In today’s column, Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe details the challenges faced by the Braves and Dodgers this offseason. John Hart and Andrew Friedman differ in age, style, and substance, but they face similar roadblocks. Here’s more from Cafardo..
- Scouts who have seen pending free agent James Shields over his career feel he’s changed from a fastball/changeup pitcher to a fastball/cutter pitcher. At one time his changeup was unhittable and the cutter, which has now taken over, is hittable at times. Shields is still effective but there is some bewilderment over his repertoire.
- Blue Jays left-hander Mark Buehrle will be made available in a trade, though his $19MM contract will be a deterrent unless the Jays are willing to assume part of it. Still, he seems more tradable than knuckleballer R.A. Dickey.
- Cafardo expects Rays second baseman Ben Zobrist to draw a lot of trade interest this offseason. In fact, new Dodgers boss Andrew Friedman might want to reunite with him in Los Angeles.
- The White Sox would love to move John Danks, but the $28.5MM owed to him over the next two years will be a deterrent to teams. Meanwhile, pitching coach Don Cooper still believes Danks, who has lost some of his heat, could become the second coming of Buehrle and pitch effectively in the mid-to-high 80s.
- The Twins haven’t asked Torey Lovullo for a second interview yet, but he also hasn’t been told he’s out of the hunt.
Buehrle was worth 19 million last year. I would trade for him in a instant. As long as you aren’t relying on him to be your ace he’s a very good number two or an excellent number three. Jays shouldn’t have to eat too much. 4 or 5 million.
could Dodgers make a run for Buehrle and say swap alex guerrero for him? Dodgers need a solid innings eater with a good track record for the back of there rotation and the blue jays desperately need an offensive second basemen to keep lawrie at third.
Thouhts?
As a Jays fan, I’d take that deal in a heartbeat.
Jays still have Sanchez, Norris, Nolin and Graveman to take Buehrle’s spot, the freed up cash will do wonders for the bullpen and we fix the 2nd base issue.
Buehrle for BJ Upton perhaps?
terrible idea, maybe they could trade him and a second rate prospect and eat 4-5 mil for heyward as a swap of one year players.
As a White Sox fan, I would love to see Buehrle back, but I doubt it’ll happen. As far as Danks goes, if he doens’t change things this year, either cut him or put him in the bullpen… You’re eating the money either way.
Danks for Buehrle?
Sure…I see Dank’s as superfluous if Buerhle can be brought in
Buerhle, some bullpen work, a little left hand hitting and we’re cooking with grease
Dickey has more upside, knuckleballers can pitch forever and he is the only person throwing that pitch in the majors, I think!
Knuckleballers can pitch forever, but Buehrle will throw 200 innings every season, never be on the DL and give you double digit wins every year, while having a era between in the mid threes to low fours. You know exactly what you’re getting with Buehrle. You never know with Dickey.
Since 2010, low four’s is Dickey’s worst as well, but instead of a ceiling of mid three’s he’ll occasionally pop out a season of high twos. He’s missed 200 innings once in that span (in 2010, by 25 innings).
As always it depends on what you pay. If you’re paying for a guy with high two’s, you’re going to be disappointed. If you’re paying for Mark Buerhle’s production but occasionally get Stephen Strausburgs you come out ahead.
Great, Beuhrle’s numbers go back to 2001. Longer track record. And you’re probably not going to see many sub 3 era’s from Dickey anymore. Knuckleballers can pitch forever, but by 40 they pretty much turn into .500 pitchers with era’s between 4 and 5. There just isn’t the same kind of consistency out of knucklers. DIckey’s a little better than the others, but not by a ton. Sub 3 era’s out of knucklers happen, but it’s like catching lightening in a bottle. Buehrle’s simply a better pitcher.
Zobrist should bring in a few good prospects for the Rays wherever he goes!
Something has to give if the Jays want to really move Buehrle as the article mentions. He’s not worth $20MM and prospect(s). The Jays are going to have to pick up a decent amount of what he’s owed probably at least $5+MM and settle for a mid level prospect if he’s to go anywhere.
They really should just keep him if they can stomach the salary. Trading him would look real bad to the fans. It’s one year and he’s still productive.
Sadly the Jays have much bigger needs. With the young pitching coming up they have to deal from strength. And Rogers strangle hold on the finances after an initial influx has left them crippled in a way. They need to pay for a second baseman, left fielder and some BP help too. A centre fielder would be nice too but don’t think I can even dream on that happening. Sadly it’ll be a move done for money.
I don’t know much about what the Jays’ plans are, but if they want to contend next year, why not just keep both players? They were both worth their contracts last season and they both never get hurt and give you 200 innings. For all his ups and downs, Dickey has still been slightly above average for the Jays while eating a ton of innings.
Buerhle back to the White Sox so everyone can beat rush hour on the Dan Ryan after Wednesday day games.
Instead of Danks being the second coming of Buehrle (which of course Cooper has to say, what else is he supposed to say, that Danks stinks?), how about bringing Buehrle back to the Sox?
19mil IS a lot to stomach though, maybe trade Danks for Buehrle?
The Sox should also go after Maddon since it is pretty obvious that Ventura is not the answer.
That Danks injury really side tracked him. I like Buehrle back in Chicago eating innings and giving the vet presence…but $19m is a little steep. Jays eat some of that, maybe.
That injury was a while ago if I am not mistaken and cannot be used as a crutch for the rest of his career.
Not a.crutch, but it’s lost time and it might alter his career profile.
Zobrist to the cards would be a nice fit.
Play right everyday, while Grichuk gets his playing time on off days and zobrist can back up wong, carpenter, adams, and peralta in the infield for off days, giving Grichuk plenty of games in right on the year.
Cards have plenty of young pitching and could even part with piscotty possibly.
Jays may very well be better off by holding onto Buehrle and getting the draft pick. Then again he might accept the qualifying offer lol But it’s going to be hard to get prospects and really not retain any salary of Buehrle’s.