuff is not as good as advertised. The fastball is flat and he has little command of his change up. The M’s shouldve dealt him when he was a 25 prospect. If was eligible, he certainly is no longer.
When Cafardo quoted an unnamed AL GM that the Red Sox can’t make exceptions, even for Lester, one wonders if that is someone friendly to current management, or someone who would like the Sox not to bid higher so their team could get a shot, or, for that matter, the Red Sox. I would have preferred to see something like “one AL GM who team isn’t likely to bid on Lester in the off-season…” Sounds like more of a message to Lester. Of course, Cafardo might have been talking to Houston….
Why do the Mariners need Price? They have an ace, the ACE actually, a great bullpen and a solid staff. What they lack are bats.
Pitching > Batting almost always in the playoffs.
False.
It’s still standard hitting vs pitching like always.
Only change is from a 5 man rotation to a 4 man
Don’t forget that playoff teams have superior starting rotations compared to the whole league. Then you face the top 4 of that group.
Because they are currently running out guys like Chris Young, Roenis Elias and ? every 3rd, 4th and 5th day right now in the regular season. If somehow these pitchers can keep it together long enough for the Mariners to squeak into the playoffs, they then have a playoff rotation of Hernandez, Iwakuma and ?.
If they add Price, they become favorites in 60% of their remaining regular season games, as opposed to 40%. They also then run out a playoff rotation of Hernandez, Price and Iwakuma. That would give them a huge pitching advantage in any AL postseason series.
Dillon Gee could be had from the Mets cheaper than Price, and has an extra year of control as well. He’s exactly what you need and not the overkill you want.
Because they are currently running out guys like Chris Young, Roenis Elias and ? every 3rd, 4th and 5th day right now in the regular season. If somehow these pitchers can keep it together long enough for the Mariners to squeak into the playoffs, they then have a playoff rotation of Hernandez, Iwakuma and ?.
If they add Price, they become favorites in 60% of their remaining regular season games, as opposed to 40%. They also then run out a playoff rotation of Hernandez, Price and Iwakuma. That would give them a huge pitching advantage in any AL postseason series.
Are the Padres gonna move Headley?
I think it time for the Tigers to sell the farm; I’m tired of Nathan and the bullpen, time to go get a new closer and another bullpen arm. Then try to add a SP move Smyly to the bullpen and then try to get a SS in one of the two above deals (make everyone available expect those on the 25-man roster)
Rays haven’t decided yet if they are Sellers. Maurer,Franklin,Wilson,Ackley and Ramirez for Lee and Kendrick,Byrd?
I’m guessing the Cardinals wanting Price to sign an extension is related to Goold’s speculation yesterday that Taveras could be traded. If the Cardinals could lock Price up at a reasonable rate, they’ll include Taveras. That would be quite exciting and disappointing.
I just don’t see why the cardinals need price.
He would certainly be an upgrade over joe Kelly, but at what cost?
I would rather trade for zobrist or nobody.
cards are really solid. They don’t really need to upgrade anything to be seriously competitive.
There’s really no point in trading for Zobrist. It would likely mean Wong to the bench. Matheny has proven he cannot play multiple quality players at one position to the teams advantage.
I wouldn’t be surprise the Tigers be a dark horse for Hamels. They can easily take the contract on and they have a few spare parts the Phillies might be interested. Tigers can move Smyly or Verlander to the pen to improve the pen. Verlander needs a break from last year injury and dead arm. I think it is a done deal if the Tigers can put in a clause players to be named later.
I disagree
Tigers already have 2 highly paid pitchers in JV and Sanchez. Still have bp needs(and Smyly is pitching well… no need to mess with his routine). And are already at 150mm payroll.
Not to mention are raises this off season, resigning or replacing Vmart and Hunter, hopefully finally addressing the bp.
I don’t see the Tigers having any discussion on Hamels. Granted, I also said no one would take on Fielder’s contract
Trading for Hamels already replaces Max next year and Hamel would be cheaper. I doubt that will replace Hunter due to surplus of OFs. Smyly is going to the pen anyway come playoffs. You are hitting two birds with one stone. Getting another starter and increasing your bullpen depth. Getting a relief pitcher is expensive for what they are worth. If he is not traded by July 29th, I would think DD at least make a call.
Verlander to the pen? The Tigers aren’t paying him 20m to pitch 1 inning per game.
I think the Cardinals have enough .267/7/26 guys on their current roster; no reason to trade away young, cost controlled talent for a redundant piece.
there’s a Price/Zobrist to Giants blockbuster coming soon.